Bayou Moon by Ilona Andrews

Bayou Moon really sucks you in when you let it. I do not recommend reading it in short bursts, unless you’re going section to section or chapter to chapter. Really works a lot better in large chunks. Highly recommend.

I like Cerise more than Rose, from On the Edge. Cerise actually shows the steel she’s made of. Also, she’s snarky, which is almost always a plus in my books. Although she has weight on her shoulders, she doesn’t let it isolate her. William has actually grown a personality, which is good. The whole “I’m just a dude, just a solider” routine would not have worked for a main character. Showing his skills outside of his Changeling nature also helped with that. Also showing how he thinks versus how a “normal” human thinks is a plus. I actually like their romance. It’s based in a partnership they grow during their short time together in The Mire and it just works a lot better than Declan and Rose, in my opinion.

The world-building here is, again, top notch. Not just the descriptions of the land, but the characters as well. Also the weird contradictions, like Louisianan operatives being super mutated through magic and that’s kind of okay but to be born a Changeling is anathema in their culture. The people of The Mire also definitely help give The Mire, and thus The Edge, a feeling of reality.

I will say this about the dogs in Ilona Andrews’ books: they are a special breed of loveably gross. Grendel and Cough: lovably gross goodest boys.

We don’t even learn what’s in this journal Spider wants so bad until about 80% of the way through the book. I am only slightly surprised to learn it’s a philosopher’s-stone-style-thingy and not some kinda weapon. Not entirely sure why that info would start a war… but apparently Spider thinks it will so… okay then. It is explained and it’s definitely a weapon. Saying more would spoil it, so I won’t. However, the story you think is the main story, is only part of it and it’s complicated. I very much enjoyed it.

Kaldar’s betting power is interesting. I like Emel, despite the fact he’s barely in this book. Lark is sweet and very, very traumatized, poor thing. I love Grandmother Az. Cerise’s whole family is just… chef’s kiss. They feel like a family and also fully themselves, which makes them feel very real.

It is a very good thing my brain does not usually allow me to visualize the gore. There is a lot. Ilona Andrews does not shy away from the gross and the gore. If you actually have an issue with that, I would stay away from Bayou Moon.

I felt the ending wad overall quite satisfying, even if it did include some romance-y bullshit that I hate. Seriously wanted to knock some heads together. Otherwise, A+. Bayou Moon definitely continues The Edge series with aplomb. Thus ends my reread portion of the series and I’m very much looking forward to the next one.