The Better Part of Darkness - Book Review

The Better Part of Darkness (Charlie Madigan #1)
by Kelly Gay

What is it about:
Atlanta: it's the promised city for the off-worlders, foreigners from the alternate dimensions of heaven-like Elysia and hell-like Charbydon. Some bring good works and miracles. And some bring unimaginable evil....

Charlie Madigan is a divorced mother of one, and a kick-ass cop trained to take down the toughest human and off-world criminals. She's recently returned from the dead after a brutal attack, an unexplained revival that has left her plagued by ruthless nightmares and random outbursts of strength that make doing her job for Atlanta P.D.'s Integration Task Force even harder. Since the Revelation, the criminal element in Underground Atlanta has grown, leaving Charlie and her partner Hank to keep the chaos to a dull roar. But now an insidious new danger is descending on her city with terrifying speed, threatening innocent lives: a deadly, off-world narcotic known as ash. Charlie is determined to uncover the source of ash before it targets another victim -- but can she protect those she loves from a force more powerful than heaven and hell combined?

What did I think of it:
This is a very nice read.

I will confess that although I did like the world building and the overall story, I was a bit apprehensive of the relationship story line. Charlie might be divorced, but her ex keeps showing up and trying to get back with her. Maybe it's because when I burn bridges, I burn them beyond recovery, that this part of the story annoyed me. Especially when I found out why they divorced.

But the relationship drama was only a small part of the story, so it didn't annoy me too much. And luckily there were some interesting men who might be able to get Charlie's thoughts off her ex.

The events in this book were suspenseful, and even though it seemed the stakes were set a bit too high (it's so often DOOM! in these kinds of stories, while smaller threats can be just as suspenseful in my opinion) I very much enjoyed the ride.

The ending gives some closure, but leaves a lot open, making me curious about what will happen next. Luckily i already have the next book in my TBR pile, so I'll be picking it up soon.

Why should you read it:
It's a very enjoyable UF read.