REVIEW by Matt: Closer (Mageri Series #3.5) by Dannika Dark (@DannikaDark , @MattALarkin)

Kane never believed in things like fate or karma. Not until the night he took a life.

Within the human world is a secret society of immortals and gifted supernaturals. Kane is one of them–a Sensor who experiences emotional energy through touch. But despite his good looks and easy-going personality, Kane lives a solitary life. Unlike other Sensors, he is unnaturally hypersensitive.

Touch brings pain.

Fate throws a curveball when a woman’s life is placed in his hands. Kane is suddenly faced with a difficult decision, each with its own moral consequence, and time is not on his side.

Will she be his salvation, or his ruination?

Closer is a novella in the Mageri universe, of which I’m certainly a fan. Unlike the Mageri novels, this novel stars not Mages, but Sensors, a different kind of Breed. Sensors are basically empaths that sense and transfer emotions through their hands. Except for our stars, Kane and Caroline, who are both slightly impaired as Sensors.

On the whole, I like Mages better. Something about them resonates more for me. Which said, this was a great read. It’s more of a straight up love story, where the other Mageri stories are (in addition to being romances), more complex tales.

I can’t say this novella is simple, though. Just when you start thinking you know where it’s going, it kind of pulls a 180. I’d love to explain that, but it would take spoilers. What I can say is, Dark has a compelling voice and style that almost instantly has me invested in whatever story she’s telling, including this one. So I recommend this to her fans, not as an intro to the Breed universe (though it could be that), but as an expansion to it.

4 phoenix hatchlings