Taken by the Others (H&W Investigations #2)
Urban Fantasy
January 4, 2010
Paperback, 352 Pages
Zebra

Reviewed by Mandi

Private Investigator Shiarra Waynest can’t catch a break. Although she only wants to investigate humans, she has found herself tangled up with The Others. Out to the public since 9/11, The Others – vampires, werewolves etc..have used their money to spin a positive light on themselves but Shiarra knows just how dangerous they can be. Although she is dating Chazz, a were and trusts him, by a turn of events in the previous book, she is now contracted to head vampire Alec Royce – which means it is legal for him to drink her blood, make her a vampire or even kill her. However, Alec and her worked together to defeat the baddies in book one, so they are on a very fragile alliance at the moment.

Which is a good thing because Shia is going to need his help. The vampire Max Carlisle wants revenge for his lover who was murdered and he knows Shia was involved in the event. Max is extremely dangerous and violent. Shia will soon have to call upon (very grudgingly) Max for his help. And along the way she also finds herself working with the White Hats, a group that hunts The Others. Everywhere she looks, Shia is not sure if the people helping her are trustworthy or out for their own agenda.

Taken by the Others is book two in Jess Haines’ H&W Investigation series. I think this book reads much more smoothly than book one. Jess Haines has definitely hit her stride. The overall pacing kept me intrigued and entertained for the entire book. Shia really gets thrown a lot of curveballs in this book. She doesn’t want to trust anyone, seriously stubborn is her middle name, but with her life in such extreme danger, she is forced to work both with the uber sexy, yet scary Alec Royce and The White Hats who hunt all the supernaturals. I enjoyed how all the different groups play off each other with Shia caught up in the middle.

At times Shia comes across as very brash. I think there is a fine line for a strong willed, sarcastic heroine to walk. Shia crosses it sometimes and just comes up as bratty and immature. For example, Alec attempts to rescue her when she is in some trouble. Although she doesn’t trust him, she never even says – hey thanks for risking your life for mine. I think her mistrust of Alec and some of The Others is just too much in this book. So while I really enjoyed reading this book, a few of Shia’s remarks and actions definitely irked me.

The next book is going to be important in examining this “relationship” Shia has with Alec. The book does not go deep into her true feelings with Chazz, which is fine if she is eventually heading to Alec. I want there to be a difficult road for the two of them because wow they have some issues between them, but I’m ready for a little give on Shia’s side. I need that little spark of attraction to come to light in book three. I’m very interested to see what happens.

Overall, I really enjoyed Taken by the Others and very much look forward to Deceived by the Others out this summer.

Rating: B

Recent Reviews:
A Great Read – 5/5
Wicked Little Pixie – 4.5/5
Goodreads

This Series Includes:
Hunted by the Others
Taken by the Others
Deceived by the Others – July 2011

Author’s Website.