Gray Bishop (Cornerstone Run, #2) by Kelly Meade
Urban Fantasy
E book
October 15, 2014
Intermix

Reviewed by Tori

Favorite Quote: “Their futures were already written… “

Gray Bishop is the second book in Kelly Meade’s Cornerstone Trilogy. An action packed dark urban fantasy that revolves around a family of loup garous-the McQueens. If you haven’t read book one, I highly recommend you do so as the ongoing arc is extremely important to the storyline and characters bleed over with little to no re cap. Each book focuses on one brother.

RECAP FROM BOOK ONE…READ AT YOUR OWN RISK

We first met Bishop McQueen in book one, Black Rook. Bishop, a gray wolf, was made their father’s alpha heir by default when his brother Rook gave it up in order to be with his true love, a magus named Brynn. A group of hybrids kidnapped their youngest brother, Knight, in order to use him to build an army of vicious hybrids to take over the supernatural world. Various subplots left us wondering at the end of Black Rook and Gray Bishop picks up right where it left off.

Bishop, his family, and various other alphas heirs from other packs are dealing with the aftermath of some fatal attacks and searching high and low for the hybrids. Loup garou towns across the country are being attacked and decimated and there is nothing the packs can seem to do to stop it. Bishop is not only feeling the strain of trying to protect the residents of the Cornertown pack but also his own imagined failings in protecting his brothers-Rook and Knight-who were kidnapped and brutally assaulted in book one. When he meets a female black wolf, his stress levels rise to infinite proportions as he realizes his wolf wants a female neither of them will be allowed to have.

Jillian Reynolds, daughter to the alpha of Springwell and heir apparent, is not only in Cornerstone to help find and stop the hybrids but is also looking for a new mate. She lost her first mate and knows she needs a strong alpha to rule by her side when she takes over the pack. Jillian is shocked when her wolf tries to lay claim to Bishop’s wolf. She knows they can never be together but sometimes the heart and wolf refuse to be denied.

When danger hits close to home for Jillian, she and Bishop race to Springhill only to find that the chaos of Cornerstone has come for her family. With time running out, Jillian and Bishop will have to face their feelings and the archaic laws that rule their lives if they are to survive what’s coming for them.

More angst, violence, pain, and yes, death chases this second installment as Meade builds the crescendo towards the finale. If you have ever read Kelly Meade aka Kelly Meding, you know she doesn’t hesitate when leading her characters down a long hard path. Heavily character driven, Meade further expands upon the arc and the dynamics of everyone involved, weaving it in and out of the main storyline. Racism and treachery continue to prevail as Meade adds tidbits of back story into the world building to further educate readers. Plotlines are expanded and crushing revelations are made that will leave readers shocked at the implications. We learn more of the varied supernatural factions and their past actions that lead them all to this point. Smooth writing, lightening fast pacing, and captivating dialogue keeps you on your toes to the very end.

Bishop and Jillian are strong protagonists who are very similar in makeup. Loyal, intelligent, and extremely family oriented. They are natural born leaders who will do whatever is necessary for those who depend on them-even at the expense of their own happiness. Jillian has already had her world ripped apart and is still dealing with the grief of it. Bishop has his own demons to slay and their attraction is a problem neither of them need at this time. Meade does well in allowing the chemistry between Bishop and Jillian to simmer. There is a lot going on both in terms of the danger facing them and the fact that neither of them can leave their packs. The hurdles they face are astronomical but each one is handled in a believable fashion and readers will not be left feeling as though they were given a forced emotional journey. The balance between the arc and romance is perfect, allowing for each to hold an equal portion of the story. If I had any qualms, I would have liked a little more face to face interaction with the other supernatural factions involved.

Knight and Rook are integral parts of the story and I really enjoy the familial bonds that is displayed in here. It’s nice to see a family of men openingly love like they do. Their concern for one another is a huge part of the story and predetermines a lot of their actions. The ending is another climactic finale that leaves us with a slight cliffhanger to usher us into book three, White Knight, the final installment of this trilogy. Meade once again gives readers a dark and emotional Urban Fantasy that hits all the high notes of the genre.

Rating: B

Recent Reviews:
Gizmo’s Early Reviews
A Great Read
ML Simmons

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