This book was really entertaining – and in all the best possible ways. I had only read one of A.E. Via’s books prior to this one but I picked a hell of a title to jump back in with.
Black and Brown centres on a team of newly recruited top-secret assassins. They are recruited because of their existing skills, their passion, the things that have made them excel in life and the challenges they have faced. Life as they know it just ceases to exist. They are medically enhanced, physically enhanced, paired up with another assassin and a handler. They undertake missions that no one else could hope to complete.
They aren’t supposed to have emotions, all that messiness was cleared out of their systems. But, one of them has a medical background ….
I don’t want to give a lot of this plot away because there are some wonderful twists and turns in this book. I particularly enjoyed the actions sequences and the world building surrounding the agency. The story is solid and the mysteries slowly unravel. The pacing is great; I never found myself waiting for something to happen.
The main characters, Grace and Mirage are intriguing. They have different skills, different mind-sets but they train to work together as one. Their connection is unusual, allowing them to speak without words. It is a beautiful relationship spiced up with Via’s great style.
“When we’re in battle, you’re my strength, Grace, and your shadow my protection. But when I’m cornered in my darkest moments…your silence is my peace.”
Via, AE. Black and Brown: Raven Assassins (Ravens Series Book 1) (p. 262). Via Star Wings Books. Kindle Edition.
While this falls solidly into the MM romance category it has a great balance. There is definite chemistry between the main characters but it takes its time and the build up is well worth reading. I would argue that this is a great novel that happens to have a romance in it. But a romance that will leave your head spinning.
I’ll definitely be following along with this series!
Kinzie Things 