Dog with a Bone by Hailey Edwards

I was looking for a new book to read and decided to check out sales lists.  I’m so glad that I did, because I found a new-to-me author that I love.  Dog with a Bone by Hailey Edwards is the first book in her Black Dog series (check out that awesome cover!).  It is marketed as a new adult urban fantasy, but the only thing “new adult” about this book is the age of the heroine. Theirry is a half-blood fae in the marshals program. Her powers can be devastating and the only one brave enough to go head-to-head with her is her instructor and friend, the incubus Shaw. When Shaw is assigned as Thierry’s partner for her on-the-job training, the sexual tension ramps up. These two must battle their feelings for one another while battling the bad guys. The not-quite novel length book packs quite the punch and sets the stage for some fascinating adventures.  Dog with a Bone by Hailey Edwards is a fun, action-packed urban fantasy that is definitely worth a read!

HEdwards-DogwithaBoneHalf-bloods with Thierry’s skill set are given two options. They can join the conclave’s marshal program, or they can pack their bags. Turn down the job offer, and you’ve just shredded your residency pass for the mortal realm and booked yourself a one-way ticket to Faerie.

Texas is the only home Thierry has ever known, and she’s not going anywhere. Even if it means following in her notorious father’s footsteps as a peacekeeper. But pinning on the badge opens her eyes to the fact sometimes fae need protection too, and that sometimes humans are the real monsters.

Let me start by saying that I find the first part of the blurb a bit misleading. Perhaps there was mention that marshal training was the only option for half-bloods to stay in the human world, but I truly don’t recall that being said. The focus of the story was on Thierry and Shaw, both in their convoluted teacher/student relationship and their first official marshal investigation together. The tension between them sizzles, but work must come first. Though Shaw is the older partner with experience, Thierry is the one that steals the show. Maybe it has to do with the fact that her father is the feared peacekeeper of the fae – the Black Dog. Thierry has an innate sense of justice that will serve her well as a marshal.

Poor Thierry has yet to come to grips with her power. It may have something to do with her inadvertently killing several friends at a birthday party when she was younger. She’s resistant to explore her powers, which results in her not necessarily being in control. Shaw’s incubus powers are similar in manifestation, so he’s the obvious choice to teach her how to control those powers as she feeds them. I’m not sure if Thierry’s attachment to Shaw is wholly attraction or has to do with the fact that she needed someone to cling to. He’s been the only constant in her life for years. Even Thierry’s mother is frightened and mortified by her daughter’s Black Dog powers and maintains distance in their relationship. I can only hope that we get to meet Thierry’s father soon.

Thierry’s classification is that of a rare fae. This comes into play when Thierry and Shaw stumble on a case in which rare fae are disappearing. There may be a connection to humans, but the fae don’t usually concern themselves with human crime. Thankfully, Thierry’s sense of justice doesn’t discriminate. The link between human and fae proves to be the answer to the mystery. Also, Thierry and Shaw prove to be an incredible team – both personally and professionally. Even though events conspire to keep them apart, they don’t manufacture excuses when finally given the chance to explore the feelings between them. I like that any complications flow naturally rather than becoming something that is manufactured to create angst.

Dog with a Bone is one of my favorite urban fantasy reads so far this year. Great world-building, likable yet damaged characters, and tons of action and adventure make Dog with a Bone a page-turner that keeps you guessing. I enjoyed everything about this book from characters to plot to writing style. Thierry and Shaw have so much more to offer, and I can’t wait to find out what happens next!

Read Order
Dog with a Bone
Heir of the Dog
Lie Down with Dogs
Old Dog, New Tricks (July 30, 2015)

About Sarah 47 Articles
A 30-something mother of a teenage (going on 30) daughter, I read between 4-8 books a week. Between work, chauffeur responsibilities, and reading, I don’t have much free time . However, I do like to knit and crochet in the winter (quality scarves and hats are highly underrated!). My favorite genres are urban fantasy, contemporary romance, and paranormal romance. I tend to binge read when I find a great new series, so I love to discover new-to-me series that already have several books out.