Silk Dragon Salsa

One would think that I’d be used to the worldbuilding in Rhys Ford’s ‘Kai Gracen’ series, but even after three books I was still amazed at some of the constructs I found in ‘Silk Dragon Salsa’. The descriptiveness of the writing, particularly in regards to the creatures/monsters that came from Underhill during the Merge, is particularly vivid to the point where I can almost see these animals in my mind. An incredible feat for me as I’m not very creative.

“I didn’t know what to do with myself. To make matters worse, I wasn’t even sure who I was anymore. Everyone who had a hand in shaping my character had lied to me. I’d been so desperate for any scrap of affection, any hint of kindness after decades of torture and pain, that I’d taken their lack of physical violence as being welcomed into their hearts.” ~ Kai

I’d been expecting the demise of Kai’s mentor for quite a while now but what surprised me was the truth Dempsey told Kai before he died. I was fifty-fifty on whether to be angry at the old man or relieved that Kai finally knew the truth. I waffled with that for quite a bit, to be honest, but in the end, I felt that Kai knowing the truth and dealing with his emotions about it was the best thing for him and everyone in his small circle.

I was intrigued by the author’s introduction of a former long-term lover of Kai’s. Another Stalker so Kai didn’t term it a relationship, but it did last for a few years and it was interesting to watch the dynamic… and Ryder’s jealousy. Kai and Ryder have been dancing around each other ever since they met with each successive story having them growing closer and closer. To be honest, books three and four had me wondering, often, “will they, or won’t they?” I’m not going to spoil it by saying, but I was delighted with where their relationship is heading.

“I felt raw and scraped apart, peeling myself open for Ryder to plunge his hand into my guts to play with what he found there. “I just don’t want to sleep alone. I’m just so… fucking tired of being alone, Ryder.” I couldn’t read him. Not then. He was so still I wasn’t even sure he was breathing. “I can definitely spend the night holding you,” ~ Kai and Ryder

As always, the author did a marvelous job intermingling the storylines and keeping me on my toes. Kai’s brother’s return was eye-opening, in more ways than one, although I’m really looking forward to the day that Kai kills that a**hole. There were more questions answered in this fourth installment but a few answers are still to be revealed and I’m looking forward to where the author plans on taking Kai and Ryder next. I am confident that there is a reckoning coming for Ryder’s grandmother and I can’t wait to see Kai go after her!

The next selection from the Kai Gracen series! As always, excellently written. This story will suck you into Kai’s world and you won’t want to put it down until you’re done! Then you will be sad it’s over! This novel is the 4th book of the series, you can read it as a stand alone, but I advise reading the rest of the series in order, first.

I was given an advance reading copy of this book, and previously purchased and read the rest of the series.

Silk Dragon Salsa introduces more creatures as the author adds to her excellent world-building, and the well-known story of the poker game where Dempsey acquired Kai gets turned on its head. Kai's start with Jonas, and most of his rag tag band of stalkers who he considers family, is spun around, chopped up and the truth revealed as Dempsey's last hit. I found it completely unexpected, and it left Kai, and myself as the reader, floundering for solid ground. Prince Ryder was waiting in the wings to pick up the pieces, once again, but this time Kai was ready to let him help.

A short but violent encounter with Kai's brother, while conducting an ultimately futile chase after Dempsey's brother in his quest to unravel decades old mysteries leads to more lead being removed from Kai's body. A painful process, but worth it in the end, as is Kai's story overall. After all, he's tough, and he just keeps proving he's a survivor. Fire hens, feral pandas, and gomphrena plants add touches of whimsy to the emotional journey, and some softness to a bleak landscape.

I will eagerly await the next installment, but will try not to forget how Kai shares his pain through the pages. But he shares a spirit of resilience, also, and the image of him, indulged by Dempsey, running toward a field filled with puffy purple plants brings a smile to my face. What more could one ask?

I put my 4 day July 4th weekend to good use -- listened to series again (always a treat) then was ready to read the ARC (which I received with request for an honest review). The story answered some questions I had about Dempsey, about Sarah and some others. Robbie turned back up to cause some chaos and Cari became more solid in her own right. Finally Kai & Ryder got closer and it feels like the start of something real. Now I'm ready to dig into Kai's past with him. What a journey!!! Rhys Ford never disappoints!

Oh MY Gosh, what a journey.
Urban Fantasy is really becoming my crack. Mostly due to the talent of this author. Straight up fantasy wasn't really my thing, nor was sci fi, post acopolypse stuff. But the candy of real time split magical, plain human, plus all the stuff in the middle, I am so there for.
Silk Dragon Salsa is the 4th book in the Kai Gracen saga, and it opens with a bang. Kai's father figure dies and sends him on a quest for information about his beginnings. After he blows all that Kai has known out of the water. Kai has to pull in hurt and anger over the betrayal he feels and simply do the retrieval. Kai is no stranger to death, and the quest this death in particular sends him on finally leads to an acceptance of the love in his life. It was a joy to be a part of this joining and it was a great place to end this book....however, ahem, epilogue. Not a cliffhanger per say, a few questions answered and a whole lot more to discover the answers too in future installments.
Once again the lushness of the prose left me gasping. I am completely unable to adequately describe the vividness Rhys Ford's words paint. Movies run in my head fed by her words, but I know I am missing so much depth and color if I try to recount it.
I think what I love so much about Urban Fantasy is that a well crafted book leaves all your senses frazzled. It is difficult to word, talk, or even see the normal around you when you lift your eyes from the page. I have yet been able to read the entire book in one sitting ( any of the 4 in series) as the impact is so high.
Highly, highly recommend both this book Silk Dragon Salsa, and the entire series by this author. Rhys Ford has set the bar exceptionally high in Urban Fantasy, and we all benefit from that. Go read the book.