Brightwing by Sullivan Lee
My rating: 2 of 5 stars
Brightwing focuses on the interactions of three characters. Edgar and Mallory are brothers who are on the run from the law and Lucy, who is the last of a Floridian Native American tribe.
Mallory has broken Edgar out of a prison transport in New England and they have left a trail of murder behind them on their way down the coast. Lucy has just finished a jewel heist and has the misfortune of being kidnapped and taken as a hostage by the brothers in Florida.
Obviously, none of these characters are what you would call upstanding citizens. Although Edgar is the brother who was on his way to prison, Mallory is the real danger to those around him.
Mallory is a serial rapist and murderer. He does not limit his murders to the women he attacks either. He kills indiscriminately, even when it would be in his best interest to keep a low profile.
Edgar has spent his entire life covering up for Mallory. You have to feel sorry for him because he really wishes Mallory was dead. He just can’t bring himself to kill his own brother.
And that is the problem I had with Edgar. Nothing is his fault. He just lets Mallory and circumstances control him. He comes off as weak in almost every scene.
Lucy Brightwing, however, is definitely an Alpha. She is determined to reestablish her tribe on her own lands in the Everglades. She is smart, a fighter, and has the backbone to accomplish whatever she sets out to do. Kidnapping her is the luckiest thing that ever happened to Edgar and Mallory because now they have someone to lead them.
I really liked Lucy, but I thought she could do so much better than Edgar. I can’t see such a strong female falling in love with him. Although there is a scene where Edgar chooses Lucy over Mallory, I never felt certain he would protect her from him every time.
Is this book a romance? Yes, but it has the most unusual group of characters I have ever seen. I really liked Lucy, but Edgar is weak and Mallory scares me to death.
If you want something out of the ordinary to read, I recommend this book. If you want to read about characters you can love, this is not the book for you.
One thing I have to say though, this is one of the most well written books I have ever read. My dislike of the book is strictly based on the characters. Sullivan Lee’s writing is marvelous. I would certainly be willing to try another book written by this author.
Elaine Reads . . . constantly! 