Blackout by Dannika Dark

Blackout is the fifth book in the Crossbreed series by Dannika Dark. I would caution against reading these books as a stand-alone. There are several interconnecting plotlines throughout the series. All of the background information is important in the development of the characters and the bigger narrative. The Crossbreed books center on Raven Black and her adventures with the Keystone group. Raven lives in Cognito where several supernatural beings cohabitate. As a member of Keystone, she does a myriad of different jobs as requested by the breed's Higher Authority.  This group can be called in for a variety of things. In Blackout Keystone is tasked to secure several groups of political officials during a period of anarchy taking place in their city.

The developing plots in the Crossbreed series continue to progress in Blackout. As is typical, some of the resolutions were gratifying, and some broke my heart. Raven and Christian continue to struggle with their feelings. I surmise personal issues need to be resolved for Raven and Christian's relationship to flourish. I also believe turmoil in Raven and Christian's romance is not Houdini's primary goal. I am keen on discovering what his objective is. Shepard and Niko both have demons in their pasts that are quickly catching up to the Keystone team. Although Shepard winds up better off by the end of Blackout, Niko is going to have to eliminate his demons sooner rather than later. The ensemble present in Keystone is a family. They are a bit wary perhaps, but in the end, they always support each other.

In a community that is predominantly lawless, other than dealing with the most heinous of crimes, Keystone struggles to bring justice without giving into the darkness surrounding them. Rather than maintaining the focus on the supernatural elements, this is a tale about humanity.  Facing loss of loved ones, rising above PTSD, dealing with extreme prejudice, fighting addiction, creating healthy relationships in both friendships and love. I feel angry with them and sad, and devastated when the world is crashing down around them, and cautiously optimistic, and happy when things go their way. These books represent a deluge of the emotional spectrum. I feel an immediate kinship with Dannika Dark's characters and gloriously praise every book she has written. I admit I have a particular fondness for the Keystone group in the Crossbreed series. I encourage everyone to reach their own conclusion.

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