Jin Rayne is the beloved reah, true mate, to the semel, Logan Church, leader of the werepanther tribe of Mafdet, whose lives, up until now, have been full of complications. Jin has arrived with Logan and their men to identify the body of Jin's closest friend Crane. It's almost worse when Jin realizes that the body isn't Crane, because that means that Crane is missing. They soon find out that Crane is being held captive by Jin and Crane's old tribe, who'd tried to kill and then banish Jin because he was a gay male reah. Logan calls the tribe's semel, Archer Pike, and learns that the kidnapping is a plot to get their assistance in preventing the take-over of the tribe and to get Jin in their territory. Jin's terrified about the abuse Crane will endure, but Logan promises to return Crane and obtain retribution for him.

Logan's brother, Koren, is having his own problems deciding if he wants to commit to his boyfriend Domin, who is the tribe's Mahee, or missary of peace, and his unwillingness to choose is killing Domin. Jin is not only a reah, but also the only nekhene cat, or hawk-cat, in existence, which makes him a coveted prize to some and a horror to others. Crane returns physically and psychologically damaged from the ordeal, after Jin's cousin Danny revealed a trap. Before life begins to settle down, Logan is notified that the priest of Chae Rophon has called a challenge for the position of semel-anten, ruler of the werepanthers and Logan is one of the champions. Everyone's life in the Madfet tribe is about to change, as the challenge could end Jin, Logan and their house when they are faced with the deadly contests. Will Jin and Logan's love prove strong enough to overcome the trails ahead?

For me to say that this book is the best in the series is incredible, since I absolutely loved the earlier books also. Jin and Logan's story ensnared me from the start and I couldn't put this book down until the end. I loved experiencing the growth and development of all of the characters as each story unfolded. The visual descriptions of the many settings the characters see bring them to life for the reader. It was sad how Koren's inability to choose may have lost him the love of his life, but it shows the reader that even a wrong decision is better than no decision at all. The feeling of almost flying when Jin transformed in the air was as wonderful to experience as it must have looked to the people in the story. The love between Logan and Jin was overwhelming as they lived through separation, danger, and almost death while struggling to keep their love alive. This is one series that I will never forget and it is my hope that this isn't the end of Jin and Logan's story.

Reviewed by: Teresa