ARC Review: Inked Armor by Helena Hunting

 

 

 

 

I didn’t think I could fall more in love with Hayden and Tenley, but [Hunting] proved me wrong. Their story, as exquisitely written as it is, will forever remain inked into my heart. ~ Under the Covers

Maidens, meet my newest obsession, Hayden Styker.

If you could see my copy of this book, I think you’d laugh with out many pink post-it notes are sticking out from the side I basically bookmarked everything I loved about INKED ARMOR. It’s rare for me to come across a series that has everything I want in a book.

For one, the writing is so engaging and easy to read. I find Helena Hunting’s authorial voice to be so free-flowing and eloquent while also having a little bit of attitude that works so well with Hayden’s POV. The author pens this book so beautifully that I found it very hard to put this book down. In fact, I read it all in one afternoon and found myself swooning the whole way through.

Much of that is due to Hayden’s character. I don’t think I’ve come across a new hero who I could obsess over like this for awhile. On the outside, he has the steel in his face and the tattoos that scream ‘back off’ but inside, Hayden is broken and yearning for the one thing that left him – Tenley.

Tenley made a huge mistake by leaving Hayden in the first book of the series. However, while I understand how much it hurt Hayden, I also didn’t find it hard to forgive her. This was something she had to do on her own and while having the support that Hayden would have no doubt provide for her, I knew that Hunting was trying to show development in Tenley’s character. Furthermore, I think it helped that Tenley never once tried to justify herself. She owned up to her mistakes and apologized for them. I can respect that.

In INKED ARMOR, we see a much more darker side to Hayden’s character. This book digs up the skeletons that have made Hayden so intriguing. His parent’s murder is addressed in full color and wow, it’s a very tough ride for Hayden. His OCD intensifies, his mood swings go back and forth like a pendulum and nothing is worse that seeing the nightmares that plague him at night. However, together it makes for a very compelling read.

As I read this book, I couldn’t help but be reminded of Sylvain Reynard’s Gabriel’s Inferno series. Reynard’s writing is exquisite and so is Hunting’s. Reynard’s character Gabriel has a very dark past, and Hayden’s mirrors that same darkness and angst. So if you’re a fan of Sylvain Reynard’s series, please, please do yourself a favour and read the Clipped Wings series. Hayden is a little more rough around the edges, but those flaws only make me want him more.

While the majority of the book was perfect, I will say that the resolution of Hayden’s parent’s murder was very quick. But I could understand why the author chose to wrap it up that way. It wouldn’t have added that much to the story but it would have been nice to see a chapter or two just rounding that out and smoothing out the lines.

Helena Hunting once again thrills and excites with INKED ARMOR. I didn’t think I could fall more in love with Hayden and Tenley, but she proved me wrong. Their story, as exquisitely written as it is, will forever remain inked into my heart.

*ARC provided by publisher

Did you like this review? If so, please tell us your thoughts in the comments below!

[about-author author=”Helena Hunting”]