Ashes to Ashes (Experiment in Terror, #8)

by Karina Halle

[littleread1]

I've been sitting here, staring at the screen for several hours trying to figure out what I can say about this book. And I am drawing a blank. The awesomeness that is Ashes to Ashes cannot be done justice by my words. But I will try.

First, let me be clear - I WAS part of a small group of people that got early peeks, and was able to beta read for Halle, but that did not affect my opinion of the outcome of the story. As many of you well know, I've been a huge fan of Halle and her writing for some time. So getting those early peeks was like getting Christmas over and over.

Ashes starts with Dex & Perry pretty solid in their relationship. It has been a long LONG time (well, at least it seems like a long time) coming. They have been through hell and back to get to where they are, and are still in shock that they are finally able to be together. They both still have their doubts, but we as the reader know how strong their feelings are for each other, and the story starts with Perry doing something to physically show Dex what he means to her. So going in I was already swooning over them. They are adorable.

Dex grabbed my face in both my hands and kissed me again. ”You have no idea how that makes me feel. No idea.”
“Good, right?” I whispered.
“Good? Oh, baby, better than good. You just made me feel like a fucking king.” His lips trailed to my ear. “I owe you for this. Big time.”

Of course, they wouldn't be Dex & Perry without some scary ass shit happening. Cue the dead children ... hundreds ... the scares are better than they were in Dead Sky Morning (EIT#3) although it is a toss up for me which is scarier, dead zombie baby (in DSM) or Shawna (A2A). Though I have to say, The Bad Thing takes the cake. *shudders* And the body chute, the blood room, the playground ... the scares even sometimes sneak up when you least expect them.

Yet, Dex & Perry still find ways to be adorable, even during all the terror. I guess when you can see ghosts, you make time for love when you can.

“Dex,” I said, my fingers trailing down his face. “Are you okay?”
He watched me for a few loaded beats before he closed his eyes. “Yes. Sorry. I’m okay, I’m just…I’m your fucking man, baby. That’s all there is to it, I’m your fucking man. That is never going to change.” He looked at me and grinned, his hair falling in his face. “And now I’m going to fuck you till we embarrass ourselves.”

There are some choices made, some realities checked, some fences mended, and a mind blowing wrap up that makes me more than eager, yet terribly sad, for the last book, Dust to Dust, expected May 2014. All good series must end, but this is one that I wish didn't have to.

He pulled away, his eyelashes grazing against my cheeks and whispered, “Thank you. Thank you for letting me in.”