I got this book thru Amazon vine. There are a lot of great reviews on Amazon, summarizing the plot, so I won't go into that. This book has a great beginning. I really enjoyed the entire scene in the diner, the way all the characters and issues were introduced. However the rest of the book seemed more broad strokes than fine detail - it's a bouncy, easy read. I liked the detail of the tattoo of the tree, and how when the last leaf falls, some part of the men's soul dies... but the book feels a bit cartoonish rather than a masterwork.

I enjoyed Helen and Drake's interaction, the sexual tension was good, and the world building was fine, I just never really entered into the world of the book completely and I think it was because the writing was a bit facile. It's a perfectly good beach book, lots of sex and action and a bit of dark fantasy, and then you put it away to shower off the sand and go out for dinner... It is also clearly the set up of a series, which I will probably also read, as I'm enjoying this, I'm just not burningly passionate about it. ( )

 this is Butcher's paranormal debut & 1st in the series she is starting. the sentinels are an ancient race of warriors that protect humans from other races. Drake a warrior meets Helen & they find love is a great power. not as exciting as could've been ( )