Born of Shadows (The League #4) by Sherrilyn Kenyon

• Title:  Born of Shadows (The League 4) by Sherrilyn Kenyon
  
• Classification: Adult Fiction
• Genre: Romantic Fantasy
  
• Format: Hardcover, 432 pages
• Publisher: Grand Central Publishing (April 26, 2011)
• ISBN-10: 0446573256
• ISBN-13: 978-0446573252

This book takes a step back in time from the third League book to the original group of Kick-butt heroes of the first two books. Caillen Dagan (Cai), you may remember from Born of Fire, is Shahara's  brother and Syn (now his brother-in-law) is one of his best friends. This is Cai's story.

Twenty-two years ago Cai Dagan's father died protecting him and his sisters. He was warned never to join the League, to never let anyone take his DNA, a retina scan, or fingerprints, never give his address out, not to let someone take his picture, and basically stay under the radar. He was told his father's enemies would hunt him down if they got the chance. He was also left in charge of his three older sisters. That's a tall order for an eight year old. Against his father's wishes, he stayed and watched his dad's execution and saw those that murdered him. It is something that will be etched in his mind forever.

Cai had done a good job following his dad's advice until now. Seconds away from a guillotine blade striking it's fatal blow, he's granted amnesty. The reason? He's supposedly the long lost son of Emperor Reginahn Evzen Tyralehn de Orczy who was kidnapped years ago. Suddenly comments and statements made by the man he thought was his father take on a whole new meaning.

Desideria is a Qillaq princess. She's also a half breed which no one lets her forget. Qillaqs are known as being a tough man-hating race.

When a plan is put in motion to assassinate both ruling members and heirs of  Cai’s and Desideria’s worlds they are thrust together in a fight for their lives. While they attempt to dodge an assassin and figure out who is behind the assassination plot, the two will get to know each other. That is when the story takes off and becomes really fun.

I was glad to find this book focused on Cai. He was one of the characters I hoped Kenyon would expand upon from her initial trilogy. I have a feeling Kenyon truly listens to what her fans want, either that or the woman is psychic. Hmmm…. Wouldn’t put it past her. *grin*  I enjoyed how we slowly see behind the wall Cai has carefully constructed around himself. I love how many of Kenyon’s books focus on the theme that people aren't always born into a family, sometimes families are created out of friends and people you care about and trust. She has a way of  having her characters take a bad situation and instead of sulking about it, do something to get themselves out of it. The fact all the guys are extremely good looking is an added boon. Yeah, Kenyon has my number. ;)

The only thing that was unclear in the story was what involvement, if any, Cai's dad (the one he grew up thinking was his dad) had in the initial kidnapping. Perhaps that will be more clear in a copy that is not an ARC or in a later story?

You could definitely read Born of Shadows before reading Born of Ice, the third book in the series. I wonder if Kenyon will, in time, renumber her series to reflect this? I would.

My recommended reading order for this series thus far:
Born of Night
Born of Fire
Born of Shadows
Born of Ice
Fire & Ice (a novella in the anthology 'In Other Worlds'. I haven’t read it yet, but I sneaked a peek. I actually own it.)

I gave this one 4 out of 5 stars.

Notes: I read the ARC (Advanced Reader Copy). The actually release date for Born of Shadows is April 26th. Does have some foul language which some may find offensive, but sometimes it just fits with the characters and this is one of those cases.