Much better than the last installment. However, there are major emotional issues that are never resolved and not just in this book but in many of Stuart's books. Its really hard to deal with. I need closure. ( )

I spent a Sunday afternoon and evening reading this book. I couldn't put it down! ( )

This series just continues to be impressive. ( )

Dark, brooding foreign assassin who needs to do a kill to save the world but can't because he falls in love with the target? Check.
Target is a young, helpless yet strong female who is slightly overweight and an all-American girl? Check.

It's funny, the books in this series have different (but v. similar) story lines, but everything else is identical. Madam Isobel must be really fed-up, and wondering what you have to do to get the staff these days! However, despite all that, I LOVE this series. So hot. How do I get my hands on an Alpha assassin with penetrating eyes that is going to do what these guys do to their targets? Yum. This book in particular has a scorching scene in the airplane- can't give it away but, ooooh, it's hawt. Need to have a cold shower just thinking about it! ( )

Ice Blue
4 Stars

Synopsis
Museum curator, Summer Hawthorne, treasures the Japanese bowl given to her by a beloved nanny and will do anything to keep it safe from the smarmy cult leader who is willing to kill for it. International operative, Takashi O'Brien, has the same goal and will do anything, including kill Summer, to ensure that the cult never fulfills its apocalyptic vision.

Review
A good addition to the series.

Stuart's heroes are cold and emotionless, and her heroine's naive and vulnerable. It is unclear what they see in each other but for some reason it works.

There is something about the dark and enigmatic heroes that appeals on a visceral level and Taka is no exception - his inability to control or withstand his attraction to Summer is very appealing. While Summer is likeable, her illogical reactions to events and her passivity in the face of imminent death can be irritating.

Taka and Summer have great chemistry and their characters' back stories are compelling. Nevertheless, the traumatic event in Summer's past and her relationship with Hana Hayashi are never fully developed. Likewise, details are sketchy on Taka's torture in the previous book and his conflict with his grandfather needs fleshing out.

The doomsday cult plot is the most compelling and believable but it lacks that extra bit of tension that would make the apocalyptic threat immediate and intense. The villain is more insane than diabolical, which detracts from the suspense.

The writing and pacing are good, and the ending is very sweet and emotional even if it is a bit rushed (this seems to be a trait of the books in the series). Looks like Isobel's book is next and it will be interesting to see behind her facade.

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