ENSLAVED BY THE OTHERS is the latest instalment of the H&W Investigation series, and it starts off with a bang. P.I. Shiarra Waynest, a human, is being held captive by Max Carlyle, a master vampire, who is bent on breaking her once and for all. She is a serious thorn in his side, but she can be useful to him in achieving his goals. There are territorial wars going on, and Shiarra is a pawn in his power game. Max funds his empire with slave trading, of both humans and Others, who are all sorts of paranormal creatures and are used for their abilities and as blood donors. Max is determined to have Shiarra on his side one way or another, and because of a blood exchange, she is somewhat bound to him.

The blood exchange with Max has also triggered surprisingly unexpected reactions related to events in Shiarra's past, and things are becoming more and more unsettling. While being kept prisoner, she has befriended an Other of a species unknown to her, as well getting acquainted with other slaves. She promises that if she escapes, she will free them all. She has been obsessed with escaping, and when she manages to find a way, makes a run for it. Her best friend Sara is also missing, and Shiarra must find her. Along the way, betrayals are revealed, alliances are forged and broken, but I will not say any more because anything else could be considered spoilers.

ENSLAVED BY THE OTHERS is phenomenal! It's action-packed from beginning to end. Jess Haines has thought of every minute detail as Shiarra runs for her life. The worldbuilding is superlative. The characters multi-faceted and colourful, without being over the top. Ms. Haines is an extraordinarily gifted writer as well as a master storyteller. ENSLAVED BY THE OTHERS is an absolute must-read for any fan of paranormal or urban fantasy.

Book Summary

Vampires, werewolves, magi and worse--the Others have joined the mortal world, and there's no turning back now . . .

As a New York P.I. and Other specialist, Shiarra Waynest has been in plenty of trouble before. But waking up in a windowless room the prisoner of a vampire slave trader is a shock for anyone. Shia has her wits, her bravado, and a couple of used staples, so maybe she can take on a mansion full of serious evil.

But although she's desperate to escape, Shia needs some answers too. Her friends are in danger. There are betrayers and spies among them. And even if she can figure out what's going on and somehow get a message out, she's still a captive of the worst kind. . .

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