Review: Obligation by Aurora Rose Reynolds (Underground Kings #2)
Obligation is the second novel in author Aurora Rose Reynolds's series entitled Underground Kings. A lot of what happens in the book overlaps with the events in the first book, Assumption, since both books span several months (not including the epilogues). We met Kai Kauwe in book one and find out that he's married--which came as a surprise to the male main character there--and now we find out that it's to a childhood acquaintance, Myla (whose last name I don't recall being mentioned), whose own parents were best friends with Kai's. Their marriage is one that comes out of the sense of obligation Kai has, feeling protective of Myla ever since they first met as children. Myla is waiting for their marriage to hit its expiration date, but the more time they spend together, the more she's drawn to her new husband. Will the marriage be enough to keep Myla safe from those who seek to claim her as their own, or will something that started as one as nothing more than an obligation develop into something that could last?
From Vegas and Tennessee, this sequel takes readers to the sand and surf of Hawaii--although Vegas is a destination that the characters can't seem to absolutely avoid even if they wanted to--and has the main characters getting married in order for one to protect the other. They go into it knowing that it's a temporary situation, but it appears that once their feelings become very real, both hope for more permanence. Unfortunately, secrets kept and a lack of communication between Kai and Myla hamper their capacity to trust each other, even as it's clear to everyone around--whether allies or enemies--that they're in love. Even with the communication problem, the decisions and choices that Kai makes are borne out of a need for him to protect Myla from both her own enemies and people who see her as the one weakness Kai has. With these two coming from families involved in illegal activities and the like, violence appears to shadow them, but Kai doesn't want his future with Myla as a family to be tainted by their family histories.
Myla may come off as helpless in the story, but I see her as someone who has experienced a great deal of pain and loss and has managed to still remaining standing in spite of it all. She's a survivor, and while Kai may be able to protect her from those who want to harm her, there's an inner strength to her that I liked. When she made up her mind to give what she and Kai share a shot, she not only fostered it but fought for it, making her as much of a warrior as her husband. There's one particular scene in the book that isn't overly graphic, but the level of violence is clear, and it may make me sound like a purveyor for viciousness, but the person who ends up suffering is someone whom I believe deserved it, and it was dished out in a way that made sense. Just like the book before it, this ends in a happily-ever-after, so there are no cliffhangers for you to worry about. The story arc is still in play, although something happens that may then push that particular situation over the edge in book three. I'm giving Obligation five out of five stars. ♥
Date Read: 09 February 2016
Learn more about Aurora Rose Reynolds.
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