Saturday, February 27, 2010

Review: Skin Game


This is the first book in the Skin series by Ann Aguirre writing as Ava Gray.

Book Blurb:

A beautiful fugitive - wanted dead or alive.

Kyra is a con woman and a particular kind of thief. She steals with a touch, but she only takes one thing: her target's strongest skill. Which means she can be a fighter, an athlete, a musician, an artist - anything she wants...for a limited time. Heartbroken, she turns her gift toward avenging her father's murder. With deadly patience, Kyra works her way into casino owner Gerard Serrano's inner circle. After pulling off the ultimate con, she flees with his money and his pride.

A hit man who never misses the mark.

Reyes has nothing but his work. Unfortunately for Kyra, he's the best - and mercy never sways him once he takes a job. He's been hired to find out where Kyra hid the cash - and bring her back to face Serrano's "justice". Dead will do if Reyes can't locate the loot. He's never failed to complete a contract, but Kyra tempts him with her fierce passion and her outlaw heart. So Reyes faces a hell of a choice: forsake his word or kill the woman he might love.

I really enjoyed this book. :)

Skin Game has a very cool take on working a con. With one touch Kyra can take whatever a person is good at - for a short amount of time - just long enough to work a con and get out of dodge. And she has been doing this for as long as she can remember. Moving from place to place - taking just enough to get her to the next town. But when her father is murdered Kyra decides to pull the con of all cons - and she does - but she didn't take in to account this marks ego - he won't stand for the disrespect Kyra has dealt him and sends a hitman after her.

Reyes is a scrupulous hitman - he only takes a job if he thinks the hit is deserved and he tries to limit the amount of collateral damage. What a guy. :) He finds Kyra easily enough - but he has to find the money as well. Reyes decides to gain Kyra's trust - but he doesn't plan on loosing his heart.

Skin Game is fast paced and action packed and Kyra is an awesome character with an extraordinary ability.

I give Skin Game 5 out of 5 stars and I can't wait for the next installment - Skin Tight due out in the summer of 2010.

M

6 comments:

Blodeuedd said...

Hi Michelle,
Oh that goood! Well I haven't heard anything bad about this book

Danielle said...

I loved this book! Ann Aguirre / Ava Gray - can do no wrong. She is one kick-ass author.
Great review of a wonderful book.

Michelle Greathouse said...

B,

I am really looking forward to the next installment - I think it is about another character that was introduced in this book. :)

Danielle,

I'm glad you enjoyed it too. I wondered how different the writing wold be as Ava Gray - but I was not disappointed at all. :) No matter the name - these are keepers.

Have a great day.

M

Martha Lawson said...

Well, this is in my tbr pile, now it's going to the top after hearing these great comments.. Thanks everyone.

Kristie (J) said...

I really enjoyed this one too and I'm really looking forward to her next one. I haven't read any of her books as Ann Aguirre yet - have some in the TBR pile, but as Ava Gray, I think she's great *g8

Donna said...

I've heard only good things on this book. Which makes me happy since Ann A. is one of my favorite authors. So glad to see you liked it. :)