I'm still working through the Scattered Ashes series so this is my first introduction to Maxima, but what an introduction it was! Max is half demon, half witch, and was thrown out of her coven at the age of 14 after coming back to life after being burned at the stake. Her mother, the coven leader, bans her from the coven leaving her as a Rogue witch. She has since lived hundreds of years along with her best friend Stryker, and though she has died many times, the first time is the one that haunts her. When an innocent pregnant woman comes into her tattoo shop in need of help, Stryker and Max jump to her aid and end up with far more than they bargained for. Now Stryker and Max are on the run, trying to keep Melody and her unborn child safe.
This was an awesome introduction to Max's story with nonstop action and surprises at every turn. Max and Stryker despite their many years of life together still have much to learn about themselves and each other and each new revelation was an unexpected treat. Anderson pulled no punches, fully displaying each characters emotional turmoil and vividly describing the brutal action scenes as they unfolded. All of this led to an impactful, intense, and unequivocally worthy read that shouldn't be missed. The emotional ride alone was worth the read! The story ended with a cliffhanger so be warned, you'll be ready for the next one. I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily reviewing it.