The Swan and the JackalAuthor: J.A. Redmerski
Series: In the Company of Killers #3
Publication Date: March 3, 2014
Format: eBook
Source: Purchased
Fredrik Gustavsson never considered the possibility of love, or that anyone could ever understand or accept his dark and bloody lifestyle—until he met Seraphina, a woman as vicious and blood-thirsty as Fredrik himself. They spent two short but unforgettable years together, full of lust and killing and the darkest kind of love that two people can share.
And then Seraphina was gone.
It’s been six years since Fredrik’s lover and sadistic partner in crime turned his world upside-down. Seraphina went into hiding and has eluded him ever since. Now, he’s getting closer to finding her, and an innocent woman named Cassia is the key to drawing Seraphina from the shadows. But Cassia—after sustaining injuries from a fire that Seraphina ignited—suffers from amnesia and can’t give Fredrik the information he desperately seeks. Having no other choice, Fredrik has been keeping Cassia locked in his basement as he not only tries to get her to recall her past—because she and Seraphina share it—but also to protect her from Seraphina, who clearly wants her dead.
But Cassia is a light in the darkness that Fredrik never believed existed. After a year subjected to her kindness and compassion, he finds himself struggling with his love for Seraphina, and his growing feelings for Cassia—because he knows that to love one, the other must die.
Will light win out over darkness, or will something more powerful than either further destroy an already tortured soul?
Oh. My. God. This book! I saw The Swan and the Jackal a couple months ago and knew I needed to read it. Since this is the third book in the series, I had to start from the beginning. This book was always my ultimate goal though, the reason I started the series. The first two books were amazing; I loved them! But this, The Swan and the Jackal, was a whole other beast.
The first two books focus on Sarai and Victor, but this is Fredrick’s story. I loved Fredrik from the tiny glimpse we got of him in Killing Sarai, and then even more so in Reviving Izabel. But now, my love for Fredrik knows no bounds! Being in Fredrik’s head was … I don’t know how to explain it. I loved the darkness there. Don’t even try to analyze me.
Anyway, Fredrik works for a company of assassins. However, he is not an assassin; he is a Specialist. Fredrik is called in when information needs to be extracted from someone. And let’s just say that he is very good at his job. He becomes distracted and off his game when he gets involved with Cassia in order to find Seraphina, his former lover. I am totally sugarcoating the situation, because it isn’t quite that simple. I’m not going to get into details though or rehash the synopsis, it’s just something that needs to be experienced.
I will say that my black heart went through a lot while reading this! Holy crap, The Swan and the Jackal is absolutely beautiful in the most dark, gritty and effed up way possible. There were things that absolutely slayed me, but it isn’t what you would think it would be View Spoiler ». And the ending … brav-freaking-o!
Sorry, but I need to have my douchebag moment: I knew it! I effing knew it! I was pretty sure I knew what was up when I read the blurb, but by chapter three I knew without a doubt what was going on. Ask Michele! I had to relieve my compulsion to share my prediction with someone, and she was the “lucky” recipient. The thing is, I think knowing what was going on the whole time put my emotions through the wringer more than if I hadn’t known. It was still a mindfuck of a story no matter what.
Seriously, The Swan and the Jackal was AMAZING. I feel like I can’t even adequately express the depth of my feelings for this book. So I’ll just leave it at that.
One more thing, I want to add part of Redmerski’s note to the readers so it’s clear what The Swan and the Jackal is.
What you are about to read is not a romance. It’s not a conventional love story. It’s not erotica. It’s not a New Adult title. As with all books in this series, please do not attempt to read it with any of the above expectations. In the Company of Killers is a series that can only be categorized as Crime, Suspense, Thriller, Mystery, Psychological Thriller and sometimes Romantic Suspense—yes, the series has elements of love, romance and erotica, but not enough they actually fall into those categories.
Mmmm, I wanna read it right now! I gotta get to the #2, still haven’t, but this baby… I wanna read this baby right now xDDD
I am so glad this one didn’t let you down, Christy!
I added the first book to my list and plan on reading it… soon.. eventually and hopefully, I’ll adore this series as much as you did! 🙂
Great review, Christy!! 🙂
I really really should try this series! It sounds well done.
Hmmmm… I’m intrigued! My spidey senses tells me to do what you did and start from the beginning to get to this book. Fantastic review.
… I just bought all three.
OMG that cover! I hadn’t even heard of these books until now, but I think I just found a new series addiction. The other titles on my TBR pile can wait! Hehe Fab review, Christy.
“I loved the darkness there. Don’t even try to analyze me.”
Hehe! I’m the same way Christy! The darker or more damaged a character is, the more I love them, I don’t care what that says about me. Bring the darkness on. I need to read this series for sure, I can’t wait to meet these amazing characters!
I knew that Frederik was going to take your black heart for a ride! He did mine..LOL We are sick puppies, how can we still love this man? I had my suspicions about what was going on, but I still think the whole thing was brilliant! And total mind fc@%K.
Great review!
I freakin love the cover! And it sounds like it is certainly an awesome too!
I want to read this (and I have the first two) because I want to try her work but I don’t like the usual NA stuff. I love romantic suspense though so this is perfect! Will definitely pay close attention to this Frederik person
I’m telling you Braine, you need to read these. They aren’t NA at all. Victor in the first two books and Fredrik are in their 30’s.
I love your enthusiasm, Christy! You’ve thoroughly convinced me to give In the Company of Killers series a try.
I have been waiting for you to review this one and……YAY! I need to read the second book so I can get to this one. For some reason I want to read this one more than the second but don’t worry, I will be good and read them in order.
Gah! I have three books I have to read before I can start this and it is killing me, especially since I got nothing read this week.
Hells yes, and call me twisted cause I loved Fredrick too 🙂 My review won’t post till September. I am filling slots with all my personal reads to free up time for the wedding and allow for reading.
Oh I do need to read this series! I admit with that cover (despite the bloody hand) I was still thinking erotica or some such nonsense. 🙂 I would have glanced at it and passed it up. Glad you wrote this review!
Oh Christy, you keep on reading and recommending books that I REALLY want to read! This series sounds really dark and amazing and I like the depth of emotion that I can see in your review. Lovely review hun!
Hah, love that gif. That’s awesome you really loved this one since it was your goal from the beginning!!
So I already moved Killing Sarai to my kindle b/c of your reviews for this series, but now I’ve got it floating free (instead of out of sight, out of mind, in a collection). Really. Any time I turn on my kindle it’s right there, staring at me in front the ungodly number of Archived Items listed. I only have one other contemporary that I actually need to read, so after I do . . . 😉 Great review, Christy!
Oooh adding this series! Hadn’t heard of it before. Thank you!!!
This book is new to me but this author however is someone I have heard so many amazing things about. I’m so glad you enjoyed this one and Fredrik’s job seems really interesting. Great review, Christy 🙂
I want to stab myself in the eye for not getting to this series yet.
Fabulous review Christy! I was keen to read your review after the glimpses on FB!! I love how captivated you were by this series and how this one blew you away. I am interested to see Fredrik for myself… I will have to grab these too when I can!!
Naomi @ Nomi’s Paranormal Palace
Wow you have me SO curious to read this! I really need to get my hands on this series. I really want to meet Fredrik, I am always fascinated by characters who have darkness and an edge to them. You are killing my TBR pile today my friend! 🙂 Thank you for putting this on my radar with this fantastic review!
Yesssssss!! Loved your emails about this book and getting to talk about this series! Thanks so much for putting these on my radar — I loved every single one of them. Fredrik love FTW!! Awesome review!
Is it bad that I want this one just from the title?! lol I really do. Glad to see you loved it once you finally made it to this one 🙂