THE OTHER SIDE by Barbara Elsborg.

4* Good intro to a possible series straddling our RL world and one that's maybe really there, just out of view...

As ever with a BE tale, you get a decent, solid storyline; research into a subject she features - here, it's UK policing and its hidden dangers and sadly, politics; leads you'll be rooting for; hot sexy scenes; a bit of the paranormal that feels like Mulder wasn't lying when he said the truth was out there; heartbreak and tugs on your heart, before a guaranteed HEA. 

Drum and Oisin absolutely deserved their HEA. To be betrayed the way that Drum was was heartbreaking, but it was also heartwarming that Oisin never lost hope of finding him again, and that Drum never broke. Oisin's faith and efforts came with a price that cost not only him but threatened his nearest and dearest, yet he never doubted he'd find Drum. 

The Sparlow aspect of the tale was intriguing; if The Zon we hate and love can go there, maybe it's not so far removed from reality! I think we could all do with a Sparlow in times of need. 

BE's version of Faeryland sticks mostly to what I've come across before in PNR, and it was lovely to read about the fate of Drum’s little Captain from his childhood - trying not to Spoiler here, but Captains are angels on earth and all deserve the life this Captain had. 

Thankfully the danger and unpalatable parts of the tale are off-page for the most, and when the worst happens, Sparlow's magic reveals itself and its residents come to the rescue. It's a place that feels as if it needs to be featured in a few more tales, and luckily, BE seems to have been on a bit of a writing roll, as I was also lucky enough to get an ARC of a connected tale in the same world, New Beginning, out on 19 October. Roll on Sparlow! 

ARC courtesy of the author for my reading pleasure. 

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