Hidden by Eve Kenin

Dorchester Publishing/Shomi Books
Paranormal Romance/Futuristic
Paranormal Romance/Action-Adventure
Mass Market Paperback
Rating: 4.5

In Driven, we were introduced to the post-apocalyptic Northern Waste. Here in Hidden we return to that frozen land to learn Tatiana’s story…

Long believing her brother and sister, Wizard and Yuriko, dead, Tatiana has one goal… destroy the evil who desires to release a deadly plague on the world. After years of being experimented on by the heartless Duncan Bane and later his successor Gavin Ward, Tatiana has abilities many only dream of. She can survive the frigid temperatures of the Waste, glimpse a man’s soul just by touching him, and is strong enough to shear a person’s bones with her bare hands. Now she has one lead to track down the hidden lab where the plague, developed from samples of her own genetic code stolen by Ward, is being kept. But who or what is Tolliver and what is the connection to the potential epidemic?

While following her lead, Tatiana encounters the mysterious Tristan who has his own agenda. He too wants to stop the plague but for different reasons. Unsure whether or not to trust him, Tatiana has no choice but to go with him. Now trapped in an underground lab and stalked by monsters, Tristan and Tatiana must work together to reach their common goal. Neither expected love to blossom… For how can they find any happiness when their lives are doomed? And who is Tristan really?

I loved Hidden! Tatiana’s story is very moving and I challenge anyone to read her story and remain unaffected. Watching her develop from being a pure logistician to acknowledging her emotions and letting them loose was very powerful. Seeing her progression from trusting no one but herself to learning it is OK to place your trust in others was incredible. The title Hidden is so perfect for Tatiana’s story, in so many ways. While her emotions were slowly starting to develop and show through Tristan and his fellow researchers, there is one particular scene with beluga whales that was the biggest example of how far she'd come in her life and touched me deeply. Then there’s the reunion at the end… (No this isn’t a spoiler for anyone who has read Driven.) I cried I was so happy for her when she realized Wizard and Yuriko and Raina were actually alive.

Tristan is quite the intriguing man. While I suspected from almost first meeting him who he really was, I was breathless waiting to discover what drives him and what his role in the plague development and potential release really was, or if he had any at all. He is as secretive as Tatiana in many ways but his true soul shines through in his every interaction with Tatiana and his dedication to his fellow researchers.

I loved Driven quite a bit but I think Hidden takes the cake. While the subject matter could be quite disturbing if not done right, Eve Kenin adds just enough humor to counter the darkness of the tale. Fast paced with intense non-stop action, I was on the edge of my seat waiting to see what would happen next. Also, if the chain of events is any indication, I can only hope we’ll soon get Yuriko’s story soon as well.

© Kelley A. Hartsell, June 2008. All rights reserved.

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