Title: Buttons & Blame
Author:  Penelope Sky
Publisher/Year:  Createspace Publishing 11/11/17
Length:  185 pages
Series:  Buttons #5

Overview

I’m supposed to return her to Tristan to finish the deal.

But now I’m dreading the day when I have to drop her off.

Can I really do it?

I’m not supposed to care about this woman. I’m not supposed to care about anyone, actually.

But I care about Bellissimo.

My Thoughts

This story was one of the more predictable ones, but i think that it continues on the same path of hope, innocence and romance. The tone that was started in book 4 and was such a welcome change from all others from our amazing author.

The relationship between Cane and Adelina is a tough one because they all know that their time is limited and that there’s truly nothing that can be done to change their circumstances. Instead, all they can do is try to live in the moment and have something good to hold onto.

Unique to this story is that we have 2 paths of POVs happening. Whereas in the past it was really just the lives of the two main characters that we’ve enjoyed, in this story we get the added layer of Pearl and Crow, since their lives are so intertwined and it adds another layer of depth into the mix. I really enjoyed it and it’s nice to see how things evolved between this family to make this story into what it is.

Adelina has a different strength than that of Pearl, and it adds to the sweetness of this story. She won’t take risks for herself because she wants to save her friend, but she also knows that the outcome may not be what she hopes. She sees the good in Cane and is rewarded for it, being given the chance to say goodbye to her parents under the cover of darkness and being able to let that peace come to them. Once everyone’s resigned to what has to be done, life just goes on.

With the added layers of 2 story lines amongst the couples, we see the dynamic shift with Pearl and Crow as well. There are so many moving parts that of course Pearl does something that angers Crow so badly that there are days of rage and anger to contest with. We know where that will end up, any couple that’s as connected as they are will see that anger manifest into passion, but it’s intense to see it play out.

Our good friend Bones continues to be referenced in this story, and now the Skull Kings are brought into play. (mind you i’ve read these series out of order, so the leader of the Kings isn’t who i came to adore in the other series). Anyway, they’re making a play for Bone’s power and potentially the Barsetti power as well, and that can’t ever end well.

we are left at a point in this story where attempts at freedom are made, safety is compromised, and the notion of ‘until we have a body – someone’s not dead’ is our lifeblood. No one knows yet who will be at risk, but it happens, and we’re left in the dark at the end, wondering who’s taken, who’s killed, what allies may come along and if it’ll be unexpected. I’m diving into the next book now since i’m on pins and needles! Enjoy!