DARKEST BEFORE DAWN by MAYA BANKS #RELEASEDAY #BOOKREVIEW

Title:  Darkest Before Dawn

Series:  KGI #10

Author: Maya Banks

Release Date:  October 27, 2015

THE ALL-NEW KGI NOVEL from the “incredibly awesome" (Jaci Burton) #1 New York Times bestselling author of When Day Breaks.

The Kelly Group International (KGI): A super-elite, top secret, family-run business.
Qualifications: High intelligence, rock-hard body, military background.
Mission: Hostage/kidnap victim recovery. Intelligence gathering. Handling jobs the U.S. government can’t...

The enigmatic Hancock has been both opponent and ally to the KGI teams for as long as they've known him. Always working a deep game, Hancock's true allegiance has never been apparent, but one thing is for certain—he never lets anything get in the way of duty.

But now, his absolute belief in the primacy of his ultimate goal is challenged by a captive he's been ordered to guard, no matter how much she suffers in her prison. She's the only woman who's ever managed to penetrate the rigid walls surrounding his icy heart, but will he allow his perplexing feelings for the beautiful victim to destroy a mission he's spent years working to complete or will he be forced to sacrifice her for “the greater good.” 

 I've read the KGI books, but I think that if you haven't "Darkest Before Dawn" could probably be read as a standalone.  KGI is in the book, but not until later.  

"Darkest Before Dawn" is the story of Hancock, a former Titan member.  For those who haven't read the books Titan is a mercenary, ex military group.  Hancock is military through and through.  He's strong, controlled, and capable.  He lives by his own code.  He also lives by the code of Titan, "for the greater good."   He has been called upon to make brutal decisions all to save the majority.  He has had to make sacrifices "for the greater good."  He seems like nothing can touch him.

This book is also the story of Honor.  Honor is just what her name says.  She's honorable; she's innocent, pure, and good.  Honor is a humanitarian aide.  She is in the Middle East trying to help those that everyone else has forsaken.  She wants to help.  She wants to save the world.  

For years Hancock has been trying to take down a brutal, Russian terrorist group.  He has had the opportunity twice in the past, but he put others ahead of his mission (KGI members and their women).  Now he won't let anything stand in his way.  In order to do so, he has to capture and then turn over, innocent Honor.  

Honor is extremely understanding of her situation.  She knows that she must be sacrificed and she's so good and pure that she forgives.  She is the undoing of Hancock.  

Hancock and Honor end up falling for each other.  It is a doomed relationship and in the end Hancock must decide whether to do the greater good or to do for himself.

At first I really wasn't a fan of Hancock.  I had read about him in other books and didn't like him then.  But the more I read, the more I grew to respect him.  He's brutal, but he does have his code.  Everyone thinks he is heartless, but he does have a heart.  He can feel, he can love.  He's very controlling and dominant, but part of his dominance stems from his need to have control in his life.  By the end of the book I really liked Hancock.  

Honor is so sweet that she's impossible to not like.  From the beginning I loved her and felt for her.  She deserved so much more than her fate.

As with all Maya Banks books that I read, I cried and smiled.  This is a long book, but it's so good that I couldn't put it down.  I give Darkest Before Dawn FIVE STARS!

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Maya Banks is the #1 New York Times, #1 USA Today and international bestselling author of over 50 novels. A wife and mother of three, she lives in Texas.