Review: Matt Archer: Blade's Edge

Matt Archer: Blade's Edge
Written by Kendra C. Highley
Released on December 27, 2012
296 Pages
YA Fantasy

Synopsis

When Matt Archer was fourteen, he discovered monsters are real. As if that wasn’t enough to go on for a few decades, Matt also found out that he’d been chosen to hunt those monsters--with a sentient, supernatural knife. Now fifteen, Matt has spent the last year working with a clandestine military unit, trying to rid the world of monsters, demons and other vicious creatures, all while keeping it a secret from nearly everyone he knows back home in Billings.

Including his mom.

Add in a new girlfriend, family secrets, sibling drama and enough homework to sink an aircraft carrier, and Matt’s life has become more complicated than he ever imagined. Worse, the knife has developed some very definite opinions about Matt’s personal life and it interferes in his business whenever it wants. More and more, Matt’s coming to realize that sharing brain-space with a spirit kind of sucks.

When stories of decimated towns and hordes of zombies start pouring into the Pentagon from Afghanistan, Matt knows he’ll be called up soon. Between the new mission and the knife’s increasing control over his mind, Matt wonders if he’ll survive long enough to take his driver’s exam.

Blade's Edge is an exciting continuation of the Matt Archer series. Kendra Highley did not fall victim to the sophomore funk. She has written an emotional and power story about Matt's horrific journey to rid the world of monsters.

Matt is now 16 years old; however, he is having to grow up much too fast.  Ms. Highley has written such a great character in Matt Archer. She is slowly developing him. With every page, I’m getting more and more attached to him. He is a sixteen year old kid who has to make life and death decisions. The question is…can he? He is forced into a war that should be only for grown men and women. Matt should be a normal kid enjoying his life. His struggle with his duty is heartbreaking. Ms. Highley really captured Matt’s struggle and always reminding the reader that he is only sixteen years old.

Strong family values continue into the second book. Matt’s family give him a strong anchor that he desperately needs. His mom is a strong, loving character who loves her son and wants to protect him. One of my favorite scenes from the book is between Matt and his mom. It doesn’t matter that Matt is member of a top secret military group; he’s still a boy who needs his mom. It is a very touching scene.

Blade’s Edge is darker than the first book. For the first time, Matt has to deal with death that hits close to home. It breaks your heart that he has to struggle with blame and guilt. Ms. Highley just flat out made me cry! And I don’t do that very often.

As you can see, I’ve gotten very attached to Matt Archer. To me this is an emotional journey of a young boy who is quickly becoming a man. The monster-killing is secondary. However, I really want to know who is behind the monster invasion. I can’t wait for book #3!

I received this book as a gift from the author but said gift did not influence my opinions of the book.