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Kon and Athena's revenge on the shady organisation Aurora has painted targets on all of their backs. Now the Edgeworth's dark and bloody past is catching up with them, and there's no way to escape unscathed...

'Sharpest Edge' is the second book in 'Mercenaries and Magic' a fast-paced paranormal series full of morally gray characters, found family, hot romance, and dark humor. It's perfect for fans of Linsey Hall and K F Breene or anyone who likes a bit of magic mixed in with steamy romance and trigger happy characters.


Izabella Silversmith, hacker and budding magician, won't walk away from the family that rescued her from hell, and with her power now rising thanks to Kon's tutoring, she's got more to lose than ever. Iz is determined to see the fight through to the end, even if her secret feelings for Silas are burning her up inside.

Silas wants to get the bastards that are hunting them and put an end to his nightmares once and for all. He needs to keep his eyes on the prize, something easier said than done when he's forced to live with Izabella, the only woman he's ever wanted and will never be good enough for.

Silas and Izabella will have to deal with the darkest parts of their pasts if they are going to have a future, and with invisible forces massing against them, the whole of the Edgeworth Crew is going to have to draw together to defeat what's coming.

'Sharpest Edge' is the second instalment of 'Mercenaries and Magic.' Please note this is an adult series that contains graphic violence, swearing and steamy sex scenes.

1 pages, Audio CD

First published February 5, 2022

117 people are currently reading
1188 people want to read

About the author

Alessa Thorn

66 books959 followers
Alessa Thorn believes that all monsters and villains deserve their happy endings. She prefers her clothes black, eyeliner winged and books full of hot romance. She thinks heroes are boring, so her first series 'The Court of the Underworld' centers around dark gods, monsters and villains from her favorite Greek Myths.

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5 stars
567 (40%)
4 stars
538 (38%)
3 stars
240 (17%)
2 stars
34 (2%)
1 star
11 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews
Profile Image for Rachael.
200 reviews280 followers
February 7, 2022
I thought I loved Darkest Night, Athena and Kon’s story… but somehow Silas & Izabella were just as exciting (but in a less violently sexy way) and more of a sweet, pining for each other for years type of way?!?! They still had insane sexual tension and chemistry, with a great revenge plot too. Alessa Thorn has done it again. I love these characters, her action packed writing style, and modern use of magic! I really hope we get Dante & Leo’s story next. The only problem I had, was that I probably could’ve gone the rest of my life without knowing what a “metal pear” torture device was. But at least it’s authentic! One of the best found families.
Profile Image for Natalie  ~ The Biblioholic.
2,713 reviews1,412 followers
August 28, 2024
So many things about this story worked well for me. It had a heavy tone, but it was punctuated with light and humor, gaining several of my smiles. Both protagonists shared a vulnerability they weren't afraid to face. Their pasts shaped them, creating such strong and meaningful characters I couldn't help but want to learn more about.

I'm a sucker for found family and what these people created was something anyone would love to be a part of. There's an ease and comfort with them and yet they live most of their lives on the edge. Silas and Iz deserved every moment of happiness they could get with each other and I'm looking forward to seeing everyone again in the next book.

P.S. Anyone else not surprised, yet equally intrigued by who Leo really is?
Profile Image for Krysta (spicy.spine.breaker).
1,007 reviews55 followers
March 28, 2022
WHEW Daddy Silas. We all knew he was gonna be a league of his own but damn. The man is EVERYTHING. We love a man who can chop a body up with his daughter in under 20 minutes, but has a special softness as needed for the ppl (women) in his life. It’s what dreams are made of.

And Iz… I can’t even. Beauty, brains, & strength. Role model material right here.
Did I giggle everytime Athena called her mom? Yes.
Did I giggle remembering it again just now? Also, yes.
Her banter with Athena was clutch. The darkness of past was explained in more detail, along with how she came to be in Silas & Athena’s lives.

LEO. Oh ffs Leo. I’d kill for him. This man…. Dante too, I’d actually die for them both 😮‍💨 They might be supporting characters in the last two books but let me tell you even when they’re “background” they bring👏🏽the👏🏽HEAT🔥 & angst.

Of course Kon was there in all his hot magical man glory, no other words needed. Silas being around for hot and heavy moments between his daughter & Kon will never become less entertaining.
Profile Image for Valentine.
288 reviews30 followers
February 4, 2022
Delightful. Every dirty daddy dream I had hoped for after meeting Silas for the first time & it felt so satisfying finally seeing this storyline play out.

Izabella, my spicy lil hacker queen, can I be YOU when I grow up?

Honestly, the best thing about this book was how seamlessly Alessa gave all of the couples just enough page time to get your #Kathena & #Deo fix while sticking to the main Silas & Iz narrative.

& in typical Alessa fashion, you went from needing a cold shower to readying yourself on the frontlines to storm into battle.

Read it for some wholesome mutual unrequited love content & enjoy the kick ass, magic-wielding, inhumanly attractive, feral mercenaries sprinkled in✨
Profile Image for kim_is_bookish.
600 reviews28 followers
February 7, 2022
Hum excuse me! Daddy Silas!!!!!! And I never thought I would have a crush on Mommy Iz but I do!!!! Their relationship is perfect and I love them! And the plot around the relationship is a continuity of the first book in the series and it’s perfect and I need more like right this second! So please Alessia if you see this… could you maybe give us Dante and Leo ou Julian and Altun’s stories somewhere in 2022??? Anyway you can squeeze them somewhere in your planing maybe? I don’t think I’ll survive if I have to wait until 2023!!!!
Profile Image for Jaycee.
539 reviews
February 5, 2022
An excellent ride with exotic locations and a stable full of crazy characters, each with enough depth to carry the whole journey.

And one of the very best things?...A journey thats substantive enough to securely end each book with a HFN < and> a definitive "to-be-continued", and not have to use the lame excuse and limited range of a cliff-hanger.
Profile Image for Sabine.
323 reviews14 followers
March 28, 2022
3 Death stars
I'm a bit sad that I didn't like this book as much as I thought. There's nothing wrong with the book, but it felt a little flat for me. The plot and pace were good but there was no tension in the relationship. All the pining and longing happened in the past and I'm mad about it. I'll read Leo and Dante's book though.
Profile Image for Amanda.
653 reviews
October 14, 2024
1st read Feb 2022: Ebook. Purchased

2nd read January 2023

3rd read: October 2024. Unplanned reread but it was what worked in the moment. Silas forever ❤️
Profile Image for Betsy.
83 reviews
February 16, 2022
The dialogue was so cringey I almost DNFd this 3 times. The plot was interesting enough and then sort of lost me at the end. Leo and Dante were the best part of the story.
Profile Image for Paula Izquierdo .
136 reviews7 followers
January 14, 2023
I'm quite invested in this series. I was really looking forward to daddy Silas and mommy Iz and they didn't disappoint. The book doesn't pretend to be more than it is, a smutty light romance fantasy with grey moral characters and a simple and page-turner plot. It works just fine.
Profile Image for Heather.
190 reviews4 followers
February 5, 2022
Tragically, this sequel was very cringe and my dreams are crushed. DNF at 19%.
Profile Image for Val.
146 reviews3 followers
February 13, 2023
ugh what type of crack this books have?? I can't wait to keep reading this series and keep falling for mercenaries that do magic
Profile Image for Chrissie.
27 reviews4 followers
February 12, 2022
I'm always blown away when the second book/movie of a series is better than the first, but Alessa Thorn seems to do sequels 𝘦𝘧𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘭𝘺 & Sharpest Edge was no exception!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

✰ As the second book in the "Mercenaries and Magic" series, Sharpest Edge is one of those books that I absolutely devoured in a matter of hours! I was lucky enough to buddy read this with someone & 𝘣𝘰𝘺 𝘥𝘪𝘥 𝘸𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘧𝘶𝘯! It was amazing having someone to freak out with over Daddy Silas! 😉🥵

✰ Some things about this book, & the whole series so far that I adore:
- kickass, truly morally grey characters
- the "found-iest" of found families
- a plot with the perfect mix of magic & murder 😈
- & of course 🌶️ that is 🥵

✰ This book has shot to the top of my favorites list, which every new book of Alessa's seems to do & I will 𝘥𝘦𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘺 be rereading this series!

✰ Overall I'm still absolutely 𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘭 for Silas & can't wait to see more of this story! Also...that 𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 had me doing a double take so hard I think I hurt my neck! 😂
Profile Image for Cass (wonderlandandwhisky).
131 reviews460 followers
February 6, 2022
Starting this one with a bit of a brain dump:
-Iz and Silas, “You want some help with that?” Yes. Yes we do Silas. 🥵
-More of Athena’s quick wit!
-Leo and Dante! “He just called you kitten.”
-Kon’s sage relationship and magic advice for Iz.
-The banter!!!!
-The found-iest (I’m making that a word) of found families.

I consumed the Darkest Night as if I’d been starved for days so you can only imagine how excited I was for Sharpest Edge.

Alessa has this incredible talent of providing incredible spice with an intricate plot. Not only that, she gives us morally grey characters that we continuously want more of. Whilst the Darkest Night was focused on Kon and Athena and Shapest Edge was Silas and Iz, I fell deeper in love with Dante and also AND Julian and Altun! I want more!!!

Magic, mercenaries, mayhem, maiming… we’ve got it all. Plus a further dive into this incredible found family that I personally cannot get enough of.

BRB, going to read all of Alessa’s books that I haven’t already…
Profile Image for Martina P.
447 reviews10 followers
July 19, 2023
I like the first one more, more precisely I like Athena and Konstantius's relationship more than Silas and Izabella's but Alessa weaves the story between all the characters very well, I'm so pleased.
And there is no misunderstandings, only mature thinking and communication. Love it.
Profile Image for rissys.bookshelf.
162 reviews1 follower
May 4, 2022
Oh dang. Alessa Thorn did it again. I loved seeing this family back together again. I loved all the adventure this book had. I loved all the twists and turns it took. I loved the banter in this book. I couldn't put the book down once I started. Slias was just 🥵🥵. I couldn't get enough of him. Izabela was such a strong character even with her past. I loved Darkest Night but I think I love this just a little more. I can't wait to see what happens next.
Profile Image for Justine (bookshelf_fairy).
132 reviews2 followers
June 12, 2022
To good to miss

Eeek. This was seriously so freakin amazing. So much action and you literally can not help but fall in love with these characters. Each have their own charm and charisma. Dante is forever my favourite cinnamon roll, he and Leo are just too deliciously yummy. This book was so action packed and so much suspense. Book one was amazing this definitely over surpassed my expectations. I love this series so much.
Profile Image for Nina birdd.
9 reviews
January 10, 2025
I love that Silas is happy 🖤 the story line was a bit flatter than the other books I’ve read by Alessa Thorn.
Profile Image for Amber.
223 reviews13 followers
November 29, 2022
2.5 stars, 1 spice.

This book.... I needed to continue the story and that is why I pushed through it. If I'm going to be completely honest, the smut made me cringe throughout the entire thing. I loved the plot, but the romance was 1/10 for me. What recovered the book was of course Athena and Kon, the little bits of those two characters and learning about what was going on is what kept me pushing through.

I ultimately feel that this book is worth it IF you want to continue the story, learn about the mercenaries & magic in the world. The initial hook up between Iz and Silas just made me internally and externally *uncomfortable* and I feel that just set the tone for those two main characters for the rest of the book.

The ending was really good but once they captured and went to torture the antagonist.... the mark was missed for me. It was almost the same ending as the first book, we got no information or interrogation (which it might be my messed up brain but I'd love to see Athena actually torture a guy to make him wet himself and give answers) but instead, we got yet another mysterious antagonist going after the group. It feels repetitive from what happened to Liddall in book one. I'm waiting for the pinnacle of the story to happen and I thought it was going to be in this book. For me it was just a lot of chase and minimum action.

I will read a book about Leo and Dante, and will probably continue the story.... This will most likely be my least favorite out of the series.
Profile Image for Abbey | bookishandme.
288 reviews5 followers
December 23, 2022

I think this might be my favourite book by Alessa to date!

Silas and Iz had instant chemistry when we first met them in Darkest Night and I immediately wanted to see where their story would take us - Let me tell you I was not ready!

The world building, storytelling, banter, and undeniable chemistry had me feeling all the emotions!

Do I still want to find myself in need of rescue by the Edgeworth’s - 100% yes. Will this ever go away - highly unlikely!!

I read Sharpest Edge as part of #buildingfantasyfebruary it’s just taken me a while to post! While I love the Ironwood family I eagerly await the return to the world of Mercenaries and Magic and this found family!
117 reviews1 follower
February 18, 2022
I feel like this book was so rushed that it completely ruined the plot. It could’ve been so, so good. And it was still okay. An easy read. But it’s great and I really feel like it could’ve been. Even if you just wanted to read this for the smut, it’s still not even that good. Considering the reviews I saw on instagram about how amazing the smut etc was, I’d say it’s severely overhyped. Really disappointed
Profile Image for Brittany.
72 reviews15 followers
February 22, 2022
Alessa has done it again. Her books are just hot and spicy and this story did not disappoint. This is the second installment of the Mercenaries and Magic series and hello daddy? I mean - daddy? I mean - Silas and Isabella's story is so very significant - deals with trauma, healing, longing and just perfection.
Profile Image for Maddy Max.
1,502 reviews59 followers
February 8, 2022
(4,5)

"You know what they say. When God closes the door, She opens a window." Dante's mouth lifted into his mischievous smile. "And if the window isn't open, I'll just pick the lock."


After reading and adoring Darkest Night in late 2021, I didn't waste any time to dive into Sharpest Edge the moment it went live. Iz and Silas' story called my name and how could I even resist? Alessa Thorn delivered with this sequel, giving everything I wanted and more. Sharpest Edge was addictive and so entertaining. It was fun and sexy as hell. The story was filled with action and revelations (that ending!). It was such an amazing adventure with great movie-worthy scenes, I couldn't stop reading.

In other words, I adore this twisted yet deeply lovable found family. They're all deadly and it's one of my favorite thing about them, it's part of their charm truly. I loved Julian, and I was surprised with how much I wanted more scenes with Altun. I felt like these two brought crazy and sexy on a brand new level. Kon and Athena still have a large piece of my heart, Izabella and Silas were to die for, and can we talk about Dante and Leo? I swear my heart cannot take it, yet I need so much more of them. I hope Alessa Thorn writes their story next because they were devilishly sexy in Sharpest Edge.

Overall, I am in love. And I cannot wait for the next book in this series. Alessa Thorn's books are my new drugs and I need my next fix soon!
Profile Image for AreThereBooksOnMars.
53 reviews119 followers
April 4, 2022
Silas came and conquered (Innuendo 100% intended) in this non-stop adrenaline fueled, s3x pot, live out your Rick O’ Connell fantasy, dark magical adventure. Alessa is a goddess and I am but her humble servant whose prayers have been answered.

Silas isn’t just a daddy, he is a certified DILF, and all around salt and pepper DADDY. This character comes fully furnished with everything you could want. And I don’t just mean in a “smut” way. These are well rounded, interesting in depth characters that make you love them just as much as you want to ride them into the sunset.

Iz is the woman of all of our dreams and the perfect counterpart to Silas’s deadly energy. Her character arc is one of my favorites and her sincerity makes her feel tangible and real in a way that you can relate to and root for. Her mommy to Silas’s daddy, when it comes to their roles in this found family are fucking precious, and my god my heart is just as warm as my loins.

Speaking of, if you love “found family” this series has my favorite one. Period. When they are together their banter is so natural you feel like you have been part of the gang from the start. They feel like home, even if they have their family dinners with a side of torture.

I CANT WAIT to see what Alessa does next in this series because:
1. THAT ENDING THOUGH 🤯
2. I need Leo and Dante like I need oxygen

If you listen to any of my book recs, trust me when I say Darkest Night and Sharpest Edge are NECESSARY.

Violence: ⚔️⚔️⚔️⚔️⚔️/5
Romance: 🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍/5
Heat: ❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥/5 (I’m still panting)
Entertainment: 🍿🍿🍿🍿🍿/5
Profile Image for anna.
1,018 reviews11 followers
January 17, 2024
the problem of this book was that every other romantic story line was more interesting than the main one between silas&izabelle. theirs was very bland, i didn’t feel the chemistry and excitement.

before reading, i hoped this book would be about dante&leo. their story started in the first book. i wasn’t a fan of fillers from their povs in others’ books. silas&izabella could’ve waited a book longer.

i already missed athena&kon, their story was more stimulating.
“Kon looked at Athena with heat in his eyes. "You were going to curse me, güzelim?"
"I thought about it when you were being a jerk," she replied, taking out a knife to flick between her fingers.”

“I'm Athena Edgeworth. This is Kon, and if you don't start talking, I'm going to use this nifty little knife to start skinning pieces off you," she replied cheerily.
Kon grinned. "You are so very good at it, my love. I kind of hope he doesn't talk.”

“When I'm an old lady, I'm going to have a dagger cane," Athena piped up.
Kon kissed her temple. "Why wait until you're old?”


honestly i waited the whole book for this line.

“I suppose there's only one question left for me to ask," Athena said. Her eyes went wide and innocent. "Are you my Mommy now?”


it’s the second time in the series when they lost each other and didn’t notice when the person got snatched. some mercenaries they were. 🙄🙄

also i still think that magic doesn’t fit in the story. it’s not natural here.
Profile Image for Celine Spryks (Taylor’s Version).
282 reviews1 follower
March 6, 2023
Daddy vibes, and sub Brat with PTSD. It is a roller coaster love story. However, I need to point out that it was all just spicy and not enough sweet. I didn’t feel any other emotion other than lust.

Ship meter:
Kon and Athena: 60%
Silas and Isabella: 50%
Dante and Leo: 100%

I apologize, I read the second book instead of the first book so now I know Kon and Athena will end up together, but I will still probably read the book. Maybe we don’t know. Because I’m pretty sure I’m going to read a few things before this but for now this is really kind of cute book. i’m only giving it a three star review simply because there’s too much smut going on instead of the actual story I understand it is smut but it’s not spicy enough, nor is it sweet enough to actually warrant a romantic emotion of love out of it. It’s just basically the two of them who wants to get in each others pants. I wish there was more to it than just that but they do give like a huge backstory to both of them but it’s not enough to make me fall in love with the characters in. I do wish Dante and Leo would get their own story, but I feel like the next one would be probably Justin and That weird lady.

Anyway, that’s about it. See ya.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Veronika B.
284 reviews4 followers
February 6, 2022
Okay, I think it's official. I frickin' love Alessa und she is definitely one of my go to authors.

After the first book we follow now Silas and Iz but we keep tracking the first book and story. Who is Aurora? What happened with Athena and so on. So the backbone/plot of story is definitely here.

Then the whole crew. And yes ladies and gentlemen, we get some more additions and my gut feeling is telling me they will mingle for a little while.

The 🌶️🌶️🌶️ was on point and 💯. No words needed. Alessa delivered again.

The banter between them all 🤌🏼 chefskiss 🤌🏼

Cannot wait for the next book. I need it now.

And just for letting you know: I read the book in one sitting. And this is always a good sign, peeps. You start to read and the writing style is so easy that you keep going and the plot.... *Mwah*

What I disliked very much: they could be more pages - this book is only 260 pages long. No wonder we keep hanging with this. And one thing more: I can't remember how old they actually are? Am I stupid? Please enlighten me, thank you ✌🏼
4 reviews
March 26, 2022
I absolutely loved this book!!!
I usually find it hard to read a series when the main characters change in each book. Especially when they have previously featured in another book. But this book absolutely won me over and I daresay I loved it even more than Darkest Night (which was also fantastic). I absolutely loved Silas and his protectiveness over Iz and Athena. I also loved that Kon and Athena's story didn't just end after the first book.

The dynamic between the six of them is absolutely beautiful and there isn't a single character I disliked (apart from the bad guys). I really enjoyed the little snippets into Leo and Dante's relationship and I am absolutely looking forward to reading their story (if they get one🤞🏾).

All the characters are crazy and fun and cool and I just could not put the book down

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