Drop: The Police Annals of Jax Book II by J.R. Lightfoot

Genre: Supernatural Action

Star Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)

Introduction

The war continues. 

Fort Worth is the battleground. Death comes in many forms and by many methods. The streets of downtown Fort Worth run red with the blood of innocents. Officer Jax Ferris of the Special Task Force to the Fort Worth Police Department has been given a green light to fight the war by any means necessary. 

Officers have died, butchered by the same monsters that haunt the streets of Fort Worth. Armed with the magical gauntlets given to him by his mentor, Jax has transformed into the perfect weapon to combat the monster forces of the Order of Light.

The victory for the Blood Gem has scattered and splintered the dark forces of the Order. One such splinter has mastered and began distribution of the deadliest drug known to man; Drop. Capable of addiction after one use and undetectable by modern medicine, Drop has captured the drug market and brought a berserker to power. Jax has to fight the war on two fronts, each as deadly as the other. 

Armed with his gauntlets, Jax’s mission quickly evolves into one of survival. Time is running out, a deadly elemental joins the battle along with the perfect assassin. This battle will prove to be the deadliest yet.

My Review Going into this, I realized that this book was the second book in a series, but honestly, it works surprisingly well as a standalone. I never felt lost or confused, and the story gives enough context to keep everything clear without slowing things down. That said… now that I’ve read it, I definitely want to go back and pick up the first book just to see how everything started and follow the series properly. There’s enough world-building and ongoing conflict hinted at here that it feels like part of something bigger and now I’m curious.

I honestly didn’t expect to have as much fun with this book as I did. It’s wild, action-packed, and totally leans into its supernatural chaos and that’s part of the charm. The characters are larger-than-life, the fight scenes feel like a movie, and the story never slows down long enough to get boring. It’s the kind of book you just sit back with, enjoy the ride, and think, “Okay, this is pretty cool.”

This story has a strong sense of identity and clearly leans into its supernatural action roots. The pacing works well there’s momentum from the opening scene onward, and readers who enjoy fast-moving narratives, cinematic fight sequences, and darker urban fantasy tones will likely appreciate what’s being built here. The world-building hints at a larger mythology, and there’s a confident commitment to the genre that feels reminiscent of titles like Blade, Underworld, or The Dresden Files. There’s a definite energy and vision behind the work, and that comes through clearly.

What I Liked

As the story unfolds, the tone stays intense and action-forward, which gives it a strong stylistic consistency. The scenes feel visually dynamic, especially moments like the nightclub confrontation or the cartel meeting those read almost like storyboard frames from a film. The atmosphere and setup show promise, and with continued refinement, the world could feel even more immersive and distinct.

What Could Be Better

One area that could benefit from polishing is character dialogue. Right now, many characters speak with a similar aggressive tone and sharp language, which can make emotional nuance or individuality harder to distinguish. Softening some exchanges, varying speech patterns, and adding layers like vulnerability, humor, hesitation, or internal conflict could help characters feel more human and memorable. The foundation is there; refining voice and emotional variety will make the cast feel richer and the tension more impactful.

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Urban fantasy, supernatural thriller, action-packed, dark fantasy, paranormal action, standalone sequel, fast-paced read, gritty storytelling, cinematic writing, series continuation, supernatural crime fiction, fantasy series, engaging, fun read, high-energy, violent but entertaining, immersive world, visual storytelling, larger-than-life characters, plot-driven, movie-like fight scenes, easy to follow, monster hunter fiction, berserkers, sorcery, magic vs crime, detective supernatural, urban magic, modern fantasy, FBI paranormal task force, witchcraft and monsters, for fans of Blade, for fans of The Dresden Files, for fans of Underworld, supernatural thrillers, action fantasy.

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