61) Black Spring by Christina Henry

The Blurb :


A former Agent of death, Madeline Black now has everything to live for, most importantly, her unborn child. But Chicago has become ground zero in a struggle between ancient creatures, and only Maddy can stop the carnage…

The mayor of Chicago has announced a plan to round up the city’s supernatural beings and put them in camps. With her due date looming, Maddy’s best move would be to lay low for a while. But not everyone is willing to respect her privacy. Hounded by tentacled monsters, a rogue shapeshifter, and a tenacious blogger, Maddy turns to her most powerful ally, her uncle Daharan, only to find him missing.

Just when it seems like things can’t get any worse, Maddy gets an invitation in the mail—to Lucifer’s wedding. Turns out everyone has been invited, friends and enemies alike. And with that kind of guest list, it’s highly unlikely there will be a happily ever after.

My Thoughts :

When I finally got the chance to pick up my Kindle over the weekend I noticed it had done something weird to the order of the books in my To Be Read folder.  So imagine my surprise when I saw this book on the first page.  I was sure I read this already and was ready to delete it but then after reading the first chapter I wanted to kick myself!  I hadn't read this one! I had pre-ordered it and totally forgot about it! And it is the last part in the series!

I read this in record time.  It wasn't as in-depth and wild as the previous few books in the series and I managed to follow things easily and therefore read quicker.  Black Spring was all about tying up the loose ends and giving Maddy a worthwhile ending.  Both were achieved and their was much rejoicing! Actually it was nice to have it all end and be able to say goodbye Maddy.  I have enjoyed her story and the wonderful concept of the series but it was time to let her go.

There is no need to go into details about the book because I am sure there are still some people out there who haven't read this last piece of the puzzle and there may even be some of you who will now decide to give the series a go because it is complete.  I will say that it is definitely worth reading and is one of the better Paranormal Urban Fantasy series out there.  Great ideas, good storyline and super characters.  Lots of action, amazing twists and turns and of course the author allows her leading lady to get pregnant which is something that doesn't usually happen.

If you haven't given this series a go then now you have the chance to read it all in one go.  If I ever have nothing to read (haha) then this is definitely one of the series I would have on my list to read again.  I liked Maddy a lot and I will miss her but wish her all the best!

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148) Black Heart by Christina Henry

The Blurb :

As a former Agent of Death, Madeline Black is no stranger to witnessing violent ends. But being the one to cause them is an entirely different story…

Despite her having saved Chicago from a vampire invasion, the Agency wants to get Maddy off their payroll—permanently. With the deadly Retrievers hot on her trail, she has no choice but to trust Nathaniel to port her to safety. But even the exotic and dangerous world that she winds up in is not as peaceful as she would have hoped. Caught in a turf war between a group of fae and a disturbingly familiar foe, Maddy soon discovers that the twisted plots of her grandfather, Lucifer, and his brothers extend even into this unknown realm.

Now, with enemies gathering on all sides, Maddy’s fate is looking darker than ever. And to protect her unborn son from her adversaries, she may have to tap into a power she hoped never to access…

My Thoughts :

Confusing and full of surprises this is the fifth part in the Black Wings series.  Oh Wow!  I am not sure what to say about this one.  I have very mixed feelings about the whole story and the book was very busy!  There were parts I didn't like very much and others I tolerated as I could see where the story was going.  However there were also parts I really liked, even loved.

The book starts as it means to go on.  fast-paced and action filled.  They is hardly a moment for Maddy to breathe let alone eat and sleep.  Sometimes this left me feeling just as exhausted as Maddy and it was a little tedious that throughout the book that the reader was reminded constantly at how much Maddy was being punished physically.  Despite that it was nice to be back in Maddy's world even if it is chaotic.  I like the concept and the general storyline and I don't think I could give up now and not find out what all this is leading up to.

However I have to say this book frustrated me.  I wanted things to continue on from the last book but it didn't start off like that.  The first half of the book throws Maddy and the reader into a completely different place and goes off on an arc that made me want to give up on the book altogether.  It was only when it became apparent that this arc was only going to run around and join up with the 'real' plot that I relaxed and enjoyed things.  It was a tricky way of getting Maddy where she was supposed to be and it was this trick that leaves me unsure if I can say I love the book or not.

Black Heart wasn't what I expected but at least by the end I felt progress was made.  It might not be enough for some readers but after the first half of the book showed a distinct advancement I felt a little easier.  I didn't want to see Maddy's 'condition' drawing out for books on end.  However I know there are details in the long running plot that need to be dealt with and can't wait for months or years.  It was nice to see that the author obviously feels the same way.

Now I wonder how things will continue.  How will the author keep this series going and for how long?  I really want to have a conclusion soon.  I am just not sure how long I want this story to be drawn out.  Also I am really interested to see what the author will do with all the paths she has already laid down.  I am sure it will make for great reading but I don't know if Maddy or I can take too much more of the relentless attacks and fighting.

A super Paranormal Urban Fantasy series that really is worth reading.  Not only do you have angels and vampires but there is a gargoyle and some other weird and wonderful creatures.  A brilliant read but make sure you have the time and patience for a complicated but satisfying read.

 

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33) Black City by Christina Henry

The Blurb :

When Maddy finally killed her father, Azazel, she thought his depraved experiment died with him. But now Chicago has been infested with vampires immune to the effects of the sun, and the bloodbath is worse than she could have ever imagined. While the Agency refuses to interfere with other supernatural courts, Maddy is determined to do everything within her power to save her city—wings or no wings.

But when the leader of the vampires requests that she turn herself in or risk more deaths, Maddy becomes a target for the very people she’s trying to save. Left with no other choice, she turns to Lucifer, the one creature who has the power to help her. But her grandfather’s aid has always come at a price…


My Thoughts :

This is the fifth book in the series and I am extremely glad I read the previous insallment only a month ago. I don't think I would have known what was going on if I had left a long break between the two books. Things seem to be happening fast and furious in this series with the only long breaks in the story being the amount of time between them being published. Where one book ends the next one instantly begins and if you can't remember what was going on when you last left Maddy then you are really stuck.

With so much going on it is hard to keep up sometimes and I wonder how the characters manage. I was left confused about who was related to who and why by the end of this book and although the twists and turns are interesting and keep me reading I do have a little bit of a headache from wrapping my head around the mass of problems, solutions and the fights inbetween.

I felt like the author was rushing along with this book and trying to fit too much in. Maybe the next book is the last and things need to tied up? I can only wonder if and when Maddy's baby will be born. If the story keeps moving along at this pace then we will need another thirty books to cover the pregnancy. However if the next installment makes a huge leap we could be seeing a baby next time around. I wonder what is in stall for the reader in this respect.

While this is great Paranromal Urban Fantasy this time around I didn't find the story well thought out enough. Things were, as I mentioned, rushed and all over the place. The plot seemed to go where ever it wanted to with lots of elements going on at once that needed attention. I am however keeping on with this series. I am curious to see if Maddy manages to have this baby and how. Will the author think up some interesting way of the baby arriving early? Will it be the normal 9 months etc etc. These questions and more will keep me reading because you don't usually have pregnant heroines in this genre.