Review: Black Howl - Christina Henry

Something is wrong with the souls of Chicago's dead. Ghosts are walking the streets, and Agent of Death

Madeline Black's exasperating boss wants her to figure out why. And while work is bad enough, Maddy has a plethora of personal problems too. Now that Gabriel has been assigned as her thrall, their relationship has hit an impasse. At least her sleazy ex-fiance Nathaniel is out of the picture--or so she thinks...

My thoughts:

The best book in the series to far, and it was also completely evil! By Lucifer it was so evil.

In this one ghosts are behaving strange, Gabriel is Maddy's thrall and neither one is happy. Our favorite gargoyle wants donuts. Wolves are missing and as always the courts of the fallen are conspiring. And Maddy is in the middle of it all.

Maddy is somewhat of a klutz, she will fall into the worst situation and still mouth off. I have to love her. Yes she is stupid in a way, but I like her. The series is not Mercy awesome. Instead it's just truly enjoyable because the story keeps me wanting more all the time. It made it hard for me to put it down. Sure it's simple at times, but when it makes me want more it makes me want more.

And the end, I mentioned it in the beginning, but it was just so evil! Not cliffie evil (cos it was that too), but yes Lucifer evil. Now I need more cos I can guess what Lucifer wants now.

Conclusion:

Fun!

Cover

Cool

Series: Black Wings #3
Genre: Urban fantasy
Pages: 274
Published: 2012 by Ace
Source: own

Blog Tour: Black Howl contest- Christina Henry interview

Today I have Christina Henry over for an interview and at the end of this interview there is a contest for her new book Black Howl.

Welcome!

Could you tell me a bit about yourself…

Well, I live a fairly unglamorous life. I like to write, read, bake, run, go to Costco and watch weird movies.  The most exciting thing that happens to me usually is the arrival of the monthly Costco coupon book.

Your newest book is called Black Howl, what it is about?

In BLACK HOWL, Maddy’s got problems on top of problems, as usual. There are ghosts popping up all over Chicago whose deaths have not been foreseen by the Agency prophets. This means that these deaths are outside of the natural order, and it’s up to Maddy to find out who’s behind it all. 

Of course, Maddy’s love life hasn’t gotten any easier either. Gabriel is now her thrall, and their happily ever after looks like it’s more out of reach than ever.

Madeline is as kick-ass as kick-ass UF heroines should be, who was your inspiration behind her?

I didn’t have a specific person who was an inspiration for Maddy, but I did know that I wanted her to be both strong and vulnerable. I didn’t want her to be indestructible. I want her to be affected by the things that she sees and does, while still being capable of handling herself.

I loved Beezle, who did you come up with this awesome gargoyle sidekick?

Since the books are in first person there’s always a danger that you’ll get trapped inside the head of the main character. I wanted to have someone who would always be around and available for Maddy to talk to. So I came up with the idea of a home guardian, and Beezle just kind of took on a life of his own. I actually have a lot in common with Beezle. I, too,have an abnormal love of cinnamon rolls.

Heaven and hell, and all things in between. How much work does it take to create a world like this?

I did a very small amount of research when I was writing BLACK WINGS, but I didn’t want to get too bogged down in existing mythologies. I wanted to create a mythology of my own. So I had some basic ideas and then I just let the story unfold from there. I write chronologically and I don’t outline, so a lot of what happens in the story occurs very organically.

How many more books will there be in the Madeleine B series?

There will be at least six books in total. After that, we will see if there is more story to tell. 

And last, who are your own fav UF writers?

Jim Butcher, Charlaine Harris, Patricia Briggs, Neil Gaiman, Simon R. Green, and Tanya Huff top the list.  They all write amazing characters, and characterization is a big draw for me.

Thanks!

Thank you for having me here!

Giveaway

1 copy of Black Howl

US only

Ends March 15

To enter, simply enter :)
Or ask a question, comment, or tell me if you want a gargoyle sidekick.

OUT NOW - Black HOWL

Something is wrong with the souls of Chicago's dead. Ghosts are walking the streets, and Agent of Death Madeline Black's exasperating boss wants her to figure out why. And while work is bad enough, Maddy has a plethora of personal problems, too.