Black Spring - Christina Henry

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:

Oh no, the end, now I am sad :/ I am happy that it ended well, cos I do know those series that just goes on and on. But it's always hard to say goodbye.

Maddy has grown, I was pretty proud of her in this one. Sure she still wants to save everyone, but she has a good head on her shoulders while saving everyone.

I will miss the gang! JB,  and Beezel the best gargoyle side-kick in the world!, Lucifer because even though he makes her life hell he is still a such a good baddie, his brothers cos they are evil and good, Nathaniel who I did not like at all at first but now yes I want them happy and together.

The book is about the big wedding, yes Lucifer is getting married to a psycho. And everyone is invited. But Maddy's life is not easy, someone is trying to kill her, what is Aleran up to? Why must she go to the wedding (cos Lucifer sucks)? And of course there is the whole I am preggers and might give birth any second thing.

Conclusion:

Again, sad that it ended but it was been a fun ride :) 

cover

cool

Mass Market Paperback, 288 pages
Published October 28th 2014 by Ace
Black Wings #7
Urban fantasy
own

Black Heart - Christina Henry

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:

I do like this series and when I finished the book I went online t at once to find out when the next book is coming out. The fall! Woe me!

The writing has also gotten better with each book, book 1 was a bit, eh, the story was awesome but it had some issues (but was still awesome ;). The only problem this book had was a conversation that was a bit silly in the middle of the book. But who cares, cos the rest is kick-ass.

Maddy is being hunted by the Agency since she left. She and Nathaniel got down and dirty (mixed feelings about that. She met her third uncle and revelations were made in the last that has an impact here. To protect her she is sent far away and gets into trouble. But she also meets someone whom I liked.

She kicks more ass. She learns a few secrets and something big happens and I got mad. Arghhh, evilness going on. The pace is good and something is always going on. Just too bad Lucifer was so busy with his baby mama, cos he is always cool to read about.

Conclusion:

I can't wait for more.

Cover

Cool

Mass Market Paperback, 288 pages
Published October 29th 2013 by Ace
Black Wings #6
Urban fantasy
Own

Review: Black City - Christina Henry

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:

After a long week I need a book that I could enjoy and read in a second and I knew Henry would deliver and so she did.

Vampires running amok in the city! Nahaniel guarding her back! Who is Puck! What is stirring in the area? The agency being a bunch of asses. Yes lots going on and Maddy is kick-ass as always, taking names and getting shot. She has a darkness growing inside her too and trying to deal with it all, while being preggers.

I also wonder if she will find a new love interest and who it will be....

Also Lucifer is scheming and the schemes are totally 0_0

Conclusion:

A fast kick-ass book that left me wanting more. This series just keeps on improving.

Cover

I do like her covers

Black Wings #5
Urban Fantasy
Mass Market Paperback, 288 pages
Published February 26th 2013 by Ace
Own

Review: Black Lament - Christina Henry

Devastated and grieving, Maddy unexpectedly finds hope with the discovery that she is pregnant. But Maddy’s joy is short lived when Lucifer informs her that he wants the baby, hoping to draw on the combined power of two of his bloodlines. Maddy is determined that her grandfather will never have her child, but she’s not sure what she can do to stop him. 

Being pregnant is stressful enough, but Maddy suddenly finds herself at odds with the Agency—forbidden from meddling in the affairs of the supernatural courts. When a few of her soul collections go awry, Maddy begins to suspect that the Agency wants to terminate her employment. They should know by now that she isn’t the sort to give up without a fight…

My thoughts:

Wow Madeleine is just crazy kick-ass, she always was but now, ha, kick-ass beyond everything. But that is why she is fun to read about, she rushes into a situation, tries to kill someone (does kill someone) and often end up mortally wounded. She is not stupid, she is just, let's get this S#¤t done!!

And of course after the true evilness! after book 3 I was dying to read this one. Gabriel was killed..killed and I was all wtf?! Not to mention Maddy is preggers and Lucifer could not be happier. But then I like good old Lucifer cos he is so cool and let her deal with all his troubles. But Maddy is trying to come to terms with her loss and she has a lot on her plates. The Agency is pretty tired of her, the fairies is pretty pissed at her and do not forget good old dad who wants to kill her.

Conclusion: 

There will be lots of fighting and good humour. This series is just so easy to read, it's light, while being dark. I do enjoy it.

Cover

Cool

Black Wings #4
Urban fantasy
Mass Market Paperback, 288 pages
Published October 30th 2012 by Ace
Own

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

Review: Black Night - Christina Henry

Madeline Black is an Agent of death, meaning she escorts the souls of people who have died to the afterlife. Of course, not everyone is happy to see her... 

If obstinate dead people were all that Maddy had to worry about, life would be much easier. But the best-laid plans of Agents and fallen angels often go awry. Deaths are occurring contrary to the natural order, Maddy's being stalked by foes inside and outside of her family, and her two loves-her bodyguard, Gabriel, and her doughnut-loving gargoyle, Beezle-have disappeared. But because Maddy is Lucifer's granddaughter, things are expected of her, things like delicate diplomatic missions to other realms.

My thoughts:

This is one of those books that are just so compelling that you need more, but at the same time I find it to be badly written. Well what can I say, a compelling story trumps that.

Why do I find it badly written? It's the dialogue, it's not good, it does not always flow. And the thing is this book feels mostly like dialogue, there are never really any descriptions. Things fall into place way to easily too.

But, yes here comes the but. I finished the book in a day cos I could not put it down. When I did finish I wanted more, I need to know what happens and I even squeed a bit.

Maddie is very kick-ass, and she is Lucifer's grand daughter, way too cool. She has an awesome side-kick, she wants a guy she can't have and her dad wants her to marry this idiot. *jumps around from joy*. It's all so juicy so even if the flaws bugged me, the end turned me around like it did in book 1.

Conclusion:

Exciting even with its flaws

Cover

Nice

Series: Black Wings #2
Genre: urban Fantasy
Pages 277
Published: 2011 by Ace
Source: Own

..................................

Discussion Point

I will ask this again tomorrow so I can get as many opinions as needed.

I have posted the Lady Scoundrels thing now for a few weeks. The questions is:

* Do you like that there are 3 reviews of the same book?

* Or should we just have one discussion post / or 3 short reviews in one? (with links to longer reviews if there are, goodreads for example)

Thanks!

Review: Her Ladyship's companion - Evangeline Collins

Genre: Historical romance

Pages: 330

Published: 2009

Publisher: Berkley

Source: Bought

In the Scottish countryside of Selkirk, Lady Isabella Stirling resides at Bowhill Park, serving penance for a sin that nearly ruined her family. For five years she has been condemned to a loveless marriage and confined to the estate where she does little more than tend her rose garden. With her husband absent for months at a time and few visitors, Bella lives a lonely existence, denying the passions that burn within her very soul.
Then her cousin comes for a visit and makes an outrageous suggestion: what Bella needs is a lover. A hired lover. Despite her need, Bella says no. But soon Mr. Gideon Rosedale arrives-and he is at her service for two weeks. Indulging in what she intends to be a harmless flirtation, Bella is overcome by Gideon's intoxicating presence. And when she at last permits him to satisfy her desires, she discovers she's done the unthinkable-she's fallen in love.

My thoughts:

I read another book by her and liked it, even though I didn't think I would. So of course then I had to get this book. At least now I was used to the prostitutes ;)

Isabella is married to a man who is never around. She is lonely, sad and there is passion in her that never gets to come out. When she finally gets to live she is a tad bit immature, but that is because she wants and wants. Kind of like me in a bookstore. The hero, oh yes, he is a male prostitute hired by her cousin. Now this is a romance so of course they fall in love, but can they be? She is married and he is nothing.

I can't say what it is about her books that make me like them so much. There is just so much passion, angst, and love around. And there is that big elephant in the room, how on earth could this possibly work? The road there is long and it has me wondering. Because I want them and need these two to be happy. She is so deserving and he, well he sure deserves better too.

Conclusion:

I truly enjoyed this one and I recommend it. I really like her voice.

Cover:

Something is wrong with his body

---------------------

I am also now a permanent member of the gang over at Alternative-read.com and today I am reviewing Black Wings by Christina Henry.

As an Agent of Death, Madeline Black is responsible for escorting the souls of the dearly departed to the afterlife. It's a 24/7 job with a lousy benefits package. 

Maddy's position may come with magical powers and an impressive wingspan, but it doesn't pay the bills. And then there are her infuriating boss, tenant woes, and a cranky, popcorn-loving gargoyle to contend with. 

Things start looking up, though, when tall, dark, and handsome Gabriel Angeloscuro agrees to rent the empty apartment in Maddy's building. It's probably just a coincidence that as soon as he moves in demons appear on the front lawn. But when an unholy monster is unleashed upon the streets of Chicago, Maddy discovers powers she never knew she possessed. Powers linked to a family legacy of tarnished halos. 

Powers that place her directly between the light of Heaven and the fires of Hell.