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4.2 AVERAGE
4.2 AVERAGE
I let this book sit for years before I finally read it. I think part of me just wasn't ready for this series to be over. A wonderful finish to a wonderful series. Thank you Kelley for introducing this world to us ❤
Thirteenth and almost last in the Women of the Otherworld paranormal romance series revolving around a wide circle of friends. The primary focus is on Savannah, but everyone from the series has a part to play.
This particular collector's edition includes a short story, From Russia, With Love, which concludes Elena and Jeremiah's business.
My Take
As much as I hate to see the series end, Armstrong ended this particular series beautifully with a promise of continuing life for most everyone. Armstrong says she has three anthologies planned with one scheduled for publication in 2014. She also says she may come back with a bigger story. When you finish, you'll realize that Armstrong has left herself all sorts of possibilities.
Nice that Savannah gets to spend some time with her mom. Not quite the quality time she was envisioning, I'm sure. There's also a bit of a face-to-face for both Sean and Savannah with their dad. It was very clever, really, how Armstrong managed to bring just everyone in to play a part without making it feel desperate or planned.
It's a fairly powerless Savannah determined to exist without her powers. And we learn the truth of who, how, and why her powers are really gone.
As usual, Armstrong provides plenty of drama and tension in this tale. She's certainly left us hanging as to the Nast Cabal's fate! The whole tricked-up trial was simply a travesty! And my only regret is that Balaam didn't take Josef as well! How very demonic of him!
I will miss these characters. Armstrong created such a lovely cast each with their own quirks and personalities. A series which grew along with its characters and readers. I've been reminiscing in my mind about Savannah's first appearance. Armstrong certainly played the long game as Paige and Lucas and Elena and the Danvers Pack seemed more important at first. It's been a family for her readers.
The Story
A prologue from Bitten which reminds us of Elena's introduction to the supernatural life is followed by yet another prologue for Thirteen about Eve and Kristof which introduces us to the coming battles that will entangle Kristof's sons and their daughter.
It's battles on both sides of the pale: demons fighting among themselves and the supernaturals with all sorts of different agendas. SLAM is ramping up for their big reveal, but another organization is fighting to prevent it. Both with terrible ideas. A realization that Roni finally comes to in the middle of her operation for SLAM.
Those we love are all at risk, too valuable to all sides and the idiot ideas just bring all sorts of people back including Eve and Kristof who are granted time by the Fates. Even Lucifer's appearance is demanded wreaking all sorts of havoc on Hope and Karl.
The demons are ignoring the Berithian Treaty. There are infiltrations, betrayals from foe and by family, escapes, and Savannah is on trial for treason against the Nasts even as Jeremy is struggling to help save Bryce's life.
Hope's visions are somewhat useful. If only they weren't in extremely dead languages.
The Characters
Savannah Levine is the daughter of Eve Levine and Kristof Nast. She's a powerful witch/sorcerer whom her father's family, mostly, refuses to acknowledge. Adam Vasic is an Exustio half-demon (Asmondai is his father), a council delegate, and protected by the Cortez Cabal; one Savannah grew up with and with whom she fell in love. The two of them work for her foster mother, Paige Winterbourne and her husband Lucas Cortez, in their detective firm. Lucas is also Benicio Cortez's heir to the Cortez Cabal. Troy and Griffin are still around playing bodyguard to Benicio; Troy gets assigned to protect Savannah.
Elena Michaels was bitten by Clay Danvers in order to bring her into his life; she's now the Alpha-elect. Happily mated for a number of years, they have two children, twins: Kate and Logan. Jeremy Danvers is still the Alpha and has mated with Jaime Vegas, a gifted psychic. Malcolm Danvers, Jeremy's father, is still alive. For now. A very-pregnant Hope (Lucifer is her father) and Karl Marsten are here, helping.
Eve Levine was a powerful dark witch/half Aspicio demon in life and the daughter of a major demon lord, Balaam, who is pro-reveal. Now, she's a powerful Celestial bounty hunter; Trsiel is her full-blood angel partner in the smiting business. Aaron Darnell is, um, Cassandra's boyfriend. They're both vampires with a valuable contribution to make.
Kristof Nast is also dead, but he still works as a lawyer on the other side. At least, he and Eve are able to be together, part of the time. Sean and Bryce are Savannah's half-brothers; they both are the only members of her family who do acknowledge their relationship. Sean is the Nast heir and very pro-Savannah while Bryce was injected with something nasty in Spell Bound and is dying. Josef Nast is Kristof's younger brother and would do anything to discredit Savannah and Sean. Thomas Nast is Kristof and Josef's father.
Bo Stein is a member of the intra-Cabal security. An organization that's turned. Aratron is a eudemon, a species of demon said to be impartial observers. He's taken Savannah's spells so she will stop relying upon them and learn to fight like a human. Raim is one of Lucifer's earls and now a prisoner of war with some useful information about Lucifer's location.
The Supernatural Liberation Movement (SLAM) intends to "reveal the existence of supernaturals to the human world". It's led by Giles Reyes, a.k.a., Gilles de Rais, who claims to be a fifteenth-century nobleman who has found the gift of immortality. Yeah, just don't look too closely as to how he found that gift! Sierra and Severin are a sister-brother pair of Ice half-demons helping him on behalf of Balaam. They had kidnapped Savannah for Balaam, her grandfather, in Spell Bound. Veronica "Roni" Tucker, the witch hunter, has a sudden change of heart when she sees the truth. Gordon Scott is an officious, egotistical necromancer with a thing for young women whom Giles needs to capture Lucifer's attention. Which is where Jasper Haig who killed two of Benicio's sons and is currently imprisoned by the Cortezes will play a pivotal role in this tale. Anything for the love of his life.
Officer Jackie Medina is working two sides; Holland is her partner. Toby White is an Aduro half-demon with some unfinished business with Eve. Shawn Roberts was a sorcerer in competition with Toby. Amanda Griffin is a high-class hooker catering to the supernatural set. Naturally, she's involved with a supernatural organization as well. Only this one is anti-SLAM and against coming out, but their idea for "explaining" this is god-awful stupid.
The Cover
The cover is a brilliant green radiating out in a circle to the black of the bare branches of a forest and the silhouettes of three people who almost blend in with the tree trunks that surround them. A brilliant, spell-inlaid silver ten-point star surrounds a faceted amethyst, itself encircled by a thin border of emeralds. The color used for the title picks up the purple.
The title is a bit spooky. Thirteen is generally viewed as an unlucky number. How very...superstitious...
This particular collector's edition includes a short story, From Russia, With Love, which concludes Elena and Jeremiah's business.
My Take
As much as I hate to see the series end, Armstrong ended this particular series beautifully with a promise of continuing life for most everyone. Armstrong says she has three anthologies planned with one scheduled for publication in 2014. She also says she may come back with a bigger story. When you finish, you'll realize that Armstrong has left herself all sorts of possibilities.
Nice that Savannah gets to spend some time with her mom. Not quite the quality time she was envisioning, I'm sure. There's also a bit of a face-to-face for both Sean and Savannah with their dad. It was very clever, really, how Armstrong managed to bring just everyone in to play a part without making it feel desperate or planned.
It's a fairly powerless Savannah determined to exist without her powers. And we learn the truth of who, how, and why her powers are really gone.
As usual, Armstrong provides plenty of drama and tension in this tale. She's certainly left us hanging as to the Nast Cabal's fate! The whole tricked-up trial was simply a travesty! And my only regret is that Balaam didn't take Josef as well! How very demonic of him!
I will miss these characters. Armstrong created such a lovely cast each with their own quirks and personalities. A series which grew along with its characters and readers. I've been reminiscing in my mind about Savannah's first appearance. Armstrong certainly played the long game as Paige and Lucas and Elena and the Danvers Pack seemed more important at first. It's been a family for her readers.
The Story
A prologue from Bitten which reminds us of Elena's introduction to the supernatural life is followed by yet another prologue for Thirteen about Eve and Kristof which introduces us to the coming battles that will entangle Kristof's sons and their daughter.
It's battles on both sides of the pale: demons fighting among themselves and the supernaturals with all sorts of different agendas. SLAM is ramping up for their big reveal, but another organization is fighting to prevent it. Both with terrible ideas. A realization that Roni finally comes to in the middle of her operation for SLAM.
Those we love are all at risk, too valuable to all sides and the idiot ideas just bring all sorts of people back including Eve and Kristof who are granted time by the Fates. Even Lucifer's appearance is demanded wreaking all sorts of havoc on Hope and Karl.
The demons are ignoring the Berithian Treaty. There are infiltrations, betrayals from foe and by family, escapes, and Savannah is on trial for treason against the Nasts even as Jeremy is struggling to help save Bryce's life.
Hope's visions are somewhat useful. If only they weren't in extremely dead languages.
The Characters
Savannah Levine is the daughter of Eve Levine and Kristof Nast. She's a powerful witch/sorcerer whom her father's family, mostly, refuses to acknowledge. Adam Vasic is an Exustio half-demon (Asmondai is his father), a council delegate, and protected by the Cortez Cabal; one Savannah grew up with and with whom she fell in love. The two of them work for her foster mother, Paige Winterbourne and her husband Lucas Cortez, in their detective firm. Lucas is also Benicio Cortez's heir to the Cortez Cabal. Troy and Griffin are still around playing bodyguard to Benicio; Troy gets assigned to protect Savannah.
Elena Michaels was bitten by Clay Danvers in order to bring her into his life; she's now the Alpha-elect. Happily mated for a number of years, they have two children, twins: Kate and Logan. Jeremy Danvers is still the Alpha and has mated with Jaime Vegas, a gifted psychic. Malcolm Danvers, Jeremy's father, is still alive. For now. A very-pregnant Hope (Lucifer is her father) and Karl Marsten are here, helping.
Eve Levine was a powerful dark witch/half Aspicio demon in life and the daughter of a major demon lord, Balaam, who is pro-reveal. Now, she's a powerful Celestial bounty hunter; Trsiel is her full-blood angel partner in the smiting business. Aaron Darnell is, um, Cassandra's boyfriend. They're both vampires with a valuable contribution to make.
Kristof Nast is also dead, but he still works as a lawyer on the other side. At least, he and Eve are able to be together, part of the time. Sean and Bryce are Savannah's half-brothers; they both are the only members of her family who do acknowledge their relationship. Sean is the Nast heir and very pro-Savannah while Bryce was injected with something nasty in Spell Bound and is dying. Josef Nast is Kristof's younger brother and would do anything to discredit Savannah and Sean. Thomas Nast is Kristof and Josef's father.
Bo Stein is a member of the intra-Cabal security. An organization that's turned. Aratron is a eudemon, a species of demon said to be impartial observers. He's taken Savannah's spells so she will stop relying upon them and learn to fight like a human. Raim is one of Lucifer's earls and now a prisoner of war with some useful information about Lucifer's location.
The Supernatural Liberation Movement (SLAM) intends to "reveal the existence of supernaturals to the human world". It's led by Giles Reyes, a.k.a., Gilles de Rais, who claims to be a fifteenth-century nobleman who has found the gift of immortality. Yeah, just don't look too closely as to how he found that gift! Sierra and Severin are a sister-brother pair of Ice half-demons helping him on behalf of Balaam. They had kidnapped Savannah for Balaam, her grandfather, in Spell Bound. Veronica "Roni" Tucker, the witch hunter, has a sudden change of heart when she sees the truth. Gordon Scott is an officious, egotistical necromancer with a thing for young women whom Giles needs to capture Lucifer's attention. Which is where Jasper Haig who killed two of Benicio's sons and is currently imprisoned by the Cortezes will play a pivotal role in this tale. Anything for the love of his life.
Officer Jackie Medina is working two sides; Holland is her partner. Toby White is an Aduro half-demon with some unfinished business with Eve. Shawn Roberts was a sorcerer in competition with Toby. Amanda Griffin is a high-class hooker catering to the supernatural set. Naturally, she's involved with a supernatural organization as well. Only this one is anti-SLAM and against coming out, but their idea for "explaining" this is god-awful stupid.
The Cover
The cover is a brilliant green radiating out in a circle to the black of the bare branches of a forest and the silhouettes of three people who almost blend in with the tree trunks that surround them. A brilliant, spell-inlaid silver ten-point star surrounds a faceted amethyst, itself encircled by a thin border of emeralds. The color used for the title picks up the purple.
The title is a bit spooky. Thirteen is generally viewed as an unlucky number. How very...superstitious...
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Last book in the series, but I don't feel like anything is really finished
Simply Amazing. I have been a longtime fan of Kelley Armstrong and have been with her through every step of this Otherworld journey. From novels, novellas, anthologies and even the little extras on her website. I just couldn't get enough. These characters have grown with me. And I won't ever forget them. The ending, in my opinion, was perfect. It couldn't have ended any other way. I wouldn't want it to. I feel so lucky to have been apart of this world. Thank you for sharing this with me Kelley Armstrong <3
Bittersweet.
I have loved these books, and these characters (well, most of them), and I appreciated Armstrong rounding them all up in a bit of a reunion and giving the series a real end. But in the earlier books the characters and the plot seemed to build together in a natural way... and the plot seemed to actually *build.* In the most recent books it's more like there's a string of events arranged so the characters (Savannah, mostly) have a backdrop against which to develop. I spent half an hour trying to remember/figure out whether I'd read the 12th book before I started this one. Not a good sign. (What *happened* in that book? I remember the end, and kind of the beginning, but the middle? Complete blank.)
This is also, potentially, a sign of a mind that now holds down a job that's multitask-orama and has two kids under age 5. But still. It's not just me. This is no Bitten. But it's still Kelley Armstrong, and I devoured it. 3.5?
I have loved these books, and these characters (well, most of them), and I appreciated Armstrong rounding them all up in a bit of a reunion and giving the series a real end. But in the earlier books the characters and the plot seemed to build together in a natural way... and the plot seemed to actually *build.* In the most recent books it's more like there's a string of events arranged so the characters (Savannah, mostly) have a backdrop against which to develop. I spent half an hour trying to remember/figure out whether I'd read the 12th book before I started this one. Not a good sign. (What *happened* in that book? I remember the end, and kind of the beginning, but the middle? Complete blank.)
This is also, potentially, a sign of a mind that now holds down a job that's multitask-orama and has two kids under age 5. But still. It's not just me. This is no Bitten. But it's still Kelley Armstrong, and I devoured it. 3.5?
It's sad that the series ended. I'm going to miss all the characters.
slow-paced
Heaven and Hell are just as divided as the supernaturals in the human world. Lots of fighting on supernaturals coming out to the humans and Lord Balaam has decided to Rule in the human world. Savannah has to find a way to get through the paranormal world on her minimal magic now, and has picked up quickly and is a major piece in the war to come, fighting rogue drugged werewolves, hellhounds, and a sorcerer, along with demons. All to be surprised with someone's visit. The Supernatural Liberation Movement is fighting to show the world who the supernatural are, and change it for them, along with the vaccine of 'immortality' as well.
We start exactly where Spell Bound ended with Savannah, Bryce and Adam walking away from the lab that just blew up and fell down around them. The vaccine...do you remember the virus from Spell Bound? Yeap, it's back. Hot and heavy mess with it here. We are reminded of this that will grant immortality with a mix of supernatural DNA in it. We learn more about this vaccine, which is a virus.
Savannah's mom is found to be more special than suspected and coveted by others. Putting Savannah and Jaime Vegas on the radar for trouble. Then we have Hope, who comes to the foreground due to who her father is. All our characters in the Underworld series are in teams working on this huge issue of breakouts and the SLAM (the Supernatural Liberation Movement, as Savannah has branded them) group.
Savannah gets some treasured time with someone special. She has also learned to handle being weak in the magic area, learning to adapt in other ways, making her a stronger person.
Some references back to Waking the Witch and Spell Bound in the case we are working through. I'm sure more references are made to the other ten books as well, with the characters showing up, but shame on me for not reading them yet.
The book is from Savannah's point of view. But there is a chapter here and there that are of anothers eyes so we see and know whats happening and getting a bigger story. The characters he hear from briefly: Jaime, Elena, Paige, Hope, and Eve.
Oh, and if you are curious about Savannah and Adam. Well, you'll have to read the book. ;)
This story I think YA readers could easily follow through with from the previous two books. I will mention there is sexual content, not that you get details while happening, but you know it's happened. So safe it's to read.
I will say I do love Savannah and hope to see her in a few short stories in the future. It would be nice to see these characters, the ones that make it out, again. And there are a few stories here to be told.
I really enjoy this vast world of demons, witches, werewolves, vampires, and so much more supernatural. Definitely a series to visit with so much available in it. Well done Kelley. I do want more, and will have to pick up the beginning books to get it, and hope for future tales as well.
From Russia, with Love
This is a short story at the end of the book that I think many long time series followers will love. Where the series started, it should end as well. Very nice touch by Kelley. I don't want to give anything away as it's full from the start, and might also give you something about the ending of Thirteen as well.
I even enjoyed reading this short story and getting to see the twins, and more action with the characters. I think it would be wonderful if Kelley could pick up with the twins in the future, for short stories and such.
We start exactly where Spell Bound ended with Savannah, Bryce and Adam walking away from the lab that just blew up and fell down around them. The vaccine...do you remember the virus from Spell Bound? Yeap, it's back. Hot and heavy mess with it here. We are reminded of this that will grant immortality with a mix of supernatural DNA in it. We learn more about this vaccine, which is a virus.
Savannah's mom is found to be more special than suspected and coveted by others. Putting Savannah and Jaime Vegas on the radar for trouble. Then we have Hope, who comes to the foreground due to who her father is. All our characters in the Underworld series are in teams working on this huge issue of breakouts and the SLAM (the Supernatural Liberation Movement, as Savannah has branded them) group.
Savannah gets some treasured time with someone special. She has also learned to handle being weak in the magic area, learning to adapt in other ways, making her a stronger person.
Some references back to Waking the Witch and Spell Bound in the case we are working through. I'm sure more references are made to the other ten books as well, with the characters showing up, but shame on me for not reading them yet.
The book is from Savannah's point of view. But there is a chapter here and there that are of anothers eyes so we see and know whats happening and getting a bigger story. The characters he hear from briefly: Jaime, Elena, Paige, Hope, and Eve.
Oh, and if you are curious about Savannah and Adam. Well, you'll have to read the book. ;)
This story I think YA readers could easily follow through with from the previous two books. I will mention there is sexual content, not that you get details while happening, but you know it's happened. So safe it's to read.
I will say I do love Savannah and hope to see her in a few short stories in the future. It would be nice to see these characters, the ones that make it out, again. And there are a few stories here to be told.
I really enjoy this vast world of demons, witches, werewolves, vampires, and so much more supernatural. Definitely a series to visit with so much available in it. Well done Kelley. I do want more, and will have to pick up the beginning books to get it, and hope for future tales as well.
From Russia, with Love
This is a short story at the end of the book that I think many long time series followers will love. Where the series started, it should end as well. Very nice touch by Kelley. I don't want to give anything away as it's full from the start, and might also give you something about the ending of Thirteen as well.
I even enjoyed reading this short story and getting to see the twins, and more action with the characters. I think it would be wonderful if Kelley could pick up with the twins in the future, for short stories and such.