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A review by aphelia88
Banishing the Dark by Jenn Bennett
5.0
Very unusually in the world of Urban Fantasy, the Arcadia Bell series consists of only 4 books (and one e-novella which I haven't read). I had no idea going into this that this was the final book; I skipped book 3, [b:Binding the Shadows|13630629|Binding the Shadows (Arcadia Bell, #3)|Jenn Bennett|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1382648884s/13630629.jpg|19238565], and would like to find it to complete my collection one day, but there is enough recap that I didn't feel lost.
This is, hands down, one of the best series endings I have ever read! Bennett takes us forward into the future 3 1/2 years to show us the characters on their new paths. Although I think the events here could have stretched into two books and I'm sad to see Cady go, the ending is immensely satisfactory and a great example of a Happily Ever After instead of just a Happily For Now.
Cady finally confronts her malicious, manipulative mother and in an interesting twist, their roles are reversed: Cady has become a physical "monster" due to her demon heritage (she gets a really neat demon form and new knacks in this book) but has a good heart while her mother, who Cady has justly viewed as monstrous, turns out to be merely a pathetic human, with an evil heart.
That makes the Final Battle something entirely different than UF readers are used to: it is subtle and heart-breaking, and although at first it feels a little anticlimactic, when I thought back on it I realized it's a actually a very clever piece of writing.
This is the book where everyone grows up: Cady, Lon and Lupe. This series is also unique for it's portrayal of a blended family. Lon's teenage son Lupe has become the stepson Cady never knew she wanted or could love, and a major new issue and the events in this book all bring them closer together, and they make a real family.
One quibble:
Overall, I really grew to love Arcadia Bell and her crazy world and I would definitely recommend this series to any Urban Fantasy fan. I really hope Bennett writes more in this world in the future!
This is, hands down, one of the best series endings I have ever read! Bennett takes us forward into the future 3 1/2 years to show us the characters on their new paths. Although I think the events here could have stretched into two books and I'm sad to see Cady go, the ending is immensely satisfactory and a great example of a Happily Ever After instead of just a Happily For Now.
Cady finally confronts her malicious, manipulative mother and in an interesting twist, their roles are reversed: Cady has become a physical "monster" due to her demon heritage (she gets a really neat demon form and new knacks in this book) but has a good heart while her mother, who Cady has justly viewed as monstrous, turns out to be merely a pathetic human, with an evil heart.
That makes the Final Battle something entirely different than UF readers are used to: it is subtle and heart-breaking, and although at first it feels a little anticlimactic, when I thought back on it I realized it's a actually a very clever piece of writing.
This is the book where everyone grows up: Cady, Lon and Lupe. This series is also unique for it's portrayal of a blended family. Lon's teenage son Lupe has become the stepson Cady never knew she wanted or could love, and a major new issue
Spoiler
Cady's unexpected pregnancyOne quibble:
Spoiler
The memory spell. When Cady finds out she's pregnant, after she and Lon are finished hilariously freaking out, she realizes that her mother, who can enter her dreams, will see the child and use it to manipulate her. So Cady begs Lon to take her memories - except it also takes all her memories of Lon too. I'm not a big fan of this trope. But it does let Cady and Lon begin again - with lots of sexy times - and, as Lon says in the end, Cady chose him twice so that means they must be meant to be together. It was well done, and for a good reason.Overall, I really grew to love Arcadia Bell and her crazy world and I would definitely recommend this series to any Urban Fantasy fan. I really hope Bennett writes more in this world in the future!