Adult Review: Black City by Christina Henry

Black City (Black Wings #5) by Christina Henry

Paperback, 288 pages

Published: Feb. 26th, 2013 by Ace

Source: Publisher

 

Do not read this description if you haven't read the series! The review below is spoiler free though.

 Former Agent of death Madeline Black may have been stripped of her wings—but she hasn’t lost her purpose…

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…

Spoiler free for the series.
 Here we are at book #5 already and I just started reading the books last year.  For me that's pretty good.  And the fact that I read them diligently when they come out without fail speaks volumes about the series.  Yep, I absolutely love Madeline Black and her insane life.  Also, these books come out at 2 a year (total win!).

These books are constant action, there's no down time at all.  It's always one crazy catastrophe after another.  And Christina Henry is not afraid to push things all the way.  People die and bad things happen, but still there's always this bit of lightness thrown in.  The banter between Maddy and her gang always puts a smile on my face and lightens these precarious situations.   Maddy has a snarky gargoyle who has a penchant for food and sarcasm.  He's hilarious but he's always in Maddy's corner.  Well, almost always...  And the 'boys' Maddy has taken in, or been forced to take in, are always there by her side ready to battle the bad guys.  With wit and snark thrown into every situation I find myself giggling even while nearly falling off the edge of my seat waiting to see if they survive, yet again.

This book reveals some stuff that we've been really wondering about.  I don't think this is spoilery for the series, but we find out who, or what, exactly Puck is.  Maddy also goes through some major changes.  There's a bit of romance coming into the picture (yeah, we kinda saw that one coming...) and I'm not hating it.  I actually love that characters that were once the 'bad' guys may not always be the 'bad' guys.  That things change, people change.   There's a touch of drama at the end that kind of had me saying 'WHAT?!' and then a pretty big cliffhanger that had me groaning out loud.  I became a tad annoyed with the same arguments happening (Maddy rushing into danger to save innocents when she should be saving her own hide, yeah, it's an old argument) and the rehashing of things was mildly annoying.  However, I feel like things progressed quite a lot in this book and for the most part I'm happy with how it's going. 

I know this isn't a series for everyone, but I love it!  And it reminds me a bit of Kim Harrison's Hollow's series (or Rachel Morgan) but is much lighter (well, size wise) and quicker.  These books only take a day for me to read when most adult UF books take me two or more.  I like being able to cruise through, especially since they are so hard to put down!

 Disclosure: I received this book free of charge for review purposes.  All opinions expressed are my own and I was not paid or influenced in any way.

Review: Black Lament by Christina Henry

Black Lament (Black Wings #4) by Christina Henry

Paperback, 288 pages

Published Oct. 30th, 2012 by Ace

Source: Purchased

As an Agent of Death, Madeline Black deals with loss every day. But when tragedy touches her own life, Maddy will have to find the strength within to carry on…

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…

Spoiler free for the series...
I love this series.  I absolutely adore Maddie and her kick ass attitude.  I have heard some say that they didn't feel like Maddie has grown any, but I disagree.  Maddie was kind of naive in the beginning of the series and didn't really know much about herself and her abilities.  Her eyes started to open up as things started getting thrown at her from every direction.  As the series has gone on she's maybe become more ruthless but I feel it's because any time she's given someone a break it's come back to haunt her.  Yet she does get to the point where I feel like she's not always thinking things through in decisions but I believe she feels she has no other choice.  Especially after something that happened at the end of the last book.  It's hard to put down my thoughts more specifically because I don't want to spoil anything.  But it's a mix of she has nothing to lose and she has everything to lose.  Yes, I know that doesn't really make sense.  

To me this series reminds me a little bit of the Rachel Morgan series by Kim Harrison.  It's no copycat series, that's for sure, but Maddie has a bit of Rachel's attitude.  And Maddie has Beezle, the gargoyle who reminds me of Jinks, the pixie from Rachel Morgan.  Both creatures with very big personalities.  They both bring a lot of laughter to what is a very grim situation (over and over again...).

The romance is something I have a hard time talking about.  Things have made a big change in this one and so I can't say anything much without spoiling the previous books.  I can say that I didn't think I would be very happy with things.  I thought I might not even like the series anymore because of something, but I was shocked when I picked this up and how I started feeling about things.  How my heart has warmed up to characters I thought I would never love.  There's still some work to do and this was not actual romance, but I can see where it might be in the future.

Every book in this series is constant action and this book was no exception.  It's constantly one crisis after another and if I was Maddie I would have probably just curled up in a ball and screamed at everyone to leave me alone.  Heck, I might have stepped into a ball of fire just to end the crazy.  But Maddie steps up over and over again and fights each thing.  She doesn't let anyone tell her that it's stupid or tell her she 'can't', she just does it anyway.  Now some say that she's a bit cocky.  She seems to think she really can fight each and everything out there.  I don't feel that way.  I think she just really has no choice.  In order to get her life back she has to show people that she's not to be messed with.  And all she wants is to be left alone.

Another thing I have to mention is her support system.  She has some friends that really stand by her through everything.  And these friends' banter always lightens things up a lot.  And one thing I love in a dark gritty urban fantasy is some banter that makes things more bearable.  One thing that had me grinning is one time Maddie comes home and finds three grown men (angel/demon/werewolf) chasing down a demon mouse thing in the basement.  These are kick ass guys and they're in this hilarious position and Beezle, the always snarky gargoyle, is fluttering around shouting commentary.  It was definitely hilarious and it was those moments that made me love this book so much more than I may have!

I really love this series (did you not catch that earlier?) and I definitely recommend you pick it up and give it a shot.  I have learned that it's not a series for everyone, but what series is?  I know I LOVE it and so all I can say is that you should too! 

This is one I've gone back and forth between 4 and 5 stars.  Maybe 4.5 would be more accurate but I'm going with 4 instead of 5.

Interview (& Give@way *ended*) Christina Henry for Black Howl Tour!

Today I am so lucky because I have Christina Henry on the blog!  She's the author the Madeline Black series. I absolutely love this series and you can find my review of Black Wings HERE, and Black Night and Black Howl is a double review you can find HERE. 

Thanks so much for being on my blog as part of your tour Christina! I'm really enjoying the series and completely adore Madeline and her bold personality.

Thank you so much for having me here today!


Paranormal and urban fantasy are huge right now and running across similar concepts isn't so far fetched. As a matter of fact I recently read several different takes on the grim reaper in different books. Fortunately so far everyone's take is so incredibly different it's like reading about totally different things anyway. I love that yours is an agent of death and it's more like a job with paperwork and all that. When you wrote the book were you concerned about it being unique enough, that it would stand out on it's own? Or did you feel you were just writing the story you needed to tell?
I did want to create something a little bit different, but most of all I was concerned with writing the book that I wanted to write. You can never predict what trends will become big in this field and as a writer you can't worry about those things.

When I was writing BLACK WINGS there were very few stories featuring angels on the market, but the year BLACK WINGS was published there was an angel explosion! Basically, you just never know what else is in the pipe for publishers so you have to focus on writing the best story you can and hope that it finds its audience.

I also think that every writer brings something different to the table even if the basic subject matter is the same. There are tons of vampire stories out there right now, but every author has their own unique take on vampires and that makes each book worth reading.

I completely agree!  Each author makes their own story unique and because your book takes forever to come out you can never really predict what sorts of books will be flooding the market.  But as long as you're writing the story you need to write I think it's all good!

Do you feel like you have Maddy's story pretty well planned out before you start writing or does the story take over once you start?

I write chronologically, and while I have a vague idea of what's going to happen I usually just let the story unfold as I go. Sometimes I'll write a scene that will materially change what I had planned for the book, and I am OK with that. I like the process to be very organic. If you get too caught up in a plan or an outline you can miss an opportunity for your characters or your world.

I think that's smart and often leads to some awesome twists in the plot!

What is your biggest challenge when it comes to writing?

Time! I never seem to have enough of it.

Don't we all?!

Who is your favorite character to write about? And who was the most challenging?

Beezle is my favorite character to write, because he is the most like me. I spend most of my time thinking about food.

Nathaniel is the most challenging because he is never what seems to be. I'm always finding new layers in his personality.

Beezle is my favorite!  I like that you said Nathaniel is the most challenging because he's the one character that seemed to surprise me the most.  I never really knew what he might do.

I have a few series that I feel like are comfort food to me. I'm attached to the world and the characters so much that I never want the series to end. I feel like the characters are actually my friends and I miss them in between books. Usually it takes several books to get that attached but I was feeling that attachment to Madeline about halfway through the second book and I know the year in between books is going to be very long! Do you have any series that you feel that way about? (Two of mine are the Rachel Morgan series aka The Hollows by Kim Harrison and Sookie Stackhouse, of course.)

I love Jim Butcher's Dresden Files, Charlaine Harris' Sookie Stackhouse series, Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series and Sherrilyn Kenyon's Dark-Hunter series. They all have books that I have read and re-read many times.

I have the Dresden Files on my shelves but have yet to read them.  I plan to get to them this year though!  I haven't read the Dark-Hunter series yet either.  I wish I could read faster!

Paranormal shows have been taking over television for several years now are there any that you watch and have become favorites?

Right now I watch "The Walking Dead", "Grimm", and "Once Upon a Time". When "Game of Thrones" and "True Blood" start back up I'll watch those, too. That's probably my upper limit for TV. I prefer shows that are serialized rather than stand-alone episodes, and I don't necessarily watch TV every night. Episodes tend to get stacked up in my DVR and then I'll have to watch large chunks of a show at a time. I like serials because if you watch two or three episodes at a time it's like watching a movie.

We don't get cable anymore and rely on netflix streaming but I'm anxious for Game of Thrones to be on there.  Of course I'd like to read the books first... I like being able to watch several episodes in a row as well.  I get frustrated waiting for the next episode.

If you could travel anywhere in the world where would you go and why?

Japan. I love Japanese film, Japanese culture, Japanese food. One of my life goals is to learn to speak Japanese so that I can watch Kurosawa films without the subtitles on.

Oh, my aunt lived in Japan for many years!  She always got us neat things like kimono's and the cool Japanese dolls.  I would love to visit there as well!

If you could time travel what time period and place would you pick?

In theory I like the idea of traveling back in time, but I really don't know if I could live without flush toilets. It would probably be interesting to travel to the future and see what's going to happen next.

Oh I think I'd be scared to travel to the future!  Though if you knew you could get back I sure would be curious to see what you found!

Thanks so much for coming on today! It was a pleasure having you!

Thank you so much!

Find the list of tour stops HERE.
Visit Christina Henry on her website HERE.

Giveaway: ENDED

The publisher is offering up one copy of Black Howl to one lucky person!

Open to US only

Must be 16 or older to enter

Ends 3/20/12

To Enter:ENDED

Leave a comment telling us a 'comfort' series for you.  One that you really love and feel like the characters are family.   And be sure to include contact info! (email or twitter)

Double Review: Black Night & Black Howl by Christina Henry

Because I don't want to spoil you for the previous book in the series I'm not including the description and the review won't contain spoilers for the previous book.

Black Night (Madeline Black #2) by Christina Henry
Adult Urban Fantasy
Mass Market Paperback, 277 pgs.
Published July 2011 by Ace
Source: Purchased

I really enjoyed the first book in the series.  It started off with a bang and had continuous action through the entire thing.  It was an incredibly fast read that I cruised through in a matter of a few hours.  This one was the same.  Maddy does not get a break!  She's constantly having one battle after another and risking her neck every other hour.  I read this book in less then a day, it's quite short and very fast.

Maddy has to make lots of decisions at the drop of a hat that could be life or death.  It can be frustrating because if someone is trying to kill Maddy then she should kill them right?  Especially if they just keep coming after her again and again.  The thing is if she kills them then she has to 'pay' for that 'persons' (demon, whatever he/she may be) death.  That could be in many different ways.  She could be killed in retribution, she could have to complete a favor which could turn out to kill her because it's basically impossible, it's just hard to know.  But I have to give this girl props cause she does what she has to do and doesn't take crap from anyone.  It was like she's gone through so much, she has just survived so much crap that she just say "F- you, you can't do any worse then what's already been done".  Yeah, maybe she's a bit compulsive which isn't always smart and is sometimes frustrating, but I love this girl!  She actually reminds me a bit of Rachel Morgan (by Kim Harrison, love that series!) in her personality. 

This is an adult series and actually is quite gruesome.  There's lots of body parts laying about, death by beheading, etc.  Yeah, I don't love that stuff but I love the rest of this book so much that I can kind of ignore all that stuff.  There's not much romance in this one.  We know of feelings going on, but nothing really happens romance wise in this book.

Overall this is a fantastic series so far and I highly recommend you pick it up!
4.5/5 stars

Black Howl (Madeline Black #3) by Christina Henry
Mass Market Paperback, 288 pgs.
Published Feb. 28th, 2012 by Ace
Received for review from the publisher

Someone told me before I started this one that 'it's a doozy!' and oh my goodness were they right!  This was definitely the most emotional of the books so far and had some major surprises pop up and took me unawares.  I loved the books before but this one just stepped it up another notch, I absolutely loved it!

Madeline is just as kick ass as before and isn't really afraid of anything.  Or I suppose I should say that her fear doesn't hold her back because no matter what she'll always do the right thing and save the people that need saving.  She's not afraid to kill when she absolutely needs to (but never humans) and stands up for those she cares about even at detriment to herself.

Beezle, her gargoyle, is the funny one, throwing in some much needed humor when situations are tough and/or downright scary.  I truly appreciate the lighthearted banter thrown in that livens these books up so they never feel depressing or even truly dark. 

The romance steps up a notch in this one but along with that romance comes some truly sad events that I can't even hint at without spoiling the books.  As a matter of fact I keep typing something in to give you an idea of my thoughts but nothing seems to fit.  So well, I can say that while I may not be 'happy' about what happens, I kind of understand at the same time.  I'm definitely VERY anxious to see where things go now and waiting a whole year is certainly torture!

I very highly recommend this series to fans of urban fantasy.  I love that we get some very stressful moments but there's enough lighthearted banter involved that throws a good giggle or two into the mix while your gripping the edge of your seat in suspense.  The characters are dynamic, the twists are fabulous and the concept of the entire thing is brilliant.  
I give this book 5/5 stars! 

Disclosure: I received this book for review purposes.  All opinions expressed are my own and I was not paid or influenced in any way.

Review of Black Wings by Christina Henry

Black Wings (Madeline Black #1) by Christina Henry
Adult Urban Fantasy
Mass Market Paperback
Published February 24, 2010 by ACE
Source: Purchased

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...

I've had this book for ages and only just found some time to fit it in.  I do love urban fantasy and have been reading much more of it in the past month or so.  And this is another series to add to my must-read list.  It was full of action, which made for a fast read and Madeline was a character that I can truly stand behind.  She has some snark and isn't afraid to stand her ground, but yet she's not quite idiotic in her decisions, she knows where to draw the line even though it's extremely difficult for her to shut her trap.  I always find myself annoyed when the heroine just pushes things too far and Madeline didn't do that.

I really liked the world created.  Maddy is an agent of death but other then that she lives a normal life pretty much.  As an agent of death she has a job (this includes paperwork and all that) where she's assigned people to escort to the door (Heaven or whatever) or to let them be released if they so choose to not leave and want to stick to earth as a ghost.  But this job of Maddy's, well, we don't get to see it too much because straight away things start happening.   She discovers she has more in her blood then just being an agent and 'someone' (or someone's) is trying to kill her.  Then Gabriel shows up to rent her apartment downstairs and well, there's more to him then meets the eye.  

This book is full of demons, nephilim, angels, and so much more.  We know that there are vampires and faeries and other creatures, but we aren't introduced to them in this book.  Oh, and Maddy has a gargoyle who is her guardian or whatever and he's a pretty funny little guy who loves popcorn.   


The romance is light as there's mostly just developing feelings going on.  They really know they care about eachother, and may even believe they are in love, but they can't do anything about it.  I think a forbidden romance makes a story so much sweeter but it can also be frustrating.  It's hard to say which way this one will go but so far I definitely feel the heat between them and am rooting for them that it all works out.  


Overall this is a great start to a series and didn't seem to have info dumps or too complicated of plot for a first book.  There were a few things that sometimes confused me because suddenly there were all these demon things I got them confused at first, but it didn't take long for them all to be sorted in my head.  There's quite a lot of gore in this book so be prepared for that...  I definitely recommend this book to urban fantasy readers though!


4/5 stars