Mead, Richelle
Review: Succubus Shadows by Richelle Mead
Title: Succubus Shadows (Georgina Kincaid, book 5)
Author: Richelle Mead
Release: March 30th, 2010
Purchase this book: Amazon | Book Depository | Kindle Version
Goodreads Entry: here
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Rating: 4 Stars
Helping to plan her ex-boyfriend’s wedding is a different story. Georgina isn’t sure which is worse—that Seth is marrying another woman, or that Georgina has to run all over Seattle trying on bridesmaid dresses. Still, there are distractions. Georgina’s roommate, Roman, is cluttering her apartment with sexual tension. Then there’s Simone, the new succubus in town, who’s intent on corrupting Seth.
And if that wasn’t bad enough, she’s started having dreams shadowy, dangerous but alluring dreams, dreams that don’t want to let go. These dreams are created by the Oneroi, demons in the service of Nyx, a creature from Hell who’s bent on revenge. These are dreams that can trap their chosen victim and drain their powers through nightmares. This mysterious force that’s visiting her thoughts, is trying to draw her into a dark, otherworldly realm. Sooner or later, Georgina knows she’ll be too weak to resist. And Georgina is powerless as she watches those in the real world try to find her, she comes to understand that her freedom her fate lies in the hands of the only one who can find her soul, who just happens to be the man who s about to marry someone else. She’ll discover who she can trust, who she can’t—and that Hell is far from the worst place to spend eternity…
I stumbled upon Richelle Mead’s books because Amazon was giving away free kindle versions of 1 book from her Dark Swan series (which is very good – you should be reading it). After working my way through the 2 books in that series I needed more so I gave Georgina Kincaid a shot and it was love. I can’t remember the last time I read through a series as fast as I did this one, ignoring everything around me and finishing all 4 books in two days. Now if you like happy ever afters and mushy love stuff…. this series isn’t for you. Its fun, sexy, and full of humor but its also heartbreaking and addicting. I can’t imagine anyone reading this series and not becoming entirely invested and emotionally devastated by the twists and turns Mead throws you.
Georgina Kincaid is a succubus and has been one for a long time, but that doesn’t mean she likes it. Just because you have a signed contract with Hell doesn’t mean you have to be a bad person. She struggles to meet her quota and live with her conscious.
Surrounding Georgina are lively and lovable characters – funny and supportive vampires, demon bosses that look like John Cusack, and an angel entirely too obsessed with Georgina’s love life. The interactions between Georgina and her friends are just as entertaining as the plots themselves. You wouldn’t expect a book featuring evil doers to feature friendship and love so heavily, but Richelle Mead does it very well in this series.
Book 3 and 4 of this series were heartbreaking and painful to read, emotional and full of suspense at the same time. I love the pain a Urban Fantasy story laced with romance can give to you, but sometimes a series needs a light break in it to keep moving forward. I took a deep breath and dove into Succubus Shadows worried this one would be packed with angst and not sure I was in the right mind set for it. In the end, this installment surprised me for a few reasons. First, book 5 was light on action…… there was a suspense plot but it was very laid back and not the focus of the story for once. Instead Succubus Shadows focuses heavily on the inner turmoil Georgina feels as she helps Maddie plan a wedding to Seth, Georgina’s lost love, as well as her own bad choices throughout her life. For as internally driven as the plot was, I didn’t feel emotionally drained at the finish of this one. I was left feeling a bit…. hopeful? There was some definite growth in Georgina’s character and some big steps made.
Succubus Shadows is not the strongest of the series so far, but it was enjoyable and a necessary part of the overall story. Richelle Mead manages to write an emotionally driven story without breaking the readers heart, and sets up the next book perfectly. The lack of a strong suspense and action made this one feel a bit like a transitional novel, so I wouldn’t suggest reading it without the other books, but I would absolute recommend you pick up the series if you haven’t already.
FTC Disclaimer: Book was purchased by me
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