The ramblings of a bibliophile.
I really liked this story. I loved the incorporation of Van Helsing and Bram Stoker into a modern day horror tale. The fast pace and Micheline’s terrifying past all help to create a slightly terrifying world and a hunt where the stakes are as high as they can possibly be. Actually, this really inspired me to buy and read Dracula, since it features so heavily within the storyline and construction of Micheline’s world.
This book has made me incredibly curious about the larger Shutter world in general. The idea of one of the descendants of Van Helsing is fun, although I’m still a little bit hazy as to what the team is hunting in the first place. It feels like a dark, demonic hybrid of a vampire, but I’m going to buy the novel to actually find out.
This is a really interesting novella. I read the short story Fixer before I read this, and the tragedy in Michelline’s future hasn’t quite yet occurred. So it’s nice to see how she is stuck between two worlds – that of her father and mother and two legacies. Yet, Michelline’s gumption somehow saves the day. Albeit in a very destructive manner.
The conclusion of the first season of the Psy-Changeling series was brilliant. It tied of arcs, but also helped to introduce new characters and changeling packs. The idea of changeling bears especially appealed to me, and Silver Silence finally introduces one of these stubborn creatures was thoroughly enjoyable. The fact that he is partnered with button down and deadly Silver Mercant from Kaleb’s domain just makes it all the better.
The Psy-Changeling series is one of my favourites because although you are constantly revisiting the characters that you love, each book is about a new couple. It is a new love story and each time my heart threatens to burst with the hope and joy of love. It’s also a little frustrating at times, because there are certain characters that you fall in love with, and then only get fleeting glimpses of them throughout the rest of the series. Allegiance of Honour kind of helps with this. Although the main arc of the “first season” finishes with Shards of Hope, Allegiance of Honour revisits every single couple from the series. Including those who are only in short stories and novellas.
This is a great way to round out the arc of the “first” Psy-Changeling series. The Arrows start out as the bogeymen of the story, but as characters are slowly introduced, their story seems to be the epitome of Silence and the tragedies of their race. So, to finish a tale with the leader of the Arrows and his lieutenants just seemed to me to fit. It provided a happy ending for the breaking of Silence, but also hinted at many more battles to come in the future…
What a way to end a fantastic series. Although some of these stories take place throughout the greater range of the storyline, the final two short stories (and one of the novellas) in this collection bring you back to the events after 13 in some of the characters’ lives. It was incredibly sad to finish the last story (Baby Boom), but on the same token, really satisfying. After all, it’s taken me almost two years of spasmodic reading to actually complete the entire series, beginning to end.
As the name suggests, this short story is all about babies. It starts with a pregnant Savannah shopping with Paige for prams. But, as quickly becomes apparent, both Paige and Lucas aren’t interested in having children. While there are many moments that feature Savannah’s pregnancy, this story is really about Paige and Lucas, and the fact that sometimes people genuinely make the decision not to have children. Something that both Paige and Lucas agree wholeheartedly on.
Malcolm’s potential return to the werewolf Pack is left lingering at the end of Forsaken. Although it seems kind of a logical move, the ways in which Elena and Clay are able to go about this reintegration into the Pack are complex and overwhelming. Controlling a psychopath may be a good reason to welcome one into the fold, but is it really the best way to stop him from damaging others? After all, almost every member has been damaged by the Alpha-wannabe at some point in their histories.
This is such a beautiful and sweet Christmas story – Logan and Kate Danvers try to find each other the perfect Christmas present.
