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Araneae Nation #3

A Time of Dying

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They just might survive…if they don’t kill each other first.

Araneae Nation, Book 3

Once the future Segestriidae maven, Kaidi lived a privileged life. Now she spends her nights haunting cities ravaged by the plague. Spade in hand, she stalks rows of freshly dug graves for corpses…and then she takes their heads.

Her new life is caked in blood and spattered with gore, but it’s hers. At least until—to her fury—she’s caught napping.

A plague survivor by the skin of his teeth, Murdoch risks his neck to solve the mysteries left in its wake. Bodies have gone missing. Guards have left their posts and never returned home.

When he rouses a female dozing among the dead, he’s unprepared for the violence of her response. Or his. Beneath the grime, she’s lovely. Too bad the blood under her fingernails belongs to his clansmen.

He has no choice but to follow this alluring creature deeper into her world of winged beasts and flesh-eating monsters. She holds the knowledge he craves, but the price is high—and they may both pay for it with their lives.

This book contains one heroine in desperate need of a bath and one hero willing to wash away her sins. Expect threats, swears and general cursing. Love is a slippery slope, and these two are sliding.

291 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 1, 2013

133 people are currently reading
478 people want to read

About the author

Hailey Edwards

104 books2,843 followers
Hailey Edwards writes about questionable applications of otherwise perfectly good magic, the transformative power of love, the family you choose for yourself, and blowing stuff up. Not necessarily all at once. That could get messy.

Hailey isn't on Goodreads.

Please email her via her website:
https://haileyedwards.net/contact-form/

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
Profile Image for TJ.
3,293 reviews284 followers
June 29, 2020
A good story. It just didn’t grab me like the first two did. I think it’s because I loved Murdoch’s character in the last book and really wanted to see him find his great love. While Kadi is a great character, there just wasn’t that spark between her and Murdoch that makes a reader really believe and invest in their relationship. They needed more depth to make this story shine.
Profile Image for Netanella.
4,750 reviews41 followers
September 1, 2017
Although I love the world in which the Araneae Nation is set, and particularly the attention to detail that author Edwards provides, I had a difficult time with this book, which seemed to drag on for longer than I wanted. The plot is simple enough: the deadly yellow plague, introduced in the earlier books, may really be spread by mysterious winged harbingers, who raise the dead with their song. Kaidi, on the run from her ruthless fiance, travels with spade in hand, quietly dispatching the undead with a silent beheading to give them a final rest. When she is caught by Murdoch, the captain of the guard of the Mimitiadea, the true nature of the plague is slowly revealed. Unfortunately, however, the plot and pacing of the book was also revealed, for me at least, a little too slowly. And as much as I enjoyed the characters of Kaidi and Murdoch, their story could have been shorn in half. For fantasy with a touch of romance (with the undead, of course), this one is still recommended.
Profile Image for Jeanny.
2,062 reviews171 followers
July 31, 2019
Although the series continues, I think this is the end for me. It’s not a bad series & I’d recommend it to anyone who likes adventure type series. Read in order.
Profile Image for Deelylah Mullin.
Author 38 books12 followers
July 22, 2013
Once again, Hailey Edwards brings the world of the Araneae to life with her newest offering in the Araneae Nation series, A Time of Dying. The third title in the series (plus an awesome novella!) pulls together silken threads from the prior stories, and weaves an intricate web of political jockeying. Revealed are nefarious (and some rather innocent) plots that threaten to unravel carefully crafted societies.

First, I’d like to note that I’ve been a fan of Ms. Edwards’s Araneae Nation series since A Hint of Frost released in April 2012. I’ve really enjoyed seeing what’s up her sleeve for each new title she releases. I highly recommend reading the titles in order. The world-building has been woven expertly in each subsequent title, and if one book is missed, I believe the reader would lose out on several of the background details that make this series so much fun to read! I am giddy when former lead heroes & heroines are referenced. I adore getting that flashback from previous stories that makes me sit back and sigh, with that soft smile.

I really enjoy the way Ms. Edwards crafts her plot arcs. The romantic tension builds and builds and builds until the last scene. Oh. My. Gosh! Once the couple finally gets together, it’s SUCH a relief for me, as a reader! I keep shouting at the characters, in turn, ‘Get IN there! You got this! OMG, just do it, already…’ In reality, it’s definitely an exercise in patience and delayed gratification. There were so many times during A Time of Dying that I suspected that Ms. Edwards would break from her pattern; things would ramp up, and then something would happen to interrupt. **sigh** Simply frustrating, but I was compelled to read until the end because I had to see how everything resolved and played out. In one sitting.

One thing that keeps Ms. Edwards’s books from being 5 stars for me is probably a ‘just me’ thing. It seems as though the reader is getting information overload in the beginning of the book. This title follows that pattern. It takes me a little longer to read the first half of the book versus the second half, because I’m reading carefully so I don’t miss details. It does sometimes, however, bog me down.

Because I’m fascinated by the way characters were developed for this book, here’s a snapshot of the important characters and why I loved them:

• Isolde, mother of Vaughn and former Maven. She hasn’t given up her power within the nation at this point, but isn’t operating totally in-the-open, often skirting what’s Hoyle and what is beyond the realm of political correctness. Totally fun character. I strive to be Isolde when I grow up. She reminds me of the crazy grandma that provides gems of whack wisdom that totally makes sense later in the TV sitcom episode.
• Vaughn is the current Paladin of his clan, and is the reserved ruler. Vaughn came upon his throne in the last novel, A Feast of Souls, although we do see some of the foundation for why Vaughn is the way he is – his father, Brynmor’s story – in the novella, A Cast of Shadows. Vaughn is really complex, and I’m glad we got to see more of him in this book. I understand him much better, and I feel as though some things are now more resolved for me. He is still a reluctant ruler, but he is growing into his position.
• Mana is the current Maven of her clan, and rules side-by-side with Vaughn. Even though Isolde tries to usurp her position. What I like about Mana is that she is front-and-center with her skills and talents, but allows others to shine when it’s their turn. When they are better suited to accomplish a task. She’s quiet and understated, happy to allow her ideas to be implemented as someone else’s, as long as everything works out in the end. I feel as though I also got to know Mana better in this book. Like some parts of her personality were finally revealed in this book.
• Murdoch is the head of the guard for Vaughn & Mana. He’s a lot of responsibility and loyalty to the ‘royal’ family because Vaughn’s dad, Brynmor, made sure his family was cared for when his father died. Loyalty like this depicts a man of integrity and ethics. Only when given an ultimatum does his loyalty divide him. It was interesting watching Murdoch evolve and grow as a character. I hope to see more of him in future Araneae Nation titles.
• Kaidi is promised to the Paladin of her clan, but this plague and the psychotic moves her intended has made, has driven her from her home in search of a cure for the illness. She is tenacious. She has guts, and … darn it … balls of steel. I really like her. A. Lot. I think she’s one of the strongest females that Ms. Edwards has written to-date, and that’s saying something! If we don’t see a novella about her and Murdoch in the future, I’m going to be **really** disappointed.

Favorite quote: (Kaidi to Murdoch) “Tame as you are, I hope ever to drive you wild.”

Over-all, I’d have to say that A Time of Dying was just one more excellent title in the Araneae Nation series.
Profile Image for Maura.
3,883 reviews113 followers
May 30, 2018
Kaidi, betrothed to the Segestriidae paladin, is fighting the yellow plague, of which she knows more than most, especially the people in Cathis. When Murdoch, captain of the guards of Cathis, finds her decapitating corpses, she's taken prisoner. When Vaughn and Isolde learn who she is, they decide to use her for their political gain and hand her over to the Segestriidae paladin from whom she has run away. Kaidi knows the origin of the plague and what it's actually doing. She has a hard time convincing anyone, so she shows Murdoch. He agrees to help her return to Titania, the Segestriidae capital and find the evidence, but risks his own imprisonment and his life in doing so.

This one isn't my most favorite of the series. I will say this, as far as revealing more of the mystery of the plague and what the heck is going, this was a bit of a page turner. It was clear from the start that Kaidi knew at least some of what was going on, but was pretty close lipped. So I was hooked for wanting to know all of her secrets. And they are pretty worth the wait... The romance here was not as great as previous ones. Murdoch and Kaidi don't have a lot of chemistry and I never really even cared all that much if they got together. They seemed to have a great working relationship and some witty repartee, but I remember feeling like it came out of the blue when Murdoch suddenly wanted to hold Kaidi all night.

I think part of that not caring about them was because I was reacting to how pragmatically ruthless some of the characters I've cared for in the past books seem to be. Vaughn comes across as a cold-hearted leader, and Mana seems to follow his lead but with a softening maternal feeling. It felt so at odds with who he was in the previous book. I understand the need for strong leadership and decision making, but I hate to see these characters who I saw as romantic in the last book come across as feeling-less rulers who will just as soon toss a decent woman to a monster for the protection of their clan. Intellectually I totally understand the reasoning behind it, but it makes me LIKE thpse characters less. Maybe it's because they didn't seem to have any regrets or hesitations about doing it. And it's really starting to hit me that Mana, who was quite nurturing, is hardening herself to be a strong and ruthless maven alongside Vaughn. I don't like that she has to change to be with him. And that's all part of the reason I didn't care for Isolde either. Who could trust her with all her manipulations and backstabbing? I couldn't really get why she was supposed to be so likeable. But I think it's probably just me...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Anjeanette.
127 reviews5 followers
July 31, 2013
There is just one thing to say... ok two. I love this series and can't wait for more. The story was too damn short and stopped right ss things heated my blood!!!

Much love to Hailey Edwards!!! Your dad would be proud of the outcome of this story. You know he is still watching over you to ensure your dreams are fulfilled.
Profile Image for E_bookpushers.
764 reviews307 followers
August 10, 2013
Review originally posted here: http://thebookpushers.com/2013/07/30/...

Publisher: Samhain
Publish Date: Out now
How I got this book: ARC from Lit Connect

They just might survive…if they don’t kill each other first.

Once the future Segestriidae maven, Kaidi lived a privileged life. Now she spends her nights haunting cities ravaged by the plague. Spade in hand, she stalks rows of freshly dug graves for corpses…and then she takes their heads.

Her new life is caked in blood and spattered with gore, but it’s hers. At least until—to her fury—she’s caught napping.

A plague survivor by the skin of his teeth, Murdoch risks his neck to solve the mysteries left in its wake. Bodies have gone missing. Guards have left their posts and never returned home.

When he rouses a female dozing among the dead, he’s unprepared for the violence of her response. Or his. Beneath the grime, she’s lovely. Too bad the blood under her fingernails belongs to his clansmen.

He has no choice but to follow this alluring creature deeper into her world of winged beasts and flesh-eating monsters. She holds the knowledge he craves, but the price is high—and they may both pay for it with their lives.

Warning: This book contains one heroine in desperate need of a bath and one hero willing to wash away her sins. Expect threats, swears and general cursing. Love is a slippery slope, and these two are sliding.
This blurb came from the author’s website.

In April of last year I was browsing Samhain’s list of weekly releases and noticed a story called A Hint of Frost. I read the blurb and found myself intrigued by the description of the world and the characters. So I started reading and immediately found myself even more intrigued because the characters had some spider-like tendencies among them possessing fully functioning spinnerets. I mean you don’t encounter such characters unless they are the villain normally. I couldn’t put the book down through its various twists and turns and immediately started looking for information about future books set in the same world. Happily Edwards has continued writing because I have enjoyed each installment. As a result when we received the request to participate in her blog tour/review I leapt at the chance. This latest installment has continued on Edwards’ path of keeping me both intrigued and entertained.

This thing called the Yellow Death has spread quickly across the country killing animals and people alike. Although, men and women aren’t dying or even getting infected at the same rates nor is this disease hitting all of the different enclaves with the same force. The remaining leadership has been scrambling to determine causes, prevention, and even cures against what seems to be a losing battle. Add in politics, secrets, tradition, mistrust, events that are so farfetched they must be seen to be believed, and a great mixture of strong personalities and I couldn’t stop flipping the pages.

Kaidi’s life took a very drastic turn away from the life she grew up expecting with the arrival of the Yellow Death and its aftermath. She discovered a secret kept by her promised husband and ran in fear of her life to some distant relatives. As the Yellow Death spread, she also stumbled upon an ugly aspect of the disease yet when she tried to convince those who knew her of the additional problem no one believed her. So Kaidi decided she would do everything she could to save other cities from what she discovered by beheading fresh corpses. As I am sure you could imagine this was a bloody, gruesome lone task and I had the impression that as time passed Kaidi was having a hard time holding onto the memories that she once had a different life. It was so fascinating to see bits and pieces of her personality start to emerge from the horror her life had become yet she never lost sight of what she was trying to prevent and her duty to her people. The way she was able to give on some things and yet continue fighting on others despite her obvious fears. How innocent she was in the game of politics and yet how fiercely she tried to play the game for what she wanted.

Murdoch was also dealing with a lot. He survived the Yellow Death but lives in a city where most of the women died and some of the surviving men are randomly vanishing. He was tasked to solve the issue of the disappearances but based on concerns about raising fear among the populace had to remain very discreet about his mission. I loved seeing this strong man struggle between his loyalty to his rulers, the worsening menace, and his growing attraction to Kaidi. Even when his suspicions about certain things were proven correct he meekly accepted his punishment without knowing how harsh it would be because he had done it for his people and his ruler. Seeing him shift from being so incredibly by-the-book into someone who was willing to take a chance for the greater good and yet pay the price was pretty amazing.

Edwards also threw in some very interesting side characters. I really hope one, well, make that two in particular get their own stories because they fascinated me. Both had some unexpected depths and secrets. In addition to new side characters, some previous ones made their appearance and played some significant parts. I enjoy seeing the stars of previous installments because they add a sense of connection to the world as well as allowing a glimpse into their evolution. Responsibility can change people to a certain extent so seeing the results of that weight on Murdoch’s rulers from their story just showed how Edwards isn’t letting her characters stagnate even when their time under the spotlight is over.

I haven’t really talked much about the plot here because I think discovering the twists and turns in this particular installment are crucial. If I say much beyond the blurb, I think it will spoil the story. I did really enjoy how Edwards introduced a few new aspects and how they seemed to tie into a suspicion voiced by a character in an previous installment. I am curious to see how this discovery will play out and the resulting chaos. I really enjoyed reading A Time of Dying and I look forward to what Edwards brings to this world next.

I give A Time of Dying a B+
Profile Image for allbythebook.
120 reviews5 followers
June 2, 2024
The third installment of The Araneae Nation series by Hailey Edwards, a series I recently read and absolutely loved, is A Time Of Dying. This series started back in 2012 and was completed in 2014 (with some novellas not included in this review released up to 2017), so it's not a new one. I'd read 5 other series by Hailey Edwards (A Beginner's Guide to Necromancy, Black Hat Bureau, Black Dog, Gemini and her new series The Body Shop) before stumbling across this, so I thought I knew what to expect - good writing, good romance, decent low fantasy worldbuilding. But this blew me away.

The Araneae are a collection of clans, with a similar vibe to indigenous American and Canadian tribes, except that they are clearly related to spiders. Different clans have different anatomical, physiological and cultural adaptations - fangs and venom, spinnerets to create web, resistance to venom, differing levels of aggression, ritual cannibalism, fighting ability, hunting and scent tracking ability, craftsmanship, spiritual powers, inability to digest meat, the list goes on. It makes for a really diverse and interesting high fantasy world of different tribes. And of course, there's something not right in this fantasy world - spiders, meet plague. A plague that does more than they realise... and over the course of the series, we see this plot beautifully evolve around the individual stories of our main players.

This book steps a bit further away from the characters we knew in the first two books to follow the runaway Kaidi and the complicated character Murdoch we met in book 2. By this point, the major overarching plot of the series is really ramping up and becoming ever more the focus, and it's absolutely riveting.

I loved the whole concept of Kaidi following the plague and beheading the bodies, trying to reduce the impact of the plague as best she could in an act of solo penance. In fact, the way the overarching series plot progressed in this book was absolutely brilliant and I constantly had my jaw dropped as new twists and turns occurred.​

My complaint with this one that wasn’t so noticeable in the first two was the speed of the romance. With Lourdes and Rhys, they’re betrothed - and Rhys’ background means he just falls head over heels and focuses on her, and Lourdes gets won over reasonably quickly but I totally buy it. With Mana and Vaughn, they’d known each other and been attracted to each other since they were kids, so the speed ​of them falling makes total sense. In this… Murdoch and Kaidi definitely go from essentially enemies to lovers way too quickly in my mind, especially for what had happened to Kaidi in her past. Maybe a little more time spent letting the burn build more slowly would have paid off here.

But overall I enjoyed learning more about the nature of the threat to the Araneae (in places it felt pretty chilling)​ and more about the new clan we hadn’t met yet - as well as enjoying more venomous, cannibalistic Mimetidae men!
Profile Image for Jagged.
1,079 reviews31 followers
December 31, 2024
The romance is meh, but I like Kaidi's personality. Outside of Isolde, she's my favorite yet.
She had real character flaws that came with consequences. And because of that, she had to earn the trust of people she had once held respect from.
Kaidi is also the only one who has taken an active role in the underlying plot rather than a passive one. This actually saved the book.
The underlying plot is really good. We've had a lot of clues up until now, but now we're getting a better understanding of what's going on.
This is a unique take on zombies, I've not yet read anything like it, and I have read a lot of books.
The story is well written. It is a slow read, so far, the entire series has been, but there's a lot going on here, and it's not boring.
Profile Image for MB.
159 reviews7 followers
January 14, 2018
Three stars

Book 3 was a good book. It gave some understanding to what is going on and where the plague originated. I can't wait to find out the why.

Thr main characters where great, but seemed to lack some of the chemistry I've come to expect from Hailey Edwards. It seemed to be more of a slow realization because of circumstances, but it didn't seem to be as natural a progression as the other books by Ms. Edwards that I've read. I am still looking forward to the next chapter of this series to learn what happens next.
Profile Image for Ellen Williams.
321 reviews2 followers
June 7, 2019
The mystery of the plague brings more questions

Since this is book three in the series it’s still following the plot line of a mysterious plague that is now affecting both animals and people. However an added twist of ‘risers’ makes it all the more confusing and thrilling to read as the main characters try to prove what is happening around them while dealing with their own personal emotions. Very well written and I look forward to the next characters to take the spotlight in book 4 and find out more about the plague.
Profile Image for T..
Author 13 books573 followers
May 28, 2017
Excellent continuation of the Araneae Nation series. Kaidi is one of my favorite characters, and this was one of my favorite plot lines. Lots of angst, tension,triumphs, and twists, presented in a fast-paced story. Series should be read in order, and the over-riding themes set against the background of eminent war inches forward with each book.
Profile Image for Lyndsey Gollogly.
1,377 reviews5 followers
June 30, 2024
I’ve become so invested in this series I absolutely love the different clans and how diverse they are. The story is just so interesting and the characters really are so well written you become part of that world. Really good read this brought us new characters while keep us updated on some old faces.
Profile Image for Kathy.
2,207 reviews30 followers
August 26, 2019
Araneae Nation #3
This installment furthers the overall series arc and features Murdoch, Vaughn's Captain of the Guard, and Kaidi the would be Maven of a neighboring clan. Enjoy!

Read:
August 25-26, 2019 – Kindle edition
Profile Image for Rachel “Koala” Glenn .
146 reviews12 followers
May 18, 2021
The Best

A Time of Dying, the third book in the Araneae Nation Series by Hailey Edwards, is absolutely fantastic. This book has the riveting story and compelling characters that permeate this author's best works. I look forward to reading more from this author
Profile Image for vyoletkyss.
811 reviews
October 20, 2017
Pretty decent story. Enjoying the world and world building so far. Looking forward to seeing how this series develops. Decent plot if the books are a bit sparse.
Profile Image for D.C..
Author 17 books233 followers
September 5, 2018
Meh... I liked it well enough but I ran internet the same issue as the rest... finally coming together only to end. No closure on their story. Do they get married? Does it take the year?
Profile Image for Deborah DN.
63 reviews1 follower
January 17, 2022
This did not do it for me. I felt it in the second book but this was not it…
Profile Image for Faith.
30 reviews
April 23, 2025
Honestly in the other books I imagined Murdoch as middle aged balding man.. so it took me a while to visually adjust while waiting to find out his features in my imagination lololol. But compared to other books in the series I enjoyed this for sure.

Something not specific to just this book that kinda bothers me is that when a relationship is already established in a previous book and they are featured again in a new one, they all just feel like the same sharp but generally kind woman and overprotective man who has lost his charm imo. Like they have personalities in there… I know they aren’t the focus of the book but at least with the ones I’ve read so far I think there should be moreeee..
1,577 reviews54 followers
July 18, 2022
I adore this series. I originally picked up the first book, A Hint of Frost back in 2013 when it was free on Amazon. At the time the books were being published by Samhain which had put out a number of winners and had started to become my go to for must buy books. It had a cool cover, the blurb sounded interesting and it was free - it was an all round winner. 

And then I read it. And I was very impressed. It was brilliant. The world building in incredible, the romance is adorable and the action is intense. There's an over-arcing mystery throughout the entire series which is riveting and comes to a fantastic conclusion. Each book focuses on a different couple but builds upon the mystery with characters and places slotting altogether. 

My favourite book of the series would have to be A Feast of Souls - because I LOVE Vaughn! - but all the books are amazing. Hailey Edwards is a very talented writer who knows how to deliver great fantasy. 


A Time of Dying

The third book in the series, A Time of Dying introduces a new clan, the Segestriidae. Like the Araneidae, the Segestriidae are artisans. They mine and process crystals, making fine jewellery and weapons. The Segestriidae are based in Titania which is not far from Cathis - the home of the Mimetidae clan. Although the book does venture into Titania, Kaidi - future Segestriidae maven - is currently on the run from her intended, so most of the book takes place in Cathis.

The third book takes us right back to the action - the mystery of plague, the wings that keep getting found next to the dead and the dead corpses who end up without their heads. Turns out, Kaidi has been beheading the corpses and the reason why is intense. Kaidi's been on the run so long she's tired. And weary. And hungry. So it's not long before she finds herself napping next to the mutilated corpses which is where Murdoch finds her.

Murdoch was introduced in the last book, the head of the guards for the Mimetidae clan. Vaugh's tasked him with finding out why the guards keep disappearing and the corpses are being beheaded and why some corpses just vanish. I really liked Murdoch in the last book and he's fantastic in this one. Kaidi brings out the sass in him. She wants to trust him with her secret but she knows he won't believe her. And Murdoch wants to believe her but he can't without proof.

The intensity really picks up in this book. A lot of questions start to get answered and the answers are horrifying. I loved every minute. The romance between Murdoch and Kaidi was a bit light but it was very sweet. The friendship between Kaidi and Lleu was funny. I really want Lleu to get a book. He's hilarious. And Isolde! She just can't help herself. Even removed as maven of the Mimetidae clan she can't help but stick her nose in and get herself into trouble. I enjoyed the friendship she's struck up with Bram. Such scheming bastards. We did get to see a little bit of Mana but not that much of Mana and Vaugh which was disappointing.

The mystery was highly enjoyable. I loved that I found some answers to some of my questions. I can't wait to read the next one and find out more. 5 stars.
Profile Image for Jennifer Ashburn.
300 reviews5 followers
August 13, 2019
I think my favorite part of this series is how it follows the men from the previous book to get their own happy endings! Kaidi was a great character and reading her struggle was uplifting
243 reviews7 followers
August 1, 2013
A Time of Dying begins shortly after A Feast of Souls ends. The plague is still ravaging the countryside and everyone is wary of newcomers. And, the newcomer that Murdoch encounters among his clan’s dead is no exception. She is taken into custody by Murdoch and taken back to Cathis to be judged for her crimes: desecrating the Cathis clan’s dead, or so it seems. Once the Cathis Maven, Mana, and her husband, Vaugn, the Cathis Paladin, figure out that Haidi was to be the Maven of a neighboring clan, they send for the Paladin in hopes of striking some kind of alliance with their clan. After all, he’ll be glad to get his future wife back, right?? The problem is that Haidi does not want to return. There are things happening that are horrendous, and once Murdoch starts to trust in Haidi, which she does not make easy for him, he is determined to keep her safe and away from what has frightened her so much. To add to the complications, Murdoch wants her for himself. Murdoch and Haidi are drawn to each other, but how can they be together, when, after all, she is betrothed to the Paladin of another clan? Oh, you’ll just have to read to find out.

This is, without a doubt, my favorite book of the series so far! The action starts in the first sentence and doesn’t stop. I don’t know how Edwards comes up with the creatures that she writes about, but I hope she continues for a long, long time. I always feel that maybe I should be appalled by some of the characters “nature”, but it’s so well written, that you absolutely fall in love with them. The winged creatures that are preying on the various clans are some of the best I’ve read about in years. Totally original and once that part of the story line starts rolling, you can’t turn the pages fast enough. Oh, and it makes your heart pound!! I became so engrossed in the story that I could NOT put this book down. There is humor, loyalty, a little intrigue, action and a sweet romance. I always feel that my reviews do not do this series justice. I’m sure I’ve said it before, but if you are wanting a diversion from the usual paranormal series that you read, this is the one! Her originality grabs you and doesn’t let go.

Copy supplied by the author.

You can see my other reviews at thereadingcafe.com
Profile Image for Gaele.
4,076 reviews85 followers
January 6, 2015
My favorite so far, the pieces are starting to fall into place as the stage is starting to take shape for an epic battle. Hailey Edwards has managed to add even more depth to the world building and characters in this story, and ramps up the tension: I needed to see Kaidi and Murdoch find respite with one another, almost as much as I wanted to see the “good guys’ win.

Another instalment in this must read in order series – trust me, you will miss so much and have so many questions as threads build and strengthen from small introductions to fully formed stories, and every element seems to rely on something introduced in earlier books. That is no hardship – I bought the series and haven’t been able to put it down.

The plague has ravaged the world, and its effects seem to be most strongly felt in this story’s characters. Kaidi was used to the finer things in life and her betrothal was to be no different, until her betrothed turned out to be a psychopath. Running from that life, and assuming a new one as she hunts for a cure for the plague showed her determination to make her own choices, and even though she makes some mistakes, I really liked her.

Murdoch is the one who caught Kaidi, and his deeply rooted loyalty made him, at first, a bit of a hardheaded oaf. But, that protective nature is intrigued by Kaidi, and their interactions are laden with frustrated tension that builds to a breaking point.

Still more elements are coming into play, and we are seeing a clearer picture of the plague and who may be responsible. And, as the villains are coming closer to exposure, tensions are increasing everywhere, with treachery wearing many faces. There are no missteps in the continuity or development of the world, the threat or most especially the characters. The feel of information overload is diminishing a bit, although certainly heavier in the early chapters of the book. I’m not minding it much, however, as I am finding it refreshing my memory and giving a deeper look at characters that were introduced briefly in earlier books, and only coming to fruition in this one.

I purchased a cop of this title for my own library. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
379 reviews5 followers
September 23, 2016
Finally getting some answers, while at the same time getting more questions!! I'm enjoying this series a lot.
Profile Image for Jen Davis.
Author 7 books726 followers
August 5, 2013
Hailey Edwards continues to impress with this latest installment in her Araneae Nation series. Not only do we have a solid romance, but we're unraveling the source of the mysterious plague that's been part of the series since book one.

Our heroine is Kaidi, a maven-in-waiting for her people. She has only to marry the paladin she is betrothed to. Unfortunately, she knows a horrible secret about him... one no one would believe if she came forward; and that knowledge puts her life at risk. So she left behind her family and her people with a mission only she knows about. You see, she has uncovered that the men killed by the plague can rise again, so she is seeking out the dead to cut off their heads to prevent them from reanimating. That alone is a pretty tough story to swallow, but that is only the tip of the iceberg.

Anyway, Murdoch and his men catch her cutting off heads and think she is robbing and desecrating the bodies of the dead. He takes her to his leader, Vaughn, but gets a big surprise when his maven Mana recognizes Kaidi as the lady she is. Unfortunately, Vaughn decides it's in the best interest of his people to call her fiance to come fetch her. And so, Kaidi is on a race against the clock to escape or to find a way to prove the horrible secrets she has uncovered.

I really liked Murdoch. He is a good guy who wants to do right by his leader and his people. He tries so hard to resist his growing feelings for Kaidi. But once he learns the undeniable truth she has been carrying, he risks everything to help her. There is such a great simmering tension between these two, as Murdoch fights his own desires. And when he finally gives in, it's so gratifying. I just wish we could have had a bit more physical payoff sooner than we did. I was past ready by the time these two got horizontal. But man, was it good.

The explanation behind the plague is... interesting. It plays a big part in the story and even bigger role in the ending. We see a lot of familiar characters from previous books and the series arc really ties together well. I enjoyed this one.

*ARC provided by author for review
Profile Image for Cyndy Aleo.
Author 10 books72 followers
July 25, 2018
If there is one author who consistently turns the stuff of legends on its collective head in exciting ways, it’s Edwards. In her third novel about the clans of people with fangs and spider-like silk- weaving qualities, she explores the idea of reanimation, and does so with the aid of compelling characters with parceled-out secrets between them. Kaidi and Murdoch are one of the most riveting couples this reviewer has fallen for — and the sexual tension is off the charts. This is a can’t-miss book.

Kaidi has lost everything: her position as future maven (queen) of her people, her fiancé, her family and her trade. Now she travels, following the path of the plague and beheading the corpses it leaves behind. Murdoch has been tasked by his paladin to find out why some of the bodies have disappeared, and some guards as well. When he finds Kaidi beheading the bodies of his people, he takes her captive and soon learns she may have the answers to his questions — and that they are all in danger.

Reviewed for RT Book Reviews July 2014 issue: http://www.rtbookreviews.com/book-review/time-dying

4 1/2 Stars TOP PICK and 2014 nominee for Best Paranormal Romance
Profile Image for Linda.
2,042 reviews64 followers
March 24, 2013
The third book in the Araneae Nation series.
It starts with us getting right into the action, Kaidi is found sleeping next to the beheaded corpses of the dead of Cathi, with a shovel next to her, by the guard Murdoch. She´s captured and dragged before Cathi´s rulers. The Maven Mana recognizes her as the next Maven to be for the clan Segestriidae and since Mana´s mate Vaughn knows that Segestriidae´s Paladin Hishima is looking for his fiancée, an exchange for favours is mentioned.
Kaidi does not want to return to Hishima and the terrors she left behind her but now she is their captive.
During this series we´ve seen the yellow death spread through the lands and the mystery of the vanishing corpses. Now we get another piece of the puzzle and some answers we´ve wanted (or at least me =)).
A great read with action, suspense and smutty fluff and it has made me look at shovels in a new way...
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