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Black London #5
Soul Trade
Soul Trade
A Black London Novel
Caitlin Kittredge
The crow-mage Jack Winter returns —to crash a secret gathering of ghost hunters, soul stealers, and other uninvited guests, both dead and alive…
Normally, Pete Caldecott stays far away from magical secret societies. But ever since her partner and boyfriend Jack Winter stopped a primordial demon from ripping into our world, every ghost, demon, and mage in London has been wide awake—and hungry. And the magical society in question needs their help putting things right.
SOUL TRADE
It all begins with an invitation. Five pale figures surround Pete in the cemetery to "cordially" invite her to a gathering of the Prometheus Club. Pete's never heard of them, but Jack has—and he's not thrilled about it. Especially the part that says, "Attend or die." The Prometheans wouldn't come to London unless something big's about to go down. So Pete and Jack decide to play it safe and make nice with the club—even if that means facing down an army of demons in the process. But now that they've joined the group, they're about to discover that membership comes at a cost…and has apocalyptic consequences.
A Black London Novel
Caitlin Kittredge
The crow-mage Jack Winter returns —to crash a secret gathering of ghost hunters, soul stealers, and other uninvited guests, both dead and alive…
Normally, Pete Caldecott stays far away from magical secret societies. But ever since her partner and boyfriend Jack Winter stopped a primordial demon from ripping into our world, every ghost, demon, and mage in London has been wide awake—and hungry. And the magical society in question needs their help putting things right.
SOUL TRADE
It all begins with an invitation. Five pale figures surround Pete in the cemetery to "cordially" invite her to a gathering of the Prometheus Club. Pete's never heard of them, but Jack has—and he's not thrilled about it. Especially the part that says, "Attend or die." The Prometheans wouldn't come to London unless something big's about to go down. So Pete and Jack decide to play it safe and make nice with the club—even if that means facing down an army of demons in the process. But now that they've joined the group, they're about to discover that membership comes at a cost…and has apocalyptic consequences.
304 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 28, 2012
6 people are currently reading
786 people want to read
About the author
Caitlin Kittredge
170 books1,121 followersCaitlin started writing novels at age 13. Her first was a Star Wars tie-in. Fortunately, she branched out from there and after a few years trying to be a screenwriter, a comic book writer and the author of copious amounts of fanfiction, she tried to write a novel again. Her epic dark fantasy (thankfully) never saw the light of day but while she was struggling with elves and sorcerers she got the idea of writing a story about a werewolf who fought crime.
Two years and many, many drafts later, she pitched Night Life to a bevy of agents and one of them, Rachel Vater, sold the series to St. Martin’s.
Caitlin collects comic books, print books, vintage clothes, and bad habits. She loves tea, loud music, the color black (especially mixed with the color pink) and ghost stories. She can drive a stick shift, play the violin and knows more English curses than American ones.
Caitlin lives in Olympia, WA with two pushy cats.
http://us.macmillan.com/bonegods/Cait...
Two years and many, many drafts later, she pitched Night Life to a bevy of agents and one of them, Rachel Vater, sold the series to St. Martin’s.
Caitlin collects comic books, print books, vintage clothes, and bad habits. She loves tea, loud music, the color black (especially mixed with the color pink) and ghost stories. She can drive a stick shift, play the violin and knows more English curses than American ones.
Caitlin lives in Olympia, WA with two pushy cats.
http://us.macmillan.com/bonegods/Cait...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
August 24, 2017
You know a series has been wild when the book featuring zombie-like creatures feels a little subdued. The pseudo-zombies were creepy, of course; and it didn't feel subdued in a bad way. It's just a matter of change in tone. I liked seeing Pete and Jack on much better terms with each other, being kinder to each other than they've ever been, acting like a couple who deeply care about each other. No, it's not sappy hearts and flowers--I don't want to see too much of that, anyway--but the explosive anger is gone, and they've finally reached a point where the love is clear and acknowledged, along with the fact that they have each other's backs.
Pete is very much in charge this time around, which is a complete shift from Devil's Business. Her role in the supernatural games has become very important, more important than Jack's if she's being told the truth. It was a little strange to see Jack in a largely passive position, hampered quite a bit of the time by the effect the spirit world has on his psychic powers (poor lad). But Jack did get a few good lines in.
I liked that there were just a couple of baby Lily moments and that the plot didn't hinge on her existence. But she was mentioned throughout, realistically, as one of Pete's major concerns. It's good that Pete has taken well to being a mother. Jack's desire to be a good parent, to be everything his own parents weren't, and his devotion to Pete are touching.
Jack's long-lost father, Donovan, is definitely a piece of work, and it does make sense that Jack inherited some of his powers from his father.
The plot was a hell of a double-(triple- or quadruple-)cross, and I'll need to read it more carefully again to better understand how things link and line up. I'm so into the main characters that I didn't really stay on the lookout for the ulterior motives.
I'm very curious to see how these storylines will all wrap up, although I'm dreading a tragic ending.
Pete is very much in charge this time around, which is a complete shift from Devil's Business. Her role in the supernatural games has become very important, more important than Jack's if she's being told the truth. It was a little strange to see Jack in a largely passive position, hampered quite a bit of the time by the effect the spirit world has on his psychic powers (poor lad). But Jack did get a few good lines in.
I liked that there were just a couple of baby Lily moments and that the plot didn't hinge on her existence. But she was mentioned throughout, realistically, as one of Pete's major concerns. It's good that Pete has taken well to being a mother. Jack's desire to be a good parent, to be everything his own parents weren't, and his devotion to Pete are touching.
Jack's long-lost father, Donovan, is definitely a piece of work, and it does make sense that Jack inherited some of his powers from his father.
The plot was a hell of a double-(triple- or quadruple-)cross, and I'll need to read it more carefully again to better understand how things link and line up. I'm so into the main characters that I didn't really stay on the lookout for the ulterior motives.
I'm very curious to see how these storylines will all wrap up, although I'm dreading a tragic ending.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 31, 2013
I'm lukewarm on this addition to the series. It had pros and cons.
Pete was the real hero in this book, with Jack taking a pretty far back seat almost to the point of him seeming timid. I didn't mind that so much as Kittredge does a good job of writing Pete as a primary that's just enough of a bitch to not give the appearance of having "bitch" confused with "bad ass." That's a hard balance to strike and many writers fail at it. I would have liked to have seen a bit more of Jack's magic chops, but he was still a constant presence so I come down in the middle with it.
The story itself was pretty creepy but the pacing was a bit slower than usual and I have to admit it didn't hold my attention throughout.
I hated the end. I'm sick of authors using the end of one book to set the next book up and creating a little "mini cliff hanger" as bait. I always feel as though the author is trying to play with me when they do that and it doesn't leave me in a receptive of kind mood. Too much of that and I'll be tabling this series until it's over. No, it wasn't a true cliff hanger because the "hanger" was about the next book, not this one, but it left me feeling unsatisfied and fucked with and that's not why I read. I probably would have been thinking 3 to 3.5 stars with out, but with it I'm thinking 2.5 to 3 stars. I'm not sorry I read the book but the end left me wishing I'd devoted the time to something else on my list. Something that wouldn't fuck with me at the end.
ETA: The copy editing on this left a lot to be desired, too. Clunky sentences with things either missing or that seemed to be changed in the middle of writing them but not properly edited. Several times while reading this book I found myself wondering if the copy editor just passed this through without bothering to read it.
Pete was the real hero in this book, with Jack taking a pretty far back seat almost to the point of him seeming timid. I didn't mind that so much as Kittredge does a good job of writing Pete as a primary that's just enough of a bitch to not give the appearance of having "bitch" confused with "bad ass." That's a hard balance to strike and many writers fail at it. I would have liked to have seen a bit more of Jack's magic chops, but he was still a constant presence so I come down in the middle with it.
The story itself was pretty creepy but the pacing was a bit slower than usual and I have to admit it didn't hold my attention throughout.
I hated the end. I'm sick of authors using the end of one book to set the next book up and creating a little "mini cliff hanger" as bait. I always feel as though the author is trying to play with me when they do that and it doesn't leave me in a receptive of kind mood. Too much of that and I'll be tabling this series until it's over. No, it wasn't a true cliff hanger because the "hanger" was about the next book, not this one, but it left me feeling unsatisfied and fucked with and that's not why I read. I probably would have been thinking 3 to 3.5 stars with out, but with it I'm thinking 2.5 to 3 stars. I'm not sorry I read the book but the end left me wishing I'd devoted the time to something else on my list. Something that wouldn't fuck with me at the end.
ETA: The copy editing on this left a lot to be desired, too. Clunky sentences with things either missing or that seemed to be changed in the middle of writing them but not properly edited. Several times while reading this book I found myself wondering if the copy editor just passed this through without bothering to read it.
March 8, 2019
Caitlin Kittredge can write, and I definitely enjoyed this book. Black London is dark urban fantasy, and I love it. Pete and Jack have a relationship - as in, they are two adults who love each other and also have to deal with living together, not just two characters whose interactions are a stream of sex-punctuated drama.
I enjoyed the plot, which galloped along pretty quickly, although I could have done with a bit more background on why this all happened the way it did.
So why only four stars?
Well, Kittredge is American. And she's writing British characters. And she's trying ever so hard to make them British rather than American. She kind of gets it - but she over-eggs it a bit. Sort of like writing a Texan character who wears a ten-gallon hat all the time. Even in bed. And spurs all the time. Even in bed. You get the picture... But that's not why I knocked off the star. At least she's trying, and it's hard to get a culture not your own pitch-perfect in every detail. It's probably particularly hard for Americans writing Brits (and vice versa) due to the similarities - how much can you take for granted?
The star was knocked off because of the silly mistakes. If you're making all that effort to write British characters, at least do your research. We don't have 'quarters' because we don't have a 25p coin. Nor do we have dimes. Our police are not armed with firearms. Houses do not have a front stoop (but they may have a step). And so on. Little things, most of which would have been very easy to check.
But even with the teeth-gritting anachronisms, this is still one of the better urban fantasy series out there.
I enjoyed the plot, which galloped along pretty quickly, although I could have done with a bit more background on why this all happened the way it did.
So why only four stars?
Well, Kittredge is American. And she's writing British characters. And she's trying ever so hard to make them British rather than American. She kind of gets it - but she over-eggs it a bit. Sort of like writing a Texan character who wears a ten-gallon hat all the time. Even in bed. And spurs all the time. Even in bed. You get the picture... But that's not why I knocked off the star. At least she's trying, and it's hard to get a culture not your own pitch-perfect in every detail. It's probably particularly hard for Americans writing Brits (and vice versa) due to the similarities - how much can you take for granted?
The star was knocked off because of the silly mistakes. If you're making all that effort to write British characters, at least do your research. We don't have 'quarters' because we don't have a 25p coin. Nor do we have dimes. Our police are not armed with firearms. Houses do not have a front stoop (but they may have a step). And so on. Little things, most of which would have been very easy to check.
But even with the teeth-gritting anachronisms, this is still one of the better urban fantasy series out there.
September 6, 2012
I'm a genuine fan of the series --- I think Jack Winter is one of the best urban fantasy sort-of heroes out there -- but this was a fairly thin offering. Too short (I like when authors are deliberately sparse, but the setting and storyline here are so condensed that it was hard to get invested in any of it); the characters seemed to be behaving oddly (Jack Winters is built as the Next Big Thing, but in more than 2 instances in this story he more or less steps behind Pete and wrings his hands); and the story twists aren't organic (they come across as either convenient or manufactured; you see the hand of the author in them, not the genuine development of a well-joined story.) I'd give the beginning of this story a 5; the middle a 4; and the end a 3. I averaged it out.....But, really, the 4 is a love note for a favored author, not so much a hard and honest vote. I'll still buy the next novel in the series, but I'm hoping to see something more substantial.
March 15, 2017
Fifth in the Black London dark urban fantasy series revolving around Pete Caldecott and Jack Winter, the crow-mage.
My Take
Oh, boy. Kittredge always keeps me in such suspense, and Soul Trade has continued the tradition...eek! It's not enough to have the Morrigan and Belial after them, Kittredge has to make it even worse, of course, it's all a result of the Nergal escaping, weakening the Black, awakening so much evil in the world, eroding the barriers between.
The series fascinates me for two different reasons: the world of magic which Kittredge has twisted into this particular realm and the dynamics between Pete and Jack. She's an angry woman with a sense of right and justice, enthralled with bad-boy Jack, and herself a powerful magical being, even if she did discover this late in life. He's a powerful mage with one heckuva lotta baggage. Part of the negative is his own attempts to drown out the overwhelming visions he has of the Black, and part is his own anger at those who pursue him for their own ends. And wouldn't it be so much easier if the demons and gods would leave him alone… Instead, our hero is a drug addict with his self-preserving morals and the language of the streets, who will protect his family. I do like his cheek!
What I don't get is, if Jack is so all-powerful, why can't he ever seem to protect himself or Pete all that well?
What is it with people who think mere words make up for force and extortion? Nor will I ever understand why people never tell their partners of events that are happening that could have an effect on what they should do.
The Story
Bad enough Jack's debt to the Morrigan has awakened the talented, evil, and otherworldly all over London, but he's shirking the routine jobs they manage to find, and Pete is ticked. But not as ticked as when she's forced into accepting an invitation sent through heavies to visit the Prometheus Club.
The Characters
Petunia "Pete" Caldecott is a Weir, able to suck in another's power, probably the only one in the world. She's given birth to Lily. Jack Winter is Lily's father and the crow-mage. Donovan Winter is Jack's absentee dirt bag of a father. I absolutely wanna kill him. Hannah was his weak mother.
Lawrence is an old friend of Jack's who has agreed to take care of Lily while they're out of town. Wendy Macintosh is an old friend of Jack's he hasn't seen since they were kids. PC Brandi Wolcott is with Pete's old squad and in need of an exorcist. Ollie Heath is Pete's old partner and willing to do any favors Pete might need.
The Prometheus Club
The Prometheus Club is a secret society of prideful magicians based in Manchester who do what they think is right. Preston Mayflower is a geomancer and has a "gift" for Pete, one that he'll give his life to deliver along with a warning. The bitchy Morwenna Morgenstern, a very powerful human mage, leads the Club; Victor is her vicious second. Gregor is a perverse shapeshifter. Jeremy Crotherton is the mage sent to aid Mayflower in Hereford.
The Prospero Society is their opposite.
Families traumatized in the Algernon Treadwell debacle are in Overton
Margaret Smythe is the only little girl who escaped intact with Pete's help; Norma and Philip are her parents. Philip's the one with the bright, money-making idea while Dexter Killigan is in charge. His daughter Bridget, Diana Leroy, and Patrick Dumbershall are part of the scam. Only it's not the usual confidence scam. Mrs. Carrie Leroy is terrified of what's happening.
The Morrigan sees Jack as hers, and she intends him to lead her armies when she crushes the world. Belial is a newly made Prince of Hell, thanks to Jack. And he has a passion for engaging Jack and Pete in his plans.
The Black is what you find lurking at your peripheral vision---if you care to look. Merlin was the first to shape the Black, and he's fated to return when earth is in its darkest hour.
The Cover
The cover is lurid greens with a halter-topped Pete overlooking a huge hole in the background while the T-shirted Jack preps a ball of fire.
The title refers to the Soul Trade anticipated by both sides.
My Take
Oh, boy. Kittredge always keeps me in such suspense, and Soul Trade has continued the tradition...eek! It's not enough to have the Morrigan and Belial after them, Kittredge has to make it even worse, of course, it's all a result of the Nergal escaping, weakening the Black, awakening so much evil in the world, eroding the barriers between.
The series fascinates me for two different reasons: the world of magic which Kittredge has twisted into this particular realm and the dynamics between Pete and Jack. She's an angry woman with a sense of right and justice, enthralled with bad-boy Jack, and herself a powerful magical being, even if she did discover this late in life. He's a powerful mage with one heckuva lotta baggage. Part of the negative is his own attempts to drown out the overwhelming visions he has of the Black, and part is his own anger at those who pursue him for their own ends. And wouldn't it be so much easier if the demons and gods would leave him alone… Instead, our hero is a drug addict with his self-preserving morals and the language of the streets, who will protect his family. I do like his cheek!
What I don't get is, if Jack is so all-powerful, why can't he ever seem to protect himself or Pete all that well?
I did like Jack's assessment, so similar to the age-old question of what bears do in the woods:
"In other news, water is wet, Arsenal's defence is shit, and the Pope wears a silly hat."
What is it with people who think mere words make up for force and extortion? Nor will I ever understand why people never tell their partners of events that are happening that could have an effect on what they should do.
The Story
Bad enough Jack's debt to the Morrigan has awakened the talented, evil, and otherworldly all over London, but he's shirking the routine jobs they manage to find, and Pete is ticked. But not as ticked as when she's forced into accepting an invitation sent through heavies to visit the Prometheus Club.
The Characters
Petunia "Pete" Caldecott is a Weir, able to suck in another's power, probably the only one in the world. She's given birth to Lily. Jack Winter is Lily's father and the crow-mage. Donovan Winter is Jack's absentee dirt bag of a father. I absolutely wanna kill him. Hannah was his weak mother.
Lawrence is an old friend of Jack's who has agreed to take care of Lily while they're out of town. Wendy Macintosh is an old friend of Jack's he hasn't seen since they were kids. PC Brandi Wolcott is with Pete's old squad and in need of an exorcist. Ollie Heath is Pete's old partner and willing to do any favors Pete might need.
The Prometheus Club
The Prometheus Club is a secret society of prideful magicians based in Manchester who do what they think is right. Preston Mayflower is a geomancer and has a "gift" for Pete, one that he'll give his life to deliver along with a warning. The bitchy Morwenna Morgenstern, a very powerful human mage, leads the Club; Victor is her vicious second. Gregor is a perverse shapeshifter. Jeremy Crotherton is the mage sent to aid Mayflower in Hereford.
The Prospero Society is their opposite.
Families traumatized in the Algernon Treadwell debacle are in Overton
Margaret Smythe is the only little girl who escaped intact with Pete's help; Norma and Philip are her parents. Philip's the one with the bright, money-making idea while Dexter Killigan is in charge. His daughter Bridget, Diana Leroy, and Patrick Dumbershall are part of the scam. Only it's not the usual confidence scam. Mrs. Carrie Leroy is terrified of what's happening.
The Morrigan sees Jack as hers, and she intends him to lead her armies when she crushes the world. Belial is a newly made Prince of Hell, thanks to Jack. And he has a passion for engaging Jack and Pete in his plans.
The Black is what you find lurking at your peripheral vision---if you care to look. Merlin was the first to shape the Black, and he's fated to return when earth is in its darkest hour.
The Cover
The cover is lurid greens with a halter-topped Pete overlooking a huge hole in the background while the T-shirted Jack preps a ball of fire.
The title refers to the Soul Trade anticipated by both sides.
November 9, 2012
*Genre* Urban Fantasy
*Rating* 4.0
*Review*
Caitlin Kittredge’s Soul Trade puts Pete Caldecott squarely in front of the camera as the lead protagonist instead of Jack Winter. Pete normally stays away from cases involving possessions or exorcisms and leaves them to Jack to handle. This time out she has no choice due to the fact that Pete and Jack have a baby daughter Lily now to raise and ensure her safety from all things that go bump in the night. On top of that, the magical community has labeled Jack and Pete as enigmas and wants nothing to do with them after they stopped the demon Nergal from destroying the world.
When Pete helps a former colleague with a possible rogue ghost, she gets more than she bargained for. After using her Weir abilities to thwart the Wraith, Pete receives a visit from a group calling itself the Prometheus Club. They give her an invitation to attend their next meeting saying that the penalty for refusing is dire. By opening the letter itself, Pete is put under a strong compulsion spell (geas) that leaves her with no room for refusing the invitation much to the chagrin of Jack who absolutely hates the club and for good reasons.
Never fear readers. Jack is still around and snarky as ever. His sharp tongue and chain smoking hasn’t changed one iota and hopefully that won’t change anytime soon. Jack’s job this time around is to keep Pete safe and away from harm, while remaining one step ahead of Morrigan as well as the Prometheus Club who believes that Pete and Jack are keys to the clubs goals. Morrigan continues to taunt Jack and her demands that he lead her army out of Purgatory thus causing the apocalypse haven’t abated. Pete, thankfully, continues to stand in the way of that coming to fruition as well as denying her own part in the end of days.
Pete really shines in this book. Her abilities as Weir are put to the test time and time again and she doesn’t sneeze or hesitate once. Readers will also learn more about her Weir abilities and the part she is expected to play in end of days. There is a nice reunion with Margaret from Bone Gods (Book # 3) and it appears she may play an even bigger role in upcoming releases. There is deception, betrayal, zombies, and darkness as the Black is growing more dangerous by the day. Jack returns to his boyhood home in Manchester where he reunites with someone he not only shagged with, but, his own father who he hoped had rolled over and died by now. It isn’t a pleasant reunion.
I continue to read this series because it gets better and better like a fine wine that has fermented for several years before opening. I have had reservations over Pete and Jack’s relationship because he is such a mess and she gave up everything, including a career as a Detective Inspector, to be with him. It would seem that I may have jumped the shark on my thoughts and now take them back. Pete and Jack work well together, and now that they have a daughter to look after and care for, it seems to have changed the way they act towards the other.
I have, in past reviews, put Pete down as inconsequential and annoying. I take back my comments after reading this book. I liked how she is more firm and takes charge of situations while Jack seems to muddle his way out of dangerous situations. I like that she stands up to Morrigan time and time again and doesn’t step away. I also liked the fact that she knowingly bargains with Bilial who we shall see again very soon without batting an eye.
Definitely worth reading if you are a fan of this series.
*Rating* 4.0
*Review*
Caitlin Kittredge’s Soul Trade puts Pete Caldecott squarely in front of the camera as the lead protagonist instead of Jack Winter. Pete normally stays away from cases involving possessions or exorcisms and leaves them to Jack to handle. This time out she has no choice due to the fact that Pete and Jack have a baby daughter Lily now to raise and ensure her safety from all things that go bump in the night. On top of that, the magical community has labeled Jack and Pete as enigmas and wants nothing to do with them after they stopped the demon Nergal from destroying the world.
When Pete helps a former colleague with a possible rogue ghost, she gets more than she bargained for. After using her Weir abilities to thwart the Wraith, Pete receives a visit from a group calling itself the Prometheus Club. They give her an invitation to attend their next meeting saying that the penalty for refusing is dire. By opening the letter itself, Pete is put under a strong compulsion spell (geas) that leaves her with no room for refusing the invitation much to the chagrin of Jack who absolutely hates the club and for good reasons.
Never fear readers. Jack is still around and snarky as ever. His sharp tongue and chain smoking hasn’t changed one iota and hopefully that won’t change anytime soon. Jack’s job this time around is to keep Pete safe and away from harm, while remaining one step ahead of Morrigan as well as the Prometheus Club who believes that Pete and Jack are keys to the clubs goals. Morrigan continues to taunt Jack and her demands that he lead her army out of Purgatory thus causing the apocalypse haven’t abated. Pete, thankfully, continues to stand in the way of that coming to fruition as well as denying her own part in the end of days.
Pete really shines in this book. Her abilities as Weir are put to the test time and time again and she doesn’t sneeze or hesitate once. Readers will also learn more about her Weir abilities and the part she is expected to play in end of days. There is a nice reunion with Margaret from Bone Gods (Book # 3) and it appears she may play an even bigger role in upcoming releases. There is deception, betrayal, zombies, and darkness as the Black is growing more dangerous by the day. Jack returns to his boyhood home in Manchester where he reunites with someone he not only shagged with, but, his own father who he hoped had rolled over and died by now. It isn’t a pleasant reunion.
I continue to read this series because it gets better and better like a fine wine that has fermented for several years before opening. I have had reservations over Pete and Jack’s relationship because he is such a mess and she gave up everything, including a career as a Detective Inspector, to be with him. It would seem that I may have jumped the shark on my thoughts and now take them back. Pete and Jack work well together, and now that they have a daughter to look after and care for, it seems to have changed the way they act towards the other.
I have, in past reviews, put Pete down as inconsequential and annoying. I take back my comments after reading this book. I liked how she is more firm and takes charge of situations while Jack seems to muddle his way out of dangerous situations. I like that she stands up to Morrigan time and time again and doesn’t step away. I also liked the fact that she knowingly bargains with Bilial who we shall see again very soon without batting an eye.
Definitely worth reading if you are a fan of this series.
October 13, 2012
With Jack and Pete stopping the demon Nergal from entering the world every ghost and lesser demon and those touched of magic felt it. That's why Pete ended up waiting in a graveyard, with an old force associate, for a lady murdering ghost Mickey Martian, which is what Jack does, except he's not wanting to do anything as of late. Pete takes on exorcism cases, even though Jack thinks they're a waste of their time, to put food on the table and take care of Lily's needs. Pete realizes something is wrong with the ghosts and Black. But when done and leaving the cemetery, she is approached by five wax-skinned men to invite her to a club where refusal is of dire circumstances. She still says no, but what happens when she opens the invitation... It seems jack and Pete are heading to Manchester - the terrible home Jack ran from - then to a tiny town possessed by something they've never seen before, and a case in Pete's past surfaces to grab her heart.
We start to see the ramifications of what happened at the end of Devil's Business. Those with a touch of visions would never have known they had any ability except the black has changed causing their talent to spike, many more can see ghosts now. People as talented as Jack are suffering a little more with the spike to him as well. The Black is more potent in areas and stressed. The Black is in flux. After what happened in Los Angeles, and the demons returning to the Black, no mages in London trust Jack or will hire him. They don't trust Pete either with being a Weir, but mundanes will, and they are broke beyond broke.
Pete and Jack as a couple...I was nervous about how they would be in the last two books. And at the end of Devil's Business, I thought there might be a chance they could work out together. They do. They seem to be back to okay and even a little more than I'd seen them before. Although, they do still curse and tell each other they are wrong, that is what I love about them, they hold nothing back. Lily has joined us as well.
The story starts full in, as always, with action in a complicated exorcism. The story movies fast, taking us around to different places and happenings with Pete and Jack. Caitlin isn't afraid to move her characters around, and it works wonderfully to the plot.
We do get to learn more about Jack and his upbringing, or what little of it there was. His parents, how he got into the mage world, and what his affiliation with the mysterious group The Prometheans is. Jack hates the town he left behind, but for Pete he will do anything and go anywhere. And Jack does just that.
We even learn more about Pete and her Weir powers. This is interesting for me as I wanted more of her and her powers. This book is from Pete's eyes, and I really liked it. As I still have questions, I feel I got just what I wanted with Pete this round. She, too, is still learning about her own abilities and using it. So there's not much given, but by use you get to see what it's about. And maybe Pete is the only one of her kind at this time...
It seems Pete and Jack are a pair that everyone doesn't want, but yet has to have. They want control of the powers they possess.
Old friends are called upon, old case victims surface, Jack's history and childhood come to life, and all blended to the story at hand. Caitlin has drawn back to Street Magic, the first book, for a few characters here. The series has really built on itself.
I was thrilled with this book. I think this might be the best of the series yet.
We start to see the ramifications of what happened at the end of Devil's Business. Those with a touch of visions would never have known they had any ability except the black has changed causing their talent to spike, many more can see ghosts now. People as talented as Jack are suffering a little more with the spike to him as well. The Black is more potent in areas and stressed. The Black is in flux. After what happened in Los Angeles, and the demons returning to the Black, no mages in London trust Jack or will hire him. They don't trust Pete either with being a Weir, but mundanes will, and they are broke beyond broke.
Pete and Jack as a couple...I was nervous about how they would be in the last two books. And at the end of Devil's Business, I thought there might be a chance they could work out together. They do. They seem to be back to okay and even a little more than I'd seen them before. Although, they do still curse and tell each other they are wrong, that is what I love about them, they hold nothing back. Lily has joined us as well.
The story starts full in, as always, with action in a complicated exorcism. The story movies fast, taking us around to different places and happenings with Pete and Jack. Caitlin isn't afraid to move her characters around, and it works wonderfully to the plot.
We do get to learn more about Jack and his upbringing, or what little of it there was. His parents, how he got into the mage world, and what his affiliation with the mysterious group The Prometheans is. Jack hates the town he left behind, but for Pete he will do anything and go anywhere. And Jack does just that.
We even learn more about Pete and her Weir powers. This is interesting for me as I wanted more of her and her powers. This book is from Pete's eyes, and I really liked it. As I still have questions, I feel I got just what I wanted with Pete this round. She, too, is still learning about her own abilities and using it. So there's not much given, but by use you get to see what it's about. And maybe Pete is the only one of her kind at this time...
It seems Pete and Jack are a pair that everyone doesn't want, but yet has to have. They want control of the powers they possess.
Old friends are called upon, old case victims surface, Jack's history and childhood come to life, and all blended to the story at hand. Caitlin has drawn back to Street Magic, the first book, for a few characters here. The series has really built on itself.
I was thrilled with this book. I think this might be the best of the series yet.
April 14, 2015
In Soul Trade, Pete and Jack must travel to Manchester. Pete's been marked, if she doesn't attend the gathering of the Prometheus Club she'll die. Despite the bad memories and having left there at age 15 planning never to return, Jack returns to his hometown aside Pete. Once at the club they are surprised to find it completely devoid of magic, a "dead space in the invisible tides of the Black". They tell her that by joining with them she will be protected against the end of times.
Between the Morrigan's determination to have Jack, the Prince Demon Belial popping up again, and a long lost family member making an appearance Pete and Jack have their hands full as they battle their way out of trouble.
[Full Rating: 3.5★]
Between the Morrigan's determination to have Jack, the Prince Demon Belial popping up again, and a long lost family member making an appearance Pete and Jack have their hands full as they battle their way out of trouble.
"How many times can you save him before you accept that you're a bigger piece of this than Jack ever was, Pete?"Like it or not, at least in this installment, Pete is the leader of the pair. I'm interested to see how things will play out in Dark Days due out in April, which Caitlin said, "wraps up the first major story arc of the series".
[Full Rating: 3.5★]
January 16, 2016
Honestly the only reason I keep reading this series, is the fact that I'm in serious need of some really good, attractive reading material. I have never before read this many books in a series and never awarding any of the books more than three stars. As I said before, I do like that the protagonists aren't clear cut and have many facets, but I wish there was at least one or two persons I could sympathize with or at least find some redeeming qualities in. But at this point I couldn't give the foggiest it the 'black' exploded and all the worlds and characters therein puffed out of existence. Maybe I would actually prefer it...
(maybe that's actually a sign that I should just give up on this and continue my search for a really good story somewhere else. Ahh I miss a really good series... :| )
(maybe that's actually a sign that I should just give up on this and continue my search for a really good story somewhere else. Ahh I miss a really good series... :| )
June 9, 2013
I can't wait for this book! I am IN LOVE with this series! Jack and Pete are truly unique and their story is amazing, frustrating, intense, dark and beautiful. Their love is strong enough to battle hell for (literally), and yet so fragile it constantly hangs in the balance- I can't wait to see what happens next!
November 18, 2012
This was much better than the previous book and this feels like it's leading somewhere epic. The characters act more like grown ups and more like people who aren't total idiots. I really enjoyed this book
September 16, 2012
Pete is definitely a force to be reckoned with - more so than Jack in this story. More to come from Jack's story I'm sure and a great cliffhanger.
October 29, 2017
Holy fuck this book was awesome! It has everything I could want in a novel. Mystery, good vs evil, an imperfect romance, loyalty to a fault, some drama, scheming and a double crossing. It's all just so good!
I can't say too much because I don't want to give it all away but my god I just adored this book. Basically Jack and Pete get forced into a job by a nasty society called The Prometheans. Herefordshire is the epicenter of this adventure and it does not disappoint!
In the earlier books I wasn't a huge fan of Pete because I thought she was just a mean bitch. Slowly she has grown on me and I have realized that she isn't a mean bitch in a bad way, she just doesn't like taking crap from others and likes to get to the point.
The attitude she has once grated on me but now I dig it. I think Pete has really come into her own and she kicks so much ass in this book. The woman has cojones of steel! The ending and how it all comes together was fantastic! Pete was brilliant when it came to outwitting the Morrigan. I didn't see that coming and I loved it!
We also get some Belial action. Not a lot but a little and I am happy about that because I have come to really like the demon. He is just so sassy and you never know what he is up to. It's apparent that he only does things that suit his own interests but I think he respects Pete and Jack which is why he always seems to pop up.
The set up for the next story is solid. I can't wait to read it but I also don't want to read it at the same time because it is the last in the 'Black London' series. I want it to end on a high note instead of it dragging on like a lot of authors with their stories do but the idea that the next book is the last is bittersweet. I have no doubt though that it will go out with a bang.
I can't say too much because I don't want to give it all away but my god I just adored this book. Basically Jack and Pete get forced into a job by a nasty society called The Prometheans. Herefordshire is the epicenter of this adventure and it does not disappoint!
In the earlier books I wasn't a huge fan of Pete because I thought she was just a mean bitch. Slowly she has grown on me and I have realized that she isn't a mean bitch in a bad way, she just doesn't like taking crap from others and likes to get to the point.
The attitude she has once grated on me but now I dig it. I think Pete has really come into her own and she kicks so much ass in this book. The woman has cojones of steel! The ending and how it all comes together was fantastic! Pete was brilliant when it came to outwitting the Morrigan. I didn't see that coming and I loved it!
We also get some Belial action. Not a lot but a little and I am happy about that because I have come to really like the demon. He is just so sassy and you never know what he is up to. It's apparent that he only does things that suit his own interests but I think he respects Pete and Jack which is why he always seems to pop up.
The set up for the next story is solid. I can't wait to read it but I also don't want to read it at the same time because it is the last in the 'Black London' series. I want it to end on a high note instead of it dragging on like a lot of authors with their stories do but the idea that the next book is the last is bittersweet. I have no doubt though that it will go out with a bang.
July 19, 2017
Magical societies are among Pete and Jack's least favourite things, and yet they end up having to deal with one once again. After a bunch of shadowy figures approach Pete in a graveyard to extend an invitation to attend a gathering of the Prometheus Club, complete with a lovely little "attend or die" compulsion spell attached, she and Jack have little choice but to travel to Manchester, the city where Jack grew up and to which he would very much have preferred never to return, and find out what this newest collective of magical nutjobs want with them. Which, it turns out, is for them to join up - and if they'd been aware of the consequences, they'd probably have protested a little louder. Instead, they end up facing off with demons, zombies, and, quite possibly worst of all: Jack's deadbeat father, who just so happens to also be involved in all the magical shit going down.
I found this installment a little less annoying than the previous ones, probably because for once Pete and Jack spent so much time either busy with more important things or bitching at other people that they didn't spend endless amounts of time bitching at each other in ways that made me want to slap both of them to shut them up. The most interesting part of the book (for me at least) was definitely the end, however, with Belial once again popping up out of the blue and laying the groundwork for what might just be a pretty good series finale coming up.
I found this installment a little less annoying than the previous ones, probably because for once Pete and Jack spent so much time either busy with more important things or bitching at other people that they didn't spend endless amounts of time bitching at each other in ways that made me want to slap both of them to shut them up. The most interesting part of the book (for me at least) was definitely the end, however, with Belial once again popping up out of the blue and laying the groundwork for what might just be a pretty good series finale coming up.
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September 23, 2019Beautiful imagery gut punch ride
True to the concrete details of her previous works in the Black London series this novel doesn't disappoint. It takes you from your life and drops you into the complicated aftermath of the previous works. The emotional connection between the main characters and the inner turnoil each is feeling is brought to light the impossible situations they find themselves in. Not a fluffy, feel good type of story and thd brutal honesty and depth we see in the characters drives the story instead of some kind of plot mechanism. Fantastic read.
True to the concrete details of her previous works in the Black London series this novel doesn't disappoint. It takes you from your life and drops you into the complicated aftermath of the previous works. The emotional connection between the main characters and the inner turnoil each is feeling is brought to light the impossible situations they find themselves in. Not a fluffy, feel good type of story and thd brutal honesty and depth we see in the characters drives the story instead of some kind of plot mechanism. Fantastic read.
January 20, 2020
Beginning is months later, Pete already had the baby. I don't get why she didn't use her pregnancy, she could have done something really cool. Would have made sense if her powers were a lot stronger and or if she had new abilities, but she used it more as filler. There was really no reason why she had to get pregnant.
There has been no character development. There may be a tiny bit, but not much, Jack and Pete have not changed at all. Nor did Pete change after becoming a mother. It's rather awful.
I really wanted to love this series but I can't. She really needs to grow as an author.
There has been no character development. There may be a tiny bit, but not much, Jack and Pete have not changed at all. Nor did Pete change after becoming a mother. It's rather awful.
I really wanted to love this series but I can't. She really needs to grow as an author.
April 2, 2019
Usually jack heads into things alone but it’s Pete dragging him into the fray this time around. But this time around she has Lily to worry about too, their daughter. She still doesn’t know what everyone is yabbering about with her power but there’s a few who want her to know and learn before it may be too late for all. Great book.
December 27, 2018
Some interesting twists and turns that of course in the end set up the next book, which i am starting asap.
July 23, 2019
Just didn’t live up to my expectations. Satisfactory.
May 29, 2023
Exactly what I expected from a young adult novel. Even when jumping in at book five with no context, I was still very interested in the plot and it was a very entertaining read.
August 29, 2012
The Black, the magical undercurrent that blankets the world, is fracturing a foreboding sign of things to come, but possible apocalypse or not Pete has to feed her baby daughter Lily and Jack the love of her life and bane of her existence so hanging around a graveyard at night to look for a murderous ghost is business as usual. That is until dead men in black robes hand her an invitation for a meet with the deadly and very exclusive secret Prometheus club, their message: Attend or Die.
This is another fast paced and action packed book in the Black London series, full of zombies and creepy demon children it kept me enthral led to the very end. One of the aspects I love about this series is Ms Kittredge's writing, she manages to create a grim almost hopeless atmosphere, with Pete and Jack as the perpetual underdogs (and as a Brit, I love an underdog!) but still keep a vein of foul mouthed humour through out so it doesn't become too depressing.
This book further develops the theme of really-bad-things-still-to-come as the Morrigan tries to get her talons into Jack, and Belial, now a newly minted Prince of Hell also trying to get him on side as they believe the world is inevitably ending and all these cracks letting the big bad monsters in are just the light entertainment before the real show begins. I love that through all these world ending predictions all Pete wants is her family to be safe, she is the rock in this series as Jack makes poor decisions and she helps reel him back in.
This was a fantastic book, I loved the zombie theme, it kind of had a Shaun of the Dead vibe (if you haven't watched that film you need to get ON IT) only with more swearing and less ginger haired blokes. But what I liked most was how it ended, I cannot wait i see what happens next!
This is another fast paced and action packed book in the Black London series, full of zombies and creepy demon children it kept me enthral led to the very end. One of the aspects I love about this series is Ms Kittredge's writing, she manages to create a grim almost hopeless atmosphere, with Pete and Jack as the perpetual underdogs (and as a Brit, I love an underdog!) but still keep a vein of foul mouthed humour through out so it doesn't become too depressing.
This book further develops the theme of really-bad-things-still-to-come as the Morrigan tries to get her talons into Jack, and Belial, now a newly minted Prince of Hell also trying to get him on side as they believe the world is inevitably ending and all these cracks letting the big bad monsters in are just the light entertainment before the real show begins. I love that through all these world ending predictions all Pete wants is her family to be safe, she is the rock in this series as Jack makes poor decisions and she helps reel him back in.
This was a fantastic book, I loved the zombie theme, it kind of had a Shaun of the Dead vibe (if you haven't watched that film you need to get ON IT) only with more swearing and less ginger haired blokes. But what I liked most was how it ended, I cannot wait i see what happens next!
November 23, 2018
First read: 2012
Re-read: September 2015
The plot: Several months have passed since the events of Devil's Business, and now Jack and Pete are parents to baby Lily. Pete receives a mysterious summons to a club known as the Prometheus Club and is forced to attend. She and Jack are ordered on a mission for the club that links back to Pete's last case for the police force (which was the plot for the first book; Street Magic). At the same time Pete comes into possession of a magical artefact known as a Soul Cage, and she knows that the Prometheans would do anything, including murder, to get their hands on it.
This is a brilliant instalment in the Black London series. One of Kittredge's strengths in her previous novels is her evocative descriptions and although she is more restrained here, it actually works well. This novel harkens back to more classic Gothic novels; there is a close-knit country village with some seriously supernatural secrets and the outsiders (Jack and Pete) who don't know what they have stumbled into. Factor in some very creepy children, demonic possession, ghosts, zombies, goddesses, arcane secret societies...and Jack's estranged father...and you get the best novel of the Black London series.
Rating: 5/5 stars
Re-read: September 2015
The plot: Several months have passed since the events of Devil's Business, and now Jack and Pete are parents to baby Lily. Pete receives a mysterious summons to a club known as the Prometheus Club and is forced to attend. She and Jack are ordered on a mission for the club that links back to Pete's last case for the police force (which was the plot for the first book; Street Magic). At the same time Pete comes into possession of a magical artefact known as a Soul Cage, and she knows that the Prometheans would do anything, including murder, to get their hands on it.
This is a brilliant instalment in the Black London series. One of Kittredge's strengths in her previous novels is her evocative descriptions and although she is more restrained here, it actually works well. This novel harkens back to more classic Gothic novels; there is a close-knit country village with some seriously supernatural secrets and the outsiders (Jack and Pete) who don't know what they have stumbled into. Factor in some very creepy children, demonic possession, ghosts, zombies, goddesses, arcane secret societies...and Jack's estranged father...and you get the best novel of the Black London series.
Rating: 5/5 stars
January 27, 2013
This series is vaguely Anita Blakey - detective gets drug into a secrete underworld (sans excessive, explicit sex scenes with vampires, werewolves, etc). I had a hard time buying into, and investing in the characters of Pete and Jack though. From book one i felt we were thrown into a story that is already half over and told to like them and settle for what little back storywe are given.
I was constantly confused why a successful and intelligent detective would throw her life away for a junky who is a totaljerk and piece of crap - just because she had a crush on him when she was 16 then he"died".
As for Jack, i felt his bad boy persona was obnoxious and weak at best. The dialogue with the demons got old petty quick - I Gerry they are side talking tricksters but heck it got frustrating.
I can't say this was my favourite series in any way shape or form but it was entertaining enough. The basis for the story (I say ours one big same story over the 5 books) is entertaining, and i did like the premis, I just had a hard tome loving the main characters. I loved Caitlin's YA books and was hoping to love this series as well.
I was constantly confused why a successful and intelligent detective would throw her life away for a junky who is a totaljerk and piece of crap - just because she had a crush on him when she was 16 then he"died".
As for Jack, i felt his bad boy persona was obnoxious and weak at best. The dialogue with the demons got old petty quick - I Gerry they are side talking tricksters but heck it got frustrating.
I can't say this was my favourite series in any way shape or form but it was entertaining enough. The basis for the story (I say ours one big same story over the 5 books) is entertaining, and i did like the premis, I just had a hard tome loving the main characters. I loved Caitlin's YA books and was hoping to love this series as well.
October 25, 2012
I really liked the first couple of books in this series. The world was different and Pete and Jack were both interesting anti-heroes. While I still enjoy the world, (mostly) and Pete and Jack, I just am not as into this series as I used to be. I often feel like I’m slogging through parts of the book. I feel the desire to skip ahead, but I don’t. I just keep plugging away until I get to an ending that is usually worth it. Soul Trade was decent in the beginning and end and sloooooooow through the middle. If the book hadn’t fit into a ton of challenges for the week I would have put it down to try and read at some later date. Instead I made it through and I don’t know if I will read the next one. I’m not sure if I really care anymore which makes me sad because I had high hopes for this series.
May 3, 2013
The language in this series is very harsh and rough around the edges, often making it a headache to follow. Even describing character actions, not just their actual spoken words. Interesting throwing Jack's father in the mix, and the possibility of getting away from the Morrigan for good towards the end. Not much else in the way of progress. A lot more of Pete using her powers and a lot more of them getting played for fools ending up in even worse situations than they were in to begin with. I've seriously thought about dropping this series multiple times. Probably the only reason I haven't is that I hate being so far into a series and not knowing how it ends.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 4, 2012
+spoiler alert+
5th book of a saga I adored 'till now... this book was good for something: still the atmosphere was amazing, still the story telling was great, still old and new characters were so well-fleshed and still I took only one day to read all book... but my favorite character, Jack Winter has drastically changed in worse: from being one of the most powerful mage on Earth, Hell and beyond, he became a puppy following Pete everywhere with no initiative whatsoever... this was quite disappointing but I still want to read the next book, hoping I'll see the return of the real Jack Winter...
5th book of a saga I adored 'till now... this book was good for something: still the atmosphere was amazing, still the story telling was great, still old and new characters were so well-fleshed and still I took only one day to read all book... but my favorite character, Jack Winter has drastically changed in worse: from being one of the most powerful mage on Earth, Hell and beyond, he became a puppy following Pete everywhere with no initiative whatsoever... this was quite disappointing but I still want to read the next book, hoping I'll see the return of the real Jack Winter...
September 20, 2012
It's good! What else right? ;)
Jack took a step back and Pete took the lead in this book and saved the world.
Peaceful does not seem to exist in Jack's and Pete's life.
When an invitation from a secret magic society showed up, it's a attend or die situation.
Jack and Pete went to Manchester to investigate a missing person much to their reluctance and chanced upon something weird.
Weird magic, weird town, weird people and appearance of Jack's dad.
Oh, and zombies and Belial.
Can't wait for the next book!
Jack took a step back and Pete took the lead in this book and saved the world.
Peaceful does not seem to exist in Jack's and Pete's life.
When an invitation from a secret magic society showed up, it's a attend or die situation.
Jack and Pete went to Manchester to investigate a missing person much to their reluctance and chanced upon something weird.
Weird magic, weird town, weird people and appearance of Jack's dad.
Oh, and zombies and Belial.
Can't wait for the next book!
March 21, 2013
There is a consistent theme in these stories of some organized evil, be it crazy Jesus freaks who hate magic users, old gods trying to lay waste to the world or organized megalomaniac mages. Jack and Pete seem to be their targets for coercion. To make them use their considerable powers for their evil ends. So far the two heroes have foiled all plans to "Take Over The World" but the end of days still seems to be creepy closer.
Dark adventures with a bit of cheeky banter.
Dark adventures with a bit of cheeky banter.
October 8, 2013
Brilliant! Brilliant! Brilliant!
Seriously this series gets better with each book.
Jack and Pete head to Manchester to meet a secret society by invitation of come or die! Nice to trust you too. Grudgingly they go and manage to land themselves in more trouble than they could ever imagine and with their track record that's saying something.
Another must read fantastic book from the fabulous Black London series.
Seriously this series gets better with each book.
Jack and Pete head to Manchester to meet a secret society by invitation of come or die! Nice to trust you too. Grudgingly they go and manage to land themselves in more trouble than they could ever imagine and with their track record that's saying something.
Another must read fantastic book from the fabulous Black London series.
March 21, 2016
I think I would appreciate the idea behind the story better if I had read some of the author's other books that take place in the same world. As it was, nothing was explained in a way that I liked, and there was a lot that needed explaining. Towards the end I was hoping Dumbledore would show up and have a talk where everything becomes clear.
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