What do you think?
Rate this book
Hidden #4
Strife
What do you do when your most dangerous foe is the one living inside you?
When Molly Brooks fought her way back to Detroit after her trials in the Nether, she came back changed. The life she thought she had, the one thing that helped keep her sane, was gone. She feels wrong in her own skin, scared. And her powers… well. They’re just not working the way they’re supposed to.
She doesn’t have a whole lot of time to wallow, though. With two angry spirit daemons hell-bent on punishing her and the city she loves for her deeds, as well as war brewing between Detroit’s supernaturals, and certain members of the pantheon looking for revenge, Molly has her hands full.
But what she’s forced to face is nothing compared to the evil that lurks inside of her.
As her world starts to spiral out of control, as war rages, Molly finds comfort in the last place she ever thought she would. And she comes to learn, after a life spent alone, what family really means.
And how much she’s willing to risk to protect it.
When Molly Brooks fought her way back to Detroit after her trials in the Nether, she came back changed. The life she thought she had, the one thing that helped keep her sane, was gone. She feels wrong in her own skin, scared. And her powers… well. They’re just not working the way they’re supposed to.
She doesn’t have a whole lot of time to wallow, though. With two angry spirit daemons hell-bent on punishing her and the city she loves for her deeds, as well as war brewing between Detroit’s supernaturals, and certain members of the pantheon looking for revenge, Molly has her hands full.
But what she’s forced to face is nothing compared to the evil that lurks inside of her.
As her world starts to spiral out of control, as war rages, Molly finds comfort in the last place she ever thought she would. And she comes to learn, after a life spent alone, what family really means.
And how much she’s willing to risk to protect it.
310 pages, ebook
First published May 1, 2014
54 people are currently reading
203 people want to read
About the author
Colleen Vanderlinden
37 books240 followersColleen Vanderlinden is the author of the Hidden and Hidden: Soulhunter urban fantasy series, as well as the Copper Falls paranormal romance series.
The her novels Home, Nether, and Godkiller have all been finalists for RT Book Reviews’ Reviewers Choice Awards for best self-published urban fantasy novel. Her books have consistently received positive reviews, and RT Book Reviews has called her storytelling “electrifying.”
She also writes small-town contemporary romance as Ella Linden. Her book, Lost with You, won the RT Book Review Reviewers' Choice Award for best Indie or Small Press Romance in 2017.
She lives in northern Michigan with her husband, kids, demonic Basset hound, and four lazy cats. You can find out more about Colleen’s books at colleenvanderlinden.com, or follow her on Twitter.
The her novels Home, Nether, and Godkiller have all been finalists for RT Book Reviews’ Reviewers Choice Awards for best self-published urban fantasy novel. Her books have consistently received positive reviews, and RT Book Reviews has called her storytelling “electrifying.”
She also writes small-town contemporary romance as Ella Linden. Her book, Lost with You, won the RT Book Review Reviewers' Choice Award for best Indie or Small Press Romance in 2017.
She lives in northern Michigan with her husband, kids, demonic Basset hound, and four lazy cats. You can find out more about Colleen’s books at colleenvanderlinden.com, or follow her on Twitter.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
Want to read
October 25, 2020🎁 FREE on Amazon today (10/25/2020)! 🎁
May 20, 2014
This book was everything and then some. The fights were insane and heartbreaking. The romance is very passionate and intense. The laughter on point. The relationships between the characters and the characters themselves are amazeballs. I think this is a strong book. I was never bored or blah. My interest was kept throughout. My unanswered questions answered. Hands down a 10 star book. Nether, that bonus chapter was delicious! I was super emotional reading this book. I laughed and cried a little. I got really mad and a bit red in the cheeks reading this. *wink, wink*
I love getting to see a side of Nain that you really would not have expected to see. He is the bomb.com. I knew I was right about Brennan, you couldn't fool me mister! As always, there is a good mystery brewing. New characters being introduced. This book is explosive!
I love getting to see a side of Nain that you really would not have expected to see. He is the bomb.com. I knew I was right about Brennan, you couldn't fool me mister! As always, there is a good mystery brewing. New characters being introduced. This book is explosive!
May 19, 2014
This is one of my favorite new series and author! Each book gets better & better. You'll fall in love with Molly & the rest of the gang. I can't get enough of this world!
May 19, 2014
This book has got to be one of the highlights of my reading year. Colleen has fast become one of my absolute all time favourite authors. Her Hidden series is an all consuming emotional, action filled, amazing roller coaster of a ride. This book picks up right where we left off at the end of book 3 with Molly not knowing whether she is coming or going with her team, her relationships, an unknown dark power trying to take over her and a mad supernatural on the loose in her beloved home city.
I don't want to give away any of the plot as you just have to read it, but there are some shocks in store, more emotion than I sometimes knew how to deal with, plenty of action and definite satisfaction and answers on several plot lines.
When I assess an urban fantasy/paranormal book I look for 3 things, quality of writing, world building and characters. Colleen Vanderlinden has all 3 in spades. The writing is brilliant, quality rolls off the page. The world building is creative, inventive, no info dumping, we are often shown rather than spoken to and the supernatural creatures are wonderful, as beautifully flawed and complicated as any human. The characters though are what makes this series really stand out. Molly is someone you would love to call your best friend (no way would I want to be her, her life is a mess!) but can totally relate to. The supporting cast grows with each book and they are truly brought to life in all their wonderful glory. I also have 2 new book boyfriends to add to my list :-) Nain and Heph you are both awesome.
Just read it, I hope you'll love it as much as I do.
I don't want to give away any of the plot as you just have to read it, but there are some shocks in store, more emotion than I sometimes knew how to deal with, plenty of action and definite satisfaction and answers on several plot lines.
When I assess an urban fantasy/paranormal book I look for 3 things, quality of writing, world building and characters. Colleen Vanderlinden has all 3 in spades. The writing is brilliant, quality rolls off the page. The world building is creative, inventive, no info dumping, we are often shown rather than spoken to and the supernatural creatures are wonderful, as beautifully flawed and complicated as any human. The characters though are what makes this series really stand out. Molly is someone you would love to call your best friend (no way would I want to be her, her life is a mess!) but can totally relate to. The supporting cast grows with each book and they are truly brought to life in all their wonderful glory. I also have 2 new book boyfriends to add to my list :-) Nain and Heph you are both awesome.
Just read it, I hope you'll love it as much as I do.
January 13, 2016
Molly has died numerous times and come alive again. She's now inhabited by Nether who is constantly struggling against Molly to take control of her and cause her to do major damage. The supernaturals have come out of the woodwork and total chaos reigns in the street as both humans and supernaturals, some fighting against each other, are killed.
Her house is burned down and she finds out that someone has been spying on the groups and has betrayed them. There's a great deal of fighting in the book and appearances by lots of characters from the first three books.
Not only does Molly have to deal with all of this but she also has to handle her relationship with Nain and decide where that is going and at the same time fight against Nether and Strife. If that isn't enough on her plate the police want her to become a spokeswoman to try and assure the humans that steps are being taken to try to bring the chaos under control.
A book full of action, drama, revenge, betrayal, love, hate and destruction. Really well done.
Her house is burned down and she finds out that someone has been spying on the groups and has betrayed them. There's a great deal of fighting in the book and appearances by lots of characters from the first three books.
Not only does Molly have to deal with all of this but she also has to handle her relationship with Nain and decide where that is going and at the same time fight against Nether and Strife. If that isn't enough on her plate the police want her to become a spokeswoman to try and assure the humans that steps are being taken to try to bring the chaos under control.
A book full of action, drama, revenge, betrayal, love, hate and destruction. Really well done.
May 20, 2014
When an author creates a great plot and adds a dash of LOL humor and gives us characters that are so real to us that we either love or hate them I, at least, have to give a five star rating. Colleen has done that with Strife and the previous books in the Hidden series. The personality of even the secondary characters are well developed. I never would have thought I will like Imps but Colleen made it possible. My top read of the year and I will be rereading this series many times over the coming years.
April 30, 2017
Non stop and action packed!
I have no idea how she does it, but these books are literally a non stop, action packed ,ass kicking ride. Each book in this series is faster paced than the last. I really enjoyed how the story lines are coming together and loose ends are being tied up little by little. I can't tell you how happy I am that Nether is no longer inside Molly. I really missed how she was able to use her powers before. She is one crazy powerful goddess, I can't wait until she rips into her enemies!
I have no idea how she does it, but these books are literally a non stop, action packed ,ass kicking ride. Each book in this series is faster paced than the last. I really enjoyed how the story lines are coming together and loose ends are being tied up little by little. I can't tell you how happy I am that Nether is no longer inside Molly. I really missed how she was able to use her powers before. She is one crazy powerful goddess, I can't wait until she rips into her enemies!
June 29, 2015
Jesus God, I'm glad this book is done.
Also! Goodreads is eating my old status updates!! What's up with that? My status and opinions and insane ramblings not good enough for you? Eh? EH? EHHHHHH?
Regarding the book, I'm going to steal a characterization from George W and call the protagonist a "flipflopper". It would be one thing if she was an unreliable narrator but she's not unreliable so much as... deluded, and taking us along for the ride.
Also, kitchen-sinkery.
Also! Goodreads is eating my old status updates!! What's up with that? My status and opinions and insane ramblings not good enough for you? Eh? EH? EHHHHHH?
Regarding the book, I'm going to steal a characterization from George W and call the protagonist a "flipflopper". It would be one thing if she was an unreliable narrator but she's not unreliable so much as... deluded, and taking us along for the ride.
Also, kitchen-sinkery.
July 20, 2015
I need to reread the Hidden series.
December 18, 2017
I skimmed the heck out of this book. It just seemed like the same thing over and over again.
Maybe it was just me, but it seemed like a whole lot of tell and little show.
The relationships didn't seem real and her ideas of people change too easily. I thought I was done with this series when I read the previous book, but this one cemented it for me.
Maybe it was just me, but it seemed like a whole lot of tell and little show.
The relationships didn't seem real and her ideas of people change too easily. I thought I was done with this series when I read the previous book, but this one cemented it for me.
July 26, 2014
I started reading mostly because of the female hero. I have actively been trying to patronize writers who try to break out of the male heros/female victims mold. I read all four books inthe past few days and overall I am pleasantly surprised. A few times I worried this would turn out with Molly being weak and needy (like Bella in Twilight) but I have been very happy with Molly's growth and her capacity and desire to save the world and save herself. I hesitantly rated the first three books a 3, fearing that I would find Molly falling into the b.s. roles that most female leads inevitability seem to: victim or apologist for terrible behavior from a man who just did it all (the terrible stuff) because he loved her. I am revising my previous ratings to 4.5 across the board. I am so happy to read something that doesn't end up disgusting me.
May 26, 2014
I've been pretty clear this has been one of my favorite series ever, and this book is just another awesome addition to the series. What makes a top notch series for me? Characters you want to be BFFs with in real life, plots that keep you up reading past your bedtime, and some definite sizzle. Colleen's books have all of these qualities and are five star for me only because I cannot give them six. I can only hope Colleen never runs out of ideas and continues with these characters for a long long time!
May 28, 2014
I love this series. Molly is the kick ass girl we all need in our lives. She is afraid, hurting and unsure of herself. Alone. Detroit is on fire, sometimes it's her fault. Not only is she fighting to save the city from Strife and Terror (the actual beings) but she's fighting the darkness inside herself. The action is awesome, the romance isn't forced. The hurt and betrayal feel real. I can't say enough. If you haven't read this series you should start. NOW.
August 14, 2014
I read these books back to back. I am glad to have a break between reading these books and the next instalment but I am even more grateful for the fact it is not a long wait in-between. I will provide a full review of this book and book three later, let's just say I am very satisfied that some of the characters showed their true colors and relationships resolved themselves so there will be a more cohesive front for the final battle to come.
August 31, 2014
NAILED IT
I loved this book. Each book in the series has gotten better and better but Ms. Vanderlinden got all of the emotions out of me in this chapter of Molly's story. I laughed, cried and was very angry. a WONDERFUL read and I cannot wait until the next installment. wishing for November to get here already!!
I loved this book. Each book in the series has gotten better and better but Ms. Vanderlinden got all of the emotions out of me in this chapter of Molly's story. I laughed, cried and was very angry. a WONDERFUL read and I cannot wait until the next installment. wishing for November to get here already!!
May 12, 2015
Pretty decent 4th installment with quite a bit going on, decent, shifty writing that might throw you off for a short bit; a lot culminates and a lot of ground is covered (Though some of the revelations really don't work in the way earlier books are explained, and perhaps, should have had at least some groundwork for make sense.) Minor complaints, but so far, probably the best book in the series.
October 30, 2015
Another lovely addition to the Hidden series but it felt like it was the closer for book 3. So maybe this book should've been book 3 1/2 instead of 4? Besides that, it was a wonderful continuation of the story line. Molly learns more about herself, meets am elusive family member, and rekindles her love. Give it a read!
August 27, 2014
Great Read
Got to love the rollercoaster that is Molly's life. I didn't care for Nain from the beginning but that is just my POV. A book that can make a reader laugh, get upset, or react to the content is a great one.
Got to love the rollercoaster that is Molly's life. I didn't care for Nain from the beginning but that is just my POV. A book that can make a reader laugh, get upset, or react to the content is a great one.
April 6, 2015
brilliant. I enjoy that one minute you think you know how it's going to go.... then it goes a different way. so many times I thought awwwww then omg! then awwwww... most definitely keeps you on your toes. loved it
February 23, 2016
While another good addition to the Hidden series story line, there didn't seem to be as much forward momentum, and a lot of redundancy in the dialogue and character interactions. A good story, but plodding a bit. I anticipate more action and faster-pace in book 5.
August 11, 2014
Perfect.
December 24, 2014
Jeez....still not fully recovered from the last book and then BAM...no time to recuperate....lets go save the world again...my goodness... and Nain?! omg...sigh....
January 6, 2015
Good read
A good book but
Starting to get a little long winded and repetitious. Ended up skipping through a lot of unnecessary pages.
A good book but
Starting to get a little long winded and repetitious. Ended up skipping through a lot of unnecessary pages.
June 3, 2015
Great series!
Book Four of the series! I have enjoyed all four so far! They are exciting, suspenseful, and entertaining! I recommend this series!
Book Four of the series! I have enjoyed all four so far! They are exciting, suspenseful, and entertaining! I recommend this series!
July 28, 2022
Love everything about it. Amazing.
July 7, 2014
Her books are fun fast read. But the editing, spell check leaves something to be desired.
August 11, 2014
The best in the series.
July 6, 2015
Rating : 4 stars
March 29, 2017
Enjoyable
Molly is one of the best, most kickass heroines out there. She's complex, emotional, badass and immensely likeable. Not only that but the rest of the characters are just as fleshed out and relatable (even when they're an ass or obnoxious). Great world building, super storyline, great pace and some nifty dialogue all go to making a very enjoyable fourth book.
Molly is one of the best, most kickass heroines out there. She's complex, emotional, badass and immensely likeable. Not only that but the rest of the characters are just as fleshed out and relatable (even when they're an ass or obnoxious). Great world building, super storyline, great pace and some nifty dialogue all go to making a very enjoyable fourth book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews