Hluboko v tajném srdci Londýna se pod příkrovem věčné temnoty skrývá Noční strana. Je tady pro všechny, které svědí něco, co nutně potřebuje poškrábat. Ale vězte, že do ní vstupujete na vlastní riziko. Její veselí obyvatelé totiž mohou být stejně nelidští, jako jejich chutě… Já se jmenuji John Taylor. Na Noční straně jsem doma. Nevybral jsem si ji. Vlastně jsem se z ní pokusil uniknout. Ale vrátil jsem se zpátky. A teď to vypadá, že jsem získal práci na plný úvazek (ke své současné profesi soukromého očka) jako Walker, nový reprezentant Autorit Noční strany – a na obzoru je i svatba. Beru si svou životní lásku, Suzii Střelkyni, nejobávanější lovkyni odměn Noční strany. Jenomže na Noční straně není nic tak jednoduché. Rozhodně ne život. Než budu moci říct „Ano", musím ještě vyřešit svůj poslední případ jako soukromý detektiv – a první jako Walker. Oba tyto úkoly by bylo mnohem snazší splnit, kdybych nebyl na útěku před svými přáteli i nepřáteli. A kdyby moje nastávající neměla v úmyslu inkasovat tu fakt velkou odměnu, co vypsali na moji hlavu…
Simon Richard Green is a British science fiction and fantasy-author. He holds a degree in Modern English and American Literature from the University of Leicester. His first publication was in 1979.
His Deathstalker series is partly a parody of the usual space-opera of the 1950s, told with sovereign disregard of the rules of probability, while being at the same time extremely bloodthirsty.
I have to admit that the last adventure was both campy and fairly cool at the same time. Impossible to imagine that this is his equivalent to a stag party, tho, and with so much that happens during this SHORT period of time, it feels like a campaign of war. But that's to be expected when way-too-powerful magic is thrown about left and right.
The things I liked: Proto-hippy-god. I'm sorry, but that just made me laugh. I also enjoyed hanging out with the old Victorian adventurer.
The things I didn't: the little details usually make or break these books. These particular books are all about the big crap coming down without much in the way of foreplay. So I felt more or less cheated the entire time I read these.
But since this is the last book in the series and I can now give it both a thumb up and a thumb down, just know that it has a bunch of great things going for it and a few that make me groan. It's certainly not the best UF I've ever read but the infrequent sparks were enough to keep me reading.
And so ends my journey to (or in) the Nightside although I am sure it be visited again at some point (more on that later)
This is the 12th and last in the series - yes there is an anthology and the characters appear in short stories however they are either standalone or neatly slotted in to the history of this series.
Now I will admit that I read other peoples reviews just out of curiosity (and its one of the reasons why I do not do spoilers as they write far better story related reviews than I do) and I pick up the general feeling that its not the best in the series.
Let me address two of the over riding themes - the first is that its not the best storyline - possibly. Now typically in the series you have events of a smaller case a side job if you like that come back and get involved in something far bigger and more important. This is no different although you feeling the side job here IS the bigger picture - almost as if (in the story it is talked about as much) its one last job. I think the criticisms really are more about the fact after 12 books where can the story go? after all one of my favourite ideas are the play on words and the twisting of our perception and preconceptions. Yes there are other stories which might be better but I think this book has its own charm which could all too easily be over looked
Then the second issue is that the main characters are getting too dam powerful - well that is true - but in a book of this type (facing yet another total destruction and annihilation of the nightside) each instalment it does feel like its a bit of an arms race to the top (or is that bottom). However this is a tried and tested approach really that goes back to the days of the pulp storyline which each week either ends or starts with grave peril approaching. If anything I rather enjoy it - as it has a nostalgic feel to it (and no I am not old enough to remember the first time around). What I am saying is if you series has a defined end - and this one certainly does - then why not up the scales each time.
So for me it does feel like a suitable swan song - however I know that Simon Green likes weaving his various stories and series together (the name dropping in the last book was pretty blatant) now some may seen it as spot the easter egg while others see it as drawing together a bigger picture - me I am the latter- but I guess to coin and English phrase this book is the marmite of the series - you love it or you hate it - me I love it and as always with a long running series I am sad to see it go - however I think this is far from the last we see of the nightside and hey the series may come back again who knows anything is possible out there.
Talk books with me, and within moments, Simon R. Green will come out of my mouth--namely his Nightside series. Part noir, part satire, part snark driven plot I fell quickly in love with the series and sometimes protagonist John Taylor. Taylor is a PI who has a 'gift'--the ability to find anything, anywhere. It's more badass than it sounds. Throughout the series he goes against all sorts of baddies, and creatures of myth and horror, all the while maintaining a snappy dialogue that would make any sitcom writer's head explode.
In this book, the last of the Nightside series, Green does a lot of wrapping up. There are loose ends that get tied up sometimes not so neatly. You're reunited with characters that floated in other books, and others that you haven't seen since a particular book. Characters are mentioned and you're given little updates about some of them. He also ties in Drinking Midnight Wine with the reappearance of Leo and of course the Droods of his Secret Histories series. But that's one of the things I like about Green's work, is characters aren't ever really gone. And I have the feeling we'll see John, or Suzie again in someone's sandbox. Razor Eddie is also heavily present in this book, and as an Eddie fangirl, I was so excited to see something happen that had been hinted at during the entire series.
Overall, it's a bittersweet end to an amazing series--a fitting end.
This book made me sad because it is John Taylor's last case as a private investigator.But then I quit being sad when it it also was his first case as Walker.
His last case as a P.I.has him investigating the death of The King of Skin at the Immortals Ball.Who can kill an immortal in front of a roomful of witnesses and no one see anything?
His first case as walker has John teaming up with Julien Advent, the Victorian Adventurer when the ghost of the Hawk and Wind Bar disappears.Who is the mysterious Sun King and can he really bring an end to the endless night of the Nightside?
John always manages to solve his cases even if no one wants him to do it.Usually he can rely on his friends and enemies to help, so what will he do when everyone is turned against him including Razor Eddie, Punk God of the Straight Razor,Dead Boy, and even Shotgun Suzie.How can he fight them or even survive?
And all of this happens on the night before his wedding to Shotgun Suzie.
So, here's the deal. I love Simon R. Green. His stuff can start to feel a bit formulaic at times and there's a bit more repetition than I'd like (I know this book mentioned ambulances that run on distilled suffering at least twice, possibly three times. I get it. It's a creepy/intriguing/Nightside kinda thing. Let's focus on other types of vehicles now) BUT Green is absolutely incredible at pulling me into his stories and wanting to know more about almost any character he introduces. They always feel fully fleshed, three dimensional and ready for any criticism you can throw their way. He'll throw in some minor character and after just a name and a few lines of description I want to sit down and have a drink with them or else gossip behind their back to find out more.
Here's an example: Julian Advent (almost always love his names too) is the Victorian Adventurer. He invented a formula back in the 19th century that was the opposite of Dr.Jekyl's and became the ultimate hero. He fell through a Timeslip and ended up in the 1960's in the Nightside.
I love this character and he's usually a minor one. Then there are folks like Razor Eddie (Punk God of the Straight Razor), Lord of Thorns, Suzie Shooter, Dead Boy, Count Video, the Oblivion Brothers and many others. They're varied and some are archetypes but feel original while others are completely unique and unlike anything I've encountered in other fantasy.
This is merely the latest installment but it kept me turning the pages faster and faster until a major character had died (or maybe not) and I just HAD to know how John Taylor was gonna get out of this one. I loved this book. I love this series. Thank goodness Green is so prolific! I hope he lives and writes to an old, old age.
I just finished the whole series of nightside after a year and odd. It was my birthday present and I will actually miss reading it. I read it in very strange places and this damn series is so memorable. This is Nightside full of miracles as for me who never thought reading such a thing and actually enjoy it. But behind the whole sin stuff and a dark night, there was always a huge and bright moon. And this world is something I miss because it indeed had lots of good stuff. As though it had a mask of an ugly beast and turned out just a human. Human, with all goods and bads, mistakes and relieves. It NEVER erased the real thing. I know lots of people don't like the cliche and the miracles in rescueing John Taylor forever and hidden helps... but I like the seed nightside have tented. I will remember the name NIGHTSIDE forever as though it was a real teacher. The series and story never was out of mistake and upleasants but it deserves something IMO so I give it 5 stars.
The Bride Wore Black Leather is the twelfth and final book in the Nightside Series written by Simon R. Green and centered on John Taylor, the main protagonist, who is not a private detective per se, but he has a knack for finding lost things.
Having been appointed the new Walker by the Authorities, John Taylor decides to take one last case before marrying his sweetheart bounty hunter, Suzie Shooter. He receives an e-mail to come to the Ball of Forever, a club for immortals to gather and sneer and preen at one another. Eventually, somebody murders the widely despised King of Skin and Frankenstein's Bride. However, Frankenstein's Bride was resurrected by a shock of electricity. John Taylor quickly solves the mystery, but something else appears to bring concern to all of Nightside.
During his Stag Party, Julian Advent pulled him away to help him stop the Sun King, a charismatic hippie who disappeared some decades back, shows up to declares that he'll bring devastating, cleansing sunlight to Nightside, whose denizens are aghast.
Nightside where it is perpetually three in the morning and where the sun never shines is now under threat of having their sins shown in the bright light of day and make Nightside into Sunnyside. Worse, the Sun King appears to have been amplified by super-powered entities from another dimension, aptly called The Entities, and it is up to John Taylor to stop him. While Nightside may be a place of darkness and sin, it is also the last line of defense against other realities and dimensions who wants to annex, or consume Earth with John Taylor being front and center.
John Taylor is determined to stop the Sun King, but soon a beloved Nightside resident is dead and the Sun King has framed John Taylor for the death. He is on the run with every hand turned against him – even his fiancée, Suzie Shooter.
In order to save Nightside, John Taylor pushes himself harder in this book than any previous books. He does physical and spiritual damage to himself in the quest to save Nightside and now his own life. The Bridge Wore Black Leather took us all over Nightside and shown us some new powers that John Taylor has received. John Taylor's choices get narrower and narrower until he confronts the Sun King in the last place he wants to go.
The Bride Wore Black Leather was written rather well. Green has mixed fantasy, science fiction, urban fantasy, horror, and humor rather well and it flowed just as well also – it was quite the page-turner filled with suspense and action. The Bride Wore Black Leather seems like a novella within a novel. John Taylor's last case as a detective – solving the murder of The Skin King was the novelette within the novel of John Taylor's first case as Walker – trying to stop The Sun King.
Overall, the Nightside series was written rather well. It can be distinctly separated into four categories: Pre-Lilith War (Something from the Nightside – Nightingale's Lament), Prelude to the Lilith War (Hex and the City – Sharper than a Serpent's Tooth), Post Lilith War (Hell to Pay – Just Another Judgement Day), and John Taylor's Evolution (The Good, the Bad, and the Uncanny – The Bride Wore Black Leather) books. The strongest books in the series are from the Prelude to the Lilith War and John Taylor's Evolution books.
I particularly enjoy the character arcs of the main protagonist – John Taylor and his love interest Suzie Shooter. At the beginning of the series, John Taylor lived in London Proper under self-banishment from the Nightside who would become one of the powerful – if not the most powerful person in the series. Suzie Shooter's character arc was just as great, she starts out as aloof character to become a person of depth and the love interest to John Taylor.
The secondary cast of characters were very interesting and were both horrific and humorous in equal measure and I will miss them dearly. All of the characters that Green has created (and sometimes killed just as quickly) give that added flavor of Nightside and that anything and anyone could be created if one has the imagination to do so and I’m glad that Green had such an imagination.
While I'll miss this cast of characters, I feel it's time to say goodbye to them. However, I wouldn't be adverse if there is a secondary series in the Nightside – this time focusing on John Taylor as a Walker instead of a detective – only time will tell.
All in all, The Bride Wore Black Leather is a wonderfully written book and a very good conclusion of the series. I like to give my sincerest of appreciation to Simon R. Green for making such a wonderful series.
The Bride Wore Black Leather book 12 in the Nightside series brings to conclusion one of my all time favorite series. This is arguably the weakest book in the whole series but who cares. All of our favorite friends and enemies of the John Taylor make an appearance or a mention. John Taylor will go down as one of the greatest anti-heros ever written. I loved this series and am deeply sad to have it come to an end.
These stories are classic noir like private eye mysteries in an urban fantasy setting. They are perfect for my interests today. I have been reading a lot of urban fantasy lately. Combine my new favorite genre with a detective noir like story and you have made me something special. I loved this book. I loved the writing of Green. I loved the world of Nightside. And I especially loved our main character (can't call him the good guy), John Taylor.
These marvelous urban fantasies have worked because of the amazing place, the scary and relatable hero John Taylor, and his equally interesting friends and associates. I love the humor, the action, and the writing...
Highest recommendations for the series.
One of my all time favorites... Must read for urban fantasy lovers
Like most of the Nightside books, this one starts off with a smaller case which then segues into another, larger case. In this book, though, the smaller case is John's last case as a PI, and the big one is his first as Walker - and it is something of a doozy.
It's also, for those who don't know, the last book in the series. At least the last staring John Taylor. It's a pretty decent entry, though not my favorite. I was kinda hoping for a bit more of a bang, but ah well.
As with many finales, we get visits from many of our favorite characters from past books - at least the ones who are still alive. It was perhaps a bit twee, bordering on almost maudlin at the end, but we can forgive that. It's hard to say good-bye, after all.
The case itself was interesting enough, but a bit on the predictable side. My biggest issue, though, is just the repetition of formula. I mean, these books have always been formulaic and pulpy - but this one just didn't have those glimmers of unique insanity which made some of the other books so much fun. It was almost like "well, let's have one last grand adventure, but let's not try too hard".
And if I hear the phrase "... and then it was the easiest thing in the world to...", I think I might develop a permanent twitch.
Along those same lines, I can't decide if his references to his other series, drawing everything into one big universe, is cool or annoying. Sometimes it feels a little too much like advertisements instead of Easter eggs.
And, lastly, I was sad to see so little of Suzie. I mean, considering both the title and cover art reference her, I sort of expected her to be a more vital role in the story. That said - it was fun to hang out with Julien.
***
And a parting hope. If Green ever does pick up Nightside again, I would love to spend more time getting into the head of Razor Eddie. ;)
I always said the Nightside books contained a setting and supporting cast that was far more interesting and worthwhile than the protagonist, John Taylor; imagine The Dresden Files if Harry Dresden was just kind of boring compared to everything else going on. However, reading the first Secret Histories book (set in the same universe, along with the "Ghost Hunters" books which I haven't read) inspired me to finish these off... and damn! That was spot on, across the board. Well done Mr. Green, well done.
Now to catch up on Secret Histories before those books go back to the Nightside this June...
Thus ends the story of animeside a.k.a nightside with the power of love (no pun intended)
opening with a side quest (short story) as usual, and ends with all hell breaking loose, (Boss Battle) again, as usual. this is one of the good books in the series, unfortunately with a hasty weak ending which is the Achilles hill of all Green's books I read so far.
if you read all 11 volume prior to this, sure why not, go ahead and grab it. or you could just easily skip it, it's just another nightside story with a forceful last chapter of the series attached to it.
Pre-review: What the hell? This person and that person are getting married!????
Thoughts after reading:
Nightside series is a lot of fun, it has a lot of mayhem, action, witty sense of humor and vividly written characters, the last book of the series offers us more or less the same supernatural cocktail, and I suspected the author, Simon R. Green has always been using this series to make a satire out of the old schooled hard-boiled genre, and it's more than fine with me. 3.5 stars.
بعد از ۱۱ جلد ebook، آخرین جلد رو خریدم و چقدر حس بهتری داشت خوندنش. حتی با وجود سانسورهاش. شاید نزدیک به ۱۰ سال پیش اولین جلدش رو خوندم. و حالا تموم شد. نقطه.
This was a series that initially left me a bit cold. I was meh on it, but I decided to return to it for my commute listening. What I find attractive here at the sort of end (see the end of this review) is the combination of Easter Eggs, and Green's characterization of John Taylor. I would argue that by the end of this installment Taylor has progressed from adolescence to adulthood.
And, that do to more than John's upcoming nuptials (as to whom the title alone is a giveaway). John decides he wants to end his PI career with one last big case, and what begins as a murder develops into one where a 1960s living god returned wants to end the Nightside's endless night with sunshine.
Pretty much every supporting character from the series that is worthwhile makes an appearance (well those that have not been killed off).
A satisfying end. The Nightside plays a role in one of Green's Secret Histories books.
It took me years to finally read this book, because this series is so damn amazing that I didn't want it to end. I'm actually bawling my eyes out because I've reached the end of the series. I also cried multiple times during this book. It was a wonderful story, both with the final case with John Taylor as a PI and his first case as Walker. This book was just so typically Nightside with all the most beloved characters making cameos. It was just a perfect book, and a perfect series. I even named one of my cats Taylor and I called a horse Suzie. Because I managed to stretch this series out over so many years, I am just about ready to dive in from the beginning again. I just can't express how freaking much I loved this series. Please read it if you get the oppertunity, it is totally worth it.
The end is finally here! Simon Green, through ups and downs, closes the doors to the Nightside on a very positive and well written conclusion. I could not have asked for a better ending.
This series is well worth reading. It is an amazing universe and world to immerse yourself in.
بالاخره بعد از شش سال آخرین جلدش رو هم خوندم. کتاب فوق العاده ای نیست اما ارزش خوندن داره. من که حسابی لذت بردم ازش آدم رو میبره به دوران نوجوانی زمانی که آزادی هر آرزویی که بخوای داشته باشی.
I'm sort of feeling a love-hate relationship with this entry in Green's Nightside series. As always, I love John Taylor and his weird and wicked world. But this time felt...somehow less. Perhaps it's due to John's new role as Walker, although I couldn't really tell much difference from "old" John to "new" John. He might be a bit more reserved in his reactions to people, a bit less violent in how he handles them, but I don't think that was it. I just couldn't quite put my finger on it...
Perhaps the problem was the pacing of the story. Once I read the book blurb, I expected John to be on the run for most of the book, and that isn't the case at all. In fact, the running doesn't start until about half-way through this story, and I never felt like John was in any real danger; I knew he'd end up being cleared. I also didn't believe that Suzie was one of the many looking to bring him in and/or kill him. I don't know if that's because I couldn't believe the character would ever do such a thing or if Green just didn't do a good enough job convincing me that she had turned on John, too.
But all is not lost; the main adventure of the story has John paired with Julian Advent. I've always adored Julian and his proper British gentleman manner, and he's a perfect foil for John. Also happy to see John's secretary/girl Friday, Cathy, who has been all too absent in the last few installments. Actually, we see a lot of John's old friends and enemies, and after reading the reviews on Amazon, I now know why: this is the last book in the Nightside series. It still doesn't change my opinion of it being a solid "C", and I guess that's what disappoints me. I would like to have felt that the last book was an "A+", sending John out with a bang, which is what he deserves. As this book stands, I would say Green sent him out with a fairly decent but reserved party. Sad to see him go, but perhaps my feelings are an indication that it's time to say farewell to this old friend.
Then again, Green's website says: Please note; This is the last Nightside novel featuring John Taylor and friends and the last Nightside novel for the time being.
I'm thinking we haven't seen the last of John Taylor. In that case, I will say "adieu" rather than goodbye...
OK, So I'm still hooked on this series. Though I wanted to be listening to the Beatles through most of this book, what happens when the Nightside takes a trip back to the 60's and the Summer of Love and not just through the Hawk Wind Bar and Grill. Ok not really but there is a good number of allusions to the '60's and running around with Julian Advent (seeing some of the downfalls of his life as well).
The backdrop for this whole thing, is John and Suzie are finally getting married (this is book what?). Interesting reason to light the fire under John's butt to do so. His last case as a PI, and finally realizing some of what Cathy has been up to running his office all these years. Turns into his first case as Walker.
No I really don't have a lot of in depth review on this because its a fun through provoking Detective Noir type book with a heavy dose of supernatural.
The downside of this series that I'm starting to get into. It expects that you read the rest of his series - do I read The Secret History series (yea..), have I read at least part of Shadows Fall (yea...)so I have an idea of the references to his other works - but I'm behind and it gave away some of the stories there because I hadn't gotten around to reading the much longer Secret History.
Thoughts about this Book As has already been said, I expected more from a book that’s supposed to be a send-off for John & Suzie. Regardless of what the title is, we don’t get to see much of the Bride and I didn’t like the author implying she was one of the people hunting down John, either. I’ve also missed Cathy, so it was good seeing her but I wanted more of her as well.
Thoughts about this Series If you asked me for a quick overview of the Nightside series, it’s all about John spending the whole book avoiding using his powers and then leveraging it like a biiiiiig deus ex machina hammer at the end. Cue: it was the easiest thing in the world… It’s also formulaic but it doesn’t pretend to be anything it’s not. So, if you like books that spoof the PI noir trope and don’t require you use much of brain power, then pick up this series.
When John Taylor, the Private Investigator with a supernatural ability to find things, decides to marry Shotgun Suzie, he goes out for one last bachelor fling on the night before. That's traditional. Having to save the World (yet again) and have all your friends trying to kill you because you're suddenly and unexpectedly a murderer is not quite so traditional. Except, perhaps, here. Business as usual in the Nightside, as they say.
This book was a lot of fun. I thought a few things ended a bit too conveniently, in a couple of cases-- can't say more without spoilers. But this is the end of the series, so a few things need wrapping up.
I understand Mr. Green has decided there won't be any more Nightside novels based on John Taylor. I think this is a wise decision. Taylor has gotten to the point he is almost too powerful to be an interesting character. He has grown. It was fun to see him grow. Time, perhaps, to move on to other characters. It is said you should leave the stage while the audience still wants more, and now we see the famous white trenchcoat heading for the wings as the crowd applauds. Well done, Mr. Green.
*3.5* Warning: This book mentions spoilers for the Drood series. I was most unhappy.
The final book of the series and I find myself strangely unsatisfied. Partly because it took quite some time for the main story to start in earnest.
While many elements of the plot were engaging, it was still a helter-skelter thing. I expected better of John Taylor's send-off than yet another trumped up entity intent on possessing the Nightside. And I certainly expected better than the initial locked room murders where John really did nothing of import.
The ending was sweet enough, offering closure and an opportunity to see most of John's closest allies in one room. It also offered a good moment in John's life for us to back away, seeing him on the threshold of several new roles.
John Taylor has come such a long way from the downtrodden man of the first book, and even though his stories sometimes frustrated the hell out of me, I'm still happy I immersed myself in his world.
اولین بار ک تو نمایشگاه کتاب چهار جلد اولش رو خریدم، نزدیک امتحانا بود ک شروع به خوندنش کردم و خب تقریبا باعث شد گند بخوره به امتحانام ولی می ارزید! حالا بعد شیش سال جلد دوازدهم رو هم تموم کردم، باز هم دم امتحانا. در مورد داستان کتاب دوازدهم باید بگم، خب نمی تونید از رو اسمش داستانش رو پیش بینی کنید. :-"
نسبت به جلد یازدهم خیلی بهتر بود ! خیلی، کمتر یه کتاب بازاری بود، دوباره منو به خودش جذب کرد. باعث شد بخندم و بگم درسته این نایت سایده! توصیف های نایت سایدی، قدرتا شخصیت پردازی ها و دیالوگ های نایت سایدی و اینکه مث جلد یازدهم غلط تایپی یا ترجمه ای نداشت. اصن نمی دونم چرا جلد یازدهم اونقد مشکل داشت. خلاصه هرچند ترجیح می دادم واقعا نایت ساید جور دیگه ای تموم می شد. یه پایان نایت ساید طور، یه پایانِ بد ! اما نشد و ببخشید اسپویل کردم:دی به هر حال، بعد این همه سال و روز هایی ک پای این کتاب بودم، تاثیراتی ک ازش گرفتم و دوستانی ک به واسطه ش پیدا کردم می خوام بگم، خیلی خوشحالم ک خوندمش.
A really awesome instalment to the Nightside series, while its been a bit of a rocky ride through this series, this book draws on all that's best of Simon R Greens weird anti-hero filled world that is the Nightside. With friends and enemies alike after him John Taylors last case as a private eye and the run up to his wedding couldn't be more action filled. While not wanting to spoil the plot, Simon R Green gives us an insight into things that we only hoped to see earlier in the series such as matching allies from the series against our hero in fights we'd only previously wished would happen to see how they'd turn out. Overall this is the strongest entry in the series in a long time, not sure if its due to continue further or not, but if this is the last entry in the series then its also a great way to end it.
After the huge disappointment of the previous book, we get to the finale. I really enjoyed it. It was one of the few times with the series that I stayed up to try finishing the book.
I was expecting a big showdown for the final book. That didn't happen, though I suppose every other book threatened the end of the Nightside; I was rather used to those stakes by now.
All of the usual suspects were in this one, though I was disappointed that a book with Suzie on the cover didn't actually have Suzie in the book until the final couple of chapters. Though, I'm a big fan of Julian, so that helped.
Overall, a good end to a series. I'm glad I stuck it out.