Just when I thought I'd gotten the hang of this whole Gatekeeper thing, the universe decided to throw me another curveball. Because apparently, saving Saltcliff from dimensional collapse was just the warm-up act.
Malphas might be gone, but his parting gift keeps on giving—demon essence woven so deep into the gate network that removing it could destroy everything I've worked to protect. And naturally, every supernatural power player on the eastern seaboard has decided now would be a great time to drop by for a 'friendly visit.' Nothing says vacation destination like corrupted interdimensional portals, am I right?
Between research sessions that make my brain feel like scrambled eggs, romantic dinners that keep getting interrupted by assassination attempts, and Riley's increasingly dangerous experiments with dual bloodline magic, I'm starting to think my old corporate job wasn't so bad. At least the worst thing that could happen there was a hostile takeover, not a literal dimensional invasion.
Now I've got seventy-two hours to master a cleansing ritual that hasn't been attempted in centuries, while supernatural delegations circle the island like sharks sensing blood in the water. The ritual requires a willing sacrifice, and guess who keeps volunteering? Here's a it's not me, which is apparently a problem.
Good thing I've got Zane keeping me grounded (when his demon heritage isn't making him allergic to my magic), Astra organizing our defenses like a supernatural general, and Mimi providing commentary that could strip paint off a battleship. Because nothing says "family support" like your grandmother critiquing your life choices while loading enchanted ammunition.
They say the devil's in the details, but in my case, the demon's in the network. And getting him out might just kill me.
After the last supernatural freak out and almost dimensional collapse into our world, Eliza Grey has to get up at an ungodly hour after only a few days of ‘normal.’ An emergency alert on her phone wakes her. A usual weather pattern on the Atlantic and the Council shows it as magical in origin. Eliza & Riley’s magic was still working weirdly well together and Malphas’ influence was still around and now was causing problems between Eliza and Zane. Every time he gets close to her, he ends up in pain. Since I am totally into Eliza and Zane getting together, I’m totally ticked about this! Plus, Malphas’ influence seems to be getting stronger and spreading. So Eliza with the help of her friends, family and familiar, the cat, Vesper, as he was the first to appear and thus has the better bond, begin to look into the weather.
I do have to say that things are pretty much never boring in this series, or with this book. Sheesh, what they go through in this one! Saltcliffe, where the story takes place is a supernatural nexus and it is freaking going haywire in so many ways. Way too many supernatural problems at all of the nexus points on the island happens in all of the books, and this time it is off the charts. The big bads are just freaky and crazy, and this time around takes the cake. Eliza & her family are hilarious, especially her grandmother, Mimi and her antics with the shotgun, Betsy. lol. They always make me laugh so much. This time around they are so outrageous and shocking. Vesper is a riot too, with his caustic wit. Snark plays a major role in the Grey family.
Bureaucracy, interdimensional visitors as well as those visitors of the supernatural kind are all coming to the island because of Eliza and her Gatekeeper-ness. I was shocked with all of those that just pop in, plus, I was almost as overwhelmed as Eliza with all the stuff that happens in this book. I had to keep stopping to figure things out- the ramifications so that I was sure I understood everything that was going on, and the fight scenes are epic.
The more I read, the more freaked out and overwhelmed I got and I just plain felt bad for Eliza and company as they had to run around putting out supernatural fires of all sorts and things just kept getting crazier and more mayhem arose. I felt sick to my stomach for a lot of the book. There are so many revelations and all of the other familiars begin showing up and putting down a mega smack down and it is a good thing too, because even more mayhem shows up and more baddies. The fighting takes on epic proportions and it feels like they are fighting off more than one apocalypse in this one. Egads what they go through. I found myself with the AC on high from pretty much the second chapter on, as well as ranting out loud and cursing in two languages. After I finished, I just couldn’t sleep with everything that had happened as well as all of the ramifications and the things I felt that Eliza shouldn’t have had to deal with. I was livid with certain supernaturals from the book. There is a bunch of betrayal in the book that just made me want to punch something. When the epic mayhem ensues, I had a moment of a flashback of the OG, 80s Voltron (you’ll see why), lol.
Thaddeus comes with the Calvary and just makes me love the character more. But, after he shows up, things get even crazier! I thought it was bad before! Sheesh. By the end of the book, I was extremely blood thirsty and boy, did I get what I wanted. Muah ha. lol. I can’t wait to see what happens next and if I develop an ulcer from it, lol, jk.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Purifying the Poison: A Saga of Empowerment Against a Devouring Evil
This is book 5 of Forty, Fired, & Fighting Demons. Highly suggest reading the previous installments for an understanding of character origin and evolution.
Let's start with....wow. This has been a very intriguing series with this latest bringing in surprises and action coming from an imagination that has everything. A tad bit of romance, lots of intrigue, tons of action and wonderfully creative characters with fun personalities. If not into fantasy, magic, paranormal and unique, this isn't the read to choose.
Our hard-working, never resting star is Eliza whom has come back to Saltcliff Island, thanks to another empowered friend and real estate agent, Astra, home and a powerful center of magic ley lines and portals. Previous installments introduce many of our recurring and important characters such as CC, the sentient house, Zane, a half demon and Eliza's current crush, Mimi the butt-kicking grandmother and Eliza's Mom. There is a cast of a bunch of others and while all play an important role, the focus is the Grey family, Zane and our newest introduction of Riley.
The Grey family have been guardians or Gatekeepers of the portals for years only Eliza was recently introduced to this role and has to contend with the challenges that come with being from a powerful family. Needless to say, they have been attempting to cleanse the portals of the malevolent force, Malphas and turns out, Eliza has been infected as well which causes issues with Zane. After an intense ceremony, Eliza is able to remove the infection with the help of others. Her newly cleansed and wild magic is important to this story. With her magic now clean, she can enjoy time with Zane and take on the latest challenges that threaten everyone.
Turns out, the Gatekeepers have been keeping the Devourer at bay with the help of other families including a surprising religious order. They are also being tested and monitored by the Inter-Dimensional Authority, threatening to "quarantine earth". Several battles ensue and more join the fray to help contain this Devourer and cleanse the gate network. Will they be successful?
This story has many twists and turns, lots of unexpected activities and character evolution. As the story evolves, the ability to put it down may become difficult. Definitely a must read!
FORTY, FIRED, & FIGHTING DEMONS Series: Source: Booksprout. HELL HATH ALL THE FURIES, #5 - Funny. Entertaining. Interesting. Intriguing. Immersing. Good characters. 5*
SECRETS OF SALTCLIFF, #1 - I've read other books by Ms. Trim and this book is just as funny and entertaining. Good characters, although I did get tired of Eliza's mouth here and there, especially, in dangerous situations. Good story lines. Good humor. Good action. Plenty of magic. No vulgar language or sex. An intro paragraph to the next book is included, which reads like a lot more fun is on the way. 4*
THE WITCH'S FIXER UPPER, #2 - I hurt myself laughing throughout this book. But I was so immersed in the intrigue, the action and the lifestyle of this family and friends. Good suspense, ya know they're gonna win but just how .... Mimi is a trip, but she has the right to be sumting udder else. Good story lines. Great characters. Don't read the intro to the third book; it's not available yet, so you'll be sorry, I am. Drats. 5*
HAMMERS & HEXES, #3 - One. thing Ms. Trim can do is write an action filled book with good characters, intriguing story lines, and plenty of opened cans of whoopbutt. Complex, but with good humor, and plenty of unexpected surprises made for a fun read. Small use of vulgar language. 5*
AT THE GATES OF HELL, #4 - This addition does not disappoint. The ending is not a cliffhanger but there's more to come. Good characters. Good story lines. Good action and pace. 4* FORTY, FIRED, & FIGHTING DEMONS End.
Action packed from start to finish, book 5 in this series was an adventure and a half! The previous book are much required to be at this point in the story, for sure. There just would be far too much that goes unexplained from previous installments to understand some aspects of this. The relationship growth between our FMC and her other main associates (Zane, Riley) was good to see. I like when character interactions develop alongside the plot of a story and work off each other in the the way author has written them here.
I quite enjoyed the multitude of new characters introduced here, there may be one or two I love track of, but I'm hoping we continue to see them in other books of the series. Although there was lots going on, twist and turns at very corner, I sometimes found my interest waning, but I feel like that is a normal thing for me in my own reading when I'm going through a series. You just love some installments more than others, and that's okay.
The title for book 6 has me SO intrigued: Trapped on Limbo Lane. So curious to see what happens next!
Much thanks to the author and Booksprout for my reading copy of this <3
This book had my emotions all fired up - and not in a teary, heartfelt way. (Insert much head shaking) Nope, no way. I was MAD, mad, mad on behalf of our FMC.
Seriously, how much can one character manage? She has just finished one session of 'saving the world' and now she needs to complete some kind of magical testing? Oh... and the island/world needs saving again...
I could not put this book down. I was swept up and carried along with the action and storyline. Mind you, I was a tad disappointed that the FMC and team didn't blow up the stupid-head testers but that's a personal preference and not strike against Ms. Trim, author extraordinaire.
My biggest take-away from this book (aside from impotent rage) is how important it is to foster relationships with people. We need each other and the combination of our individual gifts makes the world a better place.
Eliza is up to her eyeballs in trouble. Malphas has embedded himself into the gates system, contaminating it and affecting everyone including Zane. Gatekeeper 'evaluators' have shown up on the island to 'assess her efficiency'. Grrr. Then the 'Devourer' and his minions make their presence known (hence the Furies)...
Eliza will discover a secret room with her great-great-great-etc..grandmother's notes and research, find out she has family she didn't know about, meet everything from members of the island's native tribe to vampires, and realize that the members of the Thursday Club are much more than they appear. Enjoy. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Eliza Grey is the Gatekeeper on Saltcliff Island. It's an interdimensional gate, but it has a demon essence woven thru it and it needs to be removed. It's also attracting supernaturals who would like to "visit" the island. That's when The Inter-Dimensional Stability Accord bureaucrats make an appearance. They want to make sure she can keep the accord that was signed by her relative over a hundred years ago. But she's too busy with their tests. The Devourer is trying to break free from it's prison and the breaucrats are getting in her way. Another "sitting on the edge of my seat the whole time" story.
A supernatural tornado on steroids! Holy moly what a ride! From the first chapter to the end it's nonstop drama and demons rolling in! The interdimensional bureaucrats are just a bunch of bully's making use of the latest demon fubar to hit the island. Eliza and crew are a formidable power... the crew is growing and family is crawling out of the cracks! The group at the end are extremely formidable indeed! Loving this series. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Hell Hath All the Furies is book 5 of the series Forty, Fired, & Fighting Demons. We are back on Saltcliff Island with the Gatekeeper, Eliza Grey and her crew. But the Gate they are grading is an interdimensional gate and a demon, Malphas, has embedded himself into it. I recommend this series but suggest starting with the first book (Secrets of Saltcliff). Each book builds on the last so reading the previous books will provide an understanding of the characters and the world they live in.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Saltcliff and the role of gatekeeper just got more complicated. Bindings have begun to weaken and the Devourer set to be freed. Eliza and her allies are i for a long and complicated battle of magic to not only save the world but save all supernatural species. It was an intense and exciting plot that I could not put down. This was an explosive story that kept me turning the pages.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I love this series!!! I love reading stories from this author! I was hooked back into the characters' lives right from the start and couldn't put the book down. Awesome characters! Awesome storyline! This is Book 5 of the Forty, Fired, and Fighting Demons series and I am Hooked! An exciting and Awesome read!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is book 5 of Forty, Fired & Fighting Demons. I love that the main character is snarky and sarcastic and that is some of her best qualities. A story that is full of danger and suspense. It is a captivating story that will draw you in until the last page.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Hell Hath All the Furies Book 5 of Forty, Fired, & Fighting Demons series by Brenda Trim continues to be an amazing series jammed packed full of supernatural magic and sassiness. I can't wait for the next book, highly recommend!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I do suggest read books one through four first, this series gets better with each new addition. I enjoyed this one from start to finish, I am extremely happy that there will be more! I just absolutely love this series, and this book!!! I Highly Recommend!! No Spoilers!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I love this series, it is one of this author's best. There's lots of sarcasm, snark and action. There is so much going on in this book, that I am going to go back and read it again, just to make sure I didn't miss anything. I definitely recommend this series!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is the next book in the series and the plot continues to thicken. The pacing is good and the action and suspense made it hard to put the book down.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.