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Generation V #4
Dark Ascension
As the “wickedly clever” (Publishers Weekly) series continues, reluctant, slacker vampire Fortitude Scott learns that nothing is more important than family—or more deadly....
After a lifetime of avoiding his family, Fort has discovered that working for them isn’t half bad—even if his mother, Madeline, is a terrifying, murderous vampire. His newfound career has given him a purpose and a paycheck and has even helped him get his partner, foxy kitsune Suzume, to agree to be his girlfriend. All in all, things are looking up.
Only, just as Fort is getting comfortable managing a supernatural empire that stretches from New Jersey to Ontario, Madeline’s health starts failing, throwing Fort into the middle of an uncomfortable and dangerous battle for succession. His older sister, Prudence, is determined to take over the territory. But Fort isn’t the only one wary of her sociopathic tendencies, and allies, old and new, are turning to him to keep Prudence from gaining power.
Now, as Fort fights against his impending transition into vampire adulthood, he must also battle to keep Prudence from destroying their mother’s kingdom—before she takes him down with it....
After a lifetime of avoiding his family, Fort has discovered that working for them isn’t half bad—even if his mother, Madeline, is a terrifying, murderous vampire. His newfound career has given him a purpose and a paycheck and has even helped him get his partner, foxy kitsune Suzume, to agree to be his girlfriend. All in all, things are looking up.
Only, just as Fort is getting comfortable managing a supernatural empire that stretches from New Jersey to Ontario, Madeline’s health starts failing, throwing Fort into the middle of an uncomfortable and dangerous battle for succession. His older sister, Prudence, is determined to take over the territory. But Fort isn’t the only one wary of her sociopathic tendencies, and allies, old and new, are turning to him to keep Prudence from gaining power.
Now, as Fort fights against his impending transition into vampire adulthood, he must also battle to keep Prudence from destroying their mother’s kingdom—before she takes him down with it....
322 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 4, 2015
20 people are currently reading
550 people want to read
About the author
M.L. Brennan
8 books289 followersM.L. Brennan is the author of the Generation V series - GENERATION V, IRON NIGHT, TAINTED BLOOD, and DARK ASCENSION, all published by Roc. Brennan holds an MFA in writing and is employed as an adjunct professor at several New England colleges.
For Brennan's thoughts on writing, publishing, and the world in general, please check out her official webpage at http://www.mlbrennan.com
For Brennan's thoughts on writing, publishing, and the world in general, please check out her official webpage at http://www.mlbrennan.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews
July 28, 2015
4.5 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum http://bibliosanctum.com/2015/07/28/b...
I make it no secret that Generation V is one of my favorite urban fantasy series right now. I just love these books so much! Even if this latest installment did make me bawl my eyes out.
Normally, I’d be pretty resentful if anyone made me cry, but it’s entirely different when it comes to a book. In that case, it’s liable to earn itself at least an extra half star and a gushy review. What can I say, I just love it when my reading material appeals to my emotions. It’s a sign of good storytelling and character development, and I’m always excited to see what author M.L. Brennan will bring next for our underdog vampire protagonist Fortitude Scott and his partner Suzume Hollis the spunky kitsune.
Every Generation V book is a new surprise, and Dark Ascension might be the biggest and most important one yet. The winds of change are sweeping through Madeline Scott’s territory, and all the supernatural denizens within are bracing themselves for the inevitable outcome of the vampire matriarch’s failing health. Everyone is worried (and rightfully so) what would happen when her daughter, the psychotic and murderous Prudence takes over, but Fort is not about to let his Machiavellian older sister seize all that power without a fight. In the end though, the aging but still terrifyingly shrewd Madeline may be the one to surprise them all.
Dark Ascension follows a path that is very dissimilar to what we saw in the first three installments, and to be honest, to most urban fantasy arcs in general. It’s a very bold move by the author, but for what she’s attempting to do here, it works rather well. Instead of presenting us with a main problem that unifies the entire plot – like a paranormal crime to be solved by the characters over the course of the book, for example – the story is actually made of many different and smaller conflicts. And subsequently, all these conflicts come to together to form the big question: What will be become of Madeline Scott’s territory once she’s gone? The answers will have repercussions for the entire supernatural community, not to mention Madeline’s own children.
Once again, the Scott family dynamics are at the forefront, an element I find fascinating and that I look forward to seeing developed each time a new book comes out. I’m not sure what it says about me that I simply adore the fearsome and bloodthirsty Prudence, but it’s always nice to see her get a bigger role (though not as much as I thought she would). Needless to say, Fort’s more liberal way of thinking combined with his kind heart makes him the antithesis of his cruel, hard-edged sister. But that doesn’t mean they don’t love each other; it’s merely a love that few can understand. To paraphrase Fort, it’s not that Prudence is incapable of showing affection, just that she’s at her most terrifying when she actually tries. Between them in birth order and in ideology is also of course their brother Chivalry, whose moderate stance only leads to more gridlock whenever the siblings try to work together as a team. If anything though, I think this book only raised my regard for Chivalry, who of the three of them seems to be the most invested in honoring their mother’s wishes. I’ll admit it, I’m a sucker for the good son.
So where does this leave Fort? Well, on the one hand, I’m really impressed at the amount of growth he’s shown throughout the series, but in some ways he hasn’t changed at all. Despite being on his way to become a full-fledged vampire, Fort still underestimates his own value and puts himself in situations where people take advantage of his kindness. He’s also struggling with a serious case of denial when it comes to what he is, but probably not for much longer. Dark Ascension is a turning point where all sorts of changes are happening, and most of them are in our protagonist. Despite the relative lack of action and intrigue in this novel compared to the previous ones, here is where I saw Fort face his most difficult challenges yet.
Furthermore, there’s just so much delicious foreshadowing. Fort makes some great strides in Dark Ascension, and yet there’s still a piece of me bracing for the other shoe to drop. We’ve been told that he is “different” from his siblings, but what that truly means remains to be seen, and I’m very curious to find out what greater purpose Madeline had in mind for her youngest son when she decided to alter his upbringing. Fort has also spent most of his life trying to avoid the family business, but now it’s given him a new purpose. To what cost, though? Keeping in mind Suze’s analogy of the Peep in a microwave, will Fort’s good intentions end up biting him in the ass? Chivalry’s warning at the end is especially ominous. Fort’s heart may be in the right place, but he’s still going against the grand plan and breaking many promises by acting on his own. Isn’t this how corruption begins? By going against Madeline’s wishes, who’s actually bringing the greatest threat to her vision for the future?
I’m practically bursting with questions and anticipation for the next book. I know I’ve said it before but I’ll happily say it again and again: M.L. Brennan’s Generation V series is simply wonderful, featuring a unique world filled the most incredible and unique paranormal beings you’ll ever meet. Without a doubt, this is one of the most fun, refreshing and addictive urban fantasy series you can find on the shelves right now, with each book bringing a new adventure and plenty of surprises. If you haven’t started yet, run—don’t walk—to your nearest bookstore and pick up the first book. I really can’t wait to see what Fort and Suze will be up to next.
I make it no secret that Generation V is one of my favorite urban fantasy series right now. I just love these books so much! Even if this latest installment did make me bawl my eyes out.
Normally, I’d be pretty resentful if anyone made me cry, but it’s entirely different when it comes to a book. In that case, it’s liable to earn itself at least an extra half star and a gushy review. What can I say, I just love it when my reading material appeals to my emotions. It’s a sign of good storytelling and character development, and I’m always excited to see what author M.L. Brennan will bring next for our underdog vampire protagonist Fortitude Scott and his partner Suzume Hollis the spunky kitsune.
Every Generation V book is a new surprise, and Dark Ascension might be the biggest and most important one yet. The winds of change are sweeping through Madeline Scott’s territory, and all the supernatural denizens within are bracing themselves for the inevitable outcome of the vampire matriarch’s failing health. Everyone is worried (and rightfully so) what would happen when her daughter, the psychotic and murderous Prudence takes over, but Fort is not about to let his Machiavellian older sister seize all that power without a fight. In the end though, the aging but still terrifyingly shrewd Madeline may be the one to surprise them all.
Dark Ascension follows a path that is very dissimilar to what we saw in the first three installments, and to be honest, to most urban fantasy arcs in general. It’s a very bold move by the author, but for what she’s attempting to do here, it works rather well. Instead of presenting us with a main problem that unifies the entire plot – like a paranormal crime to be solved by the characters over the course of the book, for example – the story is actually made of many different and smaller conflicts. And subsequently, all these conflicts come to together to form the big question: What will be become of Madeline Scott’s territory once she’s gone? The answers will have repercussions for the entire supernatural community, not to mention Madeline’s own children.
Once again, the Scott family dynamics are at the forefront, an element I find fascinating and that I look forward to seeing developed each time a new book comes out. I’m not sure what it says about me that I simply adore the fearsome and bloodthirsty Prudence, but it’s always nice to see her get a bigger role (though not as much as I thought she would). Needless to say, Fort’s more liberal way of thinking combined with his kind heart makes him the antithesis of his cruel, hard-edged sister. But that doesn’t mean they don’t love each other; it’s merely a love that few can understand. To paraphrase Fort, it’s not that Prudence is incapable of showing affection, just that she’s at her most terrifying when she actually tries. Between them in birth order and in ideology is also of course their brother Chivalry, whose moderate stance only leads to more gridlock whenever the siblings try to work together as a team. If anything though, I think this book only raised my regard for Chivalry, who of the three of them seems to be the most invested in honoring their mother’s wishes. I’ll admit it, I’m a sucker for the good son.
So where does this leave Fort? Well, on the one hand, I’m really impressed at the amount of growth he’s shown throughout the series, but in some ways he hasn’t changed at all. Despite being on his way to become a full-fledged vampire, Fort still underestimates his own value and puts himself in situations where people take advantage of his kindness. He’s also struggling with a serious case of denial when it comes to what he is, but probably not for much longer. Dark Ascension is a turning point where all sorts of changes are happening, and most of them are in our protagonist. Despite the relative lack of action and intrigue in this novel compared to the previous ones, here is where I saw Fort face his most difficult challenges yet.
Furthermore, there’s just so much delicious foreshadowing. Fort makes some great strides in Dark Ascension, and yet there’s still a piece of me bracing for the other shoe to drop. We’ve been told that he is “different” from his siblings, but what that truly means remains to be seen, and I’m very curious to find out what greater purpose Madeline had in mind for her youngest son when she decided to alter his upbringing. Fort has also spent most of his life trying to avoid the family business, but now it’s given him a new purpose. To what cost, though? Keeping in mind Suze’s analogy of the Peep in a microwave, will Fort’s good intentions end up biting him in the ass? Chivalry’s warning at the end is especially ominous. Fort’s heart may be in the right place, but he’s still going against the grand plan and breaking many promises by acting on his own. Isn’t this how corruption begins? By going against Madeline’s wishes, who’s actually bringing the greatest threat to her vision for the future?
I’m practically bursting with questions and anticipation for the next book. I know I’ve said it before but I’ll happily say it again and again: M.L. Brennan’s Generation V series is simply wonderful, featuring a unique world filled the most incredible and unique paranormal beings you’ll ever meet. Without a doubt, this is one of the most fun, refreshing and addictive urban fantasy series you can find on the shelves right now, with each book bringing a new adventure and plenty of surprises. If you haven’t started yet, run—don’t walk—to your nearest bookstore and pick up the first book. I really can’t wait to see what Fort and Suze will be up to next.
June 9, 2015
Guys, I'm going to be completely and utterly honest in this review ---
I loved this one. I loved this one so much that, if the law so permitted me, I might have to make an honest pile of printed pages of it and walk/carry it up the altar to whatever arbiter of divinity was willing to accept a moderate bribe in exchange for spiritually linking me to this manuscript.
But seriously.
There are things in this book that I've been waiting to do since Generation V. I've been dying to pull the trigger on a lot of things in this series -- and I got to cross a number of things off of my series wish-list. It was pretty thrilling to write this one, and I'm a bit proud.
I hope everyone enjoys it half as much as I did.
I loved this one. I loved this one so much that, if the law so permitted me, I might have to make an honest pile of printed pages of it and walk/carry it up the altar to whatever arbiter of divinity was willing to accept a moderate bribe in exchange for spiritually linking me to this manuscript.
But seriously.
There are things in this book that I've been waiting to do since Generation V. I've been dying to pull the trigger on a lot of things in this series -- and I got to cross a number of things off of my series wish-list. It was pretty thrilling to write this one, and I'm a bit proud.
I hope everyone enjoys it half as much as I did.
July 23, 2015
Mon avis en Français
My English review
I absolutely love this series and I always look forwards the release of each new volume. So as soon as the announcement of this fourth volume was made, I eagerly awaited the opportunity to read an ARC of Dark Ascension. And what a pleasure to have the chance to get into the story and to find out what M.L. Brennan had reserved for us!
I admit that by starting the novel, I did not expect to see such a turning point in this book. Yes, all the things initiated in the first volumes are finally completed here or at least some answers are given for a fresh new start.
We thus follow Fort, always equal to himself, and of course always accompanied by the beautiful Suzume who is now his girlfriend. It’s always nice to see the two evolving together. While Fort is quite discreet, Suzume does not hesitate to provoke and acts as she wishes. Yes, it’s really a treat to see them growing together. Fort is also very lucky to have her, because many events are going to stand in his way here. Oh yes, it really will not be easy for them. As the summary presents it and as we have seen it in the previous volume, the decline of his mother is not an easy thing for the land and for the creatures living there… Then Fort and his brother and sister will have to handle whatever is happening and it’s really not easy especially when you know the divergent nature of the characters. In addition to all this, we can find a political intrigue and everyone is strangely turning toward Fort instead of Prudence or his brother. You will then understand that everything is very complex and it is impossible for the three to agree and thus to make a decision. Yet the consequences of this failure may well be disastrous.
But that’s not all because Fort will also have to face the effects of his vampire change, increasingly present and that will change him more than he could think. This is really not easy to manage. Yet it was fascinating to see him evolving and changing during the course of history, to accept his fate and to try to move ahead.
M. L. Brennan presents once again a very good novel, many things that we were expecting are here but new ones are also added, opening many possibilities for the future and I’m really curious to see what will happen to our little family.
My English review
I absolutely love this series and I always look forwards the release of each new volume. So as soon as the announcement of this fourth volume was made, I eagerly awaited the opportunity to read an ARC of Dark Ascension. And what a pleasure to have the chance to get into the story and to find out what M.L. Brennan had reserved for us!
I admit that by starting the novel, I did not expect to see such a turning point in this book. Yes, all the things initiated in the first volumes are finally completed here or at least some answers are given for a fresh new start.
We thus follow Fort, always equal to himself, and of course always accompanied by the beautiful Suzume who is now his girlfriend. It’s always nice to see the two evolving together. While Fort is quite discreet, Suzume does not hesitate to provoke and acts as she wishes. Yes, it’s really a treat to see them growing together. Fort is also very lucky to have her, because many events are going to stand in his way here. Oh yes, it really will not be easy for them. As the summary presents it and as we have seen it in the previous volume, the decline of his mother is not an easy thing for the land and for the creatures living there… Then Fort and his brother and sister will have to handle whatever is happening and it’s really not easy especially when you know the divergent nature of the characters. In addition to all this, we can find a political intrigue and everyone is strangely turning toward Fort instead of Prudence or his brother. You will then understand that everything is very complex and it is impossible for the three to agree and thus to make a decision. Yet the consequences of this failure may well be disastrous.
But that’s not all because Fort will also have to face the effects of his vampire change, increasingly present and that will change him more than he could think. This is really not easy to manage. Yet it was fascinating to see him evolving and changing during the course of history, to accept his fate and to try to move ahead.
M. L. Brennan presents once again a very good novel, many things that we were expecting are here but new ones are also added, opening many possibilities for the future and I’m really curious to see what will happen to our little family.
Read
August 18, 2015Several years ago, the Paranormal Fantasy genre experienced a huge boost in popularity, with literally dozens of new titles being released every week. At that rate, it did not take long for the genre to become formulaic, and by now one would expect it to be quite dead, its life drained out of it by the countless imitators feeding from the same template, using the same conventions over and over again. But then, just as one believes the genre to be finally deceased for good, there is a twitching in the presumed corpse when someone comes up with a new and surprising twist and released a novel that breathes fresh life into tired tropes. M. L. Brennan’s debut novel Generation V was such a work, taking what is at heart a fairly simple concept but which enabled her to approach the genre from a new and original angle, opening up a whole new lot of possibilities.
What opens up those new perspectives in M. L. Brennan’s series of novels (of which Dark Ascension is the fourth of a planned six) is their protagonist who is most concisely described (in the author’s own words) as “slacker vampire.” Fortitude Scott, said protagonist and first-person narrator is the youngest member of the most powerful vampire clan in the United States, but he also is a very reluctant vampire, doing his best to distance himself from his family by keeping a vegetarian diet and working menial day jobs. Vampires in Brennan’s world are emphatically un-sparkly but usually ruthless, power-obsessed creatures, while Fortitude is basically a nice, average guy who just wants to live his life in peace and as far away as possible from his predatory family.
Which of course is not working out too well, and the way Fortitude (Fort, for short) is gradually drawn into its family’s power structure and forced to come t terms with his vampiric nature is the main focus of this series. The Scott family bears more than a passing resemblance to a supernatural Mafia clan, and the similarity to The Godfather is not lost on Fort (who used to study film theory) who in Dark Ascension compares himself to Michael Corleone at one point. A large part of the appeal of the series is that Fort is such an immensely likeable character, and M.L. Brennan manages very well to make the reader feel his dilemma, his reluctance to become even vaguely like his openly psychopathic sister and his despair at the inevitability of becoming a full vampire as well as his courage to still remain as human as he can in the face of his gradual transformation.
The world building is also very imaginative and Brennan manages to pull several unexpected twists on familiar supernatural races out of her hat. For her vampires, she apparently researched the behaviour of actual vampiric creatures like vampire bats with some surprising (and, as shown in this volume when Fort finally feeds on his first human, surprisingly hilarious) results. There are elves, fairies, ghouls and witches, none of them quite what one would expect from genre traditions but all with an original (and usually rather nasty twist, and there are kitsunes, most notably Fort’s partner and girlfriend Suzume who is a fascinating character in her own right.
The series manages to move from gritty and gruesome (occasionally even gross) to funny and frolicsome and back again, and to not only keep the reader pulled along with the plot but also emotionally involved; and it has managed to keep its quality and reading enjoyment at a consistently high level from the first installment to this fourth one. It seems to be one of those series which everyone who has read them loves – unfortunately, however, not that many people seem to have read it, and it seems likely that the publisher is going to drop the series and not release any more volumes after this one. Which is a pity; while Dark Ascension does offer some closure, with a lot of things happening that change the world Fort lives in fundamentally, there also are a lot of open questions which one would like to see answered. Not to mention that there aren’t all that many Paranormal Fantasy series of this calibre and it would be sad to see another end prematurely.
What opens up those new perspectives in M. L. Brennan’s series of novels (of which Dark Ascension is the fourth of a planned six) is their protagonist who is most concisely described (in the author’s own words) as “slacker vampire.” Fortitude Scott, said protagonist and first-person narrator is the youngest member of the most powerful vampire clan in the United States, but he also is a very reluctant vampire, doing his best to distance himself from his family by keeping a vegetarian diet and working menial day jobs. Vampires in Brennan’s world are emphatically un-sparkly but usually ruthless, power-obsessed creatures, while Fortitude is basically a nice, average guy who just wants to live his life in peace and as far away as possible from his predatory family.
Which of course is not working out too well, and the way Fortitude (Fort, for short) is gradually drawn into its family’s power structure and forced to come t terms with his vampiric nature is the main focus of this series. The Scott family bears more than a passing resemblance to a supernatural Mafia clan, and the similarity to The Godfather is not lost on Fort (who used to study film theory) who in Dark Ascension compares himself to Michael Corleone at one point. A large part of the appeal of the series is that Fort is such an immensely likeable character, and M.L. Brennan manages very well to make the reader feel his dilemma, his reluctance to become even vaguely like his openly psychopathic sister and his despair at the inevitability of becoming a full vampire as well as his courage to still remain as human as he can in the face of his gradual transformation.
The world building is also very imaginative and Brennan manages to pull several unexpected twists on familiar supernatural races out of her hat. For her vampires, she apparently researched the behaviour of actual vampiric creatures like vampire bats with some surprising (and, as shown in this volume when Fort finally feeds on his first human, surprisingly hilarious) results. There are elves, fairies, ghouls and witches, none of them quite what one would expect from genre traditions but all with an original (and usually rather nasty twist, and there are kitsunes, most notably Fort’s partner and girlfriend Suzume who is a fascinating character in her own right.
The series manages to move from gritty and gruesome (occasionally even gross) to funny and frolicsome and back again, and to not only keep the reader pulled along with the plot but also emotionally involved; and it has managed to keep its quality and reading enjoyment at a consistently high level from the first installment to this fourth one. It seems to be one of those series which everyone who has read them loves – unfortunately, however, not that many people seem to have read it, and it seems likely that the publisher is going to drop the series and not release any more volumes after this one. Which is a pity; while Dark Ascension does offer some closure, with a lot of things happening that change the world Fort lives in fundamentally, there also are a lot of open questions which one would like to see answered. Not to mention that there aren’t all that many Paranormal Fantasy series of this calibre and it would be sad to see another end prematurely.
August 14, 2017
Have you ever found a book that was a dead perfect fit for your mood? When I picked up Dark Ascension, I was still reeling from some incredibly depressing recent reads and just looking for something a little fluffy. Neither the title nor the cover of Dark Ascension gave me much confidence, but as soon as I started reading, I started smiling.
Fortitude Scott is cursed, and not just by his gawdawful first name. Fort is a vampire, and a scion of the powerful vampire who rules the entire supernatural world in the northeast. Fort is, to say the least, conflicted about his family and their tactics, particularly the kill-first-and-ask-questions-never methodology of his sister, Prudence. He's happy enough living with his (literally) ghoulish roommate and working nights at a karaoke bar, even if he's heard enough Bon Jovi for a lifetime. But with his mother, the matriarch of the vampires, quickly fading, Fort is suddenly faced with the hardest task of his life: getting along with his sister.
Despite the title, Dark Ascent is one of the best examples of "feel-good" urban fantasy I've found in a while. Sure, bad things happen, but there's this inexplicable layer of niceness over it that, while it doesn't minimize the bad stuff, keeps the book heartwarming despite it all. The plot itself moves at a measured pace as Fort tries to get adjusted to the changes in his life, and I enjoyed every minute of it, from a pack of kitsune teaming up to trick everyone at the karaoke bar to sing Bieber songs to Fort's blood-drinking experimentations. There's even a psychotic Bichon Frise. There's enough pathos to keep the plot moving, and Fort's frustrations with his siblings are practically tangible, but even so, the book never lost its feel-good aura. Part of this was due to Fort and his superhuman levels of optimism. Take his reaction to a late-night emergency meeting at a skeevy diner:
Fort is pretty much a teddy bear. If anything, he's a little too bleeding-heart to feel genuine, but even though I tend to hate too-perfect characters, I found Fort incredibly likeable nonetheless, possibly because his frustration at his own impotence feels so genuine. As Suze notes, Fort is
And that brings me to Suze, Fort's kitsune girlfriend and a wonderful character in her own right. Suze is a wacky firebrand with no concept of tact or consequences. The interactions between Fort and Suze were simply hilarious, from their Christmas gifts to one another (he gets her a "What Does the Fox Say" t-shirt; she hires someone to steal his car and take it to a shop to fix the radio) to her very literal interpretation of a request to "watch the ham" (she watches while it burns) to her very special gift after Fort starts teething--but hey, at least it's not a terrycloth ice-cube-holding octopus, so it could be worse. (Yes, this actually comes up in the book.) And then there's her idea of an after-fight make-up gift:
I could probably keep quoting this book all night, but long story short, if you're ever in the mood for a fun, funny, heartwarming bit of vampire-laced urban fantasy, you have to give this book a try. As for me, now I know what series to turn to when I need a feel-good urban fantasy.
~~I received this ebook through Netgalley from the publisher, Penguin, in exchange for an honest review. Quotes were taken from an advanced reader copy and while they may not reflect the final phrasing, I believe they speak to the spirit of the novel as a whole.~~
Fortitude Scott is cursed, and not just by his gawdawful first name. Fort is a vampire, and a scion of the powerful vampire who rules the entire supernatural world in the northeast. Fort is, to say the least, conflicted about his family and their tactics, particularly the kill-first-and-ask-questions-never methodology of his sister, Prudence. He's happy enough living with his (literally) ghoulish roommate and working nights at a karaoke bar, even if he's heard enough Bon Jovi for a lifetime. But with his mother, the matriarch of the vampires, quickly fading, Fort is suddenly faced with the hardest task of his life: getting along with his sister.
Despite the title, Dark Ascent is one of the best examples of "feel-good" urban fantasy I've found in a while. Sure, bad things happen, but there's this inexplicable layer of niceness over it that, while it doesn't minimize the bad stuff, keeps the book heartwarming despite it all. The plot itself moves at a measured pace as Fort tries to get adjusted to the changes in his life, and I enjoyed every minute of it, from a pack of kitsune teaming up to trick everyone at the karaoke bar to sing Bieber songs to Fort's blood-drinking experimentations. There's even a psychotic Bichon Frise. There's enough pathos to keep the plot moving, and Fort's frustrations with his siblings are practically tangible, but even so, the book never lost its feel-good aura. Part of this was due to Fort and his superhuman levels of optimism. Take his reaction to a late-night emergency meeting at a skeevy diner:
"When it comes down to it, twenty-four hour diners are wonderful, because where else can you walk in and get French toast at any hour of the day? If nuclear fallout ever ended up happening, my plan was to hole up in a twenty-four-hour diner and just eat French toast."
Fort is pretty much a teddy bear. If anything, he's a little too bleeding-heart to feel genuine, but even though I tend to hate too-perfect characters, I found Fort incredibly likeable nonetheless, possibly because his frustration at his own impotence feels so genuine. As Suze notes, Fort is
"A marshmallow Peep in the microwave of the world."
And that brings me to Suze, Fort's kitsune girlfriend and a wonderful character in her own right. Suze is a wacky firebrand with no concept of tact or consequences. The interactions between Fort and Suze were simply hilarious, from their Christmas gifts to one another (he gets her a "What Does the Fox Say" t-shirt; she hires someone to steal his car and take it to a shop to fix the radio) to her very literal interpretation of a request to "watch the ham" (she watches while it burns) to her very special gift after Fort starts teething--but hey, at least it's not a terrycloth ice-cube-holding octopus, so it could be worse. (Yes, this actually comes up in the book.) And then there's her idea of an after-fight make-up gift:
"You climbed a tree and broke into my room this morning, didn't you?"
Her smile widened.
"You climbed a tree, broke into my room, kidnapped one of my sweaters...all to surprise me with--oh, shit, what else did you do?"
I could probably keep quoting this book all night, but long story short, if you're ever in the mood for a fun, funny, heartwarming bit of vampire-laced urban fantasy, you have to give this book a try. As for me, now I know what series to turn to when I need a feel-good urban fantasy.
~~I received this ebook through Netgalley from the publisher, Penguin, in exchange for an honest review. Quotes were taken from an advanced reader copy and while they may not reflect the final phrasing, I believe they speak to the spirit of the novel as a whole.~~
January 11, 2016
4 books in, and I have finally figured out what bothered me about Fort from the beginning, more so than his being a beta male and punishing himself by the way he lives.
Fort is willfully ignorant. Not stupid - he is capable of quick analytical thought. Surrounded by all sorts of opportunites to learn, grown, and find a way out of his predicament, he drowns himself in lies, delusions, fantasy, and wishful thinking. He knows nothing - and refuses to learn anything - about himself, the supernatural, life around him, political theory, history, current events, or anything useful. Surrounded with every opportunity to rebel, break free, or conform, he chooses to live in a fantasy land, whining about life, but refusing to do anything about it except mope like a sulky tween.
The discontinuity between his repeated willful stupidity and his problem solving skills (see previous books) has ruined my suspension of disbelief. No one this callow, immature, and self absorbed could possibly be this effective at dealing with supernatural threats. Or at getting and keeping such a kick ass girlfriend.
Suzume is the only reason I finished the first book, and the only reason I keep reading. Fort and his family are so one dimensional as to be little more than plot devices.
Fort is willfully ignorant. Not stupid - he is capable of quick analytical thought. Surrounded by all sorts of opportunites to learn, grown, and find a way out of his predicament, he drowns himself in lies, delusions, fantasy, and wishful thinking. He knows nothing - and refuses to learn anything - about himself, the supernatural, life around him, political theory, history, current events, or anything useful. Surrounded with every opportunity to rebel, break free, or conform, he chooses to live in a fantasy land, whining about life, but refusing to do anything about it except mope like a sulky tween.
The discontinuity between his repeated willful stupidity and his problem solving skills (see previous books) has ruined my suspension of disbelief. No one this callow, immature, and self absorbed could possibly be this effective at dealing with supernatural threats. Or at getting and keeping such a kick ass girlfriend.
Suzume is the only reason I finished the first book, and the only reason I keep reading. Fort and his family are so one dimensional as to be little more than plot devices.
August 18, 2015
3.5 stars. The end felt a little rushed and anti climactic and there was no mystery this time round. I would have liked more shock and awe with Fort's transition and the showdown with Prudence but I still really enjoyed it and I can definitely understand why the author wrote it the way she did. I really liked the siblings interactions in this and I'm looking forward to more of their complex relationship. I even like Prudence! Or I should say I can understand and sympathize with her POV.
March 6, 2016
Is this the last book, is it??? *goes to stalk Brennan's page*
Omg, there is no word! Nooooo! The books are there, but *sadness* It's not the first time a publisher has axed a series. I just felt more could be done in this world...
Because, his mum is dying. His sister is a sociopath, his brother is too nice at times. There is that whole empire to deal with. And he still is not a true vampire.
Story, we meet the bears again. There are a few succubi to be dealt with. His romance with Suzume is going well (she is really cool btw).
And dang, srsl? Why is ROC thinking, they should def publish more. Sure it did not live up to the awesome of book 1, but it was still good. And made me want more.
Omg, there is no word! Nooooo! The books are there, but *sadness* It's not the first time a publisher has axed a series. I just felt more could be done in this world...
Because, his mum is dying. His sister is a sociopath, his brother is too nice at times. There is that whole empire to deal with. And he still is not a true vampire.
Story, we meet the bears again. There are a few succubi to be dealt with. His romance with Suzume is going well (she is really cool btw).
And dang, srsl? Why is ROC thinking, they should def publish more. Sure it did not live up to the awesome of book 1, but it was still good. And made me want more.
August 13, 2015
Jos jedno brzo stivo :)
Prica kao prica je dosta slaba iako se dosta znacajnog desava uovoj knjizi. Nego fokus ko i ranije ostaje na likovima i njihovoj interakciji.
I naravno rastu i razvoju glavnog lika koji se jedini znacajnije menja, mada ima smisla kroz pricu da su ostali likova malo stabilniji.
sta drugo reci sem ako ste citali prethodne knjige nastavite dalje, meni zabavno.
Prica kao prica je dosta slaba iako se dosta znacajnog desava uovoj knjizi. Nego fokus ko i ranije ostaje na likovima i njihovoj interakciji.
I naravno rastu i razvoju glavnog lika koji se jedini znacajnije menja, mada ima smisla kroz pricu da su ostali likova malo stabilniji.
sta drugo reci sem ako ste citali prethodne knjige nastavite dalje, meni zabavno.
January 8, 2016
** YES, SPOILERS. READ WITH CAUTION **
3.75 stars rounded up
Dark Ascension, M.L. Brennan's fourth installment in Generation V series feels like a bridge to lay down the fundamentals for Fortitude Scott's future as one major event happens here: Madeline Scott's death.
As the vampire leader of a territory that stretched from New Jersey’s border with Pennsylvania up into southern Québec as well as Fort's sole source of blood, Madeline's death changes everything.
First, the leadership. Madeline stated that she would have no sole heir, meaning that the authority is now divided equally between Fort and his siblings: Prudence and Chivalry. This brings a lot of tension because Fort and Prudence have a totally different way of approaching thing. Prudence will always resort to violence -- she wants to make sure that vampire is the ruler and willing to wipe away others to achieve that. While Fort, with his bleeding heart, has always been more prone towards compromises. Chivalry, on the other hand, prefers everything to be in status quo.
Second, Fort's vampire status -- with Madeline's death, he finally needs to do what he always tries to avoid. Fort needs to take the step to be a full vampire (for that, he needs to kill his host father -- and MY GOD that moment was chilling!!) and drinks human blood.
I found the journey of Fort handling these changes to be interesting -- Fort definitely cannot go back to who he was before. He has new responsibilities, new challenges, and dealing with violent Prudence will not be easy. I also enjoyed the way Fort navigating his relationship with Suzume -- after all, she is a kitsune, a fox first then human rather than the other way around.
The ending of this book clearly prepares readers that there will be trouble ahead. I don't think Prudence will let Fort get away with the 'coup' that easily. It would be a show down and I am genuinely concerned with the result. Especially since Brennan doesn't seem to hold back on the hard stuffs (for example Fort killing Henry, his host father, or the annihilation of the succubi group).I believe there will at least be two more books and I am sure that Brennan has something up her sleeve...
Edited to add:
Apparently while Brennan outlined this series for six books but the publisher decided not to continue. No contract for book five and six. Which means as of now, this is the FINAL book of this series *sad*
3.75 stars rounded up
Dark Ascension, M.L. Brennan's fourth installment in Generation V series feels like a bridge to lay down the fundamentals for Fortitude Scott's future as one major event happens here: Madeline Scott's death.
As the vampire leader of a territory that stretched from New Jersey’s border with Pennsylvania up into southern Québec as well as Fort's sole source of blood, Madeline's death changes everything.
First, the leadership. Madeline stated that she would have no sole heir, meaning that the authority is now divided equally between Fort and his siblings: Prudence and Chivalry. This brings a lot of tension because Fort and Prudence have a totally different way of approaching thing. Prudence will always resort to violence -- she wants to make sure that vampire is the ruler and willing to wipe away others to achieve that. While Fort, with his bleeding heart, has always been more prone towards compromises. Chivalry, on the other hand, prefers everything to be in status quo.
Second, Fort's vampire status -- with Madeline's death, he finally needs to do what he always tries to avoid. Fort needs to take the step to be a full vampire (for that, he needs to kill his host father -- and MY GOD that moment was chilling!!) and drinks human blood.
I found the journey of Fort handling these changes to be interesting -- Fort definitely cannot go back to who he was before. He has new responsibilities, new challenges, and dealing with violent Prudence will not be easy. I also enjoyed the way Fort navigating his relationship with Suzume -- after all, she is a kitsune, a fox first then human rather than the other way around.
The ending of this book clearly prepares readers that there will be trouble ahead. I don't think Prudence will let Fort get away with the 'coup' that easily. It would be a show down and I am genuinely concerned with the result. Especially since Brennan doesn't seem to hold back on the hard stuffs (for example Fort killing Henry, his host father, or the annihilation of the succubi group).
Edited to add:
Apparently while Brennan outlined this series for six books but the publisher decided not to continue. No contract for book five and six. Which means as of now, this is the FINAL book of this series *sad*
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 20, 2015
**I received this book for free from (Publisher) via (NetGalley) in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.**
*Genre* Urban Fantasy
*Rating* 3.5
*My Thoughts*
Dark Ascension is the fourth installment in the Generation V series by author M.L. Brennan. Protagonist Fortitude (Fort) Scott faces a transitionary period of his life that will either break him into pieces, or make him a powerful entity to deal with. As the supernatural community in Madeline's territory holds their breath to see what happens upon her passing, Fort's previous alliances and promises he's made finally come home to roost in a major way.
*Full Review Posted @ Gizmos Reviews*
http://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/201...
*Recvd 06/29/2015 via NetGalley* Published: August 4th 2015 by Roc
*Genre* Urban Fantasy
*Rating* 3.5
*My Thoughts*
Dark Ascension is the fourth installment in the Generation V series by author M.L. Brennan. Protagonist Fortitude (Fort) Scott faces a transitionary period of his life that will either break him into pieces, or make him a powerful entity to deal with. As the supernatural community in Madeline's territory holds their breath to see what happens upon her passing, Fort's previous alliances and promises he's made finally come home to roost in a major way.
*Full Review Posted @ Gizmos Reviews*
http://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/201...
*Recvd 06/29/2015 via NetGalley* Published: August 4th 2015 by Roc
August 27, 2015
This series has become a favorite, and this book was every bit as good as the first three! I love the characters and the unique version of vampires.
Full Review: http://www.fantasybookcafe.com/2015/0...
Full Review: http://www.fantasybookcafe.com/2015/0...
August 26, 2015
Review courtesy of All Things Urban Fantasy.
Starting this review has been a bit difficult. Mainly because I just want to say, if you are not reading the Generation V series, you need to get on that. With DARK ASCENSION, book four in the series, the characters are at a crossroads and Brennan handles it with aplomb, demonstrating the great writing that is one thing I love about this series.
DARK ASCENSION takes our cast of complex characters through so much. I laughed, (oh boy did I ever laugh), I cried, I was amazed! With slightly less of an episodic feel, there wasn't a particular "main" mystery that Fort and Suzume were focused on resolving this time around. Instead, Brennan takes a lot of different elements, swirls them altogether, and makes a book that carries the overarching plot of the series forward very well. Though you don't necessarily have to be familiar with the previous three books in the series, I would recommend it for the full enjoyment of DARK ASCENSION.
One thing I am sure I've mentioned before, but I'll mention again, is that it is amazing how Brennan can take characters that in other books might be the bad guys, and turn them into sympathetic, multi-dimensional characters. My love for Prudence, who tends to solve all problems with mass murder, is one example of this feat. Plus, all the changes in Fort's life that practically force him to grow up and face the music this time around are done very well. Fort has really, clearly, grown over the four books of the series, and doesn't remain a stagnant character, something which is very important in an on-going series.
So, again, if you aren't reading the Generation V series, you are definitely missing out. As DARK ASCENSION is my favorite yet, I can't recommend the series enough! With its atypical vampire mythos, its great, complex characters and captivating plot, this is definitely a rewarding reading experience. Here's hoping for more of the same in book five!
Sexual content: Kissing, implied sexual situations
Starting this review has been a bit difficult. Mainly because I just want to say, if you are not reading the Generation V series, you need to get on that. With DARK ASCENSION, book four in the series, the characters are at a crossroads and Brennan handles it with aplomb, demonstrating the great writing that is one thing I love about this series.
DARK ASCENSION takes our cast of complex characters through so much. I laughed, (oh boy did I ever laugh), I cried, I was amazed! With slightly less of an episodic feel, there wasn't a particular "main" mystery that Fort and Suzume were focused on resolving this time around. Instead, Brennan takes a lot of different elements, swirls them altogether, and makes a book that carries the overarching plot of the series forward very well. Though you don't necessarily have to be familiar with the previous three books in the series, I would recommend it for the full enjoyment of DARK ASCENSION.
One thing I am sure I've mentioned before, but I'll mention again, is that it is amazing how Brennan can take characters that in other books might be the bad guys, and turn them into sympathetic, multi-dimensional characters. My love for Prudence, who tends to solve all problems with mass murder, is one example of this feat. Plus, all the changes in Fort's life that practically force him to grow up and face the music this time around are done very well. Fort has really, clearly, grown over the four books of the series, and doesn't remain a stagnant character, something which is very important in an on-going series.
So, again, if you aren't reading the Generation V series, you are definitely missing out. As DARK ASCENSION is my favorite yet, I can't recommend the series enough! With its atypical vampire mythos, its great, complex characters and captivating plot, this is definitely a rewarding reading experience. Here's hoping for more of the same in book five!
Sexual content: Kissing, implied sexual situations
August 5, 2015
Originally posted at The Bookaholic Cat
Dark Ascension is the fourth book in the Generation V series by M.L. Brennan.
The blurb explains pretty well what Dark Ascension is about, so I won’t go into detail about the story. What I can say is that in this installment something I truly believe in happened to Fort, and that is that when you don’t make decisions, life makes them for you, and sometimes the outcome of those is not what you were expecting.
One thing I love about this series is that the characters really grow and transform throughout the pages/books. I love to see them evolving and accepting their circumstances and when they can’t accept them doing something to change them. In this installment Fort has to deal with the inevitable and with the consequences all that will bring into his life. It was good to see him coming to terms with his destiny and accepting his new responsibilities without changing what makes him so unique and special.
Dark Ascension is a book in which some relationships are strengthened and others are tested. It’s also a book about transitions, changes and uncertainties.
There is not a lot of action in this installment; Dark Ascension is more about intrigues, politics and planning for a future in a new era. Despite the calmness of the story, if I can call it that, Dark Ascension kept me glued to the pages wanting to know what was coming next. The end is not a cliffhanger per se; it’s more of an opening to new and hopefully, better things to come. I can’t wait to see which are those and how are they going to affect Fort, Suzume, and the Scott family as a whole.
Dark Ascension is a great addition to an excellent series and one I recommend to urban fantasy fans. I also recommend reading these books in order.
Dark Ascension is the fourth book in the Generation V series by M.L. Brennan.
The blurb explains pretty well what Dark Ascension is about, so I won’t go into detail about the story. What I can say is that in this installment something I truly believe in happened to Fort, and that is that when you don’t make decisions, life makes them for you, and sometimes the outcome of those is not what you were expecting.
One thing I love about this series is that the characters really grow and transform throughout the pages/books. I love to see them evolving and accepting their circumstances and when they can’t accept them doing something to change them. In this installment Fort has to deal with the inevitable and with the consequences all that will bring into his life. It was good to see him coming to terms with his destiny and accepting his new responsibilities without changing what makes him so unique and special.
Dark Ascension is a book in which some relationships are strengthened and others are tested. It’s also a book about transitions, changes and uncertainties.
There is not a lot of action in this installment; Dark Ascension is more about intrigues, politics and planning for a future in a new era. Despite the calmness of the story, if I can call it that, Dark Ascension kept me glued to the pages wanting to know what was coming next. The end is not a cliffhanger per se; it’s more of an opening to new and hopefully, better things to come. I can’t wait to see which are those and how are they going to affect Fort, Suzume, and the Scott family as a whole.
Dark Ascension is a great addition to an excellent series and one I recommend to urban fantasy fans. I also recommend reading these books in order.
August 13, 2015
This is a transitional book, in more than one sense. While previous books had one main storyline and group of bad guys, this one is comprised of multiple smaller incidents and storylines that highlight and even spur some major changes in Fort's life. At times it makes for a less cohesive and exciting book, but it nevertheless is an important and pivotal book for the series.
I've enjoyed this series from the start. While Fort at first essentially was a doormat and in complete denial of who and what he was, he has grown tremendously over the course of the last few books and, not surprisingly, has developed some of the fortitude for which he was named. In this book, those changes are especially apparent and very much for the better. His relationships with his family, with Suze, and with the other supernatural denizens of his family's territory all evolve and mature, and those changes, especially those toward the end of the book, promise plenty of excitement and conflict in future books.
Suze remains awesome, even with and perhaps especially because of her unique and non-human approach to life. Her and Fort's frequent dry humor continue to make this series downright fun to read. With the changes heralded by the events in this book, I look forward to the next ones in the series.
I've enjoyed this series from the start. While Fort at first essentially was a doormat and in complete denial of who and what he was, he has grown tremendously over the course of the last few books and, not surprisingly, has developed some of the fortitude for which he was named. In this book, those changes are especially apparent and very much for the better. His relationships with his family, with Suze, and with the other supernatural denizens of his family's territory all evolve and mature, and those changes, especially those toward the end of the book, promise plenty of excitement and conflict in future books.
Suze remains awesome, even with and perhaps especially because of her unique and non-human approach to life. Her and Fort's frequent dry humor continue to make this series downright fun to read. With the changes heralded by the events in this book, I look forward to the next ones in the series.
September 15, 2015
This is was a good series with a very different take on Vampires that I enjoyed. According to the author's website there was going to be 6 books in the Fortitude Scott series. She has, however, just announced that this will be the last book in the series because its not selling as well as anticipated.
As a novel in an ongoing series I enjoyed this book. As the final book.....I was underwhelmed. It left me with a feeling of a story uncompleted. Just as Fort was getting REALLY interesting it all grinds suddenly to a halt. The character development has been slow in these books, though thankfully it has been steadily forwards. Romance and sex don't dominate the stories which has made it a nice change of pace from most vampire books but I am frankly annoyed as a reader to know there could have been 2 more books to completely round this story out and I'm not going to get them.
As a novel in an ongoing series I enjoyed this book. As the final book.....I was underwhelmed. It left me with a feeling of a story uncompleted. Just as Fort was getting REALLY interesting it all grinds suddenly to a halt. The character development has been slow in these books, though thankfully it has been steadily forwards. Romance and sex don't dominate the stories which has made it a nice change of pace from most vampire books but I am frankly annoyed as a reader to know there could have been 2 more books to completely round this story out and I'm not going to get them.
September 8, 2015
Two important events in this story, leading to some huge changes in this world. Although Fort still shows a bit of immature ignorance as to the vampire/supernatural world he belongs to, he is finally learning to deal with the hand he has drawn in life. And his family...think Dynasty with fangs and bloody violence. This book is definitely a transition to the series going in a new direction. I can't wait.
Thanks to Linda for turning me on to this series, and the other thing.
Thanks to Linda for turning me on to this series, and the other thing.
September 7, 2015
Fantasy Review Barn
Nice to see the author refuse to get complacent within her setting. A shake up book that should keep the series fresh.
Nice to see the author refuse to get complacent within her setting. A shake up book that should keep the series fresh.
February 14, 2016
When I found out that Dark Ascension may very well be the last book of the Generation V series, my first response was immediate dismay and much mental anguished cries of 'arrrrrrrrrrrrrgh!! WHY! I need me more Fort and Suzume and Chivalry and Prudence and dysfunctional vampiric siblings interactions!'
Then, after a cold glass of chocolate milk to settle down, I started thinking actually, okay, this may not be a bad thing and I can live with Dark Ascension being the last in the series.
Don't get me wrong, I loved Gen V since picking the first book up in the library and skipping to the automated book loan machine without any high expectations because, well, of the cover. The cover depicting the masculine epitome of a brooding, smoldering, broad-shouldered vampire hottie (which I assume the publisher did it to appeal to the legions of Eric Northman fans out there) and of which I'm frankly quite tired of.
True Blood akin novels with hotter than hot or tragic as hell vampire hunks or werewolves or mermen or mutant hybrids involved in quadruple love triangles with the invariable sexy and sassy, kick-ass heroines (although Suzume falls into this stereotypical category but at least she's practical and hard-headed and there are no unnecessary love triangles to be had) are aplenty out there in the urban fantasy market nowadays. But the blurb of slacker, vegetarian and failing, well-meaning Fortitude Scott was so at odds with that Eric Northman-ish posed model that I thought I will probably adore this book. And I was right.
Which is why Dark Ascension as the last book to a fabulously funny and quirky series may not be a bad thing. Despite finally making the transition to full-blooded bloodsucker, Fort is never going to be a great leader, maybe just a barely good one, because he is not wise. He is still kind, he is still a movie buff and obviously of the superhero genre fan, he is still a sweet, insecure doormat and readers still love him because these traits make him different from the other Eric Northman wannabe vampires. But they are also his flaws when it comes to governing Madeleine's subjects. He just wants everyone to have pizza, that Fort. Prudence has a mile-wide streak of ruthlessness and cruelty that might be needed to rule but with none of Fort's morality and optimism to temper it so she's definitely out too. As for Chivalry, while I love his character almost as much as Fort, being a constant fence sitter isn't going to get decisions, bad or good, made. And he'll be a wreck when one of his wives die. Again. Let's face it, none of Madeleine Scott's kids are going to be able to keep any peace or have any treaties made through necessary and sometimes hard decisions in her kingdom. So maybe this succession thing will be resolved in the last planned 2 books of the series. Or maybe not. Since Ms Brennan did mention in an interview that the first line of the planned Book 5 was to be 'Democracy sucks'. Hur.
One of the things that drew me to Gen V was Fort and Chivalry's brotherly relationship. Because Chivalry's affection for his little baby brother is so darn awwwwww inducing and as dorkily adorable as his worship of his wives is creepy. In Dark Ascension, Fort at one point thinks of sending a selfie to Chivalry because of a very well-tied tie and then decides not to because Chivalry would probably print the pic and carry it in his wallet (awwwwwwwwwwww! darn!). Which was why Tainted Blood had left me a bit cold as Chivalry's preoccupation with his dying wife caused significantly lesser interactions between the two of them.
And Fort's quest to provide a welfare state and pizzas for the less fortunate of his mother's subjects, admirable in its nobility but hard to execute in what is technically a feudal Old Europe kingdom, is already driving a thin, thin wedge between himself and Chivalry. How long would Chivalry's love for his stubborn baby bro last if Fort continues to try and force change down his siblings' throats without trying to compromise at least a little with Prudence, and not just on pornographic staircases?
Plus I have this sneaking suspicion and persistent paranoia, hah!, that the author could be planning a great big reveal where Chivalry isn't as fence sitting as he appears and turns out to be a great big baddie who actually directed Prudence in many of her atrocious acts (all the hints that not just Fort is created differently but so is Chivalry, to a lesser extent).
That being said, if by some miracle, Gen V continues with a book 5 and a 6, I'll still be ecstatic! And pray that Fort will see more character growth and be less of a bleeding heart and Chivalry would still want to put selfies of Fort in his wallet.
Then, after a cold glass of chocolate milk to settle down, I started thinking actually, okay, this may not be a bad thing and I can live with Dark Ascension being the last in the series.
Don't get me wrong, I loved Gen V since picking the first book up in the library and skipping to the automated book loan machine without any high expectations because, well, of the cover. The cover depicting the masculine epitome of a brooding, smoldering, broad-shouldered vampire hottie (which I assume the publisher did it to appeal to the legions of Eric Northman fans out there) and of which I'm frankly quite tired of.
True Blood akin novels with hotter than hot or tragic as hell vampire hunks or werewolves or mermen or mutant hybrids involved in quadruple love triangles with the invariable sexy and sassy, kick-ass heroines (although Suzume falls into this stereotypical category but at least she's practical and hard-headed and there are no unnecessary love triangles to be had) are aplenty out there in the urban fantasy market nowadays. But the blurb of slacker, vegetarian and failing, well-meaning Fortitude Scott was so at odds with that Eric Northman-ish posed model that I thought I will probably adore this book. And I was right.
Which is why Dark Ascension as the last book to a fabulously funny and quirky series may not be a bad thing. Despite finally making the transition to full-blooded bloodsucker, Fort is never going to be a great leader, maybe just a barely good one, because he is not wise. He is still kind, he is still a movie buff and obviously of the superhero genre fan, he is still a sweet, insecure doormat and readers still love him because these traits make him different from the other Eric Northman wannabe vampires. But they are also his flaws when it comes to governing Madeleine's subjects. He just wants everyone to have pizza, that Fort. Prudence has a mile-wide streak of ruthlessness and cruelty that might be needed to rule but with none of Fort's morality and optimism to temper it so she's definitely out too. As for Chivalry, while I love his character almost as much as Fort, being a constant fence sitter isn't going to get decisions, bad or good, made. And he'll be a wreck when one of his wives die. Again. Let's face it, none of Madeleine Scott's kids are going to be able to keep any peace or have any treaties made through necessary and sometimes hard decisions in her kingdom. So maybe this succession thing will be resolved in the last planned 2 books of the series. Or maybe not. Since Ms Brennan did mention in an interview that the first line of the planned Book 5 was to be 'Democracy sucks'. Hur.
One of the things that drew me to Gen V was Fort and Chivalry's brotherly relationship. Because Chivalry's affection for his little baby brother is so darn awwwwww inducing and as dorkily adorable as his worship of his wives is creepy. In Dark Ascension, Fort at one point thinks of sending a selfie to Chivalry because of a very well-tied tie and then decides not to because Chivalry would probably print the pic and carry it in his wallet (awwwwwwwwwwww! darn!). Which was why Tainted Blood had left me a bit cold as Chivalry's preoccupation with his dying wife caused significantly lesser interactions between the two of them.
And Fort's quest to provide a welfare state and pizzas for the less fortunate of his mother's subjects, admirable in its nobility but hard to execute in what is technically a feudal Old Europe kingdom, is already driving a thin, thin wedge between himself and Chivalry. How long would Chivalry's love for his stubborn baby bro last if Fort continues to try and force change down his siblings' throats without trying to compromise at least a little with Prudence, and not just on pornographic staircases?
Plus I have this sneaking suspicion and persistent paranoia, hah!, that the author could be planning a great big reveal where Chivalry isn't as fence sitting as he appears and turns out to be a great big baddie who actually directed Prudence in many of her atrocious acts (all the hints that not just Fort is created differently but so is Chivalry, to a lesser extent).
That being said, if by some miracle, Gen V continues with a book 5 and a 6, I'll still be ecstatic! And pray that Fort will see more character growth and be less of a bleeding heart and Chivalry would still want to put selfies of Fort in his wallet.
August 10, 2015
I consider Generation V to be the saving grace of Urban Fantasy genre. It brought back the humor, wit, and naivety of protagonists usually thrown into circumstances for which they are quite unprepared and unsuited for. The series as a whole has so many positive aspects, an abundance of charm and excellent and original world-building not the least among them, that I do not feel the need to even try to number them all and all that goes for the fourth book in the series as well.
But, Dark Ascension has a serious flaw. Nothing really happens.
Well, that's not exactly true. The life of our protagonist is drastically changed and he find himself in completely new circumstances, but this is where things that were charmingly naive in the past books become not really believable and the reader starts to have some serious doubts about some aspects of the plot.
But that is the lesser problem.
Dark Ascension feels almost like the first half, or even the first third, of a larger book. It's just an introduction to the new world order (of our hero, at least) and the climactic conclusion is anything but. In some ways, the author tried to achieve the same thing as Butcher did in Changes, but she failed to succeed in that. This novel is more like a lesser episode in Fort's life than the chronicle of the most important moment so far - and the latter should be more present in the writing. Although Brennan tries for the grittier style, she pulls the stops at few grim scenes, and then continues in the old vein. In my opinion, that was the mistake that her editor should have caught.
I am usually not this harsh in my reviews, but I really feel that M. L. Brennan is at the moment the best author in the field after Jim Butcher and I would hate to see her loose the edge.
In a way, this would be a quite good novel if we could expect another one at the end of the year, but I find that not likely.
But, Dark Ascension has a serious flaw. Nothing really happens.
Well, that's not exactly true. The life of our protagonist is drastically changed and he find himself in completely new circumstances, but this is where things that were charmingly naive in the past books become not really believable and the reader starts to have some serious doubts about some aspects of the plot.
But that is the lesser problem.
Dark Ascension feels almost like the first half, or even the first third, of a larger book. It's just an introduction to the new world order (of our hero, at least) and the climactic conclusion is anything but. In some ways, the author tried to achieve the same thing as Butcher did in Changes, but she failed to succeed in that. This novel is more like a lesser episode in Fort's life than the chronicle of the most important moment so far - and the latter should be more present in the writing. Although Brennan tries for the grittier style, she pulls the stops at few grim scenes, and then continues in the old vein. In my opinion, that was the mistake that her editor should have caught.
I am usually not this harsh in my reviews, but I really feel that M. L. Brennan is at the moment the best author in the field after Jim Butcher and I would hate to see her loose the edge.
In a way, this would be a quite good novel if we could expect another one at the end of the year, but I find that not likely.
May 17, 2018
A good ending to the series, bringing up the immediate concerns that Fort has been having through the past few books, but leaving this open ending of the future to come.
Everything is coming to a head as Fort's mother, Madeline, nears death. Everyone in the territory knows that it means change is coming and Fort is involved enough now to see these changes coming. Not only that but losing his mother means that Fort will finally have to make that final step in becoming a vampire, and the fears of what those changes will mean are still there.
It was really a book of making that last step into 'adulthood' in a way. Fort has always distanced himself from his family but now everything about them is front and center. He has to commit himself to the territory and also to what he wants for it. This really puts through his choices on that in a concrete way. It is also about him figuring out how he will be as an adult vampire (even if he isn't fully matured yet, and those teething things are hilarious).
The story really packs a lot into the last little bit. In the final thirty pages there is so much happening that you are practically holding your breath with how everything will work out. But in a way the ending is very open. Though choices have been made and things set up, there is still so much future left, not a concrete ending. After all, Fort is going to live for many more centuries. As his family points out he won't even truly mature until he is around fifty years old, a time when he will also truly start to see the changes between himself and the world. But the idea in the ending is that the future is not a set concrete path and can be fluid. This has really been Fort's fear the whole time, that in being a vampire his path and behaviour was set, so having this ending made sense in that it shows what Fort has chosen and how the future is never set.
A great ending for such a unique and exciting little supernatural series I would highly recommend reading this series!
Everything is coming to a head as Fort's mother, Madeline, nears death. Everyone in the territory knows that it means change is coming and Fort is involved enough now to see these changes coming. Not only that but losing his mother means that Fort will finally have to make that final step in becoming a vampire, and the fears of what those changes will mean are still there.
It was really a book of making that last step into 'adulthood' in a way. Fort has always distanced himself from his family but now everything about them is front and center. He has to commit himself to the territory and also to what he wants for it. This really puts through his choices on that in a concrete way. It is also about him figuring out how he will be as an adult vampire (even if he isn't fully matured yet, and those teething things are hilarious).
The story really packs a lot into the last little bit. In the final thirty pages there is so much happening that you are practically holding your breath with how everything will work out. But in a way the ending is very open. Though choices have been made and things set up, there is still so much future left, not a concrete ending. After all, Fort is going to live for many more centuries. As his family points out he won't even truly mature until he is around fifty years old, a time when he will also truly start to see the changes between himself and the world. But the idea in the ending is that the future is not a set concrete path and can be fluid. This has really been Fort's fear the whole time, that in being a vampire his path and behaviour was set, so having this ending made sense in that it shows what Fort has chosen and how the future is never set.
A great ending for such a unique and exciting little supernatural series I would highly recommend reading this series!
August 11, 2015
I would be rereading Dark Ascension, but I promised a very good friend she could read it when I finished. According to M.L. Brennan's website, she has planned six books in the Generation V series, and I was very relieved to read that fact when I checked after finishing DA.
Dark Ascension has less action and humor than the first three books, but it is a fantastic character driven story, as Fort works on the boundaries of his relationships with Suzume, his siblings, and the races that live in the Scott territory. Less humor does not mean no humor...imagine kitsune in a karaoke bar; actually, any interaction with Suzume leads to some type of snark. Roommate Dan continues to be a standout character, and his relationship with Jaison continues to be a high point. In Tainted Blood, Fort was faced with the very real consequences of what he is. In Dark Ascension, he continues to struggle with the reality of his vampirism, as well as his growing certainty that things must change in his mother's territory. Dark Ascension has several surprises, and not all of them are good. I hope the wait for book #5 is not too long.
Dark Ascension has less action and humor than the first three books, but it is a fantastic character driven story, as Fort works on the boundaries of his relationships with Suzume, his siblings, and the races that live in the Scott territory. Less humor does not mean no humor...imagine kitsune in a karaoke bar; actually, any interaction with Suzume leads to some type of snark. Roommate Dan continues to be a standout character, and his relationship with Jaison continues to be a high point. In Tainted Blood, Fort was faced with the very real consequences of what he is. In Dark Ascension, he continues to struggle with the reality of his vampirism, as well as his growing certainty that things must change in his mother's territory. Dark Ascension has several surprises, and not all of them are good. I hope the wait for book #5 is not too long.
January 13, 2020
Spoiler-FREE review of ‘Dark Ascension’
“Despite all the aphorisms about teaching a man to fish, I had no intention of leaving the frozen fish aisle.”
4.0/5.0 ‘Dark Ascension’ is the fourth novel in the Generation V series by M.L. Brennan. As a series I was thoroughly impressed by not only the characters but the development, as well as the overall plots/story involved with each novel. After reading up on the series It seemed like Brennan originally/still planned a 6-book series but it seems like the published might have dropped the series due to sales. That thought alone is something I find extremely sad, in part because not only did I enjoy the series, but I can see how much better the ending could have been. Brennan does wrap the fourth book up in a way that makes it somewhat palatable, but not the ending I feel these characters deserved. I grew to love Fort and Suze and while at the end of the day I’m glad to have gotten somewhat of a closure, I will still be hoping and looking forward to a day where the final 2 book can be written and published.
“Despite all the aphorisms about teaching a man to fish, I had no intention of leaving the frozen fish aisle.”
4.0/5.0 ‘Dark Ascension’ is the fourth novel in the Generation V series by M.L. Brennan. As a series I was thoroughly impressed by not only the characters but the development, as well as the overall plots/story involved with each novel. After reading up on the series It seemed like Brennan originally/still planned a 6-book series but it seems like the published might have dropped the series due to sales. That thought alone is something I find extremely sad, in part because not only did I enjoy the series, but I can see how much better the ending could have been. Brennan does wrap the fourth book up in a way that makes it somewhat palatable, but not the ending I feel these characters deserved. I grew to love Fort and Suze and while at the end of the day I’m glad to have gotten somewhat of a closure, I will still be hoping and looking forward to a day where the final 2 book can be written and published.
August 9, 2015
*sigh* I have a deep obsession with this series,for the last year or two I've waited for the new releases; enjoy a few days of awesome reading and then unfortunately have to start the process all over again. I'm pretty sure M.L. Brennan has come up with some kind of drug in the form of a book because I seem to be going through something suspiciously like withdrawal.
Another fantastic addition to the series, so many things happen in this book from Fort himself, to his relationship to suze, his relationship with his family and even the supernatural community at large. If you've enjoyed the previous books in the series then you will not be disappointed with 'Dark Ascension' and I strongly encourage you to pick it up.
Another fantastic addition to the series, so many things happen in this book from Fort himself, to his relationship to suze, his relationship with his family and even the supernatural community at large. If you've enjoyed the previous books in the series then you will not be disappointed with 'Dark Ascension' and I strongly encourage you to pick it up.
December 11, 2015
By far, the best book in the series.
August 8, 2015
Another great book! Loved the scene regarding the staircase.
February 12, 2016
I can't even begin to review this right now. I need to take a few days.
I will say its my quest to push this on everyone so maybe her contract will get picked back up. Holy hell.
I will say its my quest to push this on everyone so maybe her contract will get picked back up. Holy hell.
September 7, 2020
Possibly the strongest in the series so far.
January 3, 2020
It didn’t take too long for the Generation V series to cement itself as my favourite urban fantasy series. I can’t get enough of it, and there’s so much here that appeals to me. Interesting characters, great geeky humour, a wonderfully unique take on different mythologies and supernatural creatures. It stands out from other series, and it’s got a lot of very loyal fans, and I count myself among them. And even though I’ve been stupidly slow at actually reading and reviewing them (I seem to have gotten into the habit of reading one right before the following book is scheduled to be released…), I love them to death, and I couldn’t keep up my old habits of bad timing. I had a review copy, and I needed to dive back into this world.
Was I disappointed by Dark Ascension? Not in the slightest.
Unlike the other novels in the series, the central plot is more of a coming-of-age story than a supernatural mystery to be solved. Previously Fort ended up mixed up in a situation that needed dealing with, or actively investigating some odd happenstance, but here, most of what he’s dealing with are the ways his life has changed and continues to change. Fort ends up taking care of far more of his family’s affairs than he ever expected, and with his modern liberal way of thinking, he butts heads with both Chivalry and Prudence on certain issues. Which isn’t surprising, if you’ve read the other 3 books in the series. But a tragedy forces them all to cooperate on a whole new level, and Fort’s transition to full vampirism speeds up, and things will never be the same for him.
While I loved this opportunity to see more of Fort’s transition and to see him really come into his own, those who maybe got used to the series being a bit more action-oriented with a stronger mystery to deal with may be a bit disappointed in the way this novel doesn’t really present those things. There is action, and some of the usual high-stakes fight scenes (especially at the end), but the closest thing to a mystery is really the matter of how Fort will handle the supernatural politics that he’s forced to juggle. It’s a story of little stories, of growing up, of taking a stand and doing what you believe is right, no matter the consequences. It’s a story of figuring out yourself, and the people around you.
And it’s an odd tactic for the fourth book in a series, but it really works! Fort’s transformation comes alongside some truly heartbreaking scenes, scenes that actually had me shedding some tears halfway through the book, and there’s this sense that maturity often goes hand-in-hand with grief and loss. This is probably the most mature of all the Generation V novels for that reason; you see Fort experience things that can hit hard to anyone who’s ever endured the death of a loved on, to those who have had to make the hard choice between the status quo and a potential improvement. Things that are human to the core, a part of everyone’s life, and to incorporate them so well into the struggles of a man who’s wrestling with the unseen supernatural world, tangled alliances and twists on myth, is something that’s often attempted and rarely done well. Fort’s spent most of his life trying to keep the mundane and the supernatural aspects of his life utterly separate from each other, but those walls have crumbled. But some things are universal, and I love the way Brennan managed to blend the two elements so well.
Of course, there’s more to Dark Ascension than just a dark heavy maturity. If that’s all there was, I wouldn’t have liked it nearly so much. As always, the banter between Suzume and Fort is pure genius! I love the way those two carry on, the way their dialogue plays out, whether the situation is tense and emotional or lighthearted and fun. I love the geeky references and odd subculture references that Brennan throws in, very few of which I don’t get, and this makes it so very easy for me to connect to the characters because — at least in the case of Fort — I think how he thinks a lot of the time. His internal monologue contains lines that I would think and say, and I love being able to say that about a character in a modern-day setting, because that’s so rare for me!
(Side note – Since Babymetal was mentioned, I wondered if Megistune was Suzume’s favourite song. It’s a better song that What Does the Fox Say, after all. :p)
What it comes down to is this: the status quo of both the in-book world and the books themselves was established, and Dark Ascension breaks it and takes things in a couple of unexpected directions. It’s got so many beloved aspects that the series has become known for, as well as some new insights that take things to a different level. It’s a great book, a worthy addition to the series, and from the ending, the ride isn’t over yet!
And I want to be right here when it starts up again!
(Book received in exchange for an honest review.)
Was I disappointed by Dark Ascension? Not in the slightest.
Unlike the other novels in the series, the central plot is more of a coming-of-age story than a supernatural mystery to be solved. Previously Fort ended up mixed up in a situation that needed dealing with, or actively investigating some odd happenstance, but here, most of what he’s dealing with are the ways his life has changed and continues to change. Fort ends up taking care of far more of his family’s affairs than he ever expected, and with his modern liberal way of thinking, he butts heads with both Chivalry and Prudence on certain issues. Which isn’t surprising, if you’ve read the other 3 books in the series. But a tragedy forces them all to cooperate on a whole new level, and Fort’s transition to full vampirism speeds up, and things will never be the same for him.
While I loved this opportunity to see more of Fort’s transition and to see him really come into his own, those who maybe got used to the series being a bit more action-oriented with a stronger mystery to deal with may be a bit disappointed in the way this novel doesn’t really present those things. There is action, and some of the usual high-stakes fight scenes (especially at the end), but the closest thing to a mystery is really the matter of how Fort will handle the supernatural politics that he’s forced to juggle. It’s a story of little stories, of growing up, of taking a stand and doing what you believe is right, no matter the consequences. It’s a story of figuring out yourself, and the people around you.
And it’s an odd tactic for the fourth book in a series, but it really works! Fort’s transformation comes alongside some truly heartbreaking scenes, scenes that actually had me shedding some tears halfway through the book, and there’s this sense that maturity often goes hand-in-hand with grief and loss. This is probably the most mature of all the Generation V novels for that reason; you see Fort experience things that can hit hard to anyone who’s ever endured the death of a loved on, to those who have had to make the hard choice between the status quo and a potential improvement. Things that are human to the core, a part of everyone’s life, and to incorporate them so well into the struggles of a man who’s wrestling with the unseen supernatural world, tangled alliances and twists on myth, is something that’s often attempted and rarely done well. Fort’s spent most of his life trying to keep the mundane and the supernatural aspects of his life utterly separate from each other, but those walls have crumbled. But some things are universal, and I love the way Brennan managed to blend the two elements so well.
Of course, there’s more to Dark Ascension than just a dark heavy maturity. If that’s all there was, I wouldn’t have liked it nearly so much. As always, the banter between Suzume and Fort is pure genius! I love the way those two carry on, the way their dialogue plays out, whether the situation is tense and emotional or lighthearted and fun. I love the geeky references and odd subculture references that Brennan throws in, very few of which I don’t get, and this makes it so very easy for me to connect to the characters because — at least in the case of Fort — I think how he thinks a lot of the time. His internal monologue contains lines that I would think and say, and I love being able to say that about a character in a modern-day setting, because that’s so rare for me!
(Side note – Since Babymetal was mentioned, I wondered if Megistune was Suzume’s favourite song. It’s a better song that What Does the Fox Say, after all. :p)
What it comes down to is this: the status quo of both the in-book world and the books themselves was established, and Dark Ascension breaks it and takes things in a couple of unexpected directions. It’s got so many beloved aspects that the series has become known for, as well as some new insights that take things to a different level. It’s a great book, a worthy addition to the series, and from the ending, the ride isn’t over yet!
And I want to be right here when it starts up again!
(Book received in exchange for an honest review.)
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