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Bite Back #5
Angel Stakes
"I was all the things I had ever done.
All the things that had ever been done to me.
But I chose my path and I will be all the things I could be too."
The Athanate are meeting in Los Angeles, the city that feeds on dreams, leaving nothing but dust and nightmares. They must forge a new Assembly and reach a consensus before Emergence is forced on them. They have to reach out and include the Were and Adepts, and they need Amber to do it.
But Amber is deep in her own personal crisis. Can she find a resolution for herself as she takes on the tasks of the Assembly?
Los Angeles. Where you can toss away your old life like a bad hand...
Or man up and play the cards you've been dealt.
"Always made me smile, that phrase."
All the things that had ever been done to me.
But I chose my path and I will be all the things I could be too."
The Athanate are meeting in Los Angeles, the city that feeds on dreams, leaving nothing but dust and nightmares. They must forge a new Assembly and reach a consensus before Emergence is forced on them. They have to reach out and include the Were and Adepts, and they need Amber to do it.
But Amber is deep in her own personal crisis. Can she find a resolution for herself as she takes on the tasks of the Assembly?
Los Angeles. Where you can toss away your old life like a bad hand...
Or man up and play the cards you've been dealt.
"Always made me smile, that phrase."
456 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 14, 2016
394 people are currently reading
239 people want to read
About the author
Mark Henwick
42 books362 followersI was born in Africa and left out in the sun too often.
After being persuaded that I wasn't going to be able to be a cowboy if I grew up, I got interested in philosophy and psychology. Tending bars proved to me they weren't as much fun as they sounded. While trying to enroll in a class to read Science Fiction full time, I ended up taking an electronic engineering degree which splendidly qualified me to move into marketing. That in turn spawned a late onset career in creative writing.
When not writing, I fly a microlight aircraft, or get muddy on a mountain bike.
I love reading obviously. Urban Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Thrillers, History, Crime, Art, oh nearly everything.
After being persuaded that I wasn't going to be able to be a cowboy if I grew up, I got interested in philosophy and psychology. Tending bars proved to me they weren't as much fun as they sounded. While trying to enroll in a class to read Science Fiction full time, I ended up taking an electronic engineering degree which splendidly qualified me to move into marketing. That in turn spawned a late onset career in creative writing.
When not writing, I fly a microlight aircraft, or get muddy on a mountain bike.
I love reading obviously. Urban Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Thrillers, History, Crime, Art, oh nearly everything.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
February 23, 2020
After travelling to New Mexico to rescue Diana (Book 4, Cool Hand), Amber was on the brink of going rogue. With her kin's help she managed to fight it off but she still has a sickness in her soul that is poisoning her, a sickness she needs to deal with. She needs time. But time is the one thing she hasn't got, without even a moment to catch her breath she is called to Los Angeles to once again walk the fine line between the warring parties of Athanate, Were and Adept.
Not only must she try to form an alliance with the Were, she has to hunt down and deal with an evil from her past. An evil which has been 10 years in the making.
I have a lot of love for this series. It really is a shining light in Urban Fantasy. One of the weaknesses in Urban Fantasy (in my opinion) has been that stories are essentially stagnant. Authors just throw bigger and badder villains into the mix while the main characters essentially remain unchanged. It's why I start to lose patience with a series after two or three books.
Not here. As this series has developed, so too have the characters, they become more, they mature and they learn. With each book my understanding of the world created by Mark Henwick has both evolved and changed.
If there is a weakness, I think it is that you could read the early books in isolation, but as the series develops that's less the case. I'm a Mark Henwick junkie so I don't mind, but some might. Still, you could do a lot worse than jumping into this series. Start with Raw Deal the novella that introduces Amber Farrell, if you love that, your love will only increase as you continue.
Not only must she try to form an alliance with the Were, she has to hunt down and deal with an evil from her past. An evil which has been 10 years in the making.
I have a lot of love for this series. It really is a shining light in Urban Fantasy. One of the weaknesses in Urban Fantasy (in my opinion) has been that stories are essentially stagnant. Authors just throw bigger and badder villains into the mix while the main characters essentially remain unchanged. It's why I start to lose patience with a series after two or three books.
Not here. As this series has developed, so too have the characters, they become more, they mature and they learn. With each book my understanding of the world created by Mark Henwick has both evolved and changed.
If there is a weakness, I think it is that you could read the early books in isolation, but as the series develops that's less the case. I'm a Mark Henwick junkie so I don't mind, but some might. Still, you could do a lot worse than jumping into this series. Start with Raw Deal the novella that introduces Amber Farrell, if you love that, your love will only increase as you continue.
May 15, 2016
Not as good as the others
There are minor spoilers ahead. I waited a few days after finishing the book to write this review. I was a big fan of this series, reading the first couple books multiple times. In the beginning I liked this series because Amber was smart, skilled, and not quite part of the supernatural world. It was different from most other stuff out there. I think in this book that uniqueness is more or less gone. I like long books but sometimes more isn't better. The story does move forward. Things that have been lingering get addressed. What I didn't like was what the main focus was. With the backdrop of problems with Amber's sister again. I am so tired of that lingering through every single book. Its around more than the supposed main story of emergence.
In this book Amber is in recovery after going crazy from all the repressed crap in her head. Which makes sense after the end of the last book. Where the book goes wrong is that the big issue. The one that Amber focuses on for her mental recovery isnt all the experiments that the government did to her. The very thing that made her go rogue in the first place. Nope, its when she was victimized in high school. All those experiments after she was bitten. The ones so bad tge government tried to seal them away in her mind dont get addressed in the slightest. Its implied that Amber deals with them but nothing ever really happens. Instead the man that victimized her grew up to be a human monster that does bad things to people and hes got a small army to protect him.
Im not making light of the subject material. Rape and sex slavery should not be ignored. Is this really the right forum to bring attention to them? Considering the Baskilos do tge same thing to humans and that doesn't seem like a big deal, I dont know what the author wanted to accomplish. Amber does put a little time in being a diplomat with lycanthropes but that feels more like stuff thrown in.
There is also a shift where there seems to be a lot more attention given to romance. Which wasn't the way it used to be. She's just another hybrid with a growing harem. Is thus what the focus is now? The twist ending is not a surprise at all. Unfortunately it puts focus on something that shouldn't be an issue at all and has nothing to do with the story that has been building over several books. As much as I used to look forward to these books, I might be done with this series.
There are minor spoilers ahead. I waited a few days after finishing the book to write this review. I was a big fan of this series, reading the first couple books multiple times. In the beginning I liked this series because Amber was smart, skilled, and not quite part of the supernatural world. It was different from most other stuff out there. I think in this book that uniqueness is more or less gone. I like long books but sometimes more isn't better. The story does move forward. Things that have been lingering get addressed. What I didn't like was what the main focus was. With the backdrop of problems with Amber's sister again. I am so tired of that lingering through every single book. Its around more than the supposed main story of emergence.
In this book Amber is in recovery after going crazy from all the repressed crap in her head. Which makes sense after the end of the last book. Where the book goes wrong is that the big issue. The one that Amber focuses on for her mental recovery isnt all the experiments that the government did to her. The very thing that made her go rogue in the first place. Nope, its when she was victimized in high school. All those experiments after she was bitten. The ones so bad tge government tried to seal them away in her mind dont get addressed in the slightest. Its implied that Amber deals with them but nothing ever really happens. Instead the man that victimized her grew up to be a human monster that does bad things to people and hes got a small army to protect him.
Im not making light of the subject material. Rape and sex slavery should not be ignored. Is this really the right forum to bring attention to them? Considering the Baskilos do tge same thing to humans and that doesn't seem like a big deal, I dont know what the author wanted to accomplish. Amber does put a little time in being a diplomat with lycanthropes but that feels more like stuff thrown in.
There is also a shift where there seems to be a lot more attention given to romance. Which wasn't the way it used to be. She's just another hybrid with a growing harem. Is thus what the focus is now? The twist ending is not a surprise at all. Unfortunately it puts focus on something that shouldn't be an issue at all and has nothing to do with the story that has been building over several books. As much as I used to look forward to these books, I might be done with this series.
July 13, 2017
4 - 4.5 stars
"Angel Stakes" deceived me with its slow start but then it was time to buckle up the five-point harness and hold on tight. Amber reminds me of Kate Daniels; she just can't turn her back on people. She tries to save everyone at great peril to herself. Then, there's the complex politics she has to navigate. One false move could majorly damage relations between the faction or top the scales in the wrong direction. Amber also contends with unresolved emotional issues from her late teens. A warning - it is dark. The nature of Amber's past trauma has been hinted throughout the series. There's resolution and redemption.
This book kept me awake and reading until 4:00 a.m. There were time I alternated resting each eye until the burriness faded. Seriously! I had to know how "Angel Stakes" ended! After a five-book binge, I am now in the position where I have to wait until book 6 releases. O.o
"Angel Stakes" deceived me with its slow start but then it was time to buckle up the five-point harness and hold on tight. Amber reminds me of Kate Daniels; she just can't turn her back on people. She tries to save everyone at great peril to herself. Then, there's the complex politics she has to navigate. One false move could majorly damage relations between the faction or top the scales in the wrong direction. Amber also contends with unresolved emotional issues from her late teens. A warning - it is dark. The nature of Amber's past trauma has been hinted throughout the series. There's resolution and redemption.
This book kept me awake and reading until 4:00 a.m. There were time I alternated resting each eye until the burriness faded. Seriously! I had to know how "Angel Stakes" ended! After a five-book binge, I am now in the position where I have to wait until book 6 releases. O.o
April 29, 2016
Good read. Two interesting stories intertwining each other. One is from Amber's human past come back to interfere in her present; the other her present as a hybrid athanate and where she's going in the future with her house, politically and personally.
Very nice entry in a consistently good series.
Very nice entry in a consistently good series.
April 27, 2016
Angel Stakes, book 5 of the series, is out on eReader and paper now.
In Cool Hand, book four of the series, Amber's world is edging closer and closer to war. As I wrote in my review:
As the story continues to wind tighter and tighter, and war becomes inevitable, Amber and her kin, her friends, and even her enemies, walk the razors edge – the edge of death, sorrow, pain and loss – and the brutal fires of a world war between humans, Athenate, were, and adept.
And now, the war is here. First, within the halls of the Athenate assembly in Los Angeles as the Basilikos faction does its best to rip apart the assembly and push its plan of world domination into place. Uh, guys? You know the humans have things like atom bombs, right? Amber is carrying around her own bomb as well. After the fight in Carson National Park, she is barely holding onto her sanity as the possibility of her going feral becomes a very real possibility. She must find her way through the darkness in her mind, keep her people safe, and at the same time fight off the Basilikos and their plans to use her for their own gain. The world is spinning out of control, and it will take a concerted effort on the part of many - Athenate, were and human - to stop the world from descending into utter chaos. Everyone has an agenda, everyone has secrets. And this time? The bad guys have the edge.
I was a beta reader for Mark for Angel Stakes but that in no way influences my determination that Mark Henwick is brilliant!
In Cool Hand, book four of the series, Amber's world is edging closer and closer to war. As I wrote in my review:
As the story continues to wind tighter and tighter, and war becomes inevitable, Amber and her kin, her friends, and even her enemies, walk the razors edge – the edge of death, sorrow, pain and loss – and the brutal fires of a world war between humans, Athenate, were, and adept.
And now, the war is here. First, within the halls of the Athenate assembly in Los Angeles as the Basilikos faction does its best to rip apart the assembly and push its plan of world domination into place. Uh, guys? You know the humans have things like atom bombs, right? Amber is carrying around her own bomb as well. After the fight in Carson National Park, she is barely holding onto her sanity as the possibility of her going feral becomes a very real possibility. She must find her way through the darkness in her mind, keep her people safe, and at the same time fight off the Basilikos and their plans to use her for their own gain. The world is spinning out of control, and it will take a concerted effort on the part of many - Athenate, were and human - to stop the world from descending into utter chaos. Everyone has an agenda, everyone has secrets. And this time? The bad guys have the edge.
I was a beta reader for Mark for Angel Stakes but that in no way influences my determination that Mark Henwick is brilliant!
April 5, 2018
Angel Stakes starts shortly after the events of the previous book. Because it had been more than three years since I read that, though, I was lost at the beginning, having forgotten both key events and characters. Fortunately that didn’t last, and soon I recalled enough to understand what was going on and to be drawn in once again to the world of the Athenate and weres.
The story weaves together politics and personal issues. Skylur still is trying to unite the paranormal world to get ready for eventual emergence, the revelation of that paranormal world to humanity. Amber is tasked with forming alliances with warring were communities while trying not to interfere with Skylur’s political machinations with rival Athenate factions. Woven into this is the revelation of some personal trauma from Amber’s teen years which becomes frighteningly relevant to the present day.
The story started out confusing for me, but once I got past that, the pace picked up and didn’t slack off for the rest of the book. There are significant revelations and advances both on the personal front and in the larger Athenate/were politics arc, all of which promise plenty of excitement in the next installment in the series.
Please don’t make us wait too long for it!
The story weaves together politics and personal issues. Skylur still is trying to unite the paranormal world to get ready for eventual emergence, the revelation of that paranormal world to humanity. Amber is tasked with forming alliances with warring were communities while trying not to interfere with Skylur’s political machinations with rival Athenate factions. Woven into this is the revelation of some personal trauma from Amber’s teen years which becomes frighteningly relevant to the present day.
The story started out confusing for me, but once I got past that, the pace picked up and didn’t slack off for the rest of the book. There are significant revelations and advances both on the personal front and in the larger Athenate/were politics arc, all of which promise plenty of excitement in the next installment in the series.
Please don’t make us wait too long for it!
May 22, 2021
An Amazing Series
If you like Anita Blake, by Laurel K. Hamilton, then this series is for you. It's thought provoking, complex, intelligent and fully engrossing.
If you like Anita Blake, by Laurel K. Hamilton, then this series is for you. It's thought provoking, complex, intelligent and fully engrossing.
February 20, 2018
I wish I had written a review right after I read this book—I would have had a lot more specific stuff to go on about. This book was … awesome.
I knew that there was going to be a lot going on in this book thanks to events at the end of the last book, but wow did Henwick weave them all together nicely. I thought the fact that there were so many packs in LA was rather intriguing when compared to the packs in the more eastern parts of the US. I really liked the all-female pack of bikers. I liked how they were the more sensible of the weres, lol.
The politics … were just I don’t know what to say. It built up over the series and it culminated in … well it is something you should really read for yourself. I know I can’t explain them that well. Some of the decisions were really surprising and shocking and I look forward to seeing what comes of them.
The revelations about Amber’s high school … I had an inkling and was totally not expecting that turn of events. I was also not expecting what it led to. Despite the dark subject matter it was done tastefully and informatively. I’m probably using the wrong words, but I’m having trouble coming up with words to say period. It is something most people don’t think about. Since most people don’t think about something unless it deals with them or is shoved in their face.
When she read off the title for the second tape I just went “omgomgomg that makes a lot of sense now” in my head.
I binge read the entire series and I’m sad I have to wait for the next one—not even a teaser blurb yet.
I knew that there was going to be a lot going on in this book thanks to events at the end of the last book, but wow did Henwick weave them all together nicely. I thought the fact that there were so many packs in LA was rather intriguing when compared to the packs in the more eastern parts of the US. I really liked the all-female pack of bikers. I liked how they were the more sensible of the weres, lol.
The politics … were just I don’t know what to say. It built up over the series and it culminated in … well it is something you should really read for yourself. I know I can’t explain them that well. Some of the decisions were really surprising and shocking and I look forward to seeing what comes of them.
The revelations about Amber’s high school … I had an inkling and was totally not expecting that turn of events. I was also not expecting what it led to. Despite the dark subject matter it was done tastefully and informatively. I’m probably using the wrong words, but I’m having trouble coming up with words to say period. It is something most people don’t think about. Since most people don’t think about something unless it deals with them or is shoved in their face.
When she read off the title for the second tape I just went “omgomgomg that makes a lot of sense now” in my head.
I binge read the entire series and I’m sad I have to wait for the next one—not even a teaser blurb yet.
May 26, 2017
This is number 5 in one of my favorite urban fantasy series, and I'm writing this after a re-read.
The story moved right along and cleared up a few loose ends from previous books, and the new characters were as fun as the veteran characters to read about. As usual, our heroine kicks ass and collects more house members, with plenty of snark to go around.
One of the things I've always liked about these books is that they are FUN, and as you move through their world, it is more about people-as-people, working toward practical goals but subject to human flaws. It is a different feel from many of the other UF series, where the fantasy creatures are all alien and almost unknowable.
Another thing is that the main character actually manages to personify aspects of the military veteran that I don't often see in the usual run-of-the-mill UF series. She is not a Twilight-style victim prior to UF upgrading. Her new abilities simply augment who she is already.
Make sure you read the series from the first book. :)
The story moved right along and cleared up a few loose ends from previous books, and the new characters were as fun as the veteran characters to read about. As usual, our heroine kicks ass and collects more house members, with plenty of snark to go around.
One of the things I've always liked about these books is that they are FUN, and as you move through their world, it is more about people-as-people, working toward practical goals but subject to human flaws. It is a different feel from many of the other UF series, where the fantasy creatures are all alien and almost unknowable.
Another thing is that the main character actually manages to personify aspects of the military veteran that I don't often see in the usual run-of-the-mill UF series. She is not a Twilight-style victim prior to UF upgrading. Her new abilities simply augment who she is already.
Make sure you read the series from the first book. :)
September 13, 2020
Trigger warning: This book takes an unexpected dark turn. Not for the faint of heart.
This is the fifth instalment in the Amber Farrell series and it probably should come with a trigger warning. Difficult and quite gruesome themes were explored and as a reader who has experienced some of those difficult themes in my own childhood, it was an effort to persevere at times.
So, why have I given this difficult book a five star rating? Because I felt the themes were handled in such a way that for me personally, there was some semblance of feelings of revenge, justice and closure. It was a hard and unexpected turn in the story and I suspect, given the ending, that there is more to come as characters deal with the aftermath.
That said, I'm quite invested in these characters now, so it's on to book six for me...
This is the fifth instalment in the Amber Farrell series and it probably should come with a trigger warning. Difficult and quite gruesome themes were explored and as a reader who has experienced some of those difficult themes in my own childhood, it was an effort to persevere at times.
So, why have I given this difficult book a five star rating? Because I felt the themes were handled in such a way that for me personally, there was some semblance of feelings of revenge, justice and closure. It was a hard and unexpected turn in the story and I suspect, given the ending, that there is more to come as characters deal with the aftermath.
That said, I'm quite invested in these characters now, so it's on to book six for me...
July 28, 2020
So glad to be back
I read the first 4 books way back and then like many series if I can pre-order, I lost the series. Thanks to a recommendation on the awesome fans or urban fantasy page we have been re-united. This was a hard book with some chilling themes. However, as these aren't triggers for me I dealt for others that may not be the case. This was non stop. Lots of politics which haven't been fully resolved so role on the next book. Hopefully, Amber will be less inward looking and less full of doubt.
I read the first 4 books way back and then like many series if I can pre-order, I lost the series. Thanks to a recommendation on the awesome fans or urban fantasy page we have been re-united. This was a hard book with some chilling themes. However, as these aren't triggers for me I dealt for others that may not be the case. This was non stop. Lots of politics which haven't been fully resolved so role on the next book. Hopefully, Amber will be less inward looking and less full of doubt.
July 15, 2018
Wow!
A fantastic addition to a great series! I liked this book tne best of all of them. Lots of thrills and action and some very satisfying conclusions. I anxiously await the next book.
A fantastic addition to a great series! I liked this book tne best of all of them. Lots of thrills and action and some very satisfying conclusions. I anxiously await the next book.
August 9, 2020
OMG
No cliffhangers, but you left me hanging on that last sentence! Now, I want a werewolf to tear Forsyth into little pieces while still alive. Downloading the next boom right this sec. Highly recommend this series!
No cliffhangers, but you left me hanging on that last sentence! Now, I want a werewolf to tear Forsyth into little pieces while still alive. Downloading the next boom right this sec. Highly recommend this series!
June 16, 2021
Excellent read
Wonderful story and characters. There was a mess load of stuff happening in this book. It was very exciting and the detail that went into the story was unbelievable. The characters were on spot and the author did an amazing job of bringing the to life.
Wonderful story and characters. There was a mess load of stuff happening in this book. It was very exciting and the detail that went into the story was unbelievable. The characters were on spot and the author did an amazing job of bringing the to life.
January 3, 2021
Urban fantasy at its best!
This amazing series has been a godsend during the pandemic. I've loved every plot twist, the most excellent action/fighting scenes and the developing complexity of the characters and the story line. Thank you!
This amazing series has been a godsend during the pandemic. I've loved every plot twist, the most excellent action/fighting scenes and the developing complexity of the characters and the story line. Thank you!
January 24, 2021
I loved this book and this series. We learn a lot about Amber's past
April 20, 2021
Excellent writing, fascinating world building, engrossing story arc and absolutely wonderful characters. Complex and intelligent. Who could ask for anything more ?!?
August 25, 2021
Redemption, part one
I think this is the start of this the of redemption! I guess next includes her sister. So the trio is married, each head of their part.
I think this is the start of this the of redemption! I guess next includes her sister. So the trio is married, each head of their part.
September 1, 2021
As good as all other 4
New take on vampires and werewolves keeps it interesting and a fun read will be checking out the next book
New take on vampires and werewolves keeps it interesting and a fun read will be checking out the next book
September 20, 2024
Amber Farrell Paranormal PI: AngelStakes
Good book but serious humanly overtone that were not paranormal at all. The past books were straight out gangsta but book 5 reminded you that there are worst things in the word and they do not represent a fictional character. Still, it was a read that open the eyes to the real monsters around us.
Good book but serious humanly overtone that were not paranormal at all. The past books were straight out gangsta but book 5 reminded you that there are worst things in the word and they do not represent a fictional character. Still, it was a read that open the eyes to the real monsters around us.
June 20, 2024
FFM - yeesss!
August 21, 2023
Just wow!
Read it, enjoy the ride! Again with the action, covert politics, personal growth. Just amazing writing. Love this book series.
Read it, enjoy the ride! Again with the action, covert politics, personal growth. Just amazing writing. Love this book series.
September 25, 2025
Emotional roller coaster, from the depths of despair, to adrenaline highs, then down again and back up. Love, Sex, and Rock & Roll + Wolves, Witches, and 'vampires' (sic Athanate)! The first four books about Amber and her House Ferrell were amazing, this one is off the charts better. Paranormal Politics in the middle, but it all makes sense in a visceral, dirty fingers, bloody extravaganza of history meeting hand to hand combat. This volume could stand alone, but do yourself a big favor, and start all the way from the beginning.
October 23, 2024
Well Mr. Henwick you did it again. You wrote another installment of this series and made it as exciting and unique as if it was a stand alone. I apologize for saying this but I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop. I love a good, long series but invariably the story gets stale or drags. But not yours.
Every book I read is fresh and thrilling and you know just when, where and how to insert new info about our beloved Amber. This book took us deep into her early life. The events that made her who she is today. Both good and bad.
You mix past and present perfectly. Giving us part of Amber’s back story and still managing to progress the Athanate/Were/human/Adept plot lines forward. It’s fresh and you answer so many questions.
I won’t lie…this book was difficult to read. I’m old enough to remember life before trigger warnings. I typically ignore them in favor of reader reviews but I acknowledge they are a part of reading in 2024. With that said I will say that this story was chocked full of issues that were hard to stomach.
Sexual assault and human trafficking are two brutal and triggering subjects. I appreciate that your descriptions weren’t too gratuitous. You got the points across appropriately without being overly descriptive. I usually listen to all your books on Audible and then I order physical copies. But there were a few times during this book I had to refrain because this was, thus far, the darkest book you’ve written in the series. I cried a few times.
With all that said, this was an amazing book. We saw a lot of forward progression of plot regarding Amber’s powers, the tricky politics of the world she inhabits and the personal relationship between Amber and her kin. The dark subject matter was necessary and you handled it with class.
However, the cliff hanger at the end was infuriating. (LOL) but I’ve already downloaded Book 6 so I can’t pout and stomp my feet for too long.
I love where you’re taking us with regard to Amber’s story and all the secondary characters in her life. I hope we’re finally going to get her mother and sister a bit more front and center. Their stories have been in the shadows too long. Great job. Now on to book 6.
Every book I read is fresh and thrilling and you know just when, where and how to insert new info about our beloved Amber. This book took us deep into her early life. The events that made her who she is today. Both good and bad.
You mix past and present perfectly. Giving us part of Amber’s back story and still managing to progress the Athanate/Were/human/Adept plot lines forward. It’s fresh and you answer so many questions.
I won’t lie…this book was difficult to read. I’m old enough to remember life before trigger warnings. I typically ignore them in favor of reader reviews but I acknowledge they are a part of reading in 2024. With that said I will say that this story was chocked full of issues that were hard to stomach.
Sexual assault and human trafficking are two brutal and triggering subjects. I appreciate that your descriptions weren’t too gratuitous. You got the points across appropriately without being overly descriptive. I usually listen to all your books on Audible and then I order physical copies. But there were a few times during this book I had to refrain because this was, thus far, the darkest book you’ve written in the series. I cried a few times.
With all that said, this was an amazing book. We saw a lot of forward progression of plot regarding Amber’s powers, the tricky politics of the world she inhabits and the personal relationship between Amber and her kin. The dark subject matter was necessary and you handled it with class.
However, the cliff hanger at the end was infuriating. (LOL) but I’ve already downloaded Book 6 so I can’t pout and stomp my feet for too long.
I love where you’re taking us with regard to Amber’s story and all the secondary characters in her life. I hope we’re finally going to get her mother and sister a bit more front and center. Their stories have been in the shadows too long. Great job. Now on to book 6.
May 22, 2024
Too many meetings :(
Although I understand the necessity of the political background and in-fighting to advance the story, this volume of the series dragged a bit. The sub-plot about human trafficking was also distressing, but made me wish there really were Athanate and Were to take action against the scum who perpetrate such horrors. Can’t wait to start book 6 and find out how the cliffhanger at the end of this one plays out.
Although I understand the necessity of the political background and in-fighting to advance the story, this volume of the series dragged a bit. The sub-plot about human trafficking was also distressing, but made me wish there really were Athanate and Were to take action against the scum who perpetrate such horrors. Can’t wait to start book 6 and find out how the cliffhanger at the end of this one plays out.
August 1, 2025
So many tears..
The hints all meet in the end here. There's a heaviness in learning the past can be tea released and the joy of love. The fear of learning there's more to come in a new manner.
The hints all meet in the end here. There's a heaviness in learning the past can be tea released and the joy of love. The fear of learning there's more to come in a new manner.
September 8, 2016
Amber Farrell spent a decade in a black ops military, until she was bitten by the vampire who killed her unit and she cut off his head. Then she lasted three months as a police officer until she went in and took out three vampires holding a young girl. In the first tale by Mark Henwick, Sleight of Hand (paper) she discovers the world of living vampires, or Athanate as they prefer to be called. There are also werewolves, and magic using all adepts. She is turning into an Athenate, but also a werewolf. They athenate don’t age, but need blood. The live in houses with kin who not only donate blood, but also don’t age. Over the next few books: Hidden Trump (paper); Wild Card (paper); and Cool Hand (paper). She helps deal with problems facing friends and kin using not only her new abilities, but the abilities honed in her years of dangerous service. The basic problem is that of emergence, the revelation of the supernatural to human authorities. In the latest Angel Stakes (paper from Marque) she is in the middle of a major power struggle in the Athenate world, while discovering that the highschool senior who drugged and raped her had become a white slaver after some of her friends and new members of her kin. The series provides edge-of-the-seat excitement. I got the first one and kept buying until I reached this latest. Now I have to wait for the next.Review printed by Philadelphia Weekly Press
March 10, 2018
Okay, I have to say that Angel Stakes is the best installment of Bite Back series yet. Like all of previews books, Angel Stakes is full of action but this time I felt it was more spaced and I didn't feel like I had to play catch up with the plot. There were times for action and times for a brief break for laughs.
The problem with human trafficking in Angel Stakes is a real thing and unfortunately it can happen to anyone and anywhere. Doesn't matter what country you are from there will always be predators waiting in a dark. This book shines a light on that problem and despite being urban fantasy it shouldn't be treated lightly.
In regards of Amber and her trauma hidden in a strongbox I kind of figured it out in book one when Amber was talking to Top but still knowing it and reading the full scope what happened is totally a different thing. What has been done to her is simply horrible and unfortunately it happens more often then we know. I don't know what is happening with our society nowadays but more and more people turn to violence and think it is okay to hurt another person for fun but I'm coming off topic here.
I also figured out who was on another tape that Amber got a long time ago but still figuring out and having it confirmed was still a shock.
Angels Stakes is a really good book and I can't wait for another installment in this series.
The problem with human trafficking in Angel Stakes is a real thing and unfortunately it can happen to anyone and anywhere. Doesn't matter what country you are from there will always be predators waiting in a dark. This book shines a light on that problem and despite being urban fantasy it shouldn't be treated lightly.
In regards of Amber and her trauma hidden in a strongbox I kind of figured it out in book one when Amber was talking to Top but still knowing it and reading the full scope what happened is totally a different thing. What has been done to her is simply horrible and unfortunately it happens more often then we know. I don't know what is happening with our society nowadays but more and more people turn to violence and think it is okay to hurt another person for fun but I'm coming off topic here.
I also figured out who was on another tape that Amber got a long time ago but still figuring out and having it confirmed was still a shock.
Angels Stakes is a really good book and I can't wait for another installment in this series.
August 1, 2019
Chaque tome est plus épais que le précédent, ici pas loin de 700 pages, et pourtant, c’est un véritable régal du début à la fin. C’est vrai qu’il y a pas mal de personnages et que chaque fois j’ai un peu peur de m’y perdre, mais non, je m’y retrouve facilement et ce n’est donc pas un point négatif.
En avançant dans les tomes, Amber est un personnage qui évolue, elle prend plus d’assurance dans son rôle. Dans ce cinquième opus, j’avoue que j’ai eu peur pour elle, avec son passé qui revient sur le devant de la scène. Comme le dit l’expression, pas de repos pour les braves, Amber ne cesse de devoir se montrer à la hauteur. Alors que franchement elle mériterait bien ne fusse que quelques jours au calme, mais c’est mal connaître l’auteur qui ne cesse de lui mettre des bâtons dans les roues.
Malgré son nombre de pages élevé, ce tome se montre à la hauteur, le ton ne perd pas en intensité, pas plus que l’intrigue elle-même. Il y a encore tellement de choses à exploiter, que je me demande ce que sera la suite pour Amber, finira-t-elle par avoir son repos bien mérité ? Honnêtement, j’en doute, mais c’est ce que j’aime dans cette saga, rien n’est mi de côté, chaque domaine est exploité.
L’auteur a une imagination sans limites, et j’adore ce qu’il nous réserve à chaque tome !
En avançant dans les tomes, Amber est un personnage qui évolue, elle prend plus d’assurance dans son rôle. Dans ce cinquième opus, j’avoue que j’ai eu peur pour elle, avec son passé qui revient sur le devant de la scène. Comme le dit l’expression, pas de repos pour les braves, Amber ne cesse de devoir se montrer à la hauteur. Alors que franchement elle mériterait bien ne fusse que quelques jours au calme, mais c’est mal connaître l’auteur qui ne cesse de lui mettre des bâtons dans les roues.
Malgré son nombre de pages élevé, ce tome se montre à la hauteur, le ton ne perd pas en intensité, pas plus que l’intrigue elle-même. Il y a encore tellement de choses à exploiter, que je me demande ce que sera la suite pour Amber, finira-t-elle par avoir son repos bien mérité ? Honnêtement, j’en doute, mais c’est ce que j’aime dans cette saga, rien n’est mi de côté, chaque domaine est exploité.
L’auteur a une imagination sans limites, et j’adore ce qu’il nous réserve à chaque tome !
April 16, 2016
Great follow up to book 4. I loved 4, but it really felt like Amber was unraveling, and I dreaded how this book might start. I don't want to spoil it, but it was nice to see Amber start to be put back together, instead of pulled further apart. My one criticism of earlier books in this series is that they don't have endings. They felt more like someone hitting pause during the smallest lull in the action to run off and make popcorn. This had a much more satisfying wrap up, a much better balance of conclusion and cliff hanger.
So bottom line, if you've read through 4, what are you waiting for?? If you've stumbled onto this review without reading any of them, then I'm jealous, you have an amazing series ahead of you.
So bottom line, if you've read through 4, what are you waiting for?? If you've stumbled onto this review without reading any of them, then I'm jealous, you have an amazing series ahead of you.
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