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Susan Taki: The New Coven (The Hangman Universe
Susan Taki awoke from her coma at the end of The Death Brothers: A Supernatural Awakening. She helped foil the Hangman's plans, and helped defeat the Death Brothers enemies. She has returned home to San Diego, where her old witch's coven, The Fallen Sorcerers, has returned with a new leader, Tatiana Turner. Tatiana plans to make Susie stand trial for the death of it's former leader and Susan's aunt, Ahmya of the West. A guilty verdict means death for Susan and also her boyfriend, the demon hunter, Tom Padilla, who goes out to San Diego to visit. The underworld also has an interest in the outcome as well. The demon lord, Leechadon dispatches his number two demon, Tiagro, to make sure Susan and Tom are killed. With the help of the archangel Gabriel, who reveals a game-changing secret about Susan, she must defeat, Tatiana, the new coven, and the agents of the underworld. Will Susan and Tom survive their latest challenge?
164 pages, Paperback
First published November 29, 2020
1 person want to read
About the author
Dee Rose
17 books41 followersDee Rose was born in Gary, Indiana and now resides in Denver, Colorado with his two beautiful daughters, Nadia, and Nicole. He has always wanted to write a story involving a vampire slayer from watching television shows such as Supernatural and Angel. He says, “Popcorn books are just like popcorn movies in my opinion. When my readers put down my books, I want to leave them wanting more.”
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July 30, 2021Author, Dee Rose contacted me about reviewing the audio version of Susan Taki: The New Coven. However, I don’t think I can truthfully review it without first discussing the exchange she and I had prior to my accepting it.
Simply put, I made a mistake in accepting it. I usually check to ensure a book has previous reviews before I’ll accept it. I do this because I write an honest review, which means there is a chance I might write a negative one. But I’m not usually cruel enough to knowingly write a castigating review if it’s going to be the book’s only review, with nothing to balance against it.
However, when the author emailed me to review this book, I got distracted by it being 9th in a series. I wrote her back and asked her if it stood alone, saying that if it did I would accept it, inferring that if it didn’t I would pass. But in the process I forgot to check for reviews. By the time I realized there were no others I had already said yes and received the Audible code.
All of this is relevant for two reasons. The first is that Rose said, “It is definitely a stand-alone book. There are only rare references to the previous books as Susan Taki is a newer character that I was introducing to the series. The intro sums up the smaller role she played in the previous books.” But I have to disagree STRONGLY.
The recap in the beginning does help, but it’s not enough, not nearly enough. Characters aren’t introduced. There’s no world-building. The magic system isn’t explained, such that types of magic users feel like they appear randomly. We start with witches and vampires. Then we get demons. Then angels. Somewhere in there Slayers and Death Brothers show up and I still don’t really know exactly what they are or if they differ. Are there other magic creatures that just haven’t made an appearance yet? I don’t know. So, I don’t know the limits of the world.
The book feels 100% like you’ve picked up a story in the middle. This may not be relevant to the review of the book if you’re reading it as part of the series. But it absolutely effected my ability to read and enjoy it on its own. I would not advise reading it as a stand-alone book.
Second, if I hadn’t been reading this for review, I would have DNFed it very early on and avoided writing the review at all. I would have done this regardless, but most especially since it has no other reviews to counter-balance this one.
Both the book and the narration are simply bad. The narrator, Jeremy Olivier, did OK with the parts that were just straight narration. But he took super cheesy dialogue and made it sound even more cliched and stereotypical. (“Sucka” was particularly jarring. It didn’t sound at all natural.) It was a catastrophic combination. Usually a if it’s a decent book with poor narration or a mediocre book with good narration one balances the other out. But here they just compounded each-other.
Outside of the narration the writing is an issue. Even in audio I caught a few editing mishaps, though that’s not a huge thing. There was just so much description, even in places where there shouldn’t be. People don’t talk like omniscient narrators. They don’t notice and relay details in conversation like an outside narrator creating atmosphere would. And there are several points in which characters tell stories and describe things that a speaker simply wouldn’t. Had these been narrative flashbacks, it probably would have worked, but as person speaking, no. Events jumped around such that I barely followed what was happen half the time. There’s no build-up in the plot. Susan is suicidally rash. No one has a believable emotion, they’re all just blown out of proportion. And then the ending went totally against the villain’s personality.
I did appreciate that there’s some diversity in the cast. And as far as I could understand it, I think the kernel of an idea that formed this book was interesting. But it was a big fat flop for me.
Simply put, I made a mistake in accepting it. I usually check to ensure a book has previous reviews before I’ll accept it. I do this because I write an honest review, which means there is a chance I might write a negative one. But I’m not usually cruel enough to knowingly write a castigating review if it’s going to be the book’s only review, with nothing to balance against it.
However, when the author emailed me to review this book, I got distracted by it being 9th in a series. I wrote her back and asked her if it stood alone, saying that if it did I would accept it, inferring that if it didn’t I would pass. But in the process I forgot to check for reviews. By the time I realized there were no others I had already said yes and received the Audible code.
All of this is relevant for two reasons. The first is that Rose said, “It is definitely a stand-alone book. There are only rare references to the previous books as Susan Taki is a newer character that I was introducing to the series. The intro sums up the smaller role she played in the previous books.” But I have to disagree STRONGLY.
The recap in the beginning does help, but it’s not enough, not nearly enough. Characters aren’t introduced. There’s no world-building. The magic system isn’t explained, such that types of magic users feel like they appear randomly. We start with witches and vampires. Then we get demons. Then angels. Somewhere in there Slayers and Death Brothers show up and I still don’t really know exactly what they are or if they differ. Are there other magic creatures that just haven’t made an appearance yet? I don’t know. So, I don’t know the limits of the world.
The book feels 100% like you’ve picked up a story in the middle. This may not be relevant to the review of the book if you’re reading it as part of the series. But it absolutely effected my ability to read and enjoy it on its own. I would not advise reading it as a stand-alone book.
Second, if I hadn’t been reading this for review, I would have DNFed it very early on and avoided writing the review at all. I would have done this regardless, but most especially since it has no other reviews to counter-balance this one.
Both the book and the narration are simply bad. The narrator, Jeremy Olivier, did OK with the parts that were just straight narration. But he took super cheesy dialogue and made it sound even more cliched and stereotypical. (“Sucka” was particularly jarring. It didn’t sound at all natural.) It was a catastrophic combination. Usually a if it’s a decent book with poor narration or a mediocre book with good narration one balances the other out. But here they just compounded each-other.
Outside of the narration the writing is an issue. Even in audio I caught a few editing mishaps, though that’s not a huge thing. There was just so much description, even in places where there shouldn’t be. People don’t talk like omniscient narrators. They don’t notice and relay details in conversation like an outside narrator creating atmosphere would. And there are several points in which characters tell stories and describe things that a speaker simply wouldn’t. Had these been narrative flashbacks, it probably would have worked, but as person speaking, no. Events jumped around such that I barely followed what was happen half the time. There’s no build-up in the plot. Susan is suicidally rash. No one has a believable emotion, they’re all just blown out of proportion. And then the ending went totally against the villain’s personality.
I did appreciate that there’s some diversity in the cast. And as far as I could understand it, I think the kernel of an idea that formed this book was interesting. But it was a big fat flop for me.
August 9, 2021
The Review
A fun, thrill-ride of a supernatural fantasy and action novel, author Dee Rose has done a fantastic job of world-building in this narrative. Admittedly, this is my first foray in The Hangman Universe, but the author’s writing and the narrator really do a great job of implementing a cinematic quality to the writing, bringing to mind shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, and Wynona Earp.
The vast array of characters and mythology that the author implements into this narrative is engaging to say the least. The story implements a wide array of classic and iconic paranormal elements, from vampires and witches to demons and angels. The author breathes new life into the classic theme of good vs evil, crafting a series of complex characters that both define these two sides and at times stride the line between both.
The Verdict
A masterful, action-fueled, and entertaining read (and listen!), author Dee Rose’s “Susan Taki: The New Coven” is a great new supernatural thriller. The author does a good job of complimenting the series that has preceded this novel while also giving newcomers a chance to really sink their teeth into the story. Great dialogue and cinematic imagery really craft a fantastic read that fans of the genre won’t be able to get enough of, so be sure to grab your copy today!
A fun, thrill-ride of a supernatural fantasy and action novel, author Dee Rose has done a fantastic job of world-building in this narrative. Admittedly, this is my first foray in The Hangman Universe, but the author’s writing and the narrator really do a great job of implementing a cinematic quality to the writing, bringing to mind shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, and Wynona Earp.
The vast array of characters and mythology that the author implements into this narrative is engaging to say the least. The story implements a wide array of classic and iconic paranormal elements, from vampires and witches to demons and angels. The author breathes new life into the classic theme of good vs evil, crafting a series of complex characters that both define these two sides and at times stride the line between both.
The Verdict
A masterful, action-fueled, and entertaining read (and listen!), author Dee Rose’s “Susan Taki: The New Coven” is a great new supernatural thriller. The author does a good job of complimenting the series that has preceded this novel while also giving newcomers a chance to really sink their teeth into the story. Great dialogue and cinematic imagery really craft a fantastic read that fans of the genre won’t be able to get enough of, so be sure to grab your copy today!
August 12, 2021
I won this book in a Librarything giveaway and was asked for a honest review
Susan Taki is a fun YA novel filled with action, adventure, supernatural fantasy, occasional romance and humor.
I enjoyed this story as a standalone audiobook even though it is book 9 of a series. I do recommend reading all of the books in order like all series but this can also be enjoyed as a standalone novel due to some flashbacks and background given through various references in the book.
Jeremy Olivier narrated the book and did a decent job of keeping the story interesting and engaging however the tones of his voice become hilarious at certain points through the audiobook during lovemaking scenes or when trying to say words like sukka.
In My Opinion this is a fun story that is fast paced in a world filled with very interesting characters that will blend together very nicely with the other novels in the series by Dee Rose.
I give this book 4 Sukkas out of 5.
Susan Taki is a fun YA novel filled with action, adventure, supernatural fantasy, occasional romance and humor.
I enjoyed this story as a standalone audiobook even though it is book 9 of a series. I do recommend reading all of the books in order like all series but this can also be enjoyed as a standalone novel due to some flashbacks and background given through various references in the book.
Jeremy Olivier narrated the book and did a decent job of keeping the story interesting and engaging however the tones of his voice become hilarious at certain points through the audiobook during lovemaking scenes or when trying to say words like sukka.
In My Opinion this is a fun story that is fast paced in a world filled with very interesting characters that will blend together very nicely with the other novels in the series by Dee Rose.
I give this book 4 Sukkas out of 5.
December 1, 2020
Susan Taki's story picks up two weeks after The Death Brothers: A Supernatural Awakening. Susie has returned home to San Diego, where she is weighing the decision to join the vampire slayer, Jericho Caine, as his assistant. However, Susie's old witches coven, The Fallen Sorcerers, has returned with its new leader, Tatiana, who attends to make Susie stand trial for betraying the coven.
Tatiana is armed with the powerful Lotus Medallion, a vicious second on command, Sasha, and a new and younger coven. A guilty verdict means death for Susie and her boyfriend, the demon hunter, Tom Padilla. The underworld also has an interest in the outcome of the trial. The new demon leader, Leechadon, sends his lieutenant, Tiagro, to help the coven. They figure, with Susie out of the way, its one less hero they'd have to deal with in their future plans to take over the Earth.
Susie is haunted by the past when she allowed Tatiana's cousin to be killed, and her new best friend, Sonya, has disappeared as well. The archangel Gabriel makes an appearance to drop a game-changing secret about Susie that the coven refuses to accept.
Romantic relationships, on both sides, dominate this novel as Susie and Tom try to survive the vengeance of Tatiana and Sasha. Along with battling the coven, Susan must do battle with agents of the underworld.
Tatiana is armed with the powerful Lotus Medallion, a vicious second on command, Sasha, and a new and younger coven. A guilty verdict means death for Susie and her boyfriend, the demon hunter, Tom Padilla. The underworld also has an interest in the outcome of the trial. The new demon leader, Leechadon, sends his lieutenant, Tiagro, to help the coven. They figure, with Susie out of the way, its one less hero they'd have to deal with in their future plans to take over the Earth.
Susie is haunted by the past when she allowed Tatiana's cousin to be killed, and her new best friend, Sonya, has disappeared as well. The archangel Gabriel makes an appearance to drop a game-changing secret about Susie that the coven refuses to accept.
Romantic relationships, on both sides, dominate this novel as Susie and Tom try to survive the vengeance of Tatiana and Sasha. Along with battling the coven, Susan must do battle with agents of the underworld.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews