Damning the Dead

The Dead #3

by Kerry Blaisdell

Hyacinth Finch’s life-after-death just got more complicated. High on her to-do list: Stop Satan from stealing any more of Archangel Michael’s powerful relics, marshal her Dead Army of two thousand souls, and recapture dozens of escaped Hell Demons, to prevent six thousand dead Nazis from wreaking havoc in the world. And on top of all that, her onetime ghost boyfriend has hijacked the body of a former German militant, which has its ups and downs for their relationship.

Then, just when things seem to be under control, her nephew Geordi’s powers start leaking out, and Hyacinth’s own begin to change. She must discover where their abilities originated. But as she digs deeper, will the truths she uncovers do more harm than good? And more importantly—can she figure it out, before Satan escapes from Hell and takes Geordi for himself?

Genres: Fantasy, Paranormal

313 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 5, 2022

About the author

Kerry Blaisdell is the bestselling and award-winning author of the acclaimed Dead Series, including DEBRIEFING THE DEAD and its sequels, which InD’tale Magazine recommends for “fans of shows like ‘Constantine’ or ‘Supernatural.’” She also writes award-winning Romantic Suspense (PUBLISH OR PERISH, a Publishers Weekly BookLife Prize Quarterfinalist) and Historical Mystery. She has a B.A. from U.C. Berkeley in Comparative Literature (French/Medieval English), and a Master’s in Teaching English and Advanced Mathematics from University of Portland. Kerry lives in the gorgeous Pacific Northwest with her family, assorted animals, and more hot pepper plants than anyone could reasonably consume. To connect with Kerry online, join her Facebook Reader Group (http://facebook.com/groups/kerryskin), or subscribe to her Very Occasional Mailing List (https://rebrand.ly/vomlgr) and get TWO free downloads!

Reviews

[N.N. Heaven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just when Hyacinth has it all figured out, her nephew’s powers illicit attention from none other than Satan. Can she stop Satan from taking her nephew in time or will she sacrifice herself when she fails? Hyacinth is working for Archangel Michael trying to stop Satan from stealing more artifacts but now she’s got a whole army of souls to lead plus a bunch of demons to send back to hell and stop an army of dead Nazis from fulfilling their goal. All of that would be enough for her but her ghostly boyfriend has taken over a body of a dead German soldier. Talk about awkward. Then she has to contend with her nephew’s powers growing and her own begin to shift. Wouldn’t it be better if she was just dead and buried? But there’s too much at stake for Hyacinth to throw a pity party. She’ll do anything to protect her nephew but is she prepared to do what is needed?

Damning the Dead is book three in the acclaimed series by Kerry Blaisdell. Filled with action, drama, emotion, angels, demons, relationships, life, and death, Damning the Dead takes everything you think you know about paranormal and spins it on its head. The plot moves at a solid pace with quite a bit of subplot going on. The descriptive narration is frantic at times, but I believe it’s intentional by the author. The reader gets to experience everything Hyacinth is feeling. Damning the Dead ends on a massive cliffhanger. This reader is left wondering how the series is going to end. Damning the Dead is book three in the series and while you can read it on its own merit, thanks to the author providing concise backstory, I recommend reading books one and two first. If you’re a paranormal reader, pick up Damning the Dead. If you’re looking for an addictive series to binge-read, you’ll want to read the whole Dead series. I look forward to its conclusion.

Disclaimer: I received a copy from the author in the hopes I'd review it. My thoughts are all my own.

My Rating: 5 stars

Reviewed by: Mrs. N

This review first appeared: https://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/po...

[InD'tale Magazine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picking up right where the second book left off, “Damning the Dead” treads through the murky waters of who to trust: demons, the dead, or angels.

Read full review in the 2021 Holiday issue of InD'tale Magazine.

[Sadira Stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wild ride!
First of all, this action-packed contemporary fantasy series, featuring legions of demons, ghosts, and an army of resurrected Nazis, is best read in order. I read Books 1 & 2 some time ago, and Blaisdell did such a neat job of working in backstory in this third book that I was able to hop right back into the story. Starting from this point would probably make a reader’s head spin, so go get books 1 & 2! You won’t be sorry.
Hyacinth Finch is a soul sorter for the Archangel Michael. A former antiquities dealer/thief, after her death and resurrection she now has a sideline helping Michael recover shards of powerful stones that keep the power balanced between Michael and Satan. Throughout the series, various baddies conspire to break Satan out of hell and co-opt his power. To make matters worse, Hyacinth is not the guardian of her adorable, orphaned nephew Geordi, who’s developing demonic powers of his own.
Hyacinth is torn between to lovers: a hunky mafioso dude with demon blood, and the sexy ghost of a French cop. So—we’ve got a steamy love triangle, action-packed supernatural battles, intrigue, mystery, a cute kid, and lots of humor. Oh, and there are tons of characters in this third book, but I really didn’t have trouble keeping them straight. It’s a fast-paced, complex tale, and this third installment ends on a cliffhanger. I’m looking forward to the final (?) battle in Book Four.
Highly recommend!

[Leisel · Rating 5 out of 5]

SPOILERS ALERT *

First off this is not a standalone story and you really need to have read the previous two titles in this series. But you won't be disappointed.
Hyacinth Finch is so much like an Indiana Jones character dealing with historical relics but what happens when you are killed and resurrected by the Archangel of Death himself?
This instalment we truly start to see Hyacinth come into some serious level of leadership and direction to complete Michael's assignments. Time has come to see how Heaven and Hell will compete against one another.
Great balance of paranormal mystery, action, suspense and very complex romantic entanglement. Hyacinth is such a great character one you will want to cheer on to succeed not just to save lost souls or the world from Satan but to find her happy ever after, but that it a very tricky and winding path it seems.
It is quite obvious author Kerry Blaisdell really commits herself to an in-depth degree of research on so many aspects in this book and series to date.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kathleen Buckley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kerry Blaisdell’s DAMNING THE DEAD is the third in her DEAD series. You might have thought Hyacinth Finch’s life—half-life? Non-life?—couldn’t get more complicated. You would be mistaken. She started out as an inoffensive buyer and seller of stolen antiquities. Now in the third book, she’s up to her neck in demons, Nazis, ghosts, and two boyfriends, one of them dead, the other half-demon. Then there’s her part-time job for Michael, the Archangel, and her guardianship of her nephew. They’re all bound to conflict at some point.

There’s a peculiar realism to these novels. Hyacinth is no superhero and neither are her allies. In spite of supernatural dangers, the characters still have to eat (if they’re even half alive), find transportation, and deal with sneaky and/or jealous boyfriends. Hyacinth remains ethically challenged in some respects.

That grounded-in-reality feeling and the fact I’ve never yet foreseen all the twists and turns in Ms. Blaisdell’s novels keeps me reading. Do I need to mention they’re page-turners?

I received an ARC for my unbiased review.

[Darlene Fredette · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is action filled, fast moving, and a fun read. Hyacinth steps up and assumes the role of leader (not by choice) of armies of demons and dead, which brings out a lot of her determination and strength we haven’t seen in the previous two books. She’s a great lead character. And while she hasn’t chosen her hero yet as she’s still torn between Jason and Eric, I like both characters, but this book had me yelling at Hyacinth to pick Jason. Their chemistry sizzles on the pages. There is a large cast in this story and at times it’s difficult to remember who everyone is, but the read still flows smoothly. Two of my favourite characters are the Archangel Michael, who shows up in different attires, and of course Hyacinth’s nephew, Geordi, who steals every scene he is in. While the author leaves snippets of information of what took place in the previous two books, I recommend reading them in order to get completely immersed in the story. The ending was explosive and will leave you anxiously awaiting the next book. Reviewed for Still Moments Magazine.

[Johanna Sawyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Damning the dead is the third installment in this series and best read in order! Gangs all here! I’ve really been enjoying this series and how unique it is!

What did I like? This part is all business with very little angst which surprised since the cliffhanger in the last book made me expect it. Hyacinth really has her hands full in this one as it seems her job just got too big for her to handle. By the end of the book we learn just how much of a mess she has caused. I’m just agog at all the mess really. Author really has her work cut out for her in part four!

Would I recommend or buy? I’m really enjoying this series. The slow burn between Hyacinth and her men has really been interesting. Will evil win? My votes for Hyacinth… come on girl! Fantasy lovers will love this read. Four stars❤️

I received a complimentary copy to read and I voluntarily left a review!

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another page-turner in The Dead Series! Poor Hyacinth ... in this book, she's essentially had to turn into a military general as she finds herself leading a war against demons and resurrected Nazis. Add that to her continued work of collecting supernatural rocks to protect the balance of good vs evil, sorting the dead for Archangel Michael, and newly parenting her demon-blood nephew. And in her "spare time", she vacillates between her love triangle choices of half-demon Jason or Eric the ghost. Phew. I need a nap just reading about it all!

This is book 3 of the series and I would strongly suggest reading the first two books before reading this one. A fourth book is coming .... Burying the Dead ...... and can't get here soon enough.

I was given a free copy of this book to review. However, the opinion in this review is 100% my own.

[Marion Over · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series just gets better!!! Nazi ghosts, hordes of demons; good demons, bad demons, ghosts taking over human bodies. Small history lessons and fantasy galore.
I really appreciate the effort put into the characters development. There's that build up in the story line that makes you remember parts of the past and say "now that makes sense".
The back and forth between Eric, Hyacinth and Jason comes to a head of sorts.
Hyacinth is still trying to hide all kinds of things from her boss Archangel Michael,
Geordi's powers are out of control and Hyacinth is lucky she has great back-up, because total chaos is breaking loose.

This is a great series and a very talented author.
I received this ARC from Booksirens. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Mary Brannian · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I couldn’t decide if crying or throwing up was the better option." - Hyacinth

Hyacinth Finch has her hands full... Trying to be a "sorter", a " collector", and protecting her nephew.... Not necessarily in that order. Throw in some demons and rogue dead, and you've got an action packed, roller coaster ride into the fantastic! Intrigue, danger, deception, desire... This book has all that and then some!

"How the hell did I get into this mess? More to the point— how would I get out of it?" - Hyacinth

[Corinne LaBalme · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was tough enough when Hyacinth Finch was walking a thin line between Satan and Saint Michael, quite literally caught between a pile of explosive supernatural rocks and a hard place. However, as Book III opens, she's also juggling an army of dead Nazis and an ever-expanding demon population. Can't a half-dead girl catch a break? Not when her skills at art theft are in high demand. Damning the Dead lives up to all the fast-paced promise of books I and II.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Frances Law · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hyacinth is in a pickle. There’s something wrong with Eric but, with everything that’s going on, she doesn’t have time to investigate. In fact, she doesn’t have time to do any of the things that she knows she needs to do.

This book grips you and doesn’t let go until the end when you have no choice but to stop reading. Now we must wait for Book 4!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Melissa Izquierdo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very enjoyable series. In this book, the action builds into a great ending (which, as always, is a cliff hanger) leaving the reader wanting more.

My one criticism is the overuse (misuse?) of "minion." The characters sticking by Hyacinth are incredibly loyal, unto death and beyond. They aren't servile minions

Other than that, I'm read for the next one.

I received a free ARC and this is my honest review.

[Susan Underbrink · Rating 3 out of 5]

A big thank you to NetGalley and Wild Rose Press for the ARC. I am voluntarily reviewing this book. This is the 3rd in a series. I think these need to be read in order, as I was completely confused. I wanted to like this because I thought Hyacinth was a cool character. I was just to overwhelmed with all the names and things happening. 3 stars. I think if you read them in order it would be much more enjoyable.

[Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it.
More twists and turns (some I actually had hunches about). Some of these characters Im really starting to care for.
The book has a good mix from a few genres so I get a bit of everything I like.
Fast paced and kept ya on your toes.
Cant wait for book 4.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely Wonderful

I stayed up after midnight finishing this book. I was so happy it picked up right after Book Two! Great fast-moving tale that I simply loved. Hyacinth becomes a leader of armies in a bizarre twist that kept me glued to every page. I think I will rest for a couple of days and then go back and re-read this book.

Thank you Kerry!

[Sissy Satterfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, Hyacinth's journey just keeps getting more difficult. We have Angels, Demon's, Ghosts, and now we have Satan as well. This is one action packed, twist and turns story. I do not know how I can stand waiting to read the next book. I feel that this is a wonderful crazy world, and I want more, please!

[Stacy McKitrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am not a happy reader. This book didn’t end. I mean, it was worse than a stupid cliffhanger. It just didn’t end. Not sure if I’ll buy book #4, whenever it comes out. Heck, if it’s too late, I’ll probably forgot I read this series as it is, so it really won’t matter. But man, I hate it when a book doesn’t end!

[Kassea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another amazing read from Kerry. I was not expecting any of that to happen in the end! Can't wait to read the next book.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fantastic story by an amazing writer. It’s impossible to not get involved with the characters and everything that happens to them. Definitely ready for more.

[Kari Dianne Masengale · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love reading books like this I definitely recommend it

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this addition to The Dead Series. While it could be read as a stand alone, I think it’s best to have read the first two in the series before this one. The author has a way of making the supernatural and fantastical feel legitimate and relatable. Well written, great imagery, and one of my favorite series - I could read about Hy for far more books and not grow bored!