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Servant #3
The Kindred
Gabrielle Cody is a paladin?God?s enforcer on earth. But she?s not sure she can endure the life of a holy warrior. Her relationship with Detective Luther Cross is under constant strain already, and its going to get worse.
There is a monster feeding off of human blood, flesh, and souls and Gaby must stop him. But her passion for Luther distracts her from the terrible connection she has with her quarry?and the creature?s desire to devour her.
There is a monster feeding off of human blood, flesh, and souls and Gaby must stop him. But her passion for Luther distracts her from the terrible connection she has with her quarry?and the creature?s desire to devour her.
304 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published August 7, 2009
17 people are currently reading
306 people want to read
About the author
L.L. Foster
7 books67 followersL.L. Foster is a pseudonym for romance writer Lori Foster.
Under this name, she writers Urban Fantasy books with a little bit of romance.
Under this name, she writers Urban Fantasy books with a little bit of romance.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
August 30, 2010
I almost feel bad having this series as my first review since I have absolutely nothing good to say about this book, or the series for that matter. Every element of this book was just terrible, from the language to the plot development, or lack thereof.
By the time I came to the final novel in the Servant trilogy, I quite literally had to force myself to read every page. Unlike the first two, where I became hooked on a goal that Gabrielle Cody was trying to reach, this book just grossed me out, bored me, and irritated me when I wasn’t bored. After the first chapter, I lost any hope that this novel was an improvement on the first two.
The foul language was so excessive that I noticed myself just passing over it like you would the word “the” or “and”. The fact that Gaby couldn’t form a sentence without saying the f-word seemed a bit juvenile to me. Foster’s attempt to make Gaby seem uneducated is contradicted when she randomly uses words like cathartic. It was out of her character.
The characters were more frustrating in this novel than in the previous ones. Gaby and Luther’s arguing left me so annoyed that, at times, I just skipped over it. I could not understand why Luther was so obsessed with her since any normal person probably would just ignored her from the get go. However, I felt that Gaby’s character had become more realistic in her feelings and thoughts. I actually liked that Gaby was so jealous of Ann, Luther’s partner who is perfect in every way. I also liked the relationship she forms with Bliss, a ex-prostitute that Gaby saved from the streets, and the two orphans that Gaby takes under her wing.
The biggest problem I have with this series is the pedestal that Foster place Gaby upon. Foster makes her protagonist so strong and unbeatable that, more than once, I thought that the author was trying to make Gaby a god on earth. Gaby only obtains one injury through the entire novel, a bullet wound that is used to further the plot. Without the bullet wound, Gaby would have never gone to get a tattoo. Nobody can touch Gaby, something I found not only a nuascance but unlikely.
The final noteworthy thing about this book, is that we discover Gaby ancestry. I felt appeased in my search for discovering more about Gaby’s past and parents. Any surprise I had about her parentage was nullified by Foster’s writing style.
I do believe I have complained enough about this series. I did have hope for it but was disappointed. After reading such an unpleasing series, I am going to read a book I know I should end up enjoying.
By the time I came to the final novel in the Servant trilogy, I quite literally had to force myself to read every page. Unlike the first two, where I became hooked on a goal that Gabrielle Cody was trying to reach, this book just grossed me out, bored me, and irritated me when I wasn’t bored. After the first chapter, I lost any hope that this novel was an improvement on the first two.
The foul language was so excessive that I noticed myself just passing over it like you would the word “the” or “and”. The fact that Gaby couldn’t form a sentence without saying the f-word seemed a bit juvenile to me. Foster’s attempt to make Gaby seem uneducated is contradicted when she randomly uses words like cathartic. It was out of her character.
The characters were more frustrating in this novel than in the previous ones. Gaby and Luther’s arguing left me so annoyed that, at times, I just skipped over it. I could not understand why Luther was so obsessed with her since any normal person probably would just ignored her from the get go. However, I felt that Gaby’s character had become more realistic in her feelings and thoughts. I actually liked that Gaby was so jealous of Ann, Luther’s partner who is perfect in every way. I also liked the relationship she forms with Bliss, a ex-prostitute that Gaby saved from the streets, and the two orphans that Gaby takes under her wing.
The biggest problem I have with this series is the pedestal that Foster place Gaby upon. Foster makes her protagonist so strong and unbeatable that, more than once, I thought that the author was trying to make Gaby a god on earth. Gaby only obtains one injury through the entire novel, a bullet wound that is used to further the plot. Without the bullet wound, Gaby would have never gone to get a tattoo. Nobody can touch Gaby, something I found not only a nuascance but unlikely.
The final noteworthy thing about this book, is that we discover Gaby ancestry. I felt appeased in my search for discovering more about Gaby’s past and parents. Any surprise I had about her parentage was nullified by Foster’s writing style.
I do believe I have complained enough about this series. I did have hope for it but was disappointed. After reading such an unpleasing series, I am going to read a book I know I should end up enjoying.
June 23, 2011
This series of books got progressively better. In the first book, Gaby was very withdrawn socially and didn't relate to anyone. I thought the book was alittle slow and didn't think I'd make it through all three if this is how it was starting out.
In the second book, she starts to come out of her shell and begins to make friends. The story picked up some and didn't feel as stagnate.
By the third book, Gaby has a small band of friends and has upgraded to caring and concern. The paranormal storyline was pretty good, but I really think that her development as a person was much more interesting.
In the second book, she starts to come out of her shell and begins to make friends. The story picked up some and didn't feel as stagnate.
By the third book, Gaby has a small band of friends and has upgraded to caring and concern. The paranormal storyline was pretty good, but I really think that her development as a person was much more interesting.
July 21, 2010
Insipid. I don't get how people with the moral compass of the character to protect babies & puppies above all else can stomach any of the rest of the facets of these books - relentless maiming violence, sadism, and really bad but kinda rough sex. These books are trying to have it both ways: barbarous vigilantism combined with moral highground lawfulness, and it just doesn't work. The author just repeatedly asserts what she wishes to be true about the characters, regardless of how they actually behave or read.
May 24, 2010
I enjoyed the first two books in the series more than the third but only because this book read more like a conclusion to the series. I do not want the series to end anytime soon. Anything that I say could result in a spoiler so I will just say - I love the Servant series.
September 17, 2009
Apparently Foster is still having fun with her Thesaurus, which was a bit distracting, but altogether a fun read. Not the best thing she's ever written, but definitely enough to keep me following any further adventures of Gabrielle and Luther.
February 24, 2021
This is slightly better & worse than #2.
Get out your dictionary again to visit opposite land. The plot and characters are equally as bad as the previous book. The words still don't match the characters. The background of the lead, Gaby, is stiltedly revealed and overall badly done. This series attempts to join holy with profane (or whatever the author is trying to do) but fails miserably. Coercive sex without genuine enthusiastic verbal consent isn't cool. The attempts to drag in BDSM connections also fail. Gore in front of children isn't needed. At. All. Please avoid this book and all in the series.
Get out your dictionary again to visit opposite land. The plot and characters are equally as bad as the previous book. The words still don't match the characters. The background of the lead, Gaby, is stiltedly revealed and overall badly done. This series attempts to join holy with profane (or whatever the author is trying to do) but fails miserably. Coercive sex without genuine enthusiastic verbal consent isn't cool. The attempts to drag in BDSM connections also fail. Gore in front of children isn't needed. At. All. Please avoid this book and all in the series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 3, 2020
I love this urban fantasy series . 3 books in 3 days i stalled at the epilogue hated so have it end
May 14, 2012
One of the Best, Yet Sadly Underrated Urban Fantasy Series,
I highly recommend you read the previous books in this series (The Awakening and the Acceptance) before reading this novel. This is the last installment of the Servant trilogy.
I've had my ups and downs w/ this series, mainly the first book, the Awakening. Regardless of the first installment, each installment seems to get better and better. This book was excellent from start to finish.
Gaby, a Paladin and vigilante has decided to let Luther into her heart, as well as her body. However, that proves difficult when her "calling" runs on its own schedule. On top of learning to trust Luther, accepting and appreciating her new friends, as well as new life; Gaby has to track down a sadistic killer who has a palate for human flesh and unquenchable thirst for human blood.
In this last installment, Gaby meets the most formidable nemesis she will probably ever meet. There was great twisted humor, action, excitement, mystery and suspenseful twist and turns throughout. Gaby is my favorite and one of the best and bad-a$$ heroines you'll find in urban fantasy today.
If you're looking for an urban fantasy series that doesn't cater to a whiny, pouty and too-stupid-to-live heroines, give this series a try. I'm sad to say that I'm sorry the series is ending and I will miss it tremendously (and after this novel, it has finally been proven to me, that Gaby hasn't been killing sick ugly people but actual malicious nefarious criminals). I highly recommend this book and series to dark urban fantasy readers.
I also recommend these books below, as well as their entire series:
Naked in Death (In Death, Book 1)
Skinwalker (Jane Yellowrock, Book 1)
Mark of the Demon
Red-Headed Stepchild (Sabina Kane)
Bad Blood (Crimson Moon, Book 1)
I highly recommend you read the previous books in this series (The Awakening and the Acceptance) before reading this novel. This is the last installment of the Servant trilogy.
I've had my ups and downs w/ this series, mainly the first book, the Awakening. Regardless of the first installment, each installment seems to get better and better. This book was excellent from start to finish.
Gaby, a Paladin and vigilante has decided to let Luther into her heart, as well as her body. However, that proves difficult when her "calling" runs on its own schedule. On top of learning to trust Luther, accepting and appreciating her new friends, as well as new life; Gaby has to track down a sadistic killer who has a palate for human flesh and unquenchable thirst for human blood.
In this last installment, Gaby meets the most formidable nemesis she will probably ever meet. There was great twisted humor, action, excitement, mystery and suspenseful twist and turns throughout. Gaby is my favorite and one of the best and bad-a$$ heroines you'll find in urban fantasy today.
If you're looking for an urban fantasy series that doesn't cater to a whiny, pouty and too-stupid-to-live heroines, give this series a try. I'm sad to say that I'm sorry the series is ending and I will miss it tremendously (and after this novel, it has finally been proven to me, that Gaby hasn't been killing sick ugly people but actual malicious nefarious criminals). I highly recommend this book and series to dark urban fantasy readers.
I also recommend these books below, as well as their entire series:
Naked in Death (In Death, Book 1)
Skinwalker (Jane Yellowrock, Book 1)
Mark of the Demon
Red-Headed Stepchild (Sabina Kane)
Bad Blood (Crimson Moon, Book 1)
June 8, 2011
Although I am sad to see the series ending, it left the reader with a sense of contentment...purpose to Gaby's life. Having been alone her whole life, rejected and never knowing any love, she has finally found her purpose and her place in a world that not many people will ever need to see or be a part of. I liked all the characters because they all became tied to Gaby without her even trying and yet they were all changed because of her...and Gaby because of them. As I said in the first review, I was surprised to find this in the romance section because while it has some romantic themes (more so in this book), it mostly is a guide to Gaby learning to live, to love and to be loved set in a fantasy setting. Thank you for a great series that really opens you up to the idea that there are people on this earth that are meant to do God's will and while there was killing, it may never be accepted, it seemed right in the face of what the "evil" was capable of. Just something to think about. I most certainly do not condone murdering anyone, but you wonder how often we can look away from the atrocities of our society and never find a way to stop it.
April 22, 2016
She is a paladin. Gabrielle Cody is a type of holy warrior, but she is not certain that this is the life that she wishes to lead. It is leading to relationship stress with her beau, Detective Luther Cross, and it is not making her happy. They are pursuing a monster that is feeding off of human blood, flesh, and souls. Only holy warrior Gaby must stop him. She needs to not focus on her very passionate hook ups with Luther so she can focus on vanquishing this terrible beastie. An interesting twist on the supernatural romance story...
September 6, 2009
This is the third book in the series.
Gabby is a kick-butt girl. She is a paladin and has been on her own for so long.
Now she has friends and a boyfriend.
I've enjoyed the growth of her character and those around her.
The author makes Gabby into role model showing that girls can get things done yet still be sensitive and real.
Gabby is a kick-butt girl. She is a paladin and has been on her own for so long.
Now she has friends and a boyfriend.
I've enjoyed the growth of her character and those around her.
The author makes Gabby into role model showing that girls can get things done yet still be sensitive and real.
December 26, 2009
I liked the series as it was a different style the Foster's romance books. The heroine Gaby is so funny as she deals with her man and how the world works as she is too busy killing demons. Gaby has a big heart but using it is a new thing for her but there is Luther and I love how he 'teaches' Gaby a thing or two.
March 12, 2013
This was an excellent series, funny characters and Gabby was a strong lead along with Luther! I wasn't sure I was going to like the books and was sucked into the first book by chapter two. Very quick reads. This one had much more sexual tension as the characters develop but Gabby's ignorance is funny and charming. She is also a quick learner! I would recommend.
October 9, 2010
I love this series! I was so drawn in by the creativity of it all and how different it was from other Paranormal/Fantasy. Foster has a way of captivating you to feel like you are part of the story. (Actually, you will find that I really was part of the story in book 2, the dead hooker, HA!).
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December 15, 2015Really awesome ending
This series was very good to read. Read it quickly and easily. Fast paced and unputdownable. Happy to see how it ended. Beautifully written. I upped my previous 4 star to 5. Loved every word. But then Lori Foster wrote it, that's good enough for me. ;)
This series was very good to read. Read it quickly and easily. Fast paced and unputdownable. Happy to see how it ended. Beautifully written. I upped my previous 4 star to 5. Loved every word. But then Lori Foster wrote it, that's good enough for me. ;)
September 17, 2009
A solid 3.5. The series grew on me. It's not my favorite, but Ive enjoyed it.
September 21, 2009
Certainly my favorite in the series. She made Gaby seem more like a person then a freak show in this book. Not my favorite series of Lori Foster but it was intriguing.
October 27, 2009
I love this series ... sort of a cross between Urban Fantasy & Paranormal Romance!
It really is an alternate World for L.L. Foster, aka Lori Foster.
It really is an alternate World for L.L. Foster, aka Lori Foster.
March 22, 2010
Is it over? Will there be no more of this kick ass heroine? Somebody, please tell me its not so!
August 14, 2010
Oh, I really liked this one the best so far. About time these two hooked up! This is a good series!
July 20, 2011
I LOVED these books and so want more. Does anyone know if she plans on writing more in this world?
August 8, 2012
loved it!!
August 27, 2013
3.5 stars
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews