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Black Wings #2
Black Night
Madeline Black is an Agent of death, meaning she escorts the souls of people who have died to the afterlife. Of course, not everyone is happy to see her...
If obstinate dead people were all that Maddy had to worry about, life would be much easier. But the best-laid plans of Agents and fallen angels often go awry. Deaths are occurring contrary to the natural order, Maddy's being stalked by foes inside and outside of her family, and her two loves-her bodyguard, Gabriel, and her doughnut-loving gargoyle, Beezle-have disappeared. But because Maddy is Lucifer's granddaughter, things are expected of her, things like delicate diplomatic missions to other realms.
If obstinate dead people were all that Maddy had to worry about, life would be much easier. But the best-laid plans of Agents and fallen angels often go awry. Deaths are occurring contrary to the natural order, Maddy's being stalked by foes inside and outside of her family, and her two loves-her bodyguard, Gabriel, and her doughnut-loving gargoyle, Beezle-have disappeared. But because Maddy is Lucifer's granddaughter, things are expected of her, things like delicate diplomatic missions to other realms.
277 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published July 26, 2011
83 people are currently reading
3576 people want to read
About the author
Christina Henry
61 books8,523 followersChristina Henry is a horror and dark fantasy author whose works include GOOD GIRLS DON'T DIE, HORSEMAN, NEAR THE BONE, THE GHOST TREE, LOOKING GLASS, THE GIRL IN RED, THE MERMAID, LOST BOY, RED QUEEN, ALICE, and the seven book urban fantasy BLACK WINGS series.
Her short stories have been featured in the anthologies ELEMENTAL FORCES, CURSED, TWICE CURSED, GIVING THE DEVIL HIS DUE and KICKING IT.
She enjoys running long distances, reading anything she can get her hands on and watching movies with samurai, zombies and/or subtitles in her spare time. She lives in Chicago with her husband and son.
You can visit her on the web at
www.christinahenry.net
Facebook: authorChristinaHenry
Threads: authorChristinaHenry
Instagram: authorChristinaHenry
Goodreads: goodreads.com/CHenryAuthor
Her short stories have been featured in the anthologies ELEMENTAL FORCES, CURSED, TWICE CURSED, GIVING THE DEVIL HIS DUE and KICKING IT.
She enjoys running long distances, reading anything she can get her hands on and watching movies with samurai, zombies and/or subtitles in her spare time. She lives in Chicago with her husband and son.
You can visit her on the web at
www.christinahenry.net
Facebook: authorChristinaHenry
Threads: authorChristinaHenry
Instagram: authorChristinaHenry
Goodreads: goodreads.com/CHenryAuthor
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 285 reviews
August 24, 2011
*3.5 Stars*
Although I enjoyed this book for the most part, a lot of what I loved about the first book, Black Wings, was missing. I had quite a few iffy moments while reading and found myself genuinely relieved when I ended Black Night more positive than not. I have no plans as of yet to quit this series, but I have to admit I’m a little more wary than I was after reading the first book.
It seemed like a good chunk of my time reading the beginning of the book was spent trying to resist the urge to pull my hair out. The heroine, Maddy, seemed to subscribe to the belief that she should ignore any advice she was given about her interactions with the supernatural world, just on principal. I cannot stand deliberate stupidity, and she had it in spades. Again and again things would turn out badly because she just wouldn’t listen. She would acknowledge later that she could have avoided it, but she just brushed it off by saying that she couldn’t stand everyone telling her what to do. Personally, I think smart people would prefer to know the lay of the land before they went blundering around. Too bad Maddy wasn’t that intelligent.
I was really pleased that Henry didn’t include a love triangle in the first book. I marveled over finally finding an Urban Fantasy without a love triangle and was impressed that the author didn’t feel the need to conform to the current trend. I guess I spoke too soon, because although there isn’t an out and out love triangle, there seems to be one in the making what with the flutters going on for another man. How lame. :( Gabriel was barely even in the book, so that was another downer. I was really looking forward to seeing the tension between them and watching them (or her, since he feels he can’t) try to find a way to be together. I felt we ended the book in the exact same place we started in, just with a different setup. I’m afraid if plot devices that seem like carbon copies of each other keep popping up to keep them apart, I’m going to get tired of this. I don’t like the feel of being stuck spinning my wheels.
I also felt like things were too easy for Maddy this time around. She seems to shrug and accept anything that comes her way with barely a flinch. Her reactions and the lasting impact of certain upsetting close calls were nil, so it was hard to get swept away and feel any urgency. Plus, I wasn’t happy to see a certain event used so cavalierly. That’s a pet peeve of mine.
Despite my dislikes, the pages turned quickly, and I was sucked in. Once the action starts, it just keeps on going. We rarely see Maddy do her actual job—which I missed—but we get exposed to a lot of new sides of her world. We meet the Werewolves and the Fae, and although I didn’t feel we got much depth to them, we got enough to whet my appetite for more.
The politics involved in being Lucifer’s granddaughter are still the main object of my interest (and frustration) in Maddy’s new role in the supernatural world. I really liked watching Maddy find her feet as Lucifer’s representative and enjoyed her burgeoning self confidence in that arena. But those very politics also frustrate me and leave me with the feeling that I’ll be stuck watching this same dance again and again for a few more books. I could be wrong, though. The author really could pull through and surprised me.
Just like with my review of the first book, I have to warn those of you who are not fans of having the angel/demon/Lucifer angle messed with against reading this book. I doubt you’ll be happy with the role Lucifer is cast in and you’ll probably grind your teeth to find that pretty much every major character in the book is some kind of relative of hell. So, just an fyi. :D
Favorite Quote:
Review posted on Fiction Vixen
Although I enjoyed this book for the most part, a lot of what I loved about the first book, Black Wings, was missing. I had quite a few iffy moments while reading and found myself genuinely relieved when I ended Black Night more positive than not. I have no plans as of yet to quit this series, but I have to admit I’m a little more wary than I was after reading the first book.
It seemed like a good chunk of my time reading the beginning of the book was spent trying to resist the urge to pull my hair out. The heroine, Maddy, seemed to subscribe to the belief that she should ignore any advice she was given about her interactions with the supernatural world, just on principal. I cannot stand deliberate stupidity, and she had it in spades. Again and again things would turn out badly because she just wouldn’t listen. She would acknowledge later that she could have avoided it, but she just brushed it off by saying that she couldn’t stand everyone telling her what to do. Personally, I think smart people would prefer to know the lay of the land before they went blundering around. Too bad Maddy wasn’t that intelligent.
I was really pleased that Henry didn’t include a love triangle in the first book. I marveled over finally finding an Urban Fantasy without a love triangle and was impressed that the author didn’t feel the need to conform to the current trend. I guess I spoke too soon, because although there isn’t an out and out love triangle, there seems to be one in the making what with the flutters going on for another man. How lame. :( Gabriel was barely even in the book, so that was another downer. I was really looking forward to seeing the tension between them and watching them (or her, since he feels he can’t) try to find a way to be together. I felt we ended the book in the exact same place we started in, just with a different setup. I’m afraid if plot devices that seem like carbon copies of each other keep popping up to keep them apart, I’m going to get tired of this. I don’t like the feel of being stuck spinning my wheels.
I also felt like things were too easy for Maddy this time around. She seems to shrug and accept anything that comes her way with barely a flinch. Her reactions and the lasting impact of certain upsetting close calls were nil, so it was hard to get swept away and feel any urgency. Plus, I wasn’t happy to see a certain event used so cavalierly. That’s a pet peeve of mine.
Despite my dislikes, the pages turned quickly, and I was sucked in. Once the action starts, it just keeps on going. We rarely see Maddy do her actual job—which I missed—but we get exposed to a lot of new sides of her world. We meet the Werewolves and the Fae, and although I didn’t feel we got much depth to them, we got enough to whet my appetite for more.
The politics involved in being Lucifer’s granddaughter are still the main object of my interest (and frustration) in Maddy’s new role in the supernatural world. I really liked watching Maddy find her feet as Lucifer’s representative and enjoyed her burgeoning self confidence in that arena. But those very politics also frustrate me and leave me with the feeling that I’ll be stuck watching this same dance again and again for a few more books. I could be wrong, though. The author really could pull through and surprised me.
Just like with my review of the first book, I have to warn those of you who are not fans of having the angel/demon/Lucifer angle messed with against reading this book. I doubt you’ll be happy with the role Lucifer is cast in and you’ll probably grind your teeth to find that pretty much every major character in the book is some kind of relative of hell. So, just an fyi. :D
Favorite Quote:
"People are staring," Gabriel murmured next to me.
"Oh, gee, why would they stare?" I said. "It's not like I'm having an argument with my coat lapel or anything."
Review posted on Fiction Vixen
March 26, 2018
Uzun zamandır okuduğum en iyi serilerden biri. Keşke Türkçeye'de çevirseler demeden duramıyorum :D
Her saniye ayrı bir güzeldi. Labirent olayı biraz abartılı geldi, ama çok da değildi. Aşırılık yoktu.İnandırıcı bir kitaptı. Hikayeye kendinizi kaptırıyordunuz. Hele Lucifer'a bayılıyorum. Sürekli gelsin.
Kitap tam benlikti. Her an aksiyon vardı ama aksiyonlar Cassie Palmer'ın olay akışınan çok farklı ve yorucu asla değildi. Kızın cevapları beni çok eğlendirdi. Açıkçası kahkahalarla gülmedim ama kitaba renk katıyordu. Üçüncü kitabı sabırsızlıkla bekliyorum. Ayrıca Gabriel'den başkasını bulmalılar bu kıza ben pek yakıştıramıyorum niyedir bilinmez.
Kitap gene birilerinin Madeline'i öldürmeye çalışması ile başlıyor. Lucifer Madeline'den peri sarayında elçi olmasını istiyor. Gabriel kaçırılıyor. Beeze de öyle Beeze peri sınırları içinde bulunuyor.(Beeze Madeline'in evcil gargoylu) kraliçe bu izinsiz giriş için 3 gün orada kalmasını şart koşuyor. Nathaniel kraliçenin büyüsü altında iken Madeline'ye tecavüz etmeye kalkıyor. Gabriel kraliçeye hediye ediliyor ve başka bir melek tarafından Madeline'e zorlu bir sınavı geçip Lucifer'ın kendi eliyle yaptığı kılıçın yardımıyla yeniyor ve gidiyorlar. Biri kurtadamları öldürüyor. Bu kurtadam katili gene luciferın çocuğu çıkıyor(adamın her yerde bir çocuğu var evet :D) Madeline öldürüyor. Luc Madeline'i ziyeret ediyor. Kılıç sahibi olarak Madelin' i seçiyor. VE bu kitap için önemli bir olay nedenini çözmüş değilim.Belki sonraki kitaplarda.
Bu seriyi paranormal, melek seven herkese öneririm. Okuması eğlenceli sürükleyici ve kendini kim kimdir diye fazla kaybetmeyeceğiniz bir ktap. KEndi dünyasına sizi çabucak çekiyor.
December 3, 2016
Now we're getting to the good part but of course it had to be a complicated way of getting to what was needed to be done. Can't wait to get the next book.
July 26, 2011
Review originally posted at Book Lovers Inc.
I couldn't wait to start this one when I received it after a rather long wait. I still remembered how much I liked Black Wings so I really looked forward to start it. The humor in Black Night is still wonderful but I missed some things that made me like the first installment so much.
I'm not sure if Maddie was already that immature in book 1. She's in her thirties but her actions sometimes felt more like those of a teenager. She is a strong woman but perhaps her background made me doubt her in this one. A few months went by since Black Wings and still nothing really happened between her and Gabriel. Her attraction always burned hot but in this book she also develops a certain attraction to other guys. I really didn't see that one coming. I usually like love triangles but I thought that the virginal Maddie would stick to Gabriel no matter their predicament.
I still loved her banters with Beezle and JB. There were more than one scene that made me snort and giggle. I also loved to see her interact with Nathaniel- their views on life collide so often an dit was intriguing to see them realize the others motivations and reasons. I have to say there were 2 scenes in this book that made me wonder. I don't like when authors use a certain plot devise to make our protagonist suffer and it nearly happens twice in Black Night. I didn't like how easy our heroine handles this- sadly a big turn off for me. On that note I wasn't happy that Maddie actually seemed to handle everything too easily. Why is it so easy for her to brush off all the very gruesome violence she sees and has to endure herself. I would have loved to see some actual attempt of coping or just trying to come to terms with all that.
The plot itself is again full of action, violence and intrigues. You won't get much time to take deep breaths- it's a fast crazy and sometimes bloody roller coaster ride. We also learn some more facts about Maddie's background and why certain family members act the way they do. It brings light to some questions but also brings up some new ones to keep your curiosity on high level.
Black Night will draw you deeper in the world around Maddie & Co. It's a fast paced addition to this urban fantasy series that will make you crave more. I had some nibbles with the plot but I still enjoyed this one very much. It has a great twist and kept me glued to the edge of my seat. Recommended urban fantasy series for all the wit and humor lovers out there. I already can't wait for the next addition in this series.
I give Black Night 3 1/2 stars.
I couldn't wait to start this one when I received it after a rather long wait. I still remembered how much I liked Black Wings so I really looked forward to start it. The humor in Black Night is still wonderful but I missed some things that made me like the first installment so much.
I'm not sure if Maddie was already that immature in book 1. She's in her thirties but her actions sometimes felt more like those of a teenager. She is a strong woman but perhaps her background made me doubt her in this one. A few months went by since Black Wings and still nothing really happened between her and Gabriel. Her attraction always burned hot but in this book she also develops a certain attraction to other guys. I really didn't see that one coming. I usually like love triangles but I thought that the virginal Maddie would stick to Gabriel no matter their predicament.
I still loved her banters with Beezle and JB. There were more than one scene that made me snort and giggle. I also loved to see her interact with Nathaniel- their views on life collide so often an dit was intriguing to see them realize the others motivations and reasons. I have to say there were 2 scenes in this book that made me wonder. I don't like when authors use a certain plot devise to make our protagonist suffer and it nearly happens twice in Black Night. I didn't like how easy our heroine handles this- sadly a big turn off for me. On that note I wasn't happy that Maddie actually seemed to handle everything too easily. Why is it so easy for her to brush off all the very gruesome violence she sees and has to endure herself. I would have loved to see some actual attempt of coping or just trying to come to terms with all that.
The plot itself is again full of action, violence and intrigues. You won't get much time to take deep breaths- it's a fast crazy and sometimes bloody roller coaster ride. We also learn some more facts about Maddie's background and why certain family members act the way they do. It brings light to some questions but also brings up some new ones to keep your curiosity on high level.
Black Night will draw you deeper in the world around Maddie & Co. It's a fast paced addition to this urban fantasy series that will make you crave more. I had some nibbles with the plot but I still enjoyed this one very much. It has a great twist and kept me glued to the edge of my seat. Recommended urban fantasy series for all the wit and humor lovers out there. I already can't wait for the next addition in this series.
I give Black Night 3 1/2 stars.
May 19, 2012
Another hit for Christina Henry! I'm very happy I started this series finally. I can't believe it took this long for me to pick it up.
This time around Madeline is under even more stress than ever. She's mixed up in supernatural politics, beings used a pawns in a game she doesn't want anything to do with and being pressured by all the men in her life. I think she needs a day off, with pay.
This instalment was emotional, exciting and action packed. Beezle is still hilariously annoying and demanding donuts. I read a review where a person hated his character. I can see why they thought he was annoying, but it's a consistent and funny quirk of his. I think the series would be short of great without him.
The ending is left with Madeline more emotional and haggard than usual. She's just getting into a world of unknown and biased politics. I don't envy her.
I'm trying not to give much away, but it's hard not to scream my feelings. I will say this. I'm confused with my love for the men in her life. All have pros and cons, of course Gabriel is number one, but Nathaniel and J.B are growing on me, no matter the incident that happens with Maddie and Nathaniel.
Like I said for 'Black Wings' I highly recommend this series to all Urban Fantasy fans. This is a new favorite of mine and I look forward to each new instalment. Black Lament will be released in October. I can't wait to get my hands on it.
This time around Madeline is under even more stress than ever. She's mixed up in supernatural politics, beings used a pawns in a game she doesn't want anything to do with and being pressured by all the men in her life. I think she needs a day off, with pay.
This instalment was emotional, exciting and action packed. Beezle is still hilariously annoying and demanding donuts. I read a review where a person hated his character. I can see why they thought he was annoying, but it's a consistent and funny quirk of his. I think the series would be short of great without him.
The ending is left with Madeline more emotional and haggard than usual. She's just getting into a world of unknown and biased politics. I don't envy her.
I'm trying not to give much away, but it's hard not to scream my feelings. I will say this. I'm confused with my love for the men in her life. All have pros and cons, of course Gabriel is number one, but Nathaniel and J.B are growing on me, no matter the incident that happens with Maddie and Nathaniel.
Like I said for 'Black Wings' I highly recommend this series to all Urban Fantasy fans. This is a new favorite of mine and I look forward to each new instalment. Black Lament will be released in October. I can't wait to get my hands on it.
May 25, 2023
About 2/3 of the way through I was like, Madeline is really annoying and she can do everything and beat everyone, not sure I can carry on. But then in the very last pages when lucifer rocks up and has a conversation with her, it suddenly got worth carrying on. I'll give it one more book.
August 1, 2019
Une très bonne série paranormale, je crois que ce second tome est encore meilleur que le premier. Tout va un peu vite, mais j’étais à fond dans l’histoire et les mésaventures de Madeline. Je suis très curieuse de savoir avec qui elle va finir...
August 20, 2011
reviewed by http://urbanfantasyinvestigations.blo...
How can anyone NOT like Madeline Black and her awesome gargoyle Beezle? BLACK NIGHT continues the series with action, suspense, and fantastic characters.
I was disappointed with the non relationship between Maddie and Gabriel. It was sorta uncomfortable to see them together with Gabriel refusing to be with Maddie. I liked getting to know JB and having him a bigger part of the story, I actually wouldn't be to disappointed if him and Madeline ended up together. We get to know Maddie's "fiance" a little better and I definitely dislike him with a passion. I really enjoyed the fairy realm portion of BLACK NIGHT and I loved the introduction of the werewolf's. I would love to see more of them in the next book. Just like book one there is tons of action and the book is pretty fast paced. Maddie is learning to use her magic better and has to fight through some pretty nasty stuff and against some nasty people. She is turning into someone everyone will be falling over themselves to make sure she is on their side. Maddie has a chance to tell her father what she thinks and it was fantastic. Any fan of BLACK WINGS will be happy with book 2.
How can anyone NOT like Madeline Black and her awesome gargoyle Beezle? BLACK NIGHT continues the series with action, suspense, and fantastic characters.
I was disappointed with the non relationship between Maddie and Gabriel. It was sorta uncomfortable to see them together with Gabriel refusing to be with Maddie. I liked getting to know JB and having him a bigger part of the story, I actually wouldn't be to disappointed if him and Madeline ended up together. We get to know Maddie's "fiance" a little better and I definitely dislike him with a passion. I really enjoyed the fairy realm portion of BLACK NIGHT and I loved the introduction of the werewolf's. I would love to see more of them in the next book. Just like book one there is tons of action and the book is pretty fast paced. Maddie is learning to use her magic better and has to fight through some pretty nasty stuff and against some nasty people. She is turning into someone everyone will be falling over themselves to make sure she is on their side. Maddie has a chance to tell her father what she thinks and it was fantastic. Any fan of BLACK WINGS will be happy with book 2.
July 31, 2011
A nice enough read.
I liked it, it wasn't thrilling, often predictable, but not in an annoying way though.
The thing I hate the most about these books is the repetition of some phrases, this always irks me A LOT in a book. And I also noticed that in every 3 pages there's some kind of a monster showing, it sure gets old!
In another note, I didn't like the lack of explanation about the Nathaniel situation. I need to know if it was really an effect of the faerie queen or not. And I also need to have someone kill Gabriel because he irritates the shit out of me. He's such a pessimist and broody it's SO not attractive! And J.B is too much of a jerk to even admit to his feelings, so that pretty much leaves out Nathaniel, and if it weren't for the attempted (spoiler) incident I would have vouched for him! But anyway, you'd be surprised to know that the most romantic moment I witnessed in this book included (spoiler) the werewolf Jude (who's not even a key player in the book) when he asked her who hit her, so huh! I guess my idea of romance is different from the author's.
However, I must be fair and say that I'm interested enough to keep reading more of this series.
I liked it, it wasn't thrilling, often predictable, but not in an annoying way though.
The thing I hate the most about these books is the repetition of some phrases, this always irks me A LOT in a book. And I also noticed that in every 3 pages there's some kind of a monster showing, it sure gets old!
In another note, I didn't like the lack of explanation about the Nathaniel situation. I need to know if it was really an effect of the faerie queen or not. And I also need to have someone kill Gabriel because he irritates the shit out of me. He's such a pessimist and broody it's SO not attractive! And J.B is too much of a jerk to even admit to his feelings, so that pretty much leaves out Nathaniel, and if it weren't for the attempted (spoiler) incident I would have vouched for him! But anyway, you'd be surprised to know that the most romantic moment I witnessed in this book included (spoiler) the werewolf Jude (who's not even a key player in the book) when he asked her who hit her, so huh! I guess my idea of romance is different from the author's.
However, I must be fair and say that I'm interested enough to keep reading more of this series.
July 17, 2011
Well, at least Maddie realizes that she's surviving against all odds. The magical threats of Maddie's life are difficult to take seriously, as they're all deadly, all powerful, and undefeated for eons, but Maddie always manages to triumph through happenstance and innate magic. Political threats are the only things that can stymie Maddie, and it was fun to see her behind to hold her own (through a process more involved than chance). By book's end, I was heartily sick of knowledgeable people giving Maddie advice, her doing the exact opposite but surviving anyway, but at the same time, Maddie was starting to sound a bit more savvy and adult. Book three looks like it will be a lot of fun, my fingers are crossed that the entourage will either stop giving, or Maddie will start taking, advice.
Full review at All Things Urban Fantasy.
Sexual content: Kissing,an attempted rape, oblique reference to rape.
Full review at All Things Urban Fantasy.
Sexual content: Kissing,an attempted rape, oblique reference to rape.
January 6, 2016
THis was terrible. Part of it was that the narrator was really awful. Her inflection and emphasis was really odd and hearing her made me listen more carefully to the words to figure out what was happening. That made me realize how simple and trite the phrasing was and how cheesy.
It was non stop action. The first few chapters were just someone attacking her and her companions, her getting knocked out or passing out or losing track of time, then getting partially healed, and then figuring out something awful. Important people would disappear. A third potential love interest appeared even if she were rude, it was clear the person was better than she thought and really cared about her, and of course the one she really wants, Gabriel, she can't have. I hate love triangles...love squares? Ugh. And of course none of them can stand each other.
I love the action, but it was too much even for me. The part that I love, the worrying about each other, wasn't really there since everyone was really hurt. She was also TSTL. I finally just gave up. I was too bored.
It was non stop action. The first few chapters were just someone attacking her and her companions, her getting knocked out or passing out or losing track of time, then getting partially healed, and then figuring out something awful. Important people would disappear. A third potential love interest appeared even if she were rude, it was clear the person was better than she thought and really cared about her, and of course the one she really wants, Gabriel, she can't have. I hate love triangles...love squares? Ugh. And of course none of them can stand each other.
I love the action, but it was too much even for me. The part that I love, the worrying about each other, wasn't really there since everyone was really hurt. She was also TSTL. I finally just gave up. I was too bored.
January 11, 2015
''Bir çocuğun yetişkinlerin dünyasından kaçıp her açıdan güçlü olduğu bir yere gitmesi fikri bana çok çekici geldi.'' J.K. Rowling
Ne alaka diyebilirsiniz ama bu sözün Christina Henry'e de çekici geldiğini ve bunu son derece özgün bir şekilde 'uyarladığını' düşünüyorum. Son 2 aydır en çok zevk alarak okuduğum kitap bu oldu.
Kitapta her tarzdan yaratık var. Melekler ağırlıkta olmakla beraber diğer türlerle harmanlanışını çok sevdim. Taht kavgaları, anlaşmaya varma çabaları falan gerçekten ilaç gibi geldi çünkü bu tarzda böyle şeylere çok rastlanmıyor. Ayrıca Medeline Black'in bağlantılarına bayılıyorum! Azazelin kızı, anne tarafından Lucifer'in torunu. Bu onu son derece değerli kılıyor. Dolayısı ile başı beladan ayrılmıyor. Bana da keyifle okumak düşüyor :D
Ne alaka diyebilirsiniz ama bu sözün Christina Henry'e de çekici geldiğini ve bunu son derece özgün bir şekilde 'uyarladığını' düşünüyorum. Son 2 aydır en çok zevk alarak okuduğum kitap bu oldu.
Kitapta her tarzdan yaratık var. Melekler ağırlıkta olmakla beraber diğer türlerle harmanlanışını çok sevdim. Taht kavgaları, anlaşmaya varma çabaları falan gerçekten ilaç gibi geldi çünkü bu tarzda böyle şeylere çok rastlanmıyor. Ayrıca Medeline Black'in bağlantılarına bayılıyorum! Azazelin kızı, anne tarafından Lucifer'in torunu. Bu onu son derece değerli kılıyor. Dolayısı ile başı beladan ayrılmıyor. Bana da keyifle okumak düşüyor :D
December 29, 2011
I wish I could give this book a 3 star rating. I really like the idea of the story, but the book itself just barely held my interest. The book felt repetitive and predictable. How many times can a girl get beat up by an unknown monster and live to tell about it. I didn't really like the main character Maddie and her obsession with Gabriel was annoying. I still think I might give the next book a try. My only hope is that it focuses more on her father's court and Lucifer. I am interested to see what happens with Maddie and Nathaniel.
July 10, 2014
4,5/5
İlk kitaptan pek hoşlanmamıştım. Olaylar ve karakterler basit gelmişti bana :D Ama bu kitapta her şey daha iyiydi, diyaloglar daha eğlenceliydi, tüm sahneleri çok sevdim. Tek sorun labirent sahnesinin abartıldığı kadar iyi çıkmaması :D Devamında lütfeeeen bozmasıın -,-
İlk kitaptan pek hoşlanmamıştım. Olaylar ve karakterler basit gelmişti bana :D Ama bu kitapta her şey daha iyiydi, diyaloglar daha eğlenceliydi, tüm sahneleri çok sevdim. Tek sorun labirent sahnesinin abartıldığı kadar iyi çıkmaması :D Devamında lütfeeeen bozmasıın -,-
July 2, 2017
I really like Henry's writing!
I really like it a lot!!
She has proven to me that urban fantasy doesn't have to be confused with romance; that urban fantasy can be fantasy that is well written, witty, sometimes scary, and sometimes very funny. Her protagonist in this series, Maddy Black, is not only likable but is also very human despite the fact that she is, you know, not. She's the kind of heroine who keeps getting back up on her feet and doesn't take crap from anyone, even if they happen to be royalty.
I am officially hooked on this series and am starting the next book tonight!
I really like it a lot!!
She has proven to me that urban fantasy doesn't have to be confused with romance; that urban fantasy can be fantasy that is well written, witty, sometimes scary, and sometimes very funny. Her protagonist in this series, Maddy Black, is not only likable but is also very human despite the fact that she is, you know, not. She's the kind of heroine who keeps getting back up on her feet and doesn't take crap from anyone, even if they happen to be royalty.
I am officially hooked on this series and am starting the next book tonight!
August 26, 2011
*Rating* 3.5
*Genre* Urban Fantasy
*Review*
Black Night is the second installment in the Madeline Black series. Maddy is back at her job as the angel of death; one who escorts the deceased to the Door for which they will have to make a choice to either cross over, or stay behind and haunt the planet forever.
Maddy is getting used to the fact that she no longer has a human heart but an angel’s heart stone after dying briefly at the hands of Ramuell. Ramuell may be gone, but he is far from forgotten. Along with her new heart come newly discovered powers which will later play an important role in her survival.
Maddy previously learned that her father is the fallen angel Azazel, the right hand man for Lucifer, who coincidentally, is also her grandfather on her mother’s side. Antares, her half-brother, is still planning a vendetta against Maddy and she is also betrothed to be married by her father’s wishes and desires to an asshat named Nathaniel. I have absolutely no use for Nathaniel whatsoever, which goes against the grain against other reviewers who believe that he’s God’s gift to mankind. Tel est la vie
In this installment, not only are the werewolves being brutally killed by a mysterious force. But, Lucifer has tasked Maddy into travelling to the fairy realm of Queen Amarantha’s in a diplomatic mission on behalf of the fallen. Then there is the whole disappearance of Gabriel and Beezle, as well as the gamesmanship that is played between Lucifer, Lord Focalor, and Amarantha with Maddy stuck in the middle. The only positive is that she forms a friendship with the werewolf pack under Wade after helping solve the mystery behind the werewolf deaths.
Thoughts: Although I have no major complaints with the overall picture and design of this story, I do have major problems with the characters themselves and how the story was told in certain instances.
I’m not, and never will be, a fan of rape or the brutalization of women in any situation whether it is in real life or not. I don’t need to read about it and then later have the author come back and say that the character was drugged or bespelled at the time. A rapist has these feelings in their very core of his being and this particular character was acting out because that is what he truly wanted to do.
The whole caveman mentality of Nathaniel drives me up the wall as well as his continually saying when we get married I’m the man of the house and you will abide by my decisions! All Maddy is to him is a status symbol and a way for him to make more grandbabies for Lucifer. He doesn’t even love or know Maddy. I’m seriously hoping for a resolution where Maddy isn’t forced to continue this charade any further and tells her father where to stick it.
As I live, breathe, and write these words, I know that I’m posturized myself into being a hater for not going along with the flow. However, when you use a comparable saying from Harry Potter series in describing a huge assed snake that is about to attack you as the creature that shall not be named; you lose creativity and style points from me. You could say it was supposed to be a humorous moment in the book, and I would tend to agree with you if I didn't throw up in my mouth just a little bit. But, where’s the originality?
Next, and you probably know where I’m going with this; The Maze. Been there, done that, written about in both the Harry Potter movie and book. While the whole idea of surviving a test to the death against your nemesis who is also your brother is appealing, using something that has been done before isn’t my cup of tea.
Interesting dilemma’s waiting for Maddy: Not only does she believe Gabriel is her heart’s desire, but now she has to deal with what happened at Amarantha’s court and the fact that he's basically her possession. She also has to deal with the whole J.B situation and whether or not he too was drugged by his own mother when he said certain things to Maddy. Forget about even considering Nathaniel the prick and what he wants. It’s not what Maddy wants and therefore her father shouldn’t expect, or demand anything else that goes against her wishes.
Favorite character bar none: Beezle. He has been there for Maddy since her mother passed away and has been there for her through the good times and the bad. He is also growing older and therefore nearing the point of no return when it comes to becoming a full time stone gargoyle. I hope we can push that point further down the road until the series is resolved to it's final destiny.
Favorite Moment(s):
Final thoughts: I definitely acknowledge that this series has become one of my favorites and I wholeheartedly plan on reading Black Howl (Madeline Black #3) when it releases February 28, 2012. Maddy has come into her own, and her powers can only grow from here. The whole thing with Lucifer at the end of the story is intriguing and I can’t wait to see what happens next.
*Genre* Urban Fantasy
*Review*
Black Night is the second installment in the Madeline Black series. Maddy is back at her job as the angel of death; one who escorts the deceased to the Door for which they will have to make a choice to either cross over, or stay behind and haunt the planet forever.
Maddy is getting used to the fact that she no longer has a human heart but an angel’s heart stone after dying briefly at the hands of Ramuell. Ramuell may be gone, but he is far from forgotten. Along with her new heart come newly discovered powers which will later play an important role in her survival.
Maddy previously learned that her father is the fallen angel Azazel, the right hand man for Lucifer, who coincidentally, is also her grandfather on her mother’s side. Antares, her half-brother, is still planning a vendetta against Maddy and she is also betrothed to be married by her father’s wishes and desires to an asshat named Nathaniel. I have absolutely no use for Nathaniel whatsoever, which goes against the grain against other reviewers who believe that he’s God’s gift to mankind. Tel est la vie
In this installment, not only are the werewolves being brutally killed by a mysterious force. But, Lucifer has tasked Maddy into travelling to the fairy realm of Queen Amarantha’s in a diplomatic mission on behalf of the fallen. Then there is the whole disappearance of Gabriel and Beezle, as well as the gamesmanship that is played between Lucifer, Lord Focalor, and Amarantha with Maddy stuck in the middle. The only positive is that she forms a friendship with the werewolf pack under Wade after helping solve the mystery behind the werewolf deaths.
Thoughts: Although I have no major complaints with the overall picture and design of this story, I do have major problems with the characters themselves and how the story was told in certain instances.
I’m not, and never will be, a fan of rape or the brutalization of women in any situation whether it is in real life or not. I don’t need to read about it and then later have the author come back and say that the character was drugged or bespelled at the time. A rapist has these feelings in their very core of his being and this particular character was acting out because that is what he truly wanted to do.
The whole caveman mentality of Nathaniel drives me up the wall as well as his continually saying when we get married I’m the man of the house and you will abide by my decisions! All Maddy is to him is a status symbol and a way for him to make more grandbabies for Lucifer. He doesn’t even love or know Maddy. I’m seriously hoping for a resolution where Maddy isn’t forced to continue this charade any further and tells her father where to stick it.
As I live, breathe, and write these words, I know that I’m posturized myself into being a hater for not going along with the flow. However, when you use a comparable saying from Harry Potter series in describing a huge assed snake that is about to attack you as the creature that shall not be named; you lose creativity and style points from me. You could say it was supposed to be a humorous moment in the book, and I would tend to agree with you if I didn't throw up in my mouth just a little bit. But, where’s the originality?
Next, and you probably know where I’m going with this; The Maze. Been there, done that, written about in both the Harry Potter movie and book. While the whole idea of surviving a test to the death against your nemesis who is also your brother is appealing, using something that has been done before isn’t my cup of tea.
Interesting dilemma’s waiting for Maddy: Not only does she believe Gabriel is her heart’s desire, but now she has to deal with what happened at Amarantha’s court and the fact that he's basically her possession. She also has to deal with the whole J.B situation and whether or not he too was drugged by his own mother when he said certain things to Maddy. Forget about even considering Nathaniel the prick and what he wants. It’s not what Maddy wants and therefore her father shouldn’t expect, or demand anything else that goes against her wishes.
Favorite character bar none: Beezle. He has been there for Maddy since her mother passed away and has been there for her through the good times and the bad. He is also growing older and therefore nearing the point of no return when it comes to becoming a full time stone gargoyle. I hope we can push that point further down the road until the series is resolved to it's final destiny.
Favorite Moment(s):
Final thoughts: I definitely acknowledge that this series has become one of my favorites and I wholeheartedly plan on reading Black Howl (Madeline Black #3) when it releases February 28, 2012. Maddy has come into her own, and her powers can only grow from here. The whole thing with Lucifer at the end of the story is intriguing and I can’t wait to see what happens next.
January 19, 2018
Ahh J.B. don't forget you asked her on a date before the madness happened.
I enjoyed this installment. all these men popping up in her life..is Gabriel the right one?
The politics of all these courts is a headache, but this author is staying the course when it comes to the paranormal hierarchy of all species.
Nothing sparkles (one of my favourite story's tho) 😆
I enjoyed this installment. all these men popping up in her life..is Gabriel the right one?
The politics of all these courts is a headache, but this author is staying the course when it comes to the paranormal hierarchy of all species.
Nothing sparkles (one of my favourite story's tho) 😆
November 27, 2023
It’s getting good! 🤗
This series has parts that are intense & worry some.
This book is a fun, fast ride through the gritty streets of Chicago, Black Night, has it all: A gutsy heroine just coming into her power, badass bad guys, a sexy supernatural love interest and a scrappy gargoyle sidekick.
This series has parts that are intense & worry some.
This book is a fun, fast ride through the gritty streets of Chicago, Black Night, has it all: A gutsy heroine just coming into her power, badass bad guys, a sexy supernatural love interest and a scrappy gargoyle sidekick.
August 18, 2024
This was another good urban fantasy story in this series. The characters continue to develop, and the banter between them is good. Moving on to the next one up.
June 12, 2017
This one was a lot better than the first.
But man does this woman have men problems.
But man does this woman have men problems.
July 8, 2019
Cette histoire est sympathique. J'ai aimé retrouver les personnages du premier tome et en découvrir de nouveaux. Seule l'héroïne m'agace parfois un peu avec sa manie d'agir d'abord et de réfléchir ensuite. La façon dont elle se sort toujours de toutes les situations périlleuses malgré (ou grâce à) sa grande gueule me fait souvent lever les yeux au ciel. A part ça, j'ai passé un bon moment avec ce livre.
February 24, 2012
Review originally posted on my blog: A Book Obsession..
To think Maddy used to think her life was complicated and unfair when she only had her Agent of Death duties to deal with. Now that she's learned about her heritage and the constant power struggle between the fallen angels, shes a little tired of always being a target, especially from her own family members. Yet she still manages to scrape by. At least that is until the two people she cares the most about go missing, Gabriel and her gargoyle, Beezle. Problem is, she has duties to perform for her grandfather, Lucifer, and she can't shirk them, no matter how much her friends may need her. She'll need to quickly brush up on her diplomatic skills, because she's on her own for this one.
When I had read the description for the previous books I had thought this series was going to be centered around the duties of a grim reaper. However, that aspect of Maddy's life has become a rather insignificant factor when compared to everything else that is going on, especially in Black Night. The intricacies of the world, especially in the political area between all the different powers, are almost staggering as we watch Maddy blunder through, breaking some unknown law at every step. It is a wonder she hasn't been smoted down by now. Then again, it hasn't been for a lack of trying, but that does lead into my biggest irritation with the book. Each new foe she faces is supposed to be some completely unbeatable force, and yet each time she miraculously triumphs. Of course she gets injured, even severely at times, but then one of her companions heals her before she even has a chance to suffer. It just all seemed to come a little too easy, so I never really felt the threat like I should have, which lessened the excitement factor.
While the action may have felt a little blase due to the ease at which Maddy dispatched her enemies, the characterization was anything but. Maddy really has come into her own in Black Night, and while she still has a wicked temper, she has made great strides in controlling it. She's learning when to mind her tongue and when to stand up for what she believes in. No one will be pushing her over anytime soon. As far as the other characters, well I love them almost as much as Maddy. The sexual tension between Gabriel and Maddy was almost palpable, and I can't help hope a miracle happens to somehow allow their forbidden romance. However even as I adore Gabriel, J.B. came to a new light in my eyes in Black Night. There definitely is a lot more to him than I had previously thought, and I genuinely think he does care for her. However there is one character that I love the most all, the ever-hungry, and somewhat surly Beezle, because, come on, who wouldn't love to have a gargoyle as a side kick?
It is books like this one that make choosing a rating very difficult. On one hand I was completely exasperated at the ease that the threats were destroyed, but on the other there is the fact that I am completely head over heels for the great cast of characters. Their interactions kept me thoroughly sucked in throughout the entire read, and made my frustrations much easier to ignore. So I think for the future installments I am just going to go with the assumption that Maddy is going to be outrageously powerful and always come out on top no matter the odds. Even so, Black Night was a entertaining read, and if you enjoyed the previous installment, then you won't want to miss it.
To think Maddy used to think her life was complicated and unfair when she only had her Agent of Death duties to deal with. Now that she's learned about her heritage and the constant power struggle between the fallen angels, shes a little tired of always being a target, especially from her own family members. Yet she still manages to scrape by. At least that is until the two people she cares the most about go missing, Gabriel and her gargoyle, Beezle. Problem is, she has duties to perform for her grandfather, Lucifer, and she can't shirk them, no matter how much her friends may need her. She'll need to quickly brush up on her diplomatic skills, because she's on her own for this one.
When I had read the description for the previous books I had thought this series was going to be centered around the duties of a grim reaper. However, that aspect of Maddy's life has become a rather insignificant factor when compared to everything else that is going on, especially in Black Night. The intricacies of the world, especially in the political area between all the different powers, are almost staggering as we watch Maddy blunder through, breaking some unknown law at every step. It is a wonder she hasn't been smoted down by now. Then again, it hasn't been for a lack of trying, but that does lead into my biggest irritation with the book. Each new foe she faces is supposed to be some completely unbeatable force, and yet each time she miraculously triumphs. Of course she gets injured, even severely at times, but then one of her companions heals her before she even has a chance to suffer. It just all seemed to come a little too easy, so I never really felt the threat like I should have, which lessened the excitement factor.
While the action may have felt a little blase due to the ease at which Maddy dispatched her enemies, the characterization was anything but. Maddy really has come into her own in Black Night, and while she still has a wicked temper, she has made great strides in controlling it. She's learning when to mind her tongue and when to stand up for what she believes in. No one will be pushing her over anytime soon. As far as the other characters, well I love them almost as much as Maddy. The sexual tension between Gabriel and Maddy was almost palpable, and I can't help hope a miracle happens to somehow allow their forbidden romance. However even as I adore Gabriel, J.B. came to a new light in my eyes in Black Night. There definitely is a lot more to him than I had previously thought, and I genuinely think he does care for her. However there is one character that I love the most all, the ever-hungry, and somewhat surly Beezle, because, come on, who wouldn't love to have a gargoyle as a side kick?
It is books like this one that make choosing a rating very difficult. On one hand I was completely exasperated at the ease that the threats were destroyed, but on the other there is the fact that I am completely head over heels for the great cast of characters. Their interactions kept me thoroughly sucked in throughout the entire read, and made my frustrations much easier to ignore. So I think for the future installments I am just going to go with the assumption that Maddy is going to be outrageously powerful and always come out on top no matter the odds. Even so, Black Night was a entertaining read, and if you enjoyed the previous installment, then you won't want to miss it.
July 25, 2011
Black Night is as hot and action-packed as its prequel, Black Wings. From the very first chapter, Christina Henry will take readers from the ground to the sky, from angels to werewolves to vampires to faeries. It’s almost impossible to settle down before being rocketed off to the next fight-for-your-life adventure that Maddy Black seems to be dealing more of.
The beginning lagged in my opinion that took a while for the plot to finally pick up. Throughout the entire novel, there was one question on everyone minds: who is killing the werewolves? That answer is ignored until the very end, which puts it in an awkward position. There was already a climax that proved to be a showstopper and yet Christina Henry went as far as to create another climax at the end shocked me. I had wanted Christina to weave the two problem, Gabriel’s disappearance and the murders, together and yet they were as a separate as can be. It proved to be a clunky read.
A problem that I originally had with Black Wings reappears yet again: the onslaught of names and paternal/maternal linage. At one point in the book I threw my hands up and thought to myself that everyone must be related to one another by some distant relative. They could be cousins (second twice removed blah blah), uncles, sisters, or something. Halfway through I resigned myself to not caring and ignored whether or not if a new character was related to Maddy.
Maddy for the matter remains to be the strong heroine who can deftly kick butt. With a sword that can do almost anything by her side and magic powers that rival many, Maddy tries to protect her life and her loved ones. As her power grows, as do the number of enemies she accumulates. Yet despite that, Maddy is still that rock-headed girl readers know from before. For all her flaws, Maddy continues be one my favorite heroine because she’s soft and hard at the same time. She doesn’t pretend to know everything and is unafraid to ask for help or shed a little tear. Even then, she’s hard when she doesn’t show her fear, tears, and sadness in front of the enemies.
The cast of Black Night develop in a way that I would have never imagined. Strangers become familiar, and ones that we thought we knew suddenly casts a shell around them. Gabriel is first and foremost the male lead I liked from Black Wings. In Black Night, Gabriel does not appear much. When he is rescued, his relationship to Maddy is altered completely. For better or for worst is to be determined in the sequel.
J.B. and Nathaniel’s personalities are finally unleashed in Black Night. I was able to understand them better and connect them to a level further than another-guy-that-might-like-Maddy. Their lives do not revolve around Maddy, but undeniable it is affected by her actions. I may have felt a bit bad for Nathaniel after Black Night (surprisingly since I did not like him in Black Wings).
The humor takes the constant pressure and stress of fight scenes off the novel whenever Beezle, the animated comic-relief character, talks.
With added characters, Black Night becomes a political battleground with fists and magic instead of pens and heated words. Black Wings series starts to shape itself as the chapters go by and hopefully by the third book, readers will find themselves with the full cast and the climax as a high. I am counting down and preparing myself for whatever next Christina Henry will throw at readers.
The beginning lagged in my opinion that took a while for the plot to finally pick up. Throughout the entire novel, there was one question on everyone minds: who is killing the werewolves? That answer is ignored until the very end, which puts it in an awkward position. There was already a climax that proved to be a showstopper and yet Christina Henry went as far as to create another climax at the end shocked me. I had wanted Christina to weave the two problem, Gabriel’s disappearance and the murders, together and yet they were as a separate as can be. It proved to be a clunky read.
A problem that I originally had with Black Wings reappears yet again: the onslaught of names and paternal/maternal linage. At one point in the book I threw my hands up and thought to myself that everyone must be related to one another by some distant relative. They could be cousins (second twice removed blah blah), uncles, sisters, or something. Halfway through I resigned myself to not caring and ignored whether or not if a new character was related to Maddy.
Maddy for the matter remains to be the strong heroine who can deftly kick butt. With a sword that can do almost anything by her side and magic powers that rival many, Maddy tries to protect her life and her loved ones. As her power grows, as do the number of enemies she accumulates. Yet despite that, Maddy is still that rock-headed girl readers know from before. For all her flaws, Maddy continues be one my favorite heroine because she’s soft and hard at the same time. She doesn’t pretend to know everything and is unafraid to ask for help or shed a little tear. Even then, she’s hard when she doesn’t show her fear, tears, and sadness in front of the enemies.
The cast of Black Night develop in a way that I would have never imagined. Strangers become familiar, and ones that we thought we knew suddenly casts a shell around them. Gabriel is first and foremost the male lead I liked from Black Wings. In Black Night, Gabriel does not appear much. When he is rescued, his relationship to Maddy is altered completely. For better or for worst is to be determined in the sequel.
J.B. and Nathaniel’s personalities are finally unleashed in Black Night. I was able to understand them better and connect them to a level further than another-guy-that-might-like-Maddy. Their lives do not revolve around Maddy, but undeniable it is affected by her actions. I may have felt a bit bad for Nathaniel after Black Night (surprisingly since I did not like him in Black Wings).
The humor takes the constant pressure and stress of fight scenes off the novel whenever Beezle, the animated comic-relief character, talks.
With added characters, Black Night becomes a political battleground with fists and magic instead of pens and heated words. Black Wings series starts to shape itself as the chapters go by and hopefully by the third book, readers will find themselves with the full cast and the climax as a high. I am counting down and preparing myself for whatever next Christina Henry will throw at readers.
September 13, 2011
Agent of Death Madeline Black can’t catch a break, deaths are happening outside of what should be, she faces attacks from both inside her own family and without, and dear old Granddad wants her to go on a diplomatic mission for him. A diplomatic mission to the faerie court where the last, better trained, diplomat was beheaded. Add to that her bodyguard’s disappearance and what’s a girl to do?
In reviewing Christina Henry’s Black Night I really wish that I’d taken the time to also read the first novel in the series, Black Wings. It wasn’t so much that this book didn’t stand on its own as that I felt a bit like the new person in a social group who has to have all of the in-jokes explained to them a few times before they get it. The first person may have had something to do with that, Madeline’s speech patterns can get a bit formal in places and she has a tendency to repeat her opinions regarding other characters every time they’re mentioned. Not that either of those are bad necessarily, just that they have the potential to throw a reader out of the narrative flow. There was a side plot involving werewolves dying outside of the natural order of death that could have been expanded on easily for another novel that was mostly left alone.
I’m going to admit that some of the sympathy for the devil aspects of the book threw me big time, this is one of the main reasons I wish I’d read Black Wings first. Madeline seems completely not freaked out that her father is a fallen angel and her grandfather is Lucifer himself. She gets bothered by their methods and the fact that they want to use her as a playing piece in some vast power play, but what they are doesn’t really seem to play into her reactions too much. I would have liked to have seen her initial reaction to finding this out.
There was enough courtly intrigue to make me really want to see the faerie queen, Amarantha, take a long walk off a short pier along with just about every other named faerie. Really, the faeries here seem to pretty well be an entire race of jerks with over inflated sense of self worth. I can’t say that I was a big fan of most of the side characters, but I did enjoy reading Beezle and Madeline’s interactions. Gabriel was probably supposed to be sympathetic, but he just came across as a bit of a nothing character or a pretty piece of scenery for Madeline to worry over. I’d want to see more character development for just about everyone down the road.
So, what’s the verdict? I enjoyed Black Night while reading it, but it isn’t terribly memorable. I get the feeling that I would have enjoyed it more as part of the series because the writing is fairly solid, but as a standalone novel it’s kind of bland. I give it a three out of five and a check through the local bookstores for the first one.
In reviewing Christina Henry’s Black Night I really wish that I’d taken the time to also read the first novel in the series, Black Wings. It wasn’t so much that this book didn’t stand on its own as that I felt a bit like the new person in a social group who has to have all of the in-jokes explained to them a few times before they get it. The first person may have had something to do with that, Madeline’s speech patterns can get a bit formal in places and she has a tendency to repeat her opinions regarding other characters every time they’re mentioned. Not that either of those are bad necessarily, just that they have the potential to throw a reader out of the narrative flow. There was a side plot involving werewolves dying outside of the natural order of death that could have been expanded on easily for another novel that was mostly left alone.
I’m going to admit that some of the sympathy for the devil aspects of the book threw me big time, this is one of the main reasons I wish I’d read Black Wings first. Madeline seems completely not freaked out that her father is a fallen angel and her grandfather is Lucifer himself. She gets bothered by their methods and the fact that they want to use her as a playing piece in some vast power play, but what they are doesn’t really seem to play into her reactions too much. I would have liked to have seen her initial reaction to finding this out.
There was enough courtly intrigue to make me really want to see the faerie queen, Amarantha, take a long walk off a short pier along with just about every other named faerie. Really, the faeries here seem to pretty well be an entire race of jerks with over inflated sense of self worth. I can’t say that I was a big fan of most of the side characters, but I did enjoy reading Beezle and Madeline’s interactions. Gabriel was probably supposed to be sympathetic, but he just came across as a bit of a nothing character or a pretty piece of scenery for Madeline to worry over. I’d want to see more character development for just about everyone down the road.
So, what’s the verdict? I enjoyed Black Night while reading it, but it isn’t terribly memorable. I get the feeling that I would have enjoyed it more as part of the series because the writing is fairly solid, but as a standalone novel it’s kind of bland. I give it a three out of five and a check through the local bookstores for the first one.
January 31, 2012
Review courtesy of All Things Urban Fantasy:
www.allthingsurbanfantasy.blogspot.com
The Madeline Black series employs a blend of two great, common urban fantasy tropes: the “big reveal” (where a mundane character discovers magic exists) and an open world where magic is commonly accepted. The mix of these two story-lines creates a chemistry that adds new zest to familiar concepts, an energy that I thoroughly enjoy.
In BLACK WINGS, Maddie is an Agent of Death, living and working with people who use magic, but living in a closed world. Like any average (though magical) citizen, Maddie doesn’t know everything there is to know about her world, and in BLACK NIGHT she is still coming to grips with her heritage from the fallen angel side of the family. Maddie’s blind spots and areas of expertise make everything more interesting, and despite all of the revelations of book one, I was excited to find that BLACK NIGHT still found new ground to intrigue and surprise.
As much as I enjoyed Maddie and her gang, however, the narrative structure made surprises harder and harder to find as the book progressed. At regular intervals throughout BLACK NIGHT some knowledgeable person would point out a danger or give Maddie advice, just to have her do the exact opposite. Inevitably, Maddie would survive by the seat of her pants (or the convenient intervention of her new, half-breed magic). Though my complaint is definitely not Maddie’s survival (she’s great), I did grow tired of the predictable pattern of something being “impossible” or “dangerous” or “ill-advised”, and one paragraph later Maddie would charge straight into it the thick of it and live. This repetition had the unfortunate side effect of making it difficult to take any of the magical threats she faced seriously (and ultimately that knocked the book down from Four Bats to Three).
Political threats are the only things that seem to slow Maddie down, and BLACK NIGHT does give us an opportunity to see her hold her own in that arena through skill rather than chance. By book's end, Maddie sounds confident, savvy and adult, and I am very excited to see how events unfold in BLACK HOWL (look for it on February 28, 2012). My fingers are crossed that the entourage will acknowledge that Maddie is going to keep kicking butt and taking names no matter what they say and dial back the fruitless doom and gloom. Maybe they’ll surprise me.
Sexual Content: Kissing,an attempted rape, oblique reference to rape.
www.allthingsurbanfantasy.blogspot.com
The Madeline Black series employs a blend of two great, common urban fantasy tropes: the “big reveal” (where a mundane character discovers magic exists) and an open world where magic is commonly accepted. The mix of these two story-lines creates a chemistry that adds new zest to familiar concepts, an energy that I thoroughly enjoy.
In BLACK WINGS, Maddie is an Agent of Death, living and working with people who use magic, but living in a closed world. Like any average (though magical) citizen, Maddie doesn’t know everything there is to know about her world, and in BLACK NIGHT she is still coming to grips with her heritage from the fallen angel side of the family. Maddie’s blind spots and areas of expertise make everything more interesting, and despite all of the revelations of book one, I was excited to find that BLACK NIGHT still found new ground to intrigue and surprise.
As much as I enjoyed Maddie and her gang, however, the narrative structure made surprises harder and harder to find as the book progressed. At regular intervals throughout BLACK NIGHT some knowledgeable person would point out a danger or give Maddie advice, just to have her do the exact opposite. Inevitably, Maddie would survive by the seat of her pants (or the convenient intervention of her new, half-breed magic). Though my complaint is definitely not Maddie’s survival (she’s great), I did grow tired of the predictable pattern of something being “impossible” or “dangerous” or “ill-advised”, and one paragraph later Maddie would charge straight into it the thick of it and live. This repetition had the unfortunate side effect of making it difficult to take any of the magical threats she faced seriously (and ultimately that knocked the book down from Four Bats to Three).
Political threats are the only things that seem to slow Maddie down, and BLACK NIGHT does give us an opportunity to see her hold her own in that arena through skill rather than chance. By book's end, Maddie sounds confident, savvy and adult, and I am very excited to see how events unfold in BLACK HOWL (look for it on February 28, 2012). My fingers are crossed that the entourage will acknowledge that Maddie is going to keep kicking butt and taking names no matter what they say and dial back the fruitless doom and gloom. Maybe they’ll surprise me.
Sexual Content: Kissing,an attempted rape, oblique reference to rape.
November 22, 2017
For some reason I am really enjoying these books. They don’t feel overdone but maybe I just haven’t really read any fallen angel books lately.
July 27, 2011
BLACK NIGHT is even more hot and action-packed as the previous book Black Wings. I could not for the life of me put the book down, and I feel it has improved greatly from the issues I had with Black Wings with it reading like a YA book.
In BLACK NIGHT we get to spend more time with J.B, Madeline's boss and Nathaniel, Madeline's fiannce. I have to say that I love J.B. and just cannot get enough of him. We learn some new things about J.B, like who her really is. And I am really looking forward to more.
I completely despised Nathaniel is the first book and I can't believe it I'm started to like him. No. That can't happen. I guess this is one of the cases when the heroine is making a big impact on the guy you kind of hate. In BLACK NIGHT I am seeing a softer side of Nathaniel that I really like and I can't wait to see more of how this guy changes.
As for Gabriel, the guy Madeline really likes but they can't be together, he was absent for most of the book and I really liked that. I think that may be one reason I really liked this book. I feel like Madeline and Gabriel are so boring. I much prefer her with one of the other guys.
Madeline kicks butt as usual and she is becoming more and more of a bad ass, just the way I like my heroines. I did find Madeline annoying some of the time in this book though. I think it was some of the decisions she made without really thinking, and the whining about needing Gabriel back.
As usual there was a great ending just like in the first book. BLACK NIGHT exceeded my expectations and surprised my quite a bit. I will be definitely picking up the third in the Madeline Black Series, Black Howl.
More of my reviews at Mystifying Paranormal Reviews
In BLACK NIGHT we get to spend more time with J.B, Madeline's boss and Nathaniel, Madeline's fiannce. I have to say that I love J.B. and just cannot get enough of him. We learn some new things about J.B, like who her really is. And I am really looking forward to more.
"Gabriel is my bodyguard," I said stiffly. J.B. snorted. "He wants something to do with your body, but it ain't guarding that he's thinking about."
I completely despised Nathaniel is the first book and I can't believe it I'm started to like him. No. That can't happen. I guess this is one of the cases when the heroine is making a big impact on the guy you kind of hate. In BLACK NIGHT I am seeing a softer side of Nathaniel that I really like and I can't wait to see more of how this guy changes.
As for Gabriel, the guy Madeline really likes but they can't be together, he was absent for most of the book and I really liked that. I think that may be one reason I really liked this book. I feel like Madeline and Gabriel are so boring. I much prefer her with one of the other guys.
Madeline kicks butt as usual and she is becoming more and more of a bad ass, just the way I like my heroines. I did find Madeline annoying some of the time in this book though. I think it was some of the decisions she made without really thinking, and the whining about needing Gabriel back.
As usual there was a great ending just like in the first book. BLACK NIGHT exceeded my expectations and surprised my quite a bit. I will be definitely picking up the third in the Madeline Black Series, Black Howl.
More of my reviews at Mystifying Paranormal Reviews
August 8, 2011
I devoured Christina Henry’s Black Wings in one day. The sequel, Black Night, took me several weeks to read. I think the problem is the absence or near-absence of two of the most striking characteristics of Black Wings: the dark humor stemming from Madeline Black’s job as an Agent of Death, and the epic Storm Constantine-esque beauty of the flashbacks involving Maddy’s ancestor, Evangeline.
Maddy’s job is much less prominent in the story this time around, and there are no scenes from ancient times. Instead, the plot is closer to the usual urban fantasy fare. Maddy is caught at the intersection of fae, werewolf, and demon politics. She has three potential love interests (Team J.B., if you’re wondering) and has become extremely powerful magically. She rarely listens to advice, yet usually turns out to be right anyway. It feels like a plot I’ve seen before — and it feels like a plot that would work just as well if a different heroine were plugged into it.
There’s plenty of action, though, and there’s still humor, much of it to be found in the interactions between Maddy and her gargoyle Beezle. I was especially tickled by their conversation about a menacing swamp monster: “Is it all squishy and tentacly?”
Then, Black Night improves markedly as it heads into the final stretch. Maddy is sent into a nightmarish labyrinth where she confronts all of her deepest fears, and begins to show a strength of spirit to match her magical strength. The aftermath is heartrending in a pensive sort of way, and then Henry throws a few curveballs that I did not see coming at all. The last few chapters are terrific.
It’s not quite enough to make Black Night a spectacular read for me overall, but it’s enough to keep me interested in the series. Some of this book’s events will have lasting ramifications in Maddy’s life, and I look forward to seeing how they will play out.
Maddy’s job is much less prominent in the story this time around, and there are no scenes from ancient times. Instead, the plot is closer to the usual urban fantasy fare. Maddy is caught at the intersection of fae, werewolf, and demon politics. She has three potential love interests (Team J.B., if you’re wondering) and has become extremely powerful magically. She rarely listens to advice, yet usually turns out to be right anyway. It feels like a plot I’ve seen before — and it feels like a plot that would work just as well if a different heroine were plugged into it.
There’s plenty of action, though, and there’s still humor, much of it to be found in the interactions between Maddy and her gargoyle Beezle. I was especially tickled by their conversation about a menacing swamp monster: “Is it all squishy and tentacly?”
Then, Black Night improves markedly as it heads into the final stretch. Maddy is sent into a nightmarish labyrinth where she confronts all of her deepest fears, and begins to show a strength of spirit to match her magical strength. The aftermath is heartrending in a pensive sort of way, and then Henry throws a few curveballs that I did not see coming at all. The last few chapters are terrific.
It’s not quite enough to make Black Night a spectacular read for me overall, but it’s enough to keep me interested in the series. Some of this book’s events will have lasting ramifications in Maddy’s life, and I look forward to seeing how they will play out.
April 19, 2014
This book hit the ground running and never let up the pace until the very last page. Full of action and humor, I felt it was a great follow-up to the first book, solidifying my desire to continue the series. I appreciated that Henry referred back to events of book one without completely rehashing everything. It was a nice refresher. I still absolutely adore Beezle, Maddy's talking gargoyle, and he is in great form here. The only complaint I have is that I still don't see the connection between Gabriel and Maddy. So far, I'm more of a J.B. girl, but we'll see if that changes. I'm very much looking forward to reading book 3!
July 30, 2011
3.5 stars
Only because I don't like Gabriel very much .I don't like it when the women keeps rescuing her man just as I don't like it when the man keeps rescuing his woman
I like them both strong thank you very much and Gabriel is such a wuss that I find myself saying ugh every time I read his name and that is not a good sign in a book.
Other than that it was a little bit predictable but enjoyable all the same .a good read overall.
Only because I don't like Gabriel very much .I don't like it when the women keeps rescuing her man just as I don't like it when the man keeps rescuing his woman
I like them both strong thank you very much and Gabriel is such a wuss that I find myself saying ugh every time I read his name and that is not a good sign in a book.
Other than that it was a little bit predictable but enjoyable all the same .a good read overall.
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