*MY THOUGHTS*
Bloodshifted (Edie Spence # 5) is apparently the last book in the series. According to the authors own web page, she is working on other things, including a new erotica series, and perhaps a Young Adult novel. If things work out, hey book number SIX! If not, c'est la vie! It's been nice knowing you, Edie, Asher, Anna, and baby Edie!
As a story, Bloodshifted is an awesome example of the courage, determination, and stamina that Edie has had to face since she was first introduced to the paranormal world in Nightshifted. Since surviving the events on the Maraschino where she barely managed to survive after being infected by a parasite, Edie has found herself becoming something that she never in a million years imagined; a Daytimer who just happens to be pregnant, and her future clearly in the hands of others.
Readers of the Edie Spence series know that she has a tendency of jumping first, before understanding the situation she's gotten herself into. This hasn't changed. I think this shows that she is willing to protect those she loves first, before allowing herself any relaxation, and time off. I also love the fact that Cassie, a nurse in real life, actually puts our heroine into situations that she is comfortable with, and isn't walking along blindly.
Bloodshifted does an good job of showing what life as a Daytimer really means. Edie, as a Y4 nurse, has had contact with daytimers in the past, but she could never really understood what it meant to live longer, have faster healing abilities, and become the vampires eyes and ears during the day. It is a dog eat dog world, and there is no guarantee that you will survive since vampires are notorious backstabbers.
The secondary characters in Raven's lair all had issues. Bar none. They were either jealous of Edie's presence, or they had other agendas that they've been keeping from their masters. They were either trying to save the world by using vampire blood, or were trying to escape centuries of being held in cavity by a vampire who clearly has no love loss for Anna, the so called Beast. The only character missing from this last story was Asher. Asher appears briefly, but not in the way readers may be hoping for.
Since this is the last book in the series, I am left with several what if possibilities, scenarios, and can only hope that Cassie does eventually find the means to come back to this series, even if it means self-publishing. I need to know what happens next for Edie, Asher, and Anna, and a few new characters who came into Cassie's life in this installment. Will the baby ultimately survive, and grow up to be stronger than even his father? Will Edie remain a Daytimer, or will she return to being human again? What part will Anna play in Edie's future, and will she still offer transition as she did in Deadshifted, if so desired?
Overall, I'm not a huge fan of series open-enders, and understand that this ending was thrown together to ensure that readers get a feeling of closure, even though there are things left on the table that need to be addressed. I like things wrapped up nicely in a neat little bow, and given to me with all angles covered, and questions answered. I still would recommend this series to fellow readers, and hope that if it gains in popularity, St. Martin's will once again allow Cassie to write more books in this series.
Author - Cassie Alexander
Title - Bloodshifted (Edie Spence # 5)
Published by St. Martin's Press
Released: July 1, 2014
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Format: E-Book 304 pages
The books in this series are coming out fast!
ReplyDeleteHappy 4th momma! Muah!