Book Review: Gods and Ends
I was first introduced to Devon Monk merely by happenstance a couple of years ago when I picked up the first in her “House Immortal” series. The, about a year ago, someone on Facebook suggested that everyone read the first in her new “Ordinary Magic” series. So, I did. And I loved it. And then I read the second. And loved that!
How could I not? Oregon Coast! Feisty kick-ass heroine! Gods on vacation!
So now we’re at the third (and final-esque – there are a couple novellas planned) of the series and you know I pre-ordered that as soon as I could.
The Blurb
Keep your gods close and your monsters closer…
Police Chief Delaney Reed thinks she knows all of Ordinary, Oregon’s secrets. Gods on vacation, lovelorn ghosts, friendly neighborhood monsters? Check.
But some secrets run deeper than even she knows. To take down an ancient vampire hell-bent on revenge, she will have to make the hardest decision of her life: give up the book of dark magic that can destroy them all, or surrender her mortal soul.
As she weighs her options, Delaney discovers she can no longer tell the difference between allies keeping secrets and enemies telling the truth. Questioning loyalties and running out of time, Delaney must choose sides before a kidnapping turns into murder, before rival crochet and knit gangs start a war, and before the full moon rises to signal the beginning of Ordinary’s end.
The Cover
The Review
I didn’t feel like this was as strong as the previous two. Ending a series is hard, and the last book in a series can fall flat as an author tries to wrap up all the loose ends and in a satisfactory manner in the space of one novel. (I wonder, sometimes, if authors who aren’t me sketch out outlines of their entire series before setting pen to paper on the first book? Anyone?)
However, for as much as there was too much going on to follow sometimes, I did thoroughly enjoy the book. I like Delaney and think she does a good job of police chiefing considering all the changes that have happened in her life over the last year.
My biggest complaint for the trilogy is that there was just too much effort wasted on the romance. I honestly didn’t care at all about anyone’s relationships – there wasn’t enough time devoted to them to make them worthwhile – particularly Jean’s.
My second biggest complaint? The series didn’t star Than (aka Thanatos, aka Death, aka proprietor of “Happy Kites” kite shop (which, due to an unfortunate font choice, reads “Happy Kills”).
My personal bonus suggestion for reading this (not available to everyone, sadly) is to read it while vacationing on the Oregon Coast.
The Quote
This book (and the entire trilogy) had a lot of laugh out loud moments. My favorite from this particular book:
“Tourist attraction? Vampire camping? Vamping?”
Also:
“Tell me you haven’t gone willingly into this travesty,” [Bertie the Valkyrie] went on as if there were no one in the room but her and me.
“You’re going to have to narrow that down. There’s been a lot of travesty around here lately.”
The Verdict
This trilogy is definitely worth a read and I can’t imagine a world where you’d regret the time spent with Delaney Reed in Ordinary, Oregon.
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