 Title: Bitter Night Author: Diana Pharaoh Francis Format: ARC Available Formats: MM to be released on October 27, 2009 Page Count: 387 Genre: Urban Fantasy/Apocalypse Publisher: Pocket Pub. Date: October 27, 2009 ISBN-13: 9781416598145 |
Max was bound to a witch, someone she once trusted as her friend, against her will. Because she was bound, Max was forced to become the witch's Shadowblade Prime--the witch's elite protector, bound to shadow and poisoned by sunlight. Understandably, Max bears her burden with a surly attitude and much rebellion; however, little does Max know that her world will be utterly changed when she comes across an injured Hag and another witch's Shadowblade Prime. There's a war coming, in which the Guardians of Earth wish to wipe out the human population. The war will force Max to reassess what's important to her, what's worth protecting, and how much she's willing to sacrifice:
| Max tensed. Though she already knew the answer, she had to ask, "If I do? What will you give me in return?" Giselle shook her head. "You want me to say I will free you. When it's all over. But I don't know if it will ever be over, and I won't lie to you and say it will be. I don't think I can ever let you go." Max's teeth bared in a snarl. "You ask too fucking much. You always have." |
Bitter Night is not just another entry into the huge urban fantasy genre. Though it seems a bit like any other as the story begins, before long it becomes apparent that the scope of Bitter Night has much more in store for the reader. Max, the protagonist, has an incredibly refreshing humanity. One comes to discover Max's personality more and more as other characters in the story begin to understand Max. Additionally, Max's character seems more emotionally genuine to me than pretty much any other heroine I've read in fantasy. The characters and their interactions are what make this story so top notch. The whole team is so devoted to Max--and Max, in her own way, is more devoted to them than she realizes. These are the ties strong enough to bind them together against all the threats that stand against them.
Really, there are too many things I love about this novel and cannot say for fear of giving away too much. I'll have to leave it at: Bitter Night is a must-read. It's witches and Armageddon wrapped up in fantastic characterization, compelling plot, and constant twists.
Quick and Dirty: Please, Don't Leave Me This Way.
In the tradition of heroines like Ilona Andrews' bad-ass Kate Daniels, Max is ready to take the stage, sacrifice everything, and fight at the end of the world. Mark your calendars for late October, because Bitter Night is one of those books I recommend without reservation. I'm already waiting for the second book.
8 responses:
Now I have to get this book in October... What have you done?! lol
Love the new blog layout, TJ. It makes it way easier to read and to view all your past posts...
Does anyone else agree?
Oooooh!!! Sounds interesting! I will definitely put this on the to-read list! Thanks! :D
@Ivy & Lily, watch out, because it's completely addictive. I'm already dying waiting on #2!
@Auffer, thank you! I tried to make navigation a bit easier. :)
I blurbed this book because it was just that f'n awesome. Glad you agree.
Ann, I figured you blurbed it because the cover was HAWT >:)
@Ann, Bitter Night definitely deserved the blurb! Great choice, though I think you should have included "because it was just that f'n awesome" in the blurb. ;)
Here's the actual blurb:
“In the deliciously epic Bitter Night, Diana Pharaoh Francis has married the Charles de Lint-style old school urban fantasy to the new college of asskickery in a pagan-pirate handfast. I totally loved this book.”
Post a Comment