Black Night
Black Night by Christina Henry
Madeline Black #2
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.
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.
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