Succubus Shadows by Richelle Mead

Georgina Kincaid has formidable powers.  Immortality, seduction, shape-shifting into any human form she desires, walking in heels that would cripple mere mortals--all child's play to a succubus like her.

Helping to plan her ex-boyfriend's wedding is a different story. Georgina isn't sure which is worse--that Seth is marrying another woman, or that Georgina has to run all over Seattle trying on bridesmaid dresses. Still, there are distractions. Georgina's roommate, Roman, is cluttering her apartment with sexual tension. Then there's Simone, the new succubus in town, who's intent on corrupting Seth.

But the real danger lies in the mysterious force that's visiting her thoughts, trying to draw her into a dark, otherworldly realm. Sooner or later, Georgina knows she'll be too weak to resist. And when that happens, she'll discover who she can trust, who she can't--and that Hell is far from the worst place to spend eternity.

Obtained: Bought
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Series: Georgina Kincaid
1.  Succubus Blues (review coming soon)
2.  Succubus on Top (review coming soon)
3.  Succubus Dreams (review coming soon)
4.  Succubus Heat (review coming soon)
5.  Succubus Shadows

My Rating:

A slow start, but once this book picks up pace, you can't put it down.  I read it in one sitting and still craved for more!

Story:
Georgina doesn't seem to get a break.  After dealing with numerous life threatening events--in not even a year--our favorite succubus has a new problem: planning a marriage.  But this isn't just any marriage, mind you.  This is a marriage that she secretly wishes would not transpire.

It doesn't end there, though.  She's now being stalked by a mysterious "siren's song."  This strange presence only seems to approach her when she's at her lowest, and provides a sense of escape from her depression with promises of warmth and support.  Yet, even with this aura attempting to lure her through some sort of dimensional gate, Georgina's wary.  For good reason.

My Opinion:
Initially, I thought that Richelle was losing her touch because the start to Succubus Shadows was too slow for my tastes. It seemed as if it was the same issues we saw Georgina struggling with in the last book--Seth proposing to another woman coupled with her inability to cope--were being overdone.  But once you get past the slow start, the new direction taken is redeemed in my eyes.

Powerful doesn't give this book justice.  Georgina's struggles (emotional and moral) are not only believable but also moving.  I even found myself empathizing with the the poor immortal suffering from depression.  If you had to deal with all the paranormal issues she dealt with, and witness the person you were madly in love with parading around with their new significant other, I'm pretty sure you'd be feeling pretty bummed out too.  I know I'd be ready to demand a vacation.

With that said, I may be the only one, but I'm not a huge fan of Seth anymore.  I don't want to see Georgina's life keep going "in circles"--which is something readers are shown through a series of dreams from Georgie's past.  I want to see her embrace her life, even if embracing said life means attempting a relationship with another immortal.  Maybe someone like... Roman!

The cliffhanger Mead ends Succubus Shadows with made me want to scream.  Not out of frustration, but simply because I want to know why.  I have my suspicions now about Seth, but I think I'm looking too into the text, when in actuality, the answer could be simpler.

If you've read the first four Georgina Kincaid books, then you will not want to miss out on Succubus Shadows.  You will not be disappointed--and if you're like me, you'll be dying for the next book.

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• Paperback - 281 pages
• Price: $10.50
• ISBN-10: 0758232004
• ISBN-13: 978-0758232007
• Released: May 30, 2010
• Richelle Mead's Website
• Buy it at Kensington.com
• Buy it at Amazon.com