Book Review — 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...

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Review:

“Things don’t always turn out for the best, but miracles are real, Georgina. You’ve just got to lift yourself out of the muck to make them. You’ve got to take the chance.”

As with every book in this series, the end of Succubus Heat drove me absolutely bonkers (in a good way). It’s nearly impossible to NOT read the next book in the series.  Each book is plot-driven, fast-paced and unputdownable.  This book is no exception.  Succubus Shadows is full of unexpected twists from beginning to end, setting the series up for the final book!

In the last book, Georgie loses her humanity for a short time, which gave her the ability (if the situation would arise) to sleep with whomever she wanted without any energy loss.  Finally, Georgie and Seth were able to be together intimately, but actions came with a price.  Seth is now hell-bound.

Succubus Shadows begins with a party.  Georgie is in her new condo by the beach.  With Maddie’s help, Georgie found the perfect house near the perfect location.  Was anyone thinking, “A condo?  But dream Georgie and dream daughter were in an house, not a condo.  I do not approve of this move.”?  No?  Okay, just me.  But Georgie is not living alone.  She has a new roommate, her old friend Roman.

Roman played a HUGE role in this book.  After dealing with even more devastating news at the end of Succubus Heat, Georgie needs someone to be there for her.  Roman was her person.

Like I said, I’d rather see you leave and start a new life. Every time I see you now, it’s like…it’s like watching you die over and over.”
I stood up wanting to sleep. “Yeah,” I said softly. “That’s kind of what it feels like.” I hesitated. “Thanks for listening. And understanding.”
“Anytime,” he said.

I know that several people would have been 100% okay with a Roman and Georgie hook-up.  I am not one of those people. I was 200% in favor of Seth and Georgie and I don’t think my heart could see her be with someone else (outside of her succubus duties).

Roman also takes on the role of protector in this book, which only strengthens their relationship and trust.  Georgie is yet again being attacked by some paranormal creature.  This creature attacks Georgie when she is at her weakest, when she is sad, or sleeping.  It lures her with melodious sweet songs and beckons her with promises. But when she awakens and comes to, she doesn’t remember getting from point A to point B and is, most of the time, in great danger.

“It was the same thing I’d felt earlier, an alluring, haunting pull that spoke to every part of me. Warm and bright and beautiful. It was everywhere and everything, and I longed to have more of it, to walk forward toward the light that shone with indescribable colors.”

Just when I was getting used to awkward Tawny, another succubus shows up named Simone.  She was just downright boring and so very awkward, often times bringing up useless trivia in the middle of conversation.

Simone’s bland demeanor hadn’t lit up exactly, but she’d suddenly become 2 percent more interesting.

What’s more is that she kept hitting on Carter and SETH.  Girrrrl, you are messing with two of the most important men in Georgie’s life. I wanted to reach through my Kindle and strangle her.

What I loved about this book was the fact that Mead kept the plot going even after Georgina had been taken out of the human world.  She was no longer a part of her friends’ everyday lives and had essentially gone missing.  After she succumbed to the Oneroi’s bait, she is placed in a state of constant dreaming.  Nyx’s children take Georgie on a journey to her past, a painful place she’d rather not visit.

“They showed me every nightmare I could have, ever fear made flesh. Some things they showed me had already happened—and were almost as bad as the nightmares. I couldn’t tell what was reality anymore.”

My heart broke for her as life after life, you learn about all of her past lives.  From the painter who Georgie seemingly betrays to Luc to took a bullet for her.  All of these men Georgie loved and all of them Georgie lost.  Can her life get any sadder?

Despite the odds stacked against her, Georgie did not give up on Seth.  She did not move on in this book at all.  And even though Seth was in a relationship with Maddie, his feelings for Georgie were unwavering.  I still felt their love burning for one another.

If you haven’t read this series, you absolutely must.  If you read and loved Richelle Mead’s Vampire Academy series, then you should give this series a try.