Bloodshifted by Cassie Alexander
Series: Edie Spence #5
Published by St. Martin's Press
Published on: July 1, 2014
Genres: Urban Fantasy
Pages: 304
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley
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Ambushed. Blindfolded. Kidnapped by vampires. Edie Spence must race against time to save herself and her baby—from the nightmare that flows through her veins…
As a nurse in the hospital’s secret Y4 ward, Edie has seen her share of daytimers. Once-ordinary humans who’ve tasted vampire blood, daytimers are doomed to serve their nighttime masters. Forever. And now Edie has to face something even more horrifying: she’s become one too…
BLOODSHIFTED
Abducted by the vampire, Raven, Edie is taken to the catacombs beneath the Catacombs, an ironically-named L.A. night club that supplies fresh blood and other favors for its vampire Masters. Edie has no intention of swapping her nurse’s uniform for a cocktail dress—not when her newborn infant needs her. But if she and Asher—her shapeshifter fiancé—can’t figure out a way to bleed Raven’s power, they may never get out of this plasma-soaked pleasure palace…undead or alive.
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Had this been a regular installment in Cassie Alexander’s EDIE SPENCE series, I probably would have given it 5 stars because the story was well laid out, and the vamp-y action top notch. However, BLOODSHIFTED is also the last book, and as a result, I had to judge it as such. As far as conclusions go, it fell short in a number of pretty significant areas, namely the secondary characters (including the love interest) were for the most part MIA, and the ending was way too open-ended for a finale in my opinion. Those points aside, I really did enjoy this novel, its extra bloody and violent which is just the way I like ’em!
DEADSHIFTED ended on a rather brutal cliffhanger, and I’m pretty sure that I was the first in line to receive an advanced copy for review because I was quite gung-ho for book 5. Luckily, Alexander’s assistant is a doll and humoured me. Anyway, once received I dived right in and was thrilled to discover that the story picked up right where it left off. There’s a lot going on in this installment with multiple plot threads including freeing the mysterious vampire prisoner, putting an end to Natasha’s research, Raven using Edie to set a trap for Anna, and Jackson’s questionable loyalties. The Catacombs are no Y4, but I was happy to see Spence back in a medical-type setting, and loved the unexpected turn that the main story arc takes.
It took me five novels to be able to fully grasp Edie’s character because I struggled to understand her willingness to put others’ lives above her own. Having had little to no contact with nurses personally, it was difficult for me to comprehend her profession’s calling. But, it’s also one of the aspects that I enjoyed most about this series; Spence truly is in a league all of her own as far as heroines go. In this installment she struggles with her new daytimer side which helped to balance out her benevolent nature; it also allowed me to gain a newfound respect for her because it permitted her to make some difficult decisions when the situation called for it. My only complaint where Edie is concerned were her countless conversations with her View Spoiler » throughout this book. They drove me absolutely b-a-n-a-n-a-s.
As previously mentioned, I did have a few issues with this novel on account of it being the finale, but before I get in to those I thought I should mention that Alexander’s publisher discontinued this series. I understand that the author had to finagle a last minute conclusion, and the challenges that that presented, however I believe that she could have handled it better. My main beef was with the secondary characters, or rather their absence; it was hard to say good bye to them when they were barely a blip on the radar. I was especially disappointed by the minute role that Asher played in this book considering that he’s the main love interest, and their HEA was lukewarm at best. I think this novel would have greatly benefited from an epilogue because although I understand the author’s desire to leave herself some room to maneuver should she decide to self-publish, the conclusion was far too open-ended to be able to satisfy this reader.
It’s with a heavy heart that I bid adieu to the EDIE SPENCE series. I can’t help but feel like the heroine’s adventures are far from over, but at least BLOODSHIFTED provided readers with some closure.
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Owner, designer and main blogger behind Rabid Reads. Avid book reader, snowboard bunny, video gamer and Supernatural fan. I love all things paranormal, werewolves especially. Oh, and I’m Canadian, eh!
This is the first I’ve heard of this series but it looks like even though you had some issues with it, it at least provided you with proper closure. I think it’s really tough to review final books because they are supposed to be huge, and we would want a series that we follow to end with a bang. Great review, Carmel 🙂
Amir recently posted…Audiobook Review: The Secret Diary of Lizzie Bennet by Bernie Su and Kate Rorick
So many of my favourite series are ending this year; maybe I’m just bitter. LOL
Def sounds good despite the cliffie ender. They infuriate me because I feel so desperate for more and nothing can be done about it.
brandileigh2003 recently posted…Review: The Things You Kiss Goodbye by Leslie Connor
It wasn’t really a cliff hanger per say, just not the ending I would have liked for this series.
I can’t believe that this series is on book #5 – I tried book one when it was first released and sadly I didn’t get on with it – it really doesn’t seem that long ago though. It’s sad to see the publisher has discontinued it, if you’re a fan of the series it would be so disappointing. Loved your review, you handled the reasons for your disappointment really well. I hate it when the last in a series is rushed. Maybe the author will write a better conclusion and self-publish.
Carolyn (Book Chick City) recently posted…Carolyn’s Most Anticipated Summer Releases 2014
The first few books were a bit iffy for me, but I liked a lot of the unique aspects which is why I kept on reading. I hope that she self-publishes, but she’s writing an erotic series now which is a genre I don’t really read, so who knows when that will be. 🙁
Five books is a pretty good length for a UF series, in my opinion, if that’s all the stories to tell. I find it interesting that you hold the last book in a series to a higher standard too, because that’s probably something I would do! Everything’s gotta wrap up to my satisfaction 🙂
Mogsy recently posted…Book Review: The Shadow Throne by Django Wexler
(Though I probably would be a bit more lenient as well if there are factors outside the author’s control, as in this case.)
Mogsy recently posted…Book Review: The Shadow Throne by Django Wexler
Exactly! It’s so hard being a reviewer sometimes. I actually found out after the fact that the author found out this series was dropped AFTER she’d handed in Bloodshifted which is why the ending didn’t jive as a finale. 🙁
I haven’t read this series at all… but it sounds like I need to do a bit of binge reading. Except that cliffhanger. That’s just not right!
Mary recently posted…Multiple Mini Swarms: Paranormal Romance
It’s different, and not for everyone, but I hope you enjoy it. You might be grossed out by the Zombie BF in the earlier books though. I know I was. LOL
So glad this series is still going strong, around book 5 is when I always start to worry about how well a series is holding up.
kindlemom1 recently posted…Guest Post: Taming Fate by Amalia Dillin
This series was actually dropped. o_O
I really loved the other books in the series and this one was good even if a little different. I confess that I was quite surprised and sad when I learned that it was the last book mainly with this end, I’m still shocked I confess…
I hear ya.
I am not a fan of open endings
blodeuedd recently posted…The Garden of Stones – Mark T.Barnes
No arguments here.
Oh I think I would have been disappointed not having a nice goodbye with the secondary characters too. Shame they canceled the series and she had to do a quick wrap up like that :/
anna recently posted…Devil’s Game (Reapers #3) by Joanna Wylde
If Asher would have played a larger role I probably would have been as disappointed. I mean, he IS the love interest after all…
I hate when a good series ends and ends with some big openings… you always hope for more. I do like it when it ends though so I can catch up! I’ve been wanting to read this series for some time and now I won’t be SO far behind. 🙂
Melissa (Books and Things) recently posted…Smexy Reads: Eternity and a Day by Aline Hunter
Haha Well, that’s ONE way to look at it! 😀
What a bummer Carmel! I hate not feeling completely satisfied by the a series ending… I can see the series must be good since I see you follow it this far, I’m not sure if I want to add this to my TBR 🙁 it’s a shame though. It sounds good.
Lupdilup recently posted…Better When He’s Bad Audiobook by Jay Crownover (review)
It’s very different than anything else I’ve read, and when you’re drowning in a sea of paranormal, different is a good thing. 🙂
I haven’t heard of this series but it sounds really good. I love the sound of this book but like you I don’t like when love interest is MIA throughout most of the book. I want to see the love develop. Great review, Carmel 🙂
Tanja recently posted…Cover Reveal: Just as You Are by June Stevens
Admittedly, the romantic aspects of this series weren’t this author’s strong suit.
Hmmm, extra bloody and violent … sounds good 😀 Plus, series finale is always a good thing when it ends on high notes, even if it does end on the kind of note that would allow sequels & such.
Five is a good number. 🙂
Hmm… I’ve never been completely sold on this series. I’m not sure why. I don’t think Edie and I are meant to be. lol
Christy recently posted…Sunday Post #85 (6/29/14)
She and I were on shacking grounds at times as well so I don’t blame ya Christy. LOL
Awesome review, Carmel! I think the most important in a series finale is for it to have proper closures. I just read something that ended before it was supposed to and it sucked. A lot. The rest of the series has been building up for the finale, and for it to end in a sucky note with so many loopholes is awful and a disservice to the readers. At least this has one, even if it felt like it could have been stretched a little more!
Faye recently posted…#TintinShopMNL @ Fully Booked BGC + Aimee and Dre and Faye’s first meeting!
That other ending you described sounds horrible! I’ll take this one over yours any day!
Oh it’s always sad to bid goodbye to a beloved series (and to be honest, sometimes relieving!) It’s kind of sad that the publisher kind of forced her hand in providing a lacklustre ending. Lovely review Carmel!
Jeann recently posted…Indulgence Insider #1 – Rebranded!
I was on the fence for pretty much this entire series, so you are right, at least now I have time to squeeze-in another series!
Ehh, I dislike open endings 🙁 There are very, very few that have worked for me like that. I’m glad you enjoyed the MCs at the end of the day 🙂 Yay for a good final book, but sorry it wasn’t a perfect end for you, Carmel. Great review!
Siiri recently posted…Review: Coming Home by Priscilla Glenn
Thanks! It was mostly good, so I still consider it a win.
I have book one of this series on my TBR! It’s just sitting there on my shelf waiting for me 🙁
LilyElement recently posted…WoW [111] – Taking It All
I’m not sure if my review helped or hindered this book’s cause. o_O
haha it helped 😀 Reminded me to hurry up and read it.
LilyElement recently posted…Review: Signed, Sealed, Delivered
Oh no, I didn’t know it was the last one 🙁 What happened? Did they discontinue the series? For me it’s one of the best, most original UF series at the moment and I’m enjoying it immensely!
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