Forsaken by the Others by Jess Haines
Series: H&W Investigations #5
Published by Zebra
Published on: July 2, 2013
Genres: Urban Fantasy
Pages: 336
Format: eBook
Source: Author
Amazon | Book Depo | Kobo | B&N | GoodReads
The Others--vampires, werewolves, things that go chomp in the night--don't just live in nightmares anymore. They've joined with the mortal world. And for private investigator Shiarra Waynest, that means mayhem. . .
Have a one night stand with a vampire, and you can end up paying for it for eternity. P.I. Shiarra Waynest, an expert on the Others, knows that better than most. Yet here she is, waking up beside charismatic vamp Alec Royce with an aching head. . .and neck. Luckily, Shia has the perfect excuse for getting out of town--namely, a couple of irate East Coast werewolf packs who'd like to turn her into a chew toy.On Royce's suggestion, Shia temporarily relocates to Los Angeles. But something is rotten--literally--in the state of California, where local vampires are being attacked by zombies. Who could be powerful enough to control them--and reckless enough to target the immortal? Following the trail will lead Shia to a terrifying truth, and to an ancient enemy with a personal grudge. . .
 |
 |
 |
It’s an unspoken rule that every series has to have one blah installment, and unfortunately for H&W INVESTIGATIONS, this was it. Jess Haines’ engrossing writing style was still present, but FORSAKEN BY THE OTHERS was minus the tall glass of action that I’ve become accustomed to, the love interest was mostly a no show, and Shia’s ultra-cool mofo rep took a lickin’ which all lead to this book’s stepping stone like quality. The cliffhanger ending only served to further reinforce that sentiment as well, so all in all I’d have to say that this was my least favourite Waynest novel.
I was happy with how this story started; progress was being made on the Alec front, Shiarra was reunited with her business partner, and then… the girls get shipped off to L.A. Goodbye secondary characters, adios main plot arc, and arrivederci smexy times. Don’t get me wrong, I still enjoyed meeting Gavin, Clyde, Jimmy & Fabian, and hooking up with Tiny & Devon again was an unexpected treat; however I couldn’t get over the feeling that something was missing. I was also a little cheesed that the author mentioned Jack’s new status only to leave readers in the lurch—if I had balls, they’d be blue.
Shia’s been making some good headway as this series’ heroine, and granted the occasional setback is to be expected, but this book felt like a return to HUNTED BY THE OTHERS. The majority of this protagonist’s strengths lie with her aptitude as a P.I. and a couple of magical artefacts. The former continued to hold steady, however without the latter Waynest was pretty much a sitting duck which made her willingness to immerse herself in L.A.’s Other community, without allies I might add, to solve a case involving zombies come across as a death wish. I was disappointed by her utter lack of self-preservation.
The plot was sufficiently twisty enough to keep me engaged, and with a suspect list comprising of three shady vampires, one über powerful necromancer, and a rabid Goliath werewolf, there was plenty of whodunnit goodness to go around. I enjoyed watching Shia and Sara team up on an investigation for a change, although there were a couple of facets that were entirely too opportune in my opinion such as Halloway’s predicament, and the “ancient enemy with a personal grudge”. The blurb was a bit spoiler-y for anyone who’s read the earlier installments which if you’re tackling book 5, I’m assuming you have.
FORSAKEN BY THE OTHERS was a means to an end, a set-up for the next novel.
  My Review |
  My Review |
  My Review |
  My Review |
  |
  |
Was this review helpful? If so, please consider voting for it on Amazon or liking it on GoodReads!
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!
Very fair assessment. It did seem like a transition story. Don’t worry…the next book makes it all worth it 🙂
Sharon Stogner recently posted…Ewe won’t believe this…PNR author Anita Cox
I love how closely you’ve been following my progress throughout this series. 😛
It always sucks when the next book in a series leaves that feeling of “I’m just here to fill up space because the real deal comes next” but if it has happened on the 5th book of a series is not that bad! I hope the next book will be better for you Carmel!
Pili recently posted…Friday Reads: Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt!!
I agree, this series has had a pretty decent track record up until this point, so I wasn’t heartbroken at having to give this installment 3 stars.
Sorry this one didn’t work out as well for you as previous books. Hopefully the next one will pick back up. I have this series on my TBR list.
Melanie recently posted…Review: Fairest by Marissa Meyer
I just recently finished book 6, and am pleased to report that the story did indeed bounce back. Not to the extend of Deceived by the Others which was my fav, but still good.
Oh merg on the transition books. I know they happen but yeah always a little let down when they hit ya. Hopefully the next will totally make up for it 🙂
anna (herding cats & burning soup) recently posted…The Rebel of Copper Creek (Copper Creek Cowboys #2) by R.C. Ryan (@ForeverRomance)
It’s tough for authors to get all of their ducks in a row with regards to the overall series arc while still delivering a fully fleshed out story. There always ends up being 1 filler…
Book for blah books in a series but you are right, there are bound to come around every so often.
Hopefully the next one is better. Happy Friday Carmel!
kindlemom1 recently posted…Review: A Wicked Thing by Rhiannon Thomas
They can’t all be five star reads unfortunately, but I’m ok with average every now and then.
Hi Carmel!
I’ve heard great things about this series but never had the occasion to check it out but sorry to hear that this particular installment was not quite up to par with the rest of the books. Hopefully the next installment will pick things up as others have said.
Happy Friday!
Anita
Anita recently posted…The Vampire Diaries Mid-Season 6 Return
At least after the next one I can cross another series off my list. It’s such a good feeling whenever I succeed in lightning the TBR load a bit.
It almost seems unavoidable, isn’t it? I hope the next instalment is better.
Joy // Joyousreads recently posted…[488]: The Strange Library by Haruki Murakami
Yup, I wish these types of installments came with warnings. Like “FYI bridge book.” That would be helpful!
I have only heard good things about this serie, but as you said, good series always have a not-so-good book. I’m sorry this was it for you… and I’m happy you don’t have (blue) balls. 🙂
BookaholicCat recently posted…Review: The Five Stages of Falling in Love by Rachel Higginson
It sucks whenever your 4/5 star reading streak comes to an end.
Yeah, I liked this one but it certainly wasn’t my favorite. Mushy middles (or whatever number they happen to be) just frustrate me.
Mary recently posted…Mini-Swarm Reviews: It’s a mystery!
Jess Haines was a good sport about it, I love working with authors with that kind of attitude.
I’ve seen this series around but haven’t tried tackling it yet. Seems like every series has one book that isn’t as good as the rest of them.
Mary Kirkland recently posted…Freebie Friday!
This is true. It’s just too bad that I’ve been getting more of ’em than usual lately. Hopefully February will be better!
I think you’re right, it was a in between book. I hope it will be better for you with the next one though. For me even if I still like it, it has lost a little of its appeal but I’m curious for more.
I’ve since read the next one, and although it was indeed better, I’m with you, this series might have outlived its awesome stage.
Hmph. Sorry to hear this one was a bit of a middle slump. Fingers crossed it gets better!
Amanda recently posted…How the Library Has Changed My Reading Habits {Amanda’s Discussion}
That’s just the way it goes sometimes!
It always sucks when a book seems more like a slump than what we were expecting. I know you do love this series and I hope the next one redeems itself in your eyes!
Lily recently posted…All Fall Down (Embassy Row #1): Review
All good things must come to an end unfortunately. Haines doesn’t have anything else in the pipeline that I’m aware of. Maybe she’s moving on?
I can’t remember what happened in the next book now..hm
blodeuedd recently posted…#FitReaders: Weekly Check-In Jan 30 2015 and A Dark Guardian Review
That’s when writing reviews comes in handy!
I have not tried this series yet, but I’ve got it on my TBR and as things go in a series their is bound to be one that does not work so well or falls short. Thank you for the review!
Angela recently posted…Author & Character Interview: Julia Mills & Aaron O’Brien from Only for her Dragon ~ Teasers/Giveaway
This series has been pretty consistent up until this point, so the author deserves a mulligan me thinks.
Love the who dunnit angle of this paranormal series with a lot of different suspects! A shame it was kind of ho hum in comparison, but glad to hear you still enjoyed it Carmel. Great review!
Jeann recently posted…Chatterbox: Stereotypes and Labels in Reading
The main story arc was dragged on one installment too long IMO. I hate when that happens!
So I haven’t heard of this series but I am now convinced that all the women who are in a UF book covers are hot. 😛 Hahahaha.
Paula M recently posted…ARC REVIEW: Burying Water by K.A Tucker a.k.a please remind me of everything again
In an ass kicking kinda way which I prefer over the naked male torsos on PNR covers. LOL!
I agree with Sharon, Carmel. Next book is more than making up for it. It’s gonna be GOOD! 🙂
kara-karina recently posted…The Postman Knock #110
Thanks for the pep talk. 😀
Ugh, I hate that. I hate it when a book in a series is only a build-up to the succeeding book because what’s the bloody point? There is a way to build-up to a certain event while still retaining plot and important book elements in a book… I hate it when a book is made only to be a filler 😐 I’m so sorry that this one was like that, Carmel 🙁 I’d be so disappointed too if I were in your shoes!
Faye le Potato recently posted…ARC Video Review: Half the World by Joe Abercrombie
It’s a balancing act, setting stuff up for the next book while still delivering an action-packed installment story-wise. Some authors are just better at it than others.