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Arcadia Bell #4
Banishing the Dark
The fourth and final installment of a "riveting" (RT Book reviews) urban fantasy series about a renegade mage and the demons who love her.
Complicated does not begin to describe Arcadia Bell's life right now: unnatural magical power, another brush with death, and a murderous mother who's not only overbearing but determined to take permanent possession of Cady's body.
Forced to delve deep into the mystery surrounding her own birth, Cady must uncover which evil spell her parents cast during her conception…and how to reverse it. Fast.
As she and her lover Lon embark on a dangerous journey through her magical past, Lon's teenage son Jupe sneaks off for his own investigation. Each family secret they uncover is darker than the last, and Cady, who has worn many identities—Moonchild, mage, fugitive—is about to add one more to the list.
Complicated does not begin to describe Arcadia Bell's life right now: unnatural magical power, another brush with death, and a murderous mother who's not only overbearing but determined to take permanent possession of Cady's body.
Forced to delve deep into the mystery surrounding her own birth, Cady must uncover which evil spell her parents cast during her conception…and how to reverse it. Fast.
As she and her lover Lon embark on a dangerous journey through her magical past, Lon's teenage son Jupe sneaks off for his own investigation. Each family secret they uncover is darker than the last, and Cady, who has worn many identities—Moonchild, mage, fugitive—is about to add one more to the list.
384 pages, ebook
First published May 27, 2014
42 people are currently reading
2717 people want to read
About the author
Jenn Bennett
26 books4,928 followersJenn Bennett is the author of over a dozen books for children and teens, including: ALEX, APPROXIMATELY; STARRY EYES; and GRUMBONES. She also writes romance and fantasy for adults. Her books have earned multiple starred reviews, been Goodreads Choice Award nominees, and have been included on annual Best Book lists for both Kirkus and Publishers Weekly. She lives in a haunted house near Birmingham with one husband and two dogs. Visit her at www.jennbennett.net.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 309 reviews
April 17, 2015
Banishing the Dark picks up weeks after the explosive ending in Binding the Shadows. Cady is back at home after recuperating in the hospital but there is still much to be concerned about, primarily her violent mother who will stop at nothing to take Cady’s powers. In an attempt to protect Cady and her loved ones, a memory spell is cast that ends up causing even more problems. It’s a race against the clock to find out reverse the spells performed on Cady as a child, before her entire life is taken from her.
I wouldn’t have thought it possible that by the fourth installment the character growth would continue to dig in deep making me love these characters even more and have them ranking right up there with my all-time favorite characters. Lon is such an amazing male lead and ranks right up there with Curran as one of the very best in Urban Fantasy. Cady is such a realistic and strong female lead that I love just as much as Kate Daniels and Kara Gillian. There was also an added bonus with the writing where dual POV’s were used: Cady and Jupe. Jupe has always been a favorite character of mine because of his crazy antics so it was enjoyable seeing a part of the story through his eyes.
The Arcadia Bell series has easily become one of my all-time favorite Urban Fantasy series. And now it’s time to say goodbye.
What I loved most about this one was how everything was sufficiently wrapped up yet didn’t have that perfect cherry on top sort of finish. There were still slight issues that the characters were dealing with and issues that they anticipated having to deal with in the future. They didn’t have a perfect fairytale ending but they did have a satisfying ending and I loved that. While I would not complain about more installments, I must say that in retrospect this was the perfect time to end it. There weren’t so many loose ends to tie up that Banishing the Dark turned into one major info-dump to answer all ongoing questions which is an issue I have with many series enders.
Many bloggers that had the opportunity to read this early were not aware going into it that this was to be the final installment. I was glad to be warned ahead of time but it didn’t make the goodbyes any less sad. All I can say is, as much as I’d love to read more of Cady’s story I can respect the authors decision to end it when she knows it’s right. Cady and Lon and Jupe will all be missed but there’s always re-reads. :D
P.S. One final note I couldn’t resist mentioning... I got my first review blurb published! It’s in this book and it’s a blurb from the third installment, Binding the Shadows. (Obviously it's listed under my old blog name).
I wouldn’t have thought it possible that by the fourth installment the character growth would continue to dig in deep making me love these characters even more and have them ranking right up there with my all-time favorite characters. Lon is such an amazing male lead and ranks right up there with Curran as one of the very best in Urban Fantasy. Cady is such a realistic and strong female lead that I love just as much as Kate Daniels and Kara Gillian. There was also an added bonus with the writing where dual POV’s were used: Cady and Jupe. Jupe has always been a favorite character of mine because of his crazy antics so it was enjoyable seeing a part of the story through his eyes.
The Arcadia Bell series has easily become one of my all-time favorite Urban Fantasy series. And now it’s time to say goodbye.
What I loved most about this one was how everything was sufficiently wrapped up yet didn’t have that perfect cherry on top sort of finish. There were still slight issues that the characters were dealing with and issues that they anticipated having to deal with in the future. They didn’t have a perfect fairytale ending but they did have a satisfying ending and I loved that. While I would not complain about more installments, I must say that in retrospect this was the perfect time to end it. There weren’t so many loose ends to tie up that Banishing the Dark turned into one major info-dump to answer all ongoing questions which is an issue I have with many series enders.
Many bloggers that had the opportunity to read this early were not aware going into it that this was to be the final installment. I was glad to be warned ahead of time but it didn’t make the goodbyes any less sad. All I can say is, as much as I’d love to read more of Cady’s story I can respect the authors decision to end it when she knows it’s right. Cady and Lon and Jupe will all be missed but there’s always re-reads. :D
P.S. One final note I couldn’t resist mentioning... I got my first review blurb published! It’s in this book and it’s a blurb from the third installment, Binding the Shadows. (Obviously it's listed under my old blog name).
January 20, 2014
4.5 stars
Guess what? Finding out that you’re holding the last book in a beloved series just as you finish reading the epilogue pretty much sucks. Banishing the Dark is our good bye to Cady and Lon, and I didn’t even realize it until I reached the ending, after which I frantically tweeted at Jenn asking for confirmation. I was blindsided, unprepared to part ways with these characters! I was not ready to let go.
And yet, with this spectacular series finale, Jenn Bennett turned saying goodbye into a wonderfully gentle experience, a tiny bit painful, sure, but satisfying and exciting, too. A part of me is glad she didn’t allow the series to drag and die a slow and painful death. It takes a whole lot of courage to end something when it’s at its peak, while the interest is still sky high and the fans are a million miles from any sort of disappointment. Jenn Bennett is that courageous, my friends, and while I can still taste the disappointment, I can’t help but admire her as well.
A few short chapters from Jupe’s point of view were added to this novel. Urban Fantasy authors seem to be doing this a lot lately, and while I’d normally object since dual POV goes against the rules and confines of the genre, when it’s Jupe we’re talking about, all the rules in the world go right down the drain. I’d never dare to write from a teen boy’s perspective, especially one as hyperactive and talkative as Jupe, but Jenn Bennett knows her characters well, and the whole thing went rather smoothly.
Lon and Cady are their usual brave and loyal selves, even when facing the worst enemy of them all, Cady’s horrible, murderous mother. Their relationship is a thing of beauty and they always do things together and rely on each other, even when facing insurmountable odds. I’ll admit I wasn’t Lon’s biggest fan in the first book, but it quickly became clear that there’s a lot more to the silent photographer than it first seemed. As for Cady, one can’t help but admire her, and I’ll miss her terribly.
Here’s to hoping that we’ll revisit these guys somewhere down the line – perhaps with a novella, or better yet, a spin-off centered around Jupe.
Guess what? Finding out that you’re holding the last book in a beloved series just as you finish reading the epilogue pretty much sucks. Banishing the Dark is our good bye to Cady and Lon, and I didn’t even realize it until I reached the ending, after which I frantically tweeted at Jenn asking for confirmation. I was blindsided, unprepared to part ways with these characters! I was not ready to let go.
And yet, with this spectacular series finale, Jenn Bennett turned saying goodbye into a wonderfully gentle experience, a tiny bit painful, sure, but satisfying and exciting, too. A part of me is glad she didn’t allow the series to drag and die a slow and painful death. It takes a whole lot of courage to end something when it’s at its peak, while the interest is still sky high and the fans are a million miles from any sort of disappointment. Jenn Bennett is that courageous, my friends, and while I can still taste the disappointment, I can’t help but admire her as well.
A few short chapters from Jupe’s point of view were added to this novel. Urban Fantasy authors seem to be doing this a lot lately, and while I’d normally object since dual POV goes against the rules and confines of the genre, when it’s Jupe we’re talking about, all the rules in the world go right down the drain. I’d never dare to write from a teen boy’s perspective, especially one as hyperactive and talkative as Jupe, but Jenn Bennett knows her characters well, and the whole thing went rather smoothly.
Lon and Cady are their usual brave and loyal selves, even when facing the worst enemy of them all, Cady’s horrible, murderous mother. Their relationship is a thing of beauty and they always do things together and rely on each other, even when facing insurmountable odds. I’ll admit I wasn’t Lon’s biggest fan in the first book, but it quickly became clear that there’s a lot more to the silent photographer than it first seemed. As for Cady, one can’t help but admire her, and I’ll miss her terribly.
Here’s to hoping that we’ll revisit these guys somewhere down the line – perhaps with a novella, or better yet, a spin-off centered around Jupe.
March 27, 2019
You know how when you find a series you love, characters you love, you just don't want it to end?
I feel that way about this series. I love it. I adore it and that last book, this book, was almost torture to start. In fact, I put it off for months because I didn't want to face the very real idea, that after this, there would be nothing more of Cady, Jupe and Lon. I mean how terribly depressing is that?
But I did need to start it because I missed them and even though I didn't want it to end, I had to know how it did end.
What can I say other than, this whole book was so very bittersweet. I loved it, I really did and while I didn't like everything about it (not the writing just things that happened in the story) I adored it at the same time because it made sense and it worked and I know it had to happen for everything to be okay in the end.
These books have always been told in Cady's point of view so it was fun seeing Jupe take over from time to time and give his thoughts and feelings. I've always loved Jupe and his big personality but more than anything I love how much he adored Cady and how much she adores him. The family dynamic of this series is something that makes it stand out and absolutely shine.
I feel that way about this series. I love it. I adore it and that last book, this book, was almost torture to start. In fact, I put it off for months because I didn't want to face the very real idea, that after this, there would be nothing more of Cady, Jupe and Lon. I mean how terribly depressing is that?
But I did need to start it because I missed them and even though I didn't want it to end, I had to know how it did end.
What can I say other than, this whole book was so very bittersweet. I loved it, I really did and while I didn't like everything about it (not the writing just things that happened in the story) I adored it at the same time because it made sense and it worked and I know it had to happen for everything to be okay in the end.
These books have always been told in Cady's point of view so it was fun seeing Jupe take over from time to time and give his thoughts and feelings. I've always loved Jupe and his big personality but more than anything I love how much he adored Cady and how much she adores him. The family dynamic of this series is something that makes it stand out and absolutely shine.
January 25, 2015
Wow. This series took me completely by surprise. I liked the first book but didn't love it, but there was just enough creativity with the world, the magic, and its characters for me to want to give the second book a chance. And after that I grabbed the novella. And then I devoured the third book. Then finally I made a mad dash for this one, because SHIT WAS GETTIN' REAL as everything was coming to its badass conclusion. As you can imagine, I was shocked and delighted that each book only got better and better as I went along, and importantly; the story kept getting more cohesive. The final book of this series came together beautifully and I was really happy with the way everything ended.
I almost never read a series's books back-to-back, yet I read all 4.5 books in one week. I can't remember the last time I did that, all in a row, but I just had to find out what would happen in the next book with each subsequent ending. The beauty about finding this one now is that they're all out and finished. So many series don't know when to wrap things up that this four book series really made me appreciate those that do. So if you're hungry for a new adult urban fantasy series, definitely check this out; it's unique, all of the characters are well-thought out and developed, and the magic system and world Bennett has created are really one of a kind.
I almost never read a series's books back-to-back, yet I read all 4.5 books in one week. I can't remember the last time I did that, all in a row, but I just had to find out what would happen in the next book with each subsequent ending. The beauty about finding this one now is that they're all out and finished. So many series don't know when to wrap things up that this four book series really made me appreciate those that do. So if you're hungry for a new adult urban fantasy series, definitely check this out; it's unique, all of the characters are well-thought out and developed, and the magic system and world Bennett has created are really one of a kind.
June 12, 2014
4 - 4.5 ★'s
At the end of the last book, Binding the Shadows, we know that Cady survived another major battle but just barely. And we found out a huge secret. Now Cady and Lon have to decide how they're going to move forward with this and what they're going to do about Cady's mother.
This book was sooo a-mazing! It was everything you would want in the last book of a series and more. I'm really sad that this is it and there is no more Cady, Lon and Jupe but...it did end well and that's what matters.
Cady and Lon are just sooo good together. ~sigh~ And the little twist? Sheer genius. It had me smiling and laughing with all the sexual innuendos, sarcastic remarks and just plain ol' lust. Poor Lon with his empathy knack and having to run to the bathroom all the time! What I wouldn't have given for his POV on that!!
The BEST part is when Cady was experiencing the empathy knack as well. That was just sooo steamy and sooo perfect for them. I loved every minute of it.
Poor Jupe...always trying to do the right thing and having to deal with being a teenage boy! I loved the addition of Leticia...I think she fits just perfectly. It was also a nice touch getting a few chapters with his POV.
Things did get a little crazy with all the clues leading from one place to another. It was like the road trip from hell...especially the snake guy! *shivers*
The ending scene was a little bit anticlimactic but at that point, who cares? I was just happy it was done with. And of course, I loved the epilogue...everything was just right.
Favorite quotes
♥ "I knew one thing. If it was bad sex, it damn sure wasn’t my fault. Maybe he was too old to get it up. I’d remember that the next time he wanted to drink."
♥ “You might have trouble believing this, but I spend most of my time being grateful you’re near me or counting the minutes until you will be again.”
♥ "Me: Come to think of it, I don’t trust myself, either. Let’s not trust ourselves together. P.S. You smell really good. I mean that in a creepy way. Come over here and let me sniff your skin like some crazy stalker."
♥ “It’s probably natural for a man your age to have a few issues,” I taunted. “You shouldn’t be embarrassed to see a doctor if you’re experiencing . . . dysfunction.”
♥ "Joy-joy-joy!
Relief-relief-relief!"
♥ “Lon Butler, you’re in love with me.”
He reached up and ran his fingers along my clavicle. “Nope.”
“Liar.”
“You’re just some girl who shows up for dinner and ends up hogging all the covers.”
“Double liar.”
At the end of the last book, Binding the Shadows, we know that Cady survived another major battle but just barely. And we found out a huge secret. Now Cady and Lon have to decide how they're going to move forward with this and what they're going to do about Cady's mother.
This book was sooo a-mazing! It was everything you would want in the last book of a series and more. I'm really sad that this is it and there is no more Cady, Lon and Jupe but...it did end well and that's what matters.
Cady and Lon are just sooo good together. ~sigh~ And the little twist? Sheer genius. It had me smiling and laughing with all the sexual innuendos, sarcastic remarks and just plain ol' lust. Poor Lon with his empathy knack and having to run to the bathroom all the time! What I wouldn't have given for his POV on that!!
The BEST part is when Cady was experiencing the empathy knack as well. That was just sooo steamy and sooo perfect for them. I loved every minute of it.
Poor Jupe...always trying to do the right thing and having to deal with being a teenage boy! I loved the addition of Leticia...I think she fits just perfectly. It was also a nice touch getting a few chapters with his POV.
Things did get a little crazy with all the clues leading from one place to another. It was like the road trip from hell...especially the snake guy! *shivers*
The ending scene was a little bit anticlimactic but at that point, who cares? I was just happy it was done with. And of course, I loved the epilogue...everything was just right.
Favorite quotes
♥ "I knew one thing. If it was bad sex, it damn sure wasn’t my fault. Maybe he was too old to get it up. I’d remember that the next time he wanted to drink."
♥ “You might have trouble believing this, but I spend most of my time being grateful you’re near me or counting the minutes until you will be again.”
♥ "Me: Come to think of it, I don’t trust myself, either. Let’s not trust ourselves together. P.S. You smell really good. I mean that in a creepy way. Come over here and let me sniff your skin like some crazy stalker."
♥ “It’s probably natural for a man your age to have a few issues,” I taunted. “You shouldn’t be embarrassed to see a doctor if you’re experiencing . . . dysfunction.”
♥ "Joy-joy-joy!
Relief-relief-relief!"
♥ “Lon Butler, you’re in love with me.”
He reached up and ran his fingers along my clavicle. “Nope.”
“Liar.”
“You’re just some girl who shows up for dinner and ends up hogging all the covers.”
“Double liar.”
April 27, 2017
Disappointing
The previous book gave me high hopes but well, can't say the ending was as good as I'd hoped.
It felt a bit rushed and it left me with a few unanswered questions.
Not a bad series all in all, though, worth trying out.
The previous book gave me high hopes but well, can't say the ending was as good as I'd hoped.
It felt a bit rushed and it left me with a few unanswered questions.
Not a bad series all in all, though, worth trying out.
March 28, 2014
***This review has also been posted on Tangled in Pages
Note: This review may or may not be incoherent. Do not blame me. Blame the fact that I just finished one of my favorite series.
It is kind of hard to believe that one of my favorite urban fantasy series has finally come to an end. I was late to the party but for the past year I’ve loved and re-read this series and become a huge fan of the author and it’s so sad to let a series you loved finally go.
This series is perfect, you have great characters, a great supporting cast, great romance and entertaining plots. This book was no different, however this time around we were also introduced to Jupe’s POV.
Cady and Lon never fail to amaze me. They are such strong and wonderful characters. You just cannot help but like them. They both have their moments but at the same time they are just so lovable. They both have insecurities but it’s been so much fun watching them grow over the course of 4 books. From being too scared to say those 3 words to finally admitting them. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to express how much I love the two.
Their romance is still as wonderful as ever. There was a twist at the beginning that initially brought things down for me. I wasn’t completely sure it would work out well and I was too scared that I would end up raging instead of enjoying the romance between one of my favorite couples but I shouldn’t have worried. Jenn has it covered. She pulled it off and I loved their romance this time around as well. Lon is a little withdrawn in this book but he has his reasons and I kind of love how he is giving her room. He gives her the space she needs but at the same time he is so supportive. Not that that’s a new thing. There are things he doesn’t agree with, wishes there was another way but he doesn’t stop Cady because he respects her as a person even though all his instincts are screaming at him to shove her inside a closet and protect her to the best of his ability.
One of the drawbacks of this novel for me was Jupe’s POV. I know many people have been looking forward to this and I am pretty sure it’s me and not his POV that makes it difficult for me to enjoy reading those bits. For the past three books I’ve observed Jupe from an ‘adult’ point of view so I think of him as the ‘cute little kid’ (and he is indeed adorable) but the change to his POV kind of just makes it hard for me to see him as a kid and forces me to see him as a teenager. Which just makes things a little awkward for my brain. With that said, I still adored Jupe in this novel.
Priya; however, not so much. I felt like Priya took advantage of Jupe’s need to be an adult to manipulate him into doing something that could cause him harm and so I wasn’t Priya’s biggest fan in this book.
The plot was strong in this one. Jenn did not disappoint with the finale. I was on the edge of my seat eagerly awaiting the final showdown. Emotions ran high. There was action and there were also amazing paranormal bits.
The epilogue, predictably, did not work for me. Epilogues are not my thing and I can only think of one off the top of my head that I actually loved to death. I always find them to be too HEA and it just reinforces the fact that the series has come to an end and these characters that you’ve come to love will no longer have amazing adventures.
Writing this review is one of the hardest things I’ve had to do this week (and believe me, my week has been hellish). It’s so impossibly hard to say good bye and you know what, I’ll do it with a smile on my face knowing that I wasn’t let down and that Jenn didn’t disappoint me.
This is a series I will recommend to everyone until well the end of time because Cady and Lon are full of win and everyone should get to appreciate their brilliance.
Note: This review may or may not be incoherent. Do not blame me. Blame the fact that I just finished one of my favorite series.
It is kind of hard to believe that one of my favorite urban fantasy series has finally come to an end. I was late to the party but for the past year I’ve loved and re-read this series and become a huge fan of the author and it’s so sad to let a series you loved finally go.
This series is perfect, you have great characters, a great supporting cast, great romance and entertaining plots. This book was no different, however this time around we were also introduced to Jupe’s POV.
Cady and Lon never fail to amaze me. They are such strong and wonderful characters. You just cannot help but like them. They both have their moments but at the same time they are just so lovable. They both have insecurities but it’s been so much fun watching them grow over the course of 4 books. From being too scared to say those 3 words to finally admitting them. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to express how much I love the two.
Their romance is still as wonderful as ever. There was a twist at the beginning that initially brought things down for me. I wasn’t completely sure it would work out well and I was too scared that I would end up raging instead of enjoying the romance between one of my favorite couples but I shouldn’t have worried. Jenn has it covered. She pulled it off and I loved their romance this time around as well. Lon is a little withdrawn in this book but he has his reasons and I kind of love how he is giving her room. He gives her the space she needs but at the same time he is so supportive. Not that that’s a new thing. There are things he doesn’t agree with, wishes there was another way but he doesn’t stop Cady because he respects her as a person even though all his instincts are screaming at him to shove her inside a closet and protect her to the best of his ability.
One of the drawbacks of this novel for me was Jupe’s POV. I know many people have been looking forward to this and I am pretty sure it’s me and not his POV that makes it difficult for me to enjoy reading those bits. For the past three books I’ve observed Jupe from an ‘adult’ point of view so I think of him as the ‘cute little kid’ (and he is indeed adorable) but the change to his POV kind of just makes it hard for me to see him as a kid and forces me to see him as a teenager. Which just makes things a little awkward for my brain. With that said, I still adored Jupe in this novel.
Priya; however, not so much. I felt like Priya took advantage of Jupe’s need to be an adult to manipulate him into doing something that could cause him harm and so I wasn’t Priya’s biggest fan in this book.
The plot was strong in this one. Jenn did not disappoint with the finale. I was on the edge of my seat eagerly awaiting the final showdown. Emotions ran high. There was action and there were also amazing paranormal bits.
The epilogue, predictably, did not work for me. Epilogues are not my thing and I can only think of one off the top of my head that I actually loved to death. I always find them to be too HEA and it just reinforces the fact that the series has come to an end and these characters that you’ve come to love will no longer have amazing adventures.
Writing this review is one of the hardest things I’ve had to do this week (and believe me, my week has been hellish). It’s so impossibly hard to say good bye and you know what, I’ll do it with a smile on my face knowing that I wasn’t let down and that Jenn didn’t disappoint me.
This is a series I will recommend to everyone until well the end of time because Cady and Lon are full of win and everyone should get to appreciate their brilliance.
January 27, 2018
A fairly predictable but satisfying end to a great series. This has been one of my favourite urban fantasy series, with its slightly different take on magic in the world and a different kind of heroine. Recommended series.
May 23, 2014
Initial Thoughts; 4.0-5.0 stars. I am so sad that this series has to end. And wow, what a way to end a series. I feel conflicted. I am sad it's over and pleased that it was done so well.
The Review:
Banishing the Dark is a perfect ending for one of my favorite series. In Banishing the Dark, Cady and Lon's relationship is tested as Cady undergoes a memory spell in order to protect herself from her mother. Oh, I really felt for Lon who could not fill in the blanks for Cady!
My favorite teenager Jupe takes on a more serious role. He is tasked by the annoying Priya to protect Cady from danger. Jupe is a take charge kind of kid and he does some sleuthing on his own. I've always loved his character in the earlier books, but in Banishing the Dark, he shines.
Cady's mom Enola plays the part of the villain so well. She is deliciously evil and seriously demented in her quest to gain power. Her actions put even Mommy Dearest to shame.
What a wonderful series finale. I'm sad but satisfied. Loose ends are tied up, there's a lovely epilogue, and get get to see Jupe all grown up. Who could ask for more? Well, maybe a spin-off series with Jupe? Pretty please?
Thank you to NetGalley and Pocket Books for a review copy of this book.
Check out Badass Book Reviews where Christal and I discuss the book. Oh, there's a giveaway for a copy of the book, too.
The Review:
Banishing the Dark is a perfect ending for one of my favorite series. In Banishing the Dark, Cady and Lon's relationship is tested as Cady undergoes a memory spell in order to protect herself from her mother. Oh, I really felt for Lon who could not fill in the blanks for Cady!
My favorite teenager Jupe takes on a more serious role. He is tasked by the annoying Priya to protect Cady from danger. Jupe is a take charge kind of kid and he does some sleuthing on his own. I've always loved his character in the earlier books, but in Banishing the Dark, he shines.
Cady's mom Enola plays the part of the villain so well. She is deliciously evil and seriously demented in her quest to gain power. Her actions put even Mommy Dearest to shame.
What a wonderful series finale. I'm sad but satisfied. Loose ends are tied up, there's a lovely epilogue, and get get to see Jupe all grown up. Who could ask for more? Well, maybe a spin-off series with Jupe? Pretty please?
Thank you to NetGalley and Pocket Books for a review copy of this book.
Check out Badass Book Reviews where Christal and I discuss the book. Oh, there's a giveaway for a copy of the book, too.
May 29, 2014
I inhaled the entire Arcadia Bell Quartet back in early December, my thoughts an incoherent jumble of too-loud exclamations and too-few actual words. Even now, months later, my thoughts resemble the flailing limbs of a fangirl whenever they stray back towards Jenn Bennett's perfect, oh-so-perfect, Urban Fantasy debut.
From the surface, Arcadia Bell seems to be deceptively similar to mercenary Kate Daniels: a magician, parents with ever-so-slightly-evil origins, and a penchant for attracting danger. From the onset itself, however, Bennett's novels have contained tighter plot threads and, what's more, a heroine far removed from the loner we know both Kate Daniels and Mercy Thompson to have originally been. When we first meet Cady in Kindling the Moon, she is forced to re-visit the fact that her parents, both powerful magicians in their own right, were framed for murders they did not commit. For the past seven years, Cady has been able to slip under the radar, conducting an incognito livelihood as a bartender--but now, she unexpectedly is forced to prove her parent's innocence.
Every UF Series has specific qualities about it that keep me coming back for more: with Mercy Thompson it's her relationship with Adam and the pack; with Kate Daniels it's the way more and more people creep into her heart; with Downside Ghosts it's Chess's insecurities which slowly begin to shed off as she begins to believe in her own self-worth. With Arcadia Bell, it's Cady's vibrant spirit. Unlike most UF heroines, Cady arrives at the airport surprisingly baggage-free. Granted, she begins to accumulate plenty of baggage as the series progresses, revealing twists about her past she could have never predicted, but Cady never loses either her kick-ass demeanor or her vivacious energy despite the hurdles life throws at her.
What's more, this series is graced with Lon Butler. *cue swoons* It seems the only man more attractive than a lean, fit, intelligent male with a pirate-mustache is a lean, fit, intelligent single-father with a pirate-mustache. While Lon and Cady have their difference--most noticeably their age gap--I simply thrive off of the stability their relationship provides. Even when faced with the disastrous ex-wife, as we are in Binding the Shadows, Lon and Cady's relationship never wavers. Moreover, both of them bring unique talents to the table, both being extraordinarily blessed magically, so the blend of their powers is always a sight to behold.
Jupe, Lon's teenage son, while ordinarily a character I'd steer clear of, is the backbone of both this family and this series. Bennett never writes Jupe as annoyingly immature, instead giving to us an energetic, curious, and deeply loving young boy. Jupe and Cady's relationship, in particular, is wonderfully developed as the series progresses. Cady is not merely "the younger woman" in Lon's life, but she is truly part of his family and the bond built between herself and Jupe, separate from the bond Jupe could share with a biological parent, is truly special.
The Arcadia Bell novels have each been one better than the next. Kindling the Moon started off strong and Banishing the Dark truly only ended stronger. Each one of these four novels ties back together, tracing the same larger mystery in a few smaller ones, but building deep character ties along the way. From our titular lead to the secondary characters we cannot seem to forget, this series has etched its way onto my heart. With my paperback copies safely tucked into my bookshelf, there is no doubt I will be re-visiting Cady, Jupe, and Lon many more times to come. Banishing the Dark released on Tuesday and, believe me, if you don't at least have a copy of Kindling the Moon on your nightstand, you're only doing yourself a disservice.
From the surface, Arcadia Bell seems to be deceptively similar to mercenary Kate Daniels: a magician, parents with ever-so-slightly-evil origins, and a penchant for attracting danger. From the onset itself, however, Bennett's novels have contained tighter plot threads and, what's more, a heroine far removed from the loner we know both Kate Daniels and Mercy Thompson to have originally been. When we first meet Cady in Kindling the Moon, she is forced to re-visit the fact that her parents, both powerful magicians in their own right, were framed for murders they did not commit. For the past seven years, Cady has been able to slip under the radar, conducting an incognito livelihood as a bartender--but now, she unexpectedly is forced to prove her parent's innocence.
Every UF Series has specific qualities about it that keep me coming back for more: with Mercy Thompson it's her relationship with Adam and the pack; with Kate Daniels it's the way more and more people creep into her heart; with Downside Ghosts it's Chess's insecurities which slowly begin to shed off as she begins to believe in her own self-worth. With Arcadia Bell, it's Cady's vibrant spirit. Unlike most UF heroines, Cady arrives at the airport surprisingly baggage-free. Granted, she begins to accumulate plenty of baggage as the series progresses, revealing twists about her past she could have never predicted, but Cady never loses either her kick-ass demeanor or her vivacious energy despite the hurdles life throws at her.
What's more, this series is graced with Lon Butler. *cue swoons* It seems the only man more attractive than a lean, fit, intelligent male with a pirate-mustache is a lean, fit, intelligent single-father with a pirate-mustache. While Lon and Cady have their difference--most noticeably their age gap--I simply thrive off of the stability their relationship provides. Even when faced with the disastrous ex-wife, as we are in Binding the Shadows, Lon and Cady's relationship never wavers. Moreover, both of them bring unique talents to the table, both being extraordinarily blessed magically, so the blend of their powers is always a sight to behold.
Jupe, Lon's teenage son, while ordinarily a character I'd steer clear of, is the backbone of both this family and this series. Bennett never writes Jupe as annoyingly immature, instead giving to us an energetic, curious, and deeply loving young boy. Jupe and Cady's relationship, in particular, is wonderfully developed as the series progresses. Cady is not merely "the younger woman" in Lon's life, but she is truly part of his family and the bond built between herself and Jupe, separate from the bond Jupe could share with a biological parent, is truly special.
The Arcadia Bell novels have each been one better than the next. Kindling the Moon started off strong and Banishing the Dark truly only ended stronger. Each one of these four novels ties back together, tracing the same larger mystery in a few smaller ones, but building deep character ties along the way. From our titular lead to the secondary characters we cannot seem to forget, this series has etched its way onto my heart. With my paperback copies safely tucked into my bookshelf, there is no doubt I will be re-visiting Cady, Jupe, and Lon many more times to come. Banishing the Dark released on Tuesday and, believe me, if you don't at least have a copy of Kindling the Moon on your nightstand, you're only doing yourself a disservice.
August 8, 2017
5 stars!
Cady was badass in this book! I'm so sad her story has ended. The ending to this was just excellent, it was everything I hoped it would be.
I didn't realise this was only a 4 book series, I would happily read another 4! Some UF series are just way too long but I adore Cady and co so much, I'd welcome many more additions.
As far as Urban Fantasy series go, this was pretty unique. The magic system was very cool and I loved the demons and their knacks. This is definitely a winner.
Cady was badass in this book! I'm so sad her story has ended. The ending to this was just excellent, it was everything I hoped it would be.
I didn't realise this was only a 4 book series, I would happily read another 4! Some UF series are just way too long but I adore Cady and co so much, I'd welcome many more additions.
As far as Urban Fantasy series go, this was pretty unique. The magic system was very cool and I loved the demons and their knacks. This is definitely a winner.
September 13, 2016
I cannot believe I've finished this series already! I feel both giddy because it was so goooood. And like crying because it's now oooooover :(. I haven't binge read anything in ages, and I'd forgotten how much I love the fog of reading through an entire series in one go. I'll admit that I wasn't so sure about Lon when we're first introduced to him in book one, but he grew on me in that book and through all the rest and now he and Cady are one of my favorite book couples ever! I can't believe this is an entire series where a couple works together without crazy misunderstandings or separations. From when they get together in the first book until the end of the fourth one. I LOVED every minute of it. The mysteries and danger kept me glued to the pages as well, as did the secondary characters. Especially Jupe, Lon's son. I adore him so so much. I'm going to miss being inside of Cady's head and tagging along with all her crazy adventures. But I do hope she's getting a lot more peace now than she did during this series!
HIGHLY highly recommended.
Love triangle factor: none
Cliffhanger scale: series end!
HIGHLY highly recommended.
Love triangle factor: none
Cliffhanger scale: series end!
March 5, 2018
Nowadays it is really hard to discover new exciting Urban Fantasy series, while four plus years ago there were so many to pick from. The Arcadia Bell series hooked me from the start and I devoured each book the moment they released. However, a couple of years back I made the switch from UF/PNR series to reading more Contemporary Romance. When Banishing the Dark released in 2014, I started reading it but I don't know why but stopped at 33%. When I decided to finally finish this series a couple of days ago, I was pulled back into the story and it felt like I never left this amazing world. I discovered how much I missed these amazing and unique characters.
This book starts from where the previous book left off. Cady has to find a way to make sure her mother can't get control over her. It wasn't easy to do this, and she finds out new things about her family and self. Lon is one of my favorite book boyfriends and I loved how much he had Cady's back in every situation. Even though he doesn't really shows his emotions that much, he still made it possible for Cady to feel he loved her. He also is an amazing father. Jupe is one of the most awesome kids who had me cracking up so many times. His interactions with Cady were the best, their relationship was so precious. Everything fit perfectly together in this book. I thought it was the best ending the author could give these characters. Am I said it's the end? Of course, I am. I am really hoping there will be a spin-off focusing on Jupe, because he is just the best! UF readers, please read this series if you haven't because you won't regret it.
September 25, 2016
Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales
Quick & Dirty: It’s time for the final showdown between Cady and her mother in this satisfying conclusion to the Arcadia Bell series.
Opening Sentence: Jupe crouched in the shadows, watching a pair of nurses stroll down the hall.
The Review:
Arcadia Bells wakes up in the hospital after surviving a brutal attack to find that her mother is still trying to reach her in the Aethyr in order to take possession of her body. Obviously, Arcadia and Lon are determined to do whatever it takes to ensure that doesn’t happen. Unfortunately, that “whatever it takes” includes a memory spell that goes very awry and takes away pretty much all of Cady’s memories of her relationship with Lon. Now, Lon and Cady have to figure out a way to stop Cady’s mother, while Lon simultaneously works to jog Cady’s memory of him, so that he can ask her a very important question. Will Cady remember that Lon is the love of her life? Will they be able to stop Cady’s mom from wiping Cady out entirely?
I have found this series to be very addicting, so I was completely stoked to have a chance to read and review this final book in the series. And, while it often felt like not much was at stake, this book was very entertaining and fast-paced and left me feeling utterly satisfied with how everything was resolved.
As I mentioned, it often felt as if there wasn’t a whole lot at stake throughout the course of the book, which is surprising considering it’s the last book in the series, and we are after all talking about Cady’s mom trying to take possession of her body. Most of the book though focused on Cady’s memory loss, and the stuff surrounding her mother all faded to the background. It was still interesting and entertaining, but I wasn’t on the edge of my seat like I expected to be. When the showdown with Cady’s mother finally did occur, it seemed to end rather abruptly, and I was left wishing it had lasted just a bit longer.
As far as the characters go, Lon really stole the show for me. I can only imagine what he was going through internally as he dealt with Cady’s memory loss. He handled it so bravely, but you could tell (even without having any chapters from his point of view) that it was killing him inside. I really wish we could have gotten some of his inner monologue in some scenes, but even without it, he really stood out. Cady is her usual charming and witty self. I greatly enjoy her voice as a narrator. Her personality really comes leaping off the page. She made the ride through this book a fun one even when it felt like nothing was happening.
All in all, while I was surprised at the lack of action in this final book in the series, I still very much enjoyed my time saying goodbye to Cady, Lon, and Jupe. Fans of the series should really pick this one up! I’m looking forward to the next offering from Jenn Bennett!
Notable Scene:
“Buck up,” I said. “It’ll be okay.”
He gave me a unnervingly grave look. “Will it?”
I stared into his bright green eyes, with all those dark, fanning lashes. His uncertainty and worry were almost palpable – almost something I could hear as clear as his voice – and it had nothing to do with whatever punishment he feared from his dad. He was scared for me. Me. And for us, and the future. And I wanted more than anything to assure him that he was worried for no reason, that everything was fine, and nothing ever went so horribly wrong that it couldn’t be fixed. That life was easy, and if you worked hard enough, you’d get everything you wanted. If you did right by others, they’d do right by you. That both humankind and demonkind were intrinsically good, and people you respected didn’t disappoint you, and no one would ever break your heart.
None of that was true.
But unlike him, I was an excellent liar.
“Trust. Me,” I enunciated firmly, pressing my forehead to his. “Everything will be fine.”
FTC Advisory: Simon and Schuster/Pocket provided me with a copy of Banishing the Dark. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
Quick & Dirty: It’s time for the final showdown between Cady and her mother in this satisfying conclusion to the Arcadia Bell series.
Opening Sentence: Jupe crouched in the shadows, watching a pair of nurses stroll down the hall.
The Review:
Arcadia Bells wakes up in the hospital after surviving a brutal attack to find that her mother is still trying to reach her in the Aethyr in order to take possession of her body. Obviously, Arcadia and Lon are determined to do whatever it takes to ensure that doesn’t happen. Unfortunately, that “whatever it takes” includes a memory spell that goes very awry and takes away pretty much all of Cady’s memories of her relationship with Lon. Now, Lon and Cady have to figure out a way to stop Cady’s mother, while Lon simultaneously works to jog Cady’s memory of him, so that he can ask her a very important question. Will Cady remember that Lon is the love of her life? Will they be able to stop Cady’s mom from wiping Cady out entirely?
I have found this series to be very addicting, so I was completely stoked to have a chance to read and review this final book in the series. And, while it often felt like not much was at stake, this book was very entertaining and fast-paced and left me feeling utterly satisfied with how everything was resolved.
As I mentioned, it often felt as if there wasn’t a whole lot at stake throughout the course of the book, which is surprising considering it’s the last book in the series, and we are after all talking about Cady’s mom trying to take possession of her body. Most of the book though focused on Cady’s memory loss, and the stuff surrounding her mother all faded to the background. It was still interesting and entertaining, but I wasn’t on the edge of my seat like I expected to be. When the showdown with Cady’s mother finally did occur, it seemed to end rather abruptly, and I was left wishing it had lasted just a bit longer.
As far as the characters go, Lon really stole the show for me. I can only imagine what he was going through internally as he dealt with Cady’s memory loss. He handled it so bravely, but you could tell (even without having any chapters from his point of view) that it was killing him inside. I really wish we could have gotten some of his inner monologue in some scenes, but even without it, he really stood out. Cady is her usual charming and witty self. I greatly enjoy her voice as a narrator. Her personality really comes leaping off the page. She made the ride through this book a fun one even when it felt like nothing was happening.
All in all, while I was surprised at the lack of action in this final book in the series, I still very much enjoyed my time saying goodbye to Cady, Lon, and Jupe. Fans of the series should really pick this one up! I’m looking forward to the next offering from Jenn Bennett!
Notable Scene:
“Buck up,” I said. “It’ll be okay.”
He gave me a unnervingly grave look. “Will it?”
I stared into his bright green eyes, with all those dark, fanning lashes. His uncertainty and worry were almost palpable – almost something I could hear as clear as his voice – and it had nothing to do with whatever punishment he feared from his dad. He was scared for me. Me. And for us, and the future. And I wanted more than anything to assure him that he was worried for no reason, that everything was fine, and nothing ever went so horribly wrong that it couldn’t be fixed. That life was easy, and if you worked hard enough, you’d get everything you wanted. If you did right by others, they’d do right by you. That both humankind and demonkind were intrinsically good, and people you respected didn’t disappoint you, and no one would ever break your heart.
None of that was true.
But unlike him, I was an excellent liar.
“Trust. Me,” I enunciated firmly, pressing my forehead to his. “Everything will be fine.”
FTC Advisory: Simon and Schuster/Pocket provided me with a copy of Banishing the Dark. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
October 18, 2017
Complicated does not begin to describe Arcadia Bell's life right now: unnatural magical power, another brush with death, and a murderous mother who's not only overbearing but determined to take permanent possession of Cady's body.
3.5 stars. This was the last book in the Arcadia Bell series. I didn't enjoy reading it as much as I did the other books in the series. There were some big coincidences that I thought were really convenient for the story telling, like characters showing up somewhere and discovering an event happens only once a month but they luckily got there at the right time. This happened twice in the book. Also, there were too many people coincidentally living in the same area.
This book also ventured way too close to romance novel territory for me. Too many sex scenes and too much talk of sex for me. Plus Cady constantly thinking about how hot Lon is and lusting after him got old fast. I'm just glad we weren't in Lon's mind too.
Also with the abilities Cady gained I felt like it made things all too easy for her to get out of every situation she was in. There were also certain characters I missed in this book that were not really present, and we are introduced to a new one and I didn't see the need to do that so late in the series.
Mostly I enjoyed this series, especially when it forgot about the hotness of its characters and focused on the family dynamic and what they really meant to each other.
Review also posted at Writings of a Reader
3.5 stars. This was the last book in the Arcadia Bell series. I didn't enjoy reading it as much as I did the other books in the series. There were some big coincidences that I thought were really convenient for the story telling, like characters showing up somewhere and discovering an event happens only once a month but they luckily got there at the right time. This happened twice in the book. Also, there were too many people coincidentally living in the same area.
This book also ventured way too close to romance novel territory for me. Too many sex scenes and too much talk of sex for me. Plus Cady constantly thinking about how hot Lon is and lusting after him got old fast. I'm just glad we weren't in Lon's mind too.
Also with the abilities Cady gained I felt like it made things all too easy for her to get out of every situation she was in. There were also certain characters I missed in this book that were not really present, and we are introduced to a new one and I didn't see the need to do that so late in the series.
Mostly I enjoyed this series, especially when it forgot about the hotness of its characters and focused on the family dynamic and what they really meant to each other.
Review also posted at Writings of a Reader
December 22, 2014
This is the last book in the series???
Noes!!!
4.5 stars
Wow!
I loved this!
Review to come..
And here it is. The last book of the Arcadia Bell series....
"Banishing the Dark" picks up a few weeks after the "you know what happened" in the last pages of Binding The Shadows (book #3).
Feelings are running high, Cady's sociopath of a mother continues lurking on the horizon waiting for a chance to attack _long story ~go read the first book!~ _ and Cady is running out of ideas.
So what does she do?
Well, I could tell you, but then I would ruin the book for you!
So, no telling ;)
Let me just say that reading this was heartbreaking, awe inducing, funny _Jupe is in it, so, what did you expect? _ and completely addictive!
I like the fact that Cady isn't our average urban fantasy heroine.
She really tried to lead a normal life _ well as normal as one can have, being the owner of a bar that caters to earthbounds_ only when people didn't let her _ there was the sacrifice attempts and things of the sort _ did she have to come to terms with the other "aspect" of her life.
So I guess it was to expect, that this series wouldn't have a.. let's say "energizer bunny" duration.
You know the type that.. lasts and lasts, _okay..do you think that's in character with the characters?_ lasts _ when will this series end?_, lasts _Okay I'm done with this *****!! *throws book in rage and promises never to touch the series again*
No one can accuse the Arcadia Bell series of that!
What you can say is, that it ended with a very positive bang, surfing the "biggest waves" of the urban fantasy world!
There's so many "quotable" quotes that I could place here to leave you all salivating, but I CAN'T, because this is an arc!
The characters are as great as ever.
I just love the quirky demon family Cady got for herself. I love their interactions, and the way they are always there for one another!
I love Lon, even with his pirate moustache...and despite his old age!lol ;)
Then there's Jupe who is the most cutest, infuriating, "hugable" teen ever created! I love him, even when he is being his usual big mouthed self!
Oh, and I can totally see him having his own series! ;) *wink*
Well, him and another member of the Butler family! That ending, lol, was priceless!
Definitely recommended for first reads, and re-reads, which is something I would love to do if I didn't have a pile of arcs to read!
So what are you waiting for in order to start this series?
Noes!!!
4.5 stars
Wow!
I loved this!
Review to come..
And here it is. The last book of the Arcadia Bell series....
"Banishing the Dark" picks up a few weeks after the "you know what happened" in the last pages of Binding The Shadows (book #3).
Feelings are running high, Cady's sociopath of a mother continues lurking on the horizon waiting for a chance to attack _long story ~go read the first book!~ _ and Cady is running out of ideas.
So what does she do?
Well, I could tell you, but then I would ruin the book for you!
So, no telling ;)
Let me just say that reading this was heartbreaking, awe inducing, funny _Jupe is in it, so, what did you expect? _ and completely addictive!
I like the fact that Cady isn't our average urban fantasy heroine.
She really tried to lead a normal life _ well as normal as one can have, being the owner of a bar that caters to earthbounds_ only when people didn't let her _ there was the sacrifice attempts and things of the sort _ did she have to come to terms with the other "aspect" of her life.
So I guess it was to expect, that this series wouldn't have a.. let's say "energizer bunny" duration.
You know the type that.. lasts and lasts, _okay..do you think that's in character with the characters?_ lasts _ when will this series end?_, lasts _Okay I'm done with this *****!! *throws book in rage and promises never to touch the series again*
No one can accuse the Arcadia Bell series of that!
What you can say is, that it ended with a very positive bang, surfing the "biggest waves" of the urban fantasy world!
There's so many "quotable" quotes that I could place here to leave you all salivating, but I CAN'T, because this is an arc!
The characters are as great as ever.
I just love the quirky demon family Cady got for herself. I love their interactions, and the way they are always there for one another!
I love Lon, even with his pirate moustache...and despite his old age!lol ;)
Then there's Jupe who is the most cutest, infuriating, "hugable" teen ever created! I love him, even when he is being his usual big mouthed self!
Oh, and I can totally see him having his own series! ;) *wink*
Well, him and another member of the Butler family! That ending, lol, was priceless!
Definitely recommended for first reads, and re-reads, which is something I would love to do if I didn't have a pile of arcs to read!
So what are you waiting for in order to start this series?
August 13, 2014
Reviewed by: Rabid Reads
2014 seems to be the year of series finales, and out of all of them, ARCADIA BELL has been the one that I’ve been dreading the most. Jenn Bennett is one of my top five go-to Urban Fantasy authors, and having to say goodbye to these beloved characters after only four books (and a novella) is heartbreaking. That point aside, BANISHING THE DARK is pure magic with its topsy-turvy plot, explosive chemistry and exceptional epilogue. And, the first ever chapters from Jupe’s POV are just… wow. I tried to savour this one—really, I did—but I was a goner after page one.
The showdown between Cady and her mother has been brewing since KINDLING THE MOON, and has finally reached its boiling point, but that’s not the only challenge Team Bell will have to face before they earn their HEA. Lon and Cady’s relationship gets put to the test in the most unlikely of ways which added an entertaining twist to their interactions throughout this book. I loved that the author made this installment all about “them”; although, I did find myself missing some of the secondary characters at times. The sexual tension actually surpassed the non-stop action in a few instances which helped ensure that this conclusion was pleasing on all fronts.
I adored Jupe’s role in this novel, and the couple of scenes from his POV made me desperately crave a novella from his viewpoint. I liked that he had just as big of a role to play in the Moonchild spell investigation as Cady and Lon did. His conversations with Priya were downright hilarious, and I loved that we got to witness his “first love”. His inclusion in the epilogue was a nice little bonus too. I never thought I’d count a teenage kid among my favourite characters, but Jupiter Butler is one of a kind!
No ARCADIA BELL book would be complete without an edge-of-your-seat story line, and the Moonchild investigation succeeds in delivering that and so much more. The curve balls will have you white knuckling your eReader, while the revelations will leave you scrapping your jaw up off the floor. It’s been a real challenge to write this review without spoilers because there are just so many things to squee about; needless to say, this installment certainly does not lack in the “oh shit” department.
Jenn Bennett certainly knows how to make an exit because BANISHING THE DARK ends on the highest of highs. Encore!!!
2014 seems to be the year of series finales, and out of all of them, ARCADIA BELL has been the one that I’ve been dreading the most. Jenn Bennett is one of my top five go-to Urban Fantasy authors, and having to say goodbye to these beloved characters after only four books (and a novella) is heartbreaking. That point aside, BANISHING THE DARK is pure magic with its topsy-turvy plot, explosive chemistry and exceptional epilogue. And, the first ever chapters from Jupe’s POV are just… wow. I tried to savour this one—really, I did—but I was a goner after page one.
The showdown between Cady and her mother has been brewing since KINDLING THE MOON, and has finally reached its boiling point, but that’s not the only challenge Team Bell will have to face before they earn their HEA. Lon and Cady’s relationship gets put to the test in the most unlikely of ways which added an entertaining twist to their interactions throughout this book. I loved that the author made this installment all about “them”; although, I did find myself missing some of the secondary characters at times. The sexual tension actually surpassed the non-stop action in a few instances which helped ensure that this conclusion was pleasing on all fronts.
I adored Jupe’s role in this novel, and the couple of scenes from his POV made me desperately crave a novella from his viewpoint. I liked that he had just as big of a role to play in the Moonchild spell investigation as Cady and Lon did. His conversations with Priya were downright hilarious, and I loved that we got to witness his “first love”. His inclusion in the epilogue was a nice little bonus too. I never thought I’d count a teenage kid among my favourite characters, but Jupiter Butler is one of a kind!
No ARCADIA BELL book would be complete without an edge-of-your-seat story line, and the Moonchild investigation succeeds in delivering that and so much more. The curve balls will have you white knuckling your eReader, while the revelations will leave you scrapping your jaw up off the floor. It’s been a real challenge to write this review without spoilers because there are just so many things to squee about; needless to say, this installment certainly does not lack in the “oh shit” department.
Jenn Bennett certainly knows how to make an exit because BANISHING THE DARK ends on the highest of highs. Encore!!!
May 28, 2014
I started Banishing the Dark with a lump in my throat. As I guess every other fan did, knowing this is the final book in a beloved series.
And the first part of the book delivered, there're some tension, some pretty funny moments, some romantic ones. But midway you start to realize that there's not much meat in to this stew.
Mommy Dearest isn't present, she's no real threat, there's no tension to the plot, nothing really happens until 80%. Jupe, still a great character, is transformed into a idiotic, hormonal teenager, and only the author's hand kept that thread from becoming deranged. But it made it almost useless.
The great majority of the pages are dedicated to romance. And, yes, we all like some romantic moments in our life, but here the couple is sent back to the Start without going to Prison or take the 200$, to quote Arcadia. I understand the plot twist, but overall it made the story weak robbing it of tension and moving it toward fluff. In a pinch we all love it, but when it take the place of a story, not so much.
I never felt the pain, the fear, I never felt the risk or the terror when one character was on the brink of death. I never felt they were risking all, and when things started to happen, it was too little, too late.
I'm sorry to add that my copy missed several chunks of text, paragraphs or full pages, so that all the climax of the story arch (from 80% to the end) was confusing. Scenes changed, explanations were given, but I lost it all. It might be unfair, but I cut an half star for it.
Overall I recommend this series to all UF fans. It's really one of the best, unusual in many ways. The end is a bit disappointing, as it fizzles rather than bangs, but it shouldn't be a reason to keep you from it.
Arc courtesy of the publisher via Netgalley.
And the first part of the book delivered, there're some tension, some pretty funny moments, some romantic ones. But midway you start to realize that there's not much meat in to this stew.
Mommy Dearest isn't present, she's no real threat, there's no tension to the plot, nothing really happens until 80%. Jupe, still a great character, is transformed into a idiotic, hormonal teenager, and only the author's hand kept that thread from becoming deranged. But it made it almost useless.
The great majority of the pages are dedicated to romance. And, yes, we all like some romantic moments in our life, but here the couple is sent back to the Start without going to Prison or take the 200$, to quote Arcadia. I understand the plot twist, but overall it made the story weak robbing it of tension and moving it toward fluff. In a pinch we all love it, but when it take the place of a story, not so much.
I never felt the pain, the fear, I never felt the risk or the terror when one character was on the brink of death. I never felt they were risking all, and when things started to happen, it was too little, too late.
I'm sorry to add that my copy missed several chunks of text, paragraphs or full pages, so that all the climax of the story arch (from 80% to the end) was confusing. Scenes changed, explanations were given, but I lost it all. It might be unfair, but I cut an half star for it.
Overall I recommend this series to all UF fans. It's really one of the best, unusual in many ways. The end is a bit disappointing, as it fizzles rather than bangs, but it shouldn't be a reason to keep you from it.
Arc courtesy of the publisher via Netgalley.
July 1, 2014
What a fabulous ending to a great series!
I love the way Jenn Bennett writes her books and captures her audience, these books are a ride well worth taking...
I love what happens with all the characters and although we kind of know what will happen, we don't know how or what's behind the scenes and boy was I surprised at a few things, especially about the characters we love to hate!
I picked up this series because I have read the first books in The Roaring Twenties (fantastic books), and I am so pleased I did, great reads, great story lines, fabulous characters (Lon = swoon worthy) and a roller coaster I thoroughly enjoyed.
I love the way Jenn Bennett writes her books and captures her audience, these books are a ride well worth taking...
I love what happens with all the characters and although we kind of know what will happen, we don't know how or what's behind the scenes and boy was I surprised at a few things, especially about the characters we love to hate!
I picked up this series because I have read the first books in The Roaring Twenties (fantastic books), and I am so pleased I did, great reads, great story lines, fabulous characters (Lon = swoon worthy) and a roller coaster I thoroughly enjoyed.
March 27, 2022
This was an amazing end to the series. I loved reading this one so much I bought a paperback copy.
I just need more. There were moments that I was picking my jaw of the floor. I just loved this book!
I just need more. There were moments that I was picking my jaw of the floor. I just loved this book!
May 10, 2020
4 stars
Well...look like Banishing the Dark is the series finale *sigh*. After the "ZOMG, WOW WHAT AN ENDING" in Binding the Shadow, Bennett back with Cady's final adventure, to know who she is, what she is and what she will do to end her conflict with her murderous and megalomaniac mother. The book feel calmer compared to the previous that so high on drama llama, but Bennett still manage to make my emotions jumbling all over the places. The showdown between Cady and her mother kinda anticlimatic. I agree with some reviewers that its feel so rushed. I also a little bit disappointed because . But the epilogue that Bennett wrote wrapped up the story nicely and I'm glad that all are good in Bell-Butler casa.
For me, the strength of this series lay in the relationship between the characters. I will said again and again that I REALLY LOVED Cady and Lon's healthy romantic relationship. Their May-December scandal often write as comic relief, but I like that they support each other. In Banishing the Dark, in order to deceive Cady's mother, Cady and Lon go through some memory spell that remove some Cady's memory, therefore make Cady kinda forget that she and Lon is already in romantic relationship. It kinda confusing and sad to read it, but I get that it must done. Beside..don't fret, happy ending all the way!
Not only from Cady's first POV, Bennett also write 3rd PoV from Jupe's. Sure he's still motormouth and hyper, also his reaction to his crush is so cute to read (and it's not Kar Yee). Bennett capture Jupe's voice so well and I get why now she wrote mostly YA. You can't help to get annoyed to Jupe's jumbling minds, but well, teenager supposed to be annoying perhaps. But, you will adore him too. And, I do like that even Priya still got excited when he got summoned by Cady, he still have this on going rival with Lon, lol. Surprisely, Priya kinda getting along with Jupe, maybe because both are teenage boys.
I have a feeling because of words constriction, Bennett seems like omitted some parts. Not enough Kar Yee (she kinda have big fight with Cady in the previous book. I want to read how they made up!). Not enough Hajo (surprised he find love in the end. Not gonna tell who the (un)lucky lady). Not enough Bob (sad noises) and Lon's in-laws (despite Rose strict demeanor to Cady at first, lol). Anyway, they all appear in the epilogue, but will be nice if they got more appearance, hahaha. This book mostly focus in Cady and Lon's search of Cady's Moonchild secret and Jupe's effort to "help" his loved ones.
Wish it was longer, but well, Arcadia Bell series is still worth to read. It got a rough beginning at the start, but getting smoother with each books and wrapped up kinda nicely. A good blending of demonology and magic world building, better written characters in term of characterization, relationship and development and have strong romantic elements, I will said Arcadia Bell is one of Urban Fantasy series that you don't want to miss!
Well...look like Banishing the Dark is the series finale *sigh*. After the "ZOMG, WOW WHAT AN ENDING" in Binding the Shadow, Bennett back with Cady's final adventure, to know who she is, what she is and what she will do to end her conflict with her murderous and megalomaniac mother. The book feel calmer compared to the previous that so high on drama llama, but Bennett still manage to make my emotions jumbling all over the places. The showdown between Cady and her mother kinda anticlimatic. I agree with some reviewers that its feel so rushed. I also a little bit disappointed because . But the epilogue that Bennett wrote wrapped up the story nicely and I'm glad that all are good in Bell-Butler casa.
For me, the strength of this series lay in the relationship between the characters. I will said again and again that I REALLY LOVED Cady and Lon's healthy romantic relationship. Their May-December scandal often write as comic relief, but I like that they support each other. In Banishing the Dark, in order to deceive Cady's mother, Cady and Lon go through some memory spell that remove some Cady's memory, therefore make Cady kinda forget that she and Lon is already in romantic relationship. It kinda confusing and sad to read it, but I get that it must done. Beside..don't fret, happy ending all the way!
Not only from Cady's first POV, Bennett also write 3rd PoV from Jupe's. Sure he's still motormouth and hyper, also his reaction to his crush is so cute to read (and it's not Kar Yee). Bennett capture Jupe's voice so well and I get why now she wrote mostly YA. You can't help to get annoyed to Jupe's jumbling minds, but well, teenager supposed to be annoying perhaps. But, you will adore him too. And, I do like that even Priya still got excited when he got summoned by Cady, he still have this on going rival with Lon, lol. Surprisely, Priya kinda getting along with Jupe, maybe because both are teenage boys.
I have a feeling because of words constriction, Bennett seems like omitted some parts. Not enough Kar Yee (she kinda have big fight with Cady in the previous book. I want to read how they made up!). Not enough Hajo (surprised he find love in the end. Not gonna tell who the (un)lucky lady). Not enough Bob (sad noises) and Lon's in-laws (despite Rose strict demeanor to Cady at first, lol). Anyway, they all appear in the epilogue, but will be nice if they got more appearance, hahaha. This book mostly focus in Cady and Lon's search of Cady's Moonchild secret and Jupe's effort to "help" his loved ones.
Wish it was longer, but well, Arcadia Bell series is still worth to read. It got a rough beginning at the start, but getting smoother with each books and wrapped up kinda nicely. A good blending of demonology and magic world building, better written characters in term of characterization, relationship and development and have strong romantic elements, I will said Arcadia Bell is one of Urban Fantasy series that you don't want to miss!
May 28, 2014
Posted at Yummy Men & Kick Ass Chicks
Banishing the Dark is the fourth book in Jenn Bennett’s absolutely amazing Arcadia Bell series. This is easily one of my favorite urban fantasy series. The storylines are so interesting and the characters are simply outstanding.
This installment follows Arcadia (Cady) and Lon, her boyfriend who happens to be quite a bit older than her, an Earthbound demon and sexy as hell, as they try to keep Cady’s mother in the Æther, where she belongs because, as we learned in the first book, she is a special kind of crazy. Yeah…imagine completely nuts and you have Enola, Cady’s mom. Cady battled an equally crazy man in the last book and this one starts off with Cady waking up from a long coma. She is dealing with some soreness and some fuzzy memories. Lon is by her side *dreamy sigh* and is helping her recover as quickly as possible. Because, you know, crazy mom wants to find her and take over her body. See?… batshit crazy.
Cady really comes into her own in this latest installment. She is continuing to learn about her abilities and is figuring out how to use them when she needs them. There are some pretty impressive examples of how far she’s come in this book. I have always liked Cady and seeing who she becomes by the end of this installment makes me very happy. It works perfectly with her character and makes me feel that she is going to be okay.
Jupe is Lon’s teenaged son. I can’t say this enough: I am not usually a fan of teenagers in books – I find they tend to either be whiny or annoying – but Jupe is written in a way where it is impossible not to find him completely delightful. He has such a big heart and the fact that he can’t seem to stop talking even when he knows he really should is both funny and endearing.
The book is told from Cady’s point of view but we get a few chapters that are told in the third person from Jupe’s point of view. Jupe is the type of boy who follows his heart now and thinks that maybe it wasn’t the best idea later. So every time a chapter would start and it was Jupe doing…something, I found myself saying “No Jupe. Oh no Jupe. Don’t do it!” even though it was not necessarily a bad thing that he was doing. I just tend to assume that where Jupe’s intentions are very honorable and everything he does is with a deep seated passion, most of the time they don’t quite turn out as he wished. Now, whether or not his actions helped in this book or hindered Lon and Cady’s quest is something you will have to read the book to find out.
And finally we have Lon. I think I’ve mentioned this in every review that I’ve written for this series but it’s true: he really is absolutely perfect for Cady. And there is just something about him that is beyond sexy! Maybe it’s that he’s mature or maybe it’s that he’s smart and totally captured by Cady. Maybe it’s that he’s normal and isn’t perfect, that he admits to having trouble being a single dad to his energetic teenaged son. Maybe it’s all of the above. Whatever it is, just seeing his name on the page makes me smile. And same as with Cady, he’s changed in the series but not so much that he’s unrecognizable. He’s still quiet and intense yet is now able to open up a bit to Cady, showing her how he really feels. Overall, he’s a wonderfully created character, as are all of the characters in this series.
At the end of the book, you will find Jenn’s Acknowledgements. I read these and boy, did I find a surprise in there. Jenn basically tells us that Banishing the Dark will be the last Arcadia Bell novel. Yes folks, for now and maybe even for always, this is the end of this brilliant series. When I read that I started crying. Yes, I may have been pms-ing but that is not the point. The point is that I have grown so attached to these characters over the last four books that the mere idea of not seeing them through new adventures brought such an overwhelming sadness, one I had much trouble understanding. I mean, it’s only been four books! But in these four books, Jenn manages to bring Cady, Lon, Jupe and the rest of the gang to life in such a way that you think of them as real. You know better, of course, and you can pick up an Arcadia Bell book at any time to re-read it but it’s just not quite the same. The last couple of lines in the acknowledgement passage is “It’s never easy to say goodbye, but Cady, Lon, Jupe and Tabby now belong to you. Please take good care of them.” and she’s right. They do belong to us, thanks to her. Seeing this line made me realize what power authors truly hold over their readers. Jenn created these fictional people in her head and wrote down stories about them. And we ate them up, welcoming these ideas into our lives. Kind of freaky when you think about it…
All in all, Banishing the Dark was the perfect continuation to the series and, essentially, ending to it as well. There is a wonderful epilogue that takes place three and a half years after the book ends and it really makes everything right in the world. I am so happy that I read these books and I urge you all to do the same. These are superb urban fantasy reads.
5plus stars
Banishing the Dark is the fourth book in Jenn Bennett’s absolutely amazing Arcadia Bell series. This is easily one of my favorite urban fantasy series. The storylines are so interesting and the characters are simply outstanding.
This installment follows Arcadia (Cady) and Lon, her boyfriend who happens to be quite a bit older than her, an Earthbound demon and sexy as hell, as they try to keep Cady’s mother in the Æther, where she belongs because, as we learned in the first book, she is a special kind of crazy. Yeah…imagine completely nuts and you have Enola, Cady’s mom. Cady battled an equally crazy man in the last book and this one starts off with Cady waking up from a long coma. She is dealing with some soreness and some fuzzy memories. Lon is by her side *dreamy sigh* and is helping her recover as quickly as possible. Because, you know, crazy mom wants to find her and take over her body. See?… batshit crazy.
Cady really comes into her own in this latest installment. She is continuing to learn about her abilities and is figuring out how to use them when she needs them. There are some pretty impressive examples of how far she’s come in this book. I have always liked Cady and seeing who she becomes by the end of this installment makes me very happy. It works perfectly with her character and makes me feel that she is going to be okay.
Jupe is Lon’s teenaged son. I can’t say this enough: I am not usually a fan of teenagers in books – I find they tend to either be whiny or annoying – but Jupe is written in a way where it is impossible not to find him completely delightful. He has such a big heart and the fact that he can’t seem to stop talking even when he knows he really should is both funny and endearing.
The book is told from Cady’s point of view but we get a few chapters that are told in the third person from Jupe’s point of view. Jupe is the type of boy who follows his heart now and thinks that maybe it wasn’t the best idea later. So every time a chapter would start and it was Jupe doing…something, I found myself saying “No Jupe. Oh no Jupe. Don’t do it!” even though it was not necessarily a bad thing that he was doing. I just tend to assume that where Jupe’s intentions are very honorable and everything he does is with a deep seated passion, most of the time they don’t quite turn out as he wished. Now, whether or not his actions helped in this book or hindered Lon and Cady’s quest is something you will have to read the book to find out.
And finally we have Lon. I think I’ve mentioned this in every review that I’ve written for this series but it’s true: he really is absolutely perfect for Cady. And there is just something about him that is beyond sexy! Maybe it’s that he’s mature or maybe it’s that he’s smart and totally captured by Cady. Maybe it’s that he’s normal and isn’t perfect, that he admits to having trouble being a single dad to his energetic teenaged son. Maybe it’s all of the above. Whatever it is, just seeing his name on the page makes me smile. And same as with Cady, he’s changed in the series but not so much that he’s unrecognizable. He’s still quiet and intense yet is now able to open up a bit to Cady, showing her how he really feels. Overall, he’s a wonderfully created character, as are all of the characters in this series.
At the end of the book, you will find Jenn’s Acknowledgements. I read these and boy, did I find a surprise in there. Jenn basically tells us that Banishing the Dark will be the last Arcadia Bell novel. Yes folks, for now and maybe even for always, this is the end of this brilliant series. When I read that I started crying. Yes, I may have been pms-ing but that is not the point. The point is that I have grown so attached to these characters over the last four books that the mere idea of not seeing them through new adventures brought such an overwhelming sadness, one I had much trouble understanding. I mean, it’s only been four books! But in these four books, Jenn manages to bring Cady, Lon, Jupe and the rest of the gang to life in such a way that you think of them as real. You know better, of course, and you can pick up an Arcadia Bell book at any time to re-read it but it’s just not quite the same. The last couple of lines in the acknowledgement passage is “It’s never easy to say goodbye, but Cady, Lon, Jupe and Tabby now belong to you. Please take good care of them.” and she’s right. They do belong to us, thanks to her. Seeing this line made me realize what power authors truly hold over their readers. Jenn created these fictional people in her head and wrote down stories about them. And we ate them up, welcoming these ideas into our lives. Kind of freaky when you think about it…
All in all, Banishing the Dark was the perfect continuation to the series and, essentially, ending to it as well. There is a wonderful epilogue that takes place three and a half years after the book ends and it really makes everything right in the world. I am so happy that I read these books and I urge you all to do the same. These are superb urban fantasy reads.
5plus stars
May 29, 2014
Originally reviewed on
Romancing the Dark Side:
A bittersweet, but satisfying ending to one of my favorite series!
Warning: My biggest feat while writing this review is trying to make it spoiler free, I’ll try my best to contain my excitement and give you just enough without revealing too much…
BANISHING THE DARK is the highly anticipated conclusion to Jenn Bennett’s Arcadia Bell series and I must say she pulled out all the stops on this one! After coming close to death at the end of BINDING THE SHADOWS, Cady is busy recovering and preparing for her biggest battle yet with her powerful mother Enola who wants her dead. To have a shot at a “normal” life, Cady is willing to put it all on the line to ensure a HEA with her new family. The final outcome seems uncertain, but with Lon and Jupe by her side Cady feels this is one fight she’ll win!
I’ve been a fan of Jenn Bennett and Team Cady Bell from the start, so it was heartbreaking for me to learn the series was just ending after four installments (and a short story in between). This is one of the ones I’d read forever but I was also excited to see what the endgame for Cady, Lon and Jupe would be, you just never know with Ms. Bennett! The final installment delivered the same page-turning, on the edge of your seat heart-dropping moments that made me fall in love with Bennett’s writing as the story came full circle. It was hard not to devour this book in one sitting, I tried to take my time with it to savor every page but it didn’t work out so well for me. A good author will make you connect with her characters, but a great one will make you feel those characters are your friends so that you feel a personal stake while reading their stories…that’s what Jenn Bennett does with her phenomenal writing.
Jupe’s role in this book is an integral part of the story and I really enjoyed his POV in a few chapters. I’m not usually a fan of teenager characters in adult books but Jupe’s character development is so extensive and well executed that he practically steals every scene he’s in throughout the series. I adore his bond with Cady and that he’d do anything to protect her, their relationship is so organic that I sometimes forget she’s not his biological mom. We even get a glimpse of a budding romance for Jupe in this book which was the cherry on top! He easily became one of my favorite supporting characters in this series with his larger than life personality and loyalty to his family. I wouldn’t mind a future novella updating me on Jupiter Butler! *wink wink Jenn*
The romance between Lon and Cady does not take precedence to the non-stop action, but is a special element to the overall plot. The ongoing theme of family is constantly being tested and it’s what keeps me coming back for more of these characters, their strength in the face of adversity just tugs at my heartstrings every time. The Arcadia Bell series is not as dark as some other series in this genre, but it more than makes up for it with the intense magical world building, ongoing tension, relatable protagonists and unpredictability. Just when you think you know where the story is headed Ms. Bennett has another card up her sleeve to play! Cady really held her own in BANISHING THE DARK, she’s resilient and has grown from the inexperienced young woman she was into a confident and kick ass heroine. I’m not sure I’ve ever said this in any of my other reviews, but it’s been really refreshing to read a heroine who isn’t twenty (not that I mind younger heroines) and is in a mature relationship, that was another selling point for me.
All good things must come to an end and I suppose it’s better to end on a high note as is the case with BANISHING THE DARK. After all is said and done, Cady finally gets the answers she’s been searching for and the HEA she never imagined. I enjoyed every moment of her journey, even when I thought I wouldn’t recover from some of it. It’s so hard to say goodbye to a beloved series but I could not ask for more than the beautifully written epilogue, it truly made every heart-wrenching moment worthwhile. It was the perfect conclusion to Cady’s story with a glimmer of hope for a future installment if the need presents itself (fingers crossed). There, I think I’ve said as much as I could without oversharing. I’d like to end my review by thanking Jenn Bennett for introducing me to an unforgettable series and its charming characters I will cherish for years to come! <3
*I received this eARC courtesy of NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
A bittersweet, but satisfying ending to one of my favorite series!
Warning: My biggest feat while writing this review is trying to make it spoiler free, I’ll try my best to contain my excitement and give you just enough without revealing too much…
BANISHING THE DARK is the highly anticipated conclusion to Jenn Bennett’s Arcadia Bell series and I must say she pulled out all the stops on this one! After coming close to death at the end of BINDING THE SHADOWS, Cady is busy recovering and preparing for her biggest battle yet with her powerful mother Enola who wants her dead. To have a shot at a “normal” life, Cady is willing to put it all on the line to ensure a HEA with her new family. The final outcome seems uncertain, but with Lon and Jupe by her side Cady feels this is one fight she’ll win!
I’ve been a fan of Jenn Bennett and Team Cady Bell from the start, so it was heartbreaking for me to learn the series was just ending after four installments (and a short story in between). This is one of the ones I’d read forever but I was also excited to see what the endgame for Cady, Lon and Jupe would be, you just never know with Ms. Bennett! The final installment delivered the same page-turning, on the edge of your seat heart-dropping moments that made me fall in love with Bennett’s writing as the story came full circle. It was hard not to devour this book in one sitting, I tried to take my time with it to savor every page but it didn’t work out so well for me. A good author will make you connect with her characters, but a great one will make you feel those characters are your friends so that you feel a personal stake while reading their stories…that’s what Jenn Bennett does with her phenomenal writing.
Jupe’s role in this book is an integral part of the story and I really enjoyed his POV in a few chapters. I’m not usually a fan of teenager characters in adult books but Jupe’s character development is so extensive and well executed that he practically steals every scene he’s in throughout the series. I adore his bond with Cady and that he’d do anything to protect her, their relationship is so organic that I sometimes forget she’s not his biological mom. We even get a glimpse of a budding romance for Jupe in this book which was the cherry on top! He easily became one of my favorite supporting characters in this series with his larger than life personality and loyalty to his family. I wouldn’t mind a future novella updating me on Jupiter Butler! *wink wink Jenn*
The romance between Lon and Cady does not take precedence to the non-stop action, but is a special element to the overall plot. The ongoing theme of family is constantly being tested and it’s what keeps me coming back for more of these characters, their strength in the face of adversity just tugs at my heartstrings every time. The Arcadia Bell series is not as dark as some other series in this genre, but it more than makes up for it with the intense magical world building, ongoing tension, relatable protagonists and unpredictability. Just when you think you know where the story is headed Ms. Bennett has another card up her sleeve to play! Cady really held her own in BANISHING THE DARK, she’s resilient and has grown from the inexperienced young woman she was into a confident and kick ass heroine. I’m not sure I’ve ever said this in any of my other reviews, but it’s been really refreshing to read a heroine who isn’t twenty (not that I mind younger heroines) and is in a mature relationship, that was another selling point for me.
All good things must come to an end and I suppose it’s better to end on a high note as is the case with BANISHING THE DARK. After all is said and done, Cady finally gets the answers she’s been searching for and the HEA she never imagined. I enjoyed every moment of her journey, even when I thought I wouldn’t recover from some of it. It’s so hard to say goodbye to a beloved series but I could not ask for more than the beautifully written epilogue, it truly made every heart-wrenching moment worthwhile. It was the perfect conclusion to Cady’s story with a glimmer of hope for a future installment if the need presents itself (fingers crossed). There, I think I’ve said as much as I could without oversharing. I’d like to end my review by thanking Jenn Bennett for introducing me to an unforgettable series and its charming characters I will cherish for years to come! <3
*I received this eARC courtesy of NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
March 31, 2014
A wonderful end to an awesome series. In Banishing the Dark, Cady and Lon are once again behind the eight ball trying to figure out exactly what happened to conceive Cady. How did she become infused with moonchild abilities and why is her mother able to tap into her powers and control her? For Cady, it seems as if all her crisis have a termination date. If she doesn't solve the problem by a certain time limit, boom, game over for her. This is beyond stressful.
Ms. Bennett does an excellent job of creating tension in this story. The tension is generated not just suspense in trying to figure out how a moonchild is created, but in sexual tension. In order to keep a secret from her mother, Cady forces Lon to perform a bit of magic to hide the secret. This causes unintended consequences which would have broken a weaker man. Lon is amazingly loyal in this story and he suffers for it.
The conflict in this story is great and well crafted. As more of this world is revealed and how the different relationship cross each other, it's disturbing and depressing. Cady learns more about her parents and how much they really valued her. Their callousness is unfathomable unless one is a psychopathic sociopath. Ah yes, that's why it made sense for Cady's mother to behave the way she did to her children.
The dynamic between Cady and Lon really make the story for me. Their banter and chemistry is lovely to watch. I also enjoyed how every lead they find doesn't give them an easy answer. There are many dead ends which is frustrating and more realistic. Nothing is simple for the two of them. Their ability to keep persisting and work together is what makes the story so enjoyable. Even when they feel defeated, they still lean on each other for support. In this story, love does conquer all. Not just the love of a man and woman, but the love of mother to child. Jupe is not ignored in this story. He continues to be the over exuberant puppy dog. He plays a key role to help Cady discover what she is made of. Ms. Bennet is a great storyteller who crafts a magical story come to life. This urban fantasy is highly recommended for those who enjoy suspense and happily ever afters.
*provided by Edelweiss
Ms. Bennett does an excellent job of creating tension in this story. The tension is generated not just suspense in trying to figure out how a moonchild is created, but in sexual tension. In order to keep a secret from her mother, Cady forces Lon to perform a bit of magic to hide the secret. This causes unintended consequences which would have broken a weaker man. Lon is amazingly loyal in this story and he suffers for it.
The conflict in this story is great and well crafted. As more of this world is revealed and how the different relationship cross each other, it's disturbing and depressing. Cady learns more about her parents and how much they really valued her. Their callousness is unfathomable unless one is a psychopathic sociopath. Ah yes, that's why it made sense for Cady's mother to behave the way she did to her children.
The dynamic between Cady and Lon really make the story for me. Their banter and chemistry is lovely to watch. I also enjoyed how every lead they find doesn't give them an easy answer. There are many dead ends which is frustrating and more realistic. Nothing is simple for the two of them. Their ability to keep persisting and work together is what makes the story so enjoyable. Even when they feel defeated, they still lean on each other for support. In this story, love does conquer all. Not just the love of a man and woman, but the love of mother to child. Jupe is not ignored in this story. He continues to be the over exuberant puppy dog. He plays a key role to help Cady discover what she is made of. Ms. Bennet is a great storyteller who crafts a magical story come to life. This urban fantasy is highly recommended for those who enjoy suspense and happily ever afters.
*provided by Edelweiss
December 29, 2014
4.5 stars - I really liked it. When we last left magician/Tiki bar owner Cady she was in a coma and we also were privy to some very interesting news... Now that Cady is awake, she's going to make sure that mommy dearest - who is banished but not out of the game - doesn't get another chance to claim Cady's emerging Moonchild powers for herself. But to do that Cady needs to find the ritual used during her conception.
I was late to the game in discovering this series, but made up for lost time by reading all the previous books back to back to back in a Cady marathon. So I am a bit sad to see this end but very happy that Banishing the Dark ties off the series in a satisfying way. I love Cady and the search into her past was good. But it is the people who are part of Cady's family of choice that makes these books from me and I love Lon (who goes through so much to keep Cady safe), and I love Jupe who plays a bigger role in the series, striking out on his own to do his own part to save Cady.
And this finale had plenty of action, plus a really nice epilog to wrap up the HEA - so it was a great send off for Cady and crew.
ARC via Netgalley - release date 5/27
I was late to the game in discovering this series, but made up for lost time by reading all the previous books back to back to back in a Cady marathon. So I am a bit sad to see this end but very happy that Banishing the Dark ties off the series in a satisfying way. I love Cady and the search into her past was good. But it is the people who are part of Cady's family of choice that makes these books from me and I love Lon (who goes through so much to keep Cady safe), and I love Jupe who plays a bigger role in the series, striking out on his own to do his own part to save Cady.
And this finale had plenty of action, plus a really nice epilog to wrap up the HEA - so it was a great send off for Cady and crew.
ARC via Netgalley - release date 5/27
August 13, 2024
“I bet a lot of couples have wondered, if they’d met under different circumstances, perhaps they would’ve taken a different path and never ended up together...”
I can't believe it's over.
I'm kicking myself for waiting so long to read this series, and for finishing it so fast once I did.
I adored all the characters.
I adore the Epilogue even though I felt it should have been a full-length novel itself. hint
“...And in a way, you got that opportunity. You chose me twice. If that’s not meant to be, then I don’t know what is.”
I can't believe it's over.
I'm kicking myself for waiting so long to read this series, and for finishing it so fast once I did.
I adored all the characters.
I adore the Epilogue even though I felt it should have been a full-length novel itself. hint
“...And in a way, you got that opportunity. You chose me twice. If that’s not meant to be, then I don’t know what is.”
April 15, 2019
3.5 stars
This series was overall decent, not as good as her Roaring Twenties which I enjoyed more personally. It had likeable characters even if the plot wasn't something very different.
This series was overall decent, not as good as her Roaring Twenties which I enjoyed more personally. It had likeable characters even if the plot wasn't something very different.
February 7, 2017
*sobs*
It's over. What a wild ride it has been! I will miss this cast so so much. <3
RTC
January 29, 2014
Is there anything better, for a serious series addict, than getting your hands on an upcoming release in one of your favorite series before it hits the shelves? No! Is there anything more depressing than realizing said book is the final book in the series only after you reach the end? No!
*sigh*
This series jumped onto my favorite series - must-buy list as soon as I finished book one, Kindling the Moon. There is just no way an urban fantasy fan could not fall in love with these characters Jenn Bennett created. From the start, they jump off the page. Each strong on their own; they are made better once united as a family; and together they become unstoppable.
Banishing the Dark picks up where Binding the Shadows left us hanging and hoping. From there, Cady, Lon and Jupe (and the reader!) experience many highs and lows as they work to banish her mother for good. Cady and Lon go on a road trip through her past in an attempt to discover what was done to her during conception. Meanwhile, Jupe, never good at following orders, goes on his own journey to do whatever he can to help those he loves. In the end, as always, it takes all three to accomplish such a daunting task.
As a fangirl, I was thrilled to read along as Cady and Lon wove their way through Twentynine Palms, CA where I'm currently living. It's the butt of the Mojave Desert, so I was surprised anyone - aside from the Marines stationed here and the locals who never left - knew it existed. It is home of Joshua Tree National Park, however, which is beautiful and vast. So, it was a perfect spot for the two to encounter a wickedly twisted villain.
Though the previous books do not typically host multiple points of view, the switches between Cady's POV and Jupe's POV were not only appreciated but also well done. It was a hoot being able to get Jupe's point of view as he's spurred on by Priya and heads out on his daring mission.
The epilogue takes place three and half years later and gives series fans a touching look at the family's life. It's almost enough to make the pain of saying farewell to them a bit easier. Me, I'm still hoping for a spin-off featuring Jupe!
Finale farewell message from Jenn Bennett, "It's never easy to say goodbye, but [the characters] now belong to you. Please take good care of them."
Thank you to Gallery, Threshold, Pocket Books and Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
*sigh*
This series jumped onto my favorite series - must-buy list as soon as I finished book one, Kindling the Moon. There is just no way an urban fantasy fan could not fall in love with these characters Jenn Bennett created. From the start, they jump off the page. Each strong on their own; they are made better once united as a family; and together they become unstoppable.
Banishing the Dark picks up where Binding the Shadows left us hanging and hoping. From there, Cady, Lon and Jupe (and the reader!) experience many highs and lows as they work to banish her mother for good. Cady and Lon go on a road trip through her past in an attempt to discover what was done to her during conception. Meanwhile, Jupe, never good at following orders, goes on his own journey to do whatever he can to help those he loves. In the end, as always, it takes all three to accomplish such a daunting task.
As a fangirl, I was thrilled to read along as Cady and Lon wove their way through Twentynine Palms, CA where I'm currently living. It's the butt of the Mojave Desert, so I was surprised anyone - aside from the Marines stationed here and the locals who never left - knew it existed. It is home of Joshua Tree National Park, however, which is beautiful and vast. So, it was a perfect spot for the two to encounter a wickedly twisted villain.
Though the previous books do not typically host multiple points of view, the switches between Cady's POV and Jupe's POV were not only appreciated but also well done. It was a hoot being able to get Jupe's point of view as he's spurred on by Priya and heads out on his daring mission.
The epilogue takes place three and half years later and gives series fans a touching look at the family's life. It's almost enough to make the pain of saying farewell to them a bit easier. Me, I'm still hoping for a spin-off featuring Jupe!
Finale farewell message from Jenn Bennett, "It's never easy to say goodbye, but [the characters] now belong to you. Please take good care of them."
Thank you to Gallery, Threshold, Pocket Books and Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
May 29, 2014
**I received this book for free via NetGalley/Pocket Books in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.**
*My Thoughts*
Banishing the Dark picks up the pieces from the devastating cliffhanger left over from Binding the Shadows which pretty much left everyone crying out in anguish. Cady still has a whole lot on her plate, and no real time to cry over what happened to her. She's managed to defeat Dare, and somehow survived thanks to her awesome Moonchild powers.
**READ MORE OF MY REVIEW HERE**
http://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/201...
Author - Jenn Bennett
Title - Banishing the Dark (Arcadia Bell # 4)
Published by Pocket Books
Releases: May 27, 2014
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Rating: 4 Full Stars
Format: E-Book 384 pages
*My Thoughts*
Banishing the Dark picks up the pieces from the devastating cliffhanger left over from Binding the Shadows which pretty much left everyone crying out in anguish. Cady still has a whole lot on her plate, and no real time to cry over what happened to her. She's managed to defeat Dare, and somehow survived thanks to her awesome Moonchild powers.
**READ MORE OF MY REVIEW HERE**
http://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/201...
Author - Jenn Bennett
Title - Banishing the Dark (Arcadia Bell # 4)
Published by Pocket Books
Releases: May 27, 2014
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Rating: 4 Full Stars
Format: E-Book 384 pages
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