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Dreg City #6
The Night Before Dead
In twenty-four hours, everything they know will change forever.
Evangeline Stone has died twice, survived dozens of wounds that should have killed her, bled to save innocent lives, and she’s still standing while so many of her friends are in the ground. With one final confrontation with the Fey brewing and an end to the constant battling in sight, Evy is ready to fight one last time—and then she’s done. She only has to get through one more day.
Wyatt Truman has loved Evy secretly for years, and openly for only a few months. Their time together has always been fraught with death and blood and fear, but they have overcome all odds and defeated every enemy in order to earn their happily ever after. And once again, Wyatt is putting his trust in an elf in order to secure that future.
Brevin’s plan to stop the Fey will require a leap of faith for everyone involved, as well as the potential loss of life for the three Therian men who volunteer to host and control a Tainted—a demon from the place where magic began. Creatures of emotion and instinct whom Brevin insists can be controlled if summoned correctly and into the right vessel. As time ticks down to the summoning ritual and Dreg violence breaks out all over the city, both Evy and Wyatt find themselves torn between doing what’s right and following their hearts.
Evangeline Stone has died twice, survived dozens of wounds that should have killed her, bled to save innocent lives, and she’s still standing while so many of her friends are in the ground. With one final confrontation with the Fey brewing and an end to the constant battling in sight, Evy is ready to fight one last time—and then she’s done. She only has to get through one more day.
Wyatt Truman has loved Evy secretly for years, and openly for only a few months. Their time together has always been fraught with death and blood and fear, but they have overcome all odds and defeated every enemy in order to earn their happily ever after. And once again, Wyatt is putting his trust in an elf in order to secure that future.
Brevin’s plan to stop the Fey will require a leap of faith for everyone involved, as well as the potential loss of life for the three Therian men who volunteer to host and control a Tainted—a demon from the place where magic began. Creatures of emotion and instinct whom Brevin insists can be controlled if summoned correctly and into the right vessel. As time ticks down to the summoning ritual and Dreg violence breaks out all over the city, both Evy and Wyatt find themselves torn between doing what’s right and following their hearts.
Unknown Binding
First published February 19, 2016
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About the author
Kelly Meding
26 books691 followersAlso writes as Kelly Meade: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
February 24, 2016
This is a totally a satisfying conclusion to a series that has taken me to some really dark places. The main character, Evy, has been put through almost every horror you can imagine. She's been raped, murdered, and tortured. She's been experimented on. She's watched her loved ones die. She's even had to pull the trigger, herself. But with her trials have come triumphs. With her suffering has come the kind of personal connections she never thought possible. She has become more than anyone ever believed she could be.
Obviously, that doesn't all happen in this one book. This is the culmination of six books that have transformed Evy and the world around her. It was emotional. It was action packed. It was engaging. And it gave me a resolution to all the threads I needed, yet managed to leave the door open for further exploration. It will surely please long running fans of the series, but I caution new readers that this is not the place to start. This is the end of Evy's journey, not the beginning.
Basically, this storyline brings us back full circle to the Fey. A power-hungry sprite wants to take over Evy's world and it looks like the only way to stop her is to summon something worse to help fight her. But what this book does best is pay off on the characters that Kelly Meding has allowed to live to this point. Marcus and Milo (who I love.) Phin (who is back!) Gina. The Lupus boys. And of course, Evy and Wyatt. It's interesting that one of the biggest problems I had with the early books in the series was their relationship. Now, it's the touchstone of the series.
Sure, there is a lot of action. But there's also heart. There is character evolution that is undeniable and satisfying. More than anything, this book shows us how much Evy has grown into a responsible, honorable woman who thinks before acting and knows the rewards of love outweigh its risks. And I'm not just talking about Wyatt (though I love what they have become together)... I mean her deep friendships, even her bond with the boys.
So... the feels are good; the pacing is good; the worldbuilding, the character growth, the continuity... win, win, win. My only small niggle: you knew exactly which people were going to be the ones most at risk. Even though Meding tries to fake you out, you know. Also, the villain was kind of superficial and out of nowhere for me. BUT, those things didn't keep this book from giving me what I wanted --and needed-- to end the series. It's almost too satisfying. But then I think about everything we've gone through to get here and I realize... I'll take it.
Thank you, Kelly Meding, for not killing Evy again.
I hope we get a chance to revisit Dreg City in its next incarnation.
Obviously, that doesn't all happen in this one book. This is the culmination of six books that have transformed Evy and the world around her. It was emotional. It was action packed. It was engaging. And it gave me a resolution to all the threads I needed, yet managed to leave the door open for further exploration. It will surely please long running fans of the series, but I caution new readers that this is not the place to start. This is the end of Evy's journey, not the beginning.
Basically, this storyline brings us back full circle to the Fey. A power-hungry sprite wants to take over Evy's world and it looks like the only way to stop her is to summon something worse to help fight her. But what this book does best is pay off on the characters that Kelly Meding has allowed to live to this point. Marcus and Milo (who I love.) Phin (who is back!) Gina. The Lupus boys. And of course, Evy and Wyatt. It's interesting that one of the biggest problems I had with the early books in the series was their relationship. Now, it's the touchstone of the series.
Sure, there is a lot of action. But there's also heart. There is character evolution that is undeniable and satisfying. More than anything, this book shows us how much Evy has grown into a responsible, honorable woman who thinks before acting and knows the rewards of love outweigh its risks. And I'm not just talking about Wyatt (though I love what they have become together)... I mean her deep friendships, even her bond with the boys.
So... the feels are good; the pacing is good; the worldbuilding, the character growth, the continuity... win, win, win. My only small niggle: you knew exactly which people were going to be the ones most at risk. Even though Meding tries to fake you out, you know. Also, the villain was kind of superficial and out of nowhere for me. BUT, those things didn't keep this book from giving me what I wanted --and needed-- to end the series. It's almost too satisfying. But then I think about everything we've gone through to get here and I realize... I'll take it.
Thank you, Kelly Meding, for not killing Evy again.
I hope we get a chance to revisit Dreg City in its next incarnation.
March 21, 2016
I have followed Dreg City series since the very beginning. Three years ago, the author decided to go self-published for book #5 since her contract was not continued. Then this year, she released the final book -- which I almost missed out, until I saw a blog post featuring this cover.
I couldn't say much because I always feel sad saying goodbye to characters you enjoy being with, even if only for several hours of your life *sniff*. And I've been with Evy, Wyatt, Marcus, Milo, Kesmet, Phin, and others since 2009. Duly noted the first book wasn't an immediate love at first sight but these characters grew on me.
The only thing that stopped me from giving this more than 4-stars was the part with the climax of them going on against the Fey Queen, well, it didn't end up as 'epic battle' as I wished it would. It was over rather fast, and didn't really worth all those battles that I had to endure in the previous pages.
But all in all, it's a satisfying conclusion of the whole series. I admit I even had tears in my eyes when I reached the happy (yes!) ending. That final moment of Evy and Wyatt, and the three Lupa teenagers, was so beautiful. After all that Evy and Wyatt had been through? They totally deserved it.
PS: The author said that she would revisit these characters in the future. There might even be more stories of Marcus and Milo ... and of course, that makes my M/M romance heart beats a little faster.
I couldn't say much because I always feel sad saying goodbye to characters you enjoy being with, even if only for several hours of your life *sniff*. And I've been with Evy, Wyatt, Marcus, Milo, Kesmet, Phin, and others since 2009. Duly noted the first book wasn't an immediate love at first sight but these characters grew on me.
The only thing that stopped me from giving this more than 4-stars was the part with the climax of them going on against the Fey Queen, well, it didn't end up as 'epic battle' as I wished it would. It was over rather fast, and didn't really worth all those battles that I had to endure in the previous pages.
But all in all, it's a satisfying conclusion of the whole series. I admit I even had tears in my eyes when I reached the happy (yes!) ending. That final moment of Evy and Wyatt, and the three Lupa teenagers, was so beautiful. After all that Evy and Wyatt had been through? They totally deserved it.
PS: The author said that she would revisit these characters in the future. There might even be more stories of Marcus and Milo ... and of course, that makes my M/M romance heart beats a little faster.
February 22, 2016
*Source* Author
*Genre* Urban Fantasy
*Rating* 4.00
*My Thoughts*
The Night Before Dead, by Kelley Meding, is the sixth installment in the Dreg City series. Over the course of this series, Evy Stone has fought for every single minute of her existence, and then some. From waking up 6 months ago after being killed, to surviving so many attempts to her life and to her friends that you have to wonder how anyone can continue without having severe issues with PTSD. If you have read the previous novels, you know that Evy, and her lover Wyatt Truman have gone from being Dreg Hunters, to working closely with those they once hunted.
*Full Review Posting @ Talk Supe Blog - Link to Follow!
Published February 19th 2016 by Smedge Press
*Genre* Urban Fantasy
*Rating* 4.00
*My Thoughts*
The Night Before Dead, by Kelley Meding, is the sixth installment in the Dreg City series. Over the course of this series, Evy Stone has fought for every single minute of her existence, and then some. From waking up 6 months ago after being killed, to surviving so many attempts to her life and to her friends that you have to wonder how anyone can continue without having severe issues with PTSD. If you have read the previous novels, you know that Evy, and her lover Wyatt Truman have gone from being Dreg Hunters, to working closely with those they once hunted.
*Full Review Posting @ Talk Supe Blog - Link to Follow!
Published February 19th 2016 by Smedge Press
April 12, 2020
3.5
This series was fun, I'm gonna miss it!
This series was fun, I'm gonna miss it!
March 17, 2016
Evy Stone
4 stars
Read March 2016
I though this was a satisfying ending for this series and Evy's story. I've enjoyed these characters and this world. The author has said she may visit this world with the other characters in the future and if that does happen I'll definitely read.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In twenty-four hours, everything they know will change forever.
Evangeline Stone has died twice, survived dozens of wounds that should have killed her, bled to save innocent lives, and she’s still standing while so many of her friends are in the ground. With one final confrontation with the Fey brewing and an end to the constant battling in sight, Evy is ready to fight one last time—and then she’s done. She only has to get through one more day.
Wyatt Truman has loved Evy secretly for years, and openly for only a few months. Their time together has always been fraught with death and blood and fear, but they have overcome all odds and defeated every enemy in order to earn their happily ever after. And once again, Wyatt is putting his trust in an elf in order to secure that future.
Brevin’s plan to stop the Fey will require a leap of faith for everyone involved, as well as the potential loss of life for the three Therian men who volunteer to host and control a Tainted—a demon from the place where magic began. Creatures of emotion and instinct whom Brevin insists can be controlled if summoned correctly and into the right vessel. As time ticks down to the summoning ritual and Dreg violence breaks out all over the city, both Evy and Wyatt find themselves torn between doing what’s right and following their hearts.
4 stars
Read March 2016
I though this was a satisfying ending for this series and Evy's story. I've enjoyed these characters and this world. The author has said she may visit this world with the other characters in the future and if that does happen I'll definitely read.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In twenty-four hours, everything they know will change forever.
Evangeline Stone has died twice, survived dozens of wounds that should have killed her, bled to save innocent lives, and she’s still standing while so many of her friends are in the ground. With one final confrontation with the Fey brewing and an end to the constant battling in sight, Evy is ready to fight one last time—and then she’s done. She only has to get through one more day.
Wyatt Truman has loved Evy secretly for years, and openly for only a few months. Their time together has always been fraught with death and blood and fear, but they have overcome all odds and defeated every enemy in order to earn their happily ever after. And once again, Wyatt is putting his trust in an elf in order to secure that future.
Brevin’s plan to stop the Fey will require a leap of faith for everyone involved, as well as the potential loss of life for the three Therian men who volunteer to host and control a Tainted—a demon from the place where magic began. Creatures of emotion and instinct whom Brevin insists can be controlled if summoned correctly and into the right vessel. As time ticks down to the summoning ritual and Dreg violence breaks out all over the city, both Evy and Wyatt find themselves torn between doing what’s right and following their hearts.
March 20, 2016
I felt like all we did was run from one battle to another through the whole book, it was exhausting and I hate to say it a bit boring. I was actually more interested in the quiet moments between. Evy mothering her teenage werewolves, giving them the love and safe place they needed. Evy and her friends, some great heartfelt moments happened here, moments that caused them to go for what they wanted. I like how this book has brought about the end to the series. While the author says she might write more within this world, it's time to give Evy her HEA.
October 4, 2016
Over the past half year, Evangeline Stone has died twice, been injured more times than she can count, found love and buried loved ones. Now she has one last battle left to fight - and then she's done, for good. The question is just, how many more lives will this final battle cost?
The elf Brevin offers a dangerous plan to defeat the Fey: he wants to summon three Tainted to aid the Watchtower's forces. Summoned correctly into the right hosts, Brevin assures them they can be controlled and moved to do their bidding - all he requires are three Therians to volunteer for what could just as easily turn out to be a suicide mission. And of course, every single one of the volunteers is someone Evy couldn't bear to lose...
After all the emotional rollercoasters and hardships both characters and readers have been through over the previous five books, this was a suitably action-packed, immensely satisfying finale to the series. While the final showdown with Amalie felt a little anticlimactic, there were more than enough battles fought throughout the book that I was actually quite okay with that. Loved the ending and am looking forward to returning to this world someday.
The elf Brevin offers a dangerous plan to defeat the Fey: he wants to summon three Tainted to aid the Watchtower's forces. Summoned correctly into the right hosts, Brevin assures them they can be controlled and moved to do their bidding - all he requires are three Therians to volunteer for what could just as easily turn out to be a suicide mission. And of course, every single one of the volunteers is someone Evy couldn't bear to lose...
After all the emotional rollercoasters and hardships both characters and readers have been through over the previous five books, this was a suitably action-packed, immensely satisfying finale to the series. While the final showdown with Amalie felt a little anticlimactic, there were more than enough battles fought throughout the book that I was actually quite okay with that. Loved the ending and am looking forward to returning to this world someday.
July 4, 2016
This was a fitting end to this series. I bought this last book over a month ago, and have been reluctant to read it, knowing this was the end. But it was a perfect way to end the series.
The first 60% was a setup for the final battle with the Fey using the Tainted (i.e., demons). And any slowness with pacing in the beginning is made up for with the battle and oh-so-satisfactory ending.
With so many good side characters (Phineas, Aurora, Marcus and Milo, I really hope Kelly revisits this world!
The first 60% was a setup for the final battle with the Fey using the Tainted (i.e., demons). And any slowness with pacing in the beginning is made up for with the battle and oh-so-satisfactory ending.
With so many good side characters (Phineas, Aurora, Marcus and Milo, I really hope Kelly revisits this world!
June 9, 2017
A great conclusion to a great series! I will miss Evy & Wyatt & the rest of the crew.
December 31, 2023
Evy has to fight for everything she wants. And this book is NO different than any other.
This was a satisfying end to the series. We get to see the overall arc of the troubles come together and close out. With all that's happened in this world leading up to this point, the author took us to the extreme. Kelly placed the ground work for why characters do what they do, and the characters stay true to their personality....even when I didn't want them to. The reasoning is sound for the characters. And the events are things I didn't expect or want to happen.
There's a coming together in this book that brings the world full circle from fully divided to a bonded one. Sure, there could still be troubles out there to work out, and that may be the stories for others we've grown attached to.
I enjoy how things have turned in Evy's mind and how she's grown. This book shows that, where she started and would have thought in the past to what she thinks now. Well done bringing us to the end.
A book I was looking forward to reading nightly.
This was a satisfying end to the series. We get to see the overall arc of the troubles come together and close out. With all that's happened in this world leading up to this point, the author took us to the extreme. Kelly placed the ground work for why characters do what they do, and the characters stay true to their personality....even when I didn't want them to. The reasoning is sound for the characters. And the events are things I didn't expect or want to happen.
There's a coming together in this book that brings the world full circle from fully divided to a bonded one. Sure, there could still be troubles out there to work out, and that may be the stories for others we've grown attached to.
I enjoy how things have turned in Evy's mind and how she's grown. This book shows that, where she started and would have thought in the past to what she thinks now. Well done bringing us to the end.
A book I was looking forward to reading nightly.
September 26, 2018
The final installment of this series and I was holding off for a while on reading it because I have loved this series very much. So I thought it was pretty great up until the final battle/real final battle. When they come face to face finally with the person who has ruined all their lives on many levels … and it ends the way it did that quickly. Not saying it should have dragged out for another thirty chapters, but a little more oomph! I felt it was very anticlimactic. Otherwise, the book was great. I’m glad that they were actually given a happy ending, and that they left enough room in the book in case she ever wants to do some type of spin off. Overall, a good wrap-up for the series, but I could definitely tell that by the end of this book, she was definitely done with this series (which is totally good and I’m glad she ended it when she did instead of dragging it out with more books that were just fluff).
January 2, 2023
The final installment of this series and I was holding off for a while on reading it because I have loved this series very much. So I thought it was pretty great up until the final battle/real final battle. When they come face to face finally with the person who has ruined all their lives on many levels … and it ends the way it did that quickly. Not saying it should have dragged out for another thirty chapters, but a little more oomph! I felt it was very anticlimactic. Otherwise, the book was great. I’m glad that they were actually given a happy ending, and that they left enough room in the book in case she ever wants to do some type of spin off. Overall, a good wrap-up for the series, but I could definitely tell that by the end of this book, she was definitely done with this series (which is totally good and I’m glad she ended it when she did instead of dragging it out with more books that were just fluff).
January 17, 2023
Meh (*shrug*)
I finally got around to re-reading the first 5 books so I could finish the series out with this one, while I enjoyed it there really wasn’t the kind of oomph I expected. I liked where everything was heading at the beginning of book 4, I was never a fan of Wyatt; there was obviously some kind of change in the author’s original plan since she set Phin up as secondary love interest & then just abandoned that & shoved Evy back with Wyatt, bleh. Then just haphazardly pairing Phin with Kismet . . . Ugh just no. He was obviously harboring something strong for Evy & it definitely seemed like part of why he left was to do the noble thing & let her figure out things with Wyatt. I’d have rather he just have left at the end to be with his people, it would’ve felt more real than how it did end.
I finally got around to re-reading the first 5 books so I could finish the series out with this one, while I enjoyed it there really wasn’t the kind of oomph I expected. I liked where everything was heading at the beginning of book 4, I was never a fan of Wyatt; there was obviously some kind of change in the author’s original plan since she set Phin up as secondary love interest & then just abandoned that & shoved Evy back with Wyatt, bleh. Then just haphazardly pairing Phin with Kismet . . . Ugh just no. He was obviously harboring something strong for Evy & it definitely seemed like part of why he left was to do the noble thing & let her figure out things with Wyatt. I’d have rather he just have left at the end to be with his people, it would’ve felt more real than how it did end.
March 18, 2021
This one wasn't as good as the others in the series. This one with set up as a HEA from the start. No one of big importance dies. There's a final battle and the good guys and gals win. I would've liked to have seen more conflict, but that's just me. Overall, a good ending to a series.
August 27, 2021
I enjoyed this conclusion. I feel like getting off of a roller coaster after 6 books that had almost more action than you could fit on a page and transpired over a total of like 5 months. Whew! But overall the series was good mindless read. Nothing earth shattering, but a good read.
November 12, 2020
A wonderful ending to a great series. Well worth the read.
February 15, 2022
Loved this whole series.
August 22, 2022
Good story. However, this self-published book is full of grammatical errors. That's what proof readers and editors are for.
January 5, 2017
I'm so glad I re-read the 5th book before starting this one because I forgot so many details in the years since the last book came out. This is a great series and Kelly Meding is a great writing. It's full of interesting and exciting plots, likeable characters and action. And this book had all of that. I really enjoyed it. However, I noticed in the last few books that they can be quite depressing. Evy and other characters (poor Milo!) are put through so much heartache that sometimes it is painful, upsetting and exhausting to read. Thankfully I was happy with Evy's ending at the end of this series so that's good.
One thing I didn't like in this book was all the coupling off. It started to feel like a cheesy romance series. To be fair, Kelly Meding didn't spend too much time on the other couples (compared to some romance series), but I do think it took away from everything else. Then I realised why in the author's note at the end of the book- she is writing spin-off books. I hate that, so I'm not sure I will check those out.
Anyway, this was a very good read, even if it did have a slightly underwhelming "final" final battle scene. I'll really miss this series.
One thing I didn't like in this book was all the coupling off. It started to feel like a cheesy romance series. To be fair, Kelly Meding didn't spend too much time on the other couples (compared to some romance series), but I do think it took away from everything else. Then I realised why in the author's note at the end of the book- she is writing spin-off books. I hate that, so I'm not sure I will check those out.
Anyway, this was a very good read, even if it did have a slightly underwhelming "final" final battle scene. I'll really miss this series.
March 15, 2016
Great book
This book was a very well written finish to a great series. The relationships had so much caring, all showed multi layers of growth,changing and deepening over the life of the series. Evie got her HEA with Wyatt and a family too! This was a standalone , better read in a series, but good alone too. I highly recommend this entire imaginative series
This book was a very well written finish to a great series. The relationships had so much caring, all showed multi layers of growth,changing and deepening over the life of the series. Evie got her HEA with Wyatt and a family too! This was a standalone , better read in a series, but good alone too. I highly recommend this entire imaginative series
May 1, 2016
As sorry as I was to see this series end, I am happy with how everything turned out. Lots of action and for once Evy didn't bear the brunt of the injuries. I'm glad that Evy got the ending that she and Wyatt deserved and I loved the teaser in the author's note about potential stories in the Dreg City world. Bring it on!
May 29, 2019
Great book
Really good story.There was lot of action in this story and the conclusion wasn't soppy and contrived. It was everything that the other novels were but the editing was awful. There were so many grammar and spelling errors that had it not been a Kelly Meding novel, I might have stopped reading it.
Really good story.There was lot of action in this story and the conclusion wasn't soppy and contrived. It was everything that the other novels were but the editing was awful. There were so many grammar and spelling errors that had it not been a Kelly Meding novel, I might have stopped reading it.
November 7, 2016
I never write reviews but since it has been one of my top favorite series of all time to date, I just had to say, Evy Stone you will be missed. It was a book I ran across in the bookstore by chance and was pulled in as I opened the very first page.
November 5, 2016
Is this the end ?
I have enjoyed this series. Although one couple has found their HEA there are several other couples that I hope to follow their stories. Fingers crossed.
I have enjoyed this series. Although one couple has found their HEA there are several other couples that I hope to follow their stories. Fingers crossed.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews