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Blud #4
Wicked Ever After
Delilah S. Dawson’s award-winning Blud series comes full circle as Tish and Criminy, stars of Wicked as They Come, embark on a sexy and harrowing final adventure in a world RT Book Reviews called “delightfully edgy with hidden charms.”
Ever since landing in the magical world of Sang and falling in love with dashing ringmaster Criminy Stain, Tish has been waiting for the axe to fall. Until her dying grandmother’s last breath on Earth, Tish can’t bring herself to give up her all-too human frailty and commit to life on Sang as a youthful, long-lived Bludman like her handsome husband. But when a peculiar twist of fate delivers Tish’s grandmother to Sang, an unexpected chain of events forces Tish and Criminy to embark on one last wild adventure. From old friends to new and into the lair of terrifying enemies, the couple’s love and longevity will be pushed to the brink by each harrowing encounter. Is blud thicker than blood, and can Tish and Crim find their wicked ever after?
Ever since landing in the magical world of Sang and falling in love with dashing ringmaster Criminy Stain, Tish has been waiting for the axe to fall. Until her dying grandmother’s last breath on Earth, Tish can’t bring herself to give up her all-too human frailty and commit to life on Sang as a youthful, long-lived Bludman like her handsome husband. But when a peculiar twist of fate delivers Tish’s grandmother to Sang, an unexpected chain of events forces Tish and Criminy to embark on one last wild adventure. From old friends to new and into the lair of terrifying enemies, the couple’s love and longevity will be pushed to the brink by each harrowing encounter. Is blud thicker than blood, and can Tish and Crim find their wicked ever after?
177 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 5, 2015
19 people are currently reading
555 people want to read
About the author
Delilah S. Dawson
182 books2,880 followersDelilah S. Dawson is the New York Times-bestselling author of Star Wars: Phasma, Black Spire: Galaxy's Edge, and The Perfect Weapon. With Kevin Hearne, she writes the Tales of Pell. As Lila Bowen, she writes the Shadow series, beginning with Wake of Vultures. Her other books include the Blud series, the Hit series, and Servants of the Storm.
She's written comics in the worlds of Marvel Action: Spider-Man, Lore's Wellington, Star Wars Adventures, Star Wars Forces of Destiny, The X-Files Case Files, Adventure Time, Rick and Morty, and her creator-owned comics include Star Pig, Ladycastle, and Sparrowhawk.
Find out more at www.whimsydark.com.
She's written comics in the worlds of Marvel Action: Spider-Man, Lore's Wellington, Star Wars Adventures, Star Wars Forces of Destiny, The X-Files Case Files, Adventure Time, Rick and Morty, and her creator-owned comics include Star Pig, Ladycastle, and Sparrowhawk.
Find out more at www.whimsydark.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews
October 17, 2015
This is a sad, sad day...finally coming to the end of the series and not being able to read another story about Criminy and Tish!
I do, however, love how everything has come full circle and DSD certainly did them justice. If you're a fan of the series, you will enjoy this last hurrah.
Tish has been struggling for some time over her decision to stay human but nothing has prepared her for what age has done to her body. Her love for her beloved Nana is the only thing that is keeping her hanging on. When Nana tells her that she would become a vampire in a flat second, for the hunky Eric Northman no less, Tish decides to take things into her own hands.
Unfortunately, things never work out the way we think they will and Tish has a hard time dealing. Criminy is there for her every step of the way thank goodness. Then, the worse and the best things happen and everything is flipped on its side and Tish is off to make things right...with her hunky husband at her side, of course.
I just love Tish and Criminy together...every little scene there is just something special about it. I could just picture Criminy talking to that crow! And these two are super steamy! But I was a little surprised at what Tish did when things got a little hairy but definitely not surprised when Criminy showed up.
The drama is...intense and we learn all sorts of things. But I loved, LOVED, loved how badass Tish was!
I also enjoyed touching base with a lot of the characters from prior books. And I had to LOL at Criminy's little crush! ~sigh~
The best part...that epilogue. Loved every single word. Well, I take that back...there's another best part but there's more of it in the epilogue so it's all good.
Favorite quote:
♥ “Dammit, woman! You’re the most important thing in my world, and I don’t care to lose you. Not here, not now, not ever.”
(Prior to Review)
woohooooo...more Criminy!!
I do, however, love how everything has come full circle and DSD certainly did them justice. If you're a fan of the series, you will enjoy this last hurrah.
Tish has been struggling for some time over her decision to stay human but nothing has prepared her for what age has done to her body. Her love for her beloved Nana is the only thing that is keeping her hanging on. When Nana tells her that she would become a vampire in a flat second, for the hunky Eric Northman no less, Tish decides to take things into her own hands.
Unfortunately, things never work out the way we think they will and Tish has a hard time dealing. Criminy is there for her every step of the way thank goodness. Then, the worse and the best things happen and everything is flipped on its side and Tish is off to make things right...with her hunky husband at her side, of course.
I just love Tish and Criminy together...every little scene there is just something special about it. I could just picture Criminy talking to that crow! And these two are super steamy! But I was a little surprised at what Tish did when things got a little hairy but definitely not surprised when Criminy showed up.
The drama is...intense and we learn all sorts of things. But I loved, LOVED, loved how badass Tish was!
I also enjoyed touching base with a lot of the characters from prior books. And I had to LOL at Criminy's little crush! ~sigh~
The best part...that epilogue. Loved every single word. Well, I take that back...there's another best part but there's more of it in the epilogue so it's all good.
Favorite quote:
♥ “Dammit, woman! You’re the most important thing in my world, and I don’t care to lose you. Not here, not now, not ever.”
(Prior to Review)
woohooooo...more Criminy!!
September 6, 2017
I read Wicked as They Come a couple of years ago and thought the book was quite OK, but I never read the two books that came after since they weren't about the characters from the first book. Not that I don't want to read the books. I will probably do that I just wasn't that interested at the moments to read about other characters. Anyway, then this book showed up on NetGalley and it was the conclusion of Criminy and Tish story and that I felt was a story I must read.
I admit that I didn't remember that much from the first book, but it came back to me as read on.
Tish is still human she can't give up that and become a bludwomen since that means she would have to cut off all ties with her old life on Earth and never see her nana again. Then, she decided after a conversation about vampires with her nana that why not bring nana to Sang and let Criminy make her a bludwoman? So, she does that and that decision set in motion all whole lot of stuff for Tish and Criminy.
There are several times during the book that I thought that the decision to make nana a bludwoman was the stupidest idea ever and Criminy should never ever have agreed to that. That until the ending when it actually started to make sense. I fully understand nana or Ruby as she wanted to be called that after being sick for so long she wanted her own life and I think that Tish idea of bringing her nana over to Sang was a bit selfish. She wanted her nana well again and in her life. Instead, she got to see nana turn into Ruby and not at all act as her nana any more. Then, Ruby disappears from the caravan and Tish must go after her and get her back since Ruby is still her nana.
The story in itself isn't really that complicated or anything, I mean I have forgotten so much from the first book that when the bad characters made it into the story didn't I really know who they were and what they had down (it all became clearer when it was explained). I was a bit lost to why for instance someone that should remain nameless wanted revenge.
But one thing I really liked was the humor that made the book worth reading. Of course, there are a couple of sex-scenes and a couple of drinking blud scenes, this is still a book about vamp...I mean bludmen. Well, the sex-scene in the air balloon felt a bit too much and really didn't bring much to the story.
All and all. I do think you should read the first book in this series before you read this one. I mean the story isn't that complicated. You will probably get most of it. But take it from me, it's hard to read the ending when the big bad person's identity is revealed and all you can think is “right who's that was that person in the first book?”
Also, damn that good looking cover. All the books in this series have gorgeous covers. And, I'm not even that fond of half naked men on covers, but Criminy looks so good!
Thanks to Gallery, Threshold, Pocket Books and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
I admit that I didn't remember that much from the first book, but it came back to me as read on.
Tish is still human she can't give up that and become a bludwomen since that means she would have to cut off all ties with her old life on Earth and never see her nana again. Then, she decided after a conversation about vampires with her nana that why not bring nana to Sang and let Criminy make her a bludwoman? So, she does that and that decision set in motion all whole lot of stuff for Tish and Criminy.
There are several times during the book that I thought that the decision to make nana a bludwoman was the stupidest idea ever and Criminy should never ever have agreed to that. That until the ending when it actually started to make sense. I fully understand nana or Ruby as she wanted to be called that after being sick for so long she wanted her own life and I think that Tish idea of bringing her nana over to Sang was a bit selfish. She wanted her nana well again and in her life. Instead, she got to see nana turn into Ruby and not at all act as her nana any more. Then, Ruby disappears from the caravan and Tish must go after her and get her back since Ruby is still her nana.
The story in itself isn't really that complicated or anything, I mean I have forgotten so much from the first book that when the bad characters made it into the story didn't I really know who they were and what they had down (it all became clearer when it was explained). I was a bit lost to why for instance someone that should remain nameless wanted revenge.
But one thing I really liked was the humor that made the book worth reading. Of course, there are a couple of sex-scenes and a couple of drinking blud scenes, this is still a book about vamp...I mean bludmen. Well, the sex-scene in the air balloon felt a bit too much and really didn't bring much to the story.
All and all. I do think you should read the first book in this series before you read this one. I mean the story isn't that complicated. You will probably get most of it. But take it from me, it's hard to read the ending when the big bad person's identity is revealed and all you can think is “right who's that was that person in the first book?”
Also, damn that good looking cover. All the books in this series have gorgeous covers. And, I'm not even that fond of half naked men on covers, but Criminy looks so good!
Thanks to Gallery, Threshold, Pocket Books and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
October 2, 2015
For six years Tish has enjoyed the love and passion of the vampire like Criminy Stain. Forced to constantly travel between the land of Sang and Earth as she watches her beloved Nana slowly and painfully fight her last battle to stay alive. Tish was cruelly tricked by a witch and now her own body is ageing at an accelerated rate but her amazing husband Crim still waits to make her like him. When a chance conversation with Nana presents Tish with an idea it sets off a chain of events with the most bizarre consequences ! No longer is Crim confident that he can protect Tish and together they will truly discover whether or not blood really is thicker than water!
Ok my hands are up as I confess I've only read the first book in this series but when I spotted this I just couldn't resist. Nana is dying and we begin to understand just how the ravages of time affect the human body and being trapped in your own skin is not always pleasant. What's worse though is discovering how different a person can be when suddenly faced with a whole new world of experiences and possibilities! Nana gives Tish the shock of her life and I'm afraid it's heartbreaking. As for Crim well his confidence and abilities are sorely tested and this Bludman is not a superman but surprisingly human. Well played Ms Dawson, I really enjoyed seeing both sides of the coin and even if I didn't like certain aspects as personalities seem to do a complete turn I could fully understand the reasons. An adventure like no other but lots of characters appear which was a tad confusing but for those who have followed this series a blissful epilogue with possibilities of a future spinoff. This is a passionate love story admittedly but will appeal I think to those like myself who enjoy steampunk or urban fantasy. So sad to leave the world of Sang but it's been a rip roaring blast! I was gifted a copy in exchange for an honest review
Ok my hands are up as I confess I've only read the first book in this series but when I spotted this I just couldn't resist. Nana is dying and we begin to understand just how the ravages of time affect the human body and being trapped in your own skin is not always pleasant. What's worse though is discovering how different a person can be when suddenly faced with a whole new world of experiences and possibilities! Nana gives Tish the shock of her life and I'm afraid it's heartbreaking. As for Crim well his confidence and abilities are sorely tested and this Bludman is not a superman but surprisingly human. Well played Ms Dawson, I really enjoyed seeing both sides of the coin and even if I didn't like certain aspects as personalities seem to do a complete turn I could fully understand the reasons. An adventure like no other but lots of characters appear which was a tad confusing but for those who have followed this series a blissful epilogue with possibilities of a future spinoff. This is a passionate love story admittedly but will appeal I think to those like myself who enjoy steampunk or urban fantasy. So sad to leave the world of Sang but it's been a rip roaring blast! I was gifted a copy in exchange for an honest review
September 28, 2015
2.5 Stars
This is a fan book. Have you read the rest of the series and the short stories??? Well then Wickedly Ever After answers the questions what happened to everyone after… But if you haven’t read the rest of the series I believe you will be extremely bored and trying to figure out what the heck is going on.
The best part is that we get to journey through Sang again and see Letitia’s transformation from human to a Bludman. We get to see Criminy and go on another journey with them getting cameo’s from every other important character from the other books along the way. I enjoyed seeing everyone, even if it didn’t seem likely that some of them should be in the area.
The bad news is I was a little annoyed with Letitia and her Grandmother. Also the plot wasn’t as good as some others in the series. Grandma/Ruby gets a second chance at life in Sang. Tish thought they would stay together and things would be exactly the same except her grandma would be younger and hot. Grandma has different plans and has run away from the Clockwork Circus to the city to deal with the Witch who made it possible for Letitia and Ruby to even be in Sang.
I wasn’t a huge fan of how the family drama started out and how both Letitia and her grandmother acted. The only person I really enjoyed the first half of the story was Criminy. At least by the second half of the story it all became more interesting and I did enjoy the story more.
The best part though if you are a fan of the series is the cute epilogue at the end with how everyone’s happily ever after’s went. I liked seeing Criminy and Tish long with all the other couples 10 years later and how their lives turned out.
If you’ve read all the rest of the books and novella’s in the series then you might as well finish up Tish’s journey into becoming a full Bludwoman and breaking free from the Witch’s pull over her and Criminy. If you have only read one or two books in this series then you might want to skip it at this time.
This is a fan book. Have you read the rest of the series and the short stories??? Well then Wickedly Ever After answers the questions what happened to everyone after… But if you haven’t read the rest of the series I believe you will be extremely bored and trying to figure out what the heck is going on.
The best part is that we get to journey through Sang again and see Letitia’s transformation from human to a Bludman. We get to see Criminy and go on another journey with them getting cameo’s from every other important character from the other books along the way. I enjoyed seeing everyone, even if it didn’t seem likely that some of them should be in the area.
The bad news is I was a little annoyed with Letitia and her Grandmother. Also the plot wasn’t as good as some others in the series. Grandma/Ruby gets a second chance at life in Sang. Tish thought they would stay together and things would be exactly the same except her grandma would be younger and hot. Grandma has different plans and has run away from the Clockwork Circus to the city to deal with the Witch who made it possible for Letitia and Ruby to even be in Sang.
I wasn’t a huge fan of how the family drama started out and how both Letitia and her grandmother acted. The only person I really enjoyed the first half of the story was Criminy. At least by the second half of the story it all became more interesting and I did enjoy the story more.
The best part though if you are a fan of the series is the cute epilogue at the end with how everyone’s happily ever after’s went. I liked seeing Criminy and Tish long with all the other couples 10 years later and how their lives turned out.
If you’ve read all the rest of the books and novella’s in the series then you might as well finish up Tish’s journey into becoming a full Bludwoman and breaking free from the Witch’s pull over her and Criminy. If you have only read one or two books in this series then you might want to skip it at this time.
November 2, 2025
Throughout this series, Dawson has created a dark world of blood drinking, magic and mayhem that has swept me away many times.
Criminy and Letitia are back in the lime light with the conclusion of this series.
Tish's grandmother is dying so Tish pulls her into Sang to have Criminy transform her into a Bludman. The transformation goes as planned and once the transformation is complete Tish is actually older and her grandmother.
Criminy and Letitia find themselves traveling across Sang to recover Tish's grandmother who has taken off rather abruptly from the Clockwork Circus.
A nefarious plot is at the root of Tish's ability to cross into Sang with her grandmother playing an unexpected role.
There is lots of cameos and interactions with past characters, but after reading the other novels and novellas in this series their placement didn't seem to fit.
I also didn't like Tish's or her grandmother's portrayals. It was really hard for me to reconcile the Tish from the beginning to the Tish now and not in a good way. For her grandmother, it just didn't work for me and I'll leave it at that.
Although, the story was tied up rather nicely with the epilogue at the end I was hoping for more. Wicked Ever After gets 3.5 stars. It was good, I enjoyed seeing it all tied up but it didn't grab me like I've come to expect.
I received this ARC copy of Wicked Ever After from Gallery, Threshold, Pocket Books - Pocket Star in exchange for a honest review. This book is set for publication October 5, 2015
My Rating: 3.5 Stars
Criminy and Letitia are back in the lime light with the conclusion of this series.
Tish's grandmother is dying so Tish pulls her into Sang to have Criminy transform her into a Bludman. The transformation goes as planned and once the transformation is complete Tish is actually older and her grandmother.
Criminy and Letitia find themselves traveling across Sang to recover Tish's grandmother who has taken off rather abruptly from the Clockwork Circus.
A nefarious plot is at the root of Tish's ability to cross into Sang with her grandmother playing an unexpected role.
There is lots of cameos and interactions with past characters, but after reading the other novels and novellas in this series their placement didn't seem to fit.
I also didn't like Tish's or her grandmother's portrayals. It was really hard for me to reconcile the Tish from the beginning to the Tish now and not in a good way. For her grandmother, it just didn't work for me and I'll leave it at that.
Although, the story was tied up rather nicely with the epilogue at the end I was hoping for more. Wicked Ever After gets 3.5 stars. It was good, I enjoyed seeing it all tied up but it didn't grab me like I've come to expect.
I received this ARC copy of Wicked Ever After from Gallery, Threshold, Pocket Books - Pocket Star in exchange for a honest review. This book is set for publication October 5, 2015
My Rating: 3.5 Stars
September 6, 2017
WICKED EVER AFTER is the bittersweet ending of the Blud series. If you've been following the series, this is a must read as it goes back to Trish and Criminy and gives closure to their story as well as the other couples you see throughout the series. Word to the wise, this novella CANNOT stand alone. It just wouldn't make as much sense without the background of the rest of the series.I was glad to see Trish deal with her issues at becoming a Bludwoman, but maybe I wasn't too happy with how that turned out necessarily. We also get a shocking turn of events with Trish's grandmother, but I don't want to spoil things for you, so you'll just have to read and see.
That being said, Criminy was my absolute favorite part of this story. He's still dashing and wonderful and even sweeter and sexier if that's even a possibility. His love for Trish shines through repeatedly through all the over the top scenarios we see in this book. There's action, there's danger, there's family drama! WICKED EVER AFTER is over the top but ties in all the loose ends giving perfect closure. And in the end, I was left with a happy sigh after the 10 years later epilogue. <3
I am sad to see this series end, when I thought there were infinite possibilities of stories to be told in the creepy world of Sang. I am anxious to see what comes out next of Ms. Dawson's mind though. :)
*ARC provided by publisher
Reviewed by Francesca❤ ♡ Don't want to miss any of our posts? Subscribe to our blog by email! ♡ ❤
June 4, 2017
3.5 Stars. It was okay, I guess. A fitting end to the series to go out with a look at Tish and Criminy six years after they met and married. ‘Wicked Ever After’ started out interesting, got strange, and finally petered out with a series of vignettes. Then it all suddenly tied up in a neat, sweet little bow.
This series has been an enjoyable read for the most part; but the stories tended to be more flash than substance; light on wordbuilding and characterization. I always thought about what could have been with this series. I'm absolutely flabbergasted by what Dawson did with Nana, and the changes made to her character left me shaking my head in disbelief as to why it was done.
Still, regular readers of the books will enjoy having the series ending with another look at the couple who started it all.
This series has been an enjoyable read for the most part; but the stories tended to be more flash than substance; light on wordbuilding and characterization. I always thought about what could have been with this series. I'm absolutely flabbergasted by what Dawson did with Nana, and the changes made to her character left me shaking my head in disbelief as to why it was done.
Still, regular readers of the books will enjoy having the series ending with another look at the couple who started it all.
September 29, 2015
Lost a star on the unnecessary shock value.
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Criminy and Tish are back, ya'll!!
But MAN!! October?!!
Ooooooh that cover!! CRIMINY!!
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Criminy and Tish are back, ya'll!!
But MAN!! October?!!
Ooooooh that cover!! CRIMINY!!
February 20, 2016
YESSSSSSSSSsssss!!! Finally--it's mine! All mine!
Come to Mama, my tasty little Criminy! I've waited so long for you...
At last--the exciting conclusion to Crim and Tish's story!
Miss Dawson, you are a goddess.
******Update******
OMG that COVER!!!!!!!!!!
Sweet. Fucking. Criminy.
Nope. Can't do it. I simply cannot deal with this amount of disgustingly hot smexiness.
Excuse me while I go pretend to work, pant heavily, and pass out in my office...
(I think it was the goggles that pushed me over the edge.)
UPDATE: Review Time! **WARNING: Thar Be Spoilers**
As several of my fellow reviewers have already noted, Delilah Dawson’s final installment in her Blud series is shorter than your average novel and fairly to the point. The plot is uncomplicated, loose strings are tied up, and we find out what happens to all of the characters we have met during our journey through Sang. MOST importantly, however, we get oodles of Crim & Tish time…le sigh.
While I did enjoy this fun little romp, it did not manage to capture the adventure, passion, and originality of the first novel, Wicked As They Come. And, sadly, I feel that the writing wasn’t as tight or sharp. With that said, however, here is my breakdown:
1. Criminy Stain. God, I just love this son of a bitch. Sexy, sly, witty, wily, and head over heels in love of his wife. Watching these two together was well worth the wait.
2. Ah, sexy times. Crim and Tish bang like rabbits—er, blud bunnies that is. And while I these little forays were cute and fun, I found myself wishing that there had been a bit more substance here (and perhaps more naked Criminy).
3. Leticia. She has always been my favorite of Dawson’s heroines. Sweet but sassy, caring but protective, and gentle but strong. Unlike Demi (who is, let’s face it, a winey, selfish brat) and Ahnastasia (don’t get me started), Tish was always the most relatable. Here we still get some of the old Tish, but I wasn’t too crazy about her personality transplant after being bluded. Why do all of the bludwomen have to be bitches??
4. Nana…or the terminally ill, formerly decrepit old lady formerly known as Nana. She said call her Ruby, dammit! Haha. Okay, whatever you say, NANA. This whole thing was a bit over the top for me...I mean, I know that getting a new lease or chance on life can dramatically change and alter people, but come on—you don’t just say "go fuck yourself" to the people who love and care about you (uhm, like the grandchild who you practically raised as a daughter and who nursed you through hospice care). The way Nana/Ruby treated Leticia was cruel and just plain lame, and the author’s suggestion that maybe she saw something when she glanced that made her stay away from her granddaughter (for her safety I guess??) just seemed forced to me. It was as if Dawson needed some sort of plot device to move the story forward and nothing came to mind.
5. The villain. Again, kind of random. This was a character from the ONE story from the Blud series that I didn’t read, so I felt like I was missing something.
6. Criminy and Tish’s throw down with Mr. Sweeting = awesome.
7. Vale, or lack thereof. There was a disturbing shortage of page time (or any time, really) for our favorite brigand.
8. HEAs all around! Don’t you just love’ em??
In the end, it is of my opinion that Ms. Dawson can really do no wrong. She listened and gave the people what they wanted, so I totally respect her for that. And, well, anything with Criminy just gets me jacked up higher than a dress on prom night.
Come to Mama, my tasty little Criminy! I've waited so long for you...
At last--the exciting conclusion to Crim and Tish's story!
Miss Dawson, you are a goddess.
******Update******
OMG that COVER!!!!!!!!!!
Sweet. Fucking. Criminy.
Nope. Can't do it. I simply cannot deal with this amount of disgustingly hot smexiness.
Excuse me while I go pretend to work, pant heavily, and pass out in my office...
(I think it was the goggles that pushed me over the edge.)
UPDATE: Review Time! **WARNING: Thar Be Spoilers**
As several of my fellow reviewers have already noted, Delilah Dawson’s final installment in her Blud series is shorter than your average novel and fairly to the point. The plot is uncomplicated, loose strings are tied up, and we find out what happens to all of the characters we have met during our journey through Sang. MOST importantly, however, we get oodles of Crim & Tish time…le sigh.
While I did enjoy this fun little romp, it did not manage to capture the adventure, passion, and originality of the first novel, Wicked As They Come. And, sadly, I feel that the writing wasn’t as tight or sharp. With that said, however, here is my breakdown:
1. Criminy Stain. God, I just love this son of a bitch. Sexy, sly, witty, wily, and head over heels in love of his wife. Watching these two together was well worth the wait.
2. Ah, sexy times. Crim and Tish bang like rabbits—er, blud bunnies that is. And while I these little forays were cute and fun, I found myself wishing that there had been a bit more substance here (and perhaps more naked Criminy).
3. Leticia. She has always been my favorite of Dawson’s heroines. Sweet but sassy, caring but protective, and gentle but strong. Unlike Demi (who is, let’s face it, a winey, selfish brat) and Ahnastasia (don’t get me started), Tish was always the most relatable. Here we still get some of the old Tish, but I wasn’t too crazy about her personality transplant after being bluded. Why do all of the bludwomen have to be bitches??
4. Nana…or the terminally ill, formerly decrepit old lady formerly known as Nana. She said call her Ruby, dammit! Haha. Okay, whatever you say, NANA. This whole thing was a bit over the top for me...I mean, I know that getting a new lease or chance on life can dramatically change and alter people, but come on—you don’t just say "go fuck yourself" to the people who love and care about you (uhm, like the grandchild who you practically raised as a daughter and who nursed you through hospice care). The way Nana/Ruby treated Leticia was cruel and just plain lame, and the author’s suggestion that maybe she saw something when she glanced that made her stay away from her granddaughter (for her safety I guess??) just seemed forced to me. It was as if Dawson needed some sort of plot device to move the story forward and nothing came to mind.
5. The villain. Again, kind of random. This was a character from the ONE story from the Blud series that I didn’t read, so I felt like I was missing something.
6. Criminy and Tish’s throw down with Mr. Sweeting = awesome.
7. Vale, or lack thereof. There was a disturbing shortage of page time (or any time, really) for our favorite brigand.
8. HEAs all around! Don’t you just love’ em??
In the end, it is of my opinion that Ms. Dawson can really do no wrong. She listened and gave the people what they wanted, so I totally respect her for that. And, well, anything with Criminy just gets me jacked up higher than a dress on prom night.
October 5, 2015
If you’ve read Wicked as The Come, you’re in for a treat with Wicked Ever After, the 4th and final book in Delilah S. Dawson’s Blud series. In a nutshell, this is Tish’s HEA with Criminy, the sexy bludman who is one my my favorite heroes in the last five years in paranormal romance. Delilah gives these two quite a sendoff that won’t disappoint!
Wicked Ever After occurs six years after Tish came to the Sang, basically living there as Crim’s beloved wife, while she goes back to Earth to check in on her dying grandmother, Nana. Tish has a big problem. She has aged drastically while in the Sang. Only 32, she looks closer to 60. Because she won’t become a full blown bludman like her husband, who can live hundreds of years and still look young, she’ll continue to age and may even die. But when she goes under to check on her grandmother on Earth, she’s the same as when she first entered the Sang because six years in Sang is only a few weeks on Earth. The reason Tish won’t become a Blud is because she can’t leave her dying grandmother alone. Once Tish is a Blud, she’s no longer human, stuck in Sang forever. Crim makes a good case for Tish to change over. Crim adores and loves Tish. He lusts after her every chance he can get, not caring that she’s aging. But then Tish has an idea. She’ll bring her sick Nana, who is dying of cancer to the Sang. Then Crim will transform her into a Blud.
What follows for Tish after Nana comes to the Sang and becomes a Blud is a catastrophe for Tish. Nana, who only wants to be called by her real name of Ruby is healed, and looks much younger and vibrant, but has a personality transplant. She’s not the same woman who loved and raised Tish. Ruby wants to go off on her own and live her life that passed her by for so long. She doesn’t want to stick around and build a happy little family Tish assumed they would have. Ruby disappears with Crim’s strong man to possibly fight a witch that caused Tish incredible grief the first time around. Now Tish, along with Crim will go to London to find Ruby and hopefully defeat the evil witch. But Will Tish become Blud before she does?
Wicked Ever After is a rip-roaring adventure set in an alternate universe that’s supernatural, paranormal, and some Steampunk type elements. The setting and characters are rich and flavorful. Tish and Crim are an incredible couple with great chemistry. Crim is the big draw in reading here. Tish is torn between both worlds. You understand why she has stayed human for so long, mainly because of her grandmother, and the traits she takes for granted as a human (food is a big reason). But being a Blud has great advantages, which Crim shows her, from staying young for centuries, to great sex, and incredible strength and power. The downside is his world is filled with constant danger. But Tish has Crim and many friends to protect her.
The last quarter of this tale has a lot of great actions, some twists, and Tish finally coming into her own. The ending is everything lovely. A nice HEA that will make you smile.
I’m so glad Delilah let us revisit Tish and Crim again. A nice goodbye to a great romantic couple. Don’t miss out on this one!
Wicked Ever After occurs six years after Tish came to the Sang, basically living there as Crim’s beloved wife, while she goes back to Earth to check in on her dying grandmother, Nana. Tish has a big problem. She has aged drastically while in the Sang. Only 32, she looks closer to 60. Because she won’t become a full blown bludman like her husband, who can live hundreds of years and still look young, she’ll continue to age and may even die. But when she goes under to check on her grandmother on Earth, she’s the same as when she first entered the Sang because six years in Sang is only a few weeks on Earth. The reason Tish won’t become a Blud is because she can’t leave her dying grandmother alone. Once Tish is a Blud, she’s no longer human, stuck in Sang forever. Crim makes a good case for Tish to change over. Crim adores and loves Tish. He lusts after her every chance he can get, not caring that she’s aging. But then Tish has an idea. She’ll bring her sick Nana, who is dying of cancer to the Sang. Then Crim will transform her into a Blud.
What follows for Tish after Nana comes to the Sang and becomes a Blud is a catastrophe for Tish. Nana, who only wants to be called by her real name of Ruby is healed, and looks much younger and vibrant, but has a personality transplant. She’s not the same woman who loved and raised Tish. Ruby wants to go off on her own and live her life that passed her by for so long. She doesn’t want to stick around and build a happy little family Tish assumed they would have. Ruby disappears with Crim’s strong man to possibly fight a witch that caused Tish incredible grief the first time around. Now Tish, along with Crim will go to London to find Ruby and hopefully defeat the evil witch. But Will Tish become Blud before she does?
Wicked Ever After is a rip-roaring adventure set in an alternate universe that’s supernatural, paranormal, and some Steampunk type elements. The setting and characters are rich and flavorful. Tish and Crim are an incredible couple with great chemistry. Crim is the big draw in reading here. Tish is torn between both worlds. You understand why she has stayed human for so long, mainly because of her grandmother, and the traits she takes for granted as a human (food is a big reason). But being a Blud has great advantages, which Crim shows her, from staying young for centuries, to great sex, and incredible strength and power. The downside is his world is filled with constant danger. But Tish has Crim and many friends to protect her.
The last quarter of this tale has a lot of great actions, some twists, and Tish finally coming into her own. The ending is everything lovely. A nice HEA that will make you smile.
I’m so glad Delilah let us revisit Tish and Crim again. A nice goodbye to a great romantic couple. Don’t miss out on this one!
October 26, 2015
Mon avis en Français
My English review
Blud is a series that I like and it’s true that when I saw the release of this Volume 4, I was very intrigued. You should know that this novel is closing a series that I took a great pleasure to follow (although I admit shamefully that I did not read volume 3). In any case I was pleasantly surprised to find the main characters of the first volume and to see what they had become. But that’s not all, because we also have the chance to see people we met in the previous volumes.
So as I said, we find Tish and Criminy, always together and, she, always human. Thanks to her ability to return to her world, she takes care of her dying grandmother. Her condition worsening, the young woman has no better idea than to decide to change her into a bludman and so to keep her relative at her side forever. Alas, this change will not have the desired effect when the young Nana returned decides that she wants to direct her life as she wishes and that Tish is only a remnant of her past. Tish and her husband will then unite together to try to pursue her last family member our heroine refuses to quit.
It was very nice to see the characters that I appreciated. Admittedly they are my favorites characters and finding them again can only be a pleasure. We can read the story fairly quickly but it’s true that this allows us to see the evolution of the characters and to have a last glimpse of the fantasy world that the author has created. A very good book to discover!
My English review
Blud is a series that I like and it’s true that when I saw the release of this Volume 4, I was very intrigued. You should know that this novel is closing a series that I took a great pleasure to follow (although I admit shamefully that I did not read volume 3). In any case I was pleasantly surprised to find the main characters of the first volume and to see what they had become. But that’s not all, because we also have the chance to see people we met in the previous volumes.
So as I said, we find Tish and Criminy, always together and, she, always human. Thanks to her ability to return to her world, she takes care of her dying grandmother. Her condition worsening, the young woman has no better idea than to decide to change her into a bludman and so to keep her relative at her side forever. Alas, this change will not have the desired effect when the young Nana returned decides that she wants to direct her life as she wishes and that Tish is only a remnant of her past. Tish and her husband will then unite together to try to pursue her last family member our heroine refuses to quit.
It was very nice to see the characters that I appreciated. Admittedly they are my favorites characters and finding them again can only be a pleasure. We can read the story fairly quickly but it’s true that this allows us to see the evolution of the characters and to have a last glimpse of the fantasy world that the author has created. A very good book to discover!
October 13, 2015
4.5/5
If you could describe Wicked Ever After with one phrase it would be "cherry on top". It truly was a wonderful ending to the series, with all the ends neatly tied up. Everyone had their happy ending, apart from the villains, of course. Those met deserved gruesome (and very satisfying) deaths.
So six years after their meeting Leticia and Criminy still manage their travelling circus, still on the same circuit. Only he stays young and gorgeous no matter what, while she is aged to around sixty thanks to the witch's curse. Of course, Criminy can turn Trish into a bludwoman at any time and reverse the process, but Tish's gran is still dying in her own world, and our heroine can not leave her alone.
Suddenly a solution to her situation appears, and Tish jumps at the chance, but the outcome is anything but what she expected. She is miserable and a little lost, then something bad happens, and our couple of heroes rushes towards danger in their usual fashion.
I could understand Tish's worries even if they took all the joy out of her life. Still I was glad to see her finally letting go and have wild, exuberant fun with Criminy. Her gran, Ruby, was a hoot as well. And in general, the whole book turned out to be lighter and more flamboyant than Wicked As They Come.
I certainly enjoyed it and its ever so romantic her, Criminy Stain. We also saw a plethora of other characters from the other books in the series with their own HEA.
Overall, a strong, fast read. Fab series, greatly recommended.
If you could describe Wicked Ever After with one phrase it would be "cherry on top". It truly was a wonderful ending to the series, with all the ends neatly tied up. Everyone had their happy ending, apart from the villains, of course. Those met deserved gruesome (and very satisfying) deaths.
So six years after their meeting Leticia and Criminy still manage their travelling circus, still on the same circuit. Only he stays young and gorgeous no matter what, while she is aged to around sixty thanks to the witch's curse. Of course, Criminy can turn Trish into a bludwoman at any time and reverse the process, but Tish's gran is still dying in her own world, and our heroine can not leave her alone.
Suddenly a solution to her situation appears, and Tish jumps at the chance, but the outcome is anything but what she expected. She is miserable and a little lost, then something bad happens, and our couple of heroes rushes towards danger in their usual fashion.
I could understand Tish's worries even if they took all the joy out of her life. Still I was glad to see her finally letting go and have wild, exuberant fun with Criminy. Her gran, Ruby, was a hoot as well. And in general, the whole book turned out to be lighter and more flamboyant than Wicked As They Come.
I certainly enjoyed it and its ever so romantic her, Criminy Stain. We also saw a plethora of other characters from the other books in the series with their own HEA.
Overall, a strong, fast read. Fab series, greatly recommended.
October 7, 2024
**I received this book for free from (Publisher) via (NetGalley) in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.**
*Genre* Steampunk, Paranormal Romance
*Rating* 3-3.5
*My Thoughts*
Wicked Ever After is the fourth and final installment in the Blud series by author Delilah S. Dawson. In the world of Sang, half the population is human (aka Pinkies), while the other half are Bludmen/women. A bludman/woman in Sang is like a vampire in our own world. Only, bludman aren’t dead, they don’t feel cold, and they are basically a different race that lives on blud (“blood”) instead of food. There are also some terrifying animals that roam Sang like bludbunnies (no laughing matter!) who feast on Pinkies blood. Wicked Ever After comes full circle in that Criminy Stain and his wife Tish Everett-Stain make their return engagements. It is also the last chance, perhaps, to see your other favorite characters as they exit stage left.
*Full Review Posted @ Gizmos Reviews*
http://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/201...
Published: October 5th 2015 by Pocket Star
*Genre* Steampunk, Paranormal Romance
*Rating* 3-3.5
*My Thoughts*
Wicked Ever After is the fourth and final installment in the Blud series by author Delilah S. Dawson. In the world of Sang, half the population is human (aka Pinkies), while the other half are Bludmen/women. A bludman/woman in Sang is like a vampire in our own world. Only, bludman aren’t dead, they don’t feel cold, and they are basically a different race that lives on blud (“blood”) instead of food. There are also some terrifying animals that roam Sang like bludbunnies (no laughing matter!) who feast on Pinkies blood. Wicked Ever After comes full circle in that Criminy Stain and his wife Tish Everett-Stain make their return engagements. It is also the last chance, perhaps, to see your other favorite characters as they exit stage left.
*Full Review Posted @ Gizmos Reviews*
http://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/201...
Published: October 5th 2015 by Pocket Star
September 14, 2015
Tish is finally giving up her connection to the normal world for Sang when she brings her grandmother back. She never expected the transition to end up the way it did, though, and soon she´s off on another dangerous adventure with Criminy by her side. Can they save Nana and return to their caravan life without anything major happening?
PNR romance, action, suspense and smutty fluff in a great combo, and a great conclusion to a favorite series.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book in return for an honest review.
PNR romance, action, suspense and smutty fluff in a great combo, and a great conclusion to a favorite series.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book in return for an honest review.
October 21, 2015
It’s the last hurrah for Criminy and Tish. In the final trip back to the deliciously dark and twisted world of Sang, Tish’s beloved grandmother is just about out of time until Tish decides it would be a great idea to bring granny from Earth to Sang and make her a Bludwoman. When things don’t turn out the way she hoped, Tish finds herself chasing dear ol’ granny after she disappears. What ensues, after a not so surprising change to Tish, is a dangerous journey to be rid of an enemy and have the happily ever after Tish and Criminy have longed for. One where they avoid vicious Bludbunnies, circus freaks are family, and getting naughty for all to see in a hot air balloon.
I had fun having one last adventure in Sang. All the series favorites make cameos and lend a hand in helping Tish and Criminy find her grandmother after she takes off to track down the witch that stole years off of Tish’s life. I was happy to be back in Sang, yet not so thrilled with Tish. It feels like she uses her grandmother as a reason to hide behind her fear of turning into a Bludwoman. When that problem is solved, she’s so upset with her grandma wanting to live her new life after battling cancer for so long (granted, her grandma does get really cold with her and it’s wrong) Tish doesn’t see it as a chance to finally regain her own youth and be with Criminy. Criminy is all in and supports whatever Tish wants and it feels a little cruel for her to be holding off so long. There are qualities I still enjoy about Tish’s character, this was just disappointing.
At 177 pages, there’s a rushed feel to the book so all these events happen rather quickly and isn’t as seamless as I would have liked. That being said, the adventure is an entertaining one and the author does a good job at delivering a satisfying, emotional, paranormaly sexy, Criminy filled finale. This one is for fans of the series and any newbies should hop on back and start with book one.
- Stephanie
I had fun having one last adventure in Sang. All the series favorites make cameos and lend a hand in helping Tish and Criminy find her grandmother after she takes off to track down the witch that stole years off of Tish’s life. I was happy to be back in Sang, yet not so thrilled with Tish. It feels like she uses her grandmother as a reason to hide behind her fear of turning into a Bludwoman. When that problem is solved, she’s so upset with her grandma wanting to live her new life after battling cancer for so long (granted, her grandma does get really cold with her and it’s wrong) Tish doesn’t see it as a chance to finally regain her own youth and be with Criminy. Criminy is all in and supports whatever Tish wants and it feels a little cruel for her to be holding off so long. There are qualities I still enjoy about Tish’s character, this was just disappointing.
At 177 pages, there’s a rushed feel to the book so all these events happen rather quickly and isn’t as seamless as I would have liked. That being said, the adventure is an entertaining one and the author does a good job at delivering a satisfying, emotional, paranormaly sexy, Criminy filled finale. This one is for fans of the series and any newbies should hop on back and start with book one.
- Stephanie
October 7, 2015
I had no expectations that the author would return to Criminy and Tish's story and the Criminy's circus where this whole delightful series got started. Bravo, Ms. Dawson! I didn't realize how badly I wanted it until it was suddenly a possibility so I snatched it up and devoured it like the sweetest, most sinful morsel.
The story is indeed a follow-up book focused on Crim and Tish, but it also was a reunion story that brought together everyone from all the previous books and novellas. It felt like coming home when I returned to the world of Sang and I absolutely recommend getting these in order.
The story opens with Tish facing down a decision that she does not want to make. The witch's curse has literally sucked the life out of her and continues to do so, but she won't let Criminy take the last of her humanity and Blud her. She says it is because of her dear gran back in the earth world, but deep down it is fear of the final, irrevocable change. She is abrupt and stormy, but Criminy is there beside her even when she leaps at the new idea of bringing her gran across and letting Criminy blud her to save her from dying. Criminy is reluctant, but does it for Tish.
Tish soon finds that her young, youthful gran who insists on being called Ruby is nothing like she expected. Ruby is flamboyant and daring and dismissive of Tish. Then she is gone from the circus. Criminy advises Tish to let Ruby go, but she can't. So off they go on a dangerous adventure to find Ruby who has gone in search of a powerful dark witch. In the end, Tish is forced to face her fears and not just a few facts and may lose that which is most important to her.
Alright, being reunited with Criminy, Tish, and the rest of the gang in Sang was an absolute treat beyond measure. The worldbuilding was just as colorful, unsettling, dangerous, and exciting as ever. The tone was so well-done the way I had no trouble feeling like I was visiting a bizarre new place.
There was lots of familiar settings and characters, but I loved that the adventure took me into a new situation of 'what happens after happily ever after' for people like Criminy and Tish. Tish is stubborn and impulsive and Criminy is devilishly attractive in that foreign macabre way of his. The story cements them as a couple through thick and thin. I loved that they got so much page time together. And the adventure was not easy nor was it loss, but it kept my attention riveted to the very end. I probably should have detested Ruby, but I found her a most interesting character that made a scene absolutely crackle with tension. I had no trouble seeing the situation in a way that the heroine, Tish could not and didn't until near the end with Criminy's help.
The adventure was dark and gritty like it can get in the Blud series. The author isn't afraid to let the monsters in this world whether they are good or bad or a bit of both out. The blend of fantasy, paranormal, and steampunk is done well. By this story, most of it goes unexplained and is just assumed which was fun in its familiar feel.
The romance is an ongoing relationship, but it never felt staid or settled. Criminy is as larger than life, passionate, and dangerous as ever and has no trouble getting Tish out of her head and off her worries. He worries for her in this story and it was sweet to see him expose that vulnerability to Tish. It was a nice blend of scorching passion and tender romance.
All in all, this last book of the Blud series was all that a last book should be. Do I still want more visits to Sang? You bet! But if I have to say good-bye then this farewell was done well. I would recommend this series to those who enjoy a bit of macabre, some grit, and some passion in a blending of paranormal and steampunk in a fantasy world.
My thanks to Net Galley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
The story is indeed a follow-up book focused on Crim and Tish, but it also was a reunion story that brought together everyone from all the previous books and novellas. It felt like coming home when I returned to the world of Sang and I absolutely recommend getting these in order.
The story opens with Tish facing down a decision that she does not want to make. The witch's curse has literally sucked the life out of her and continues to do so, but she won't let Criminy take the last of her humanity and Blud her. She says it is because of her dear gran back in the earth world, but deep down it is fear of the final, irrevocable change. She is abrupt and stormy, but Criminy is there beside her even when she leaps at the new idea of bringing her gran across and letting Criminy blud her to save her from dying. Criminy is reluctant, but does it for Tish.
Tish soon finds that her young, youthful gran who insists on being called Ruby is nothing like she expected. Ruby is flamboyant and daring and dismissive of Tish. Then she is gone from the circus. Criminy advises Tish to let Ruby go, but she can't. So off they go on a dangerous adventure to find Ruby who has gone in search of a powerful dark witch. In the end, Tish is forced to face her fears and not just a few facts and may lose that which is most important to her.
Alright, being reunited with Criminy, Tish, and the rest of the gang in Sang was an absolute treat beyond measure. The worldbuilding was just as colorful, unsettling, dangerous, and exciting as ever. The tone was so well-done the way I had no trouble feeling like I was visiting a bizarre new place.
There was lots of familiar settings and characters, but I loved that the adventure took me into a new situation of 'what happens after happily ever after' for people like Criminy and Tish. Tish is stubborn and impulsive and Criminy is devilishly attractive in that foreign macabre way of his. The story cements them as a couple through thick and thin. I loved that they got so much page time together. And the adventure was not easy nor was it loss, but it kept my attention riveted to the very end. I probably should have detested Ruby, but I found her a most interesting character that made a scene absolutely crackle with tension. I had no trouble seeing the situation in a way that the heroine, Tish could not and didn't until near the end with Criminy's help.
The adventure was dark and gritty like it can get in the Blud series. The author isn't afraid to let the monsters in this world whether they are good or bad or a bit of both out. The blend of fantasy, paranormal, and steampunk is done well. By this story, most of it goes unexplained and is just assumed which was fun in its familiar feel.
The romance is an ongoing relationship, but it never felt staid or settled. Criminy is as larger than life, passionate, and dangerous as ever and has no trouble getting Tish out of her head and off her worries. He worries for her in this story and it was sweet to see him expose that vulnerability to Tish. It was a nice blend of scorching passion and tender romance.
All in all, this last book of the Blud series was all that a last book should be. Do I still want more visits to Sang? You bet! But if I have to say good-bye then this farewell was done well. I would recommend this series to those who enjoy a bit of macabre, some grit, and some passion in a blending of paranormal and steampunk in a fantasy world.
My thanks to Net Galley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
October 6, 2015
3.5 Stars
I'll admit that I only made it to book 2 in this series prior to reading this and it was a struggle to actually finish book 2 for me. I'm unsure if book 3 and the other novellas would have changed my opinion of this book entirely, but honestly I came for Criminy and Tish. I don't care about anyone else, however I may check out Demi's book at some point now.
Anyhoo. I loved getting this final glimpse of Criminy and Tish. And Criminy. Did I mention Criminy? No? Well, Criminy Stain. He is one of my favorite Bludmen/Vampire characters ever. Dawson does amazing things with his character, to the point that even when you hate Tish, you still love her a little because he loves her so much. The love, the snark, the vicious, the smarts...you just can't go wrong with his character.
Now on to the downside. I don't generally don't care for Tish unless she is with Criminy. Thank god, she usually is. There is just something about her character that I can't bring myself to love. So, the entire storyline with her and her Nana just bored me senseless. You understand the reasons behind the entire storyline, but at the same time it annoyed me how THAT storyline was what finally spurred the advancement of Tish and Criminy's relationship. So, you lose some you win some I guess.
Overall, you won't really enjoy this if you aren't already accustomed to the awesomeness that is Criminy Stain, but even then (for me at least), some of the magic that was Wicked As They Come was lost in this book. However, even if wasn't the same, Criminy was still capable of spinning his own wicked brand of magic in this book as well that makes it more than readable. A definite must read for fans.
I'll admit that I only made it to book 2 in this series prior to reading this and it was a struggle to actually finish book 2 for me. I'm unsure if book 3 and the other novellas would have changed my opinion of this book entirely, but honestly I came for Criminy and Tish. I don't care about anyone else, however I may check out Demi's book at some point now.
Anyhoo. I loved getting this final glimpse of Criminy and Tish. And Criminy. Did I mention Criminy? No? Well, Criminy Stain. He is one of my favorite Bludmen/Vampire characters ever. Dawson does amazing things with his character, to the point that even when you hate Tish, you still love her a little because he loves her so much. The love, the snark, the vicious, the smarts...you just can't go wrong with his character.
Now on to the downside. I don't generally don't care for Tish unless she is with Criminy. Thank god, she usually is. There is just something about her character that I can't bring myself to love. So, the entire storyline with her and her Nana just bored me senseless. You understand the reasons behind the entire storyline, but at the same time it annoyed me how THAT storyline was what finally spurred the advancement of Tish and Criminy's relationship. So, you lose some you win some I guess.
Overall, you won't really enjoy this if you aren't already accustomed to the awesomeness that is Criminy Stain, but even then (for me at least), some of the magic that was Wicked As They Come was lost in this book. However, even if wasn't the same, Criminy was still capable of spinning his own wicked brand of magic in this book as well that makes it more than readable. A definite must read for fans.
February 26, 2016
I AM SO FILLED WITH HAPPINESS FOR EVERYONE.
December 26, 2015
The last book in the Blud series. I enjoyed it and really glad and sad that the story finally ended.
This book is a 3.5-star read for me. Why's that? Well, I thought that the adventure was too short and brief compared to the other Blud books. I think this book was written to put all the loose ends together. The most awesome part of this book was probably the epilogue. It was really nice to finally see the Happy end.
Spoilers
The book still have the same gothic feel like the rest of the Blud books. In fact this book also had gore and very very bloody violent. It was really dark and very delicious. However, although there was a story, the plot wasn't as good as the other books. There was no flow. There was introducing of characters that I didn't see the need for them to appear. Although the killings in this book were really refreshingly bloody good, the story just not up to it.
Full Spoilers!!
We were back with our main lovely couple Tish and Crim. After 6 years of married, Tish still refused to lose her human life. She was unwilling to turn into a Bludman despite losing at least 30 years of her youth to the curse. She was 32 but appeared 6o and felt like it. But Tish was stubborn. I always loved her passion and her love for her grandmother and I did fell sympathized with her for the need to hang on to her human life so as to be able to spend the last precious moments with her dying grandmother. But I didn't like that she appeared too whiny and bratty at certain moments. She actually blamed Criminy for bringing her into Sang which was true. However, he was not the only guilty one. she was the willing one too so I wasn't really happy to read about her blaming and throwing guilt around. Although just a short while, she almost reminded me of Demi. Thanks god it was just temporary.
There was a major twist in this book. I would never ever ever expected that. and It had to do with Tish's grandmother, Ruby. From the first book, Tish had gotten the mean to bring a person into Sang when she encountered Hepzibah, the evil Blud witch who cast the curse on Tish. While Tish struggled with her stolen youth and her coming death, she was angry with her husband for not understanding how she could not turn into a Bludman and live happily ever after when her Nana was dying. She returned to the real world in anger and sadness. However, upon learning that Nana was willing to become a vampire to live again. Tish immediately decided to bring her into Sang and she successfully did. She demanded and pleaded for Criminy to turn Nana and he did. And Tish thought that she would finally get her Happy ending. with her Nana no longer dying, she would have her family back again. However, Nana aka Ruby was not the grandmother she realized she knew.
Gaining her youth back and obtaining power as Bludman had changed Nana... or perhaps she was like that all along if she was not old and dying. The young Nana, aka Ruby, was not someone Tish recognized. Ruby was wild, powerful and proud... so different from Nana that Tish knew. In fact she was actually quite like Tish, stubborn and uncontrollable. There was no gratitude for Tish for saving her life or desire to remain with her. Tish was angered that she didn't get what she wanted. (and this was the part that I thought she sounded like a brat. Like how she hoped that they would all lived together in one family without asking if the said family wanted to live with her.) Soon after, Ruby disappeared. Apparently she went with Torno to search for Hepzibah. By then Tish was furious. (the bratty part) She was angry and demanded Criminy to turn her then, that sarcastically, her wish had finally came true. Criminy refused to turn her in her anger as he knew she would regret it. He was such a sweet understanding gentleman. He knew that in her heart, Tish was still unable to give up her human life even when she knew by then that there was no chance that she would return to the real world. In the end, Tish was forced to turn anyway when she was attacked by the evil two-heads Bludman in the first book who almost drained her. She was, of course, saved by Criminy who eventually had to Blud her to save her life. The twins was drained and their bodies spit in half. The gruesome scenes was awesome. (but I was a little confused by the sudden appearance of Catarrh and Quincy and their immediate death.) Tish became Bludman and felt better than ever. Why hadn't she bludded earlier? well She was damn stubborn but she sure changed her mind quickly.
Tish then went on to search for her missing Nana with Criminy. She convinced herself that her nana NEEDED her to RESCUE her. With some of the help from former characters, they found the way.. with Mr. Sweeting who they also ended up killed at the end. (and this was the part where I started to feel that the author was trying to quickly tying loose end. She was killing off villain characters. Although I really really loved how he was killed. It sounded disgustingly fun.) Criminy unfortunately was poisoned by the dead Daimon. Tish was so afraid that Criminy was gonna die. She dragged him to Demi to get help from other Daimons. The Daimons tried to heal Criminy. All the while Tish was pissed at the Daimon for locking her out of the room as they attempted to save Criminy...at herself that her nursing skills could not help him... at everyone else because she just wanted to be pissed. In her anger she went on to search for Ruby alone with the Glance she got from Mr. Sweeting...
She got into the hidden underground in London and found Hepzibah.. and this was where things was weird for me. the whole plot here didn't make any sense. Ruby and Torno was with Hepzibah but was not captured. She was just there. then Merissa, Criminy's former lover was there too. I was confused with Hepzibah. Did she or didn't she want Tish death? Because she was a threat and then not and then yes... I didn't know what she wanted.. Ruby, too. I didn't understand her characters then. and Merissa... I didn't know why she appeared. She just popped in as a psychopathic ex lover trying to cut Criminy to pieces. (Crim followed Tish later BTW) and then she got killed off.. did I miss some important story about her in the former book? I'm not sure but maybe I skipped a lot because of Demi. But really? Was she just there to be killed off just like the other two example above? Oh Hepzibah did die too and I thought the same again? Just like that. And Suddenly Ruby was her successor...Erm what a plot twist.. I didn't understand the single thing about what was going on. Just that Ruby was to be an Evil witch...? and she was going to practice the same spell as Hepzibah...? Which meant that she was going to kill innocent to stay youthful...? and she still loved Tish even if she was like that...?
Anyway and they live Happily Ever after. The last chapter and the epilogue was nice. really glad to see the end.
3.5 stars
This book is a 3.5-star read for me. Why's that? Well, I thought that the adventure was too short and brief compared to the other Blud books. I think this book was written to put all the loose ends together. The most awesome part of this book was probably the epilogue. It was really nice to finally see the Happy end.
Spoilers
The book still have the same gothic feel like the rest of the Blud books. In fact this book also had gore and very very bloody violent. It was really dark and very delicious. However, although there was a story, the plot wasn't as good as the other books. There was no flow. There was introducing of characters that I didn't see the need for them to appear. Although the killings in this book were really refreshingly bloody good, the story just not up to it.
Full Spoilers!!
We were back with our main lovely couple Tish and Crim. After 6 years of married, Tish still refused to lose her human life. She was unwilling to turn into a Bludman despite losing at least 30 years of her youth to the curse. She was 32 but appeared 6o and felt like it. But Tish was stubborn. I always loved her passion and her love for her grandmother and I did fell sympathized with her for the need to hang on to her human life so as to be able to spend the last precious moments with her dying grandmother. But I didn't like that she appeared too whiny and bratty at certain moments. She actually blamed Criminy for bringing her into Sang which was true. However, he was not the only guilty one. she was the willing one too so I wasn't really happy to read about her blaming and throwing guilt around. Although just a short while, she almost reminded me of Demi. Thanks god it was just temporary.
There was a major twist in this book. I would never ever ever expected that. and It had to do with Tish's grandmother, Ruby. From the first book, Tish had gotten the mean to bring a person into Sang when she encountered Hepzibah, the evil Blud witch who cast the curse on Tish. While Tish struggled with her stolen youth and her coming death, she was angry with her husband for not understanding how she could not turn into a Bludman and live happily ever after when her Nana was dying. She returned to the real world in anger and sadness. However, upon learning that Nana was willing to become a vampire to live again. Tish immediately decided to bring her into Sang and she successfully did. She demanded and pleaded for Criminy to turn Nana and he did. And Tish thought that she would finally get her Happy ending. with her Nana no longer dying, she would have her family back again. However, Nana aka Ruby was not the grandmother she realized she knew.
Gaining her youth back and obtaining power as Bludman had changed Nana... or perhaps she was like that all along if she was not old and dying. The young Nana, aka Ruby, was not someone Tish recognized. Ruby was wild, powerful and proud... so different from Nana that Tish knew. In fact she was actually quite like Tish, stubborn and uncontrollable. There was no gratitude for Tish for saving her life or desire to remain with her. Tish was angered that she didn't get what she wanted. (and this was the part that I thought she sounded like a brat. Like how she hoped that they would all lived together in one family without asking if the said family wanted to live with her.) Soon after, Ruby disappeared. Apparently she went with Torno to search for Hepzibah. By then Tish was furious. (the bratty part) She was angry and demanded Criminy to turn her then, that sarcastically, her wish had finally came true. Criminy refused to turn her in her anger as he knew she would regret it. He was such a sweet understanding gentleman. He knew that in her heart, Tish was still unable to give up her human life even when she knew by then that there was no chance that she would return to the real world. In the end, Tish was forced to turn anyway when she was attacked by the evil two-heads Bludman in the first book who almost drained her. She was, of course, saved by Criminy who eventually had to Blud her to save her life. The twins was drained and their bodies spit in half. The gruesome scenes was awesome. (but I was a little confused by the sudden appearance of Catarrh and Quincy and their immediate death.) Tish became Bludman and felt better than ever. Why hadn't she bludded earlier? well She was damn stubborn but she sure changed her mind quickly.
Tish then went on to search for her missing Nana with Criminy. She convinced herself that her nana NEEDED her to RESCUE her. With some of the help from former characters, they found the way.. with Mr. Sweeting who they also ended up killed at the end. (and this was the part where I started to feel that the author was trying to quickly tying loose end. She was killing off villain characters. Although I really really loved how he was killed. It sounded disgustingly fun.) Criminy unfortunately was poisoned by the dead Daimon. Tish was so afraid that Criminy was gonna die. She dragged him to Demi to get help from other Daimons. The Daimons tried to heal Criminy. All the while Tish was pissed at the Daimon for locking her out of the room as they attempted to save Criminy...at herself that her nursing skills could not help him... at everyone else because she just wanted to be pissed. In her anger she went on to search for Ruby alone with the Glance she got from Mr. Sweeting...
She got into the hidden underground in London and found Hepzibah.. and this was where things was weird for me. the whole plot here didn't make any sense. Ruby and Torno was with Hepzibah but was not captured. She was just there. then Merissa, Criminy's former lover was there too. I was confused with Hepzibah. Did she or didn't she want Tish death? Because she was a threat and then not and then yes... I didn't know what she wanted.. Ruby, too. I didn't understand her characters then. and Merissa... I didn't know why she appeared. She just popped in as a psychopathic ex lover trying to cut Criminy to pieces. (Crim followed Tish later BTW) and then she got killed off.. did I miss some important story about her in the former book? I'm not sure but maybe I skipped a lot because of Demi. But really? Was she just there to be killed off just like the other two example above? Oh Hepzibah did die too and I thought the same again? Just like that. And Suddenly Ruby was her successor...Erm what a plot twist.. I didn't understand the single thing about what was going on. Just that Ruby was to be an Evil witch...? and she was going to practice the same spell as Hepzibah...? Which meant that she was going to kill innocent to stay youthful...? and she still loved Tish even if she was like that...?
Anyway and they live Happily Ever after. The last chapter and the epilogue was nice. really glad to see the end.
3.5 stars
November 7, 2015
<3
Originally posted at Butterfly-o-Meter Books on Oct 23 , 2015:
In a Flutter: Awesome end to the series!
Fluttering Thoughts:
Worldbuilding: I have raved about the world of Sang when I read the first beauty of the series, Wicked Ever After. All my points still hold now, wow, 3 years later. Creative, well-done, exciting worldbuilding of doom, hurrah!
Characters: While I very much enjoyed the whole cast of characters in the Blud series, I must admit I always had a special spot for Tish and Crim, both on their own, and as a couple. I was very curious to see how the story arc will end for them, what Tish would choose to do with her life, which world she’d go for. In the end, she chose to save her grandma, and despite how that went (and lol on that!) she ended up in her rightful place, by Crim’s side.
I must admit I found Ruby a very interesting character, perhaps the likely heroine of a UF series all of her own – she was that kickass, imho.
Plot: The romance between finally reaches the actual HEA, complete with kids and the quick peeks into the futures of other couples we’ve met throughout the series. I really enjoyed that. But there was some excitement in Wicked Ever After too, cool action, interesting confrontations, so it was a thrilling ride.
Writing: First person, past tense narrative, Tish’s POV. Effortlessly charming style.
Curb Appeal: Cool cover, hooking blurb – total impulsive buy material.
All in all, I really loved Wicked Ever After and do recommend the whole Blud series if you’re into original vampire worlds, charismatic characters and awesomesauce writing. Big like!
Originally posted at Butterfly-o-Meter Books on Oct 23 , 2015:
In a Flutter: Awesome end to the series!
Fluttering Thoughts:
Worldbuilding: I have raved about the world of Sang when I read the first beauty of the series, Wicked Ever After. All my points still hold now, wow, 3 years later. Creative, well-done, exciting worldbuilding of doom, hurrah!
Characters: While I very much enjoyed the whole cast of characters in the Blud series, I must admit I always had a special spot for Tish and Crim, both on their own, and as a couple. I was very curious to see how the story arc will end for them, what Tish would choose to do with her life, which world she’d go for. In the end, she chose to save her grandma, and despite how that went (and lol on that!) she ended up in her rightful place, by Crim’s side.
I must admit I found Ruby a very interesting character, perhaps the likely heroine of a UF series all of her own – she was that kickass, imho.
Plot: The romance between finally reaches the actual HEA, complete with kids and the quick peeks into the futures of other couples we’ve met throughout the series. I really enjoyed that. But there was some excitement in Wicked Ever After too, cool action, interesting confrontations, so it was a thrilling ride.
Writing: First person, past tense narrative, Tish’s POV. Effortlessly charming style.
Curb Appeal: Cool cover, hooking blurb – total impulsive buy material.
All in all, I really loved Wicked Ever After and do recommend the whole Blud series if you’re into original vampire worlds, charismatic characters and awesomesauce writing. Big like!
September 23, 2015
Tish and Criminy Stain return in book 4 of the Blud series. I'm so happy to see a continuation of their story since this is the last book in the series. In case you don't remember, Criminy runs a traveling circus, and in book one, Tish joins them as a glancer (think fortune teller) when she appeared in Sang. A spelled necklace causes Tish to go back and forth between Earth and Sang whenever she falls asleep in either place. Which I would imagine would take a toll on someone after awhile. The only reason Tish is still going back to Earth instead of being with her husband Criminy full time is to take care of her dying grandmother. You see, if Tish turns into a bludman (think vampire) like her husband, she won't be able to go back to Earth, she'll be stuck in Sang forever.
Now we get to the interesting part. Tish manages to get her grandma to Sang. Now everything can be picture perfect, or so one would think. We wouldn't have a very interesting book if it was picture perfect, now would we? After a few days Tish and Criminy have to go on an adventure to find Tish's grandmother. She's run off, and with no clue why, Tish has to find her. I will tell you this, I was frustrated at the grandmother almost the entire time she was in Sang.
Wicked Ever After is a lovely conclusion of the Blud series. It had the adventure that I craved with the characters that I loved. Criminy is my favorite character in the entire series. He has that sweetness towards Tish that melts my heart, but don't be fooled into thinking he's soft. The series is full of vampires, adventure and romance, oh and bludbunnies. I highly suggest all of the books if you enjoy paranormal romance with a bit of bite.
Now we get to the interesting part. Tish manages to get her grandma to Sang. Now everything can be picture perfect, or so one would think. We wouldn't have a very interesting book if it was picture perfect, now would we? After a few days Tish and Criminy have to go on an adventure to find Tish's grandmother. She's run off, and with no clue why, Tish has to find her. I will tell you this, I was frustrated at the grandmother almost the entire time she was in Sang.
Wicked Ever After is a lovely conclusion of the Blud series. It had the adventure that I craved with the characters that I loved. Criminy is my favorite character in the entire series. He has that sweetness towards Tish that melts my heart, but don't be fooled into thinking he's soft. The series is full of vampires, adventure and romance, oh and bludbunnies. I highly suggest all of the books if you enjoy paranormal romance with a bit of bite.
October 11, 2015
Wicked Ever After serves to tie up the series' loose ends- Tish's struggle to give up her humanity, her marriage with Criminy, the ever afters of nearly all of the characters in the series. I nearly jumped at this chance to say goodbye to one of my favourite heroes Criminy Stain and the wicked world of Sang. And I loved every single bit of him- the snark, the viciousness, the tenderness, the love.
Take a bow, Criminy. Take a bow.
Take a bow, Criminy. Take a bow.
Read
October 6, 2015Another book I am not sure how to rate
Seem my thing lately...
I found it quite hard to get into this one- wasn't impressed with Trish the first third
Then I really enjoyed it till- about 80%
The end was ok
It's written really well- naturally
So I am just gonna think a bit about before writing a review... (Again! )
Seem my thing lately...
I found it quite hard to get into this one- wasn't impressed with Trish the first third
Then I really enjoyed it till- about 80%
The end was ok
It's written really well- naturally
So I am just gonna think a bit about before writing a review... (Again! )
October 3, 2015
Jaw dropping! I love the plot twist concerning the grandma. She riled me up good, but that only proves how affecting the character and plot are, and how effective the writing is. Fantastic wrap-up!
April 14, 2017
3 1/2 stars.
I was really on the fence about Wicked Ever After and I ended up enjoying it more than I expected to. I went into it considering it more of an OCD read. I read Wicked As They Come 4 years ago and I really loved it. I wasn’t interested enough in the other characters to continue with the series though so I left it there. Knowing that Wicked Ever After was going back to the Crim & Tish storyline – I felt compelled to read it for the sake of closure but I felt too much time had passed for me to really get into it.
Wicked Ever After picks up with Tish traveling between Sang and Earth to play hospice nurse to her dying Nana. Tish must remain human to travel between worlds but she ages a week for every day she puts off having Criminy blud her with his immortal kiss thanks to her bargain with the witch Hepzibah. Then just when Nana is finally on the verge of shuffling off this mortal coil she happens to mention that Eric Northman from that True Blood TV show is a fine specimen and she sure wouldn’t mind him paying her a visit and offering to make her a vampire. So Tish gets the brilliant idea: use the witch’s potion to bring Nana to Sang and have Criminy make her a Bludwoman and we’ll all live happily ever after. And it is kind of cute when Nana gets to Sang and proclaims Criminy “better looking than Vampire Bill”.
But then things go to shit when Nana gets bludded and all of a sudden she’s all “call me Ruby – I’m nobody’s Nana and I’ve got my own life to live”. I don’t blame Tish for feeling hurt and angry over being dis’ed by Nana’s see you next Tuesday act. I get being young again and seeing all the new possibilities but that doesn’t necessarily translate into losing all the affection, connection and loyalty that was supposedly shared over the years with beloved family members. Which is why when Nana…I mean Ruby…takes off to see the Wizard….errmm…the witch, Tish feels the need to go after her in case she needs saving. Because Tish - unlike her ungrateful, self absorbed Nana - isn't an asshole.
So Tish and Crim have an excuse to have another adventure, catch up with favorite characters from the other installments (who I know very little if anything about and it doesn’t really matter), have grand battles and sexy times in a hot air balloon and a wonderful HEA.
I was really on the fence about Wicked Ever After and I ended up enjoying it more than I expected to. I went into it considering it more of an OCD read. I read Wicked As They Come 4 years ago and I really loved it. I wasn’t interested enough in the other characters to continue with the series though so I left it there. Knowing that Wicked Ever After was going back to the Crim & Tish storyline – I felt compelled to read it for the sake of closure but I felt too much time had passed for me to really get into it.
Wicked Ever After picks up with Tish traveling between Sang and Earth to play hospice nurse to her dying Nana. Tish must remain human to travel between worlds but she ages a week for every day she puts off having Criminy blud her with his immortal kiss thanks to her bargain with the witch Hepzibah. Then just when Nana is finally on the verge of shuffling off this mortal coil she happens to mention that Eric Northman from that True Blood TV show is a fine specimen and she sure wouldn’t mind him paying her a visit and offering to make her a vampire. So Tish gets the brilliant idea: use the witch’s potion to bring Nana to Sang and have Criminy make her a Bludwoman and we’ll all live happily ever after. And it is kind of cute when Nana gets to Sang and proclaims Criminy “better looking than Vampire Bill”.
But then things go to shit when Nana gets bludded and all of a sudden she’s all “call me Ruby – I’m nobody’s Nana and I’ve got my own life to live”. I don’t blame Tish for feeling hurt and angry over being dis’ed by Nana’s see you next Tuesday act. I get being young again and seeing all the new possibilities but that doesn’t necessarily translate into losing all the affection, connection and loyalty that was supposedly shared over the years with beloved family members. Which is why when Nana…I mean Ruby…takes off to see the Wizard….errmm…the witch, Tish feels the need to go after her in case she needs saving. Because Tish - unlike her ungrateful, self absorbed Nana - isn't an asshole.
So Tish and Crim have an excuse to have another adventure, catch up with favorite characters from the other installments (who I know very little if anything about and it doesn’t really matter), have grand battles and sexy times in a hot air balloon and a wonderful HEA.
October 16, 2015
Originally published at Reading Reality
Welcome back to Sang, the world of Criminy’s Clockwork Caravan. Sang is a beautiful and terrifying place that seems to be where some folks find themselves when they are lost in a coma or otherwise end up on the border between life and death.
Tish found herself there six years ago, brought by a spelled locket infused with the magic of Criminy Stain, master of the caravan. Tish’s life will never be the same, if she doesn’t use it all up moving between Criminy’s world and our own, where she cares for her dying grandmother.
The story of how Tish found herself in this mess is in Wicked as They Come. During the six years that Tish has been in and out of Sang, there have been other adventures, and some misadventures. Readers have met fantastic and fantastically strange people and beings in this alternate, slightly steampunk version of our world, where some people are “pinkies” like us, and some embody the best aspects of what we would call vampires. Bludmen and bludwomen are apex predators who live on blood of all types. They go where they please, when they please, and certainly don’t have to hide in the daytime.
They prey on humans, but don’t have to kill. The cute and deadly bludbunnies also prey on humans, but they swarm their prey to death. (The bludrats don’t seem all that different from rats here, but I’m not sure that says something good about the bludrats, or awful about regular rats.)
In all of the stories in the Blud series (The Mysterious Madam Morpho, The Peculiar Pets of Miss Pleasance, Wicked as She Wants, The Damsel and the Daggerman, and Wicked After Midnight) no matter where the story takes us it always comes back to Criminy, Tish and the caravan.
In this final story in the series, everything comes full circle. The spell that Criminy used to bring Tish to Sang, the witch he bludded long ago, all their friends and all their enemies, take the stage one final time so that Tish can finally be who she was meant to be, and so that Criminy finally gets the whole of the wish he wished when he brought her to Sang.
And it’s marvelous.
Escape Rating A-: As much as I loved Wicked Ever After, this is not the story to introduce readers to Sang. If you love paranormal stories with either a steampunk or carniepunk flavor, start with Wicked as They Come. It is a marvelous introduction to this strange and deadly world, with deadly adventure and a beautiful love story into the bargain.
In Wicked Ever After, it seems as if every person whose lives have been touched by Tish and Criminy, especially by Criminy, enters the stage in order to take their final bows in this series. Casper and Ahna (Wicked as She Wants) are in Paris at Demi and Vale’s burlesque theater (Wicked After Midnight) to visit with friends and sample the delights of Paris, as they often do.
But it is Demi’s theater that becomes Tish and Criminy’s base of operation when they come to Paris to hunt down the witch who seems to have kidnapped Tish’s grandmother Ruby.
Neither Tish nor Ruby should be in any kind of danger. As a gift to the dying woman, Tish brought Ruby to Sang and Criminy turned her into a bludwoman, giving her a new life as a young predator. Tish finally allowed Criminy to blud her as well, after a near-fatal attack and in her need to chase after the grandmother who no longer needs rescue. Or even care.
As Tish hunts the witch and her grandmother, she grows into the bludwoman she has finally let herself become. The readers see her become the person she was always meant to be.
In the final confrontation, all the events of Tish’s life in Sang come full circle, even the things that happened to Criminy before she arrived. The resolution is surprising and cataclysmic. The change of Tish’s shaky happy for now into a fantastic happy ever after is wonderful and cathartic and a marvelous end to this terrific series.
Welcome back to Sang, the world of Criminy’s Clockwork Caravan. Sang is a beautiful and terrifying place that seems to be where some folks find themselves when they are lost in a coma or otherwise end up on the border between life and death.
Tish found herself there six years ago, brought by a spelled locket infused with the magic of Criminy Stain, master of the caravan. Tish’s life will never be the same, if she doesn’t use it all up moving between Criminy’s world and our own, where she cares for her dying grandmother.
The story of how Tish found herself in this mess is in Wicked as They Come. During the six years that Tish has been in and out of Sang, there have been other adventures, and some misadventures. Readers have met fantastic and fantastically strange people and beings in this alternate, slightly steampunk version of our world, where some people are “pinkies” like us, and some embody the best aspects of what we would call vampires. Bludmen and bludwomen are apex predators who live on blood of all types. They go where they please, when they please, and certainly don’t have to hide in the daytime.
They prey on humans, but don’t have to kill. The cute and deadly bludbunnies also prey on humans, but they swarm their prey to death. (The bludrats don’t seem all that different from rats here, but I’m not sure that says something good about the bludrats, or awful about regular rats.)
In all of the stories in the Blud series (The Mysterious Madam Morpho, The Peculiar Pets of Miss Pleasance, Wicked as She Wants, The Damsel and the Daggerman, and Wicked After Midnight) no matter where the story takes us it always comes back to Criminy, Tish and the caravan.
In this final story in the series, everything comes full circle. The spell that Criminy used to bring Tish to Sang, the witch he bludded long ago, all their friends and all their enemies, take the stage one final time so that Tish can finally be who she was meant to be, and so that Criminy finally gets the whole of the wish he wished when he brought her to Sang.
And it’s marvelous.
Escape Rating A-: As much as I loved Wicked Ever After, this is not the story to introduce readers to Sang. If you love paranormal stories with either a steampunk or carniepunk flavor, start with Wicked as They Come. It is a marvelous introduction to this strange and deadly world, with deadly adventure and a beautiful love story into the bargain.
In Wicked Ever After, it seems as if every person whose lives have been touched by Tish and Criminy, especially by Criminy, enters the stage in order to take their final bows in this series. Casper and Ahna (Wicked as She Wants) are in Paris at Demi and Vale’s burlesque theater (Wicked After Midnight) to visit with friends and sample the delights of Paris, as they often do.
But it is Demi’s theater that becomes Tish and Criminy’s base of operation when they come to Paris to hunt down the witch who seems to have kidnapped Tish’s grandmother Ruby.
Neither Tish nor Ruby should be in any kind of danger. As a gift to the dying woman, Tish brought Ruby to Sang and Criminy turned her into a bludwoman, giving her a new life as a young predator. Tish finally allowed Criminy to blud her as well, after a near-fatal attack and in her need to chase after the grandmother who no longer needs rescue. Or even care.
As Tish hunts the witch and her grandmother, she grows into the bludwoman she has finally let herself become. The readers see her become the person she was always meant to be.
In the final confrontation, all the events of Tish’s life in Sang come full circle, even the things that happened to Criminy before she arrived. The resolution is surprising and cataclysmic. The change of Tish’s shaky happy for now into a fantastic happy ever after is wonderful and cathartic and a marvelous end to this terrific series.
April 8, 2018
That was a great ending to the series and seeing every thing come full circle. But as much as I loved how it all ended.... I'm going to miss Criminy.... because who doesn't love shirtless vampire magicians? Anyone know where I can get a black victorian top hat? 🤔😂
October 5, 2015
Delilah S. Dawson’s Blud series is one of my all time favorite series. Each book has its own magic that transports the reader to the land of Sang and introduces them to another character’s journey through life. Wicked Ever After is the 4th (or 7th if you include the novellas) in the series and provides the same sense of magic and wonderment as the books that preceded it. Thank you to the publisher for providing a review copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
I was very excited to learn that Criminy and Tish would be the stars of the finale of the Blud series. I never felt like we were given enough of their story since the first book. While we were privy to small snippets of their adventures that tie into the other books, we are mostly kept in the dark about how they are really doing. Dawson does a great job of getting the reader up to speed on how Tish has been adapting to life going back and forth between Sang and Earth. Her Grandmother has still been what keeps her tied to the Earth realm and she doesn’t want to become a Bludwoman until after her Grandmother passes.
One of the things I really like about Wicked Ever After is Dawson’s description of Tish’s feelings on the aging process. She expresses an insecurity that many women feel as we get older. Many women are embarrassed or ashamed to admit they feel this way, but it doesn’t change the fact that they do feel insecure and worry that our partner in life will trade us in for a younger model. I, myself, have felt this way especially after my 3rd child was born. Tish’s expression of insecurity made it easier for me to relate to her on a realistic level. It was good to read that I’m not the only woman who worries about how I will look as I get older.
There were several interesting surprises throughout the book. Some characters really surprised the crap out of me. Others weren’t too surprising, just disappointing that they showed that kind of personality after all we had been through with them.
Another thing I adore about this series is the level to which Criminy loves Tish. He loves her through time and space with a love that is hotter than a thousand suns. He loves her whole-heartedly regardless of how she ages, whether she becomes a Bludwoman or not, whether she can have children or not. Criminy’s love for Tish is unparalleled and unwavering. As unrealistic as his love is, I think it is a love that everyone should experience at some point in life. I wish we could all find a love like Criminy and Tish’s.
Overall, I was satisfied with this book as the ending of the series. There were a few things that made me want to think there could still be more adventures left in Sang, but I won’t expect any more until I am told otherwise. I enjoyed how everything turned out in the end and how the author tied everything together with a pretty little bludbunny hair bob. I enjoyed the writing and creativity, and once again, Delilah S. Dawson transported me to a world that I could truly see in my mind. My only complaint is that it wasn’t long enough for me, but great books never are.
I would NOT recommend reading Wicked Ever After until you have read the other books in the series. If you do choose to read it first, you probably will have no idea what’s going on, so this is your warning. Don’t give this book a negative review just because you decided to start with the last book in a series. That’s just rude. That being said, I would highly recommend reading the entire series as soon as possible. Start with Wicked As They Come. It’s a great series overall, and has an interesting twist on Vampires with something of a Steampunk-like theme.
I was very excited to learn that Criminy and Tish would be the stars of the finale of the Blud series. I never felt like we were given enough of their story since the first book. While we were privy to small snippets of their adventures that tie into the other books, we are mostly kept in the dark about how they are really doing. Dawson does a great job of getting the reader up to speed on how Tish has been adapting to life going back and forth between Sang and Earth. Her Grandmother has still been what keeps her tied to the Earth realm and she doesn’t want to become a Bludwoman until after her Grandmother passes.
One of the things I really like about Wicked Ever After is Dawson’s description of Tish’s feelings on the aging process. She expresses an insecurity that many women feel as we get older. Many women are embarrassed or ashamed to admit they feel this way, but it doesn’t change the fact that they do feel insecure and worry that our partner in life will trade us in for a younger model. I, myself, have felt this way especially after my 3rd child was born. Tish’s expression of insecurity made it easier for me to relate to her on a realistic level. It was good to read that I’m not the only woman who worries about how I will look as I get older.
There were several interesting surprises throughout the book. Some characters really surprised the crap out of me. Others weren’t too surprising, just disappointing that they showed that kind of personality after all we had been through with them.
Another thing I adore about this series is the level to which Criminy loves Tish. He loves her through time and space with a love that is hotter than a thousand suns. He loves her whole-heartedly regardless of how she ages, whether she becomes a Bludwoman or not, whether she can have children or not. Criminy’s love for Tish is unparalleled and unwavering. As unrealistic as his love is, I think it is a love that everyone should experience at some point in life. I wish we could all find a love like Criminy and Tish’s.
Overall, I was satisfied with this book as the ending of the series. There were a few things that made me want to think there could still be more adventures left in Sang, but I won’t expect any more until I am told otherwise. I enjoyed how everything turned out in the end and how the author tied everything together with a pretty little bludbunny hair bob. I enjoyed the writing and creativity, and once again, Delilah S. Dawson transported me to a world that I could truly see in my mind. My only complaint is that it wasn’t long enough for me, but great books never are.
I would NOT recommend reading Wicked Ever After until you have read the other books in the series. If you do choose to read it first, you probably will have no idea what’s going on, so this is your warning. Don’t give this book a negative review just because you decided to start with the last book in a series. That’s just rude. That being said, I would highly recommend reading the entire series as soon as possible. Start with Wicked As They Come. It’s a great series overall, and has an interesting twist on Vampires with something of a Steampunk-like theme.
July 9, 2018
Review originally posted at http://fictionvixen.com/review-wicked...
I can honestly say I’ve missed being in this world. For those of you not familiar with this series, the Blud series is a mix of paranormal and steampunk where even the most delightful, unassuming creature is sure to be deadly. Filled with supernatural creatures in an alternate universe, you never know what you’re going to get.
Everything began when Tish found a locket that brought her to Sang and Criminy Stain. That was six years ago. She’s been living with her devoted, powerful Bludman husband ever since, but taking trips back to the human world to care for her Nana. Only time moves differently in Sang than it does on Earth and she’s aging at a much faster rate. Even though she’s only 32, she looks closer to 60. Criminy doesn’t care what she looks like, he loves her and still shows her every chance he gets. But she’s bothered by her age spots, thinning hair and wrinkles while her husband still looks exactly the same as the day she met him. Regardless of her husband’s repeated attempts to talk her into becoming a Bludman, she resists, knowing that if she does she’ll lose her humanity and the ability to be there for her Nana when she passes.
In a moment of insight, she makes the quick decision to bring her grandmother over to Sang and have Criminy blud her. She doesn’t count on the woman’s personality completely changing the moment she sheds her illness and pain and regains some of her youth. She doesn’t act the same, dress the same and is definitely not the same woman who Tish lovingly remembers. Ready to embrace her chance at a new life, she insists on being called by her given name of Ruby, and it’s not long before she runs off with her new lover, Criminy’s strongman, Torno. Afraid she’s getting herself into a dangerous situation, Tish and Criminy follow and that’s when the fun begins.
I had no idea this book was even happening until it suddenly showed up as available for review. I was more than ready to get back to Tish and Criminy, who are by far my favorite couple in this series. Ms. Dawson left things for them up in the air when she left Tish living her life half on Earth and half in Sang. Criminy can live hundreds of years, and his beloved wife continued to be human, so I always wondered if their story would ever have some finality to it. I can tell you that yes, things definitely come to a complete conclusion and everything gets all wrapped up. In their quest to save Tish’s grandmother, they get help from every character who’s played any significance in this series and Tish finally is forced to become a Bludman.
As always, Criminy is who stole the show for me. He’s sexy and bloodthirsty and powerful. Tish got on my nerves a bit as she whined and worried. While I understood her initial reluctance at fully joining Criminy in his world, I soon realized that wasn’t her only reason. But once she accepted her new life in full I enjoyed her realization that everything from sex to her new, powerful body was better. She comes into her own and in the end saves the day.
The ending is everything I could have wanted. I think this was a nice send off to a series I’ve truly enjoyed. Final Grade- B
Favorite Quote:
I can honestly say I’ve missed being in this world. For those of you not familiar with this series, the Blud series is a mix of paranormal and steampunk where even the most delightful, unassuming creature is sure to be deadly. Filled with supernatural creatures in an alternate universe, you never know what you’re going to get.
Everything began when Tish found a locket that brought her to Sang and Criminy Stain. That was six years ago. She’s been living with her devoted, powerful Bludman husband ever since, but taking trips back to the human world to care for her Nana. Only time moves differently in Sang than it does on Earth and she’s aging at a much faster rate. Even though she’s only 32, she looks closer to 60. Criminy doesn’t care what she looks like, he loves her and still shows her every chance he gets. But she’s bothered by her age spots, thinning hair and wrinkles while her husband still looks exactly the same as the day she met him. Regardless of her husband’s repeated attempts to talk her into becoming a Bludman, she resists, knowing that if she does she’ll lose her humanity and the ability to be there for her Nana when she passes.
In a moment of insight, she makes the quick decision to bring her grandmother over to Sang and have Criminy blud her. She doesn’t count on the woman’s personality completely changing the moment she sheds her illness and pain and regains some of her youth. She doesn’t act the same, dress the same and is definitely not the same woman who Tish lovingly remembers. Ready to embrace her chance at a new life, she insists on being called by her given name of Ruby, and it’s not long before she runs off with her new lover, Criminy’s strongman, Torno. Afraid she’s getting herself into a dangerous situation, Tish and Criminy follow and that’s when the fun begins.
I had no idea this book was even happening until it suddenly showed up as available for review. I was more than ready to get back to Tish and Criminy, who are by far my favorite couple in this series. Ms. Dawson left things for them up in the air when she left Tish living her life half on Earth and half in Sang. Criminy can live hundreds of years, and his beloved wife continued to be human, so I always wondered if their story would ever have some finality to it. I can tell you that yes, things definitely come to a complete conclusion and everything gets all wrapped up. In their quest to save Tish’s grandmother, they get help from every character who’s played any significance in this series and Tish finally is forced to become a Bludman.
As always, Criminy is who stole the show for me. He’s sexy and bloodthirsty and powerful. Tish got on my nerves a bit as she whined and worried. While I understood her initial reluctance at fully joining Criminy in his world, I soon realized that wasn’t her only reason. But once she accepted her new life in full I enjoyed her realization that everything from sex to her new, powerful body was better. She comes into her own and in the end saves the day.
The ending is everything I could have wanted. I think this was a nice send off to a series I’ve truly enjoyed. Final Grade- B
Favorite Quote:
“How is it that every woman I know is a deadly, cunning, beautiful virago?”
“You’re just lucky, I guess,” I said.
October 11, 2015
Criminy’s Clockwork Caravan is a magical place, but it exists in a world where even the cute and fuzzy bunnies have fangs. Sometimes the bright lights and fanciful creatures make you forget about the danger lurking in the background. I think that’s what happened in my case anyway. It’s been nearly two years since I read the last Blud book and I was feeling nostalgic for the whimsical clockwork animals and colorful carnivalleros. I had forgotten how this series so often takes you into the dark places so that you can really appreciate those bright lights.
Tish loves her life in Sang with Criminy Stain, her “naughty Mr. Darcy,” but she’s not exactly happy. She’s been aging at a magically accelerated rate and now looks and feels sixty, while her much older husband still looks twenty. Becoming a bludman like Criminy would reverse the process, but it would also prevent her returning to Earth to care for her dying grandmother. She’s holding on tightly to that last piece of her old life, even though it’s exhausting her. Dawson did a masterful job making me feel what Tish was feeling. But I didn’t particularly want to be so melancholy and miserable.
Tish thinks she’s found a solution for her problems when she hears that her grandmother might be willing to become a vampire. She drags her failing body back to Sang and asks Criminy to change her. But turning Nana into a bludman doesn’t work out quite the way Tish expected. This plot is perhaps more straightforward compared to the other Blud books in the series due to the shorter length—Wicked Ever After is just shy of 200 pages. But there are still some twists and surprises along the way.
I love the supporting cast of performers in both Criminy’s caravan and Demi’s cabaret so I’m happy that they all got some time on the page in this finale. The couples from the other books, including the novellas, all made it in as well in a way that didn’t feel too contrived. Even the one character that I really wanted to see get his own story did (sort of.) I would have liked to see more Vale though.
I’m happy ending the series this way, but it doesn’t leave me much hope for another Blud story in the future. There is one obvious opportunity that I hope Dawson can take advantage of someday. For now I’ll have to content myself with a re-read. I suspect there’s one in my very near future.
I think you could still pick up Wicked Ever After if you haven’t read all of the other books in the series, though I think you’d enjoy it more after all three novels. But you definitely want to read the first book, Wicked as They Come, in which Tish meets Criminy, before reading the end of their story. I would also suggest reading the prequel novella Not My Circus, Not My Monkeys from the Three Slices anthology, which features a younger Criminy Stain.
Sexual content: How do you top the trapeze sex in Wicked After Midnight? With a hot air balloon, of course!
- See more at: http://vampirebookclub.net/review-wic...
Tish loves her life in Sang with Criminy Stain, her “naughty Mr. Darcy,” but she’s not exactly happy. She’s been aging at a magically accelerated rate and now looks and feels sixty, while her much older husband still looks twenty. Becoming a bludman like Criminy would reverse the process, but it would also prevent her returning to Earth to care for her dying grandmother. She’s holding on tightly to that last piece of her old life, even though it’s exhausting her. Dawson did a masterful job making me feel what Tish was feeling. But I didn’t particularly want to be so melancholy and miserable.
Tish thinks she’s found a solution for her problems when she hears that her grandmother might be willing to become a vampire. She drags her failing body back to Sang and asks Criminy to change her. But turning Nana into a bludman doesn’t work out quite the way Tish expected. This plot is perhaps more straightforward compared to the other Blud books in the series due to the shorter length—Wicked Ever After is just shy of 200 pages. But there are still some twists and surprises along the way.
I love the supporting cast of performers in both Criminy’s caravan and Demi’s cabaret so I’m happy that they all got some time on the page in this finale. The couples from the other books, including the novellas, all made it in as well in a way that didn’t feel too contrived. Even the one character that I really wanted to see get his own story did (sort of.) I would have liked to see more Vale though.
I’m happy ending the series this way, but it doesn’t leave me much hope for another Blud story in the future. There is one obvious opportunity that I hope Dawson can take advantage of someday. For now I’ll have to content myself with a re-read. I suspect there’s one in my very near future.
I think you could still pick up Wicked Ever After if you haven’t read all of the other books in the series, though I think you’d enjoy it more after all three novels. But you definitely want to read the first book, Wicked as They Come, in which Tish meets Criminy, before reading the end of their story. I would also suggest reading the prequel novella Not My Circus, Not My Monkeys from the Three Slices anthology, which features a younger Criminy Stain.
Sexual content: How do you top the trapeze sex in Wicked After Midnight? With a hot air balloon, of course!
- See more at: http://vampirebookclub.net/review-wic...
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