It's raining demons in Atlanta, and Quincy Harker and the Shadow Council are humanity's last great hope for survival.
The demon Orobas has a plan to destroy the world, and only Harker and his team of legacy folk heroes can stop him. Standing against the rising tide of darkness are Harker, the immortal magic-wielding son of Jonathan Harker and Mina Murray, Detective Rebecca Gail Flynn of the Charlotte Police Department, and Harker's uncle Luke, who most people know better as Vlad Dracula. Alongside them fight the descendants of legends - the mysterious Adam, Dr. Watson's great-grandson Jack, Jo Henry, descended from the famous steel driver John Henry, and Gabby Van Helsing, whose ancestor was Luke's greatest rival.
This band of humans and monsters have to save the world from Orobas, and whatever terrible force is lurking behind him.
John G. Hartness is a teller of tales, a righter of wrong, defender of ladies’ virtues, and some people call him Maurice, for he speaks of the pompatus of love.
He is also the award-winning author of the urban fantasy series The Black Knight Chronicles (Bell Bridge Books), the Bubba the Monster Hunter comedic horror series, the Quincy Harker, Demon Hunter dark fantasy series, and many other projects.
In 2016, John teamed up with a pair of other publishing industry ne’er-do-wells and founded Falstaff Books, a small press dedicated to publishing the best of genre fictions “misfit toys.” In his copious free time John enjoys long walks on the beach, rescuing kittens from trees and playing Magic: the Gathering.
For free short stories and to follow his activities and appearances on his newsletter, follow this link - http://eepurl.com/fV4In
This is book 8 in the series. Events build off previous books, so it’s best to listen to these all in order. This review may contain spoilers to earlier books.
The whole team is back together again trying to find Orobas and they've traveled to Atlanta. What better way for a villain to stage a major event of chaos than at a gathering of tens of thousands of people. The clock is ticking and it's not just one threat. I love how all these characters work together to not only stop Orabas but all the various creatures who have literally surfaced to fight. While Harker and Flynn are great - Gabby really shines (can she be considered shiny?) here. She's like the spunky, opinionated, and scary little sister of the team.
While the immediate threat is vanquished, as always there's more for Harker and his ever growing band of misfits to fight.
Narration: James Anderson Foster continues to be perfect for this series. As Hartness continues to add more and more main characters as well as adversaries - it's a showcase of Foster's immense talent. Voices, emotions, and the ever present snark are awesome.
If you're offended by dockside language or the mechanics of demon slaying, this series is not for you. If you appreciate excellent snarks, movie quotes, and gawdawful puns, you'll love this series as much as I do. Each book is about novella length, much more manageable than so many of the ultralong ones out there. The publisher's blurb gives clues and more, so no spoilers here. It really made my afternoon a good one! James Foster gives an excellent performance as narrator!
Out of all the stories in this series. This one was the most fun to read. I only wish to have more action from Uncle Luke. Mr. Hartness has written some of the most engaging stories I've had the pleasure to read. I can only hope that he continues to produce them and I get to read them
Eight novella of the series, fourth book of "The Cambion Cycle: Quincy Harker Year Two", Heaven Can Wait completes the first major story-arc for Quincy Harker.
All the action delivered in book #7 continues in book #8, but the ending ties up a trifle fast, though is emotionally satisfying, so not too fast.
Read the "Year Two" collection, and then had a chance to listen to the audiobook like I did with the first one. Once again, the guy reading it did a great job, performing the characters and not merely reading the text.
The conclusion to year two, Harker and gang are set for the battle to save earth. As Orobas attempts to open a new permanent barrier, we meet the puppet master in a final battle that will have far reaching consequences for one of the team. Good final book, roll on year three!!!
I am addicted to Quincy Harker, Demon Hunter novellas. I am addicted to the books and audiobooks. I look forward to the latest release with as much anticipation as I previously looked forward to the Cadbury Easter chocolates. Each book continues to build on the previous in a way that very, very few series are ever able to do. The fact that this is Book 8 in the series and I am still deeply invested in the characters speaks volumes about the author's talent.
Quincy has meet up with his group in Atlanta where they believe the next Demonic Super Event will occur. It is up to Quincy and his groups to stop them. If you are not familiar with the Quincy Harker series, get yourself started as quickly as possible. They are well worth it. Quincy's fiancee Rebecca is joined by Gabby Van Helsing, Dr. Watson, Jo Henry and Adam. Adam does not care to use his father's last name. It has the potential to cause villages to form mobs armed with pitchforks and flaming torches. Quincy's Uncle Luke is also helping. If you are not familiar with Quincy's Uncle Luke, you should know that his name at birth was Vlad Tepes. Imagine the Georgia Dome, the Atlanta Falcon's NFL team in a playoff game and Uncle Luke walking around in a Matty Ice jersey and Falcon's baseball cap. Not your parent's Dracula? No, Uncle Luke is even better.
As with the previous books, the humor is delightful. The humor never overshadows the mystery or terror that comes from Hell. It is an incredible balancing act to find the right combination and timing for the humor, mystery and terror. From Book 1 to Book 8 the quality of writing has remained very, very high. My interest has not flagged at all. In fact I am eagerly awaiting the next book.
This series and the other works written by this author are amazing. With many options in this genre available, I'm pleased to have found the Quincy Harker series. With intelligent, creative, and very entertaining writing, I highly recommend these books.
I have to admit the usual when it comes to Hartness and Gilbert's work: not quite as much fun as a bunch or puppies or kittens, but very close. Bonus: reading "Heaven can Wait" is much easier to clean up after. No shredded toilet paper, unless that is your thing. The only danger a reader must face is that this season ender sets up a great third season to wait for. Not to mention a new series to drool over.
This is the season finale for Quincy Harker's second series. Reading "Heaven can Wait" is a fantastic way to start the new year. If you have never read any of the Quincy Harker series go ahead and do yourself a favor: get season 1 first then go ahead and pick up season two. If you can't wait that long and have been grabbing up every single segment as you go along, don't deprive yourself of this one. You're just being mean to yourself.
When we last left "Uncle Luke" (Dracula) and Quincy Harker, they had figured out a major demon named Orabas was going to try to take over the earth as a side project, with Heaven as his objective. The current Renfield had been destroyed.
Along the way Harker has made some allies, although usually with a lot of bruises involved: Detective Rebecca Flynn, Gabriella (Gabby--she's got a valley girl vibe yet still can sport a slasher smile) Van Helsing, Quincy's guardian angel Glory, and of course his infamous uncle Luke.
The finale adds some new allies that are so fun I can't wait to see what the new series with them looks like. The new allies are called the "Shadow Council" with members like John Watson (yes, the descendant of that John Watson), Jo Henry (the descendant of John Henry, the one we sing about), and finally, Adam (I'm not sure if he is of the Shadow Council but a reader can hope) Frankenste--I mean Franks
I called the story "dark" but it is also "funny as Hell" in the vein of Army of Darkness or Evil Dead 2. You would have to get ferrets dancing in order to equal this much fun reading about these characters. As far as I know, the Shadow Council doesn't poop on the floor for everyone else to pick up.
Oh, and we finally get to see Glory as a being, rather than the "straight woman" she usually plays to counter Quincy's snark. Glory's character is finally getting the character development she deserves.
I can't say much more without spoilers, and this book is too much fun to miss.
Thanks again, Mr. Hartness, for entertaining the h--- out of me and making me laugh while I'm wading through the gore. This time out, Quincy and his merry band of psychotic heroes are trying to stop a demonic plan to bring Hell to Earth. Just another Thursday in Atlanta. Keep the funny and the edgy and the supernatural coming, with a good dose of irreverence (and lots of blood). Can't wait to see what's next!