Books, Yarn, Ink and Other Pursuits

Aug 3, 2011

Review: The Deadliest Bite by Jennifer Rardin

The Book:

All Jaz and Vayl wanted to do was take a few days off before getting back to unlocking the secret of the Rocenz. With Brude in her head (a constant pain in so many ways) Jaz has only a short time left before she loses her soul, unless she can carve his name into the gates of Hell. An assassination attempt on Vayl at their doorstep was the least they expected - as was the person behind it. Gathering the group together for a trip to Romania, and Vayl's roots, the team takes the fight to the source: Hell itself.

The Yarn:

Jaz and Vayl are trying to enjoy a little alone time (with a sexy game of hide and seek) when an assassin strikes at their doorstep. Jaz's "kill first ask questions later" technique is superseded by some surprise information from Cassandra and Raoul. However the assassin is not the last surprise that Jaz and Vayl receive as the team gathers together one more time to help Jaz save the day - and herself.

This book is the eighth and last of the Jaz Parks series, due to Rardin's untimely death last year. Luckily for fans it gives an tidy ending to Jaz and her group and answers a lot of the questions that have been asked through the series. There is no let down in the action as Jaz, Vayl, Bergman, Cassandra, Cole, Dave and even Raoul gather together to take on demons and ghosts, along with a wedding, a baby, and a few family members in between. Rardin delivers a strong story and balances the fights and mayhem with a lot of humor.

I have enjoyed all the books in this series and am sorry to see its end. These books definitely build on each other and there is little backstory given so readers will want to start at the beginning with Once Bitten, Twice Shy. Urban fantasy enthusiasts who like a sharp and funny heroine that knows how to kick some butt will enjoy this series.

The Ink:

Title: The Deadliest Bite (Jaz Parks, #8)
Author: Jennifer Rardin
Publisher: Orbit
Date: June 2011
Read: NetGalley ebook