Mandy Reviews: Killing Rites by M. L. N. Hanover

ISBN #: 978-1439176344

Page Count: 367

Copyright: 2011

Publisher: Pocket Books

Book Summary:

(Taken from back cover)

Jayne Heller's luck had to run out sometime. After a year as the heir to a magic kingdom - even if there were monsters in it - she learned the hard way that nothing was what it seemed. It turns out Jayne isn't protected by magic courtesy or her dead uncle; she's demon-possessed.

On the run to avoid the repercussions of a crime she had no choice but to commit, Jayne has whittled her group of trusted companions down to one: Ex, the former priest who may hold the key to cleansing the demon rider from her body. Her friends back in Chicago, fearing that her rider has taken the reins, try to find her, unaware that their search only puts Jayne in even greater danger. To save herself, Jayne must overcome the weight of the past and defeat a new, unexpected enemy, but this time all she has to work with are a rogue vampire she once set free and the nameless thing hiding inside her skin.

Mandy's Review:

Killing Rites is the fourth book in The Black Sun's Daughter series. To read my reviews on the first three books, click here for Unclean Spirits (Book One), here for Darker Angels (Book Two) and here for Vicious Grace (Book Three).

I swear, with each book, this series keeps getting better and better.

Jayne and Ex have gone off by themselves after finishing their business in Vicious Grace. Chogyi Jake has stayed in Chicago to finish healing from his surgery. Aubrey and Kim have gotten back together to see if they can rekindle the flame that used to be between them.

While they're alone, Jayne confesses to Ex that she believes she has a rider and that the rider is what causes her to be great in fights, not the magic they thought her Uncle Eric had put on her. Ex, wanting to rescue a damsel in distress, takes Jayne to a group of priests to get her exorcised.

Of course, while they're there, other demons come into play and Jayne helps to solve the potentially disastrous situation.

Will Jayne become free of her demon? Will Ex finally be able to claim Jayne as his own? Will the "family" Jayne built with Ex, Chogyi Jake and Aubrey ever come together again?

I loved that this book focused mainly on Jayne and trying to solve her problems. There was a situation she helped to solve, yes, but it wasn't as involved as it has been in the first three books. This was mainly about Jayne.

I also appreciated that the author finally revealed what 'The Black Sun's Daughter' was. I was beginning to wonder if it'd ever be revealed.

Of course, the author left off with a cliffhanger ... which is going to drive me crazy until the fifth book comes out.

I highly, highly, highly recommend this series to all you urban fantasy book lovers out there ... Go get this series!!!! =)