Customer Reviews

Servant: The Kindred

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If you have read the first two Servant stories by L.L. Foster, you definitely don't want to miss this one, the last in the series. Gaby and Luther are trying to be a semi-normal couple and are attempting to live together. Gaby has given Bliss her old apartment over Mort's comic shop. As those who have read this series previously know, Gaby is special. She is a paladin of sorts, led by God to hunt down evil. She has above average speed and strength and can heal more quickly than normal humans. In an effort to trust each other more, Gaby and Luther more or less work together when a new case comes up. Gaby is drawn from the bedroom by her instinct (or whatever it is!) and Luther comes along for the first time. This begins her hunt to find a madman, maybe the greatest foe she has had to face. He drains victims of their blood like a vampire, but when he is done he feasts on the meat. Plenty gory enough. Foster does an excellent job here wrapping up all the relationships between the characters. The best moments of this book were those where Gaby is being 'super' Gaby hunting down the bad guys. While I liked seeing Gaby gain more control of her gift, I thought their was way more sex than this story needed. It was a shock coming from where the previous books really had no sex scenes per se. I was still satisfied by the ending of the book, but I am saddened that this is the end of the series. I will miss Gaby and her friends. Foster did a great thing here with a darker genre and I hope she ventures into this field again.

Paladin Gabrielle "Gabby" Cody and police detective Luther Cross are trying to find a common ground as they fall in love. She as God's warrior enforcer uses methods outside the law that he is obligated to enforce.

However, her biggest concern is her desire for Luther interfering with her higher calling. As she struggles with love, an evil predator is devouring human bodies and souls. She knows the monster is coming for her, but that does not frighten her as she has dealt with malevolent beings for years; though her need for her beloved distracts her. However, the couple realizes the beast is targeting children playing in a playground to force Gabby into a confrontation on the creature's terms.

The third Servant thriller is a super romantic urban fantasy. The lead couple struggle with a beast and with their attraction as their differing methods do not make for easy bed talk. The story line is fast-paced and filled with action as the vile creature controls the altercation. Fans will enjoy the latest entry while newcomers should read the previous novels (see THE ACCEPTANCE and THE AWAKENING) to better understand the fabulous world of L.L. Foster and the dysfunctional loving relationship between the lead sleuths.

Harriet Klausner

I was really looking forward to the last book, and was not disappointed. There was suddenly a lot of sex after the first 2 books, but since this is Lori Foster (L.L. Foster) book, it is her style. I had actually missed some of that in the first 2.

Seeing Gabby get better control and hurt less was really nice. She really deserves happiness after her tough upbringing. It made sense that she would actually have a hard time feeling good and fight against change. Thankfully her man was there to see her through and support her.

I highly recommend you read the previous books in this series (The Awakening and the Acceptance) before reading this novel. This is the last installment of the Servant trilogy.

I've had my ups and downs w/ this series, mainly the first book, the Awakening. Regardless of the first installment, each installment seems to get better and better. This book was excellent from start to finish.

Gaby, a Paladin and vigilante has decided to let Luther into her heart, as well as her body. However, that proves difficult when her "calling" runs on its own schedule. On top of learning to trust Luther, accepting and appreciating her new friends, as well as new life; Gaby has to track down a sadistic killer who has a palate for human flesh and unquenchable thirst for human blood.

In this last installment, Gaby meets the most formidable nemesis she will probably ever meet. There was great twisted humor, action, excitement, mystery and suspenseful twist and turns throughout. Gaby is my favorite and one of the best and bad-a$$ heroines you'll find in urban fantasy today.

If you're looking for an urban fantasy series that doesn't cater to a whiny, pouty and too-stupid-to-live heroines, give this series a try. I'm sad to say that I'm sorry the series is ending and I will miss it tremendously (and after this novel, it has finally been proven to me, that Gaby hasn't been killing sick ugly people but actual malicious nefarious criminals). I highly recommend this book and series to dark urban fantasy readers.

I also recommend these books below, as well as their entire series:
Naked in Death (In Death, Book 1)
Skinwalker (Jane Yellowrock, Book 1)
Mark of the Demon
Red-Headed Stepchild (Sabina Kane)
Bad Blood (Crimson Moon, Book 1)

I really loved this Three Book Series!! Foster does a wonderful job in creating this new storyline. You must read these in order: 1) SERVANT ~ THE AWAKENING, 2) SERVANT ~ THE ACCEPTANCE, 3) SERVANT ~ THE KINDRED. Definitely a "dark" style series with an intriguing twist. Great sexual tension finally rewarded in the 3rd book. My only warning: Beware of the bad language throughout... I would love to read more in this series!!! GREAT WORK FOR LORI FOSTER AKA L.L. FOSTER.

Paladin Gaby Cody has a duty to do God's work on Earth, but things in her life are changing. She's now living with Det. Luther Cross, and finding the feelings she has for him are hindering her abilities to stay on target. Luther loves Gaby with all his heart, and he wants to protect her. He's still not sure about all her abilities, but he's willing to trust her, even if it's a hard thing to do.



When an evil force in town is obviously into cannibalism and drinking blood, Gaby knows he has to be stopped. But there are two different ways to do it: her way, and Luther's way. Will their differing viewpoints cause problems, or will they learn to work together to eliminate the evil in their town?



Servant: The Kindred is the third book in L.L. Foster's series, and according to her website it's the last, which saddens me. This series is dark, gritty and doesn't pull any punches. I've enjoyed getting to know Gaby and Luther, and this last book, to me, was the best of them all, showing the way this couple blended together and how their lives changed with love. I hate the idea that the series is ending, just when two new characters have been added and my appetite has been whetted for more.



Gaby is a no-nonsense woman, who insists on following her calling. Still, she's toned it down for Luther, and still manages to get done what needs to be done. I have always liked Luther's character, and in this book he takes on a new dimension to me, learning to trust the woman he loves and teaching her how to love herself.



Servant: The Kindred is a dark urban fantasy that is sure to thrill lovers of hard-nosed stories. Still, it has enough tenderness in it to pull at heartstrings and endear characters to the reader. This book is a great addition to a series I hate to see ending.

Amelia
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

The life of a paladin is not an easy one... and things are about to get even more complicated for Gabrielle "Gaby" Cody!

Gaby is used to doing things on her own but Detective Luther Cross is determined to be a part of her life. On top of that, Gaby now has friends like Mort and Bliss, friends who have helped her learn to care about more than just vanquishing evil. A new evil is attacking her city, though, one that leaves bodies drained of blood. Gaby will have to balance her newly developed sense of compassion and fairness with the drive to destroy this evil before all is lost to her. Will her relationship with her friends and Luther survive?

THE KINDRED is the third book in this darkly alluring series from L.L. Foster. Gaby is a heroine that definitely grows on the reader. She is blunt, almost painfully so, but her relationships and friendships have softened her somewhat. While THE KINDRED is basically a stand alone story with no hanging threads, it is a book better appreciated in the context of the series as a whole because of those relationships.

Gaby's story takes a bit of a turn in THE KINDRED. Caring about others and showing compassion are foreign to her as she has been honed as an instrument for judgment. L.L. Foster does a beautiful job at showing us Gaby's growth as a character and not allowing her to stagnate in the role of a tortured heroine set solely on meting out justice.

THE KINDRED is a dark and very gritty tale. Some readers may find that the demons Gaby faces are too horrific to contemplate, particularly in this latest endeavor in which societal taboos are broken. It is exactly this contrast, however, that makes Gaby's story so unique. She shines a light of hope in a world of darkness and yet still maintains an air of humility and willingness to grow. She truly is a paladin and L.L. Foster is to be commended for crafting such a beautiful character. Phenomenal world building and superb character development make THE KINDRED highly recommended!

COURTESY OF CK2S KWIPS AND KRITIQUES

I thought the series was fascinating, and I really loved this last book!

Becky Barker

Great series and one of the best books I have read in a long time.