Succubus Shadows (Georgina Kincaid, Book 5) [Paperback]

Richelle Mead (Author)

Book Description

Release date: April 1, 2010

Georgina Kincaid has formidable powers. Immortality, seduction, shape-shifting into any human form she desires, walking in heels that would cripple mere mortals - all child’s play to a succubus like her.Helping to plan her ex-boyfriend’s wedding is a different story. Georgina isn’t sure which is worse - that Seth is marrying another woman, or that Georgina has to run all over Seattle trying on bridesmaid dresses. Still, there are distractions. Georgina’s roommate, Roman, is cluttering her apartment with sexual tension. Then there’s Simone, the new succubus in town, who’s intent on corrupting Seth. But the real danger lies in the mysterious force that’s visiting her thoughts, trying to draw her into a dark, otherworldly realm. Sooner or later, Georgina knows she’ll be too weak to resist. And when that happens, she’ll discover who she can trust, who she can’t...and that Hell is far from the worst place to spend eternity.

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Something ominous is tracking reluctant succubus Georgina Kincaid through her effervescent fifth urban fantasy adventure (after 2009's Succubus Heat). An elusive entity that Georgina can't name or fight invades her thoughts and nearly persuades her to kill herself. Georgina's boss, archdemon Jerome, and her angel friend Carter can't even detect the phenomenon, much less figure out how to stop it. Georgina's ex-boyfriend, Seth, is about to marry her friend Maddie, and what with pining after Seth, trying to protect him from another succubus, and being one of Maddie's bridesmaids, Georgia finds that suicide is starting to sound very tempting. Mead's lighthearted romp is plenty of fun on the surface; Georgina's struggles with the gray areas between good and evil provide a powerful undercurrent. (Apr.)
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Review

"Skilfully handled... a pacey read worth getting immersed in" -- Pauline Morgan SF Crowsnest --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Kensington; 1 edition (April 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0758232004
• ISBN-13: 978-0758232007
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (93 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #328,428 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Richelle Mead is an international bestselling author of fantasy books for both adults and teens. Her Georgina Kincaid series follows a reluctant succubus, while her Dark Swan series features a shamanic mercenary caught up in fairy affairs. Over on the young adult side, Richelle writes the much-acclaimed Vampire Academy series and its spin-off, Bloodlines, about a secret society keeping the vampire world hidden from humans.

Richelle's books have been on the New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists and received honors from the American Library Association. Her books have been translated into over two dozen languages, as well as transformed into graphic novels. A lifelong reader, Richelle loves mythology and wacky humor. When not writing, she can be found spending time with her family, buying dresses, and watching bad reality TV. More at: www.richellemead.com

Amazon Author Rankbeta 

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#20 in Books > Teens

#20 in Books > Teens

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Review from the book review blog, Book Faery March 30, 2010

By Tori [Book Faery] VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

Georgina doesn't seem to get a break. After dealing with numerous life threatening events--in not even a year--our favorite succubus has a new problem: planning a marriage. But this isn't just any marriage, mind you. This is a marriage that she secretly wishes would not transpire.

It doesn't end there, though. She's now being stalked by a mysterious "siren's song." This strange presence only seems to approach her when she's at her lowest, and provides a sense of escape from her depression with promises of warmth and support. Yet, even with this aura attempting to lure her through some sort of dimensional gate, Georgina's wary. For good reason.

Initially, I thought that Richelle was losing her touch because the start to Succubus Shadows was too slow for my tastes. It seemed as if it was the same issues we saw Georgina struggling with in the last book--Seth proposing to another woman coupled with her inability to cope--were being overdone. But once you get past the slow start, the new direction taken is redeemed in my eyes.

Powerful doesn't give this book justice. Georgina's struggles (emotional and moral) are not only believable but also moving. I even found myself empathizing with the the poor immortal suffering from depression. If you had to deal with all the paranormal issues she dealt with, and witness the person you were madly in love with parading around with their new significant other, I'm pretty sure you'd be feeling pretty bummed out too. I know I'd be ready to demand a vacation.

With that said, I may be the only one, but I'm not a huge fan of Seth anymore. I don't want to see Georgina's life keep going "in circles"--which is something readers are shown through a series of dreams from Georgie's past. I want to see her embrace her life, even if embracing said life means attempting a relationship with another immortal. Maybe someone like... Roman!

The cliffhanger Mead ends Succubus Shadows with made me want to scream. Not out of frustration, but simply because I want to know why. I have my suspicions now about Seth, but I think I'm looking too into the text, when in actuality, the answer could be simpler.

If you've read the first four Georgina Kincaid books, then you will not want to miss out on Succubus Shadows. You will not be disappointed--and if you're like me, you'll be dying for the next book.

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars What?! Nooooo, don't stop there! April 3, 2010

By C. Hays

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

That's what I said when this book ended: "What?! Nooooo, don't stop there!" I love this series and I love Richelle Mead - no one does heart-wrenching angst as well as she does. However, in spite of the fact that I read this book in one day because I couldn't put it down, I do have several criticisms.

I thought this book was going to be the one to finally reveal all, to confirm what we've suspected since book two with regard to who Seth is to Georgina - what they are to each other, really - and what really happened with this whole contract with Hell business. So, I was really disappointed when it didn't happen. I think that's why I went through it so fast... I was rushing to get to the big climax, only to be left unsatisfied.

The plot was really weak. The only real purpose of this book in terms of moving the story forward seems to be to fill in a little more of Georgina's back story (aka provide us with even more evidence of what I think we already know, right?)and *SPOILER ALERT* have a reason for Seth to get shaken out of his misguided engagement to Maddie so he and Georgina can get back together and finally figure things out. I'd also like to say that I'm beginning to feel some annoyance with the on again off again back and forth rehashing of reasons this relationship can't work but must work... we need resolution now, please.

So,what we have here is a transition book to make sure we are fully prepared for the next/final book - rumor has it there will only be one more and I think that's how it should be... well, actually I think this book and the next one should have been combined somehow, but I'm not going to complain about having a little more time with Georgina and the gang.

In spite of the flaws, I still really liked this book. There's something about this author's style that makes everything interesting... I could probably happily read her grocery lists. I can't quite put my finger on what it is she does, but whatever it is works. It will be torture waiting for the next book.

20 of 25 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally digging deeper into Georgina's past!! March 30, 2010

By J. Evans VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

As an ongoing series these books must be read in order and book 5 continues where the previous left off.

Georgina is bombarded several new woes in her life. On top of having to learn to live without Seth, she now somehow gotten herself named a bridesmaid at his wedding, as well as dealing with a visiting Succubus who has made it her mission to conquer Seth, and a very odd relationship growing with Roman, oh and did I mention an unknown force that is out to kidnap her from this world?

Whenever Georgina finds herself in the throes of depression(which is often) an odd force or entity appears in her dreams like a siren's song to rescue her from it all. Or is it to kidnap her from it all? This unknown entity forces Georgina to relive painful memories from both her mortal life and her immortal one in order to feed off her energy. But are all the memories they show her true?

As a reader you find yourself just as confused as the character while she is reliving these past memories and just as tortured. I found the book to be both exciting and heartbreaking. I loved that this book covers a lot of how Georgina became who she is today by reliving many memories from her very long life. I've always wanted to know so much more about her past and this book delivers exactly that. You get to see how Georgina became the uncharacteristically compassionate minion of hell that she is now.