Blood Politics

Blood Destiny, Book 4

By: Helen Harper

Narrated by: Saskia Maarleveld

Length: 8 hrs and 46 mins

Publisher's summary

You'd think that life would finally be dealing Mack Smith a kind hand. Living in London and with the opening of the new and improved city version of Clava Books mere days away, things appear to be settling down.

Other than the terrible nightmares about dragons, that is. Or the fact that she's being constantly tailed by a string of mages, shifters, and faeries, all of whom are constantly demanding her attention. And that's without even bringing the temptation of Corrigan, Lord Alpha of the Brethren, into the equation. Then, when a local dryad asks her for some help, things really start to fire up. There are some long, hot summer days ahead.…

©2013 Helen Harper (P)2014 Tantor

Seriously Screwed

Mac had no idea what she is in for. The Other world has become her life. She is a permanent fixture within its grasp. Not only that, but every faction wants a piece of her action. Mac finds herself with a whole new mess in her hands. But, in the end she gives up everything she wants for the "Others"!

A Roller Coaster All the Way

I am not the kind of person that becomes absorbed by audiobooks easily, which is why these little-known books are such an incredible surprise to me. In the Blood Destiny series, Helen Harper has created an outstanding balance between world building and character development, often conveyed in a way that I am not expecting.

This book, HANDS DOWN, has got to be the best so far in the series. I laughed myself silly multiple times--and cried a bit at the end. Mack's normal scathing wit is still present, but she continues to reflect personal growth through increased control and self reflection with none of the irritating back-sliding found in many other popular urban fantasies. A delightful turn leaves newer character, Aubrey (master vampire), as a constant source of ridiculous fun, though to be honest I almost had a nervous breakdown when he first appeared in this book. Additionally, Corrigan makes juuust enough frequent and short appearances when he is not directly involved in the proceedings to prevent the story from feeling like an obstacle to the wicked fun interactions between he and Mack.

Oh, and the story? Instead of thrusting us directly into a stagnant world of magical intrigue, Mack's new situation is conveyed through a creative slant: taking a vacation from it all. Of course, the relaxation part of the vacation goes up in a ball of fiery death almost instantly when Mack volunteers to run a few harmless errands during her free time. Who knew helping out some gentle dryads and a greedy troll could cause so much mayhem?

Almost every character that has been introduced in the series makes an appearance in either memory or reality, but their placement and timing are so well done that it doesn't feel like a single scene is frivolous. Of course, I do have some small complaints--several major characters are described exactly the same in every single book, and their descriptions are so sparse that it is a noticeable feature. It would be great to get a new detail thrown in every now and again to flesh out their image--though this may be done on purpose to allow the reader's imagination to fill in the blanks. Also, there is some rare word repetition (example: "She noticed the gleam of the silver, gleaming dagger," or something like that). The quality of the content tends to highlight these mistakes, although there are only one or two instances of it. Saskia Maarleveld does a fabulous job when this happens, never indicating any sort of awkward hitch or pause in her reading.

Oh and, by the way, I had never heard of Saskia Maarleveld before listening to these audiobooks. I don't think there's any way I could forget her after her performance on this series, though! Her skill at conveying a variety of emotions for a multitude of different characters while maintaining their unique accents, pitches, and speech patterns completely amazes and captivates me. Would I love these books so much if I were reading them directly? I honestly don't think so because my reading voice sucks toads compared to her performance, and she lends a dimension to the story that I could never give. I hope Harper and Maarleveld continue to work together for the next forty years, because I don't think they would ever produce a novel I wouldn't want to listen to. In fact, I think I'm going to go listen to the next book right now!

Sped right through it!

What made the experience of listening to Blood Politics the most enjoyable?

I have listened to all 4 books in the last week! I also deliver mail so I have been plugged in. And I havent been able to turn it off! Right now I have 3 chapters left, and I think I may be itching my neck waiting to listen to it. I wish they were longer, I tend to get books more like 20 hours long so I keep getting surprised when they end so soon. I very much wish that it was 2 books instead of 4. They go into great detail which is very nice and makes you feel like youre experiencing the book right there with them. I just wish there was more!
I also happened to listen to the first 2 and the next day the 3rd and 4th came out, so my timing was absolutely perfect!
Enjoy!!!

What did you like best about this story?

FINALLY - You will know what I mean.

Have you listened to any of Saskia Maarleveld’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I actually have, I really do enjoy that she acts it out rather than reading it in a monotone voice. She actually enunciates as if she has read the book, unlike some readers.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The whole darn thing!

Any additional comments?

MORE MORE MORE

Blood politics

I really like her books I do not like that max is so angry all the time And I'm sorry that it took herso long to find out Who are soulmates is And then she's so angry all the time

Blood Politics (Blood Destiny Book 4)

OMG I love this series, I am hooked on these books. Every time I think something is going to happen, its something new. Such a roller coaster , I can't put the book down. Definitely recommend this series and book. I love listening to this and reading in between.

Wow

I am so devastating by this ending I want it all to get better. Great series and recommend book but have to hear the next one now

CAN'T GET ENOUGH

I have finally come around to the narrator's voice and have to say I was able to get into the audio book more because of it, so stick with it if you're not sure, it gets better performance wise. I think I'm definitely going to listen to the 5th one (duh) because I've already come this far lol... I've already read through the series as well as the Corrigan books twice, and now I'm listening to Mack's story for the first time through while also reading the Corrigan series side by side, which I highly recommend doing. I already knew what was coming, but I'm still heart broken for Mack's situation. Am I the only one who wishes this was a TV series???

great book

awesome books loge it and can't wait to start the next one. the story line is very good and keeps you wanting more

I'm really enjoying this series

I'm enjoying the series, the story, the characters-- but so often the main character Mac is so dumb-- and that's annoying. she'll learn something, but continue to talk about something else (which has been proved untrue by the new insight she has- that she continuously ignores to apparently add drama into her life/story???) it is so irritating. otherwise the series is really fun...

I disagree with the negative reviews

I'm not sure what all of the complaints about this book (and others in the series) are about. I really like the characters and the story. In this book, Mack is new to politics and not used to being manipulated by people so much. They have switched tactics from trying to control her to manipulation. It took her a while (in other books) to break away from being controlled and I am sure she will do the same with manipulation.

She is also prickly and hot tempered, but has learned to control it. She is still finding the balance and sometimes goes to extremes in being too angry and too passive.

I have seen complaints about Helen Harper killing off characters. I don't think these books are meant to be light little paranormal romance novels, they are almost in the same category as the Anita Blake books (but with a lot less horror and a lot less sex). Mack and Anita are similar in their complexity and temperament.

I have not been able to stop listening to the series. As soon as I finish one, I download the next one. I am glad the series will wrap up though, I have things I need to do. :)