Succubus Shadows (Georgina Kincaid #5) By: Richelle Mead (Book Review)

 (This review will contain spoilers) 

Summary:

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...

I don't know how but this book was good and bad all at the same time! You guys know how I feel about Seth. I just don't think he's right for Georgina. I think she deserves someone she can spend her immortality with that understands what she went through and doesn't judge her for her succubus tendencies. But evidently, Mead is gonna make these two be together no matter what. I feel like this series has such an amazing and interesting world but it's focusing on the wrong story to tell. For instance, the story of how Jerome fell and became a demon simply because he fell in love with a human woman and had twins with. That would be such an amazing story from start to finish! Let's be honest here. Despite Jerome having his tough exterior and trying to show he's a badass with no heart he left his twins alone for thousands of years and was stuck in a hard place when they were creating havoc so he had to intervene. But given the chance, he made a deal with Roman and is letting him stay in his territory. Granted, not a huge sentimental thing but still proves that Jerome cares for him. I feel like Mead could really have expanded in this world and could have written other and expanded other characters' stories. A world with several theologies and mythologies co-existing? That's pretty darn cool!

From the get go Georgina was not her normal cheery self. She had a dark cloud following her around and not surprisingly a supernatural force was after her. The Oneiroi who are one of many children of Nyx went after Georgina to seek out revenge and to steal her energy to release their mother from her prison. The Oneiroi are spirits of dreams and were able to capture and imprison Georgina in the dream world. The way they were able to torture and steal her energy was by making her dream either painful memories or showing her dreams that have been altered to make her feel pain. 

It was nice being able to get a more in-depth look at her life. A truly eye opening moment in the never-ending war between Heaven and Hell was the realization during the Renaissance era evil encouraged the destruction of art and culture to grow the flames of hate. Anything that was not aligned with the message of the church was ordered to be taken and burned. Georgina is a lover of art and literature. This was the moment when she realized she might not be as evil as she originally she thought she was.

Georgina being stuck in the dream world/dimension no one not even Jerome is able to find/sense her. It was stated several times over that once you've entered the dream dimension there is no getting out. And anything short of a miracle could not help get her out of there. But guess what?!? Seth and their crazy love story was able to save her. A magical circle with Seth and boom! His spirit suddenly finds her even though it was supposed to be impossible? Sounds like a soulmate storyline to me which I'm not very enthusiastic about. The Oneiroi went to the Earth dimension once Georgina escapes with the help of Seth. With them being destroyed by Jerome, Georgina ended up having this huge overreaction and acting almost animalistic. I wish we would have seen more of how fragmented she was after all the mental torture she endured. She forgot all her years as a succubus, slept for 3 days and woke up normal? Not realistic, especially with the reaction she had but I guess the story must go on. 

It's becoming more and more predictable but from everything that has been shown to us that Seth and Georgina are endgame. Apparently, there were two contracts one for Georgina but the other unknown. I'm thinking that her husband at the time made a dealer but somehow they counteract each other? Either way, I hate those two together! Seth had a mid-life crisis, left Maddie and went away on vacation. Of course, Georgina runs after him like a love sick puppy. But to make the whole situation even worse is that they decide to re-unite and have another shot at love. BUT, paparazzi got a shot of those two kissing and it was all over the tabloids. Everyone at work found out including Maddie. I understand that Georgina has good intentions but the road to hell was paved with good intentions. 

Rating: 

I am going to give Succubus Shadows 3 stars on 5. If it wasn't for the fact that Mead created such a unique and interesting world then the rating for this book would be a lot lower. I love the world created but not the story that is being focused on. I feel the mundane love story is just holding this series back. It's ironic that Georgina a Succubus who tries to not commit evil acts unintentionally commits them anyway. She hurt her best friend by having an affair with her fiancé behind her back and she ends up finding out about them! That's a shitty situation to be in but to be so selfish just shows how evil one can be. If loving someone causes that much pain then maybe it might not be worth it.