Review - Diabolical (Tantalize #4) by Cynthia Leitich Smith

Title: Diabolical

Author: Cynthia Leitich Smith

Series: 4th (Tantalize, Eternal, Blessed)

Pages: 368

Published: January 24th 2012 by Candlewick Press 

ISBN:  9780763651183

Source: Publisher via Netgalley

 

Description: Prepare for a hell of a ride as Cynthia Leitich Smith calls on characters from her previous novels - and conjures up new ones - for a climactic showdown.  When "slipped" angel Zachary and his werewolf pal, Kieren, arrive under suspicious circumstances to a mysterious New England boarding school, they quickly find themselves in a hellish lockdown with an intriguing assortment of secretive, hand-picked students. Plagued by demon dogs, hallucinatory wall décor, a sadistic instructor, and a legendary fire-breathing monster, will they somehow manage to escape? Or will the devil have his due? Best-selling author Cynthia Leitich Smith unites heroes from the previous three novels in the Tantalize Series - including Zachary's girl, Miranda, and Kieren's love, Quincie - along with a fascinating cast of all-new characters for a suspenseful, action-packed clash between the forces of heaven and hell.

I Give This ...

 

I've kept at this series hoping to capture what I loved in book two.  Second book in the series, but it's the first one I read (luckily, I don't feel it matters which order you read the 1st and 2nd).  It's come close with each one, but with some many different story lines and characters, it was hard to get the same feel.

I honestly think I enjoyed this one the most after Eternal.  I finally felt like all the pieces of the story came together the way they should.  Although, I do feel like a continuation is possible with two of the characters, I think I might stop with this series right here.

I enjoyed how there are so many forces at work here.  I'm sure the real targets were Quince and Zachary, but the story included everyone.  I was afraid one of them might do something to jeopardize the chances, but the devil has nothing on these two. 

The story can get a little cheesy at times.   I feel its better suited to younger teens that aren't looking for a lot of depth and through provoking dialogue.  But, I've enjoyed the series since I first discovered it.

 

Blessed (Tantalize #3) by Cynthia Leitich Smith

Title: Blessed

Author: Cynthia Leitich Smith

Series: Last in Tantalize

Pages: 480

Published: February 8, 2011 by Candlewick

ISBN:  9780763643263

Source: ARC from Star Book Tours

 

Description: Quincie P. Morris, teen restaurateuse and neophyte vampire, is in the fight of her life — or undeath. Even as she adjusts to her new appetites, she must clear her best friend and true love, the hybrid werewolf Kieren, of murder charges; thwart the apocalyptic ambitions of Bradley Sanguini, the seductive vampire-chef who "blessed" her; and keep her dead parents’ restaurant up and running. She hires a more homespun chef and adds the preternaturally beautiful Zachary to her wait staff. But with hundreds of new vampires on the rise and Bradley off assuming the powers of Dracula Prime, Zachary soon reveals his true nature — and a flaming sword — and they hit the road to staunch the bloodshed before it’s too late. Even if they save the world, will there be time left to salvage Quincie’s soul? 

I Give This ...

 

This was a satisfying ending the the trilogy.  It wasn't as good as Eternal, but I liked it a lot more that I liked Tantalize.  The mesh of characters was a little odd at first, but it worked better than I thought it would.

Quincie's character was so much better in this one.   She's accepted that she's a vampire, but it doing her best to not become a monster.  Plus, she's working her hardest to come up with a cure for those Bradley "blessed" while he was the chief of her restaurant.  Zachary was a little off for me, but I think it's because I think he had a better connection with Miranda.  He just seems like a background character.  The rest of the cast fill out the story nicely.

I liked the action and pace in this story.  I love the inclusions of Dracula and some myths involving him.  Interesting idea that Dracula could be alive and well in this story.  While the part with the wolves was a bit gory, I think it was a highlight of the story.  I also really enjoyed the ending.  It concluded all the storylines and left me happy with the way the story ended.  I'll be looking forward to see what the author comes up with next!

 

Tantalize (Tantalize #1) by Cynthia Leitich Smith

Title: Tantalize

Author: Cynthia Leitich Smith

Series: 1st in series

Pages: 336

Published: February 2007 by Candlewick

ISBN: 9780763627911

Source: Library

Description: Quincie Morris has never felt more alone. Her parents are dead, and her hybrid-werewolf first love is threatening to embark on a rite of passage that will separate them forever. Then, as she and her uncle are about to unveil their hot vampire-themed restaurant, a brutal murder leaves them scrambling for a chef. Can Quincie transform their new hire into a culinary Dark Lord before opening night? Can he wow the crowd in his fake fangs, cheap cape, and red contact lenses — or is there more to this earnest face than meets the eye? As human and preternatural forces clash, a deadly love triangle forms, and the line between predator and prey begins to blur. Who’s playing whom? And how long can Quincie play along before she loses everything?

I Give This ...

 

I accidentally read the second in the series first.  Since it's actually a companion novel, it turned out it didn't matter.  I wanted to read this one because the 3rd in the series comes out soon and it's suppose to contain characters from both books.  It wasn't as good as I had hoped, but wasn't a complete disappointment either.

For half of the book, I wasn't even sure the direction it was going to take.  It seemed to be more about werewolves than vampires.  And neither seems to be very well explained.    I was confused by certain events and what there place in the story actually was.  I also had a hard time with Quince.  Her characteristics changed during the story.  And while we learn there is an explanation why, it just made the story feel off.  

Oddly enough, I guess I also didn't get the whole point of the vampire restaurant and so much of the story focuses on it.  I get why the vampires were on board with the idea.  The were using it as a way to increase numbers.  But, I didn't get why Quince thought it was a good idea to start one.  I think my problem was I never fully understood how vampires and werewolves functioned in society.  It seemed to be similar to the idea in The Sookie Stackhouse series, but it was never very clear.

I'm still glad I read it so the characters are familiar when I read Blessed.  But, I probably would have been fine with out it.  

Eternal (Tantalize, #2) by Cynthia Leitich Smith

Title: Eternal
Author: Cynthia Leitich Smith
Published: February 2009 by Candlewick
Pages: 320
ISBN: 9780763635732

Description: At last, Miranda is the life of the party: all she had to do was die. Elevated and adopted by none other than the reigning King of the Mantle of Dracul, Miranda goes from high-school theater wannabe to glamorous royal fiend overnight. Meanwhile, her reckless and adoring guardian angel, Zachary, demoted to human guise as the princess's personal assistant, has his work cut out for him trying to save his girl's soul and plan the Master's fast-approaching Death Day gala. In alternating points of view, Miranda and Zachary navigate a cut-throat eternal aristocracy as they play out a dangerous and darkly hilarious love story for the ages.

I Give This Book 4 Stars!

I was prepared not to like this book for some reason.  But, it surprised me.  The vampires in this story are far different that the ones you see in must young adult fiction currently.  They are cruel, dark, and very dangerous.  Some of the scenes are tamed down, but still leave a horrific image in your mind.  I liked Miranda.  She never seems to accept that life that has been chosen for her.  Zachary was a great voice of reason for her.  The relationship was more believable than some.  The only thing I wish I had known was that it is part of a series.  From what I gather, this book is separate from the first in the series (it's called Tantalize).  But, both story lines comes together in the third book of the series (which hasn't been released yet).  I'll have to make sure a pick up the first one before I read the 3rd.