Review: Succubus Heat by Richelle Mead

Succubus Heat (Georgina Kincaid, 4) by Richelle Mead

Paranormal Romance

Kensington (May 26, 2009)

304 pages

For anyone concerned - this is a rather spoiler free review.

From Richellemead.com:

Georgina Kincaid has been a bad, bad succubus…

…which should be a good thing. But lately, thanks to her foul mood over breaking up with bestselling writer Seth Mortensen, she’s been so wicked that Seattle’s über-demon Jerome, decides to “outsource” Georgina to a rival—and have her spy for him in the process.

Being exiled to the frozen north—okay, Vancouver—and leaving Seth in the cozy clutches of his new girlfriend is unpleasant enough. Then Jerome is kidnapped, and all immortals under his control mysteriously lose their powers. One bright spot: with her life-sucking ability gone, there’s nothing to keep Georgina from getting down and dirty with Seth—nothing apart from his girlfriend that is. Now, as the supernatural population starts turning on itself, a newly mortal Georgina must rescue her boss and figure out who’s been playing them—or all hell will break loose…

In Georgina's fourth outing Mead continues the heartrending tone that initiated by it's predecessor, Succubus Dreams. Our heroine is deep in a funk and from page one it seems like the hits just keep coming for her. Don't take that as a negative though. This installment provides everything that readers have come to expect and love from Mead, and some. Heat doesn't lack for any of the love, passion, mystery and action that made the first three novels so gripping. But for each bit of those elements, the pain is ratcheted up about three times more.

With the brief reprieve from her soul-sucking abilities, Georgina is faced with the opportunity to partake of everything we've seen her long for - only it may be too little, too late. Bittersweet the novel may be, it's pervasive sadness only lends to make the story that much more beautiful.

The mystery part of the plot blends in well with the romance here too. It's evenly paced and well thought out. It also serves as mechanism to better illustrate the complexity of each player involved in the story. Major characters and bit players alike are all very nuanced and add to the impression that, despite this being a story about the preternatural, this is all very real. I know it sounds cliche but I laughed, I cried. I definitely cried.

Consequences seems to be the theme of this one. Almost every party involved is faced with a decision of their own to make, and for each one the outcome is felt by all. There are a few surprises in-store and, for those concerned, the issues of Georgina's contract and her prophetic dreams from Nyx are each addressed.

Fans, you won't be disappointed. Heartbroken sure, but in that respect you're no better off than Georgina.

Grade: +A