Reviews

Scorched Shadows by Steve McHugh

cressthebookdragon's review against another edition

5.0

This book was utterly amazing! When I first started this series i wasn't sure I'd like it. I was wrong! I fell in love with this series, and have gotten attached to Nate and the gang. Steve McHugh did a good job of fitting everything that needed to be said in this book!

johnbreeden's review against another edition

4.0

I'll be honest, I'm torn about giving this book 4 stars. I consider it a bit below the last two, actually. This book is the "finale" of the Hellequin Chronicles. I suppose in that sense it does bring that storyline to a close. It is not, however, a conclusive ending.

As a rule, the story is not badly written. There are, however, a few points that made me question that McHugh might have tried to rush a few points near the end.

Spoiler

I think the one that drove me up the wall the most was the blood elf minion who casually reveals to Nate everything he needs to know about how his last blood curse will disappear and then becomes the means of escape. It bothered me that a throwaway character would somehow have this knowledge. The ending of Ares and Deimos were also just too quick and uneventful. They didn't stand up to other major enemy deaths in the series. Another issue I had was that, in spite of all the drama involved in Mordred's fate to kill Nate, by the time it happens he seems to have readily accepted what had to happen. That, and that Atlas would be allowed to take Nate to kill him in spite of all the effort to keep Nate's Nightmare from emerging, just felt off.

I am still enjoying the series and will be continuing into the next, the Rebellion Chronicles. I just feel that this novel could have taken more time developing a few points and had a better climax.

claire_loves_books's review against another edition

3.0

I think I left too long between book #6 and this one, I was throughly confused for a lot of it

matosapa's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

kitvaria_sarene's review against another edition

5.0

Wow...
This is a stunning conclusion to the Hellequin series! (And boy am I glad the author said while it's the last Hellequin book, it's not the last Nate book!)

Action is high in this one, heads are rolling, favourite side characters get some spotlight again, mysteries are solved and new mysteries found, characters grow and change, twist that made me do a double take and reread some chapters...

McHugh has quickly managed to become one of my favourite urban fantasy authors!

klistoff's review against another edition

4.0

A touch disappointed...

I have really enjoyed the Hellequin books, but ended up a little disappointed with how it all ends...

We finally discover who ‘My Liege’ is, Nate finishes his journey to unlock is blood magic curses and we are left there in the middle of a magical (not so) civil war.

If I hadn’t discovered Hellequin via the Avalon Chronicles and/or wasn’t aware of the continuation of Nate’s story in the upcoming Rebellion Chronicles, I might well have docked a few stars for such an ending.

Overall, the series has earned a solid 4.5 stars from me. What lets it down is some poor editing throughout (including Avalon Chronicles) where there are obvious chunks of narrative missing. An example in this one would be everyone asking where a person is, with a ‘no idea’ response, only to be engaged in a conversation with said person in the very next paragraph.

Still, my appetite is well and truly wet for the books to come...

iffer's review against another edition

4.0

I'm still finding this series a lot of fun, although the characters were a bit fuzzy to me, since it's been a while since I read the last book. After reading a zillion King Arthur retelling books as a kid, I became a slight Mordred fan, because it seemed like he got screwed, so I enjoy that he not only isn't the villain in this series, but he also gets a lot of screen time (though this could also be a flaw if you're one of the fans who'll be upset that the Nate show is now the 50/50 Nate and Mordred show). The book is blase about violence in the name of plot development, but this is basically the equivalent of a fun action movie for me.

jreason's review against another edition

5.0

Well this was an action packed ride with many twists and turns, some expected some a surprise.

Spoiler

prior to reading this I had a theory that Arthur was evil, and it's true in a way I didn't expect. Gawain came as a surprise though. I hope this ending of "hellequins" story doesn't mean the end of Nate as a perspective because that would be upsetting

dianabrito's review

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

bbraden's review

3.0

So. Frustrating!!! We finally got some answers but are left with a MASSIVE cliffhanger. Not cool. Rarely have I felt like this about a book... Seven books just to get to this point? Seems like an utter waste of my time.