Scorched Shadows: 7 (The Hellequin Chronicles, 7) Paperback – 19 Dec. 2017

I was pretty nervous going into this book knowing that it was the last book in the Hellequin Chronicles. I have loved all the previous books in this series, but I didn't think that there had been anywhere near enough story told yet to already be ending. It still feels like things are just winding up. As you can tell from the number of stars in this review though, I was obviously not left wanting. Here's why...First of all, I am really happy that this novel sees a change up to the formula in 2 ways:1 - This novel took place entirely in the present, with no secondary story taking place in the past.2 - This novel had a second viewpoint character (even though his chapters were told in third-person)The first of these changes really worked for me. The historical secondary stories that made up part of each of the other books were always a bit hit and miss for me. Though always well written and fun, they sometimes felt like distractions from the story I wanted to read about.As for the second change... If I'm honest, I'd have rathered a straight-up first-person narrative from Nate's point of view. I think that the chance for more story could have been covered that way which would have made the ending of the book have more impact. That being said, I thoroughly enjoyed Mordred as a secondary protagonist and his story was interesting. It has really helped complete his transformation in my eyes and has made him a character I would happily read about again. Basically, his chapters took the place of historical substory, so it was a welcome changeup.By staying in the present in this book, Mr McHugh manages to have a lot more happen in the present day and seriously ups the stakes. The story really picks up pace here and the events that have been slowly unfolding over the course of the previous books suddenly take off at speed, and the stakes have never been higher.This kept the pages turning faster and faster as I really got into this book, but as I approached the end of the book, I started to find a problem. By the time the percentage mark on my kindle was reading 60%, I started to worry that there was no way the author could bring this series to a close and wrap everything up in so short a space. That worry only grew stronger as I hit 70%, then 80%, then 90% and still nothing resembling a finishing point. I was mentally groaning and preparing myself for a rushed, unsatisfying ending...I needn't have worried.I will say this where normally I might have put it in spoiler territory because I genuinely think that it isn't really a spoiler and I think I would have enjoyed this book more if I knew this going in. This isn't the last book in this series. This is the last book in the Hellequin Chronicles maybe, but it is by no means an end to this series. If anything I would say that this might be the ending to part one of the series, ending in a way that doesn't wrap everything up, but instead, sets up the next part in the series.All that worrying and tension that I had done thinking that this was going to be a rushed ending was for nothing. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed the book anyway, but I think that if I hadn't been confused about this before going in, then I would have been less tense and would have just let myself relax and enjoy what was happening rather than worry about where things were going.Overall this is an excellent addition to this series that finally has the overarching story moving at full speed, and I have never been more excited to see what happens next. An easy 5-stars and I can't wait for the next one.

I really, really enjoyed this book, which is the last in the Hellequin Chronicles...but not the last of the stories about Nate, Tommy, Olivia and their battles with Avalon. I felt that the ending was wrapped up a little rushed, but overall it was satisfactory, and accounted for the break in the timeline which has to take place after Hellequin has been laid to rest. And I have to admit to an underlying satisfaction that I got the identity of My Liege correct.I would have given five stars...but I have to admit to an underlying irritation with what I felt was a major continuity issue. After 6 novels where Nate's wife is called Jane, all of a sudden she is called Mary?! And like previous novels, some of the triggers for Nate's behaviour surround what happened to his wife, so she is mentioned several times, and I just kept wanting to tell SOMEONE that her name was Jane! I have always made allowances for possible formatting issues, and if it had been a one-off occasion, I could have forgiven it...but after having re-read all the Chronicles in the last couple of weeks, it was very obvious.

Review of Scorched Shadows by Steve McHughThis is the final book of the Hellequin series and like all the preceding books is fast paced, full of magic and populated by a cast of magical beings from conjurers to gods. The main character, Nate Garrett, is a sorcerer and is still trying to attain his full powers to fight against a powerful pantheon of assorted evil beings intent on taking over every realm including our own in order to gain unchallenged control.Though this can be read as a standalone story it is far better to have read the series in sequence to feel comfortable with the plethora of characters and their relationship to each other,If you are not familiar with this series then start with Crimes Against Magic and enjoy the helter-skelter ride through the battle between good and evil which follows. Do this and unlike me you will not be kept waiting for the next book to come out to get the next fix of superhuman violence. If you have read the others then this book will not disappoint.5 Stars

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 an truly wet for the books to come...

I have been eager to read this once I discovered the Hellequin chronicles back in August. I bought the complete set including pre ordering this one after reading the first book.So the book was delivered to my kindle yesterday and here I am after finishing it. I loved all the books and was so engrossed in the story I have completed everyone in a day or two.I'm won't post any spoilers, but I did enjoy how a lot of secrets were revealed in this book. I am sad that it is ended, and could read another 7 books very easily.Great writing and great content, quite literally a fantasy orgasm!