Review – Hell to Pay by Simon Green (3/5 stars)

This is the 7th book in Simon Green’s Nightside series. To me this book seemed to be very much a transition book. Being that the 6th book capped off the over arcing storyline, it is not surprising that this book is a bit weak. I still enjoyed reading it; although it just wasn’t nearly as good as Sharper than a Serpent’s Tooth was.

In the aftermath of Lilith’s War the Nightside needs a new leader and with John Taylor stepping aside; Walker is trying to fill that space. If there is anyone who can contend with Walker it is the Griffin family. A very powerful and immortal family the Griffin family is possibly in a position to rule the Nightside. Unfortunately when Griffin’s granddaughter disappears John Taylor is called in to find her. Someone very powerful doesn’t want her found and is able to shut down John’s gift in an effort to stop him. Looks like John’s going to have to solve this case the old-fashioned way.

While this was still an enjoyable book; it was probably the weakest one in the series. The action scenes were few and far between and somewhat blase’. The characters were weak. It was good to see Dead Boy some more but he wasn’t there for much of the book. The main powers of the Nightside were notable in their absence. Seriously this is the most boring of the Nightside books. It truly seems to be a transition novel, with everyone picking up the pieces of the Nightside after the Lilith War. Unfortunately it seems like Green doesn’t know exactly to do with everyone either.

I have high hopes for the next book but if it is as dull and uninspired as this one, I might have to rethink reading this series.