Review – Black Spring (Madeline Black, Book 7) by Christina Henry (4/5 stars)

Reading Level: Adult
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Length: 288 pages
Publisher: Ace
Release Date: October 28, 2014
ISBN-13: 978-0425266786
Stand Alone or Series: 7th book in the Madeline Black series
Source: Borrowed from Library
Rating: 4/5 stars

This is the final book in the Madeline Black series by Henry. This was a very well done conclusion to this urban fantasy series. While this isn’t my favorite urban fantasy series, it was still one I always enjoy reading.

Maddy is struggling through her pregnancy with her friends at her side when a strange announcement is made. The mayor of Chicago has decided that all supernatural beings need to be rounded up and put into camps. To add to this stressful news Maddy is being hunted by a strange type of shapeshifter, a huge tentacled monster, and that stupid blogger will not leave her secrets alone. Maddy finally turns to Daharan (her uncle) for help only to find he’s gone missing. Then the invitation to Lucifer’s wedding arrives…seriously could things get any weirder? All Maddy wants is to have her baby in peace.

This book ties up the series and does an excellent job leaving our characters is a decent place to live our their lives. There are some issues that aren’t wrapped up and I am hoping there will be a spin off series of some sort. However our main heroine and the main plot are wrapped up nicely.

Both Maddy and Nathaniel have grown a lot throughout this series. Maddy has learned to accept her powers and learns even more about how to control them in this book. She has also learned how to accept help from friends and protect those she loves. Maddy has a history of pummeling things into submission, but in this book she is at her most vulnerable and is finally learning that going in with a bit of a plan and some strategy isn’t a bad thing.

Nathaniel was a real jerk at the beginning of this series but he has changed a lot. This book really doesn’t have much/any romance in it. However, Nathaniel and Maddy are trying to make some sort of relationship work. Nathaniel really grew on me; he is supportive, respectful, and genuinely tries to do what is right for Maddy and the baby. Sometimes what Nathaniel thinks is right doesn’t always match up with what Maddy think is right; but in this book they both learn how to compromise. Nathaniel has become an excellent character.

All of our old favorites are back as well. Beezle is just as hungry and funny as ever, JB is the King of Faerie and is fun to read about as well. I was impressed with how well Maddy’s household full of males dealt with her pregnancy and delivery.

The powerful brothers of Lucifer, Puck, Daharan, and Alerion are intriguing as always. These beings possess nearly infinite power and watching them struggle for the right to rule humanity is intriguing. There are a lot of unanswered questions about these brothers and I really hope that we see more of them in a future series.

Overall a very well done conclusion to this series. I have really enjoyed this urban fantasy series. There is a lot of action, wonderful characters, and some wonderful magic with an intriguing and fast-paced plot. I definitely recommend this series to fans of action-packed urban fantasy.

This book goes towards the following reading challenges:
– Series Reading Challenge
– You Read How Many Books? Reading Challenge