Aileen Travers thought she had it all figured out. Part private investigator, part fixer to the supernatural community, she was slowly building a reputation as the go-to vampire in Columbus. If you had a supernatural problem and nowhere to turn, she was the girl for you. The best part—no one had tried to kill her in weeks. Aileen’s peaceful existence comes crashing down around her when an … an unwilling visit to the police station results in her picking up a stalker—or two. Now, Aileen is dodging suspicious looking portals while evading kidnapping attempts.
Looks like Aileen has a new client. Herself.
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What’s not to like? You have shadow monsters, vampires, Fey assassins, action and romance. Aileen and Liam’s relationship grows stronger and she accepts who she is. The question is: Who is her father? You’ve gotta read it to find out.
I’m a pretty big T. A. White fan, so of course I was ridiculously excited to hop back into the Aileen Travers series. The ending of Dawn’s Envoy seemed to mark a turn in the series to me, and I was pleased to see that born out in this book. This is the fifth book in the series and absolutely cannot be read as a standalone.
“Nothing good ever comes of suppressing ourselves. It’s the first rule any spook learns,” Jerry observed. “If I were you, I would question why the person you call captain pushed you in that direction.”
After four books of fighting to remain human and in control of her life, Aileen’s finally come to terms with her life. She’s got a job she likes, friends in the paranormal community that she’d trust with her back, and something that sort of resembles a relationship with Liam. Aileen has established herself as a sort of private investigator for the paranormal community, and now Connor’s decided that he wants to help her out. Oh, and mysterious shadow beings keep popping up and trying to kidnap her, not to mention that her old captain – the one who initially helped her out when she was turned into a vampire – is back in town. Is it a string of coincidences, or is there something more sinister at work?
“Not everything has to be a fight, A. There are good parts to being a vampire too,” Nathan said softly.
My smile was faint. “I’m beginning to see that.”
There’s a huge difference in tone between this book and the previous ones. The biggest change is that Aileen’s more at peace with being a vampire and all that entails, so there’s much less angsting over everything. While I was expecting this after the events of the last book and I’m overjoyed that Aileen’s finally accepting herself, I wish there had been a little more setup in between the “I hate Thomas and all vampires by extension” to “yeah, OK, they have a point.”
“Don’t let Aileen fool you. She appears grumpy but she’s happy you’re here.”
Flabbergasted disbelief filled me. In what world?
“I understand,” Connor replied.
My gaze swung toward him. He did?
I wish somebody would make me understand.”
It’s also no longer Aileen alone against the world. As the series has progressed, she’s collected more friends and allies, and now she’s got quite the support system, between Liam, Nathan, Caroline and – surprise – Connor. Connor was a complete unknown at the end of the last book, and for whatever reason he’s decided his best chance at acclimating to not-a-fae-deer life is tagging along with Aileen. This puts her in the hilarious position of, well, basically selling him on vampire life, but it also gives her more insight into the complicated relationship between Thomas, Liam and Connor. On a lighter note, I love Aileen and Caroline’s friendship so I’m always happy to see more of it, especially scenes that involve dancing to earworm kid tunes at a vampire night club. What can I say, I’m a sucker for characters being happy before being promptly kicked in the face by the nefarious baddies.
“Or are you going to keep pretending to be less than you are?”
“I’ve never pretended to be anything less than awesome. It’s everyone else who’s been slow to catch on.”
The final component to the change in tone is that while Aileen is still ridiculously underpowered, she’s coming into her own, and she’s certainly not going to let anyone treat her as lesser. She may not have brute power, but she has smarts, and that’s enough to get her through several extremely satisfying confrontations in the book. While her friends are more accepting of her kickassery – and therefore less likely to be overbearing protective numbskulls – her enemies still repeatedly underestimate her in terms of physical strength, magic, and general ability to MacGyver her way out of sticky situations. There’s more explanation about the source of Aileen’s magic which I found extremely interesting, and on Aileen’s heritage in general.
“I miss the days when you were afraid of me.”
I leaned over and nipped the tip of his ear. “That’s because you’re a weirdo with control issues.”
Aileen’s relationship with Liam is still developing, and while she’s not entirely sure whether it’s a good thing or not, she’s content waiting to see where it goes. She hasn’t had good luck with love – look at her abysmal family relationships – and it’s hard for her to believe that this thing with Liam won’t lead to more heartache down the line, especially given his tendency towards trying to steamroll her. Luckily, both Liam and Thomas seem to have finally clued in on the fact that ordering Aileen around is the best way to get her to do the exact opposite. So while things with Thomas aren’t great, they’re not awful – well, at least until he starts trying to manipulate her again.
“Sarcasm, again. Do you have any other forms of communication?” he asked.
I lifted a shoulder. “It’s my love language.”
I finished reading the fourth book with a lot of questions, and luckily we get a lot of answers in this book…. which, of course, lead to more questions. What are the repercussions of Aileen and Connor setting up a vampire house? Why are the hunters targeting Aileen? Will we get to see more adorable shadow doggy? Is Thomas really going to put on his vampire realtor hat? « Hide Spoiler While the author’s said there is going to be another Aileen book, there’s no tentative release date for it yet, so it looks like I’ll have to wait a bit to get my questions answered. Overall, this is another great entry in the series, and I will be anxiously awaiting more Aileen!
I received an advance review copy of this book from the author. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Just a suggestion but it’s probably best to have read the series in order. It’s not required but you will understand some of Aileen’s reactions better.
I usually try to do a no spoiler review but that would be very vague and difficult. So here goes.
This takes place a few months after Book 4. Aileen is building her business and takes on a partner, Connor. A mysterious man with an umbrella approaches her for a job and her spidey sense starts tingling. The people this man represents don’t like the brush off Aileen attempts. She learns The Scattered, which are ancient Fae race from a night realm, are after her. What was only hinted at in previous books is revealed. Aileen is half Fae and a descendant to a Fae King. The people trying to get her to take a job are actually wanting to steal her away to this Fae realm because only she can crown the next King. The realm needs a King to power it. The realm could be restored and the Fae can return to their home if Aileen picks the King.
Tobey’s writing gets better with every book she writes. I LOVED this one. There’s a reason she’s in my top three favorite authors.
Aileen sees so much growth and her relationships deepen in Twilight Herald. A lot of things that have kept us guessing through the last four books were revealed while simultaneously adding new questions.
I laughed so much and was so glad to see Aileen come into her own. I so fully appreciate the world building, storytelling, interesting characters and engaging plot.
Solid 4.5 stars (rounded up).
Can not wait for what’s next!
Wow! I can’t believe how gifted an author T.A. White is. She manages to write fantasy, urban fantasy, and science fiction and every one of these series is outstanding. The one thing they all have in common is a strong female lead although each has a distinct voice. I love all of them but Aileen is in the top two for me. And Herald is the best yet in Aileen’s story. She seems to have fully come into her own in this book.
I was so excited for this one being released that I got a pint of Graeter’s Raspberry Chocolate Chip Ice cream in celebration. I had never heard of this ice cream prior to reading this series but there was so much description lavished on it in earlier entries in this series that I had to try it when I found out my local grocery store carried it. And let me tell you- it is everything Aileen says it is and more. That is the thing with these books, they are so descriptive, so well-crafted and detailed that I feel I am there and since I can’t be in Cincinnati I decided to bring a bit to me.
Unfortunately, Aileen now realizes eating ice cream is bad for her (and after finishing the whole pint so do I) as is as it weakens her so there was no Graeter’s for her this time around. But this is great progress as she has finally come to accept who she is and is a much more compelling character for this. She is no longer angry about/resentful of becoming a vampire. By accepting who she is now, she seems stronger, healthier and dare I say it, happier. At the same time, she is not a push over and stands up for herself more effectively in this book.
Herald was a deeply satisfying read for me as it answered so many questions that earlier books in the series. While there is a ton of adventure- really a ton so much happened in this book you have to read it to see-what I liked best about it was that it really was about relationships and a deepened understanding of the motives driving the characters who are in Aileen’s inner circle. Yes, she is somewhat estranged from her mother (who it turns out is a rather bigoted person) but the breach between her and her sister is healing as they both realize their mother- and need for her approval- has hurt them both in different ways. Not everyone gets a loving family but that doesn’t mean they can never love or be loved and it was very satisfying to watch Aileen’s relationship deepen with those of her vampire family. We learn more about Liam, Thomas and Connor and how they relate to each other. I particularly liked Connor’s interactions with Aileen in this book as Aileen helps Connor adapt to this world and Connor protects her like a big brother. We learn who Aileen’s father is and meet him (and bonus her grandfather! and bonus bonus Alches the shadow dog!!)
I really hope there are more Aileen books in the future as I very much want to spend more time with all these characters. I hope with the introduction of the vampire hunters in this book that this is a hint that there is at least one or two more books in this series since these hunters seem like real creeps who we need to see Aileen defeat. I also am eager to see Aileen get to know her father, Brin/Bryan, more. And more Alches please!
I did receive an ARC copy of this book for an honest review but also bought a copy when it was officially released as I wanted to have the final edition and also want to support this author so she will keep writing.
4.5 Rounded up
Like all of the Aileen Travers books, the time frame is a touch uncertain from the end of one to the beginning of the other, though Book 5 picks up at least a few months after the events in Book 4. A recent reread has led me to believe that from beginning to now, there has been at least a couple of years traveled in Aileen’s life, leaving her roughly about 4 years into her after life. I could be wrong about that, but that is what it looks like to me, and it’s important to note considering the way the relationships around her are growing – and the past that reaches out to taunt her now.
When Aileen first gained her immortality and stepped into the night under the dutiful employment of Hermes Messenger services, she was the recipient of a favor called in by someone she once called friend. Now, knowledge and experience have her doubting the veracity of that ‘friendship’, and questioning why she was encouraged to travel certain roads. All those questions and worries compound, screaming back into the forefront when the clues dropped over the last few years culminate in an explosion of danger and truth. Like all things Enforcer related and Aileen centered… it gets messy, quickly, and the baby vamp is at the center of it all.
Well written and incredibly well plotted, this series just keeps getting better. Nuggets dropped in Book 1 come out to play in Book 5, while tid-bits thrown aside in other books are mentioned yet again. Foreshadowing is taunted and teased, and while some of it comes to fruition here, the hints leave me eager for Book 6.
Like all of TA White’s novels, the narrative is lush and the imagery expansive. The side characters feel more like central figures than the supporting cast they really are, each filled out with growing back stories and individual personalities of their own. The protagonists change as time goes on, growing more secure in their roles while seducing the reader with their inner depths and thoughts (though we only see this from Aileen’s perspective). It’s fascinating and incredibly done, an Urban Fantasy treat you’ll want to dive into again and again.
*I received an ARC of this book and am thrilled to share my honest opinion*
Perspective:
~First Person, Single POV
Ending Type:
~HFN, Episodic
Rating:
~Mature
Romantic Dynamic:
~M/F
Character Age Range:
~26+
Aileen Travers’ life has mostly been on an upswing since the Wild Hunt. Her supernatural PI business has become successful enough that she’s been able to escape her minimum wage job. She’s working on being slightly less hostile toward her sire. Her relationship with her lover and possible boyfriend, Liam hasn’t hit any major rough patches recently. Clearly it was too good to last.
Now a mysterious man wants to hire her and he’s made it very clear he won’t take “no” for an answer. Aileen will once more be called upon to wade through dangerous waters, uncovering secrets from the past that threaten her future. Choices will have to be made that will determine not only her fate, but the fate of the supernatural world…
The fifth installment of the Aileen Travers series revisits everyone’s favorite newborn vampire. Of note is Aileen’s newfound acceptance of her vampire state and their greater community. Not of course that Aileen is suddenly toeing the party line, but she is putting forth an effort, at least with certain individuals. If your favorite part of the series is the dynamics of Aileen’s vampiric family, then this is the book for you. People hoping for major reveals regarding Aileen’s and Liam’s individual backstories will also not be disappointed. The greatest draw for me was all the Connor, who is a delightful addition to the cast of characters. A “can’t put it down read” if ever there was one! Highly recommended for all Urban Fantasy fans!
Ahhhhhh so good. I received an Advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. With that being said I’m in love with this series and this book answers a lot of questions readers have had about Aileen. I especially enjoyed seeing the change in her relationships in the book. I particularly loved her and Connors interactions. I appreciate that we see a marked change in this book in how Aileen sees and feels about herself and her place in the supernatural community. This is my favorite book in the series so far because of those changes. Highly recommend and If you are like me and can’t stop thinking about the characters long after the last page. Try one of T.A.White’s other series I especially like Rules of Redemption.
I read this book three times in short order once I got my hands on it. My first impression was it was amazing. My second and third impressions backed that up.
The fifth book in the series, the story hits hard and fast. I loved seeing Aileen embracing her supernatural world. The chemistry between Aileen and Liam stays white hot, Aileen gets some long awaited answers, and she finally gets to kick a little butt. This book was so hard to put down and left me thinking about it long after I was done. I did have some questions about the story and pacing but not enough to affect my enjoyment of this book. This is a great series and I enjoy everything T.A. White puts out. Her stories and writing style are so engaging and entertaining.
I received an ARC in exchange for my review but my opinions are my own.
I love T.A. White’s books! This series and The Broken Lands series are two of my favorites!
Unlike the other books of hers, when I started reading the Aileen Travers series, I wasn’t too fond of the protagonist. But, at this point I love her so much! Goes to show how much development her character has undergone through the course of five books!
Aileen has finally begun to accept the life that she has now! A vampire and a private investigator, she’s friends with many important members in the paranormal community(though she wouldn’t call it ‘friends’ ) and she also has a powerful vampire lover!
Just when things are beginning to settle down, Connor – the vampire who she helped rescue from the fae in the previous book – decides to show up when she’s working on a case and helps her out. She decides to take him on as a co-worker for a while when some shadow beings threaten her.
And to add on to her plate of existing problems, her old captain (the one who got her the job in Hermes after she was turned into a vampire) calls her up to meet! After making peace with her new life and learning more about the vampire community, Aileen now knows that the captain might not have had her best interests in his heart when he pulled some strings to get her the messenger job and hid her from the vampires.
We finally get to learn more about Aileen’s background and her father’s family in this one! Kinda had a feeling that we were building up to something big after the events of the last book, so I’m quite pleased that many of our questions were answered!
I also loved that her relationship with her sire, Thomas is finally on the mend. The change in Aileen has been my favorite part of the book!
Her and Liam’s relationship was also another beautiful part! After the slow build-up over the course of the previous four books, their relationship has finally solidified in this one! I loved seeing them trust each other and work together!
The last few chapters were fast-paced and though the ending was satisfactory, it also left me with more questions! I hope we get book 6 soon so that we can find out more about Aileen, her father and the results of her now being a part of a separate House with Connor! Can’t wait!
*I was provided with an ARC in exchange for an honest review*
Best in the series so far! Wow! So much ground is covered in this book, but it never feels rushed or strained. Aileen demonstrates incredible growth and maturity, overcoming many of the emotional issues that have plagued her in the past. It’s incredible to see her finally overcome all of the controversy with Thomas, the strife with her family, her reluctance to drink from humans, and her mistrust of the vampire community. Her relationship with Liam evolves as well, becoming much stronger as she learns to accept her new life.
What was especially interesting was that resolving all those issues allowed for a less angsty, more lighthearted read than in previous books, with a lot of humor. I even found myself going back to read certain parts again and again because they were so hilarious. But don’t worry, there’s still plenty of action! A whole new set of drama unfolds that’s tied to a past even Aileen herself was unaware she had. And of course all of the characters we love are back, along with a whole new cast of Fae that are tied to that mysterious past. Even Conner, introduced in Dawn’s Envoy, comes back to play an important role. And thank god for that, because he is my new favorite character! I can’t imagine Aileen’s life without him now.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review, and I honestly can’t say enough good things about this book. It’s not a standalone, so if you haven’t already, find and read the previous books in this series. It’s well worth it!
This series just gets better with each book. I’m completely enamored with all these characters, not just the main characters, but all of them.
With each book, we learn more about Aileen. I love that there is so much to her character, and I like how the author is giving it to us a piece at time. It makes me anxious to get to the finale, but it also makes me want this series to never end.
Even though it took a few books for the romance to build up, it’s also one of the reasons I’m enthralled. Liam was well worth the wait with how he is with Aileen. That’s another section that reveals a piece at at time.
While Aileen is the star of the series, all the side characters bring so much to the overall series as a whole. I would love to see quite a few of them get their own books. So many have made their presence mean more than just side characters.
Each book has a happy-for-now ending but I would highly recommend starting with book one. Like I said, you learn pieces to the puzzle with each book. If you don’t read in order, some things won’t have the impact they should. It’s safe to say I highly recommend it.