Guest Review: Succubus Dreams by Richelle Mead

Posted April 12, 2009 by Ames in Reviews | 3 Comments

Ames review of Succubus Dreams by Richelle Mead.

Some days, a girl just can’t catch a break…

…especially when the girl in question is Georgina Kincaid, a shape-shifting succubus who gets her energy from seducing men. First there’s her relationship with gorgeous bestselling writer Seth Mortensen, which is unsatisfying on a number of levels. It’s not just that they can’t have sex in case Georgina inadvertently kills him (generally a turn-off for most guys). Lately, even spending time together is a challenge. Seth’s obsessed with finishing his latest novel, and Georgina’s under demonic orders to mentor the new (and surprisingly inept) succubus on the block.

Then there are the dreams. Someone, or something, is preying on Georgina at night, draining her energy, and supplying eerie visions of her future. Georgina seeks answers from Dante, a dream interpreter with ties to the underworld, but his flirtatious charm only leaves her more confused—especially as the situation with Seth reaches crisis point. Now Georgina faces a double challenge—rein in her out-of-control love life, and go toe-to-toe with an enemy capable of wreaking serious havoc among mankind. Otherwise, Georgina, and the entire mortal world, may never sleep easy again…

You can read my review for Succubus Blues (book 1) here and Succubus On Top (book 2) here. As this is the third book in a series, my review will contain spoilers for books 1 and 2.

Summary: In Succubus on Top, the relationship between Georgina and Seth evolves emotionally. But due to Georgina’s succubus powers and the fact that Georgina does not want to shorten Seth’s life, their physical relationship is stagnant and Seth has to live with the fact that Georgina has to sleep with other men to survive.

The dynamics for this relationship plays out further in Succubus Dreams. Georgina is feeling guilty for what she has to do and frustrated that she can’t be with Seth physically. Plus the ribbing she gets from all her demonic friends doesn’t help. When the one who made her shows up with his latest succubus and demands that Georgina train her, it’s like adding vinegar to the mix. Because she knows the demon who made is not up to any good.

To make this potent mix of frustration and paranoia even more explosive, there’s something sucking up Georgina’s life force. That’s her job and she’s supposed to be immune to life suckage.

My Thoughts: I loved Succubus Dreams. In fact, I cried. Yes, a book about a succubus punched me in the gut. Why? Oh man, it’s a doozy!

SD is told from Georgina’s pov and I have no problem with that at all. We get to experience what’s going on in her head and we’re left to piece together the paranormal mystery right along with her. First person pov also works well in this case in regards to Georgina’s humanity/immortality. One of her friends is an angel who drops some very cryptic messages and we’re right there with the character trying to figure out what the heck is going on.

And it puts the reader in Georgina’s shoes emotionally – which is very important. Because although she’s been a succubus for almost two thousand years (or something to that effect), Georgina still has a lot to learn about humans. And how they can hurt each other.

The cast of characters around Georgina are as interesting as ever and I cannot wait until June for Succubus Heat to come out. The mystery as well kept me guessing almost until the end.

4.5/5 (A-)

This book is available from Kensington. You can buy it here or here in e-format.