Black Night by Christina Henry

Black Night is the second book of the Madeline Black series.

Madeline Black is a grim reaper, a job she inherited from her mother. In the first book Madeline learns some new things about her parentage that is critical in the second book. She's sent by her father, one of the Fallen, to the fairy court to negotiate a treaty between the two courts. But before Madeline is even able to leave, her half brother re-appears and causes trouble. Madeline also has trouble with another element that ends up being a larger problem for Madeline, her father's court, and the fairy court. In the end Madeline is a stronger, more independent woman that before. More confident and self reliant.

While Madeline's character isn't unique to urban fantasy, the world that Christina Henry has created does provide a unique perspective to Madeline's situations. I enjoy reading stories that take common concepts and presents them in a new manner. This series does not let me down in that regard. I also enjoy the characters though I admit that they aren't as solid as they might be. I also feel that we spend too much time in Madeline's head. Black Night, I believe, is more guilty of this than the first book.

Overall, I enjoy the series so far. Will I recommend it to others? Meh. It probably wouldn't be among my first picks for other readers there are stronger stories out there. But this is not among the worse either. The unique world Henry has created will keep be reading for another book or two. In which time, my hope is that characters will become more solid and I'll see less of Madeline's internal dialogue.