Queen Betsy, Book 13
Synopsis: First: kill Satan. Second: reorganize Hell. Sounded simple enough back then, but for Betsy Taylor, managing “down below” isn’t as easy as she’d hoped – even if she is doing it with her sister, Laura, a bona-fide Antichrist. So yes, Betsy has been shirking her hellish responsibilities, but she’s been just so darn busy these days. And she’s not just yanking Laura’s chain. There’s a brand new baby drama involving a pair of uncanny (ok, terrifying) toddler twins, an upcoming birthday party that has to be planned, and, are you ready for it? Betsy’s dad – once so very dead – has been spotted in downtown St. Paul.
Now, despite all the chaos, Betsy’s friends rally around, helping her to handle all this fire and brimstone jazz. As for Betsy’s sister and dad – they have their own surprises in store for the vampire queen. And jolt by jolt, Betsy will discover that there’s nothing as heartwarming as family. Yeah, like Hell.
Review: Queen Betsy has always been a series with which it is easy to spend a great time. Each novel always brings a touch of humor, light moments and is finally always a quick and enjoyable read. I was expecting the same with that volume. I admit that I made a small jump in time since the last book I did read was volume 8. In truth, it’s not really a problem because the author gave some explanations about what happened before, even if it is true that I did not understand all the references. So I started with pleasure the story by finding the characters we all know. Unfortunately, I think this volume is my least favorite of the series.
So we are following again our queen vampire who must now deal with her sister Laura, the world of the underworld. To say that this does not enchant her is subjective and that’s why Betsy tries at all costs to find other occupations to have a good excuse to shirk. On top of that, Jess seems to behave strangely and our heroine is determined to understand what is happening, Tina’s birthday is approaching and of course we have the Jessica’s bizarre children at the same time. Although I found that the story was going a little anyhow, I found it funny to see how the characters behaved with children, to understand what they could do and so observe their next actions.
As I said, I had a little trouble with this new story. Personally, I found that there was really no common thread, no real plot and it was a bit too confusing and mixed so that I could really adhere to what was happening. The events of the history were a little too wacky or unimaginable that I did not understand where all this was going on. I think you understand why I was a little disappointed this time but that does not change the fact that it was nice to be once again in the world of the author and to find the characters. I’m curious to see what will result now, this volume may be there only to link the stories, sometimes it happens in a series with a large number of volumes. To see.
Mogsy
I think sometimes series can go on long after they really should have ended. At least that was my first thought when I saw your rating and what number the book was. It’s interesting though that you went from 8 to 13, and I have to wonder if the books you missed in between have also showed a downward trend. Guess we’ll see with number 14 🙂
Melliane
You’re right, maybe. Now I wonder about that as well.
Tanja
This one is new to me, but I don’t think I’ll give it a try. I mean I can live with confusing plots, but pointless is another story all together. Sorry that it wasn’t as good as you hoped. Great review 🙂
Melliane
the first books are really nice though
Tracy Terry
I agree with several of the others who have commented here in that it sounds like this may be a series past its best.
I know whilst I enjoyed the True Blood series I was glad when it ended as it really was getting stale.
Melliane
yeah me too
Kirsty-Marie
I just looked at the series number, yikes! No wonder there wasn’t really any plot and kind of pointless, 13th in a series, that is long, haha. Shame it didn’t really work for you. 🙁
Melliane
yes and there are more!
kindlemom1
You’re right that this does happen more often than not in a series that has a large amount of books but it still sucks when it happens. 😉
I do want to start this series, it just looks like so much fun.
Melliane
you should try!
Jenny @ Supernatural Snark
I started this series years ago and really enjoyed it, but I lost track of it somewhere around the middle. Book 5 or 6 maybe, and then I’ve just never gotten back to it. I miss Betsy and her crazy group! It’s a shame this wasn’t the strongest of installments, but hopefully the next one will remedy that:)
Melliane
AH I can understand that. I hope so for you as well.
Maja (The Nocturnal Library)
Oh no, it’s so devastating when a beloved series disappoints you. Admittedly, going back to it after missing a few installments might have been a tiny bit weird, but all the problems you had weren’t caused by that at all. I’ve never read one of her books, but I might go for earlier books and just stop after a while.
Melliane
not sure that the missed books did something. But yes you should
Heidi
I am curious if you would have enjoyed this more if you had read the novels that you missed before reading this or if this is just a case of a series has gone on too long and it’s time for it to end.
Melliane
I don’t know but the others were better for me.
Brandi Breathes Books
Sorry to hear this one didn’t fit well with the others which sounded like fun reads
Ramona
I’ve heard a lot of interesting things about this series. I like vamps, and the character seems like she might appeal to me as well, so I’ll probably try the first book over the summer. Sometimes, an unfocused plot can happen in a series when the author comes to rely too much on the familiarity of the characters. Great review.
Melliane
it’s a nice and light series.
Melissa (Books and Things)
I’m a bit behind on this series but darn! I was hoping for better. I usually end up going into these books (every time I tell ya!) with low expectations and I’m usually pleasantly surprised. I guess that luck runs out on #13. Too bad. Still want to catch up to you at least. 🙂
Melliane
maybe it’s just this one
blodeuedd
That is a lot of books, and I gave up after 1
Carole Rae
Sadly….I think I will pass on this series.
Joy (Joyousreads)
Do you think it would’ve made a difference if you’ve read them in order? It sounds kinda messy, to be honest. I hope you’ll find the next one to be a better instalment!
Melliane
I’m not sure because I did read a lot of books in the series.
kimbacaffeinate
It happens..some of my all time favorite series have books in them that just didn’t resonate with me.
Melissa (My World...in words and pages)
Sorry it wasn’t up to the standards of the others you’ve read. Hopefully the others in the series will be on the better side. 🙂 It happens from time to time in a series. 🙂
anna (herding cats & burning soup)
I used to love this series. I stopped at book 9 though (the book and Sinclair one). I was so upset with that one I’ve not been able to read her books again :/ Maybe one day. Bummer this one wasn’t all the way pulled together.
And och! I realized tonight you weren’t in my feed. I’d been wondering why things were so quiet. I’ve got you back in and am gonna go on a min-commenting spree real quick. Glad you’re okay!
Melliane
oh no problems, I’m sad your feed didn’t want me anymore. I haven’t read book 9 I confess
anna (herding cats & burning soup)
I think I accidentally did it :/ I lost Hot Listens as well. I moved to Feedly earlier this year with no problems but then earlier this month I was rearranging the blogs I follow and I think when I deleted a category I thought was empty it wasn’t :/
Jennifer Bielman @ Bad Bird Reads
I hate a lack of plot. I read the first three books of this series. I loved the humor, but my interest waned.