Warning - Another cliffhanger ending (which will make me think twice about the next one)

I liked the book, but don't feel like much was advanced in the series. Sure we added some characters, but the plot seemed a bit weak and DJ, while funny, seems to jump between acting pretty oblivious or just dumb. This series is a we'll see for me, but unfortunately, is getting removed from the auto-buy list. ( )

4.5 Stars. I love this series, and am so happy to have been able to snag an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

DJ has become one of my favorite urban fantasy heroines. She’s a wizard with some elvish blood, quirky and flawed, but with a huge heart and an even bigger magnet for trouble. She had to make some tough decisions in this book, and I really felt her struggle between fighting for what she feels is right, or fighting for her loved ones and wizards when they seemed to be traveling a different path. I was glad to see the love triangle diffused in the last book, but now we are seeing DJ and Alex's relationship struggle through those pesky problems that arise during a supernatural political struggle and threat of war. We have more Jean Lafitte in this book, and the heart to heart talks between he and DJ endeared the undead pirate to me even more (and I didn't think that was possible). I am hoping for a match up between Drusilla and Jean in a future book. I just can't get enough of him.

As in previous books, a few new characters seem to be introduced in each installment. This time, we get to know the faeries. I think Christoff, the Winter Prince, is going to be another favorite of mine. Johnson does an outstanding job developing her characters, no matter whether she is giving them good, bad or annoying traits. So I look forward to future antics from the faeries. The sibling rivalry between the two princes is sure to heat things up.

This book did not have any natural disasters or serial killers - but the action was non-stop anyway. The infighting among all the clans was superb and I never knew what was going to happen next. There was tons of intrigue and I absolutely loved it. Now I'm just sad that I have to wait for the next installment. Type fast Ms. Johnson, I'm begging!

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4.5 stars. Wow what a fun ride! The pacing was perfect though I feel bad for how sleep deprived DJ ends up. I felt so invested in the plot and the tension stemming from relationships and friendships being severely strained. There is a bit of a cliffhanger ending but I was satisfied and am now just dying for book five! ( )

This fourth book in the Sentinels of New Orleans is the most action-packed yet and DJ has more than her hands full trying to keep those she loves safe. There is a power struggle going on win the new Counsel. The wizards and the elves have a tentative plan to be allies but the fae, the vampires, and the other groups are also all jockeying for power.

Unfortunately, the leader of the wizards who is supposed to be her boss is just as morally bankrupt as the leaders of the other factions. When he demands that she cause her friend Eugenie to lose her child because the child could cause political difficulties, DJ finds the line that she won't cross. But it leaves DJ in a difficult position because there is no one that she can trust completely.

The elf that she is bonded to - Quince Randolph - doesn't want anything to happen to his child but he doesn't care at all about Eugenie who is the child's mother. She can't trust her lover and fellow enforcer Alex because he is still living in a black and white world and holding to his promises to the wizard's for some stability.

The Pirate Jean Lafitte is a potential ally but he has his own agenda too. They do get a chance to clarify their relationship in this one which amounts to friendship. Lafitte is also maneuvering to form his own core of allies because he sees that a war is coming.

This story was filled with plotting and betrayals and all sorts of political maneuvering all taking place in a New Orleans that is being hit with winter weather like never before experienced. And DJ has developed a new issue since her bonding with Rand, when she gets cold enough, she goes into a state of hibernation. This is so not the time for her to be at anything but her best.

This was an engaging story with a cliffhanger ending. I want another book in this series now! ( )

I love me some Jean Lafitte so I enjoyed the fact that he had a huge role in PIRATE'S ALLEY. We also see a lot of Alex, Rand and Eugenia.

Some things that happened in PIRATE'S ALLEY. There has always been danger in the past books, book four brought the danger even closer and more personal to DJ's life. She has a lot to work through and I enjoyed following her as she solved the latest mystery. Eugenia becomes more involved in the world of paranormal when she finds out she's expecting. Rand proved himself just as shady and jerkish as we all thought he was. Alex's loyalties are tested to the max and he has a hard time trying to figure out where his loyalties should lie. DJ was able to work out a lot in regards to her feelings about Alex as well as how she feels about Jean Lafitte. I was pretty happy with the way things played out and how she came to the conclusion about the one she wanted.

There were a few spots throughout the story that I felt were a bit slow, but the ending made up for all of that. I am DYING to get my hands on book 5. I NEED to know what is going to happen next. PIRATE'S ALLEY was one of my favorite Sentinels of New Orleans installments.

* This book was provided free of charge from Bewitching Book Tours in exchange for an honest review. ( )