Book Review: Belle Chasse by Suzanne Johnson

Belle Chasse
Author: Suzanne Johnson
Series: Sentinels of New Orleans (Book 5)
Publication: Tor Books (November 8, 2016)

Description: Suzanne Johnson's "strong and intriguing" (Publishers Weekly) urban fantasy series continues with Belle Chasse. The Sentinels of New Orleans series has earned starred reviews from Library Journal ("a resourceful heroine who relies on her magical ingenuity") and PW ("vivid...a lively tale jam-packed with action, magic, and intriguing plot twists").

With the wizard-elven treaty on the verge of collapse, the preternatural world stands on the brink of war. Unless former wizard sentinel DJ Jaco manages to keep the elven leader, Quince Randolph, focused on peace and not personal matters.

With no one on the throne, Faerie is in chaos, with rival princes battling for power. The still-undead pirate, Jean Lafitte, is building his own army of misfits, and DJ―stripped of her job and hiding in the Beyond to avoid the death sentence handed down by the wizard Council of Elders―can’t get anywhere near her beloved New Orleans or her significant something-or-other, Alex.

It's time to choose sides. Friends will become enemies, enemies will become allies, and not everyone will survive. DJ and her friends will learn a hard lesson: sometimes, even the ultimate sacrifice isn’t enough.

My Thoughts: DJ Jaco is on the run. She has lost her position as a wizard sentinel. She has taken refuge with her friend Jean Lafitte in his world on Grand Terre Island. An Elder that she formerly admired has become someone she can no longer respect. Elder Willem Zarkovi is in charge of the wizard council but he is woefully unprepared to deal with a world on the edge of war. When DJ refused to kill her friend Eugenie's unborn baby, she made Zarkovi look bad and he has been determined to get revenge ever since.

The preternaturals are on the verge of war. The wizards treaty with the elves is in danger of being broken. There is a war going on in faery between two brothers who each want to take the throne. The vampires are shifting sides to whoever they think is the strongest.

DJ has to deal with her mate Rand who happens to be an elf and the father of Eugenie's baby, Florian and Chrstoff the battling fae, Jean Lafitte who won't commit until he figures out which will be the winning side, and her own significant other Alex who is torn between loyalty to the wizard council and love for DJ.

This story was very entertaining. I love DJ's stubborn attitude and her own loyalty. I could sympathize with her as she was torn between her loyalty to the wizards and the clear threat that Zarkovi presented. I liked that she let her conscience be her guide and I liked that she learned where her bottom line was.

Fans of the Sentinels of New Orleans series won't want to miss this fifth adventure. I especially recommend this series for urban fantasy fans who enjoy Charlaine Harris's Sookie Stackhouse books or Chloe Neill's series set in New Orleans.

Favorite Quote:

"You can say that again," I muttered.

He looked at me, puzzlement narrowing his eyes. "Very well, In normal times, I would not begrudge--"

I held up my hand. "It's okay. I heard you." Sometimes, conversation with Jean could be a lot like a "Who's on First" riddle. 

I was given this one by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. You can buy your copy here.