Yashima reviewed Holy Smokes (Aisling Grey, Guardian, Book 4) by Katie MacAlister (Aisling Grey, Guardian (4))
Review of 'Holy Smokes (Aisling Grey, Guardian, Book 4)' on 'Goodreads'
2 stars
In this final book Aisling bumbles along in her usual „professional“ manner, „not understanding“ because nobody ever explains and the action interrupting her wedding again and again and again. And she continues making up weird rules for Drake to follow. Now he has to tell her „I love you“ at least once a day and she keeps calling him „Sweeeeetieee!“ rolls-eyes. Her lusting after him has diminished in no way, her self-centered behavior („Oh there you are, let me tell you how terrible my day was.... for five pages until I remember to ask you why you stood me up for the fucking wedding“) and inability to think before jumping only interrupted by unbelievable flashes of genius („oh I think the black smoke from half-finished summoning circles will not trigger the smoke detectors“)
What remains of the sex scenes are a few fragments... actually a relief after the weirdness that …
In this final book Aisling bumbles along in her usual „professional“ manner, „not understanding“ because nobody ever explains and the action interrupting her wedding again and again and again. And she continues making up weird rules for Drake to follow. Now he has to tell her „I love you“ at least once a day and she keeps calling him „Sweeeeetieee!“ rolls-eyes. Her lusting after him has diminished in no way, her self-centered behavior („Oh there you are, let me tell you how terrible my day was.... for five pages until I remember to ask you why you stood me up for the fucking wedding“) and inability to think before jumping only interrupted by unbelievable flashes of genius („oh I think the black smoke from half-finished summoning circles will not trigger the smoke detectors“)
What remains of the sex scenes are a few fragments... actually a relief after the weirdness that reigned supreme in book 2 + 3.
While it becomes clearer, how the author intended to use Aisling‘s over-the-top cluelessness for comedy, most of the time those attempts just fall flat for me and Jim’s snarky comments are repeated too often to hold any comedic value at the end of book 4. But „sometimes brains are overrated“ (brains are mentioned 19 times in the book, most often concerning Aisling’s capacity). Aisling‘s favorite curse „hell“ is corrected by Jim to „Abbadon“ in at least two dozen instances.
Her collection of sidekicks has grown with every book. With the Rene mystery lifted even he becomes boring and don’t get me started on Uncle „black-ops“ Damian. Traci and the software company could have been good for some jokes but alas he is only ever sent to fetch chicken. Don‘t forget Nora her on-and-off friend/mentor who appears conveniently when she can help the plot.
Speaking-of. The plot is just as wobbly as the previous 3, barely skirting around the holes, lacking in actual consequences (she gives up being a Guardian only to not be able to).
Recommended if finishing a series brings you some kind of closure. Although the book leaves enough „open ends“ that the series could have continued...
