Death Knell (The Foundling Series Book 3) Kindle Edition

I love almost all of the author's books and can't really say enough good about them. This series though is slowly becoming my favorite. After this book was finished, I felt like turning it upside down and shaking it vigorously to make more words pour out so it wouldn't stop.It's not your typical supernatural type of 'romance'. I am not a romance fan, being more inclined to read Eddings or devour Pratchett or Feist. But, this book series just satisfies. They all satisfy. Do yourself a favor and read Hailey Edwards books. If you can't get into her work... well then, I just can't trust ya. Go get checked out.

I quickly read the prior books in this series and was really looking forward to this book, then I read it. While reading the book I kept waiting for it to get good, or to get to a point that we got some great reveal. Instead this book was one of the worse examples of a 'middle book' that I've ever read. The worse part is that there really wasn't an ending either, it just stopped. So, between the lack luster relationship with Cole, the buildup to a fight with her sister that went no where, other fights happening off screen, and the lack of an ending I'm left frustrated and annoyed.To be fair, I love this author. Her other series is excellent and each book was a treat. So, I will keep going with this series to see how it ends. However, I'll probably wait a while before continuing.Recommendation: Read if your already committed to the series, just lower your expectations.

I love Hailey Edward books and this one was awesome. Luce was found floating in the swamps as a child with no identity and strange markings. She has since discovered she is Conquest, one of four sisters who invade planets to take them over. Except something went wrong when she entered Earth and she lived a human life until her sister’s started showing up. Now she is trying to learn how to handle having a split personality that could erupt at any moment to kill those she loves and an invasion of her sister’s followers. But the real battle is yet to come because someone has been behind the scenes pulling strings all along. I love how strong Luce is and how each character is so unique. The world the author has built is unlike any other book I’ve read. This is a must read series.

3.5/5.0Good points to consider:1. The story is engaging and keeps the reader wanting more.2. Luce, Cole and the rest of her coterie are fabulous characters written with depth - allowing readers to really love each one, for good or ill.3. The interaction, loyalty, love and commraderie between those main characters is the basis that brings one back to each new book.4. The whole “found in the swamp as a girl” thing is incredibly interesting, along with Luce’s human nature because of it gives the entire series its heart. (See #2 below for the “but” coming.)Bad points to consider:1. NO ENDING!! Not even a cliffhanger - it is a full-stop. Right in the middle of the storyline. No threads tied up. No conclusion to any part. Just... quit. I HATE THAT!2. While the “found in the swamp” was a creative and immensely promising start to the series, the play-out with Luce being one of the four harbingers of the apocolypse with all the evil, kinda weird world buidling after was dissappointing. Part of her being this horrifically sadistic creature isn’t enjoyable for me to read.3. The afore-mentioned world is so complex it seems convoluted at times. I guess I like mine a bit more linear and not so all over the place. SO many players, it’s tiring.Everything considred, however, my biggest problem is with the non-ending. To me those are extremely disrespectful to every reader who invests the time and money to read a book. Leaving the overall arc dangling in a series is fine as long as the arc in each individual story is closed. Completely opened-ended should never be considered unless it is written and stated as a serial.

•••NOT for the homophobic, transphobic, closedminded, or faint of heart!•••This series must be read in order. The first book is "Bayou Born". The second book is "Bone Driven". This is the third book. I can't wait to read "Rise Against"!Luce has her work cut out for her. She needs to repair the damage to her house done by Famine and her minions... And that is the least of her problems. She needs her Father to come out of his coma... She needs to figure out when and where Death will Breach. She needs to find Famine and out her down for good. Everything seems so massive she doesn't know where to start. Can she keep Death from Breaching? Will she be able to win Death to her side when and if she Breaches? Can she totally win the trust of her Coterie? Can she trust her "partner"? Or is she all alone in this world without an ally in sight not bound to her?

I’m really enjoying this series, and in this third book, Luce Boudreau has left the police force and is working with her new partner, Adam Wu and her coterie to investigate the gruesome bodies washing ashore, which they suspect are a message sent from her sister Death. As Luce learns more of the new world she’s now part of, the more confused she becomes as to what her part is, who she can trust, and who are all of the players. I love Luce and her coterie, especially Cole, her love interest - and she’s very interested but must step lightly with him. Thom, Santiago, Miller, Portia/Maggie and Adam Wu are all fantastic characters as well. There are some interesting revelations in this book, danger everywhere they go, and plenty of action as they work to eliminate some of War’s coterie (the giant alligators) using intel from War’s captured daughter Sariah, which puts some of Luce's coterie in serious danger. I can’t wait to read the next book to find out what happens to all of these great characters.

So this one starts with Luce firmly back in the arms of her coterie at the bunkhouse and Cole even though he is still trying to keep a semblance of distance between them both has started to gradually become more possessive of her, his own inner primal nature for the moment winning the tug-of-war with his more logical side.After the previous fallout with Luce's human partner Rixton, Luce is now firmly collaborating with Adam Wu as he shows her the ropes of her new job.The enigma that is Wu continues to obscure while his mysterious father is brought into the mix for examination.There are so many questions here not least of all their family's curious species and origins and just what Wu actually wants and expects in the long-term from his partnership with Luce.I also do get the impression that this is maybe not his first rodeo in regards to Luce.There is also the question of her shattered psyche and whether he has anything to do with that particular event both personally or from further afar.Then there's that enigma Ezra, just who he is and what does he represent especially in regards to Luce and Conquest.I pinged back and forth over his end-goal and actual identity changing my mindset multiple times over.My eventual conclusion as of yet and at this stage of the journey is just complete conjecture but I think I have a fair idea of idea and hopefully, the next book will prove me right for the moment, I am not sharing.Back to Wu and what his presence could mean in regard to Luce and her destiny and I do think he is up to his pretty neck in all this.Well, he is obviously powerful and has connections of the highest order, definitely top of the food chain.He is holding his cards close to his chest and I do think he definitely has his own agenda, what that is does start to become clearer the further on here you get.As for sides, I think Wu wants to be on Luce's but it may clash with his own agenda as much as he may wish that it didn't.We also do get to see a more human side to Wu here which I really did appreciate.So here we get to finally discover just what Miller is hiding under his skin and my guess was so spot-on, just need to see Santiago's base form now which is obviously aquatic in nature.Pace-wise this one was way snappier than the previous book and where that was all about the connection Death Knell focuses more on the action and systematically removing their enemies.In fact, in terms of violence, this holds the top spot so far.Finally, that ending really put the cat among the pigeons it was just so spectacular and further muddied the waters.This instalment just had so much going on and if you felt in the previous book that the momentum was lost here its full steam ahead in terms of the plot moving forward.I really like how the whole picture is starting to fit togetherThis was a complete trip and I am still loving the ride really looking forward to book 4 just so much.

With Famine behind bars and War still playing games it is all balanced on the arrival of Death. Luce is visiting her cold space more and more, this she realises is Conqueror's character rising, but with her coterie around her she pulls her back. Adam Wu is still pushing his luck and seems to take pleasure in winding up Cole.Luce finally gets to see the otherness of her coterie as she heads out to destroy nests belonging to War, when Thom is hurt deliberately to taunt Luce.We finally understand that Ezra is Adam's father and is a self proclaimed god, but people are still keeping secrets but Luce tells them about her found day phone calls and demands to meet him.

Death Knell is the third instalment of The Foundling series. Hailey Edwards has a way with words. Her words weave magic. The story is so unlike anything I’ve ever read before and it is simply brilliant.Luce is still discovering herself and embracing the relationships with her coterie. The revelations in this book took my breath away at times - then more twists and turns unfold. Read this series of books - you will not regret it.I received a copy of this from Netgalley in advance of the release but still bought the book as I wanted it for my collection.

On Amazon this shows as a 3 book series but then I find out that it is 5 and buying them all is expensive.Lots of revelations in this book and I am looking forward to reading the next book. It is a fantastic example of superb world building. However, I always find the beginnings slow reaching to an almighty crescendo at the end.

I have just raced through this book, after reading the first two just as quickly.Plenty of bombshells in this installment, but the story does not end yet!I hope the wait for book 4 is not too long....Great read for lovers of urban fantasy.