Balthazar (Evernight, 5)

I would absolutely record reading the beginning of this series so you have a full understanding of the book, other wise it might be slightly confusing.Besides that, I absolutely ate this book up like her other four. I swear, every time I finish one of her books I go out and buy more Claudia Gray is an imaginative, innovative, and wildly creative author. I recommend her to everyone I can!

Balthazar is by far my favorite character of the Evernight series, so I was so happy to see him get his own book. Balthazar is angsty vampire of the series with a tortured past. His backstory hits just about every hurt/comfort and angst button there is. If you like the broody, guilt-ridden, quiet and angsty type of vampire, then you'll love Balthazar.So how is the book? It was great for me and a lot of fun to be reminded over and over again just how hurt and angsty Balthazar is. Getting half the book from his perspective was a major, major plus for me. I enjoyed learning how he thinks. This book also has several (four, I think) mini-flashbacks to the past to the story of how he came to Evernight, and there are also a lot of flashbacks as part of the storyline. I really enjoyed the flashbacks and was happy to read every single one of them, but it also felt like they didn't add that much that we didn't already know. I would have liked to have seen some newer angst stories that we didn't already know or couldn't have guessed. But all in all, I felt this book did give great insight into Balthazar, and I really enjoyed reading all about the pains in his past.His love interest in this book is Skye, who was in Afterlife. My initial reaction was no, no, no. She seems like such a Mary Sue, and even as you read the first chapter of this book she still seems that way. However, as the story went on, I did find myself liking her more. She grew on me. So if you're worried about that, I say read at least the firs three chapters and give her a chance.One important thing I think people should know about this book is that it really isn't a standalone book. It's supposed to be, but it's not. It relies heavily on knowledge from all four Evernight books. So much so that I found myself wishing I'd reread them all before reading this book, even though I read them within the last couple of years. Also, the ending does not feel finished. Things are not resolved like they should be if this is truly the end. I expect a sequel even though the author has said she has no specific plans for one. The book really needs it, and I would enjoy it. So don't go into the book expecting everything to be completely tidied up by the end.All in all, I still really liked this book. Balthazar is such a great character that I think it would be impossible for me to give any book about him five stars. There are things I think that could have been improved upon, but it's still a great read that I highly recommend to paranormal romance fans, Twilight fans, and angst fans.

3.5 starsI enjoyed this book but to be honest, I thought I would have enjoyed a book about Balthazar more (no pun intended lol). He was my favourite character from the Evernight series and I couldn't wait to read this. I thought this was just going to be one book to finish off Balthazar's story and leave us with his happily ever after but from the ending, its seems like it could be the first of a series (I'll have to check this out though I could be wrong).I feel that as a series, it could become long winded and drawn out in a game of cat and mouse just with a change of head cat for next time. But of course, Ms. Gray could have some fantastic idea's up her sleeve that she can add to this. If its not going to be a series, then there was a lot of loose ends, so my guess would be that it is.Balthazar is a fantastic character. Swoonworthy, brave, strong and considerate. He arrives at Skye's house, having been asked by Lucas to check on her because she was having a problem with some wraiths. He is just in time to save her from being killed by a vampire. But in the attack, the vampire manages to get a taste of Skye's blood, which turns out to have a special effect on vampires. When he returns to his tribe and tells them about it, the entire tribe go after Skye, led by Redgrave.Skye is an awesome heroine. I didn't pay too much attention to her in the Evernight series even though she was the one who saved Bianca in the end. She showed us then how brave she was by letting Bianca possess her, and that bravery continues to show in Balthazar. She doesn't hide away when she has all the vampires on her tail, she continues on with life as best she can. She even gets Balthazar to teach her how to fight.Most of the secondary characters in this are vampires, including Charity, Balthazars sister, who continues to be a large pain in Balthazar's butt.We see some flashbacks into Balthazar's past which are really interesting. Previous run ins with Redgrave and his tribe. We find out more about the events surrounding him being turned into a vampire.I would recommend this book to fans of the Evernight series. I think you could probably still read and enjoy it without having read Evernight once the reader had some idea as to who Lucas and Bianca are. They don't play that big a part in this book but I feel that if it is a series, we may see them return. There is definitely an opening for it.

Haven't looked at the publication date on this book, but ended on a cliff hanger, so i hope more books are coming. Just recently discovered this author, and she is great! Reading everything she has published right now. I haven't gotten bored with her books like i do with other authors, cause she just always has this surprising twist, and it blows my mind every time.

2.5 STARSThis book was written that it can be read as a stand alone book from the series. However if I had not read the series first, there is no way that I would have liked this book quite so much. As it is the book has been sitting on my to read pile for well over a year.Yes, it was nice to get more perspective into the past that man Balthazar into the man that he is, but the whole book just fell sort of, flat and weak.Skye was a strong person mentally, but she just didn't do it for me. There were small mentions of Lucas and a small cameo appearance of Bianca and Clem was texting Skye a lot, but no other mentions of the Evernight cast.Probably a good book to read if you like the Twilight series, but still not as good. A disappointing read. But certainly better if you read the Evernight series first.

I really enjoyed the Evernight series and even though Baltazar played a big role throughout, I really felt that I wanted to learn more about him and was I pleased when I saw that he had his own story.All I can say is that I enjoyed this as much as I did the series. Definitely a read again and would recommend to YA fans.

Like the authur, I fell fot Balthazar, and so jumped at the chance to read this book. The only thing I can say is it left me wanting more....MORE!

Enjoyed Balthazar's back story at long last. Didn't want to put it down.Evernight novels are always a great read. More please!

After finishing the the series... I was really curious about what would happen to Balthazar and Gray did not disappoint! Make sure you read the ever-night series first though... otherwise it will not make as much sense :)