Elysian Fields (Sentinels of New Orleans, #3)

by Suzanne Johnson

"Elysian Fields by Suzanne Johnson is the fun, fast-paced third book in the Sentinels of New Orleans, a series of urban fantasy novels filled with wizards, mermen, and pirates. In the tradition of the Sookie Stackhouse books, these novels are perfect for readers of paranormal fiction and "fans of Charlaine Harris and Cat Adams." (Booklist) The mer feud has been settled, but life in South Louisiana still has more twists and turns than the muddy Mississippi. New Orleanians are under attack from a copycat killer mimicking the crimes of a 1918 serial murderer known as the Axeman of New Orleans. Thanks to a tip from the undead pirate Jean Lafitte, DJ Jaco knows the attacks aren't random--an unknown necromancer has resurrected the original Axeman of New Orleans, and his ultimate target is a certain blonde wizard. Namely, DJ. Combating an undead serial killer as troubles pile up around her isn't easy. Jake Warin's loup-garou nature is spiraling downward, enigmatic neighbor Quince Randolph is acting weirder than ever, the Elders are insisting on lessons in elven magic from the world's most annoying wizard, and former partner Alex Warin just turned up on DJ's to-do list. Not to mention big maneuvers are afoot in the halls of preternatural power. Suddenly, moving to the Beyond as Jean Lafitte's pirate wench could be DJ's best option"--

"The mer feud has been settled, but life in South Louisiana still has more twists and turns than the muddy Mississippi. New Orleanians are under attack from a copycat killer mimicking the crimes of a 1918 serial murderer known as the Axeman of New Orleans. Thanks to a tip from the undead pirate Jean Lafitte, DJ Jaco knows the attacks aren't random--an unknown necromancer has resurrected the original Axeman of New Orleans, and his ultimate target is a certain blonde wizard. Namely, DJ. Combating an undead serial killer as troubles pile up around her isn't easy. Jake Warin's loup-garou nature is spiraling downward, enigmatic neighbor Quince Randolph is acting weirder than ever, the Elders are insisting on lessons in elven magic from the world's most annoying wizard, and former partner Alex Warin just turned up on DJ's to-do list. Not to mention big maneuvers are afoot in the halls of preternatural power. Suddenly, moving to the Beyond as Jean Lafitte's pirate wench could be DJ's best option"--

• ISBN10: 0765333198
• ISBN13: 9780765333193
• Publish Date: 13 August 2013
• Publish Status: Out of Print
• Out of Print: 16 August 2021
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Tor Books
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 352
• Language: English

Reviews

[kimbacaffeinate]

4.5 Elysian Fields is the third book in the Sentinels of New Orleans series by Suzanne Johnson and I was beyond excited to get me hands on this little book. Johnson has created an action-packed, hot series with characters I simply cannot get enough of. This is quickly becoming one of my favorite series and I devoured it! Three word review: Amazing-tastic, action-packed, romantic.

Three weeks have passed since the last book and poor DJ is still trying to heal from her injuries but does she get to sit back and relax? Of course not! New Orleans has a serial killer on their hands who is acting eerily similar to the serial killer from 1918 known as the “Axeman”. Thanks to smexy pirate Jean Lafitte, we know the killer is the original “Axeman” and is being controlled by a necromancer. The Elders have decided DJ needs lessons in eleven magic, Jake is having trouble controlling his loup-garou and her neighbor and best friend’s boyfriend is behaving weirdly. Mix in Alex Warin and DJ’s life is about to get a little crazy. The tale that unfolded in Elysian Fields had me flipping the pages and gasping for air.

DJ is a kick-ass heroine who sucks it up and doesn’t whine. She takes chances that make me a little crazy but she lifts her chin cocks her eyebrow and stands by them. She has a code she lives by and you cannot help but respect her as a part of you thinks; if this was me you’d find me under my bed hiding! Jake Warin is really struggling, and from the beginning I have liked this smexy were, but his actions and how he handles them have me disappointed. Jean Lafitte is adorable, loyal, and despite ulterior motives I would want him on my side any day. Quince Randolph, the neighbor, has a strong presence in this tale and he is a player, a politician and I wanted to ring his little neck. Alex Warin has been my favorite of all of DJ’s possible love interests and he remains so. He is charming, loyal and totally kick-ass. Johnson introduces vampires, and oh our sweet-heart of a Merman is back *swoons* and the elves are involved making this tale completely enthralling.

New Orleans is such a great setting for Elysian Fields and Johnson brings it life from the streets to the Beyond. This could be read as a standalone as each book focuses on one case but you would lose out on the overall arc and it is one I am enjoying. We continue to see growth in both the characters and their relationships. I am anxious to see what potential DJ hasn’t tapped into as the hints continue. I loved learning about the hierarchy of the elves, the vampires and how the supernatural and wizard world is structured. We get some romance and it looks like DJ makes a choice although it’s not without complications. The pacing is absolutely fantastic and the individual threads all came together beautifully at the end. The ending itself was wonderful and has me excited for the next book. Oh, wait did I tell you there are now two more books planned? Woot!

Copy received in exchange for unbiased review and originally published @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer