Blood Ties Book Four: All Souls' Night

By Jennifer Armintrout

Love Sookie Stackhouse and Bella Swan? It's time to meet newly turned-vampire Carrie Ames.

I have reached my breaking point. And now I will not, cannot be stopped. With the Soul Eater on the verge of god status, it's time for me to take a final stand, even if it means losing everything I love. Even if it means losing my life. Again.

I've got plenty of power on my side, and some I didn't know I could count on in the first place. But it's nothing compared to the army of the undead the Soul Eater is building up. And time is running out. They say that good always triumphs over evil. I hope that's true. Because the odds aren't in our favour, and the fate of the world is in our hands.

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins UK
• Release date: Jun 1, 2010
• ISBN: 9781408927977

Jennifer Armintrout

Jennifer Armintrout is the bestselling author of the Blood Ties series. She resides in West Michigan with her husband and children.

Reviews for Blood Ties Book Four

[atreic · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I really wanted to like these. I love Jennifer Armintrout's witty, sassy blog. But, having faithfully made it all the way to the end, they just didn't really click for me. They have some excellent parts - I love Max and Bella, and the ideas about werewolf-vampire crosses, and Ziggy's relationship with Bill was sweet - and they should have had the perfect ingredients - love! A triangle! Dark evil to be conquered! Torture! A lost love! - but I never really lost myself in them. Also, JA was so snarky at Shades of Grey for unrealistic characters setting bad role models, but then dives down in this last book to 'It was love at first site, I'd known all along he was the only one for me' and 'if my love is dead I must kill myself'. The ending felt rushed, after over 1000 pages of buildup, and 'and they all lived happily ever after and dreamed of having babies together' was much twee-er than I'd come to expect from this series...

[shelleyjax · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Rating: 2.5 stars I would have to really struggle to find myself rating this book any higher than this.All Soul’s Night is the Last book in the Blood Ties series by Jennifer Armintrout. Some won’t be happy with my review, while others who have also suffered along with me through this series to get to the end, will agree with most of what I’m saying. Hopefully ::grin::So, in summary of the books events since most of it was background noise for what really happens in the end, here is your run down.Carrie & Nathan find themselves in Chicago after running away from Jacob Seymour, the Soul Eater megalomaniac who wants to become a God, and thus make the world his hunting ground for his vampire followers. Nathan is still upset with Carrie after she slept with Cyrus. Cyrus was later killed by his father the Soul Eater. Nathan tires of having to prove that he actually does love her. After Nathan gets a stunning phone call, which Carrie tries to tell him it’s a trap, he speeds back to Grand Rapids and you can guess what happens next.Max and Bella are in Italy trying to find a way for Max to fit in with Bella’s pack lead by her father Julian. Bella is still pregnant with the baby she and Max created after he was given a potion to drink by Dahlia. Said megalomaniac really wants the baby; badly. Max is struggling to understand how being a Lupin is any different from being a vampire, or a werewolf. Julian then decides to get rid of Max, by sending him to Chicago so that he can die fighting the Soul Eater and another suitor, preferably one that is a born werewolf, who can step in and raise the baby as his own. That was Julian’s last mistake as pack leader. Ziggy is alive and a vampire. Oh wait, you would have already known this if you read the previous book Ashes to Ashes! ::head slap:: what was I thinking! He was made into a vampire by the ever present Soul Eater. Of course, Ziggy feels he has no choice but to lure Nathan into a trap since Jacob is in his head 24/7 telling him what to do. Ziggy believes the BS that the SE was selling by saying he wouldn’t hurt Nathan. Yes, and at no point during this book, or series was Carrie not annoying enough to make you want to smack your head against the table several times until you pass out from blood rushing to your skull! He also blames Carrie for failing to protect him while they were both under Cyrus's roof.The VVEM, or Voluntary Vampire Extinction Movement, is basically nonexistent after the Oracle tore through their headquarters and killed anyone who got in the way. Those who did survive, have no means to contact the other members since they don’t keep records! ::eyeroll:: No worries though, the Oracle is dead and stays that way! ::applause:: The only problem is, those who did survive can’t be used to help bring down the Soul Eater. Ah, well, no worries. Our heroes and heroine will find a way out of this mess.Nathan is taken after a battle with Dahlia and her zombie like creatures back to the SE’s ranch, where she plays Silence of the Lambs on his body. Ok, seriously, Dahlia is one of the creepiest characters you will find in any series. She is seriously off the reservation when it comes to her sanity and her deviousness as well. Surprise! Cyrus is not dead after all! As I said before, none of the main players in this series really stay dead. Cyrus has been dead, and brought back to life so many times now you have to wonder WTH Jennifer was thinking. I don’t understand the point either. I mean, he ends up being the last soul necessary to complete the Soul Eater’s ritual, but his story ends with him screaming Carrie’s name while watching her die. Carrie creates Golem like creatures, one of which stabs Bill, a new character who was Max’s blood supplier, in the heart. Ziggy in a desperate move, turns Bill, but his heart has been damaged. Carrie does a crazy in home heart transplant, which, seriously, you expect readers to actually believe that after all the time away from being a doctor that she can just pick up the tools, and begin again? Riiiiggggghhhhhhttttt*Here is where I will get a bunch of comments and disagreements.*Ziggy and Bill find themselves utterly, madly, and deeply in love. ::gagging:: I had to agree with Max's point of view at this point. I don't care what the hell you do, or do it with, as long as I don't have to watch or hear it happening. Carrie kills Dahlia by drinking her blood and sucking in her soul. Creepy! So, now she has the devious bitch in her body and finds that she has the ability to kill the Soul Eater all on her own. ::sigh::Max turns all furry after leaving Carrie, Nathan, Bill, and Ziggy to their own battles. Later, he returns home to Bella to tell her that she needs to accept that he is a vampire, as well as a werewolf. Again, what was the point of having Max in this end story at all if he's not going to be there at the end? Ziggy plays more of a role in what evenutally happens than he does.In the end, the Soul Eater is killed; Cyrus survives his ordeal but nobody seems to care since he doesn't get his happy ending; Carrie dies in a blaze of glory after inhalling the Soul Eater into her body; Nathan kills Carrie by stabbing her heart, then takes his own life by staking himself because he doesn’t want to live without her. The End.No really that’s the end.Seriously what more did you want me to say? Ok, so, that wasn't the actual ending, ending to the series...............In a twisted and completely stupid move, Nathan is brought back to life by Ziggy and Bill who completely adore each other even without the sire/youngling link they share. Then 6 months after that, Carrie is brought back to life by Nathan. And…..they are both human. And...they live happily ever after to make babies, and get married, and in 20 years of more if they so choose, they can have Ziggy turn them back into vampires.....OR......Cyrus will return and profess his undying love for Carrie and bite her again and steal her away from Nathan who will remain human. Yeah, that's what I thought as well.

[mary1963_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Two Minute Review for “All Souls’ Night” by Jennifer ArmintroutThis is the fourth and last installment of the Blood Ties Series with Dr. Carrie Ames, her sire/lover Nathan and their crew out to save the world from the Soul Eater. As always, I find Carrie a little whinny, Nathan a little to martyred to be fun. However, Ziggy and Bill are great unexpectedly passionate heroes and charmed the heck out of me. Max and Bella are not as involved in this story as they where in the third. Despite that little disappointment, I did enjoy this book far more than the other three. It was faster paced, less soap opera scenes, more action based horror. Cool.

[em18966 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

“They didn’t have time to get out of the way, and I heard body parts hitting the undercarriage of the vehicle. It reminded me of the way dandelion heads sounded smacking against the bottom of my little red wagon as I’d pulled it through the backyard as a child.” Anyone who has read books one thru three of the Blood Ties books by Jennifer Armintrout (I love her last name, so rememberable!!) knows that they are exceedingly well written. In a genre (paranormal romance/urban fantasy or whatever you want to call it) that is plagued by subpar examples of published writing, they are seriously above and beyond what many have come to expect. The plots are always well-paced, and the characters believable and never one-dimensional. So, when I began reading All Souls’ Night, the fourth and final book in the series, it was with high expectations.I was not to be disappointed. The action in the book immediately picked up in an unexpected way, as the apartment Carrie and Nathan are borrowing is broken into. After a rough little tussle, they realize that their home invader is not what he seems and a new ally is found. As those who are up to date on the series know, book four is all about evading and stopping the Soul Eater, who is on his way to becoming a god and wrecking all sorts of havoc on man (and vampire) kind. Old friends reappear, including some ‘dead’ ones. This book is a shining example of how difficult it really is to kill a vampire for good…There are surprises in almost every chapter of this book. Perhaps the biggest surprise comes at the very end (don’t worry, no spoilers). Armintrout found a very inventive and satisfying way to conclude her Blood Ties series; even the most die-hard fans should be pleased with the way everything wraps up. All in all, this was a really great book, easily four stars. However, do yourself a favor and start reading this series at the beginning. If you try to jump into it in the middle, you are going to be confused and will almost certainly get less out of it. *****I do feel obligated, as a reviewer, to disclose that there is a very graphic sex scene involving two men towards the beginning of the book. It didn’t offend me (although I was pretty surprised at how graphic it was), but in reading other reviews, I have discovered that other readers WERE offended by it, and felt that they should have been somehow warned about it. As I am recommending this book, I thought it appropriate to include this disclaimer*****

[bookwhisperer · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I have completed the series. The final book lost a little steam coming into this finale. Jennifer Armintrout is a good author, and I will look forward to reading more from this author. The Blood Ties saga seemed to have taken a leapt in way of imagination in the final books of this series. I feel that this last book was a little far fetched to read, but was still all in all a good read.

[pacey1927 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Carrie and crew are ready for their final showdown with the Soul Eater. Many people don't escape unharmed and their is carnage and twists aplenty. This story finds a way to wrap up all the loose 'blood' ties and I was completely satisfied with the conclusion. I have wavered with these books and found them to be quite uneven. This book made it worth the entire struggle (sometimes) and joy (sometimes) to get here. Carrie finally gets her head on straight and sees herself and others as they are and how they need to be. She sees what is truly important to her and has to make some tough decisions. The other characters we have seen throughout the series play out their stories to a mostly concrete ending as well. Armintrout really gave her characters a chance to stand out and many of her side characters are more exciting and dear to readers (at least to me) than Carrie, Nathan, or even Cyrus. The action really builds and its interesting to see how they prepare for battle physically and emotionally. Its also almost funny at times to see Carrie's powers grow. This is the book that could have blown the whole series for me, but instead, its the book that will ensure that I will not hesitate to recommend it to others.

[ruthiesbookreviews · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book is what we have all been waiting for! Armintrout finally had our heroine, Carrie face the evil of the Soul Eater. For three books now, we have watched Carrie fight over her feelings for both Nathan and Cyrus and come into her own as a vampire.We have been with Carrie through out the series. And the others. Nathan, a big strapping vampire, who finally let's go and loves Carrie. Ziggy, Nathan's son, who is now a vampire and we spend the whole book deciding who's side he's on -- the good (Carrie and Nathan's) or evil (the Soul Eater). Max, who has come back for the fight and is now half vamp- half werewolf. Cyrus makes an appearance as he came back from the dead. Dahlia, the snide little witch who just loves to cause problems and is now more powerful than ever. And of course, the new guy, Bill, who just happens to stumble into all of the violence and war, while becoming a vamp himself.Jennifer has certainly given her all in this book to bring closure on the story. *Sighs* She brings together a world where her characters all have their good sides and their evil sides. But just how evil must a good vamp become to bring an end to the war!!!!! Her characters were never just plain and ordinary run of the mill people (okay, vampires) -- they had depth and internal wars going on. That's what makes this series work! Jennifer's writing certainly stands out in this genre!

[crishaynes · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

**spoilers****I have mixed feelings about this book. I did find myself enjoying it as I read it. however, as I absorbed it over the course of the next day or two, she did make it convenient. The way Cyrus continues to come back is getting to be very old. It is no longer inventive. However, you do get a feasible reason as to why the Soul Eater continues to do so. I find it odd though that his father would do so when he doesn't need to and there are no remains of him to be found. (Just to prove his point and a to torture him) Also, the ritual of becoming a God in the end is much to simplistic. What is to stop anyone from doing it? And sucking a vampire's soul? Hmm...first off....I thought vampires lacked souls...secondly.....also very simplistic. Being that vampires are widely evil and crave power, what stops them all from achieving this god-like status? And how is it that Dahlia is so against their cause but seems to give her beneficial information at just the right time?The move Carrie and Nathan did was very heroic. Also, what Ziggy did for Bill was very heroic, in giving him his heart. However, you kinda see the ending coming a mile away. Nathan always wanted kids. The only thing I didn't see happening is that Ziggy would be able to do it. I figured that Bill would command the Henries to bring her back as they had all the knowledge that Carrie did prior to her death. We don't know what happens to Cyrus in the end. It was heart felt in the final chapter. Although I was disappointed at Max's lack of regard for the well-being of his long time buddies. He didn't even bother to check in on them. So, I do have mixed feelings about the ending but it did entertain and cause emotion so I guess it makes it a good book.

[jjmachshev_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Well this was the fourth and final book in Jennifer Armintrout's 'Blood Ties' series. This is a very dark series about vampires. There's quite a bit more violence and blood, and even the sex is darker. I would really classify this as Urban Fantasy vice romance. I did enjoy the series, but am not sure if I will read her next. There is a HEA, but getting there was just too hard.