For Heaven's Eyes Only (2011) (edit title/settings)

• Rated 3 stars

“Decent book if a little bit repetitive. ”

• Rated 3 stars

“This fifth book in the Secret Histories series by Simon R. Green started out with an interesting premise, but when the perpetrators of the conspiracy are revealed, I gradually lost interest in the story.

Eddie Drood is once again faced with the mission that would at once seem impossible for most, but as the most experienced field agent of the Droods, Eddie and his loyal girlfriend and powerful witch Molly Metcalf must face off against Satanists intent on bringing Hell on Earth.

While For Heaven’s Eyes Only had most of the elements that make the Secret Histories novels so unique and entertaining, I just never found the storyline as compelling as the previous entries in the series. Part of my frustration lay in not knowing who the leader of the Satanists was until the very end of the novel. I’m not sure why it was so important to leave his identity unknown, because the big reveal at the end of the story doesn’t come as a huge surprise and really is not that important to the overall story. The Satanists themselves are a very nebulous enemy, as the face of the enemy changes from scene to scene.

Hopefully the next novel will find the Droods fighting a more interesting menace.
”

• Rated 2 stars

“I really enjoy this series, but this is a weak entry. The plot is essentially, "go get the bad guys", the one-liners and quips seem forced, and the new characters are very cartoonish.

The book ends with a major cliffhanger, and I will definitely give the next book a chance. I hope it gets better.”

• Rated 5 stars

“We all know or have heard of the expression, NO Rest for the Wicked. But perhaps a tad of that was forgotten or could be reworked for this novel, as there is certainly No Rest for the Ones who faced the Wicked! In this case, the new bad in the continuing Secret Histories series by award winning author and my fave, Simon R. Green.

Last we saw our hero, Edwin Drood, he was stabbed and left for dead in Book 4, From Hell With Love, after confronting the accursed Immortals who infiltrated the ranks and the family of Droods to assassinate their leader, the Matriarch. Although they were also successful in storming Castle Frankenstein to battle down the Immortals with the help of Frankenstein’s spawn, it was finally time for Eddie to get some peace and quiet.

But peace and quiet were not exactly what he had when the book opens up with a scene in a ghost dimension, or Limbo, and has Eddie running up and down a cold, glass-frosted, and desolate looking Drood Hall. He’s all alone and hasn’t found a living soul to talk to except finding and talking to members of his family who already have died or those foes or friends that he has dispatched and died from the service of protecting the world from supernatural bad-asses, as that’s what the Drood Family does.

The Droods, all clad in their indestructible and retractable, Golden Armor, are our defense against the supernatural horde who want to lay claim to the world that is ours. In Limbo, Eddie encounters someone telling him, and alluding to it successfully, that his parents are actually alive. And of course, Eddie being the hero of our tale, never really was dead, as his girlfriend, the powerful witch Molly Metcalf comes into Limbo and brings him out. Although he was nearly dead, he wasn’t quite so as Molly had the initiative of transporting his heart elsewhere; to a secret location and thus he couldn’t be killed. Dear reader, this was also a trick that Molly did in Book 4 when I thought she was a goner. I know, spoiler! Me bad.

But moving on, Book 5 continues on the mayhem and doubt instilled in the previous book and brings in a new malevolent force slated to create havoc in the world, by way of a Satanic conspiracy. The need to know who’s behind it and how deeply the organization has infiltrated the British and other governments of the world in preparation for the much touted, Great Sacrifice; once revealed was shocking enough to make me shake my head in disgust. Disgust, not from the writing or plot points, but for what it entailed for its success. Ah, Green, you still amaze me with each book outing.

Suffice to say, I thoroughly enjoyed this 5th book and urge anyone to not read it in random order but to start where it all began. From new characters like powerful telepath, Ammonia Van Acht, Charlatan Joe, Lady Damnation, Indigo Blue, the adorable spirit named Poof that finally has revealed itself and guards the Drood Library, to other noteworthy recurring and revealing characters like the Drood lovers Roger Morningstar and Harry Drood, the novel offers the same witty dialogue, repartee and snappish remarks between Molly and Eddie and also between other members of the Drood clan make this another classic Drood read for me.

Just when I thought Book 3 tired and burned me out early and left me for a revitalized reading, Books 4 and 5 certainly did that. And with another cliffhanger to top all endings, I fear that I may have to wait too long for the next book to come out next year. And because this is the supernatural James bond adventure that we have all come to enjoy and love with each release on the life of a Drood, Book 6 is aptly titled, Live and Let Drood.

Frankly, I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Where’s my Martini, shaken…not stirred. Please.
”

• Rated 4 stars

“Green's bombastic novels of the ever-powerful protectors of Earth, the Drood family, are an over-the-top homage to Ian Fleming's ouvre, as you can tell by the titles. This one, the 5th in the "Secret Histories" series, is more bombastic yet, with a rather shocking ending, which (without giving anything away) makes me wonder what Green has up his sleeve, for the next in the series, "Live and Let Drood". This wacky, metaphysical, blood & guts series is similar to Charles Stross' "The Laundry Files", and I HIGHLY recommend both, for readers who like to seriously escape reality, from time to time.”

• Rated 3 stars

“Great reference, good story, horrible ending. Now, I'm not talking about "oh, boo-hoo, I didn't like what happened to the characters." I'm talking a sloppy, poor job on Green's part. I love his writing and I understand the point of a cliff hanger ending, but it was almost like he started to write a good ending and then just got distracted and gave it to his publisher. I did, however like the way that his three story lines are converging more and more. ”

• Rated 5 stars

“WOW, I loved this book! Once again, the Drood family (and Molly) are back kicking evil butt. I found this book was very fast paced, and filled with lots of action. Eddie and his family continue their battle to save humanity, this time from a fate that would bring hell on earth. Revelations, surprises, death & some quick-witted humor make this a fantastic read. You finally find out who the traitor in the family is too! And what an ending.... great starting point for the next installment, but kinda sad :(

Definitely worth a read if you are a Simon r Green fan”