Boston is a melting pot of supernatural creatures. Vampires, werewolves, shifters and zombies all co-exist within the city walls – that is, in one small section cordoned off from the humans. This quarantined zone is called Deadtown.
That’s where our heroine, Vicky Vaughn lives. She slays demons for a living, in particular, ones that infiltrate people’s dreams. Vicky enters the person’s dreamscape, kills the demon(s) there, and leaves the client with a promise of happy shiny dreams for the rest of his/her life.
After finishing one such job and packing up her things Vicky detects a slight presence of evil nearby. Apprehensive about dealing with another supernatural entity, Vicky blames her uneasiness on a lack of sleep and quickly corrals her teenage zombie assistant (who’d unexpectedly crashed Vicky’s demon slaying party) and heads home.
But Vicky can’t run from this particular evil. The next day she’s escorted to the police station and informed that her client died after her departure - but not of natural causes:
“He was . . .cooked. From the inside out. The body looked perfectly normal, even felt cold to the touch like you’d expect in a corpse. But when the paramedics lifted the victim onto the gurney, his mouth fell open. A jet of steam shot out and scalded one of the EMTs.”
“Ice cold skin but boiling inside.”
And just like that, Vicky’s world comes crashing in. You see, the detective has just described a Hellion, a badass demon of the worst caliper. Hellions exist to destroy on a large scale; earthquakes, plagues, and events of mass destruction are their specialties. Since Hellions almost never go after individuals it’s clear that a sorcerer (and a powerful one at that) must have directed the Hellion to attack her client.
Additionally, in order to get the Hellion inside Boston the sorcerer had to breach the city’s magical protective shield, previously erected by Boston’s white witches. But there’s a catch 22 to repairing the shield outright – sealing the shield means the Hellion is trapped inside the city and can’t be banished back to Hell.
But when the Hellion appears at the scene of Vicky’s next job and delivers a personal threat she realizes that her options for solving this problem are limited; she’s got to quickly hunt down and kill the Hellion (and find a way to banish it) before it starts a killing spree.
To complicate matters, her love life is on the skids, her closest family member is having identity issues and politics surrounding the upcoming gubernatorial race has prompted the press to shine a spotlight on her once private lifestyle.
Deadtown is the first in what I hope will be a long running fantasy series about Vicky’s life as a PA (Paranormal Americans) in modern day Boston. Nancy Holzner has created a plausible world in which humans and the supernatural co-exist, in particular, the political backdrop surrounding the story is dead on. Think about it: if we discovered that supernatural races had been living among us for centuries, the politics surrounding their legal and civil rights would dominate the airwaves. And can’t you just see our public servants making this issue a big part of their political platforms? All of this adds to the believability of Holzner’s storyline.
I thoroughly enjoyed Deadtown and eagerly look forward to the next installment in the series.
Teenage zombie books and life lessons sounds like an oxymoron but that’s what Daniel Waters has given us in his novel, Generation Dead. He’s crafted a unique story about teenagers who, after dying, inexplicably return from the dead as zombies – now known as the ‘living impaired’. They can think, although they process thoughts a little slower than the rest of us. They walk and talk a bit funny and they also have some feelings. The oddest thing is, all living impaired people are teenagers and they’re only in the United States. Hmmn, what’s up with that?
These newly formed living impaired beings still have their memories and identities and they remember how they died. Considering this, it seems a reasonable assumption that they would immediately want to return to their normal lives. This is where the crux of the problem lies in the story. No one wants them – not their parents or the general population. In fact, their parents are the ones who are most afraid and disgusted by them. But, these are still kids who want to be accepted and so - even if they do not have a home - they want to go to school. But in this book, as in real life for kids who are different, school is not easy . . .
Generation Dead focuses on Phoebe, a normal teenage girl who falls for a living impaired boy named Tommy. The story is not so much about their relationship but about how a relationship between two different “beings” affects the society around them. It is interesting to see how the author has written the situations that happen to these kids because - as you read - you can’t help but picture the same sorts of situations happening daily to any number of perceived ‘unwelcome’ groups in the United States.
As a high school teacher, I see all sorts of potential for this book and its use in the high school classroom. However, I don’t want to ruin it for any teen reading this review thinking, ‘well, if the teacher likes it -then forget it’. This book was written for teens and it is a great story. The kids in the novel are all dealing with overt discrimination in one way or another and when they work together as a group to help spread tolerance and understanding, you get to see how their lives are changed forever. Waters has hit the nail on the head on how ‘different’ groups are treated in this country, giving us an informative and relevant read - I am delighted to have found Generation Dead. YOU can find it at Amazon.
pre-order the book!
Here’s the book description from the Amazon UK site:
“If you think your family relationships are complicated, think again: you haven’t seen anything like the ones in Bon Temps, Louisiana. Sookie Stackhouse is dealing with a whole host of family problems, ranging from her own kin (a non-human fairy and a telepathic second cousin) demanding a place in her life, to her lover Eric’s vampire sire, an ancient being who arrives with Eric’s ‘brother’ in tow at a most inopportune moment. And Sookie’s tracking down a distant relation of her ailing neighbour (and ex), Vampire Bill Compton. In addition to the multitude of family issues complicating her life, the werewolf pack of Shreveport has asked Sookie for a special favour, and since Sookie is an obliging young woman, she agrees. But this favour for the wolves has dire results for Sookie, who is still recovering from the trauma of her abduction during the Fairy War.”
It hits the streets on May 4th but if you pre-order it you’ll get it delivered right to your door as soon as it’s available!
Also, if you pre-order it you get the book at a discount!
I just read Kitty Raises Hell and the name says it all. I picked it up because the title caught my eye - not knowing that it was the sixth in a series by Carrie Vaughn featuring “Kitty”. My usual policy is to never buy a book midway through a series but I am so glad I did this time, now I know that I have five books left to read and enjoy.
The story is about werewolves in a world where supernatural creatures have “come out”. Sound familiar? Not to worry, Kitty is the most famous werewolf around and as a supernatural radio host and alpha of the Denver pack, her story keeps a well used theme interesting. In this installment, a popular ghost hunting radio show wants to use Kitty in their latest production. But Kitty has brought back trouble from her recent trip to Las Vegas and the ghost hunters find out how dangerous the supernatural can really be. In Vegas, she was happily married to Ben, her lawyer boyfriend, but while in Vegas she also made an enemy of a strange cult and they want her dead. Their leader was killed and, of course, Kitty was involved.
The cult’s revenge has followed Kitty back to Denver in the form of a genie or Djinn that is destroying people she cares about. Ben, her new husband and fellow werewolf, is at a loss how to help her and she turns to Rick, the head of the vampires in Denver, to find some answers. To her chagrin, it seems no one has the answer to her problem with the genie until a mysterious ancient vampire shows up; offering his services with just one little string attached - her loyalty. Kitty is at an impasse and, as pack leader, everyone is looking for her to guidance. Terrible things are starting to happen and she is going to have to come up with the solution or possibly lose everyone she loves, not to mention her own life.
This was a very entertaining story and I am really looking forward to reading Carrie Vaughn’s other books. I especially liked the author’s original telling of a werewolf tale; her ideas are fresh and I was able to understand what was going on in the book even though I had not read the first five books in the series. Have you ever stopped at a restaurant you’ve never heard of - you were just too tired to keep driving - and then you ended up having a great meal? And, now, every time you see that restaurant, you want to stop and repeat that experience? Well, I compare that to finding this series of books. I happened upon it, it was a very good surprise, and I plan to read them all, and leave very satisfied.
Now, repeat after me: I will get Kitty Raises Hell, I will get Kitty Raises Hell, I will get . . .
Awesome, awesome, awesome….sorry, but I get repetitive when I am reviewing a fantasy book that I really loved. And, Ilona Andrews’ On the Edge is one of those books. It’s a great story of a strong woman who will do anything to protect her brothers, but – as often happens in life – things happen that are out of her control. And that’s when a mysterious warrior from another land arrives, ostensibly to help her but to her, he’s an enemy, even if she needs his help to survive.
Rose Drayton and her brothers, Jack and Georgie, live in a land called “the Edge”. It’s an area between the human world (the Broken) and the magical world (the Weird). “Edgers” live a hard-scrabble existence with no law and little money and they often take low-paying jobs in the Broken to make ends meet. Rose cleans offices in the Broken and raises her brothers in the Edge. However, she’s a very special (and hunted) Edger because she has the magical ability to “flash white” – an ability that makes her highly pursued by bluebloods from the Weird.
The story starts with Rose and her brothers scraping by, living their simple lives. Out of the blue, they are suddenly attacked in their home by magical creatures that thrive on killing and eating magic. The family is saved when an annoyingly handsome blueblood warrior from the Weird, Declan Camarine, shows up; he states that he is there to marry Rose and take her back to his kingdom. You should know that heirs that can flash white are held in high esteem by Bluebloods. So of course, Rose wants nothing to do with Declan - who wants to be a brood mare for some rich elitist nobleman?
Ilona Andrews has given us a wonderful story with outstanding dialogue in the exchanges between Declan and Rose. Rose stays strong but is constantly fighting her attraction to Declan. She knows he’s hiding something and she refuses to trust him – no matter how many times he saves her brothers from the horrid magic eaters. The back and forth dialogue between Rose and Declan is exceedingly well done; I could NOT put this book down. It was New Year’s Eve, we had friends over, and there I was, hiding away trying to finish this book and find out if Rose ever gives in and trusts Declan. Read the book to find out what happens. On The Edge is a masterfully written fantasy romance book. I cannot recommend it enough.
On The Edge is available from local and online booksellers.
Deathwish by Rob Thurman
The book opens with Cal and Niko being approached by Seamus, a vampire sent to them by Promise, Niko’s girlfriend. Seamus seeks Cal and Niko’s help because he believes he’s being followed. But Seamus isn’t totally forthcoming and doesn’t quite give Cal and Niko the whole story. You see the Vigil (a watchdog organization responsible for cleaning up supernatural problems) are watching Seamus because they believe he wants to reveal himself (and other creatures) to the human race. Their mission is to keep humans and monsters separated. On top of that they learn that Promise’s daughter, Cherish (a thief and a con artist), stole something from a creature who’s now in town to retrieve it.
This is far from the end of their troubles, though. The story hits another turn when the brothers discover that the Auphes are back looking for Cal. Between the Auphe and their constant desire to capture and kill Cal, the Vigil, and the theft the brothers have their hands full.
What makes this fantasy book truly stand out is the great character development amidst all the different events. Cal is portrayed as a young male struggling with his Auphe side. Disdain for the race and frustration at his identity make him a tangible character and show the reader that he isn’t just another hard-headed, perfect protagonist. Niko on the other hand, is a meditative human with inner strength. He has exceptional fighting and weaponry skills, belying his outer calm. Niko is the head, and Cal is the heart of this family, and they battle many forces to restore peace in their hometown. Aside from these main characters, we see a glimpse inside Niko’s vampire girlfriend, Cherish, and various other supernatural characters.
Deathwish, the fourth book in the Cal Leandros fantasy book series, is action-packed with a plot that unfolds rapidly. Along with numerous twists and turns and dark humor, the bounty of unique characters makes this book an intense read. Deathwish is another wonderful addition to Thurman’s popular fantasy book series. Get Deathwish from your favorite online bookseller.
Curse The Dawn by Karen Palmer
As such Cassie has to defend her life all the while trying to navigate the waters of How To Be A Pythia 101. Her predecessor’s untimely death has left her in the dark about her new duties and without any details about her new job. Details that would come in handy considering the substantial opposition she faces.
To add fuel to the already burgeoning flame there is an all powerful ancient evil that is intent on ushering in death and destruction that will take most of Cassie’s own uncertain powers to fight the impending doom. Fortunately she has some very influential and powerful friends: John Pritkin is a highly skilled war-mage with a wild side and a solid weapons background; Mircea is as deadly as he is handsome and debonair and belongs to the formidable Vampire Senate. With their help Cassandra may live to see another day.
Curse The Dawn starts off with immediate action when an on-the-job training session evolves into a dangerous gunfight. It isn’t much later that Cassie is brought into negotiations that once again put her life in peril and produces the biggest magical catastrophe in centuries. The drama in Cassie’s life never seems to let up and chaos, intrigue, and full out battles ensue. This book is the fourth in the Cassie Palmer series and it lives up to its predecessors as an energetic and highly entertaining read. Curse The Dawn has everything a good action fantasy should have; gunfights, explosions, high drama and in house magical temper tantrums.
The chemistry that Cassie has with John and Mircea propels the book along at a perfect speed. The readers really get a sense of what motivates the characters and will readily invest in their lives. The plot is ripe with underlying tensions and an intricate supernatural world. Fans of the genre and of Karen Chance will be satisfied with the action and energy Curse The Dawn delivers. Curse The Dawn is a hard book to put down and one that will leave the readers wanting more.
