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katyanaish's review
3.0
***3.5***
I have been waffling back and forth all day on this book.
On the one hand, there was some fun stuff going on. This world is an exciting one, with some twists on old monsters (zombies and shapeshifters are a little bit different than we have seen them in other places) and an explosive framework as the relatively newly revealed "monsters" fight on the world stage for basic human rights. Things are touch-and-go for them right now. In some states (for example, New Hampshire) they have no rights at all - any human is free to kill them at any time, for any reason. They have less legal status than animals. A fairly horrific scientific group has set up shop in New Hampshire, where it happily rounds them up for experimentation / torture, and no one really bats an eye about it.
Massachusetts, the location of this book, is friendlier to them than most states. That's because of Deadtown. Because the PAs (Paranormal Americans) played a huge hand in helping the city handle the zombie catastrophe, they were rewarded with a sector of the city that they can call their own, and with a smattering of basic (very basic) rights. It is still a far cry from a good situation, but it is better than most, and it is a good start. In this book, they are on the eve of an election with one of the candidates running on a "get rid of all the monsters" platform.
So that's the world. As I said, I found it exciting. But beyond this, I had a lot of problems with the book.
I didn't find the heroine to be very likable.
Vicky was pretty TSTL. She barreled her way into some dumb situations. She was constantly making idiotic assumptions
I also had a major problem with her lack of interest in the world. Let me clarify that a little bit. Personally, I have a problem with people who refuse to participate in their government / society. Too many people just can't be bothered to even go vote, and then whine about "how can these horrible things be happening?!" I have no patience for that. I have even less for Vicky. She is part of a group of people that are in a very precarious position, as I described above. Her boyfriend is one of the big fighters for PA rights - he has devoted his life to trying to get laws passed that would allow PAs to survive in this world. But Vicky can't be bothered. She states over and over that she is not interested in politics. I am sorry. This is, to me, like a jewish person that can't be bothered to protest their treatment in Nazi Germany. We are talking about survival, here. If that can't motivate you to get off your lazy ass, then what will? I don't see why Kane stayed with her; were I him, I would have found her disgusting.
She's also tremendously whiny, loves to jump to conclusions (that are nearly always wrong), and just generally a dumbass.
Somebody please go all Left4Dead on Tina, please, for the love of sweet baby Jesus.
I can't stand her character. Teenaged zombie, who is repeatedly the worst kind of spoiled brat, and does things that make dangerous situations very much worse on MORE than one occasion in this book. And not one single time does she actually face consequences for her actions. Not once. In fact, in the end, she is actually rewarded for her worst, most selfish and dangerous action in the entire book. This only reinforces what I was saying about Vicky above: she's a fucking moron. It is really hard to root for a fucking moron. This is a fundamental flaw with the book. Vicky has agreed to take Tina as an apprentice. 99% of the people in the world that are capable of breathing without drooling on themselves could tell you that this is a bad idea. But Vicky is still planning to go ahead with it. And that, again, tells you a lot about Vicky.
For the record, I also hated: Vicky's sister Gwen (again, total dumbass), Juliet, the Goon Squad, Frank Lucado, Vicky's aunt Mab, and I am not sure what I think of the good detective Daniels. I also wasn't impressed with Kane early on, but wound up on his side, and once I realized what an asshole Vicky is, I realized that Kane was correct all along. It is really hard to get into a book when you think so poorly of most of the characters.
I am not sure why I plan to read the next one, but I do. I guess I just want to see what happens in the world. And I want to cheer for someone to chop Tina's head off.
*sigh*
I have been waffling back and forth all day on this book.
On the one hand, there was some fun stuff going on. This world is an exciting one, with some twists on old monsters (zombies and shapeshifters are a little bit different than we have seen them in other places) and an explosive framework as the relatively newly revealed "monsters" fight on the world stage for basic human rights. Things are touch-and-go for them right now. In some states (for example, New Hampshire) they have no rights at all - any human is free to kill them at any time, for any reason. They have less legal status than animals. A fairly horrific scientific group has set up shop in New Hampshire, where it happily rounds them up for experimentation / torture, and no one really bats an eye about it.
Massachusetts, the location of this book, is friendlier to them than most states. That's because of Deadtown. Because the PAs (Paranormal Americans) played a huge hand in helping the city handle the zombie catastrophe, they were rewarded with a sector of the city that they can call their own, and with a smattering of basic (very basic) rights. It is still a far cry from a good situation, but it is better than most, and it is a good start. In this book, they are on the eve of an election with one of the candidates running on a "get rid of all the monsters" platform.
So that's the world. As I said, I found it exciting. But beyond this, I had a lot of problems with the book.
I didn't find the heroine to be very likable.
Vicky was pretty TSTL. She barreled her way into some dumb situations. She was constantly making idiotic assumptions
Spoiler
- she spent easily 1/3 of the book assuming her boyfriend had tried to have people kidnap her... instead of realizing that it was one of the BAD GUYS who had much better cause for such a thing.I also had a major problem with her lack of interest in the world. Let me clarify that a little bit. Personally, I have a problem with people who refuse to participate in their government / society. Too many people just can't be bothered to even go vote, and then whine about "how can these horrible things be happening?!" I have no patience for that. I have even less for Vicky. She is part of a group of people that are in a very precarious position, as I described above. Her boyfriend is one of the big fighters for PA rights - he has devoted his life to trying to get laws passed that would allow PAs to survive in this world. But Vicky can't be bothered. She states over and over that she is not interested in politics. I am sorry. This is, to me, like a jewish person that can't be bothered to protest their treatment in Nazi Germany. We are talking about survival, here. If that can't motivate you to get off your lazy ass, then what will? I don't see why Kane stayed with her; were I him, I would have found her disgusting.
She's also tremendously whiny, loves to jump to conclusions (that are nearly always wrong), and just generally a dumbass.
Somebody please go all Left4Dead on Tina, please, for the love of sweet baby Jesus.
I can't stand her character. Teenaged zombie, who is repeatedly the worst kind of spoiled brat, and does things that make dangerous situations very much worse on MORE than one occasion in this book. And not one single time does she actually face consequences for her actions. Not once. In fact, in the end, she is actually rewarded for her worst, most selfish and dangerous action in the entire book. This only reinforces what I was saying about Vicky above: she's a fucking moron. It is really hard to root for a fucking moron. This is a fundamental flaw with the book. Vicky has agreed to take Tina as an apprentice. 99% of the people in the world that are capable of breathing without drooling on themselves could tell you that this is a bad idea. But Vicky is still planning to go ahead with it. And that, again, tells you a lot about Vicky.
For the record, I also hated: Vicky's sister Gwen (again, total dumbass), Juliet, the Goon Squad, Frank Lucado, Vicky's aunt Mab, and I am not sure what I think of the good detective Daniels. I also wasn't impressed with Kane early on, but wound up on his side, and once I realized what an asshole Vicky is, I realized that Kane was correct all along. It is really hard to get into a book when you think so poorly of most of the characters.
I am not sure why I plan to read the next one, but I do. I guess I just want to see what happens in the world. And I want to cheer for someone to chop Tina's head off.
*sigh*
amybraunauthor's review
4.0
Great, action packed urban fantasy novel with a strong heroine! Definitely like where this series could go!
courtwoof's review
4.0
Just an all-around fantastic urban fantasy book, with the world-building of Laurel K. Hamilton without all the erotic parts.
Vicky is badass, she's funny, and she has heart. This was a fantastic book. I may have bought it randomly, but I'm looking forward to book #2.
Vicky is badass, she's funny, and she has heart. This was a fantastic book. I may have bought it randomly, but I'm looking forward to book #2.
blodeuedd's review
2.0
Maybe I will just try to make it short for once. Sure I liked it, I could read it and all that. But there were also those times when I was bored. I liked what was happening, but I was not swept away of invested in it. But I do not want to mark it as just ok, but I fear I just have to. But I would read book 2...if someone gave it to me, and after I had read all my other books. I have no urge to read more. I kind of do not have the urge even to tell the library to get book 1...yeah.
My I feel mean, do not get me wrong. It was an interesting world. A plague hit and some peeps in Boston are zombies. Our heroine Vicyy is a shapeshifter and demonkiller. Some people do not like the paranormals and most states to not accept them. Solid action, not so solid romance, I never felt anything there, was I supposed to?
But if it sounds like a good UF book for you then go ahead and read it. It does have a bit of everything thrown in, I was just a bit more bored then usual. But I can still like thins even if I feel bored. I just do not know about this one. Now when I have finished it I feel that I am left with no feelings at all.
2,50
My I feel mean, do not get me wrong. It was an interesting world. A plague hit and some peeps in Boston are zombies. Our heroine Vicyy is a shapeshifter and demonkiller. Some people do not like the paranormals and most states to not accept them. Solid action, not so solid romance, I never felt anything there, was I supposed to?
But if it sounds like a good UF book for you then go ahead and read it. It does have a bit of everything thrown in, I was just a bit more bored then usual. But I can still like thins even if I feel bored. I just do not know about this one. Now when I have finished it I feel that I am left with no feelings at all.
2,50
ifalways's review
3.0
Got 32% through it and stopped. Not my cup of tea. Too slow and couldn't get into the characters.
mayetra's review
To be fair, this is probably a good urban fantasy book. I misread the synopsis and based on the cover art was expecting a kick-butt female zombie hunter in the apocalypse. I didn't realize that the zombies would be sentient and that there would be other supernatural creatures populating the story. I like my zombies as mindless killing machines not wise-cracking teenagers. That's just a personal preference. This was just not what I expected and I just couldn't get past the talking zombie to actually get into the book. I did not finish the book.
jacquelinec's review
3.0
I love reading about unique and rare paranormal characters. Victory and her Cerddorion heritage certainly qualify. Also, the mythology this is built on is interesting and the action is great.
tartbarbie's review
5.0
Vicky Vaughn isn't human which maker her perfect for hunting demons. She’s a Cerddorion which is a shapeshifter that can only shift three times during the lunar cycle and into any animal. Her roommate is a vampire who claims to be the real Juliet from Romeo and Juliet who has a weakness for college guys. Vicky is dating Kane a long werewolf who happens to be a lawyer fighting for paranormal equal rights. They live in Deadtown which was created when the plague happened killing many and creating the zombies but they aren't your shambling hordes like other books. She’s dating Kane a lawyer werewolf who wants to change the way PA’s are treated wanting equal right for all non- humans.
On what is supposed to be routine job of clearing out a pod of Dream demons things go wrong from the start when Tina joins her using a flamethrower to accidentally torch the dream world. After fixing and destroying all the demons Vicky notices an overwhelm feeling of evil. Only after does she learn that her client died when the goon squad hauls her in. Having been marked by the hellion that killed her father Vicky is sure it’s the same one, only being confirmed on her next job of clearing out harpies. As if she doesn’t have enough to do with the hellion running around she also has to deal with a crazy scientist trying to get her hands on Vicky or her sisters kids. She’s being hunted by men in black who attempted to grab her and Kane is upset she won’t make an effort to help out the PA politically. Will she be able to save the city before the hellion destroys it all?
I was instantly drawn to Deadtown the cover is awesome it just screams read me. The story instantly grabbed me right from the start keeping my attention right till the end. Deadtown is filled with action, suspense, demon, a little comedy and touch of romance a perfect mix. Vicky’s exactly what I expect out of a kick-ass- heroine, and I loved reading her story. Vicky is a fantastic character she who I would want to be if I was a character in a book. Deadtown is brilliantly written taking the shapeshifter concept and putting a refreshing new spin on it. I love the whole idea of the Cerddorion and I like that the Zombies are more than just shambling mobs. The supporting characters just enhance the story; I think Tina and Juliet are equally entertaining. The concept is captivating I was so engrossed in the story I lost all track of time staying up super late to finish. I look forward to reading the rest in the series, because Vicky has quickly jumped to my top favorite female characters.
katleap's review
4.0
4 stars
(there my be spoilers)
I picked this book up off a recommendation of an author I adore. Her recs are great for me and they almost never miss. This book was both a hit and miss for me.
Victory Vaughn (aka Vicky) is a professional demon-slayer (think Buffy but with a paycheck). She is also a shapeshifter who can change her shape three times between cycles of the moon. Her sometime boyfriend, Kane is a werewolf whose goal is get all Paranormal creature recognition and rights from the government. She has a 15 year old zombie apprentice, Tina and a vampire roommate, Juliet (yes that Juliet). Vicky lives in Deadtown, a radius where all paranormal beings live in downtown Boston. There is something bad happening with the local election and a reappearance of a demon from her past throws Vicky into the middle of trouble.
I had such a love hate relationship with this book. I loved the world building. The difference in paranormal characters was awesome. Vicky being a shapeshifter with a history that goes back to wales and roots in a real legend. Totally believable. The demon slaying is cool and inventive. I like discovering the different types of demons and hope that there will be more kinds in the future and that they are all just as quirky or scary, cause both is fine.
I have to give the zombies their own paragraph. I don't do zombies. I don't like to read about them, usually the book gets put down rather quickly and the only way I even tolerate them is if they are scary flesh eating monsters that need to be hacked to death on occasion. HOWEVER, that being said I actually enjoyed the zombies in this book. Clyde the doorman was funny, Sykes was cool and Tina (when I wasn't cringing from 15 year old OMG) was interesting. The plague idea totally works and I didn't stop on account of the zombies.
The flip side is that Vicky's choices drove me nuts. There were a few times that I just wanted to grab Vicky by her shoulders and shake her. If she would take a second to think before rushing then maybe she could put out a few fires instead of lighting more.
The relationships with the men in this book drove me mad. There is Kane the "boyfriend" who isn't. She is always rushing off to work fine, but to watch the news instead of paying attention to his girlfriend when they are practically in the the middle of things is ridiculous. Plus because Kane wasn't in the picture, the book lacked the witty banter that usually goes on between the main characters in UF. Instead there is a this 'thing' with a human cop that does nothing for me as a reader. He's just a safety hatch in-case the Kane doesn't work out.
In short 28 year old Vicky is immature. The death of her father has made her wallow in guilt and never grow up. I hope as the series goes on, (because yes I will continue with it even though i almost chucked the book across the room several times in frustration), Vicky grows up and finds some more maturity.
(there my be spoilers)
I picked this book up off a recommendation of an author I adore. Her recs are great for me and they almost never miss. This book was both a hit and miss for me.
Victory Vaughn (aka Vicky) is a professional demon-slayer (think Buffy but with a paycheck). She is also a shapeshifter who can change her shape three times between cycles of the moon. Her sometime boyfriend, Kane is a werewolf whose goal is get all Paranormal creature recognition and rights from the government. She has a 15 year old zombie apprentice, Tina and a vampire roommate, Juliet (yes that Juliet). Vicky lives in Deadtown, a radius where all paranormal beings live in downtown Boston. There is something bad happening with the local election and a reappearance of a demon from her past throws Vicky into the middle of trouble.
I had such a love hate relationship with this book. I loved the world building. The difference in paranormal characters was awesome. Vicky being a shapeshifter with a history that goes back to wales and roots in a real legend. Totally believable. The demon slaying is cool and inventive. I like discovering the different types of demons and hope that there will be more kinds in the future and that they are all just as quirky or scary, cause both is fine.
I have to give the zombies their own paragraph. I don't do zombies. I don't like to read about them, usually the book gets put down rather quickly and the only way I even tolerate them is if they are scary flesh eating monsters that need to be hacked to death on occasion. HOWEVER, that being said I actually enjoyed the zombies in this book. Clyde the doorman was funny, Sykes was cool and Tina (when I wasn't cringing from 15 year old OMG) was interesting. The plague idea totally works and I didn't stop on account of the zombies.
The flip side is that Vicky's choices drove me nuts. There were a few times that I just wanted to grab Vicky by her shoulders and shake her. If she would take a second to think before rushing then maybe she could put out a few fires instead of lighting more.
The relationships with the men in this book drove me mad. There is Kane the "boyfriend" who isn't. She is always rushing off to work fine, but to watch the news instead of paying attention to his girlfriend when they are practically in the the middle of things is ridiculous. Plus because Kane wasn't in the picture, the book lacked the witty banter that usually goes on between the main characters in UF. Instead there is a this 'thing' with a human cop that does nothing for me as a reader. He's just a safety hatch in-case the Kane doesn't work out.
In short 28 year old Vicky is immature. The death of her father has made her wallow in guilt and never grow up. I hope as the series goes on, (because yes I will continue with it even though i almost chucked the book across the room several times in frustration), Vicky grows up and finds some more maturity.
felinity's review
3.0
Although intriguing, for some reason I just didn't click with this book or world. For those leery of zombies, I will say this is not your "normal" book with zombies, not at all typical.