chelseavbc's review against another edition
4.0
This review was originally posted at Vampire Book Club.
Cherie Priest has a knack for defying genre. For blurring lines. And for gritty and visceral novels. Bloodshot is no exception and — best of all — it takes badass to a whole new level mostly through main character Raylene.
You’ll often see Bloodshot pegged as a “vampire noir” — yeah, new genre. I may have it labeled under Urban Fantasy for Vampire Book Club purposes, but really the novel is part heist book part vampire drama with a touch of urban fantasy and hints at romance. (You get the picture a romantic angle may come into play down the road, but don’t be expecting a love story here. Raylene does not have time for love or attachments.)
Raylene is a vampire. She’s also a master thief and more than a little paranoid. Though, she’d say she’s careful. After one too many boring jobs, an intense piece of work fell in her lap. Raylene avoids her own kind — too many rules, too much drama — but once she’s heard Ian’s story she finds herself taking on a task that leads to federal agents raiding her house, break-ins at secret government sites, going on the run and spending time with one very impressive drag queen.
The big story will certainly be told in multiple books, but in Bloodshot I just really fell in love with Raylene. I love a strong heroine, and if nothing else Raylene is assertive and resourceful. Also, she sets a new bar for badass vampire chick. And I dig it.
Because of the genre-straddling Bloodshot does, it’s harder to peg who can appreciate it. But, of course, I’ll try. If you love Priest’s other works or if you love high-intensity urban fantasy but don’t mind hitting up several cities, then you will likely get wrapped up in Bloodshot.
Cherie Priest has a knack for defying genre. For blurring lines. And for gritty and visceral novels. Bloodshot is no exception and — best of all — it takes badass to a whole new level mostly through main character Raylene.
You’ll often see Bloodshot pegged as a “vampire noir” — yeah, new genre. I may have it labeled under Urban Fantasy for Vampire Book Club purposes, but really the novel is part heist book part vampire drama with a touch of urban fantasy and hints at romance. (You get the picture a romantic angle may come into play down the road, but don’t be expecting a love story here. Raylene does not have time for love or attachments.)
Raylene is a vampire. She’s also a master thief and more than a little paranoid. Though, she’d say she’s careful. After one too many boring jobs, an intense piece of work fell in her lap. Raylene avoids her own kind — too many rules, too much drama — but once she’s heard Ian’s story she finds herself taking on a task that leads to federal agents raiding her house, break-ins at secret government sites, going on the run and spending time with one very impressive drag queen.
The big story will certainly be told in multiple books, but in Bloodshot I just really fell in love with Raylene. I love a strong heroine, and if nothing else Raylene is assertive and resourceful. Also, she sets a new bar for badass vampire chick. And I dig it.
Because of the genre-straddling Bloodshot does, it’s harder to peg who can appreciate it. But, of course, I’ll try. If you love Priest’s other works or if you love high-intensity urban fantasy but don’t mind hitting up several cities, then you will likely get wrapped up in Bloodshot.
mferrante83's review against another edition
4.0
Bloodshot by Cherie Priest marks what I would consider a significant departure from her earlier work particularly in terms on setting. While some of her work in the past has touched upon urban fantasy tropes, in so much that Boneshaker, despite its nineteenth century setting takes place in an urban environment and the fact that Priest tends to write strong female leads (Belle Boyd, Mercy Lynch, and Briar Wilkes in the Clockwork Century alone), Bloodshot represents Priest’s first full-on urban fantasy outing. Yes, Raylene Pendle AKA Cheshire Red, is a vampire and thief extraordinaire but Priest’s deft handling of character especially Cheshire’s distinct voice save this from the heap of other urban fantasies out there.
Sporting a cover featuring a women looking like a female James Bond crossed with Carmen Sandiego and a description which mentions that “the infuriatingly charming Ian Stott asks for help, Raylene finds him impossible to resist—even though Ian doesn’t want precious artifacts” Bloodshot certainly engendered some eye rolls from curious coworkers who spotted it on my desk. While there are definitely hints of romance in the novel Cheshire herself is quick to point out that she has a thing for mysteries. I sort-of wish the back of the novel mentioned the cross-dressing ex-Navy SEAL since he was an entirely more interesting addition than the somewhat stereotypical sexy/mysterious vampire trope that is Ian. Thankfully the novel definitely focuses more strongly on the thriller, mystery and action portions of the Cheshire’s job to retrieve government documents about the research regarding experiments done on Ian. Priest relegates the romantic elements to the background designed more to enhance Cheshire’s motivation towards completing the job rather than serving as a distraction from the intricate conspiracy of the titular Project Bloodshot.
Priest has proven her ability to create strong, distinct female characters of Raylene Pendle/Cheshire Red is no exception. Unlike previous Priest novels (of those that I’ve read anyway) Bloodshot is relayed via first-person offering readers often unfiltered access to the thoughts and emotions of Cheshire Red. Humorous and often self-effacing Cheshire voice comes across loud and clear lending a certain panache to even mundane seen. Cheshire’s vibrant voice and the fact that we never waver from her perspective often means that other characters feel less well-drawn. As I mentioned Ian Stott felt to me like a sort of cookie-cutter mysterious handsome vampire trope. However, when we are later introduced to the aforementioned competent ass-kicking former Navy SEAL and drag queen, Adrian de Jesus, there is finally a character that comes forward. In fact I sort of wish that Adrian and Cheshire worked together for ALL of this novel and all future novels because they make a fairly entertaining team. Other side characters, particularly the two homeless children that live at one of Cheshire’s storage locations, also come across as distinct characters in their own right, but I admit that I was definitely disappointed in how bland Ian seemed.
Bloodshot isn’t a novel that tackles big ideas. It isn’t about pondering weighty moral quandaries. It’s about dodging Men in Black, it’s about solving a conspiracy laden mystery, and it’s about revenge delivered at fangpoint. Priest offers hints of a deeper world beyond our initial introduction confirming the existence of other supernatural creatures. She does offer one hint that magic is real but in truth it serves as a light joke more than anything else. It’s a joke that doesn’t discount that magic exists but rather that its existence, or not, has no bearing on Cheshire’s existence. Bloodshot with a strong, distinct character at its heart is a welcome addition to the urban fantasy genre; it is a taught thrill a minute ride that offers a number of outright laughs and not a few small chuckles. Embarrassing cover aside I’m looking forward to Cheshire Red’s next adventure.
Sporting a cover featuring a women looking like a female James Bond crossed with Carmen Sandiego and a description which mentions that “the infuriatingly charming Ian Stott asks for help, Raylene finds him impossible to resist—even though Ian doesn’t want precious artifacts” Bloodshot certainly engendered some eye rolls from curious coworkers who spotted it on my desk. While there are definitely hints of romance in the novel Cheshire herself is quick to point out that she has a thing for mysteries. I sort-of wish the back of the novel mentioned the cross-dressing ex-Navy SEAL since he was an entirely more interesting addition than the somewhat stereotypical sexy/mysterious vampire trope that is Ian. Thankfully the novel definitely focuses more strongly on the thriller, mystery and action portions of the Cheshire’s job to retrieve government documents about the research regarding experiments done on Ian. Priest relegates the romantic elements to the background designed more to enhance Cheshire’s motivation towards completing the job rather than serving as a distraction from the intricate conspiracy of the titular Project Bloodshot.
Priest has proven her ability to create strong, distinct female characters of Raylene Pendle/Cheshire Red is no exception. Unlike previous Priest novels (of those that I’ve read anyway) Bloodshot is relayed via first-person offering readers often unfiltered access to the thoughts and emotions of Cheshire Red. Humorous and often self-effacing Cheshire voice comes across loud and clear lending a certain panache to even mundane seen. Cheshire’s vibrant voice and the fact that we never waver from her perspective often means that other characters feel less well-drawn. As I mentioned Ian Stott felt to me like a sort of cookie-cutter mysterious handsome vampire trope. However, when we are later introduced to the aforementioned competent ass-kicking former Navy SEAL and drag queen, Adrian de Jesus, there is finally a character that comes forward. In fact I sort of wish that Adrian and Cheshire worked together for ALL of this novel and all future novels because they make a fairly entertaining team. Other side characters, particularly the two homeless children that live at one of Cheshire’s storage locations, also come across as distinct characters in their own right, but I admit that I was definitely disappointed in how bland Ian seemed.
Bloodshot isn’t a novel that tackles big ideas. It isn’t about pondering weighty moral quandaries. It’s about dodging Men in Black, it’s about solving a conspiracy laden mystery, and it’s about revenge delivered at fangpoint. Priest offers hints of a deeper world beyond our initial introduction confirming the existence of other supernatural creatures. She does offer one hint that magic is real but in truth it serves as a light joke more than anything else. It’s a joke that doesn’t discount that magic exists but rather that its existence, or not, has no bearing on Cheshire’s existence. Bloodshot with a strong, distinct character at its heart is a welcome addition to the urban fantasy genre; it is a taught thrill a minute ride that offers a number of outright laughs and not a few small chuckles. Embarrassing cover aside I’m looking forward to Cheshire Red’s next adventure.
mparker546's review against another edition
4.0
My favorite thing about this novel: It's vampire fiction that does not focus on sex. Sexuality is involved, but it highlights the story rather than taking center stage.
What you get instead is Vampire spy/caper and action. Great read.
What you get instead is Vampire spy/caper and action. Great read.
bibliorobi's review against another edition
3.0
Raylene Pendle è una vampira e, come se ciò non bastasse a renderla quando meno "particolare", il suo mestiere contribuisce senza dubbio alla sua singolarità: Raylene è una ladra di professione.
Ormai da secoli (e non è un modo di dire!) la vampira continua a rubare oggetti di valore per clienti facoltosi. La sua grande abilità ha fatto sì che tutti la soprannominassero "Stregatto" e, inoltre, il governo la crede un maschio. E Raylene non ha certo intenzione di smentirlo!
I clienti di Raylene, però, sono sempre e solo umani: la donna, infatti, non sopporta i suoi simili.
Ed è per questo che, quando Ian Stott, vampiro cieco e incredibilmente affascinante le propone di rubare dei documenti, Raylene esita.
Ma la posta in gioco sembra troppo alta. Infatti, i documenti che Ian desidera sono legati al Progetto Bloodshot: un progetto attuato dal governo, dove vampiri e altre creature vengono vivisezionati e dal quale Ian è riuscito a fuggire.
Raylene decide di accettare, ma le conseguenze le saranno quasi fatali: il governo si metterà sulle sue tracce, deciso a farla tacere per sempre.
Ma Raylene, aiutata da una strana drag queen e da due ragazzini orfani "ospiti" del suo magazzino semi-abbandonato, non si arrenderà fin quando non sarà riuscita a mettere le mani su quei documenti.. ma fino a dove è disposta a spingersi?
Ammetto che avevo grandissime aspettative riguardo Ladra di sangue, e anche che, intorno a pagina 80, ero certa che sarebbero state deluse.
Perché sì, il romanzo inizia in modo lento, noioso, prolisso e anche pesante, ma - e qui arriva il ma - dopo pagina 100 si riprende alla grande, e si trasforma in un vero e proprio romanzo d'azione, trascinandoti completamente all'interno della trama, complici una protagonista divertente e antagonisti molto simpatici.
Un'altra nota dolente è però la quasi totale assenza dell'elemento urban fantasy: come ho scritto prima, Ladra di sangue è più un romanzo d'azione che il sopracitato urban fantasy.
Infatti, Raylene è praticamente solo una ladra, e non è difficile dimenticare che si tratta di una vampira.
Il finale, inoltre, mi è sembrato un po' troppo affrettato: non mi sarebbe dispiaciuto se l'autrice avesse aggiunto qualche pagina in più, anzi.
Però non me la sento di bocciarlo: Ladra di sangue si è senza dubbio rivelato un romanzo ricco d'azione e che riesce a tenere incollato il lettore fino all'ultima pagine.
Lo consiglio quindi proprio agli amanti dei romanzi d'azione, ma state attenti a non aspettarvi troppo romance e troppo urban fantasy.
Ormai da secoli (e non è un modo di dire!) la vampira continua a rubare oggetti di valore per clienti facoltosi. La sua grande abilità ha fatto sì che tutti la soprannominassero "Stregatto" e, inoltre, il governo la crede un maschio. E Raylene non ha certo intenzione di smentirlo!
I clienti di Raylene, però, sono sempre e solo umani: la donna, infatti, non sopporta i suoi simili.
Ed è per questo che, quando Ian Stott, vampiro cieco e incredibilmente affascinante le propone di rubare dei documenti, Raylene esita.
Ma la posta in gioco sembra troppo alta. Infatti, i documenti che Ian desidera sono legati al Progetto Bloodshot: un progetto attuato dal governo, dove vampiri e altre creature vengono vivisezionati e dal quale Ian è riuscito a fuggire.
Raylene decide di accettare, ma le conseguenze le saranno quasi fatali: il governo si metterà sulle sue tracce, deciso a farla tacere per sempre.
Ma Raylene, aiutata da una strana drag queen e da due ragazzini orfani "ospiti" del suo magazzino semi-abbandonato, non si arrenderà fin quando non sarà riuscita a mettere le mani su quei documenti.. ma fino a dove è disposta a spingersi?
Ammetto che avevo grandissime aspettative riguardo Ladra di sangue, e anche che, intorno a pagina 80, ero certa che sarebbero state deluse.
Perché sì, il romanzo inizia in modo lento, noioso, prolisso e anche pesante, ma - e qui arriva il ma - dopo pagina 100 si riprende alla grande, e si trasforma in un vero e proprio romanzo d'azione, trascinandoti completamente all'interno della trama, complici una protagonista divertente e antagonisti molto simpatici.
Un'altra nota dolente è però la quasi totale assenza dell'elemento urban fantasy: come ho scritto prima, Ladra di sangue è più un romanzo d'azione che il sopracitato urban fantasy.
Infatti, Raylene è praticamente solo una ladra, e non è difficile dimenticare che si tratta di una vampira.
Il finale, inoltre, mi è sembrato un po' troppo affrettato: non mi sarebbe dispiaciuto se l'autrice avesse aggiunto qualche pagina in più, anzi.
Però non me la sento di bocciarlo: Ladra di sangue si è senza dubbio rivelato un romanzo ricco d'azione e che riesce a tenere incollato il lettore fino all'ultima pagine.
Lo consiglio quindi proprio agli amanti dei romanzi d'azione, ma state attenti a non aspettarvi troppo romance e troppo urban fantasy.
chllybrd's review against another edition
4.0
Reviewed by http://urbanfantasyinvestigations.blogspot.com/
I had never heard of Cherie Priest or her books until I saw the cover for BLOODSHOT. The blurb sounded right up my alley so I pre-ordered myself a copy and dug right into it when it arrived. Raylene's personality is awesome, she is independent, sassy and is an all around kick ass Heroine. The plot was engaging, and packed full of action. The mystery kept me thinking and guessing and I was still shocked at the end to find out what was really going on. I never got bored with reading it and there were nice twists and turns throughout the entire book. There were things left that still need to be explained so I will be looking out for book two and I think I will also see what else Priest has to offer in her other books.
I had never heard of Cherie Priest or her books until I saw the cover for BLOODSHOT. The blurb sounded right up my alley so I pre-ordered myself a copy and dug right into it when it arrived. Raylene's personality is awesome, she is independent, sassy and is an all around kick ass Heroine. The plot was engaging, and packed full of action. The mystery kept me thinking and guessing and I was still shocked at the end to find out what was really going on. I never got bored with reading it and there were nice twists and turns throughout the entire book. There were things left that still need to be explained so I will be looking out for book two and I think I will also see what else Priest has to offer in her other books.
everfar's review against another edition
4.0
Paranormal fantasy with a kick-ass heroine that’s light on the romance.
morepagesplease's review against another edition
3.0
Found it a fun enough read to continue on to the next book. I really wish there had been less foul language. The characters were engaging and the story was well paced.
hoperu's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed Bloodshot and although this one just came out, I am eager for the next book in the series. Cherie Priest has created a pretty cool, kick-ass female vampire who also just happens to have panic attacks and perhaps a little OCD. I love Raylene's voice, maybe because she sounds like I might, were I a 100 year old vampire thief/assassin. Throw in the ex-Navy SEAL/drag queen and a giant military conspiracy, and you have an exciting, humorous, and thoroughly entertaining book.
Update: I just reread this, and I still enjoyed the heck out of it. Raylene is not one of those mopey vampires who questions what she is or the violence that she uses - she's totally OK with killing a few thugs here and there and making snacks out of the bad guys. And Adrian/Sister Rose is still awesome.
Priest plays with gender in interesting ways between these two main characters, where both are completely comfortable switching between presenting as women and presenting as men. It isn't done in a sensationalistic or voyeuristic way, it just is; I find this somewhat unique in urban fantasy and fiction in general. And the book is refreshingly free of sloppy romantic plots that weaken the kick-ass female into a helpless driveling weakling.
Update: I just reread this, and I still enjoyed the heck out of it. Raylene is not one of those mopey vampires who questions what she is or the violence that she uses - she's totally OK with killing a few thugs here and there and making snacks out of the bad guys. And Adrian/Sister Rose is still awesome.
Priest plays with gender in interesting ways between these two main characters, where both are completely comfortable switching between presenting as women and presenting as men. It isn't done in a sensationalistic or voyeuristic way, it just is; I find this somewhat unique in urban fantasy and fiction in general. And the book is refreshingly free of sloppy romantic plots that weaken the kick-ass female into a helpless driveling weakling.
carolynf's review against another edition
4.0
It is kind of like Phryne Fisher plus Sanctuary (the TV show). A vampire freelance thief, still with the 20s bob she had when she was turned back in the 20s, gets caught up in an investigation of secret government experiments. Definitely a fun read.
rclz's review against another edition
3.0
Pretty good. I liked the characters but the plot was a bit slow in places. She's put together enough a good thing though that I'll read the next one and probably be mad there aren't more.