wildflowerz76's review against another edition
3.0
I'm still enjoying this series, but I liked this one a little less, I think. I liked that we got more about Axel and Mab and less about Tina. I even liked more about Gwen and Maria. I didn't care for Kane's circumstances (trying to be vague here) through this book because it just felt weird and served no purpose. I'll read more, but I think I'm ready for some nice, epic fantasy now.
paperbackstash's review against another edition
4.0
The third book in the Deadtown series doesn't disappoint. While it doesn't wow me as much as the first, it's a little stronger than the second, and keeps me anxious to continue the series.
Vicky's back home and getting involved with her roommate Juliette's disappearance, facing creatures that are as eerie as some of the demons she's used to battling. It ties in with the second stories arch, bringing in returning villains and introducing new ones. I do hope Pryce's storyline gets resolved soon, though, as he's not my favorite as a potential big-bad. We do finally get to say goodbye to another villain's story that just felt done.
On a personal note, there is no longer a weak love triangle, it's full force back to the man I figured she fit with better anyway. Mab returns as an assistant to her niece's struggles, and she was better than in the second novel, where she just said "child" too much for my tastes. Her bonding with the barkeep and Juliette was awesome as well. She's a powerful ally who has a lot of secrets waiting to be uncovered.
As for the sister, Gwen, I just can't hop on the ship of liking her much yet. She kind of irritates me, but the ending shows promise of redemption for her character. Vicky is an excellent heroine protagonist - she's tough but not obnoxious. She doesn't have a chip on her shoulder, she has a sense of humor, but she still takes her job, friends, and life seriously.
In this world, society knows the monsters exist and they are fighting them through political struggles. The non-hidden but still secluded world is interesting as it's filled with different sorts of shapeshifters, cold vampires, zombies that have been created by a virus but retained their previous personality, and all sorts of demons and monsters that infect dreams. Vicky's powers are clever and original - I like the limitation of three time monthly change.
Overall the subplot could have been a little more interesting this time, but I'm happy with some of the conclusions and continuing with the series. The world is well written and complex, making an exciting and dark Urban Fantasy.
Vicky's back home and getting involved with her roommate Juliette's disappearance, facing creatures that are as eerie as some of the demons she's used to battling. It ties in with the second stories arch, bringing in returning villains and introducing new ones. I do hope Pryce's storyline gets resolved soon, though, as he's not my favorite as a potential big-bad. We do finally get to say goodbye to another villain's story that just felt done.
On a personal note, there is no longer a weak love triangle, it's full force back to the man I figured she fit with better anyway. Mab returns as an assistant to her niece's struggles, and she was better than in the second novel, where she just said "child" too much for my tastes. Her bonding with the barkeep and Juliette was awesome as well. She's a powerful ally who has a lot of secrets waiting to be uncovered.
As for the sister, Gwen, I just can't hop on the ship of liking her much yet. She kind of irritates me, but the ending shows promise of redemption for her character. Vicky is an excellent heroine protagonist - she's tough but not obnoxious. She doesn't have a chip on her shoulder, she has a sense of humor, but she still takes her job, friends, and life seriously.
In this world, society knows the monsters exist and they are fighting them through political struggles. The non-hidden but still secluded world is interesting as it's filled with different sorts of shapeshifters, cold vampires, zombies that have been created by a virus but retained their previous personality, and all sorts of demons and monsters that infect dreams. Vicky's powers are clever and original - I like the limitation of three time monthly change.
Overall the subplot could have been a little more interesting this time, but I'm happy with some of the conclusions and continuing with the series. The world is well written and complex, making an exciting and dark Urban Fantasy.
wealhtheow's review against another edition
2.0
Monsters are real, and the whole world knows. That doesn't mean monsters have equal civil rights, however. A series of gruesome murders put Vicky and the other paranormals of Boston under an enforced curfew, which is bad news, since Vicky is the only one who might be able to catch the killer.
There's some development of the relationship between Vicky and her family--her sister gave up her shapeshifting powers in hope of leading a normal life, and is terrified that her daughter may develop the powers. Mab's origins are also revealed. But really, this book didn't have much urgency to it. Vicky continues to win fights using Mab's powers or random good luck. She's still completely out-matched by Pryce and the Morfan. And the fight scenes are actually getting less well written. I might continue with this series, because I like Vicky as a character, but I hope this Pryce storyline gets resolved soon.
There's some development of the relationship between Vicky and her family--her sister gave up her shapeshifting powers in hope of leading a normal life, and is terrified that her daughter may develop the powers. Mab's origins are also revealed. But really, this book didn't have much urgency to it. Vicky continues to win fights using Mab's powers or random good luck. She's still completely out-matched by Pryce and the Morfan. And the fight scenes are actually getting less well written. I might continue with this series, because I like Vicky as a character, but I hope this Pryce storyline gets resolved soon.
suzjustsuz's review
4.0
This is really good and consistent series. The world is engaging even if the zombies are a bit fluffy and funny. I'm still pleased that the triangle trope that was developing in the early books was resolved in the last book and remained so into this book, with the romantic relationship continuing to blossom and strengthen without it being too much of a focus of the story.
In the last book I said that the long arc was resolved with the destruction of a nemesis and a new bad guy was set up. I was wrong. This long arc was a continuation of the previous arc although the focus of the arc shifted a bit. Props to the author for making the shift seamless and natural.
There were several places in this book that I thought people explaining things to each other was a bit too reliant on the "tell instead of show" but what was conveyed in those spots was a significant amount of information that could have feasibly taken an entire book to "show" so although it did stick out a bit I have to say that over all it was a pretty good way to fill in what could have been huge gaps in story, and in the process it opened up some history that was interesting and fattened up some recurring characters, too.
The ending was perfect. The story line has plenty of long arc room left to continue on, but the book arc closed in a tidy and satisfying way. I have no complaints with the ending at all.
This was a good entry in the series.
In the last book I said that the long arc was resolved with the destruction of a nemesis and a new bad guy was set up. I was wrong. This long arc was a continuation of the previous arc although the focus of the arc shifted a bit. Props to the author for making the shift seamless and natural.
There were several places in this book that I thought people explaining things to each other was a bit too reliant on the "tell instead of show" but what was conveyed in those spots was a significant amount of information that could have feasibly taken an entire book to "show" so although it did stick out a bit I have to say that over all it was a pretty good way to fill in what could have been huge gaps in story, and in the process it opened up some history that was interesting and fattened up some recurring characters, too.
The ending was perfect. The story line has plenty of long arc room left to continue on, but the book arc closed in a tidy and satisfying way. I have no complaints with the ending at all.
This was a good entry in the series.
katleap's review
4.0
4 stars
(spoilers)
I liked this one. I really enjoy Mab and we got to see lots of her. She actually came to Boston. The driving part was funny. Tina is still super obnoxious. The less we see of her the better.
I liked Kane in wolf form. It actually seemed to further the relationship between Vicky and Kane and I think he makes a cute 'killer'. I also felt that Vicky realized a bit more just how attached she is to Kane and how far she would go for him.
I was sad for Norden's ending. I feel a little weirded out with how much I disliked him in the first book, liked him in the second and felt sorry for him in the third. Its a little mixed if I really ever liked him at all or if I'm just sympathetic with the way he died.
Well Pryce is back and he will return to playing the bad guy until the series probably ends. oh joy. I hope he turns up the heat so that things stay interesting.
(spoilers)
I liked this one. I really enjoy Mab and we got to see lots of her. She actually came to Boston. The driving part was funny. Tina is still super obnoxious. The less we see of her the better.
I liked Kane in wolf form. It actually seemed to further the relationship between Vicky and Kane and I think he makes a cute 'killer'. I also felt that Vicky realized a bit more just how attached she is to Kane and how far she would go for him.
I was sad for Norden's ending. I feel a little weirded out with how much I disliked him in the first book, liked him in the second and felt sorry for him in the third. Its a little mixed if I really ever liked him at all or if I'm just sympathetic with the way he died.
Well Pryce is back and he will return to playing the bad guy until the series probably ends. oh joy. I hope he turns up the heat so that things stay interesting.
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