A review by lunaratu
Bride of Death by Tim Pratt, T.A. Pratt

4.0

I really do not know why this series does not seem to receive as much love among urban fantasy fans as some others do. This series is solid in its characterizations and world-building as well as being immensely enjoyable. It would also pass the Bechdel test with flying colors. It stars a lead, kick-butt, heroine without every devolving into romantic fluff. Rather, the Marla Mason series is immune from pining love interests or over-used romantic triangles. Instead, you have an awesome main character who just happens to be female. In fact, Marla is probably less romantically inclined than most of the heroes in other series like the Dresden Files, etc. This is remarkably refreshing, especially as a female reader, to have an urban fantasy series that isn't filled with smut just because the lead character is female. I have read those series as well but they can get rather tiresome, and repetitive, and it's a welcome change of pace to come back to the universe of Marla Mason.

The last book in the series was a bit frustrating to deal with but it also dealt with a moment in Marla's life that was supposed to be a bit frustrating so it was really successful in conveying that. In this book however, Marla roars back to life with her usual no-holds-barred attitude and now in first person voice. A great addition to an already great series and I can't wait for the next.

I wish I could give this book a 4.5 as I was drawn between rating it a 4 or a 5 out of 5 stars.