A review by wealhtheow
Hellforged by Nancy Holzner
3.0
In [b:Deadtown|6591459|Deadtown (Deadtown, #1)|Nancy Holzner|http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1348796183s/6591459.jpg|6785037] Vicky encountered the demon who killed her father and marked her for possession. She thought she'd bound him--but it seems that instead, he's bound her. Meanwhile, a spirit of ravenous hunger has descended upon Boston, which is only worsening the tense relations between paranormal Americans and norms. (In this universe, paranormals are public knowledge but aren't considered human in most states; even in Massachusetts they are relegated to a ghetto, can only travel with permits, and their deaths aren't considered worthy of investigation by the police force. Vicky's on-and-off werewolf boyfriend is a lawyer constantly tries to get equal rights. It's a cool undercurrent to the series, because the characters accept the situation pretty calmly, while we readers are aghast.) Vicky returns to Wales to train with her wise aunt Mab, but all her martial skill may not save her--or the world.
The pacing is a little episodic, but overall Holzner does a good job of providing several little fights to remind us of Vicky's skills, one large problem to solve in this book, and hints of coming threats. Vicky herself is competent and sensible; I wish she had a little more interior life but I am thrilled that she isn't constantly pondering her romantic prospects.
The pacing is a little episodic, but overall Holzner does a good job of providing several little fights to remind us of Vicky's skills, one large problem to solve in this book, and hints of coming threats. Vicky herself is competent and sensible; I wish she had a little more interior life but I am thrilled that she isn't constantly pondering her romantic prospects.