Back from the Undead (The Bloodhound Files, Book 5) by DD Barant

 

It's taken me a while to get around to reading Back from the Undead, and I wish I'd gotten to it sooner. Of course, it ends in a cliffhanger, so perhaps it's a good thing there's only around three months until Undead to the World comes out. Here's the blurb for Back from the Undead:

Another work day, another case for the Bloodhound Files. But this time, Jace is truly stumped: How is she, a mere human, supposed to penetrate the dark heart of a child-trafficking ring of pire orphans—one that turns out to be part of a blood-farm operation, in the crime-ridden border city of Vancouver, British Columbia? Jace is in over her head. But with the help of her former lover, Tanaka—whose family is one of the last samurai clans left in Japan—she stands a chance at seeking justice for the condemned children… Until the Yakuza tries to put an end to Jace’s investigation. Jace risks more than death—this time, it’s the fate of her very soul that’s in danger . . .

I both enjoyed and didn't enjoy Back from the Undead. It was another wild ride, but there were some pacing issues this time that had me pushing forward, hoping things got better. Also, I expected some things to be answered from the previous book, and those things were put on hold, so we'll have to wait for another book (or longer, perhaps never) to get those answers. As for the writing elements:

• The plot was once again original and thought provoking.
• Pacing had some serious issues in a few places, but was fine for the most of the book.
• Prose and dialogue were very well done. Love the humor in this series, as well as the off-the-wall descriptions. Well done.
• Character development continues to be well done.
• World-building continues to be exceptional.

I'm back and forth on giving this one an 8 or a 9, but because of the cliffhanger, I'm settling at an 8. I'll leave the series at a 9 of 10, though.

• Book Rating: Back from the Undead: 8 of 10
• Series Rating: 9 of 10

The books in this series are:

1. Dying Bites
2. Death Blows
3. Killing Rocks
4. Better Off Undead
5. Back from the Undead
6. Undead to the World  (Nov 27, 2012)

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Virtual Virgin (Delilah Street Bk 5) by Carole Nelson Davis

 

I wasn't sure where Virtual Virgin was going to go, as the last book in this series left so many things up in the air.

To be honest, I'm not sure what keeps drawing me back to Delilah Street. The first two books in the series were a 5 of 10 for me, and the third and fourth were a 7 of 10. And yet, there is something so bizarre about the settings, so intriguing about the idea of the silver in old films being used as a supernatural / metaphysical medium, I just keep reading.

There were a few rewards in Virtual Virgin -- we finally learn a bit about Delilah's mom. However, as these things so often do in books, the answers we get just give us even more questions. Yes, I think it's probably enough that I'll be reading the next book, too.

Here's the blurb:

She’s Like a Virgin . . . Simulated for the Very First Time

For a red-blooded male, Las Vegas offers a virtual smorgasbord of temptation: sexy showgirls, vampy vampires, zombie starlets, you name it. But paranormal investigator Delilah Street isn’t worried about losing her man to these vixens. Especially when the one woman with a soft spot for the guy also has a hard-shelled exterior. . . .

She’s a robot—or a CinSim, to be exact—a near-perfect simulation of the silver-metal robot Maria from the classic science fiction movie Metropolis. Part innocent teenage actress, part depraved sex goddess, the new Maria is hooked on Delilah’s partner, Ric, who raised her from the dead. She also happens to be the perfect secret weapon for a demonic drug lord. Which could be one hell of a problem. Delilah’s not the jealous type, but this tin-can temptress must be stopped—even if it forces Delilah to forge a dangerous alliance with her wicked mirror-twin, Lilith. If robo-girl goes ballistic, every player in Vegas loses. . . .

As for the writing elements:

• The plot was one part predictable and two parts surprise.
• Pacing was better than in previous books, but still not great.
• Prose and dialogue were well done.
• Character development is a bit spotty and I'm not sure stays all that consistent between books. Some of that is because of the whole change and growth thing, but not all of it.
• World-building is imaginative and unique and I love it most of the time -- but occasionally it can be just a tad bit confusing. 

Virtual Virgin gets the highest rating I've given a book in this series,  but the series rating will remain a 7 of 10.

If you are looking for something different, and if you can handle a large cast of characters and some very complex world building, this series is a unique take on Urban Fantasy.

• Book Rating: Virtual Virgin: 8 of 10
• Series Rating: 7 of 10

1. Dancing with Werewolves
2. Brimstone Kiss
3. Vampire Sunrise
4. Silver Zombie
5. Virtual Virgin

 

Chaos in Death (In Death, Book 33.5) by JD Robb

 

Chaos in Death is a short story whodunit where you basically know the killer is one of a group of people and have to watch Eve figure out which of the group is the killer.

Most of the anthology pieces have had some sort of supernatural current running through -- seers, ghosts, vampires. Some have been supernatural, some have only had a supernatural theme. Chaos in Death is pure sci-fi. So much, in fact, that the science didn't make a whole lot of sense.

Here's the blurb:

Eve Dallas and Rourke investigate the murders of a series of luckless indigents—and their strange connection to a brilliant young surgeon. But this hunt for a killer is like none they have ever encountered before, because nothing is as it seems.
 

As for the writing elements:

• The plot was pretty good. Borrowed from yet another classic, but that's fine, as she gives props to the original.
• Pacing was fine.
• Prose and dialogue were exceptional.
• Character development wasn't a big part of the story.
• World-building was consistent with previous books in the series.

• Book Rating: Chaos in Death: 8 of 10
• Series Rating: 10 of 10

1. Naked in Death
2. Glory in Death
3. Immortal in Death
4. Rapture in Death
5. Ceremony in Death
6. Vengeance in Death
7. Holiday in Death
7.5  Midnight in Death
8. Conspiracy in Death
9. Loyalty in Death
10.Witness in Death
11. Judgment in Death
12. Betrayal in Death
12.5 Interlude In Death
13. Seduction in Death
14. Reunion in Death
15. Purity in Death
16. Portrait in Death
17. Imitation In Death
17.5 Remember When
18. Divided in Death
19. Visions in Death
20. Survivor In Death
21. Origin In Death
21.5 Haunted in Death
22. Memory in Death
23. Born in Death
24. Innocent In Death
24.5 Eternity in Death
25. Creation in Death
26. Strangers in Death
26.5 Ritual in Death
27. Salvation in Death
28. Promises in Death
29. Kindred in Death
29.5 Missing in Death
30. Fantasy in Death
31. Indulgence in Death
31.5  Possession in Death
32. Treachery in Death
33. New York to Dallas
33.5 Chaos in Death
34. Celebrity In Death (Feb 2012)

Origin in Death (In Death, Book 21) by JD Robb

 

I'm not exactly sure how I feel about Origin In Death. It was a good story, and the futuristic stuff was certainly entertaining and thought provoking. But the pacing was horrible this time around, and there were a few places that felt a bit same-book different-bad guy. That's to be expected in such a long running series, but so far the author has done an excellent job of keeping it at bay.

We see Mira having a few human moments, and we see Eve have some wonderful kick-ass moments that were entertaining. I'm not sure exactly what didn't work  so well for me this time, but it didn't. Here's the blurb:

As scientists work to expand the limits of technology, Lieutenant Eve Dallas tracks the cunning, cold-blooded killer of a father and son.

As for the writing elements:

• The plot was good.
• Pacing had issues.
• Prose and dialogue were excellent.
• Character development was played around with a bit as Eve has to once again look at the shades of grey between right and wrong.
• World-building was added to a bit, but not in a big way.

• Book Rating: Origin in Death: 8 of 10
• Series Rating: 9 of 10

1. Naked in Death
2. Glory in Death
3. Immortal in Death
4. Rapture in Death
5. Ceremony in Death
6. Vengeance in Death
7. Holiday in Death
7.5  Midnight in Death
8. Conspiracy in Death
9. Loyalty in Death
10.Witness in Death
11. Judgment in Death
12. Betrayal in Death
12.5 Interlude In Death
13. Seduction in Death
14. Reunion in Death
15. Purity in Death
16. Portrait in Death
17. Imitation In Death
17.5 Remember When
18. Divided in Death
19. Visions in Death
20. Survivor In Death
21. Origin In Death
22. Memory in Death
23. Born in Death
24. Innocent in Death
25. Creation in Death
26. Strangers in Death
27. Salvation in Death
28. Promises in Death
29. Kindred in Death
30. Fantasy in Death
31. Indulgence in Death
32. Treachery in Death
33. New York to Dallas
 


 

Naked in Death (In Death, Book 1) by J.D. Robb

 

I realize I'm late to this series, but I've heard a lot about it so I figured I'd check the first book out. I enjoyed Naked in Death, and I'm going to read the second book, but I'm not so sure I'll want to keep going from there.

I appreciated the futuristic descriptions, though I doubt we'll be quite as far along as she says we'll be in another fifty or so years. Back in the seventies we were pretty sure we'd have flying cars before the year 2000. That date is long past and I'm still driving on asphalt. Still, her world building was enjoyable.

As for the mystery, it was twisted in a variety of ways, and I still knew who the murderer was about half-way through the book.

I like Eve, and I look forward to getting to know her better in the next book. I also like Roarke, and it appears there is just as much to learn about him as there is to learn about Eve.

Here's the blurb:

Eve Dallas is a New York police lieutenant using her instincts to hunt for a ruthless killer. And she's going against every warning telling her not to get involved with Roarke, an Irish billionaire—and a suspect in Eve’s murder investigation. But passion and seduction have rules of their own.
 

As for the writing elements:

• The plot was good, even if I did figure out who did it way before I think I was supposed to.
• Pacing was well done.
• Prose and dialogue were well done.
• Character development was handled nicely.
• World-building was interesting, including the politics of this futuristic world.

I didn't have to think very hard about a rating for Naked in Death. It was well written and kept me engaged, but it wasn't good enough for a ten. It's a pretty solid eight.

• Book Rating: Naked in Death: 8 of 10 

I won't give a series rating after one book.

Vision Impossible (Psychic Eye Mysteries, Book 9) by Victoria Laurie

 

Vision Impossible is a play on words, we're supposed to think of Mission Impossible... and the analogy is apt, in this case.

Here is the blurb:

Abby Cooper's next mission may truly be impossible...

Abby Cooper, the FBI's newest Civilian Profiler, is adding Spy to her resume. The military's digital photography software that captures one's aura- just like Abby can - sits in a drone aircraft that's been stolen. It's a major breach in security as every country's leader can be identified by their aura...

Abby springs into action to stop the criminals before they set their diabolical plan into motion, while making herself a prime target.

The plot was pretty good, though there were several things that were terribly implausible. Not saying the psychic stuff wasn't believable, I'm good with that... it was the procedures and CIA conversations and the way a few people reacted that just didn't ring true to me.

The continuing plot arcs were mostly okay, Abby and Dutch are still doing good together, their relationship still strong. Though honestly there was so much action in Vision Impossible that there wasn't much time for them to interact very much. Still, there were a few things that would have had less secure couples fighting, and both Abby and Dutch handled them like grown ups. That's a good thing.

The voice this time seemed a bit off to me. Nothing I can put my finger on, it's just that at times I was paying attention to the writing more than the story. In a few pieces it was repeated words, or the same exact sentence structure over and over and the cadence pulled me out. Once or twice it was the use of adverbs or adjectives in an odd way, something that made me stop and look at the writing instead of being immersed in the story.

As for the writing elements:

• The plot was good with lots of twists and turns. I figured out one of the bad guys fairly early on, but then another plot twist came up out of nowhere and surprised me.
• Pacing had some issues. Too much action in places and then too much talking and debating in places.
• Prose and dialogue could have used some help. Not terrible, but as I said, the writing pulled me out of the story more than just a few times.
• Character development was fairly consistent for Abby and Dutch, and was acceptable for the new people we meet. Not great, but not terrible.

This series was raised to an 8 of 10 from a 7 of 10 at some point, and I'm going to keep it at an 8 of 10. I'll give Vision Impossible an 8 of 10 as well. It's an enjoyable story with a nice series of plots that keep you guessing right up to the reveal.

• Book Rating: Vision Impossible: 8 of 10
• Series Rating: 8 of 10

1. Abby Cooper, Psychic Eye
2. Better Read Than Dead
3. A Vision of Murder
4. Killer Insight
5. Crime Seen
6. Death Perception
7. Doom with a View (Sept 2009)
8. A Glimpse of Evil (July 2010)
9. Vision Impossible