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5.0 out of 5 stars
Urban Fantasy AND a Detective Novel., October 23, 2010
"Amaranth" is most definitely NOT the typical vampire novel, so drop those misconceptions right out of the gate!
The story is set in modern day Washington DC, but it's not quite the world as we know it: vampires came "out of the closet" as it were sometime around World War I, and following them were the kin (were-beasts of every type), merfolk, witches and the gods. Preterhumans - the term all these folks use for themselves, since they're a little bit more than human - tend to live just like everyone else, but they still don't QUITE have all the same rights as everyone else in the US.
The protagonist, Elizabeth "Lizzy" Drake, is a half-vamp college student by day and the silent (unpaid) partner in Murdock Investigations. Liz is sarcastic, talkative, outgoing, and probably one of the most interesting - and realistic - characters I've ever read. She takes you along for the ride with her thoughts and perspective from the beginning of the story right up til the last word of the book, and I definitely loved the journey!
Without saying too much to spoil the story, Murdock and Liz get hired to investigate a series of deaths that are starting to spill out into the human world. With a bit of assistance from Liz's favorite aunt, Seph (short for Persephone - yes, THAT Persephone), the detectives discover that the problem isn't that a coven of witches has gone rogue, but something much MUCH worse.
Seriously, pick up this book. You won't regret it if urban fantasy and vampires that don't glitter are your thing.
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5.0 out of 5 stars
Well done!, June 17, 2009
This review is from: Amaranth: The Preterhumans Book 1 (Mass Market Paperback)
I have an Achilles heel when it comes to vampire books and mythological based books as well. This was a double dose of both and then some and done very well.
Characters were well thought out, and the best part about it was that they were real to me. I could actually think of them as real people, which I like, because it makes the reading all that more enjoyable. The character interaction was also a plus for me and it reminded me of one big dysfunctional family, that knew they were dysfunctional, but didn't care and pressed on! I really enjoyed that.
Lizzy has to be one of the most sarcastic people I've read about but it fits her to a tee and I'd never want her to change. She was always blunt and too the point and it never got tiring seeing things for her point of view.
The accurate descriptions of D.C. and the accuracy of the different deities and which countries they came from was also very much another reason why I enjoyed this book so much.
I have to say I am looking forward to the next book in the series and many more books from this authoress.
Cheers -
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