Customer Reviews

Cheat the Grave (Sign of the Zodiac, Book 5)

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have a confession, I am a VPeep, yes that's right. I am a Vicki Pettersson fangirl. It's partly because she is a Vegas girl and I love that connection in her stories, but also because she writes dark urban fantasy and I love it. She isn't afraid to torture her characters or break the rules for the sake of the story. The last book in the series was shocking and turned the series upside down on its head. The main character, Joanna, was forever changed to the point that many thought the series was over with.. Yet, the series isn't over and Pettersson returns to torture us, and Joanna, in the fifth installment of the Signs of the Zodiac series, Cheat the Grave.

The Signs of the Zodiac series feature not vampires, or werewolves, or any other typical supernatural character.... but instead modern super heroes. The world is made up of Agents of Light and Shadow, battling to keep the world balanced with the events being recorded in comic books, known to the agents as manuals. Our main protagonist is Joanna, an Agent of Light, mostly. Her mother was Zoe Archer, the Sagitarrius Agent of Light while her father was the Tulpa, the evil genius in control of the Shadow Agents in Las Vegas.

Joanna Archer is tough, hard, bitter, angry, battle worn, and alone. Abandoned by her mother and practically disowned by her assumed father, she started off this series all of these things and more. When I read the first book I wondered where she could possibly go from there? Over the last 4 books she has found companionship and family through her troop and some unexpectedly inherited friends and family. She has been trained to be a deadly weapon, but she has also softened in her judgment and acceptance of those around her. She lets people into her life and get to know her and becomes a better character because of it. Yet letting people in often means getting hurt, and Joanna is no exception. Her troop has abandoned her, her lover betrayed her....she is once again alone and wondering what she has left to live for.

Cheat the Grave gives us a rare look at our super heroine weak and vulnerable. Joanna is wallowing in self pity and unsure of where she belongs. This part of the book was the hardest part for me to read, I didn't enjoy it but I know it was necessary and real. I wanted to smack Jo upside the head and tell her to snap out of it - she was a tough kick ass chick, not some mopey do nothing! As a side effect, this section was the slowest for me to read and I found myself wishing things were moving a bit faster.

Things picked up and the story shined for me as new characters were introduced to Joanna's world. Cast out of the Light and not willing to be Shadow, Jo is looking for some place to belong. Rogue agents, independents no longer light or shadow, make themselves known to her and she is forced to question her beliefs about light and dark. Can there be Gray and is she willing to be part of it? The Gray Agents are all interesting characters that will make you smile, Carlos especially. Even Zoe Archer makes an appearance, and man she kicks some serious ass.

Cheat the Grave teases us mercilessly through Jo and Hunter's relationship, bringing to light new facts and background information. The connection between the two is as strong as ever and a I can't wait to see what is in store in book 6. The end of this one left me with hope for them, but Vicki Pettersson is known for taking that hope and stomping on it while laughing maniacally.

In the end, Cheat the Grave is another great installment in the series, featuring a few "oh my god no way" moments you don't want to miss. It may have been a bit slow moving at times but the story telling and world building more than make up for it. Joanna Archer is at her limits and this book just pushes her harder, asking what will she do? What is she really made of? In this gritty dirty urban fantasy there are no happy endings, but if you are looking for great story telling and riveting character growth, this one is for you.

I'll keep this short and light to avoid any spoilers... and leave the other reviews already here to handle the summary of this book, and merely just add my two cents on why this is, hands down, the best series ever.

book 5 is exceptional, and the best so far. i usually find, that with time, a series can become a tad stagnant. and although you love the characters you're following year after year, sometimes they can become a bit irritating because there often isn't any growth, and the story lines can seem a bit recycled. Vicki has the most original story i have had the pleasure of reading. you are doing yourself a disservice by not picking up all 5 books at once (trust me, you'll be THAT pissed off at yourself for having to waste precious time to stop at a book store again to pick up what you left behind... i did that after i started book 1 last year). every book gets better, and like i read in an early review, this is a real game changer.

i rated this book 5 stars because it's just the best of everything: writing, plot, character development, etc.

if you're new to the series, please start at book 1. if you've already read through 1-4, you gotta pick up 5. eagerly awaiting book 6... and by eagerly, i mean agonizing over the many months we have to wait for it.

Cheat the Grave is stellar addition to one of the most unique, ambitious and vivid urban fantasy series on the market.

Following the portent by trying to avoid it; "Fifth Sign: the Shadow binding with the Light," Joanna Archer discovers what happens when you blend light and shadow to create a new, more balanced reality in shades of grey. Masks are stripped away. Agents shift alliances and grandstand for relevance and there is a new cast of characters including an exceptional individual with wholly unique powers and purpose the like of which I don't think has been seen before.

Cheat the Grave is the most philosophical installment in the series and perhaps that is part of the reason I found it so satisfying because it afforded readers the chance to truly weigh and consider all of the elements that have brought Joanna to this point. One of the mantras in Cheat the Grave is "Losses aren't bad things in themselves. Not as long as you remain open to new sensation." For much of her life Joanna has been a survivor, shaped by events and the choices of others - in the past, the answer for Joanna would have been live up to the destiny that others say is her raison d' etre but now her fate is clearly driven by her own free will and in making this choice, we have a heroine whose power springs from the well of free choice and Joanne owns it all.

Readers should know that there are elements in this installment that link back to Zoe Archer's short story The Harvest which was published in the anthology Holidays are Hell. While the events in that short story are not absolute required reading to follow some of the developments in Cheat the Grave, they do enhance the content and I strongly recommend reading it as a supplemental to contextualize and add dimension.

Vicki Pettersson's writing continues to evolve and impress me by the scope in which she is constructing this series; it is nothing short of epic and her writing is subtly elegant and focused in the delivery. This is a rare balance and much of what makes the Zodiac series such a compelling read.

The only thing missing in this installment was a trip to the Master Comics. The story didn't really lend itself for Jo to stop in and catch-up with the gang at the shop but I did miss them. Hopefully Jo will take a visit to Master Comics in the next installment in the series.

Cheat the Grave is a rich and wonderfully satisfying addition to the Signs of the Zodiac series... in fact, I think it's the best installment yet in a series that continues to evolve and challenge.

Joanna Archer is now a mortal, having given up her powers to save a young girl. Her troop has abandoned her. Now, all she has are her socialite friends, from her late sister's life. But when she left the Netherworld, she made enemies that don't care if she can't fight back. They want her dead. Her only hope lies in a rogue group of former shadow and light troop members, the gray that both sides despise.

Jo/Olivia has grown and changed incredibly through the course of this series. Though, this latest change has left her feeling worthless and helpless. Another big change is that Jo has come to care for her sister's friends that Jo used to despise. She discovers that they are true friends, loving her for who she is, not what she can do. There are also some shocking revelations involving some of Jo's other relationships that were the highlight of the story for me.

Because Jo is without powers, she doesn't get to do the butt-kicking in this installment. And the focus is more on drama, relationships, and staying away from those trying to kill her. That's not to say the story ever slows. There is no haven or safe place for Jo any longer, so she's constantly on the move, taking help from whomever she can. And along the way she makes some self-discoveries that change her perception. Ending in a big showdown, with a big surprise, Pettersson certainly delivers in this latest exciting installment.

Of all of your friends, if you had to choose one to gift with super powers who would it be? Who would you think deserves super powers? Who would you trust? Everyone knows a 'Joanna Archer'. She's the friend that has 'issues'. You like hanging out with her but she tends to lean toward the negative. Got a confrontation? She's your girl. Want a fun night of movies and popcorn and painting toes, you know to leave her out.

We tend to expect our heroes to be true blue, dignified, centered, unflappable, selfless and focused. Bad guys beware! We want them larger than life; better than life. We don't expect them to be 'Joanna Archer'. That's what makes these books so maddeningly fun. Joanna has had a rough time of it starting quite early in her life. Give her a minute and she'll let you know how pissed she is about that, how it has changed her, how she wishes for the person she might have been. Don't we all?

Then life just keeps on coming. We want our heroes to take it all on the chin, stiff upper lip, rise above, but Joanna Archer is a real person with real pain and is hoping for just one day that doesn't involve fighting for her life. Sure super powers sound great in theory, but really consider what that would mean and I dare you to come through it better than Joanna Archer.

In this 5th book Joanna faces everything that has made her who she is. She stares into the truth of herself and does not back down. She makes her choices for herself alone. The worlds she travels, the things she sees, the things she is forced to do would unravel you or me. But she is Joanna Archer. She is resolute, stubborn, focused, selfless and against her better judgment, a true blue hero. Bad guys beware.

I'm a comic book geek. The comic book themes of this series have been intriguing to me since the very beginning. It's not a stand-alone novel though. You do need to have read the rest of the series.

The 4th book was difficult for me to read. It seemed at times completely disjointed, and I almost didn't get this one. I'm very glad I did though. It flows easily, and the action was constant. I would really love to see a tv series made off these books or at least one set in this world.

If you are new to the series, there are two sides, light and dark warriors in many of the major cities fighting a war that mere mortals never see. Supposedly, there will be a savior, born to both light and dark who will bring balance. Joanna Archer is supposed to be that savior. The stories are set in Las Vegas.

There are strong comic book elements, in fact, Jo refers to herself and other people on the side of light as superheroes. They can't fly, but they are near indestructible, very strong and fast, with senses that are far beyond mere human. The comic book themes instead of the more usual types of magic make this series stand out from most urban fantasy.

It's very good world building, and while it can be termed paranormal romance, it's not just romance. It's one of the few series I read in this genre that I would happily recommend to my husband.

I really love this series as a whole, and have no regrets about buying this book to add to my collection, as it's a necessary chapter in the continuing story. Pettersson's distinctive style is consistent, we get some important revelations about Zoe the missing mother (which promptly makes me furious at Warren), a scene between Olivia and Jo, and a lot more information about what it's like to be a Shadow agent. The return of Harlen Tripp was beautiful, fun, and overall entertaining.

So why only 3 stars? Largely because this book suffers "middle book" syndrome, where the plot really doesn't seem to go much of anywhere. There's personal growth, but as far as any plot goals -- Bring down the Tulpa, Bring down Warren, save Hunter from himself, understand the rules of Midheaven -- there's no success or even much forward progress. It was ultimately exercise in frustration that left me wanting the next book just so that some goal could be completed.

With a lack of coherent plot, aside from not really going anywhere, the action seems largely random. I get the feeling it's all set up for later books, but an entire book of set up just isn't as fun. Especially when the books devote so much time to a retread of past books.

So, it's a decent book, and I aim to keep reading the series, but don't expect to be blown away.

Vicki Pettersson has written another excellent book in a very unique and captivating series. I won't go into plot, because other reviewers have discussed that well. My two cents, for what they're worth, is that this book really opened up the series in a way I didn't expect and was delighted to be surprised. I like that Joanna isn't superpowered anymore. I really dug that she finally saw Warren for the kind of man he really is. Jo also realized the value of true friendship and that your family doesn't have to be blood. All this while fearing for her life, and being keenly aware of her weaknesses. Bringing in a new faction of super heroes to Jo's world is intriguing and I'm excited to see where it goes next.

The reason for 4 instead of 5 stars? The book felt at times it was TOO hung up on Joanna's lack of power. It seemed she was always considering herself totally helpless. Maybe in the scheme of who was after her, that wasn't far fetched, but it just stayed there too much. The Joanna that I really fell in love with in Book 1 wouldn't have had that attitude. Let's be honest, the girl is an emotional train wreck, it's part of her appeal, but she was always tough and resolute. This book seems to lose track of that part of her character that was the most appealing.

I was so thrilled to receive this book s an ARC and I HAD to start it ASAP. After reading the first few pages I started to remember all the things that happened in the last book. I think this is one of the saddest urban fantasies I ever read. I'm not such a Urban Fantasy addict so that probably doesn't say much or it could be because I'm feeling Joanna's pain like my own. Ms. Pettersson really knows how to make her heroine believable.

I loved that Jo is not perfect- she has flaws but I like her, most of the time. Sometimes she's way to stubborn and a bit immature but her development since book one (The Scent of Shadows) is strongly visible in this book. She's hurt- big time but she fights to keep going. She just doesn't want to give up and I I really felt for Joanna and my heart broke every ten pages or so for the first part of the book. The beginning is so dark and I hoped for Joanna's and my own sake that something good or at least something not bad happens to her. She still is strong but you can feel that she would resign if all this stuff would happen to her any longer.

The plot in Cheat the Grave is a thrilling ride with many twists and turns. I was hooked after the first few pages and I couldn't put this book down for more than the time I needed to dry my tears. I loved how new revelations were woven into the story and I had to gasp more than once. I wanted to scream at the characters often and sometimes I had the deep urge to slap them.

The bad guys are still shudder -worth and surprisingly the good guys aren't any better. That's probably a reason for the overall dark feel of this book, too. We discover a new fraction and they are the ones that seem to be the "sanest" in this world. I enjoyed to learn more about these characters and their stories were touching or bizarre, depending on the character but they always fit into the big picture. They gave the world more depth and answered some of the question I had from the start.

As you can see this book really grabbed me. I can't wait to read the next book and I want a HEA for Joanne with all my heart. A great new addition to the Signs of the Zodiac series and one you shouldn't miss. Thrilling from the start and full of emotion. Cheat the Grave answers many of your questions but it also brings new mysteries that need solving. I, for my part can't wait to get my hands on the next book.I was so thrilled to receive this book s an ARC and I HAD to start it ASAP. After reading the first few pages I started to remember all the things that happened in the last book. I think this is one of the saddest urban fantasies I ever read. I'm not such a Urban Fantasy addict so that probably doesn't say much or it could be because I'm feeling Joanna's pain like my own. Ms. Pettersson really knows how to make her heroine believable.

I loved that Jo is not perfect- she has flaws but I like her, most of the time. Sometimes she's way to stubborn and a bit immature but her development since book one (The Scent of Shadows) is strongly visible in this book. She's hurt- big time but she fights to keep going. She just doesn't want to give up and I I really felt for Joanna and my heart broke every ten pages or so for the first part of the book. The beginning is so dark and I hoped for Joanna's and my own sake that something good or at least something not bad happens to her. She still is strong but you can feel that she would resign if all this stuff would happen to her any longer.

The plot in Cheat the Grave is a thrilling ride with many twists and turns. I was hooked after the first few pages and I couldn't put this book down for more than the time I needed to dry my tears. I loved how new revelations were woven into the story and I had to gasp more than once. I wanted to scream at the characters often and sometimes I had the deep urge to slap them.

The bad guys are still shudder -worth and surprisingly the good guys aren't any better. That's probably a reason for the overall dark feel of this book, too. We discover a new fraction and they are the ones that seem to be the "sanest" in this world. I enjoyed to learn more about these characters and their stories were touching or bizarre, depending on the character but they always fit into the big picture. They gave the world more depth and answered some of the question I had from the start.

As you can see this book really grabbed me. I can't wait to read the next book and I want a HEA for Joanne with all my heart. A great new addition to the Signs of the Zodiac series and one you shouldn't miss. Thrilling from the start and full of emotion. Cheat the Grave answers many of your questions but it also brings new mysteries that need solving. I, for my part can't wait to get my hands on the next book.

Ms. Pettersson has done it again! Her latest book in this series is wonderful. The action is non-stop, the characters are complex and the story is riveting. I couldn't put the book down and it had me laughing, crying and shaking my head at Ms. Pettersson's imagination - amazing!