City of Souls (Sign of the Zodiac, Book 4) [Mass Market Paperback]

Vicki Pettersson (Author)

Book Description

Release date: June 30, 2009

In Sin City, a little girl suffers from a strange and terrible malady. If she dies, the Light will die along with her.

Warrior, avenger, Joanna Archer has survived countless otherworldly terrors—and has found her rightful place among the agents battling the all-pervasive evil of Shadow . . . even as she struggles against the darkness within herself.

A war is raging for Las Vegas—a city without a heart—one that catapults Joanna into a new world hidden from mortal sight. In this lethally seductive alternate dimension the lines blur between good and evil, love and hate, and here lies the last hope for the Light. But Joanna's price of admission is a piece of her own soul—and the odds of her escaping are slim . . . to none.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“This fourth book in Pettersson’s Sign of the Zodiac is a wild roller-coaster read. With a kick-ass heroine and characters who blur the line between good and evil, this book will have readers panting for more.” (Romantic Times BOOKclub)

“The Scent of Shadows came out of nowhere and slapped me silly. … You’re going to love this.” (Kim Harrison)

“From the one-damn-thing-after-another school of unputdownable books, The Scent of Shadows rockets into the air and explodes like fireworks, with nonstop bursts of action and imagination.” (Charlaine Harris)

“...Read at your own risk —it’ll keep you up past your bedtime.” (Charlaine Harris)

“Pettersson’s paranormal world is as original as it is compelling. The action comes fast and furious. Like Las Vegas itself, this is an adventure that’ll keep you up all night.” (Kelley Armstrong)

“Passion and intrigue, heartbreak and victory--THE TOUCH OF TWILIGHT offers an intricate plot populated with complex characters. Nothing is predictable in Vicki Pettersson’s newest novel . . . except the need to read more.” (Melissa Marr, New York Times bestselling author of Wicked Lovely)

About the Author

The New York Times bestselling author of The Taken andthe Sign of the Zodiac series—and former showgirl—VickiPettersson was born and raised in Sin City. Though she'llalways consider that glittering dust bowl home, she nowdivides her time between Las Vegas and Dallas, where she'slearning to like good Tex-Mex (easy) and the Dallas Cowboys(easier than you'd think).

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Harper Voyager; Original edition (June 30, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061456780
• ISBN-13: 978-0061456787
• Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 1 x 7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (47 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #157,905 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Vicki Pettersson is the New York Times bestselling author of the completed six-book 'Signs of the Zodiac' series, which features reluctant superhero, Joanna Archer, and are set in her hometown of Las Vegas.

Her latest novel is THE LOST, the second of three paranormal mysteries which pair a P.I/angel from the 50's with a modern-day rockabilly reporter. Together, they fight crime.

Though she'll always consider Sin City her home, she now divides her time between Vegas and Dallas, where she's learning to like good Tex-Mex (easy) and the Dallas Cowboys (easier than you'd think).

For more information on Vicki's books, please visit: http://vickipettersson.com/

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Dark Urban Fantasy October 27, 2009

By Miki Quick

Format:Mass Market Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

City of Souls, the latest in the Signs of the Zodiac series, is the best in the series to date. I can't wait for the next installment because "J'Olivia" has pretty much hit rock bottom here and I'm wondering what she's going to do to climb back out. The concept of Midheaven is intriguing and I loved that we got more of a glimpse into it in this book. I know there are lots of folks out there wanting a Hunter/J'Olivia HEA at the end of the series but this is UF (and dark UF, at that)so there's no guarantee of that. And, quite frankly, I'm okay with it. This book shows that even super heroes, no matter how 'super' they are, they're still human with very real human flaws in their make-up. Vicki's writing has improved with each book and the plot twists have me guessing at what else could possibly happen before Jo snaps.Throughout the series I've come to love to hate some of the characters (Reagan and Warren) and at the same time hold out hope that others will do the right thing (Hunter and Jo; even Warren). The ending was gut-wrenching and although I felt a sense of betrayal in one of the characters, I hated that I was at the end because I wanted this character to be able to redeem themselves. I don't want to have to wait till next year to read what happens next. You can be sure that come release day, I'll be there with bells on (and money in hand) to snatch up book 5! You rock, Vick!

Miki

12 of 15 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars My favorite book of the series so far.... October 27, 2009

By KindleVixen VINE™ VOICE

Format:Mass Market Paperback

J'Olivia is stubborn, but strong.... she doesn't always make the best choices and in the past I have often found myself yelling at her in my head. She has grown as a person and character over the last 4 books and I can't wait to see where she ends up after book 5. I adore Hunter as a character, even with his flaws as considerable as they are - they make him real. (After reading this book you MUST read the short story Dark Matters from the Unbound anthology). Great strides and great setbacks in the relationship between Jolivia and Hunter in this installment. I am holding out hope for a Happy Ever After for the two of them, but being the dark urban fantasy that I consider this to be I realize it may not be possible. This book takes us through trust, betrayal, love, friendship, and more. I think it is easily my favorite of the series because of the emotional blow it deals to Jo. I look forward to where she can go from here.... She isn't a quitter. Somehow, Vicki Pettersson has the amazing ability to tear your heart out and leave you wanting more.

14 of 18 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars One confused book; but has its interesting parts August 12, 2009

By Karissa Eckert

Format:Mass Market Paperback

This is the 4th book in the Signs of the Zodiac series by Vicki Pettersson. It was my least favorite book in the series so far. Joanna is confused and is running around not accomplishing a whole lot for most of the book.

Joanna broke her changeling in the last book and because of that the Manuals of Light can't be written and the Light agents have lost all their safe zones. Needless to say the Agents of Light are in serious trouble. Warren tells Joanna that she better fix it ASAP and hints that Joanna will find her answers in Midland and that she should find the new tulpa (her doppelganger from the last book).

First for the good stuff. It was cool to learn more about Midland. It was also nice to have the doppelganger involved more. A lot of the plot elements relating to how the changelings affect the Agents' powers were really interesting.

Joanna screws up a lot in this book. Those who thought she was changing as a character in the third book will be disappointed. Even worse is the fact that many of the Agents of Light are not what they appear to be. By the end of the book I felt like there were no Agents of Light. I thought many of the characters acted very out of character; there weren't really any characters that I liked by the end of the book. The deal with Joanna and Hunter was kind of whacked; I can't say more without revealing spoilers. Also I thought it was odd how Joanna is trying to convincingly play Olivia's lifestyle in the beginning of the book but then she (kind of) forgets about being Olivia. There were some small parts where she has to "act like" Olivia; but there aren't really any repercussions for her walking out on the bachelorette party in the beginning or of her doing any other un-Olivia actions.... There is one spoiler I need to address cause it irritated the heck out of me so...

SPOILER START-------------------------------------------
What was with the amount of time spent on Joanna losing pieces of her soul and powers? It seemed like it was going to play a really important part in the story; like getting her powers back was going to be a major plot point. Then at the end of the book she looses all of her powers. Well then what was the point of angsting over some small power loss. The only thing I can think of is that now she can go and get the lost power back or something like that. The way the book ended really made me wonder if this is the last book in the series.

Okay, I need to comment about Hunter and Warren too. Hunter was such a sincere character, what was the point of having him do a complete 180? Also what was the point of Warren aiding this whole twisted set-up?
SPOILER END----------------------------------------------

So overall I though the book was okay. Some of the plot line was interesting and the plot definitely twists and turns enough to keep your mind engaged (or at times just plan confused). The characters don't really act like themselves and the bizarre end to the book leaves you wondering if there will be anymore books in the series. Kind of a disappointing book but still kept my interest. Read more ›

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars it just keeps getting better! August 2, 2009

By S. Steele

Format:Mass Market Paperback

this series is my favorite hands down! i have been reading daily and voraciously for about the past 10 years, and it takes a lot to really make me sit up and want to say "wow.". after looking at all the negative reviews left on this fourth installment i felt i had to leave a positive one. honestly, i have no idea how anyone could rate this book below 4 stars. i find that after the first few books in a series, it generally starts to lose it's appeal, there are no surprises left, and nothing really keeps me excited because the story line just seems to fade out. like the first book, this new installment knocked me on my ass. such a great read, and the story was nothing i had been expecting and i love that! it's so fresh, unique, intriguing and creative. ms. pettersson really out did herself, and she only seems to get better with each book. some reviewers didn't like the way she ended this fourth novel, but it makes perfect sense. the end is a beginning, and i can't wait to meet Zoe in Cheat the Grave and see what becomes of Joanna, the troop, Midheaven, etc etc etc. the series is nothing like you've ever read before, and City of Souls is amazing.

you've outdone yourself ms. pettersson, and i don't know how i'll make it a whole year for the 5th book. excellent writing, excellent characters and character development, excellent pacing, excellent everything. the only thing that would make me happier about her zodiac series is if HBO picked it up and turned it into a tv series a la True Blood.