Customer Reviews

Deader Still

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

First off, I want to say that I actually liked this book. I really did. It's just that as I was reading it, I couldn't shake the feeling that it could have been better. While I liked the first book DEAD TO ME, I didn't love it ... which is something I really wanted to do, so I was hoping for big things from this second book. I won't get too much into the plot here, because others have already done that. But I will touch on a couple of things.

The author has created a great main character in Simon. He's definitely likeable enough and mostly fun to hang with. The problem I have with him is that he comes across more like a teenaged boy than he does an adult male in his mid to late twenties - which he is supposed to be. Because of this, the book reads more like a Young Adult fantasy novel than something for more mature readers.

If the focus had been more on Simon and his work directly, I might have felt differently. But instead a lot of time was spent on Simon's relationship with his girlfriend, Jane, who now works for the same organization that Simon does. I seriously could have done without all of the relationship drama. Especially since it's still somewhat difficult for me to view Jane as anything more than a paranormally talented "Bimbo" who gives blondes a bad name (which is pretty much how she came across to me in the first book. Still, I'd be wrong not to admit that her character is *much* improved in this follow-up, and I actually found her somewhat tolerable.).

My only other main issue with the book was the character of "Mina." I'm not even going to get too much into her role because I just found it tiresome. The way Simon handles the situation with her is simply ridiculous, and serves more to weaken his character than enhance the story itself. Hopefully, we won't be seeing her again.

Despite this, there's a lot of good stuff here too. For starters, Simon's partner and mentor, Connor! He's just great. Love him. His big-brotherly relationship with Simon is a joy to read and the two play well off of each other. In fact, from the way things end, it looks like in the next book we'll finally get to find out more about him. Can't wait.

I also really *really* love me some Godfrey Candella! He plays a nerdy archivist that works in Simon's organization. Guys like Simon and Connor really need a "Godfrey" on their team. He's a great addition and I will think *really* bad thoughts about Anton Strout if he doesn't incorporate even more of him in future books. Lots of development potential here.

Strout's got a good story and a great cast of characters here. He's built a really funny, interesting and entertaining world and I definitely want to hang with Simon & Co. again. Overall, I found this to be a good, fun read ... just leaves a bit of room for improvement.

Enjoy!

Simon Canderous returns in Deader Still, the sequel to Dead to Me. Who would have thought that working for the Department of Extraordinary Affairs involved so much red tape. Simon is lucky he is still able to use his psychometry after he gets done with the paperwork involved with closing a case. When Simon and Connor are called to investigate a boat cruise in the harbor, Simon will get a chance to make himself shine. He will be able to use his brand-spanking-new abilities from the F.O.Ggies when he discovers what may be vampires in New York City. However, will he be able to give orders to his mentor, Connor?

I give Deader Still 5 tombstones. I love this series! It has a little bit of everything for the paranormal junkie. Simon is impulsive and reckless, and I am almost always amazed that he gets out of scrapes without being seriously maimed and injured. Anton Strout does a fantastic job of further developing his characters in book two. Jane, the ex-cultist, is developed further in this book since she is Simon's girlfriend. It is intriguing to watch her as she struggles with the "darker" side of herself. However, it does seem to come in handy when Jane has to do some dirty fighting. We do not get to see much of Simon's partner, Connor, in this book, but it allows for further development of other characters that were briefly introduced previously.

Deader Still is unique from a lot of the urban fantasy genre. It pokes fun at the bureaucratic red tape of the government; for example, how many forms Simon has to fill out from Supply and how long will it take to get the item once it has been requested. Since book two ends in a sort of cliff hanger, I look forward to the third book and seriously hope that the publishing company changes its mind and readers do not have to wait another year before it comes out. But then again, good things come to those who wait. This is a fantastic series, and I think it has a lot of promise. Just be sure that if you are going to read this book, that you have read Dead to Me first. I highly recommend that you go and get both books!

Reviewed at Bitten by Books Paranormal Fiction Review Site by Virginia

Deader Still is the sequel to Dead to Me, which, in true "I never know what the publishers will send me next" style, I haven't read. There's enough direct follow-on from Dead to Me that I think I would have enjoyed Deader Still much more if I'd read the previous book first.

Simon Canderous is an interesting character, both reluctant good guy and emotionally-stunted ordinary Joe. His psychometric abilities are the one thing setting him apart, and he'd just as soon be rid of them.

Some of the side characters definitely held my interest (Simon's partner, his mentor, and an archivist named Godfrey). Others, however, seemed a tad shallow (Simon's girlfriend and her boss, in particular), although I suspect having read the other book first might have eased that. In particular, Jane's affinity for Technomancy seems relatively random and doesn't go much of anywhere.

The climactic battle scene is clever, well-paced, and attention-grabbing, and I definitely enjoyed it. Again, however, I feel that the lack of having read the previous book left the bad guy seeming rather... random.

These days, because so many genre books are parts of series, most authors carefully write them to stand alone. This is a pretty good idea, because it means that if you happen to pick up a random book in the series and you enjoy it, you might go back to the beginning and get sucked into the whole thing. If the books don't stand alone, it's harder to pick up new fans after later books come out.

Because of this, I rarely have difficulty reviewing books from the middle of a series I haven't read before. Deader Still has proven one of the rare occasions when I definitely felt that I was missing whole angles and levels of characters because of having missed out on the previous book. So if you find the series pretense appealing, I highly recommend starting with the beginning.

Simon Canderous returns in Deader Still, the sequel to Dead to Me. Who would have thought that working for the Department of Extraordinary Affairs involved so much red tape. Simon is lucky he is still able to use his psychometry after he gets done with the paperwork involved with closing a case. When Simon and Connor are called to investigate a boat cruise in the harbor, Simon will get a chance to make himself shine. He will be able to use his brand-spanking-new abilities from the F.O.Ggies when he discovers what may be vampires in New York City. However, will he be able to give orders to his mentor, Connor?

I give Deader Still 5 tombstones. I love this series! It has a little bit of everything for the paranormal junkie. Simon is impulsive and reckless, and I am almost always amazed that he gets out of scrapes without being seriously maimed and injured. Anton Strout does a fantastic job of further developing his characters in book two. Jane, the ex-cultist, is developed further in this book since she is Simon's girlfriend. It is intriguing to watch her as she struggles with the "darker" side of herself. However, it does seem to come in handy when Jane has to do some dirty fighting. We do not get to see much of Simon's partner, Connor, in this book, but it allows for further development of other characters that were briefly introduced previously.

Deader Still is unique from a lot of the urban fantasy genre. It pokes fun at the bureaucratic red tape of the government; for example, how many forms Simon has to fill out from Supply and how long will it take to get the item once it has been requested. Since book two ends in a sort of cliff hanger, I look forward to the third book and seriously hope that the publishing company changes its mind and readers do not have to wait another year before it comes out. But then again, good things come to those who wait. This is a fantastic series, and I think it has a lot of promise. Just be sure that if you are going to read this book, that you have read Dead to Me first. I highly recommend that you go and get both books!

Reviewed at Bitten by Books Paranormal Fiction Review Site by Virginia

Simon Canderous is back in Deader Still, the second book from Anton Strout about a guy with some very interesting powers working for the secret Department of Extraordinary Affairs (D.E.A.) in New York City. I really enjoyed the first book, Dead To Me and now with Deader Still I can certainly say that Anton has quite the future in the Urban Fantasy genre. I chatted with Anton on Sunday at Comic Con and told him I was quite surprised that I enjoyed Dead To Me so much because I am quite biased when it comes to reading male authors and about male characters when I am so used to reading the opposite. I can say that Anton is yet another author who has opened my eyes and I am already waiting for the third book in this series, which is still in the process of being written.

For those who don't know who Simon is or the world he inhabits, Deader Still takes place in present day New York City. The citizens of Manhattan have no clue that the island is filled with a great deal of paranormal and magical activity. Simon is an investigator for the D.E.A. and investigates these crimes with his partner and mentor of sorts, Connor. Simon was recruited because he is a psychometrist, someone who can touch an object and will know the owner's memories or certain points in their lives when the object was in their possession.

Deader Still opens with Simon and Connor at Comic Con. Simon has been with the NYC Department of Extraordinary Affairs for seven months and has a chance at getting a promotion. If Simon can pass certain tests, including a very dangerous one in something called the oubliette, he will become Connor's full-fledged partner. Connor is a bit peeved at Simon because Simon was asked to join the Fraternal Order of Goodness, an organization much like the Freemasons by his boss, Inspectre Quimbley. Connor wasn't asked and now there is some tension between the two. Otherwise, things couldn't be better for Simon, especially since he has a new girlfriend, Jane who understands him, faults and all, and still wants to be with him. Simon saved Jane in Dead To Me, and now the cultist works at Tome, Sweet Tome, a magical book store cataloging books. Jane works very closely with one of the directors in the D.E.A who can't stand Simon. Simon feels the same way with Director Wesker and has been having some jealousy issues because Jane and Wesker are a bit too friendly. Simon doesn't want to mess anything up with Jane so he keeps his suspicions to himself.

Comic Con is a great place for paranormal activity where no one would bat an eyelash at something out of the ordinary, so Simon will have his test in the Oubliette there. Trouble seems to follow Simon wherever he goes and the Oubilette almost kills him because of some malfunction. It seems someone has tampered with it. Who would want Simon dead?

When Connor and Simon are relieved of their duties at Comic Con, they are put on a case. A party cruise full of lawyers are found dead and it could be vampires responsible. This is not a good thing because it has been 737 days since the last vampire attack. Simon uses his powers, and in his visions he sees fangs and some sort of creature sucking the blood and life out of one of the victims on the cruise. It is now up to Simon and Connor to find out if vampires are on the rampage and stop them before they kill again.

Not only does Simon have Inspectre Quimbley breathing down his neck about Simon upholding the ideals of the Fraternal Order of Goodness and taking over the investigation from Connor, but Jane has become a bit too powerful with her own witch like powers. Simon's jealousy keeps rising whenever he sees Jane and Wesker together. And Simon's women problems are about to get even worse, when a blast from Simon's secret past comes back into his life. Before Simon went straight, he was a thief and quite skilled at picking locks. Mina, a woman from his former crew wants his help in stealing the very famous and expensive Scream painting. Mina won't take no for an answer and threatens Simon with blackmail. She will hurt Jane. Simon has no choice but to help Mina, even if it means loosing Jane in the process.

Mina is not the only one trying to make Simon's life a living hell. He does have an enemy who wants to do him in. Connor is also being very secretive and zombies start appearing out of nowhere with the intent to kill Simon. It can't get any worse, right? It does when Simon loses his psychometric powers. Now Simon is just a normal guy stuck in some over the top and out of control situations. He has to find a way to stay alive and figure out a way to keep Jane and Manhattan safe.

Simon is the type of hero who really grows on you. He is not an alpha hero and more of a beta hero if any. He is such a hero who may want to run the other way but will stay and put up a fight. Nine times out of ten Simon ends up bruised and beaten. I was surprised that the guy was still standing after the number of times he was bashed over the head. Simon is really put through the wringer in Deader Still, but everytime someone tries to bring him down, he gets back up to fight again.

Anton has written Simon in such a way where you can't help but cheer him on. You want Simon to defeat the bad guys, get the girl and a nice pat on the back. Simon was almost killed or beaten to a pulp because of Mina. I wanted Simon to punch her in the face, but since Simon is such a good guy and has great scruples, it isn't in him to abuse a woman, even though she deserves it because she is one of the baddies.

Simon and Jane's relationship is still so fresh and new. I thought they were very sweet together. They are a great team. The majority of the time Jane comes to Simon's rescue. You would think Simon would be embarrassed by a woman saving him, but Simon is thrilled he has Jane to be there as his backup. He never tells her she shouldn't or she can't because he is the man. He cares for her well being, but he never pushes her to the side and takes control of the situation. They are partners, much like Simon and Connor are and it will be interesting to see things progress between them. Anton better not have them break up!

There are a great deal of well written action scenes with magic, ghosts, zombies and other things that go bump in the night. I could find no complaint with the descriptions and scenery of Manhattan. Anton really captures the environment of New York City and those various recognizable spots I know all to well.

There are so many different types of Urban Fantasy books on the market to choose from and Anton has something very special and different with Simon Canderous. There may have not been many laugh out loud moments in Deader Still, more of a snicker here and there, but for the entertainment value I did get my money's worth.

Deader Still was an enjoyable read with a hero I can cheer for in his fight against evil.

Katiebabs

Dead To Me

Simon has to take a initiation test and while in the well, finds out it has been tampered with and sets him up for failure. He does make it out of a horrid situation using his cell phone and a little technomancy.. which his girlfriend is studying.

Simon and his faithful partner Connor finds a boatload of people drained dry and the assume that is it vampires..

little do they know something else has been unleashed on NYC.

With the help of jane, Godfrey the archivist and his 'gift' Simon must solve this mystery..

Oh and a old friend stops by and tell Simon she will kill jane if he does not help her steal from the MOMA.

A band of Illinois gypsies at a Comic con steals Simons' gift and his day goes from bad to real bad to worse...

LOVE Godfrey the nerd He rocks..

'Deader Still', the second novel in the Simon Canderous series, begins with a rather gruesome bang and keeps going for the next several hundred pages, throwing a wickedly fast paced plot, a sneaky art heist, and some creepy background into the mix, all while giving the reader a slam-bang look into the hell that is screwing up the government bandwagon. While the novel's initial beginning at the New York Comic Con had me chuckling, its story shifting into creepy and sinister gear took me for a nice, fast-paced ride. Simon's old pal, Mina, shows up at his place and demands his help in stealing 'The Scream' painting. Simon, naturally, isn't keen on risking his new found status as a Good Guy, but goes along with the plan after a few choice threats against his friends. Things quickly go south, but it's quite the ride.

This novel showcases Simon growing as a person, especially one who hasn't ever had a serious relationship. He and Jane are adorable, as Simon's partner, Connor, repeatedly points out, and their banter is flirty and fun. The scenes within Tome Sweet Tome had me in stitches (Simon and books, they just can't get along), and the introduction of Godfrey, a rather timid archivist, had the potential to be one-note, but Godfrey's presence actually lends a slightly human air to the story. Simon and his friends all have their paranormal abilities, but Godfrey's normalcy is so refreshing that I couldn't help but like the character the instant he was introduced.

It's nice to find an urban fantasy detective series that is willing to be tongue-in-cheek, with serious horror elements, and still keep me fascinated. The faster pacing and suspenseful art theft sequences kept me interested and hooked; this is a fast read, one that definitely ranks up there with the 'I was annoyed that I had to put it down' list of books. Needless to say, I'm glad I the third volume of this series waiting for me as soon as I finished; this is a keeper series, folks. I'm eager to see what mischief Simon and Company get up to next go around.

Liked a whole lot better than the first one. Still a very interesting setting and characters and story line. But during this book I cared more about Simon and his friends than I did in the first, especially at the beginning of the first. I did not want to stop reading and was almost sad when the book ended. The pace was much faster in this one. I am really looking forward to the third book.

Simon is finally in his first real relationship with Jane who is becoming not so plain. His past has come to haunt him. I liked he got his powers back right after losing them. When he lost them, I thought we were going into Smallville territory. I still love the Mayor's Office of Plausible Deniability, but the days without a vamipre board was great.

Deader Still picks up just a few months after the end of Dead To Me and we find Simon still with the Department of Extraordinary Affairs but also a new member of the Fraternal Order of Goodness. The F.O.G. is a kind of good guys super club, they have been around far longer than the government paranormal agencies and allow Simon to play a little fast and loose with the rules.

We also find Simon a relationship with Jane, the "agent of Darkness" from book 1 as she attempts to find her place on the side of good. And here comes my embarrassing confession..... I don't like Jane. I really don't like her. Maybe I am just jealous because I totally want a Simon to call my own, but I just can not seem to get over my dislike of her. I don't know what it is about her character but I am hoping Anton Strout has some evil plan in mind for her in the future.

Unlike Jane, the character of Connor continues to intrigue me. I really do like him almost as much as Simon, especially because he is always there for Simon. I really enjoyed the tension between Simon and Connor as Simon finds himself in the awkward position of being in charge because of his position with the F.O.G.. Deader Still gives me that little bit of depth I was looking for in Dead to Me and I found myself completely absorbed in the story. The mystery is better and the writing is tighter.

Deader Still takes the Simon Canderous series up a notch, delivering on the promise that I saw in Dead to Me. The tiny cliffhanger of hope at the end of this one has me anxiously awaiting book 3, Dead Matter.