Hellforged (A Deadtown Novel) [Mass Market Paperback]

Nancy Holzner (Author)

Book Description

Release date: December 28, 2010 | Series: A Deadtown Novel

Read Nancy Holzner's posts on the Penguin Blog.

A demon is stalking Vicky's dreams-just as several of Deadtown's zombies are viciously attacked and become really dead. And when Vicky realizes she is the only connection between the victims, she suspects that the demon is somehow working through her dreams to become Deadtown's living nightmare.

Editorial Reviews

Review

The thrills are nonstop in Holzner's latest Deadtown novel as the action races from continent to continent and into the reaches of hell itself. Even better than the first book, this series is becoming highly addictive! --RT Book Reviews

Deadtown was good, but Hellforged is even better ... The writing is airtight; her characters have been honed to an edge. There is comedy, drama, romance, and a whole lot of ass kicking. Hellforged is the total package.
--Fantasy Literature

One of the most inventive urban fantasy series out there. --Fresh Fiction

The second Deadtown novel is jam packed with action. A quick and satisfying read, HELLFORGED will have readers on the edge of their seats for more. --Night Owl Reviews

Following up a well-received debut novel is always a bit tricky, but Nancy Holzner doesn't miss a beat with the second book in her Deadtown paranormal series. --Other Worlds

About the Author

Nancy Holzner grew up in western Massachusetts with her nose stuck in a book. This meant that she tended to walk into things, wore glasses before she was out of elementary school, and forced her parents to institute a “no reading at the dinner table” rule. It was probably inevitable that she majored in English in college and then, because there were still a lot of books she wanted to read, continued her studies long enough to earn a masters degree and a Ph.D.

She began her career as a medievalist, then jumped off the tenure track to try some other things. Besides teaching English and philosophy, she's worked as a technical writer, freelance editor and instructional designer, college admissions counselor, and corporate trainer.

Nancy lives in upstate New York with her husband Steve, where they both work from home without getting on each others nerves. She enjoys visiting local wineries and listening obsessively to opera. There are still a lot of books she wants to read.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Ace; Original edition (December 28, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0441019803
• ISBN-13: 978-0441019809
• Product Dimensions: 4.1 x 1 x 6.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #634,861 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Nancy Holzner grew up in western Massachusetts with her nose stuck in a book. This meant that she tended to walk into things, wore glasses before she was out of elementary school, and forced her parents to institute a "no reading at the dinner table" rule. It was probably inevitable that she majored in English in college and then, because there were still a lot of books she wanted to read, continued her studies long enough to earn a masters degree and a PhD.

She began her career as a medievalist, then jumped off the tenure track to try some other things. Besides teaching English and philosophy, shes worked as a technical writer, freelance editor and instructional designer, college admissions counselor, and corporate trainer.

Nancy lives in upstate New York with her husband Steve, where they both work from home without getting on each others nerves. She enjoys visiting local wineries and listening obsessively to opera. There are still a lot of books she wants to read.

Visit her web site at www.nancyholzner.com.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The total package December 28, 2010

By Justin Blazier

Format:Mass Market Paperback

After saving the world from the clutches of the Destroyer Demon and its evil puppeteer, Victory Vaughn is finally falling back into the routine of professional demon hunting. Victory pays the bills by exterminating the myriad of demons that inhabit the DEADTOWN world. While on a routine case Victory is paid a visit in a dream by the Destroyer she thought she had banished. She might have been able to handle the fact that the Destroyer has returned, but that's not quite all... Every time the demon stops by to say hello and deliver an evil message, someone close to her bites the dust. Victory has to piece it all together. Her friends are dying and she's running out of time.

The storyline for Hellforged takes Vicky out of Deadtown. Deadtown is a fun and crazy place, but it's easy to become overwhelmed with all the players. Hellforged simplifies the story a bit by pushing a lot of the first book's characters out of focus so we can spend more time getting to know Victory Vaughn. It was refreshing to not have so many people to keep track of. Vicky is such a great character, and the more time we have with her, the better.

I also like how things start to get a little more serious. In the line of work that our typical urban fantasy heroes engage in, it's amazing how often everyone ends up OK in the end. Hellforged doesn't necessarily hold to that philosophy. Granted, Nancy Holzner's stories are not like a George R.R. Martin novel in which you should give up getting attached to anyone. She does, however, give you reason to doubt that everyone will make it to the end of the book. That doubt hangs in the back your mind throughout the story, giving serious depth to the suspense.

Deadtown was good, but Hellforged is even better. A superficial glance would suggest that this series is typical leather-clad bad-girl urban fantasy, but that conclusion would be a mistake. Dr. Holzner surprised me in Deadtown with her writing ability, and her original twists on some classic urban fantasy tropes, and Hellforged surprised me by taking everything I liked about the first book a few steps further. The writing is airtight; her characters have been honed to an edge. There is comedy, drama, romance, and a whole lot of ass kicking. Hellforged is the total package, and a superb example of why I still love urban fantasy.

Like I said, Hellforged is great urban fantasy, but that might also be its limitation. Holzner doesn't take many risks that might make her story appeal to those not already on the urban fantasy bandwagon. The DEADTOWN series is not going to convert anyone who already has a distaste for zombies, werewolves and vampires. I would, however, recommend the series to anyone who might be sitting on the fence. If you love urban fantasy, then buy Nancy Holzner's books right this minute. If you are not sure whether you like urban fantasy, then pick these up the next time you're in the mood for a change a pace. I think you'll like them. --Justin from FantasyLiterature

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars 4.5 Excellent Book 2 that picks up where the last left off. January 15, 2011

By Paranormal Fan

Format:Mass Market Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

My top reasons to read this book:
1. Even though this is a book 2, there were great elements of what first books often have. Victory spends a good chunk of this book in Wales with her Aunt Mab who gifts her the "hellforged" athame and teaches her how to weild her powers.
2. We learn the mythos behind her ancestry and source of her powers. I love a good myth retelling! The best part is that it sheds light on some of the questions the reader was left with at the end of the last book.
3. Holzner can build a mystery and a series. All the way through we are wondering what is going on with Juliet and we are left with many questions that are hinted at that will be addressed in the next book.
4. Finally, Victory has to choose between main squeezes - bing! bing! bing! She chooses the right one! I can only hope he is more in the next book. I still don't know much about him, but I want to know more.
5. If you are looking for sex after sex scenes in your books - Read a paranormal romance. This is Urban Fantasy! Thank goodness!
6. There was always a lot going on, between her trials and travelling and reading the artifact which was an adventure in itself - I was intrigued throughout most of this book.
7. Cool supernatural artifacts and entities. This book has got it all.
a. Welsh Goddess
b. Demons
c. Demi-Demons (new for me)
d. Weapons - (new)Hellforged (come on - an athame created in Hell - WAY COOL!) Sword of St. Michael - STILL COOL!
e. Your usual UF heavy hitters, Zombies, Werewolve, a
"Lady of the Lake" and Ghosts - Oh My!
8. Cool lingo unique to this world.

My top criticisms for this book:
1. While a lot happened in the first 25% of this book, it didn't seem to move the plot along. It was hard for me to get into it - but I'm glad I waddled through it.
2. There was 2 illogical events that happened on an airplane and it had to do with light and demons and the main baddie. When I mean illogical, I mean that it broke the rules of the world building the author sets up. They were small enough to make it not a big deal for me, but my husband said that it may be a deal breaker for others.
3. While I don't want sex scene after sex scene, I don't like ambiguous sex either. I also don't apperciate casual sex. While Victory takes her job very seriously and is willing to take a Zombie under her wing to "mother", she is not super serious in her relationships with men. Her laissez-faire attitude seems inconsistant.
4. I would read book 1 before reading this book, there are important plot lines that are resolved from book 1 in this book.

Overall, I give this a 4.5 star rating. I had to hold back on the 1/2 star mainly becasue it took too long for me for the plot to reveal itself. This series is much better than a lot of series out there, but the author and Victory definately have room to grow and I will enjoy reading through this growth in future books - this series is a keeper!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Victory Vaughn is back, grab your Glitch Gone spray! January 11, 2011

By CheriMarie

Format:Mass Market Paperback

The demon Difethwr Victory thought she banished; has infiltrated her dreams just as zombies in Deadtown start to disapear into a puddle of goo. Her fight with the demon is far from over as she makes a stand too close to her Welsh home and the family she loves. In Hellforged, Victory Vaughn is back and trying to pick up her life as a demon slayer for hire. Need any pesky critters removed and Victory is your girl. Too bad her love life is still far from stellar, but when she reconnects with Aunt Mab in Wales, things heat up. Including new training with a demon banishing knife called Hellforged and then all hell breaks loose.
I liked Deadtown very much and appreciated Nancy Holzner's new protag Victory Vaughn, the resident demon slayer in zombie filled Deadtown. Yes folks a town teeming with zombies who live, EAT, work and breathe in a town of their own. Albiet quarantined but nevertheless their own. Victory continues her career of riding humans of their personal demons for cash. Whether it's in your dreams or in your machinery, she can get the job done with her trusty Glitch Gone spray. Her zombie slayer protege' Tina, who has decided to pursue a career as a back-up singer in a rock zombie band instead of studying, is not along for the ride this time.
Nancy Holzner writes a much more mythologically detailed book this time as well as an insightfull look into her characters. She brings to light the same struggles us humans deal with, like the loss of friends, dealing with bigotry and civil rights for all. Her much hated character Norden, a human cop on the Goon Squad, surprisingly shows us he does have feelings after all. Victory may have a few more things to learn about life but that's what growing up is all about and I wouldn't want her to learn too fast as that would mean an end to the series. Her writing style and delving deeper into what makes her characters tick, turns pages and keeps a consistent and coherent storyline throughout both books.
With so many authors in this genre that do not deliver isn't it refreshing that Nancy Holzner does just that.