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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Revamped had bite., November 7, 2010
This book picks up right where Staked lefted off. Eric had been blown up, his car gone, his business destroyed, best friend dead, ex-girlfriend with someone else, the woman he loved for so long betrayed him, and his current lover was up to something... Yet, he was resiliant. He got his body back, considered opening a bowling alley in place of the club, and sought out a demon named J'iliol'lth in hopes to retrieve Marilyn's soul. I actually liked Eric more in this book than the previous one. I felt his fustration. In truth, I think, I would be a prick most of the time too, if I put up with half the crap he did. While he would deny it, I think he was a good guy underneath it all...even under the monster. It was apparent that he was loyal to those he cared about. But, the guy just wanted to be left alone. Yet, people seemed to always betray him or were always after him for one thing or another. Not to mention, Rachel who manipulated him with her tantric magic and cinnamon scent. I really didn't like her.
Like its predecessor, this book also had Tabitha's perspective. I was disappointed in her character, although I should have expected it. I didn't like that she pretty much whored herself to the vamps of high society. She seemed fickled, whiny, and didn't seem to have a clue half the time. But, I confess, I loved the showdown she had with Rachel. It was the first time, she showed some actual spirit and potential.
I thought the plot to be a bit confusing. Between the vampiric ascensions, the historical background on Eric's family, the curse, and the multitude of people who were manipulating events, I found it hard to keep track of what was going on. That being said, once I figured it all out, I was intrigued. I think, it will be interesting to learn more about the origins of Eric's powers in the next installment.
Overall, this series is an acquired taste. Like its predecessor, J.F. Lewis stepped out of normal and traditional vampire sterotypes and created a world that was not only raw and gritty, but filled with dark and sleazy humor. Revamped had bite.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Just as good as the first book, "Staked." This is one of my want-to-read-more series, July 19, 2009
This review is from: ReVamped (Void City, Book 2) (Paperback)
Plot Summary: Even being vaporized by a blessed bomb isn't enough to keep Eric, an Emperor vampire, down. Regaining his body turns out to be tricky, but once he's got his feet on the ground, Eric finds that his problems didn't end with the explosion. The soul of his longtime love, Marilyn, is in the hands of a demon, who wants to trade it to Eric for a service. His ex-girlfriend, Tabitha, is shacking up with the richest, most powerful vampire in Void City. And Eric's current girlfriend and thrall, Rachel, seems to be controlling his thoughts and moods with her cinnamon scent.
Suh-weet. Finally, my long dry-spell of so-so reads is over. It's been a bad week over here, and "ReVamped" successfully banished my book blues. I've been very eager to read the next installment in the Void City series ever since I encountered "Staked" a few weeks ago, and J. F. Lewis stomps the petal to the metal once again (in a vintage Mustang, of course).
If anything, I'm even more in love with Eric and his old-fashioned, macho-man antics this time around. Eric's specialty is caring for a precious few, and telling the rest of the world to go *bleep* themselves. Don't get me wrong, it's an absolute mistake to think of him as a `good guy,' and as Eric explains at one point, he makes Charles Manson look like a Sunday school bible teacher. But, he's like the proverbial hooker with a heart of gold, and I can't help loving this murderous [...].
The next character who has earned my allegiance is Tabitha, and I didn't even like her at the beginning of "Staked." That girl has come a long way, and I'm rooting for her now. I've said it before, I hate it when writers create empty bubble-head characters, and the only way it can be justified is when a tremendous amount of growth will occur.
I suppose my only less-than-loving-it observation would be that I didn't find "ReVamped" nearly as funny as "Staked." Given all the character development and action, I didn't miss it too much, but still, I'm hoping Lewis can deliver even more graveyard humor in his next installment. And I've got to ask... Why is there a woman on the cover? This story is about Eric, through and through... I'd like to see him get top billing for once.
"ReVamped" was released in March 09, so Void City book three probably won't be on the horizon until next year. Such a bummer.
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4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great follow up!!, May 24, 2009
This review is from: ReVamped (Void City, Book 2) (Paperback)
What's the story?
It's about Eric, a very powerful vampire who just wants to be left alone but is constantly getting dragged into one situation after another. He's brutally honest, coarse,impulsive,and doesn't give a crap about anyone; but he's loyal and protective of his friends and family and will kick the [...] of anyone stupid enough to mess with him and his small circle.
Why is ReVamped interesting?
Like Stake, the first Void City novel, it's a new point of view in a growing genre (urban fanstasy). Some things are familiar: vampire - thrall - sex. But Void City is an interesting place and there are so many great characters courtesy of J. F. Lewis. It's fast-paced, hilarious, and has a main character that both male and female readers can relate to.
I was hooked with Staked, extremely satisfied with ReVamped, and excited about what's going to happen in the third. I hope this isn't going to be a trilogy, but rather a series that gets better each year. I'd recommend this to fans of Jim Butcher and Rob Thurman. The hero is rough around the edges but solid as a rock!
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