Tuesday, June 12, 2012

The Taken (Celestial Blues #1) by Vicki Pettersson

He’s a fallen angel. She’s a rockabilly reporter. Together they must solve a deadly string of murders plaguing the mortal and the immortal worlds.

Griffin Shaw used to be a PI, but that was over fifty years ago when gumshoes hoofed the streets . . . and he was still alive. Now he’s a Centurion, an angel who assists other murdered souls through their journey to the afterlife. But while Shaw might be an angel … he’s no saint. Haunted by the mysterious events surrounding his own death, he seizes a chance to wreak some vengeance when he witnesses a deadly attack on journalist Katherine “Kit” Craig.

Joining forces, the unlikely avengers take to the streets, hunting a killer whose trail of bodies stretches across Las Vegas and into an immortal netherworld. It is a dangerous trek that lead them into the darkest corners of Sin City and into the heart of an evil conspiracy extending beyond the lights of the Strip that could destory them both.

But destruction isn’t the only threat Griffin faces. The closer he gets to Kit, the more he finds himself bewitched by her mortal charms. Can he resist falling under her spell? And does he want to?
Okay, how perfect is this book cover for this blog? You know I had to read it. Okay, now that you know I love the cover, now what about the book?

I have to admit that the beginning of this book was a bit uneven. It had it's moments, but did meander quite a bit toward the middle. Also, although I did enjoy both the main characters, I have to admit that it did bug me that their was SO much about her being a "billie" (person who loves rockabilly). I understood why some characters couldn't get over it, but it was a bit much when it came to people who knew her well ... and even from the main heroine, Kit. I felt that is why the pacing of even getting to know the characters was uneven as well.

The other aspect of this book may put off some people who are expecting either a PNR or a UF book and get something else. It does have elements of both, but it really reminded me of something with a bit of camp to it as well as what you might see in a film noir for today. I think the camp was there to help pull this off. Those that aren't used to that might not see the book for it's potential. Sometimes things we do not expect throws us off. I admit it did this to me at first, but I quickly got used to it.

The ending however, is where everything comes together and really rocks. The main mystery is solved, the bad (and I do mean BAD) guys are put away and yet there is a thread that is left for future installments of this series. I personally would love to read the next in this series. Besides I bet the future covers will look so purty here at Books and Things. ;)

I give this book 3 1/2 stars. I recommend it for lovers of detective stories with a film noir feel. The book is out today!
I received this book from the publisher and no compensation for my review was given.

25 comments:

  1. Ooohhhh I was just thinking of buying this, I loved your honest and balanced review.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I am liking this one more than you did but I am a huge mystery/thriller reader. I really think she did a great job with the case. Plus, I love "Mike Hammer" type of leading guys so Griff is like my favorite kind of "PI" :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Oh and she showed us the cover for book 2 on Saturday---it totally rocks as much as this one :) YEAH!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh I did enjoy it! I really loved that ending. You will have competition for Griff. ;) I am so going to check out that cover!

      Delete
  4. He’s a Centurion, an angel who assists other murdered souls through their journey to the afterlife - what a job description. Sounds like a great read.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Why is her being a "billie" such a big deal? I'm not loving the sound of the meandering in the middle or the rocky start, but at least it finishes strong and left you wanting to pick up the next in the series. Maybe book 2 will even out a bit:) I do love an extra bad bad guy, so that aspect has me super intrigued!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well, it's different so for others it was a big deal. You know how people like to judge to feel superior. I just thought she shouldn't have been so defensive after being one for such a long time. Just IMO, and nothing more. :)

      Delete
  6. I'm intrigued as to how 'camp' works in a book...I may have to read it just for this :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Ok I am so ignorant I have no idea what 'camp' means...lame you are snickering at me, I know. Anyway, I ran across this last week when I was doing Friday forecast and like you feel in love with the cover. I read another review that complained a bit about pacing. still I am intrigued and glad overall it ended up being good. I would like to give it a try!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. A bit of 'not to be taken seriously' within it. :) Not too much but just enough to make the "out there" parts work within the story. Hope that helps. LOL

      Delete
  8. I do wonder about this one. The cover makes me want it so badly ;) So I am intrigued

    ReplyDelete
  9. The cover is pretty cool but I'm not sure about the book. I had once started a book by this author but I didn't get too far in because I didn't like her writing style. I might be convinced to try another of her books if I see one that tempts me but, based on your review, it's not going to be this one.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Don't you just love it when the book falls nicely together in the end? When a book does that it makes me feel complete, like I got to the ending of the book and it just exploded. I need a good urban fantasy book. Thanks for the review!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Sounds like this book has enough potential for a series but has the usual set up issues for a series...a lot of my favourite series has the same start and now I love them! :-)

    ReplyDelete
  12. I saw this on Candace's blog today. I think this is the perfect cover for your blog. I used to love rockabilly! Not loving the sound of the book though. I'm not a film noir kind of girl. I'll leave this one to you! Great review though, especially explaining the start, the middle, the end how different they were.

    Heather

    ReplyDelete
  13. That cover ROCKS!! I love the details all around it. Sorry it was a little bit of a rocky start, but sounds like a good beginning to a new series. :) Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  14. The cover just screams your name, doesn't it? I'm glad that despite the lopsidedness of the story, it came together in the end for you.

    ReplyDelete
  15. it's always so nice to have a good murder mystery. I really enjoy that. I was wondering what I could do with this book but now I think I need to check it. And you're right I also love the cover!

    ReplyDelete
  16. The cover is gorgeous, but can you tell this Dutch girl what Rockabilly or billy is? I have read some of her Zodiac books, but they really were not for me. I do hope her writing style is different in those books.

    ReplyDelete
  17. I can imagine that I probably would have gotten an eye sprain from the constant billie references, but then again, it is something that you don't usually come across in fiction. There is a member of my derby league who is very billie, and she pulls it off so elegantly, yet she still manages to be edgy! I really admire her for it.

    And yes, the covers totally remind me of you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I wouldn't want to live in the 50s, but the billies can be fun. :)

      Delete
  18. It really is perfect for the blog. The cover is so pretty. I love her dress.

    Also, just noticed that you have a "My Hex Boys" tab. I think that "My" is debatable. O_o

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. *evil laugh* ;) That's all I'm sayin'... not sayin' anything more... nope, not a thing... that's me... all quiet and such. Just evil laughing at your debate... ;)

      Delete
    2. Is it because you're intimidated by me? *insert evil laughter here*

      Delete

Thanks for commenting! I ❤ comments!