Book Description
Turn On. Tune In. Drop Dead.
If you’re just joining us, welcome to radio station WVMP, “The Lifeblood of Rock ’n’ Roll.” Con-artist-turned-station-owner Ciara Griffin manages an on-air staff of off-the-wall DJs—including her new boyfriend Shane McAllister—who really sink their teeth into the music of their ‘Life Time” (the era in which they became vampires). It’s Ciara’s job to keep the undead rocking, the ratings rolling, and the fan base alive—without missing a beat.
For Halloween, WVMP is throwing a bash sure to raise the dead. They’ve got cool tunes, hot costumes, killer cocktails—what could go wrong? Well, for starters, a religious firebrand ranting against the evils of the occult preempts the station’s midnight broadcast. Then, when Ciara tracks down the illegal transmission, the broadcast tower is guarded by what appears to be…a canine vampire? And behind it all is a group of self-righteous radicals who think vampires suck (and are willing to stake their lives on it).
Now Ciara must protect the station while struggling with her own murky relationship issues, her best friend’s unlikely romance with a fledgling vampire, and the nature of her mysterious anti-holy powers. To make it to New Year’s in one piece, she’ll need to learn a few new tricks.…
Review
Book 2 in The WVMP Series
Jeri Smith-Ready's greatest strength in her WVMP series is the often ugly truth she brings to her writing and characters. Jeri's vampires are just as damaged and screwed-up as the humans. But that strength is also her greatest weakness. I think I've figured out what it is about this series that keeps it firmly in the good-but-not-great camp: It's kind of depressing. Urban fantasy in rarely full of happy skippy sunshine, but there is usually some tiny sliver of hope, some small moment of genuine happiness, something that keeps the protagonist--and the reader--from taking a bath with her hairdryer. In the WVMP series, not so much. In BAD TO THE BONE, all of the vampires are slowly Fading. They are unable to acclimate to the changing times and grow increasingly neurotic, agitated, and compulsive until they can no longer survive in society. Even Shane starts showing his decline through his increasing OCD and the cold, hard fact that he and Ciara are just going to grow further apart. He's trying, but it's not going to be enough. Then there's Ciara herself, the recovering con-artist with all the emotional maturity of a toaster. She panics at the first sign of intimacy then tries to hide her fear with her dry bravado, but she can't hide from herself. Ciara knows the inevitable screw-up is coming, and so do we. Again, depressing. BAD TO THE BONE is solidly written, and I have to once again give Jeri Smith-Ready credit for creating vampires who are utterly believable. If vampires truly existed, they would probably be a lot like the WVMP vamps. But even the little happy moments are tempered by the knowledge of that it's fleeting. Ciara makes a comment in BAD TO THE BONE where she wishes she could go back in time to when she first met Shane and stop herself from ever caring about him because its too late now. I know exactly how she feels since I already have the 3rd WVMP book, Bring on the Night, just waiting to be readSexual Content: References to sex. References to homosexuality. A couple semi graphic sex scenes. A m/m/f sex fantasy.
My Rating (out of 5):Good - A fun read with minor flaws. Maybe read an excerpt before buying.
Click HERE to read an excerpt from BAD TO THE BONE
Previous books in the series:
Product Details
Mass Market Paperback: 432 pages *Disclosure: I received this book courtesy of Simon & Schuster
Hi Abigail,
ReplyDeleteI liked this one better than the first, but I didn't really see you compare the two above. Which one is your fav - one or two? I have to say that I liked the dog, because he helped lift the storyline for me, which is often the case with a cute, lovable sidekick character. Featuring him on the cover was smart in my opinion. I love Jeri Smith-Ready's writing, but this series is not my favorite. For her best work I turn to her Aspect of Crow Trilogy. I think she's better at pure fantasy, rather than urban fantasy.
Rebecca - I probably liked the 1st better since it established her vamp mythology which is the clear strength of the series for me. Dexter the dog was a great addition this time out (I wounder if she was deliberately referencing the Showtime series?) but I still never felt grabbed the the story--it took me several days to get through and I'm usually a one sit reader. I agree about liking Jeri's writing, but I haven't tried her Aspect of Crow Trilogy. I was really impressed with her YA debut Shade though.
ReplyDeleteI've got the first book sitting on my shelf, I'm really curious to read it now. As usaul great review!
ReplyDeleteShera - That's my favorite so far. Hope you like it!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review. I've been awfully curious about this one and glad to have read the comments as well... adds a bit of insight to what's inside.
ReplyDeleteInteresting review and I understand your pov. I think I liked the books a bit more than you. I had thought of the inevitable as well, as Ciara does too, but I guess I feel that what keeps it going is Ciara's hope, maybe Shane's too as opposed to the despair that surrounds them.
ReplyDeleteLLL - If we help you make a choice about trying this book, mission accomplished.
ReplyDeleteMidnyte - If there was a nugget of true hope, a slim chance that they could make it, but so far there is only the inevitable end for Shane. UF is often grim, but this is a hair too depressing even for me.