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3.33 AVERAGE
3.33 AVERAGE
I'm a long-time fan of MJ's Undead series - while Betsy can get a bit manic now and again, I just love her and Sink Lair, and the whole gang. This anthology features new characters, as well as folks from MJ's other series, which I found very entertaining (and inspiring - I hadn't read any of Fred the Mermaid's books, but now really want to!). I was feeling a bit down in the dumps and reached for this knowing it would cheer me up. It actually exceeded my expectations and I gobbled it up pretty quickly, resenting every second I had to put it down. It's just *fun*.
I also appreciated MJ's "theme" for this, and liked seeing Betsy accept her fate as leader of her people and basically laying it out for another that this was *her* fate as well. Betsy's grown a lot and it shows. It did turn me off, a bit, to see Sinclair behaving rather...unlike himself, but I suppose his goofy euphoria is to be expected (given the amazing changes he's recently been through) and may be a set up for the next book in the series (which patiently awaits my attention on my to-be-read stack). One thing I wonder about in the series - it seems that Betsy gets to really shine only when Sinclair's otherwise not actively in the picture. I'd like to see them being badasses together more often, which I think Betsy's now ready for.
That last bit notwithstanding, I just love the strong chicks in this book and I was all smiles the entire time I read it. Recommended for those who prefer a lot of humor in their paranormals (which I totally do), folks in need of a light-hearted read, and fans of heroic babes, of all ages.
I also appreciated MJ's "theme" for this, and liked seeing Betsy accept her fate as leader of her people and basically laying it out for another that this was *her* fate as well. Betsy's grown a lot and it shows. It did turn me off, a bit, to see Sinclair behaving rather...unlike himself, but I suppose his goofy euphoria is to be expected (given the amazing changes he's recently been through) and may be a set up for the next book in the series (which patiently awaits my attention on my to-be-read stack). One thing I wonder about in the series - it seems that Betsy gets to really shine only when Sinclair's otherwise not actively in the picture. I'd like to see them being badasses together more often, which I think Betsy's now ready for.
That last bit notwithstanding, I just love the strong chicks in this book and I was all smiles the entire time I read it. Recommended for those who prefer a lot of humor in their paranormals (which I totally do), folks in need of a light-hearted read, and fans of heroic babes, of all ages.
Listened to it on CD. It was good but silly at same time. Enjoyed the short stories but won't listen to her books on tape again. The way MJD writes isn't conducive to verbal tellings. It was too hard to follow along this way. Plus the name on the jacket and the name in the first story were different. Also odd.
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Undead and Underwater by MaryJanice Davidson
Grade: D
“I guess I’ve got some repressed anger at the IT guys.”
Undead and Underwater includes three short novellas revolving around some new and older characters of MaryJanice Davidson. All three can be read as stand alones and the author does a great job of setting each story up with its own introduction. I wish more author did this will novellas because it makes jumping into a short story so much easier.
Super, Girl!
Grade: D
Anyone who works in an office will enjoy this story. I myself do not and had a harder time with it. There is cute dialogue but it seemed too cute at times and rubbed me the wrong way after awhile. I just felt that the story missed something and was thrown together. I didn’t really bonded with the characters or care too much about them. The only good thing about this story is it made me want to watch Office Space again.
Undead and Underwater
Grade: C
Undead and Underwater brings together two of Mrs. Davidson’s main characters from different series to Boston to rescue a vampire’s daughter. Fred is a snarky mermaid who I just loved and without her I’m not sure I would have finished the book. I liked the rest of the characters but Fred is just brilliant. It was very easy to jump into this story but the dialogue once again just bothered me. It did make me want to read Fred’s books and learn more about the sassy mermaid.
Incomer
Grade: D-
Incomer is part of the Wyndham pack series and I honestly don’t know why I finished it. The story is okay but the big problem is it jumps back and forth over and over again. Ten years earlier, six years later, twenty years later and so on and so on. It drove me crazy and all I wanted was for them to get on with what was going on in present day and stop jumping all over the place.
This book was a big fail for me. I found issues with all three stories and had a hard time finishing them. To be honest if I had paid $15 for this book I would have been really mad. I’m not trying to be harsh just honest about how I felt about the book.
Grade: D
“I guess I’ve got some repressed anger at the IT guys.”
Undead and Underwater includes three short novellas revolving around some new and older characters of MaryJanice Davidson. All three can be read as stand alones and the author does a great job of setting each story up with its own introduction. I wish more author did this will novellas because it makes jumping into a short story so much easier.
Super, Girl!
Grade: D
Anyone who works in an office will enjoy this story. I myself do not and had a harder time with it. There is cute dialogue but it seemed too cute at times and rubbed me the wrong way after awhile. I just felt that the story missed something and was thrown together. I didn’t really bonded with the characters or care too much about them. The only good thing about this story is it made me want to watch Office Space again.
Undead and Underwater
Grade: C
Undead and Underwater brings together two of Mrs. Davidson’s main characters from different series to Boston to rescue a vampire’s daughter. Fred is a snarky mermaid who I just loved and without her I’m not sure I would have finished the book. I liked the rest of the characters but Fred is just brilliant. It was very easy to jump into this story but the dialogue once again just bothered me. It did make me want to read Fred’s books and learn more about the sassy mermaid.
Incomer
Grade: D-
Incomer is part of the Wyndham pack series and I honestly don’t know why I finished it. The story is okay but the big problem is it jumps back and forth over and over again. Ten years earlier, six years later, twenty years later and so on and so on. It drove me crazy and all I wanted was for them to get on with what was going on in present day and stop jumping all over the place.
This book was a big fail for me. I found issues with all three stories and had a hard time finishing them. To be honest if I had paid $15 for this book I would have been really mad. I’m not trying to be harsh just honest about how I felt about the book.
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
"I'm sorry. I had no idea you were clinically insane. I'll leave you to... that."
I understand that MJD's writing has always had a bit of a manic sort of feel to it, something that has only increased as the years have gone by. In a lot of the recent Betsy books, this feeling of falling into the middle of a conversation you'll never quite catch up has worked against the books. I'm not sure what it was about Undead and Underwater, but I immediately fell into step with each story and this isn't something I can say has happened all that often in any recent MJD book.
Super, Girl! starts off odd (which is a compliment in this case) and circles back around to present a work model for any and all companies. And yes, this includes working alongside a superhero who is forever late to meetings. So many holidays, so little time! The superhero/super-villain face-off was actually the least strong part of this story, but it was entertaining enough.
Undead and Underwater brings the possibly longed-for team up of Fred the mermaid and Betsy the Vampire Queen. It's helpful if you've read any of the previous books in either series but brief recaps with questionable 'facts' are presented. Betsy's dialed down quite a bit, though part of this could and probably should be attributed to the fact that the story is told from Fred's side of this team-up.
My favorite bit might be when Fred realizes Madison isn't exactly who all the "rilly, rilly!"s would imply she is.
Incomer jumps to the future after the terrible Kardashian Riots of 2025 (seriously, this alone should make this something worth flipping through. President Fey!) when Lara Wyndham takes control of the Wyndham Werewolves after her father chooses to simply step down rather than, I dunno, die. There are flashbacks to Lara's childhood as well as her brother's, but the majority of the action centers on Lara's first couple of days on the job.
Bacon is violated, sex is had, and Betsy and Fred show up in cameo roles for this installment. The majority of the zany hijinks come courtesy of Sean, Lara's younger brother, so this is the least manic of the three stories.
Overall, this is one I borrowed from the library but will be buying ASAP.
I understand that MJD's writing has always had a bit of a manic sort of feel to it, something that has only increased as the years have gone by. In a lot of the recent Betsy books, this feeling of falling into the middle of a conversation you'll never quite catch up has worked against the books. I'm not sure what it was about Undead and Underwater, but I immediately fell into step with each story and this isn't something I can say has happened all that often in any recent MJD book.
Super, Girl! starts off odd (which is a compliment in this case) and circles back around to present a work model for any and all companies. And yes, this includes working alongside a superhero who is forever late to meetings. So many holidays, so little time! The superhero/super-villain face-off was actually the least strong part of this story, but it was entertaining enough.
Undead and Underwater brings the possibly longed-for team up of Fred the mermaid and Betsy the Vampire Queen. It's helpful if you've read any of the previous books in either series but brief recaps with questionable 'facts' are presented. Betsy's dialed down quite a bit, though part of this could and probably should be attributed to the fact that the story is told from Fred's side of this team-up.
My favorite bit might be when Fred realizes Madison isn't exactly who all the "rilly, rilly!"s would imply she is.
Incomer jumps to the future after the terrible Kardashian Riots of 2025 (seriously, this alone should make this something worth flipping through. President Fey!) when Lara Wyndham takes control of the Wyndham Werewolves after her father chooses to simply step down rather than, I dunno, die. There are flashbacks to Lara's childhood as well as her brother's, but the majority of the action centers on Lara's first couple of days on the job.
Bacon is violated, sex is had, and Betsy and Fred show up in cameo roles for this installment. The majority of the zany hijinks come courtesy of Sean, Lara's younger brother, so this is the least manic of the three stories.
Overall, this is one I borrowed from the library but will be buying ASAP.
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
medium-paced