Vicki Pettersson

I have a difficult time reading about excruciatingly lonely people and about love stories with very little hope of a happy ending, and so on the surface of things, this book should have had two strikes against it. And indeed, there were moments I wasn't sure I wanted to follow the story to an uncertain end, but the difficulties Joanna faced were so interesting that I couldn't help wanting to see how she dealt with them. Add a vivid sense of Las Vegas, a cast of characters who felt real show more despite how little I truly knew about them, and an intriguing twist on zodiac personalities, and by the end of the book I knew this wouldn't be the last Sign of the Zodiac novel I'd be reading. show less

Our Review, by LITERAL ADDICTION's Pack Alpha - Chelle:
*Copy gifted by the author in exchange for an honest review

I truly don't believe that this brilliant piece of storytelling genius can be properly summed up and done justice by yours truly, but I shall endeavor to try...

I have enjoyed this series since book #1, but this installment had so much wonder, so much intrigue, so much surprise (OMGoodness the twists!!), heart, and action that it was all I could do not to be overwhelmed by all show more that it made me *feel*. And that, is the most honest telling of a truly remarkable piece of literature there is.

The Given picks up where book #2 left off with both Grif and Kit trying to find a way to live their lives without the other and still get the answers that they both so desperately seek. When a mysterious murder brings them back together, they have no choice but to confront their feelings while working together to solve the crime, and possibly, find out once and for all who actually killed Griffin Shaw. Unbeknownst to them, however, there are some heavy hitters in play, about 50 years of subterfuge, a whole lot of manipulation, and some crazy, dark secrets.

The CELESTIAL BLUES characters are ones for the ages. They're so well thought out and defined that they are hard to shake for days after the completion of a book, and will always remain in a special place of your memory even months afterwards. They're also timeless, and in 20 years, this book will still seem current. I am really going to miss them.

This world is unique and complex in its simplicity. What I mean, is that there aren't tons of different supernatural creatures, there isn't a crazy 'rule' system, it's just the Centurions, the Pure, and... life, as you and I know it. Sure there are some prophecies and things that are uniquely fantastical, but it's just so well developed, it feels like you could actually live it. And like I said in book #1, while I enjoyed the action, mystery and romance, my favorite part of the book was the underlying message - that life is meant to be lived, enjoyed one day at a time to its fullest, and that death shouldn't be feared, because dying means you were once truly alive. This was only strengthened by Kit & Grif's struggles & made more obvious by everything Kit *is*.

I am in love with this series and I can see myself reading it again. The noir elements were a draw for me from the start and I couldn't have hoped for more personally with Vicki's mesh of all that I love - dark urban fantasy, mystery/thriller, and paranormal romance. Add in the stellar way that this series was ended, and I will recommend this book far and wide. I do, however, suggest that the trilogy be read in order. This book wouldn't mean nearly as much, or be quite as touching, without the backstory and arc developed in the first two books.

So, so good! :) show less

To be honest, I have been struggling with this series. It started off wonderfully engaging, with a world that was absolutely unique in urban fantasy, and then somewhere along the way, it seemed to lose focus, that is until Cheat the Grave. This book reminded me of why I fell in love with the Zodiac books to begin with.

Now that Joanna/Olivia is mortal, the forces of light see her as useless, and to make matters worse, Solange has sent Mackie the piano player from Midheaven to kill her. If the show more Tulpa and the shadow hunters figure out who she really is, they will kill her. Everywhere she turns, someone wants her dead except for the rogue agents (the greys). Somehow she must protect the mortals she loves, and chief among her concerns is stopping Suzanne from marrying someone she suspects has nefarious intent.

The fifth sign of the zodiac was filled with the world building that the last two books lacked. We learn more about why Hunter was such a threat to Warren, and a bit about Warren's motivations. He was still not painted as a sympathetic person, and in fact -- we understand even more clearly that he is no different from the Tulpa. Warren only saw himself as better, because he is fighting on the side of the Light, but if you are willing to sacrifice people, erase memories, and manipulate lives for a single minded purpose, does it really matter what the goal is?

Cheat the Grave was far more introspective than any other book in the zodiac series thus far. It was masterfully written, and unlike many books in this genre, Olivia/Joanna continues to be likeable. Every angst filled emotion that she had was justified. Her entire life had been taken from her and when she finally felt that she was on secure footing, everything that she knew was ripped from her again. She was a woman trying to understand the world around her, and for the very first time not following orders but deciding for herself what her goals were and what would make her happy.

This book was all about agency in it's truest sense. The Greys wanted the chance to settle down and not to be actively hunted by both sides and this determination caused Joanna/Olivia to understand that the binary approach to life i.e warriors of life vs Shadow warriors, was not really balance, and that it would not ever lead to real happiness.

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You may also read my review here: http://www.mybookishways.com/2012/06/early-review-the-taken-celestial-blues-1-by...

A seedy Las Vegas motel room. A dead hooker (or is she?) A lesser angel (and former PI) named Grif here for another Take. A nosy girl reporter out for vengeance. Sounds good so far, right? Oh, it totally is. When Griffin Shaw comes to collect this Take, he has no idea that it will set him on a course that will force him to examine his former life, and unlife. After a small act show more of kindness angers his bosses, he’s forced back into a flesh suit to investigate the beautiful Kit Craig. There’s a bit of a hitch, though. Kit is scheduled to die in only a few hours, and he’s not supposed to interfere with that. What’s a PI angel to do?

I’m a huge fan of Vicki Pettersson’s and was sorry to see her Signs of the Zodiac series end, so when I found out she was starting a new series, I couldn’t wait to dive in. In The Taken, the author has taken the angel mythos and spun it around a bit, to create her own cool-as-hell style. Kit is a delightful heroine: she’s a glass-half-full kind of gal, and compliments Grif’s gruffness perfectly. She’s a go getter, and when her longtime friend is taken from her, instead of succumbing to grief, she gets down to the business of finding her killer, at the risk of her own life. Grif finds himself simultaneously annoyed and charmed by this talkative, inquisitive woman with rockabilly style,and Kit is undeniably attracted to the enigmatic (and stylish) Grif. Grif is still hung up on his wife’s murder, fifty years ago, and hopes to find out the truth behind her death, and his, but this case is darker and more vast then even he could have imagined. Ms. Pettersson has never shied away from the darkness, and it’s in full force here. Ms. Pettersson’s ability to capture the seedy side of Vegas while never leaving her love of the city behind is always a pleasure, and she uses the city she loves to full advantage.

The Taken is a slow build, but as soon as it hits its stride, you won’t be able to put it down, and you’ll be rewarded in spades. Angels, ghosts, mobsters, romance, rockabilly,and a cabal of corruption come together explosively in a Vegas noir confection you won’t want to put down. Seriously, watch out, or you’ll get a paper cut turning those pages so fast. show less