Reviewed by Jen
Review copy provided by Planned Television Arts
If y'all have been reading my reviews, you know that I rarely award a book 5 stars. But I loved this "book" from cover to cover. Gena Showalter and Jill Monroe have created a masterpiece with their magazine stylized book devoted to the world of Dating the Undead.

After checking out the cover, I turned to page one and was rewarded with an ad for Coffin Klein and I knew I was in for quite a ride. All the ads had me rolling. I mean, who came up with mythmatch.com, GoDieVa or Jimmy Chew? It's pure genius.

On to the articles... they covered everything you'd find in a regular magazine but with an awesome twist. There were recipes, an advice column, fashion stories and so on. The authors equally tackle advice on how to date vampires, werewolves, dragons, zombies, angels and demons. And to top it off, the photos are awesome. Hot guys abound.

Included in this magazine is a sneak peak at Gena Showalter's upcoming release, The Darkest Seduction (*squee*), and a wonderful photo album of her Lords of the Underworld. I'll admit that I hadn't pictured the Lords like this, but I will from now on.

This really is a must read for paranormal fans. And I dare you to not crack a smile at least once as you read. Now excuse me while I go re-take that quiz on whether or not I have what it takes to date an immortal. ( )

Review courtesy of All Things Urban Fantasy:
www.allthingsurbanfantasy.blogspot.com

DATING THE UNDEAD appeared out of the blue and had me laughing from the first moment when I opened the package. A note-perfect parody of glamour magazines, every LG (living gal) with a zest for the paranormal will want to get their hands on a copy of DATING THE UNDEAD.

DATING THE UNDEAD has the look and feel of a high-end graphic novel and between the funny articles, parody advertisements, and excerpts of Showalter’s Lords of the Underworld series, my initial good impression just kept getting better. As much a parody of fashion magazines as it is a celebration of Paranormal Romance, this book is beautifully executed. From “Manscaping Your Manly Immortal” to my first taste of the Lords of the Underworld line up, DATING THE UNDEAD had enough material to keep me entertained through several beach days and plane flights (or one long, cozy evening on the couch).

When it comes to a series' “bonus” material, graphics and execution are key to my enjoyment. DATING THE UNDEAD certainly fits the bill on both of those accounts with gorgeous men, flashy magazine spreads, and quizzes to help me find that perfect immortal (or pampering recipes to help me get over him). Funny, interesting, and a visual treat, every LG should have a copy of DATING THE UNDEAD tucked into her beach bag for spring.

Sexual Content: References to sex. ( )

An excellent read. Informative and funny. Dating the Undead is set up (in size and content) like an issue of Cosmo, except geared toward immortals. Inside the pages you will find articles on all sorts of topics that will be helpful for you and your immortal, quizzes, recipes, an excerpt to The Darkest Seduction and more. My favorite part is the article "Real Life Lords of the Underworld BARE ALL!" The eye candy is to die for. I also loved such adverts as Coffin Klein, Vladmir's Secret, Jimmy Chrew and Got Bludd. This is a must read for immortal fans, especially if you love the Lords of the Underworld. ( )

Review Courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales

Quick & Dirty: Every girl’s guide to relationships with those oh so yummy paranormal men.

The Review:

My first impression when I opened the box and showed it to my husband was: “It looks like a Cosmo but for us girls who wish vamps/dragons/werewolves etc. were real.” (you guys should of seen the look I got in return) And it seems this impression was a lasting one.

Dating the Undead is a magazine-like book (and yes, Ms. Showalter’s site says it “is absolutely a book”) chock full of information for that girl who finds ordinary human males to be a bit too, well, ordinary, and wants to find that perfect immortal. Or for that super unlucky girl who already found an immortal match, and now just can’t wait to get rid of him. (unimaginable!) Or best yet an incredibly lucky girl who wants to wine, dine, surprise and satisfy her current partner of the un-human variety. (jealous!)

Also like any good chick rag, there is a ton of beautiful men (and some ladies) to take a gander at. Check out “Real-Life Lords of the Underworld Bare All!” Twelve of the hottest men you have ever seen and they’re mortal. Who would have thought you could be this delicious without immortality.

Also included is an excerpt from not one but two…TWO…Lords of the Underworld series. Maddox’s book, The Darkest Night, book 1, and Paris’s book, The Darkest Seduction, book 9. So sidle up ladies to some great reading, some definitely THFW. (TOO HAWT FOR WORK)

In the “Couple Cravings Quiz” I found out I am perfectly suited for a relationship with an otherworlder, (I knew it!!) and “Your Otherwordly Astrologer” informs me that a Dragon or Vampire might just be the right species for me. I will admit, I have always been partial to tasty vampire morsels, but then again who can resist a hot guy who can fly?

One of my favorite parts was “Is It Hot in This Dungeon-or Is It YOU?—Immortal Icebreakers Sure to Turn His Undead Head.” Specifically the line “I think I have a little Demon in me—at least I hope to by the end of the night.” But just one question? Wouldn’t a guy normally find this a bit insulting—little Demon?!?!? *giggle*

Also in this feature, “Manscaping Your Manly Immortal,” witness the most amazing manscape makeover ever. You wouldn’t see a greater transformation if you used pictures of two completely different models. *snort*

The only thing it seems to be lacking is those annoying, headache inducing perfume ads, which is awesome. But, also disappointing, because I want to know what scent would work best around that vamp who will be mine someday. But again, most books don’t come with perfume either.

All in all, Dating the Undead had me laughing out loud the whole time, from its cover featuring a sexy undead model, to the Dead Bull ad at the end. It even garnered some secretive extra glances in the waiting room. I think I spied someone looking for a copy of their own on another table. So sorry, girlfriend, paranormal lovers only!

Well my friends, I am off to find my immortal true love. I promise to be thinking of you when I am on my way to Atlantis for the vacation trip I booked on Traveloddity. I wonder if I remembered to pack my Jimmy Chews and favorite Devlon lipstick in Abra Cadaver Pink, not to mention my very sexy Vladimir’s Secret number.

FTC Advisory: Harlequin provided me with a copy of Dating the Undead. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review. ( )

If you're in the mood for something you can laugh your ass off at while ogling pretty immortals, Dating the Undead is definitely for you. The articles, ads, quizzes, recipes... every single page had so much thought put into it making Dating the Undead work like an actual magazine; a magazine that was supernaturally clever. I've picked up hundreds of magazines in my lifetime and usually I just skip to the parts I enjoy, I was amazed that all of the little things I typically ignore (like fan letters and horoscopes) were included and that they were just as fun and amusing as the longer pieces. Reading Dating the Undead became an experience because of this.

The continuity and world immersion of Dating the Undead was perfectly done and so much fun. I loved reading a joke or about a product on one page and then seeing it crop up again several pages later. One of my favorites was the Coffin Klein brand. There's an ad for it in the very beginning and if you look closely enough at some of the pictures that have low riding jeans, you'll see the paranormal label again. Very sneaky and clever... and delicious.

One of my favorite articles included the pick up lines one, soo funny. "The moon isn't full tonight, but I bet I can make you howl." I also enjoyed the possible celebrity immortals article; some of the possibilities had me wondering why hadn't I thought of that before. Gerard Butler as a werewolf? Totally plausible and hot. Many of the articles poked fun at other paranormal books (sparkling vampires, check) as well as the overused cliches in the genre (mortal male best friend that ends up causing a love triangle when he really never stands a chance-this one got a while article on how to keep him in the friend zone).

Review originally posted on my blog, Bitten Books: http://www.bittenbooks.com/2012/02/paranormal-valentines-day-review-dating.html ( )