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Since tying the knot with Sinclair, like hasn?t been all marital bliss for Betsy. Sinclair has been perusing The Book fo the Dead, Betsy?s being hounded by a ghost who?s even more insufferable in death than in life, and a pack of ancient vampires has decided to pay an unwelcome visit..
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It pains me to say it, but this book was a complete disappointment. I love Mary Janice Davidson...not only her previous Betsy books, but the Fred the Mermaid series, the Wyndhams, and Jennifer Scales have all been fun, quirky and entertaining. Definitely each book has been good for a laugh or two. The previous story "Dead and Uneasy" was probably the first big realization that this series was going down hill...but I was hoping for a positive change with the new covers and the promise of a new story arc. Now I wonder if MJD is bored with Betsy...surely its a money maker for her but it just doesn't seem as if it has the same heart that was at the center of many of the previous books. The entire plot of this one focuses on the Fiends who show more were left behind in a previous book. Now they are coming into awareness and have been fed Garrett's blood (and he was fed blood from both the Queen and her half sister the devil's daughter). They are determined to make Betsy pay for abandoning them, which she kinda did, by accident. The story was weak, the plot was weak, characters I enjoyed once were annoying. Betsy wasn't funny or charming. Parts of the story were completely a mess and I would have to go back and reread a passage to understand what had happened. These books have always been narrative-driven and completely the opposite of a deep read, so the confusion was beyond explanation. There were deaths of some regular characters and I should have been shocked and heartbroken, but since the other characters didn't seem to be, why should I? I think its time for the author to take a step back and acknowledge that its time to wrap up the series. She ended Fred the Mermaid while it still had a lot of potential, while the books were still fun and strong. I was sad, but I thought it was a responsible decision. Go out on top. Muster up a good, strong finale for Betsy and put this one at rest. Then we can all look forward to something from MJD that still has her heart in it. show less
I'd already listened to my local library's audio copy three times, so I was in no rush to read my own copy. Then I checked out UNDEAD AND UNFINISHED, which I hated so much that I feared I could no longer enjoy this series (I'm talking season 7 "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," post-Mulder "The X-Files," and HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE-level hate here). Luckily, I was wrong. I enjoyed this tale of Queen Betsy just as much as I did before. The book is hilarious, until near the end. Betsy's interactions with the latest ghost to enter her life are particularly snicker-worthy (her husband and friends should consider themselves blessed that they can neither see nor hear this spook). Betsy may be shallow and ditzy, but she does care about show more some important things. (I try not to hold it against her that I now recognize some expensive shoe brand names.) Betsy's maternal grandfather may be a rude and bigoted old coot, but he did do one thing for his daughter that Betsy remembers with great appreciation. No doubt there are readers who wish someone had done the same for them. The subtitle for this book could easily be "The road to Hell is paved with good intentions". Betsy and Garrett had the good intentions. Decide for yourselves if they feel they're in Hell after it it all goes horribly wrong.
By the way, I really prefer this cover's art to the earlier Betsy hardcover dust jacket art. Thank you. No, I am not going to complain that Betsy is a blonde, not a redhead. The red hair will be explained at the end of chapter 26. show less
By the way, I really prefer this cover's art to the earlier Betsy hardcover dust jacket art. Thank you. No, I am not going to complain that Betsy is a blonde, not a redhead. The red hair will be explained at the end of chapter 26. show less
Undead and Unworthy marks a major turning point in the Queen Betsy series. Betsy has always been apologetic to a fault and believed herself to be significantly weaker than she actually is. Now, finally, she is accepting both her abilities and responsibilities.
The plot was filled with some major fiend action, which translates to huge amounts of chaos. At a few points, the action got so crazy that it was slightly confusing and sections needed to be reread to completely understand what was happening. I wouldn't have minded (it really wasn't too often), but I was so compelled that it kind of broke the trance-like reading state I was in when I had to go back.
Betsy's entourage was getting kind of large and I knew that the loss of some show more peripheral characters would be inevitable someday. It had to happen, but it was so terribly sad. Why these characters died was so surprising, it made it all the more painful.
I am seriously in love with the new direction things are heading in. This series is really hitting its stride and with Betsy's new attitude, the possibilities are endless. show less
The plot was filled with some major fiend action, which translates to huge amounts of chaos. At a few points, the action got so crazy that it was slightly confusing and sections needed to be reread to completely understand what was happening. I wouldn't have minded (it really wasn't too often), but I was so compelled that it kind of broke the trance-like reading state I was in when I had to go back.
Betsy's entourage was getting kind of large and I knew that the loss of some show more peripheral characters would be inevitable someday. It had to happen, but it was so terribly sad. Why these characters died was so surprising, it made it all the more painful.
I am seriously in love with the new direction things are heading in. This series is really hitting its stride and with Betsy's new attitude, the possibilities are endless. show less
Something is coming, I don't know what, but you can feel it building. It's sad about the fiends, but you wonder how the remaining ones will develop. After all, unreturnable debt does not usually generate gratitude but resentment from the recipient. Plus I'll miss Antonia and Garrett. Betsy has to just stop reacting but learn to be proactive, to get ahead of the curve.
MJD points out in her introduction that the new cover of UNDEAD AND UNWORTHY reflects the new direction that this book and the two upcoming ones will follow; a mini-story arc within a story arc. Frankly, I'm not all that thrilled.
Betsy is still Betsy -- still childish, still prone to immaturity, still interested with having sex with her new husband as often as possible, still the new guardian of Baby Jon (although he's conspicuously missing from this installment), still back-and-forth with best friend Jessica, still vampire-non-grata for Detective Nick.
It's all still there, with a bit of humor thrown in, and a new weird sideline into what I guess is the aforementioned "arc."
My biggest complaint with the story was the fact that, although show more after seven books I realize that MJD never goes into much description for ANYTHING, I was shocked that there was a major (and majorly depressing) conclusion to the book that was summed up in about three pages.
I hate that. Really. I don't expect the author to go into intricate detail (a la Stephen King) of description, dialogue, and backstory (as I said, it's not MJD's trademark), but just a few pages when you've seriously lessened the number of main characters??
Okay, overall, I didn't mind spending 2 1/2 hours reading UNDEAD AND UNWORTHY. And I'll still follow the series, even though it's not as great as it once was (basically, during the first two books). But I'm putting MJD on notice that, really, it's just not right to indiscriminately kill off some of my favorite characters. show less
Betsy is still Betsy -- still childish, still prone to immaturity, still interested with having sex with her new husband as often as possible, still the new guardian of Baby Jon (although he's conspicuously missing from this installment), still back-and-forth with best friend Jessica, still vampire-non-grata for Detective Nick.
It's all still there, with a bit of humor thrown in, and a new weird sideline into what I guess is the aforementioned "arc."
My biggest complaint with the story was the fact that, although show more after seven books I realize that MJD never goes into much description for ANYTHING, I was shocked that there was a major (and majorly depressing) conclusion to the book that was summed up in about three pages.
I hate that. Really. I don't expect the author to go into intricate detail (a la Stephen King) of description, dialogue, and backstory (as I said, it's not MJD's trademark), but just a few pages when you've seriously lessened the number of main characters??
Okay, overall, I didn't mind spending 2 1/2 hours reading UNDEAD AND UNWORTHY. And I'll still follow the series, even though it's not as great as it once was (basically, during the first two books). But I'm putting MJD on notice that, really, it's just not right to indiscriminately kill off some of my favorite characters. show less
This is the 7th installment of the Betsy, Queen of the Vampires series. It's always good for a lightweight, quick-moving plot and lots of swearing and humor. There were a few deaths in here that a lot of people were freaking out about on Amazon, but I don't know, I guess I don't see it as a big big deal. It's not like they were real main characters or anything. Plus, I'm not even convinced that one of them is actually dead. Davidson did a pretty good job of dealing with the "what happened last time" info, spreading it throughout the book when it was needed. I will continue reading this series. It's nothing groundbreaking, just a fun, light read.
Betsy is back and still the Queen despite multiple efforts to kill her. This time the Ant turns up which is made more annoying as she is a ghost and only Betsy can see her. Usually she has some task to help the ghost perform before they can move on, but in her usual annoying style the Ant refuses to tell her what that is.
The main story follows the Fiends though. They have gotten out and have become conscious again because Garret has been feeding them his blood secretly. They are not happy bunnies though and blame Betsy for their treatment despite her trying to explain that she has in fact saved their lives multiple times. They want her dead (what’s new) and are powerful and violent enough to possibly pull it off. Also Detective Nick show more Berry is also not helping by deliberately putting her in danger trying to find some rogue cops who are killing the criminals that have been let off for lack of evidence. Nick wants to catch them by conventional means, rather than murdering them even if they are guilty.
This is the first in a new plot arc and I am still stunned by the ending. Not one but two of my favourite characters seem to be gone and I keep thinking that Betsy can save them but it seems not possible. It was funny, but it did have a lot more depth to it than the previous ones in the series. I’m wondering what scrapes Betsy will get herself into next. show less
The main story follows the Fiends though. They have gotten out and have become conscious again because Garret has been feeding them his blood secretly. They are not happy bunnies though and blame Betsy for their treatment despite her trying to explain that she has in fact saved their lives multiple times. They want her dead (what’s new) and are powerful and violent enough to possibly pull it off. Also Detective Nick show more Berry is also not helping by deliberately putting her in danger trying to find some rogue cops who are killing the criminals that have been let off for lack of evidence. Nick wants to catch them by conventional means, rather than murdering them even if they are guilty.
This is the first in a new plot arc and I am still stunned by the ending. Not one but two of my favourite characters seem to be gone and I keep thinking that Betsy can save them but it seems not possible. It was funny, but it did have a lot more depth to it than the previous ones in the series. I’m wondering what scrapes Betsy will get herself into next. show less
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124+ Works 32,044 Members
Author MaryJanice Davidson was born in August 1969. She writes primarily paranormal romance, but she has also written young adult literature and non-fiction. She is the author of the Undead series, the Jennifer Scales series, and the Fred the Mermaid series. She won the 2004 Romantic Times Reviewer's Choice Award. (Bowker Author Biography)
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- Canonical title
- Undead and Unworthy
- Original publication date
- 2008-07-01
- People/Characters
- Elizabeth 'Betsy' Taylor; Eric Sinclair; Jessica Watkins (Betsy's best friend); Antonia 'The Ant' Taylor (Betsy's late stepmother); Garrett the Fiend, formerly known as 'George'; Christina Caresse Chavelle (Tina, adjutant to their majesties) (show all 21); Marc Spangler, MD; Antonia Wolfton (Betsy's werewolf friend, Garrett's lover); Alice the Fiend sitter; Grandpa (Betsy's maternal grandfather); Nicholas J. "Nick" Berry (Nicholas J., police Detective, Jessica's lover); Happy the Fiend; Skippy the Fiend; Trippy the Fiend; Sandy the Fiend; Benny the Fiend; Clara the Fiend; Jane the Fiend; Stephanie Connor; Laura Goodman (Betsy's paternal half-sister); Police Chief Hamlin
- Important places
- St. Paul, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota, USA; Jessica's mansion, a.k.a. Vamp Central, 607 Summit Avenue, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
- First words
- Bored, I crossed the carpet in five steps, climbed up on Sinclair's desk, and kissed him.
- Quotations
- [the ghost of the Ant, to Betsy]
'This is how you spend your time? Squabbling with people who don't bathe?' (chapter 17)
Tina obeyed me in superficial matters (while you're up, could you get me a glass of orange juice? Could you show Officer Barry the door? Could you hit Sinclair over the head with the fax machine?), but on matters like this,... (show all) her allegience was clearly to Sinclair. (chapter 34) - Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)So's death, I thought, and turned the conversation to other things.
- Blurbers
- Feehan, Christine
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- Reviews
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- ISBNs
- 26
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