Devon’s review of Zen and the Art of Vampires (Dark Ones, Book 6) by Katie MacAlister
Contemporary paranormal Romance released by Signet 2 Dec 08
Katie MacAlister’s Dark Ones series started out as quite enjoyable, but soon began to lose steam. I took a pass on the last couple of books, but when this one arrived it suited the mood I was in perfectly. Like MacAlister’s other paranormal series, this book does not have a self contained happy ending. I assume it’ll take one more book to get there. Read on to see whether or not I’ll be sticking around for the next one.
While on a Singles tour around Iceland, a chance encounter thrusts Pia Thomason into a wild world of ghosts, vampires (or Dark Ones) and cultists. This is where MacAlister is at her best, IMO, with the whole “Stranger in a Strange Land” thing. I always find myself chuckling at the heroine’s observations and reactions. It’s always, well this is bizarre, but let’s go with it. They are neither super freaked out nor secret badasses, just trying to get their bearings and take it in stride.
Unfortunately, the humor sometimes gets a little too over the top after awhile, as does the heroine. Pia narrates the story, and like other MacAlister heroines she has a tendency to be a bit too sassy and too mouthy, especially when she encounters the two Dark Ones, Kristoff and Alec. Slow your roll Pia, these folks are armed, dangerous and they don’t like you (they think she’s part of an anti-Dark One cult). All the mouthing off only served to make her seem like a jackass.
A triangle of sorts develops, though I think it’s pretty clear who Pia is destined to be with. The love/hate chemistry she develops with the more dour Dark One, Kristoff, is crackling and far more interesting. Kristoff veers a bit too far into hate territory, though. I almost wanted Pia to walk away after awhile. Kristoff is one angry, suspicious fella. Alec, on the other hand, seems so ardent, that I became suspicious that he was hiding something. We’ll have to wait and see how it plays out.
Despite my issues with the three leads, and the over the top turns the story took, I was definitely entertained. I read pretty rapidly without losing interest. I’m curious to see what’s next for Pia in May’s Crouching Vampire, Hidden Fang. [What’s with these titles anyway? Too cutesy and nothing to do with the story.] I hope it doesn’t get too dragged out. I don’t know how much angry Kristoff, shady Alec and blundering Pia I can take. Another book’s worth is all right with me, though.
Grade: B-
The Summary:
White picket fences can be dangerous to vampires.
Sometimes a woman’s gotta choose…Pia Thomason doesn’t have a typical life, but she wants one. The husband, the kids, the house in the suburbs…With her fortieth birthday looming, she decides to do something drastic, and takes off on a singles’ tour through romantic Europe. But the few guys on the trip leave much to be desired – unlike the two men Pia sees in a small Icelandic town. Handsome, mysterious, and very dangerous…Just the sight of them puts her in a dither. When their paths cross again, Pia knows one thing for certain: Where vampires are concerned, love isn’t the only thing at stake.
Read an excerpt
Other books in the series:
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
