Cynthia (escapist) -
Helpful Score: 4
I wasn't sure I'd like this book because I didn't really care for the Hope Adams character in previous books. I'm glad I gave it a try anyway. It was really good. I was very pleased with the pace and plot and look forward to reading the next book in the series.
Judy C. (Judy-Ree) -
Helpful Score: 2
This book told is told from the viewpoint of several characters, just like the last one, Personal Demon, was. Each chapter uses a different character to advance the story from their viewpoint. I like the style of this because as the reader, we have the unique ability to see the overall picture and also see how the characters react in different ways to the same situation.
Living with the Dead continues the storyline of Hope Adams and her boyfriend Karl Marstan. This time Hope is in Los Angeles helping out a friend, Robyn, who is still recovering from the death of her husband. While she is there, Robyn ends up being the prime suspect in the murder of the woman she was doing PR work for. As Hope and Karl work to clear Robyn and find the real killer, they also work to keep Robyn from finding out about the supernatural community.
New characters are introduced and old ones are touched upon to keep us up to date. The ending talks about incidents from previous books and gives a hint of what we can expect from this world in the future. Overall, I was very pleased with the book and can't wait for the next one to come out.
Living with the Dead continues the storyline of Hope Adams and her boyfriend Karl Marstan. This time Hope is in Los Angeles helping out a friend, Robyn, who is still recovering from the death of her husband. While she is there, Robyn ends up being the prime suspect in the murder of the woman she was doing PR work for. As Hope and Karl work to clear Robyn and find the real killer, they also work to keep Robyn from finding out about the supernatural community.
New characters are introduced and old ones are touched upon to keep us up to date. The ending talks about incidents from previous books and gives a hint of what we can expect from this world in the future. Overall, I was very pleased with the book and can't wait for the next one to come out.
Jennifer W. (jeniferj) reviewed Living with the Dead (Women of the Otherworld, Bk 9) on + 7 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Though it's based on a total misunderstanding, this was a very good mystery. Unique for Armstrong as the story is told third-person from many points of view. Also, brings a mortal into the world of the supernatural. If you follow the series at all, the end REALLY gives you something to think about!
Robin M. (robinmy) -
Grieving for her dead husband, Robyn Peltier moves to Los Angeles to take a job as a PR consultant. But when her client is murdered, Robyn finds herself as the prime suspect. Running for her life, the bodies are piling up around her. Only her friend, Hope Adams and Hope's boyfriend, Karl, seem to be on Robyn's side. Hope and Karl work to keep Robyn safe, but two Otherworld races and a police detective are hunting for her.
This story kept me glued. Even though I'm not a fan of Hope Adams, I liked how she would do anything to keep her friend safe. It was nice to see a human take front and center in one of these books, even though she didn't understand what was going on around her. And, I really liked the inclusion of Detective John Findlay. I hope we see him working with the Council in future books. My rating: 4.5 Stars.
This story kept me glued. Even though I'm not a fan of Hope Adams, I liked how she would do anything to keep her friend safe. It was nice to see a human take front and center in one of these books, even though she didn't understand what was going on around her. And, I really liked the inclusion of Detective John Findlay. I hope we see him working with the Council in future books. My rating: 4.5 Stars.
I just finished this book and it was okay. Better then a lot of stuff I read but not my favorite Kelley Armstrong book. I am ready for her to get back to some of her original characters. I have had enough of Hope Adams for awhile!
Victoria (YSB) -
This one was terrific! A refreshing change of format brought in multiple P.O.V.s with not a single one in her usual first-person. Another departure from the norm was the inclusion of a "regular" person! Quite shocking! It was a muddled plot, heavy with too many secrets and misunderstandings, but it turned out to be quite fun. I really enjoyed it, though the ominous ending makes me wonder about the future direction of the series...
Sandra V. (mnkysan7) reviewed Living with the Dead (Women of the Otherworld, Bk 9) on + 6 more book reviews
Armstrong writes from multiple viewpoints in this book, which I highly respect (especially after trying my hand at basic nonfiction writing). In my humble opinion, she does it well and it doesn't distract, especially the way she incorporates some of it into the characters in a natural way (that's intentionally vague so there are no spoilers). I've read a few of Armstrong's books, mainly from the Women of the Otherworld series, and I find Hope and Karl very interesting and like them as characters. I was pleasantly surprised that one of her characters was a "normal" (no special powers) human and very sympathetic.
Anderson's female characters are usually likeable to me, but some are more so than others, so it was a bonus to find this one.
It seemed to me that this one had more surprises than the others I've read, which I enjoy. Her timing with the plot twists was good; it's like well-written comedy, where a character mentions something or does something and then just when you've forgotten about it, it comes up again and creates the humor. (However, as most of her readers know, it is more action and drama (that is, drama in its literary sense) than comedy.)
It seemed this one was good in a number of ways. My husband doesn't enjoy the supernatural action genre like I do and I was still able to tell some of the story as if the characters were "regular" people. This to me is what good fiction does, transcends whatever subgenre it is in to appeal to almost anyone (as long as you are open-minded, smile).
Anderson's female characters are usually likeable to me, but some are more so than others, so it was a bonus to find this one.
It seemed to me that this one had more surprises than the others I've read, which I enjoy. Her timing with the plot twists was good; it's like well-written comedy, where a character mentions something or does something and then just when you've forgotten about it, it comes up again and creates the humor. (However, as most of her readers know, it is more action and drama (that is, drama in its literary sense) than comedy.)
It seemed this one was good in a number of ways. My husband doesn't enjoy the supernatural action genre like I do and I was still able to tell some of the story as if the characters were "regular" people. This to me is what good fiction does, transcends whatever subgenre it is in to appeal to almost anyone (as long as you are open-minded, smile).
Not Armstrong's best offering . Readable but slow and a little dull.
Lilia S. (finaestampa) -
I really enjoyed this book. The story is exciting and it kept me reading all through the end. I will recommend it to anyone.
The story is centered in the nechromancer lady with the red hair, if you are familiar with the books you know who I am talking about. There is another nechromancer involved, a detective and a human who was set up in 2 murders and Hope is a central Character. You look at the world through her eyes. Refreshing!
The story is centered in the nechromancer lady with the red hair, if you are familiar with the books you know who I am talking about. There is another nechromancer involved, a detective and a human who was set up in 2 murders and Hope is a central Character. You look at the world through her eyes. Refreshing!
Nancy M. (imnellen) reviewed Living with the Dead (Women of the Otherworld, Bk 9) on + 246 more book reviews
An exciting book featuring Hope and Karl as the main supernaturals. Robyn is the human who gets caught in the middle. entertaining - read it in 1 day.
Mark B. (BookMark13) reviewed Living with the Dead (Women of the Otherworld, Bk 9) on + 17 more book reviews
Less supernatural and not as good as the rest of the series.
Dina R. (dimari) reviewed Living with the Dead (Women of the Otherworld, Bk 9) on + 105 more book reviews
I felt this book started slow and then ended with Armstrong's signature. I love Hope and getting to know her better, but it was Robyn and Adele's stories that were confusing, but it ended reasonably, it could have been a complete disaster! I think Finn is going to be a wonderful addition. It will be interesting to find out what Adele's child will be?
