Review: This One Has a Little Bit of Everything
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 05 18, 2014
With a distinctive aura of mystery and adventure simmering just under its surface, New Orleans is like no other city, and Victor Standish is like no other character. Ever since he was a young child, his mother has been sending him by bus to one city after another, where he's had to fend for himself on the streets. Now that he's a young teen, he's developed a lot of survival skills in those other cities, but are they going to be enough to keep him alive in the dangerous underbelly of New Orleans? It's questionable, because all kinds of nightmarish creatures want him dead.This paranormal story is populated with vampire-like characters, some of whom are based on real people from history, shadowy figures that ooze evil, and a grouchy Apache who lives in mirrors. Luckily, not all of the undead are trying to harm Victor; some are going all out to protect him. Including Alice, his new girl friend... wait, no better make that "ghoul-friend."Several things set this book apart. Like its clever humor, beautiful prose, and abundance of literary references and quotes. Best of all, there's Victor. This well-developed and lovable character is a smart and ferocious fighter because he has to be, but at heart, he's a lonely vulnerable teenager bursting with bravado and aching for family, home, and love. Can he find them in New Orleans?Four and a half stars, rounded up to five. A very enjoyable book.