Review: Sparkling Debut Novel!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 11 5, 2011
I've read Annetta Ribken's work in her book of flash fiction,Not Nice and Other Understatements - A Journal of Flash Fiction, which showed me what I already knew from reading her blogs:  Ms. Ribken can flat out write!  But a novel length story is different to me; could she tell a story over the course of the longer form?The answer is a resounding "Yes", yes she can!  This is a pretty original take on a locked-room mystery, but with critters.  The denizens of fantasy fiction populate the character roster of this novel, ranging from vampires to pixies to centaurs and Greek gods (and goddesses), and of course, zombies.  It's reminiscent of the world that Jim Butcher's Harry Dresden lives in.  And it's as well drawn as that world.  I actually felt I learned something about hotel management (and I probably did!), that's how vivid this world is.I couldn't ask for a better first novel from a fresh author.  I give it a solid recommendation to anyone who enjoys fantasy, urban fantasy, or doesn't mind their mystery tinged with the supernatural!