Review: A holiday read without the cheese
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 12 20, 2012
The challenge of this Blood and Mistletoe is a completely new foe--a special breed of dark fairy.1. Macabre and cheerThere is an interesting mixture of the normal Christmas fixings---like mistletoe---interspersed with darker elements--like blood.Part of the motivation of the killer is a dark and twisted love that centers around a dead lover.The theme is just creepy enough to leave me on edge without being too graphic to turn my interest.2. A tight storyHaving hit her stride, EJ pares this book down to it's essentials. The key points of the first novel play in this book as well, like her protection of the orphan Marvin, her preference to trudge the grungy city on foot, and the fae romance from book one.It's a very good sequel in that sense, and I appreciate the focus and deliberation this requires.Best of all--EJ doesn't info-dump. That is, she shows you her world Harborsmouth, she doesn't spend pages telling you about it.While I do wish I had seen a little more of what happens when Ivy turns the off the lights with her first boyfriend, I still feel like the plot satisfied me.3. That index awesome!When I read book one there wasn't an index or pronunciation guide. I am very pleased there is one now!EJ always has a way of incorporating lesser known folklore and mythology.In Sum:Once again this is an entertaining read from E J Stevens. I recommend treating yourself or a friend to this volume to celebrate the holidays!If you liked this please check out my other reviews.