Undead and Unfinished by MaryJanice Davidson
Hardcover, 320 Pages
2010, Berkley Hardcover
ISBN: 0425234355
Series: Book 9 of Queen Betsy
Synopsis
Vampire Queen Betsy Taylor returns in the ninth novel in the New York Times bestselling series.
Vampire Queen Betsy Taylor is having a tough time getting through the Book of the Dead-until the Devil strikes a bargain. She offers Betsy a chance to finish the cursed (literally!) thing, and finally discover all its mysteries. There's just one catch...
Betsy and her half-sister Laura have to go to Hell long enough for Laura to embrace her dark heritage (after a rebellious youth of charity work) and finally make nice with her mother, aka Lucifer. That means interacting with their family's past. In doing so, they're impacting the future in ways they never anticipated. Of course that's what Mother wanted all along. Damn her.
Review
Undead and Unfinished has officially taken the Queen Betsy series from its humorous vampire roots and elevated it to an unexpected, crazy and totally shocking level of twisty-turny fun. Betsy and Laura travel to Hell, but if that wasn't enough, they also travel both back into the past and into the far off future "fixing" events that affect Betsy's current life.
Between the time travel and the (completely awesome) glimpse into Hell, Undead and Unfinished is almost solely a Betsy and Laura based book. Most of the other characters come into play at certain points in their journey, but this is definitely the sisters show.
Undead and Unfinished answers tons of questions, some of which readers have had since the very beginning. The book showcases Davidson's witty, biting humor, which is utilized well in the back and forth between both Betsy and Laura and Betsy and Satan. That's right, even Laura's showing her own snarky humor. Is Betsy rubbing off on her or is she really starting to embrace the evil?
We see the future in Undead and Unfinished and it isn't pretty. The events of this book set Betsy and Laura on a mission - the repercussions of which will be felt for the rest of the series. Speaking of major changes, the ending of this book contains a huge, epic series-changing reveal that no one will ever see coming.
Undead and Unfinished is one of books that makes you rethink everything you've read in the series thus far. I was completely blown away, which is saying a lot as I've come to expect greatness from this series already. In a word - wow.
Rating
Links
I can't wait to get to that book in the series. It really is a fun series :)
ReplyDeleteGreat review!
ReplyDeleteThis book is still in my TBR pile and I'm so excited to read about this new direction the series is taking.
As long as Eric and Betsy stay together I'm open to everything.
I love this series. I have been listening to them on audio. Fun books to escape with. Great review.
ReplyDeleteI didn't like the first book in the series after I read it. But I've been hearing so many good things about the series recently that I've been having second thoughts on it. Must re-read it soon. :-)
ReplyDeleteThis series is definitely on my TBR list. Thanks for sharing, Jennifer....
ReplyDelete@Felicia - It is definitely one of my pick-me-up series, one of the ones that is guaranteed to leave me with a smile on my face.
ReplyDelete@Sabrina - Oh yes, without saying anything spoilerish - Eric and Betsy seem like they'll be together for a good long while.
@SenoraG - Thanks!
@Kah Woei - The first book is my favorite - starting it all and all that - but it did make the series seem like it was going to be very light and inconsequential. The tone is usually light, but the series gets a lot grittier, especially in later books. I hope you enjoy them on your next try.
@Julie P - You're welcome. Can't wait to hear what you think when you get to them!
Undead and Uneasy was the last one I read in this series. I've been thinking of re-reading the early ones and getting caught up lately...
ReplyDeleteI still have yet to read any MJD! What is wrong with me?! *slaps self*
ReplyDeleteI love the Queen, she cracks me up! I've only read 3 so far, gotta catch up.
ReplyDeletePaula
Tomes Devotee
@Ladytink_534 - I would love to reread the early books one day. They're short, easy reads so it just may be possible.
ReplyDelete@Missie - LOL, not sure the slapping is necessary :) She does have a lot of different books in a couple of different genres, so it's pretty easy to find something of hers that appeals to different tastes. It's pretty much just her humor that's universal in her books.
@luv46kdz - Oh, me too! Betsy is just so realistic to me. In the same situations, I think I'd act the same way. Being a vampire (esp. the queen) can be cool, but dying the way she did? Not wanting the responsibility? Being completely self-involved most the time? Yeah - I can totally see that.