RealityBypass

It’s time for another Wednesday Book Review. I have late-night work now, so my reviews and postings will probably start showing up nearer the end of the day than earlier, but never fear, I shall keep up with the schedule! Anyway I’ll leave Jana to doing a review for Del Franco, I haven’t read book two fully yet. Anyway today’s feature is Marta Acosta and Happy Hour at Casa Dracula.

    I read this book a couple weeks ago and I liked it, although it wasn’t at the top of my Vampire Novels list. I’m a Fangs and Supernatural Undead Purist, IE I like my classic vampires and classic vampire tales. This one is closer to the idea of scientific-vampire origins, with a touch of the Mexican Chupacabra legend thrown in. Acosta’s vampires have a disease and are not that different from humanity (thus far in the series), other than super healing and the need for a little more sunscreen during the day time. It reminds me a lot of Porphyria, but with a few twists. I found the romance/attraction between Milagro and Oswald hard to get and the villian was Super Evil, not much redeeming in him to add a layer of gray to the novel. It was an engaging read, the protagonist is spunky, but she has both insecurities, the lack of a perfect figure, and the real-world Sex-in-the-City wit to differentiate her from the Kick Butt heroines common in the genre. The entire feel of the book is tongue-in-cheek, poking fun at the formulaic aspects of the usual Urban Fantasy novel.  It also takes a stab at the realm of “Canon” literature, making its ‘Villian’ a member of the celebrated literary elite and the protagonist a struggling author of Zombie Fiction. I’m not sure I actually “like” Milagro, she came across a little “trashy” to me, and some of the characters were more caricacture, but the book has merit with its unique Chicana twist on the vampire legend.

Rating:
    Genre:  Urban Fantasy
    Age: Adult
    Content: Sexual content, language
    Overall:  Buy or Borrow

Hip, smart Milagro de Los Santos is minding her own business at a book party for Sebastian, the ex-boyfriend she’s not quite over, when Oswald, a mysterious, handsome stranger approaches her. The chemistry between them is potent, but after they accidentally exchange blood during a powerful kiss, Milagro finds herself feeling strange. Suddenly Sebastian becomes interested in her again, though when he tries to abduct her it’s clear he’s more interested in her encounter with Oswald than in rekindling their romance. She’s rescued by Oswald’s cousin, Gabriel, who spirits her off to the family home, where Oswald, his prickly grandmother, Edna, and his other cousin, Sam, take her in for her protection. Although they are vampires, they insist on referring to their state as a “condition,” and now they’re worried Milagro might also be infected. Sebastian is part of a sinister group determined to investigate the vampires, and Milagro is realizing that her passion for the seductive Oswald is conquering her feelings for Sebastian. A fun, snappy read for romantic fantasy fans.

Kristine Huntley
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