Review: Deadtown by Nancy Holzner

Deadtown by Nancy Holzner
Pub. Date: December 2009
Publisher: Penguin Group (USA)
Format: Mass Market Paperback, 336pp

First in a brand new urban fantasy series that's "fresh and funny, with a great new take on zombies" (Karen Chance) and "full of dangerous magic and populated with characters so realistic, they almost jump off the page" (Ilona Andrews).

If you were undead, you'd be home by now...

They call it Deadtown: the city's quarantined section for its inhuman and undead residents. Most humans stay far from its borders-but Victory Vaughn, Boston's only professional demon slayer, isn't exactly human.

Deadtown is full of non-stop action with a heroine who rivals the likes of Buffy when it comes to demon slaying…

Holzner did a fantastic job with the characters in Deadtown. Vicky Vaughn is a shape-shifter and she’s in high demand when it comes to protecting the city from all sorts of danger. In a town where your worst nightmares constantly torment you, Vicky’s the only exterminator that can get the job done. Vicky is a very likable character and even though she seems as tough as nails she also shows us a vulnerable side. Vicky’s love life is pretty much nonexistent with werewolf lawyer Alexander Kane who’s just as busy. In steps Daniel Costello, a homicide detective investigating the death of one of Vicky’s former clients and you have a possible love triangle.

Deadtown is a welcomed addition to the urban fantasy genre. Holzner has created an exciting world where paranormals have their own town away from the biases of human politics. With vampires, werewolves, zombies, and demons combined into one setting, I couldn’t help but be intrigued by this book. And if Vicky’s job with a demon plagued client seemed easy, Hell is about to break loose when the Hellion who murdered her father shows up promising to end her and the city. Then tack on a research facility’s interest in Vicky’s abilities that could lead to dire consequences and Deadtown’s becomes a nonstop page turner.

Holzner’s fantastic world building of Deadtown and nonstop action had me flipping the pages with anticipation. I can’t wait to see what Holzner pulls out from under her sleeves next.

Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars