Title: City of Souls
Author: Vicki Pettersson
First published June 22, 2009
352 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780061456787 (ISBN10: 0061456780)
Rating: 3.93
Overview
Joanna Archer, Agent of Light, has had her fair share of paranormal battles in the gritty underworld of Las Vegas. She’s built a life there, with friends and even a chance at love.
But the fight against evil never ends, and she must now enter a new realm shrouded in darkness. In this world, the line between good and evil is blurred, and every agent is a rogue.
Joanna must tread lightly, for each breath could be her last. Will she be able to save her beloved city and herself from the looming threat?
Join her on her journey through the City of Souls.
About the Author
Meet Vicki Pettersson, a bestselling author with ten novels to her name, most of which are set in Las Vegas, her hometown. However, she now splits her time between Vegas and Dallas, Texas.
While she has grown to love Tex-Mex, she admits that it’s easier to love the Dallas Cowboys than you might think.
Pettersson’s latest novel, SWERVE, is a departure from her usual fantasy works. It’s a pulse-pounding thriller that will have you on the edge of your seat.
The book’s Fourth of July setting makes its July 7, 2015 release date perfect. If you’re looking for a romance that’s light on violence, this isn’t the book for you.
But if you’re a fan of strong female protagonists who fight back when pushed into a corner, you may just find yourself connecting with Pettersson’s work. Welcome to her world!
Editoral Review
Vicki Pettersson’s City of Souls takes readers on a thrilling ride through a dark and dangerous Las Vegas that is teeming with mythological creatures called Zodiacs. First published in June 2009, this urban fantasy novel combines elements of noir fiction, mythology, and paranormal romance to create a unique and enthralling reading experience.
Pettersson is an accomplished author who has written several other urban fantasy series, including The Signs of the Zodiac and The Celestial Blues Trilogy. With City of Souls, she introduces readers to her new series called The Fourth Sign of the Zodiac.
The book is aimed at adult readers who enjoy fast-paced, action-packed urban fantasy stories with a strong romantic subplot. The plot centers on a young reporter named Joanna Archer, who learns that she is the reincarnation of a powerful Zodiac warrior, destined to fight against a group of rogue Zodiacs who threaten to destroy Las Vegas.
Joanna is a complex and compelling protagonist who is haunted by her tragic past and struggles to balance her human and Zodiac identities. She is surrounded by a cast of equally compelling characters, including her love interest, Hunter, a mysterious and brooding Zodiac warrior who becomes her mentor and protector.
The setting of Las Vegas provides a gritty and glamorous backdrop for the story, and Pettersson masterfully weaves in the city’s history and culture. The conflicts between the different factions of Zodiacs, and the larger struggle between good and evil, are skillfully plotted and executed, creating both tension and emotional resonance.
The strength of City of Souls lies in Pettersson’s writing, which is evocative, vivid, and richly detailed. She creates a world that is both fantastical and grounded in reality, infusing her prose with witty and clever dialogue that adds to the story’s charm.
The pacing is tight and the action scenes are well-choreographed, making the book a thrilling page-turner. However, the book is not without its flaws.
Some readers may find the romantic subplot to be too saccharine or predictable, and some of the supporting characters could have been developed more fully. Additionally, the mythology of the Zodiacs could be confusing for readers who are not familiar with it, although Pettersson does provide some exposition to explain it.
Overall, City of Souls is a highly enjoyable and entertaining read that will appeal to fans of urban fantasy and paranormal romance. It is not groundbreaking or revolutionary, but it is well-crafted and engaging, with enough surprises and twists to keep readers guessing.
I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a fun and thrilling escape into a vivid and imaginative world. Rating: 4 out of 5 stars