AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: Bloodshot
Title: Bloodshot
Author: Cherie Priest
Narrator: Natalie Ross
Series: Cheshire Red Reports (Book One)
Raylene Pendle (who also goes by Cheshire Red) is a vampire and a thief of great renown. Unlike most of her kind, she’s a loner, preferring to spend her time away from other vampires. So she she shocked when she meets her newest client, Ian Stott, and discovers that he is also a vampire, and one with quite a story. Ian claims to have been experimented upon by the government, experiments which left him blind and with strange powers. Raylene agrees to find the files that cover Ian’s time in captivity in hope that her client can find some answers and gain back his sight, a quest that might cost Raylene her life.
Cherie Priest is an author that I’ve been meaning to get into for quite some time, so when I saw that Bloodshoot was up for sale on audible, I figured that her urban fantasy series was as good of a place to start as any. Admittedly I was on the fence a little at first. Raylene was certainly a likable protagonist, but the novel seemed a little too stereotypically paranormal romance. Hip and resourceful heroine meets dark sexy vampire? Not necessarily bad, but nothing really new. Fortunately, as the book continues it begins to get a lot more interesting. For one thing, not many hip and resourceful urban fantasy heroines have a professional drag queen as a sidekick! And there’s something highly entertaining about the fact that Raylene has so few scruples. This is not a vampire that feels guilty about her kills. No, she is completely okay with what she needs eat to live, although she’s nice enough not to do it in front of the homeless kids that hang out on her property.
Although the book is filled with references to classic noir, it really reads like a modern day thriller. The pacing is fast and filled with plenty of action. Admittedly, some of the thriller-esque plot elements (super secret government experiments! Highly advanced technology!) can feel a little corny at times, but I found it to be good fun for the most part. The book certainly left me wanting to know more on the worldbuilding front, which I don’t necessarily think is a bad thing as it makes we want to continue the series. In Bloodshot, we learn a little about vampire houses (big gatherings of vampires, kind of like families), but don’t get to see them, and we hear about Raylene’s circle of thieves, but don’t get to meet too many of them. I am curious to see how Priest continues to develop this world in Hellbent, the next book in the series.
Thoughts on the Audiobook- Natalie Ross has a delightful purr to her voice with suits Raylene’s style. She also does well on providing a variety of voices. I will probably continue this series in audio format as a result of enjoying the first audiobook.
Final Thoughts: Bloodshot is a fast and fun read staring a likable heroine. Admittedly, some parts of the story felt a little corny at times, but I was happy with the book for the most part. Those interested in trying the series out should give the audio format a try. I would recommend Bloodshot to fans of the urban fantasy genre. Four Stars
Next I will be reviewing Dragon Spear by Jessica Day George
Author: Cherie Priest
Narrator: Natalie Ross
Series: Cheshire Red Reports (Book One)
Raylene Pendle (who also goes by Cheshire Red) is a vampire and a thief of great renown. Unlike most of her kind, she’s a loner, preferring to spend her time away from other vampires. So she she shocked when she meets her newest client, Ian Stott, and discovers that he is also a vampire, and one with quite a story. Ian claims to have been experimented upon by the government, experiments which left him blind and with strange powers. Raylene agrees to find the files that cover Ian’s time in captivity in hope that her client can find some answers and gain back his sight, a quest that might cost Raylene her life.
Cherie Priest is an author that I’ve been meaning to get into for quite some time, so when I saw that Bloodshoot was up for sale on audible, I figured that her urban fantasy series was as good of a place to start as any. Admittedly I was on the fence a little at first. Raylene was certainly a likable protagonist, but the novel seemed a little too stereotypically paranormal romance. Hip and resourceful heroine meets dark sexy vampire? Not necessarily bad, but nothing really new. Fortunately, as the book continues it begins to get a lot more interesting. For one thing, not many hip and resourceful urban fantasy heroines have a professional drag queen as a sidekick! And there’s something highly entertaining about the fact that Raylene has so few scruples. This is not a vampire that feels guilty about her kills. No, she is completely okay with what she needs eat to live, although she’s nice enough not to do it in front of the homeless kids that hang out on her property.
Although the book is filled with references to classic noir, it really reads like a modern day thriller. The pacing is fast and filled with plenty of action. Admittedly, some of the thriller-esque plot elements (super secret government experiments! Highly advanced technology!) can feel a little corny at times, but I found it to be good fun for the most part. The book certainly left me wanting to know more on the worldbuilding front, which I don’t necessarily think is a bad thing as it makes we want to continue the series. In Bloodshot, we learn a little about vampire houses (big gatherings of vampires, kind of like families), but don’t get to see them, and we hear about Raylene’s circle of thieves, but don’t get to meet too many of them. I am curious to see how Priest continues to develop this world in Hellbent, the next book in the series.
Thoughts on the Audiobook- Natalie Ross has a delightful purr to her voice with suits Raylene’s style. She also does well on providing a variety of voices. I will probably continue this series in audio format as a result of enjoying the first audiobook.
Final Thoughts: Bloodshot is a fast and fun read staring a likable heroine. Admittedly, some parts of the story felt a little corny at times, but I was happy with the book for the most part. Those interested in trying the series out should give the audio format a try. I would recommend Bloodshot to fans of the urban fantasy genre. Four Stars
Next I will be reviewing Dragon Spear by Jessica Day George