As Lie the Dead
by Kelly Meding
Evangeline Stone, a rogue bounty hunter, never asked for a world divided between darkness and light... or the power to die and live again in someone else’s borrowed body. After a murder plot meant to take her out leaves an entire race of shapeshifters nearly extinct, Evy is gnawed by guilt. So when one of the few survivors of the slaughter enlists her aid, she feels duty-bound to help—even though protecting a frail, pregnant shifter is the last thing Evy needs, especially with the world going to hell around her.
Amid weres, Halfies, gremlins, vamps—and increasingly outgunned humans—a war for supremacy is brewing. With shifters demanding justice, her superiors desperate to control her, and an assassin on her trail, Evy discovers a horrifying conspiracy. And she may be the only person in the world who can stop it—unless, of course, her own side gets her first. From Amazon
In March I was introduced to new author, Kelly Meding, while reading her book Three Days to Dead. As a debut they do not get much better. Three Days to Dead as extraordinary as told in my
review. I was thrilled to open the second book and catch up with Evy. As Lie The Dead starts off immediately where its predecessor left off. I did need to scramble a bit to recall where the story had left off. Bits and pieces of the previous plot are slowly divulged but I believe to really appreciate this book and the characters it is essential to start with Three Days to Dead.
In As Lie The Dead, Evy is still a spectacular heroine. She is powerful, dramatic, independent, stubborn and self sufficient. But she has also become a bit more human and less super hero. She reflects on her past, her choices and starts to question her beliefs. She struggles with hope, helplessness and desperation. She is absolutely exhausted in this book and I felt it as a reader.
A few new characters are introduced and weres take precedence. This was fascinating to me. The visuals of the weres were remarkable. So many of the scenes are still rolling through my head. Kelly did a great job keeping her characters unique, believable and memorable. Many of the secondary characters from Three Days to Dead play parts in this book but are understated. This book is about new personalities, lifestyles and freedoms.
As Lie the Dead focuses more on developing the characters (both new and old) and delving into their pasts.
What makes them who they are, who they have become? It still had action, suspense and drama but was not as explosive as Three Days to Dead. As Lie the Dead was more reflective and comprehensive. Filling in the blanks. I anticipate that the third book, Another Kind of Dead, which releases in July 2011 will start with a bang.
If you are looking for fast, exciting reads please pick up both Three Days to Dead and As Lie the Dead.
