The Terrible Girls Club is group of gals on Goodreads that got together through our love of Stacia Kane's Downside Ghost Series and our obsession over the anti-hero, Terrible.
But
the Terrible Girls Club Feature will not be just about the one series.
We will be getting together to do buddy reads/reviews, interviews, questionnaires and etc.
This is my first buddy read/review so I hope you enjoy
Dead on the Delta
by Stacey Jay
(Annabelle Lee #1) NookBook, 270 pages
Published June 2011 by Pocket Books
RATING: ★★★ 1/2
Once upon a time, fairies were the stuff of bedtime stories and sweet dreams. Then came the mutations, and the dreams became nightmares. Mosquito-size fairies now indulge their taste for human blood—and for most humans, a fairy bite means insanity or death. Luckily, Annabelle Lee isn’t most humans. The hard-drinking, smart-mouthed, bicycle-riding redhead is immune to fairy venom, and able to do the dirty work most humans can’t. Including helping law enforcement— and Cane Cooper, the bayou’s sexiest detective—collect evidence when a body is discovered outside the fairy-proof barricades of her Louisiana town.
But Annabelle isn’t equipped to deal with the murder of a sixyear- old girl or a former lover-turned-FBI snob taking an interest in the case. Suddenly her already bumpy relationship with Cane turns even rockier, and even the most trust-worthy friends become suspects. Annabelle’s life is imploding: between relationship drama, a heartbreaking murder investigation, Breeze-crazed drug runners, and a few too many rum and Cokes, Annabelle is a woman on the run—from her past, toward her future, and into the arms of a darkness waiting just for her. . . .
Our take on the first half of Dead on the Delta
Laura: I guess with most books, the first chapters are the set up, get to know the characters, and such before the story really takes shape. I already feel like I know Annabelle. Stacey Jay did a good job with the set up. I already know the following: Annabelle has a drinking problem. She is probably in love with Cane, but doesn't want to be. She has only loved one other man, Hitch. She dropped out of med school, so she is smart. Her sister was killed by fairies, in front of her. She is immune to fairies. Not just immune, they are repelled by her sweat & blood. Only the southern swampy states have the mutated fairy problem. (LA, MS, & AL)
Jennifer: The first half of the book did a great job at laying the ground work on the world and Annabelle's character. Love some of the thoughts/language that Annabelle uses: fairy poo, cat anus when talking about her boss's mouth, donkey balls. I can tell I'm going to really love this character's snark.
Laura: I did too! She was so funny, her inner monologue and mine sometimes sound so similar. It is good to know I am not the only one to think these crazy thoughts every once in a while! So it is kind of a dystopian/fantasy/paranormal book. And Hitch is FBI! Oh buddy, potential for interesting love triangle here. We all have that guy that we never get over. And, given the opportunity, would probably do something bad with.
Jennifer: Yes I wondering too where Hitch (the ex) and Cane will fare with Annabelle. At this point in the story I'm not sure which guy I want Annabelle with. I need to learn more about them.
Laura: I have heard so many good things about this book & author, I am trying to not think about them while I am reading. I can see the resemblance to Chess (heroine from Stacia Kane's Downside Ghost series), though not quite as self-loathing.
Jennifer: Yes I can totally see parallels with Annabelle and Chess. Both have an addiction and a problem with self hate although it does seem like Annabelle's is not as strong as Chess's. And I think the reason Annabelle has a little more self esteem could be the fact that she had a family growing up, where Chess bounced from one foster nightmare to another.
Laura: So far, not loving this book. Not hating it ... somewhat indifferent. But for me, I really have to care about the characters to care about what happens to them ... I am sure that will come with more reading. I am excited to pick it back up!
Jennifer: I am feeling the same. I like the dark and gritty world with killer fairies and the whole Breeze drug thing. (Breeze is a drug made from mixing bleach and fairy sh*t. EEWW) But I'm enjoying the book enough to want to keep reading to see where the story goes.
Laura: Yes, crazy killer fairies are new to me. Not something I would have thought of. And basically living in a giant cage made of iron to keep them out, how bizarre. I am definitely getting to the point where I care about these people, and will probably pick up Blood on the Bayou as soon as I finish this one. Though I may have to stop myself and read something else ... but I don't wanna! L
Jennifer: I already have a copy of Blood on the Bayou and I'm sure once I get a few tour books out of the way I will be diving into it soon.
Our take on the second half of Dead on the Delta
Jennifer: Ok so the second half of the book was better IMO. The story really started to take off. I have most of the details kind of figured out about the case that Annabelle and everyone was working on. (I should totally be a police detective, LOL)
Laura: My detective skills are a little sub-par. I had some guesses as to who the bad guy was, and was pretty right on with that, but the whole back story and reasons … that kicked my feet out from under me! And yes, I agree the second half was better. There was a lot of character building and world set up in the first half, which isn’t bad, but doesn’t make it one of those “I can’t put this down” books.
Jennifer: I thought that the author did a great job with tying up the story in the end but leaving enough hanging to give you a peek at what the next book, Blood on the Bayou might be about. One thing I hope we see more of in the next book is Tucker. I didn’t really like either guys that Annabelle had a history with; I feel like Cane’s biological clock is ticking; I mean he is older than her so he is at that place in his life were he wants the family life. I did like Hitch a little bit more just cause of their past history and he is more Annabelle’s age and they have the whole medical school thing in common. But then we learn more about Hitch’s current relationship and now I’m not sure I like the fact that it looks like he will be around in the next book to reek havoc on Annabelle’s heart some more. But I’m hoping she says no to both and something happens with Tucker. He is mysterious, sexy and can help her understand WTH is going on with her and the events in the last half of the book.
Laura: YES! More Tucker! Hitch seems to be a d-bag, IMO. I can see where Cane is coming from, but he is a bit pushy. Sweet, and perfect, but we don’t always want the “perfect” guy. And out of them all, I think Tucker is the best fit for her. He knows more about what makes her different, and I REALLY want to know WTF is up with that?! I can’t say more without giving away major plot points …
Jennifer: How could I forget, Gimpy, the stray cat that Annabelle finds. Best. Non-talking character. Ever. he cracked my stuff up! Well I guess it was really Annabelle’s inner dialogue about Gimpy that was really the funny stuff.
Laura: LOL! He is great! I loved his “relationship” with her cooler. I can totally picture it … hate-full cat curled up on a cooler, you reaching for it and pulling back bloody fingers … Brilliant! More characters need pets.
Bottom line, would you recommend this book?
Laura: Definitely. It took a little bit to get going, but once the story picked up it was great! Good for readers who like the heroines less than perfect, with problems, and wing it as they go attitudes.
Jennifer: Yes. Urban Fantasy fans that love a snarky heroine that’s not prefect will want to read Dead on the Delta.
Favorite quotes:
Laura:
"He's not so bad ... as long as you don't touch him or talk to him or feed him. Or look at him too close."
"Getting ... shot up ... so much better." I force the words out, though my throat is so raw it feels like I've got the world's worst cast of strep. Tucker laughs, "Girl, you have no idea how much better it can get. Just don't trust anyone you can't see. Except me of course."
Jennifer:
Smells like a homeless man’s crotch. Not that I’ve ever been up close and personal with a homeless man’s crotch, but…
She’s trying to kill me with a shrimp muffin. It’s positively diabolical, Martha Stewart School of Murder with a side of Extra Craftiness.
Dead on the Delta is available at:
I bought my copy from B&N.
Loved the way you guys did this review :)
ReplyDeleteThanks. I had fun with it.
DeleteMe too! I really liked how you did this review. I read the top half and skimmed the part for the second half (I just started reading this book yesterday) and I totally agree with you on "the homeless man's crotch" quote being review worthy. :)
ReplyDelete