Two Weeks' Notice (Revivalist, #2)

May 18, 2013 Marta Cox rated it 5 of 5 stars

Didn't see the end coming!
This is the second of ms. Caines revivalist novels and it would be better to start with her previous offering in this series (working stiff) as it sets the scene for this book.can it be read as a standalone book? Yes but not recommended by this reviewer.
It tells the continuing story of Bryn Davies who was murdered and then brought back to life using a new drug called Returne. In order to stay alive she has to have an injection of the drug every day whilst at the same ti...more

like · see review

Sep 23, 2012 Kathy Davie rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, horror, urban

Second in the Revivalist urban fantasy series about an ex-soldier who dies and takes over running a funeral home outside San Diego.

My Take
Well, it's better than Working Stiff at least in that Bryn is not behaving as stupidly and out of character---yes, I expect a soldier to have a few certain characteristics. This time, Bryn is actually listening to Patrick and willing to be careful. She doesn't even get angry that Joe and Patrick were thinking ahead about Annalise. What does surprise me is her...more

like · see review

Sep 03, 2012 MissM rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-2012, library-borrow

Library borrow.

The last 5 or so pages of this book absolutely and completely ruined it for me. And ruined the series as well. I'm totally done with it.

Here's the thing. Rachel Caine knows how to write. I've read many series by her and they're always solid. The first in the Revivalist series really disturbed me - the idea of slowly rotting while conscious and aware of the whole thing if you don't get a daily injection of a super rare, top secret drug? Really disturbing. To be that vulnerable and...more

3 likes · like · see review

Sep 01, 2012 Star (The Bibliophilic Book Blog) rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: reviewed

‘Two Weeks’ Notice’ is the second book in Ms. Caine’s new “The Revivalist” series. Bryn Davis has lived (and died) through so much in her young life. Picking up the pieces after the events in ‘Working Stiff’, Bryn now runs the funeral home where she worked, has started a support group for other Revived people, is working on her relationship with Patrick McCallister, and is still searching for her sister. Of course, she also needs her Returné injections to keep ‘living’. Everything was working sm...more ‘Two Weeks’ Notice’ is the second book in Ms. Caine’s new “The Revivalist” series. Bryn Davis has lived (and died) through so much in her young life. Picking up the pieces after the events in ‘Working Stiff’, Bryn now runs the funeral home where she worked, has started a support group for other Revived people, is working on her relationship with Patrick McCallister, and is still searching for her sister. Of course, she also needs her Returné injections to keep ‘living’. Everything was working smoothly until she received a visit from Agent Reilly of the FBI who wants her to do some digging the FBI can’t through the proper channels. Unfortunately, this brings Bryn to the attention of another player in the Revivalist game.

While at times Bryn can appear to be cold and disconnected, she’s had to keep her life compartmentalized for so long it takes her a while to open up. Don’t let this stop you from picking up “The Revivalist” series – Bryn and the other characters are complex and they just suck you into their world completely. Bryn has now come out of her shell quite a bit by the time ‘Two Weeks’ Notice’ starts and is starting to build friendships and explore her relationship with Patrick McCallister. While the good guys have their own checkered pasts, the antagonists are truly and magnificently evil, which I loved. I also enjoyed the twists, turns, and upheavals throughout the book. Ms. Caine has been one of my favorite writers for a long time and this series is shaping up to be her best! Enriched with strong characters and a solid, but sordid plot, ‘Two Weeks’ Notice’ is even better than the first book, ‘Working Stiff’. The intensity of ‘Two Weeks’ Notice’ will grab hold of you and keep you locked in for a roller coaster ride where you won’t see the twists and turns coming up ahead for the characters. I am eagerly anticipating book 3 after the thrills and creepy surprises from this book, plus a truly outrageous cliffhanger!

The Revivalist Series: Working Stiff (1), Two Weeks' Notice (2), Terminated (3) (less)

2 likes · like · see review

Aug 20, 2012 Paranormal Haven rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: reviews-by-beth-guest-reviewer

4.5 stars

Bryn Davis was revived from death by a drug called Returne, but without daily shots of the drug she will slowly die. The company Pharmadene made the drug, but now the FBI is trying to shut it down. Bryn was forced to sign a deal with the FBI so she is always able to get the drug. She isn’t the only one that was revived from the drug, in fact she runs a support groups who have to use it to stay alive. A few start to go missing, and then the FBI calls her to help investigate a problem wit...more 4.5 stars

Bryn Davis was revived from death by a drug called Returne, but without daily shots of the drug she will slowly die. The company Pharmadene made the drug, but now the FBI is trying to shut it down. Bryn was forced to sign a deal with the FBI so she is always able to get the drug. She isn’t the only one that was revived from the drug, in fact she runs a support groups who have to use it to stay alive. A few start to go missing, and then the FBI calls her to help investigate a problem with the books. Shortly after that it is her they are trying to abduct.

I am so glad I didn’t say no to this one. It is the second book in the Revivalist series. I didn’t read the first one, and because it is sort of Urban Fantasy, I usually wouldn’t go out of order. Luckily this is not so far out of order, so it wasn’t impossible for me to figure out what had already happened. I say Urban Fantasy, but really it could be Urban Science Fiction, since it is a drug that brings these people back to life. Sometimes books come around that surprise me, this one is a surprise.

Two Weeks’ Notice starts out at a funeral where Bryn gives a little back history on what happened in the book before, which is well done. We are reminded that her sister is missing, and she is living with Patrick McCallister, who she is very attracted to, but they have yet to be intimate. It isn’t long before the FBI calls her to ask her to help Pharmadene’s CEO look over the books. Things are busy in her life, there is someone who wants to be a new member of the support group she runs for those who take Returne, and another member calls with a boat load of drama.

The story really opens up after she meets with Pharamdene’s CEO and is sent to look into a smaller company. There she finds dead bodies, a flash drive, a bomb that just about kills her, and a load of intrigue. From this point, until the end of the novel it moved at a fast pace. Bryn may take things too personal, but she is quick witted, and smart. Connecting the dots is a little harder here than in a lot of urban stories. There is also a raw quality to some of the action packed scenes. It does a wonderful job of putting the reader next to Bryn through most of it.

Bryn’s worst fault is ironically her heart. It isn’t a bad thing, and makes it easy to connect with her. Through some pretty hardcore stuff she says again and again how she wants to kill, but given options she doesn’t. Those running the show turn out to be just as personal to Bryn as she makes the situations. She is easy to love because of how much she is willing to sacrifice for those close to her or the world in general. She is a heroine that was dealt a bad hand, but she is doing an admirable job. There is also a nice twist towards the end that may dramatically affect the relationships between many characters.

There is a romantic plot, though it is without a doubt a subplot. Patrick and Bryn’s relationship is rocky, and I have no doubt will be brutally tested in books to come. Patrick was a give or take character in my eyes, and that might be because I missed the first sights of attraction from the first novel.

This is a series I will be reading. It is action packed, thrilling, and pretty much what I think one of these urban stories should be. It nearly got a perfect score, and may have if I had read the first book, but as it stands some of the characters around her were more of an annoyance than anything. I am told Bryn cares for them, and understand the relationships, but I don’t feel the close affection Bryn seems to hold. Other than that, and it is a very small thing, this has the makings to be a fantastic series.
- Beth (Guest Reviewer)(less)

like · see review

Jul 02, 2012 Amy Lignor rated it 4 of 5 stars

From the author of the hit series, The Morganville Vampires, comes this new series that began with a novel called “Working Stiff” and takes a new look at urban fantasy. Although it’s true that anything with vampires, werewolves, and zombies is not exactly a ‘fresh’ idea in this day and age, Ms. Caine proves yet again that she knows how to twist and turn these characters into something new and exciting.

Bryn Davis is a zombie—a member of the large ‘undead’ community. In the first tale, Bryn was ki...more From the author of the hit series, The Morganville Vampires, comes this new series that began with a novel called “Working Stiff” and takes a new look at urban fantasy. Although it’s true that anything with vampires, werewolves, and zombies is not exactly a ‘fresh’ idea in this day and age, Ms. Caine proves yet again that she knows how to twist and turn these characters into something new and exciting.

Bryn Davis is a zombie—a member of the large ‘undead’ community. In the first tale, Bryn was killed at her job and revived with an experimental drug called Returne, which was discovered in the lab known as Pharmadene. Because of this miracle, Bryn is now not only the owner of a mortuary, but also works for the government. As long as Bryn has her injection of Returne each day, she’s able to function and live her life, or non-life, depending on how you look at it. Now that the government has taken over Pharmadene, they’re adamant that no one discover the drug, and they have the power to ‘take care’ of anyone who tries to blow the lid off their finding.

Bryn, surprisingly, has made a decent life for herself. Her business, Davis Funeral Home, is doing well; and her significant other, Patrick McCallister, knows about her undead status and loves her anyway. They actually run a support group for the Returne undead. Unfortunately, some of the group members are coming up missing and Bryn suspects that the government is ‘helping’ them to disappear.

Even if you’re not among the millions who are interested in zombies, you’ll have a type of ‘awakening’ with this series. While still offering the usual crime and punishment and thrills and chills, this is also the first series that provides the undead with a new ‘face.’ Instead of just scaring people, they’re getting more into the financial world that Gordon Gekko and his “Greed is Good” mentality once made famous. This series will keep you up at night…not because you’re frightened, but because you’re intrigued.

Until Next Time, Everybody,
Amy
(less)

2 likes · like · see review

Sep 18, 2012 Samina ~ Escapism~ rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: urban-fantasy, arc, favorites

Forget Fangs and Claw.Make way for the Revivalists

My ratings: 5 out of 5 stars.
Bryn Davis is trying to cope being dead and coming back. she is running her Mortutaory, running a support group for Returne addicts and trying to figure out a relationship with the Patrick MacCallister. So, when members of her support group start dying one by one and the FBI sending her to do random jobs she can't help but think there may be something else going on entirely. Is it Pharamadene again, the government o...more

1 like · like · see review

Nov 22, 2012 Jo rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: urban-fantasy

It's a while since I read the first book in the Revivalist series, and I was concerned I wouldn't be able to get straight back into this series. I needn't have been concerned. Within the first few pages, I was back up to speed with Brynn, Patrick, Returne, and all the minor characters in the book.

My first comment after finishing the book was: Wow, you'd never know this was written by the same author who writes the Morganville Vampires series. It's so.... adult.

And it really is. Not in that it's...more

like · see review

Jan 12, 2012 Sarah rated it 5 of 5 stars

As much as I liked WORKING STIFF, I have to say that Rachel Caine BLEW MY MIND with TWO WEEK'S NOTICE!

In this book, Bryn is death-defying, shocking, and on a mission. She is searching for her kidnapped (and newly Revived) sister, Annie, falling hard for badass former Pharmadene head of security, Patrick, and trying to help the surviving Pharmadene employees cope with their deaths, and Revivals. With Pharmadene now under FBI control, Bryn is forced to do a job for them, but instead stumbles into...more

1 like · like · see review

Aug 23, 2012 Beth Dawkins rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012

4.5

Bryn Davis was revived from death by a drug called Returne, but without daily shots of the drug she will slowly die. The company Pharmadene made the drug, but now the FBI is trying to shut it down. Bryn was forced to sign a deal with the FBI so she is always able to get the drug. She isn’t the only one that was revived from the drug, in fact she runs a support groups who have to use it to stay alive. A few start to go missing, and then the FBI calls her to help investigate a problem with the...more 4.5

Bryn Davis was revived from death by a drug called Returne, but without daily shots of the drug she will slowly die. The company Pharmadene made the drug, but now the FBI is trying to shut it down. Bryn was forced to sign a deal with the FBI so she is always able to get the drug. She isn’t the only one that was revived from the drug, in fact she runs a support groups who have to use it to stay alive. A few start to go missing, and then the FBI calls her to help investigate a problem with the books. Shortly after that it is her they are trying to abduct.

I am so glad I didn’t say no to this one. It is the second book in the Revivalist series. I didn’t read the first one, and because it is sort of Urban Fantasy, I usually wouldn’t go out of order. Luckily this is not so far out of order, so it wasn’t impossible for me to figure out what had already happened. I say Urban Fantasy, but really it could be Urban Science Fiction, since it is a drug that brings these people back to life. Sometimes books come around that surprise me, this one is a surprise.

Two Weeks’ Notice starts out at a funeral where Bryn gives a little back history on what happened in the book before, which is well done. We are reminded that her sister is missing, and she is living with Patrick McCallister, who she is very attracted to, but they have yet to be intimate. It isn’t long before the FBI calls her to ask her to help Pharmadene’s CEO look over the books. Things are busy in her life, there is someone who wants to be a new member of the support group she runs for those who take Returne, and another member calls with a boat load of drama.

The story really opens up after she meets with Pharamdene’s CEO and is sent to look into a smaller company. There she finds dead bodies, a flash drive, a bomb that just about kills her, and a load of intrigue. From this point, until the end of the novel it moved at a fast pace. Bryn may take things too personal, but she is quick witted, and smart. Connecting the dots is a little harder here than in a lot of urban stories. There is also a raw quality to some of the action packed scenes. It does a wonderful job of putting the reader next to Bryn through most of it.

Bryn’s worst fault is ironically her heart. It isn’t a bad thing, and makes it easy to connect with her. Through some pretty hardcore stuff she says again and again how she wants to kill, but given options she doesn’t. Those running the show turn out to be just as personal to Bryn as she makes the situations. She is easy to love because of how much she is willing to sacrifice for those close to her or the world in general. She is a heroine that was dealt a bad hand, but she is doing an admirable job. There is also a nice twist towards the end that may dramatically affect the relationships between many characters.

There is a romantic plot, though it is without a doubt a subplot. Patrick and Bryn’s relationship is rocky, and I have no doubt will be brutally tested in books to come. Patrick was a give or take character in my eyes, and that might be because I missed the first sights of attraction from the first novel.

This is a series I will be reading. It is action packed, thrilling, and pretty much what I think one of these urban stories should be. It nearly got a perfect score, and may have if I had read the first book, but as it stands some of the characters around her were more of an annoyance than anything. I am told Bryn cares for them, and understand the relationships, but I don’t feel the close affection Bryn seems to hold. Other than that, and it is a very small thing, this has the makings to be a fantastic series. (less)

like · see review

Dec 28, 2012 YA Reads Book Reviews rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: nichole

Originally posted on www.yareads.com, reviewed by Nichole.

In New York Times bestselling author Rachel Caine’s “thrilling”* Revivalist series, Bryn Davis finds out that making a living can be rough if you’re already dead...
After dying and being revived with the experimental drug Returne, Bryn Davis is theoretically free to live her unlife—with regular doses to keep her going. But Bryn knows that the government has every intention of keeping a tight lid on Pharmadene’s life-altering discovery, no...more Originally posted on www.yareads.com, reviewed by Nichole.

In New York Times bestselling author Rachel Caine’s “thrilling”* Revivalist series, Bryn Davis finds out that making a living can be rough if you’re already dead...
After dying and being revived with the experimental drug Returne, Bryn Davis is theoretically free to live her unlife—with regular doses to keep her going. But Bryn knows that the government has every intention of keeping a tight lid on Pharmadene’s life-altering discovery, no matter the cost. Thankfully, some things have changed for the better; her job at the rechristened Davis Funeral Home is keeping her busy and her fragile romance with Patrick McCallister is blossoming—thanks in part to their combined efforts in forming a support group for Returne addicts. But when some of the group members suddenly disappear, Bryn wonders if the government is methodically removing a threat to their security, or if some unknown enemy has decided to run the zombies into the ground…

I was a big fan of the first book in this series, Working Stiff, so I was really excited to read this book. Unfortunately, I don't have much good to say about it. It was really boring throughout the entire thing, I didn't feel any connection to the characters, and I was quite frankly grossed out.

The main character, Bryn, grated on my nerves from the very first page. I didn't overly love her in Working Stiff, but I never exactly disliked or even hated her. I couldn't stand her in this book! She was annoying and whiney, and I just could have done without her. I also didn't fall in love with the romance between Bryn and Patrick, which is really interesting since I loved them in the first book. I don't know if it's because I couldn't stand her or just because of the writing style, but I was really let down.

If you are really grossed by gore and blood and all that nasty stuff, then this is not the book for you. Don't get me wrong, I like The Walking Dead and a little bit of action and nastiness in my books, but this was just disgusting. I'm sorry, but I don't want to read about someone's eyes getting scooped out (yes, that really does happen.) It was nasty on a whole different level, and I was not okay with it. I feel the need to wash my eyes out right about now.

The ending of this book was so awful and so disgusting that I skimmed that last chapter. I don't even know how the ending went down because I was SO grossed out! Nasty! I don't want to ruin the ending for all of you guys and girls who are going to read the book, but it gets GROSS! I'm talking dead people, zombie chompers, eyeball scoopers, decaying bodies, chewing on arms GROSS. I will not be continuing this series because I don't even want to see where else Rachel Caine can take this crazy storyline. Yuck!

(less)

1 like · like · see review

Jul 31, 2012 Kt from A Book Obsession.. rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: hardcopy, received-for-review

Review originally posted on my blog: A Book Obsession..

Life or rather unlife hasn't been easy for Bryn Davis in the past year, but since being killed and revived by a drug called Returne, she's been making the best of it as she can. She's moved on as best she can as she runs her funeral home and the occasional job for the government in exchange for the daily shot that continues her existence. But when her latest assignment reveals that several other Returne have gone missing, Bryn can't help won...more Review originally posted on my blog: A Book Obsession..

Life or rather unlife hasn't been easy for Bryn Davis in the past year, but since being killed and revived by a drug called Returne, she's been making the best of it as she can. She's moved on as best she can as she runs her funeral home and the occasional job for the government in exchange for the daily shot that continues her existence. But when her latest assignment reveals that several other Returne have gone missing, Bryn can't help wondering if the Feds have decided keeping Returne quiet wasn't worth the hassle anymore and have chosen to end the program. Permanently.

The conspiracy and paranoia are stepped up an incredible notch in Two Weeks' Notice. Now that the government has a major hand in Pharmadene the threat against Bryn seems to have doubled. Sure, the government claims to be completely running the show, but Bryn knows that an organization as secret and corrupted as Pharmadene doesn't easily disappear. Especially since one of the drug's creators is still on the run and out of the government's grasp. Either way, there is still only a limited supply of the Returne drug that she and the other revived are dependent on, and it is only a matter of time before the government starts to decide that maintaining their afterlife isn't worth the security risk. In fact I almost can't believe that Bryn and the rest of her allies haven't become just as insane about security as their scientist friend, Manny. If I were them, I would have long ago begged sufferance from him (and bribed with a lot of money), and hunkered down with him in his current stronghold. Then again, I just don't quite have the strength of will Bryn does, so I have to thank goodness that this is only fiction and not a reality. Especially as there also was another player added into the game that led to a shocking turn of events that I can't talk about without spoiling things. But suffice it to say that your head will be spinning once that plot thread is revealed. Even now, I am still in shock as I cannot believe the direction things are heading, but I'm sure the next book will be one heck of a ride because of it.

I really admire Bryn's character as she is both incredibly strong, but also isn't afraid of opening herself to others. Granted, she has had to adapt to some pretty horrible changes in her life which have left her much more sarcastic and hard. She also has this lone ranger mentality when it comes to trouble, but her reasoning for this is rather noble as she wants to keep the ones she cares about out of danger since they are much more vulnerable than she is, at least physically. On the emotional front however, Joe and Pat seem to have it together a whole lot more than Bryn and have become her steady rocks of support no matter how hard she may try and push them away for their own safety. Add in the rest of the supporting cast, and you have a small army willing to do anything and everything for one another, which makes them very dangerous to the wrong people. Love and loyalty more than anything can be the fiercest motivators, something their opponents will quickly learn.

My first thought upon finishing Two Weeks' Notice was rather incoherent, but it was something along the lines of "Holy bleeping bleep, that was bleeping insane!" It's not that the ending was an extreme cliffhanger, but more that the intensity of the book crept up on me so much that I hadn't realized just how sucked in I was until I finished. I looked up and realized hours had gone by without me noticing at all. I absolutely loved the first book, and had high hopes for this one as well, but wasn't sure how it could possibly top the series opener. Not only did Two Weeks' Notice top Working Stiff, but it completely blew it out of the water earning this series a place on my all time favorites list of Urban Fantasies. From the incredible cast of characters, to the fierce action and incredibly high stakes Two Weeks' Notice is one heck of a read and a must buy!
(less)

like · see review

Sep 08, 2012 Ashleycarolhall O'Toole rated it 3 of 5 stars

I think this new series (and new take on zombies) is fun, but its a little out there.
In the extreme case in only the 2nd book Bryn has to deal with becoming less human than when
she died in the first book.
Basically, it is kinda weird that she has a bf, I mean she is dead....and a bulldog and a job where she runs a funeral home!!
This simple(ish) life has been completely obliterated in this book, so what are they gonna do with the funeral home now...moot point I guess.

Anyway, this book had more a...more

like · see review

Nov 30, 2012 Sarah A. rated it 4 of 5 stars

Ok, this was a tough read.

The first half of the book was nothing special, it was really losing me, it's not that there wasn't action, but sometimes too much mystery can make you lose interest instead of peruse the story to figure it out.

The other half though, was brutal. It was exactly the kind of thing that attracted me to this series in the first place, just brutal and agonizing and beautifully horrible. This story makes you love the heroine and sympathies with her on so many levels. And let m...more

1 like · like · see review

Feb 19, 2013 Teresa rated it 5 of 5 stars

Rachel Caine is one of my two favourite authors! There's nothing she writes that I dislike and while I love her Morganville Vampires series, I love her Revivalist series even more! Much more mature and extremely well-written, I've already read, and re-read, Working Stiff and Two Week's Notice more times than I care to mention :D Bryn is one of my favourite characters from anything I've encountered, be it a book, a tv series or a movie. There's something charming about Bryn and I only grew to lov...more

like · see review

Sep 23, 2012 Stéphanie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012, zombies, urban-fantasy, romance, own

I have to hand it to Rachel Caine, she knows how to keep you interested in her novels. If you thought WORKING STIFF was full of intrigue and mystery, this sequel has even more plot twists and turns. I wouldn’t go as far as calling this book a political thriller, because let’s face it, we would never see authors like Robert Ludlum or David Baldacci write about zombies. But a good chuck of the storyline deals with the U.S. government trying to hide the truth from the general public about the reviv...more I have to hand it to Rachel Caine, she knows how to keep you interested in her novels. If you thought WORKING STIFF was full of intrigue and mystery, this sequel has even more plot twists and turns. I wouldn’t go as far as calling this book a political thriller, because let’s face it, we would never see authors like Robert Ludlum or David Baldacci write about zombies. But a good chuck of the storyline deals with the U.S. government trying to hide the truth from the general public about the revival drug, and its political repercussions on the main character, Bryn. Oh! And Bryn sort of becomes a contracted agent for the FBI.

Bryn is slowly dealing with the fact that she’s “addicted” to Returné, a miracle-cure-all drug that can bring you back from the dead. After her murder in the first book, she needs daily doses of Returné to stay alive. She depends on the FBI, which have now taken over Pharmadene, the maker of the drug, to keep her stash of Returné full. And Bryn is not the type of person who wants to depend on anyone. Quite the opposite—she’s the type of person you want to depend on. And she’s the type of person you want as your best friend. Her thoughtfulness, not only for those she cares about but also for strangers, is very admirable. I think, since first meeting her, she has grown as a person and she has evolved into a kick ass female. Because lets face it, if you had the ability to come back from the dead multiple times, wouldn’t you put your life on the line to better the world?

A fair warning to those who are apprehensive about gory and bloody scenes. While not loaded with gore, TWO WEEKS’ NOTICE does have a few scenes that include torture and descriptions of death and blood. I strongly believe these marginally graphic scenes were necessary because they added so much more reason to Bryn’s fight against her enemies. And I’m still not sure how many enemies she has and who exactly they might be.

Finally, in this sequel, we not only get more action, but we get to see the romantic relationship between Bryn and Patrick develop, which I was desperately hoping Rachel Caine would elaborate on. Although the relationship is fragile and sketchy at best, I think the author did the right choice in taking things slow because it makes us that much more interested in following Bryn and Patrick in the future. I wasn’t too sure if I liked Patrick in the first book but his role in TWO WEEKS’ NOTICE is making me like him more and more.

Be sure to have a lot of time on your hands before you open this book because it will keep you guessing until the very end and you won’t want to miss a thing! The twisted ending was unexpected and leaves the story wide open (yet it doesn’t feel unfinished so you won’t necessarily feel the need to strangle the book). This is a series you’ll want to invest your time in because it’s definitively going places!

¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨°º©©º°¨¨¨¨¨¨¨°º©©º°¨¨¨¨¨¨
A copy was provided by the author's assistant.

Also reviewed on Tynga's Reviews(less)

like · see review

Apr 24, 2013 Penelope rated it 5 of 5 stars

Rachel Caine is easily one of my favorite Authors because of her practical use of the business world in some books, and the overly extremely detailed weather forecast system books that just make you really rethink things. The fact that this Author takes her books seriously enough to give you so much detail simply amazes me beyond reason, and I love her books. Usually, I have never been one to sit there and read twelve pages of long paragraphs talking about what a woman saw just by looking up a...more

like · see review

Sep 12, 2012 Adele rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: netgalley

Thank you to Penguin Australia and Net galley for allowing me to read this ARC.

well this was a. really good book. having never read the first in the series,it wasn't until I was halfway through the Book did I actually realise that it was the second one!

it completely drew me in from start to finish.
I love the new zombie idea...taking shots to keep you "alive".

such a twist.
I really don't want to talk to much about this book except to tell you , that you all must read it.
if you enjoy a different ta...more

like · see review

Aug 17, 2012 Betty rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: urban-fantasy, horror

This book was just as engrossing as Working Stiff, if not more. It was fast-paced and full of so much action. There are twists and turns, and a fine line between good guys and villains. It's awfully convoluted.

Bryn, this time is in a relationship and still has that, "I don't deserve your love, I'm a zombie!" kind of mindset, which is understandable; she can literally die/decompose any day. But other than that, this book shows what an incredibly strong heroine she is. The things she goes through...more

like · see review

Dec 22, 2012 Tamara Witika rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: own

Love Rachel Caine. All of her series, all of the time. About to start her Outcast Season series next.
Bryn is a gutsy, controlled, titanium willed woman, ably matched to Patrick Macallister, who is delicious in a subtle, former Black Ops way. Not as much Joe Fideli as the first book, which sucks cos Joe is funny and definitely need the laughs cos Bryn gets well and truly fucked in this book... Manny & Pansy and Liam get a bit of screen time and we see more of Bryn's sister, Annie. Had a bit...more

like · see review

Aug 20, 2012 Hana❀Joy rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: best-of-2012, my-most-amazing-top-50, the-best-of-the-best

GOOD JOB, RACHEL.

2 likes · like · see review

Jul 24, 2012 Shelleyrae at Book'd Out rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: arc-are, netgalley-reviews

I read Working Stiff, the first book in the Revivalist series, with some trepidation, not being a fan of shambling mindless brain eaters, only to find myself gripped by a original, exciting story. I was thrilled to be given access to a galley of Two Week's Notice and eager to see if Caine could do it again.

And she did. Picking up a few months after Working Stiff Bryn is managing the funeral home she 'inherited', searching for her kidnapped sister, Annalie, offering counseling to the newly Revive...more I read Working Stiff, the first book in the Revivalist series, with some trepidation, not being a fan of shambling mindless brain eaters, only to find myself gripped by a original, exciting story. I was thrilled to be given access to a galley of Two Week's Notice and eager to see if Caine could do it again.

And she did. Picking up a few months after Working Stiff Bryn is managing the funeral home she 'inherited', searching for her kidnapped sister, Annalie, offering counseling to the newly Revived and falling in love with Patrick McCallister. As Manny continues to tinker with the Returne formula she must inject herself with everyday or risk a gruesome death, the FBI, who are in the process of dismantling Pharmadene insists she help them with an investigation into missing funds. What Bryn discovers is a shocking government conspiracy that involves murdered and missing Pharmadene employees, and results in her being targeted by a shadowy group of sadistic military operatives. This time, Bryn is not at all sure she will escape with her life.

Perhaps best described as an urban fantasy thriller, with a compelling mix of action, conspiracy and a touch of romance, the plot of Two Weeks' Notice is well thought out and ideally paced. I was engrossed by each twist and turn as Bryn, backed up by Pat McCallister and Joe Fideli, becomes the target in a complex conspiracy by the government to tie up loose ends involving Pharmadene and Returne. To escape a bomb she must jump from a seventh story window, to avoid abduction she jumps through a wall of glass but when the mysterious Jane finally gets a hold of her by threatening Joe's son, she has to endure unimaginable torture. While rarely explicit, the imagined horror is inescapable and made my skin crawl.

There is a continued intensity to Bryn's character as she struggles with the emotional fall out of becoming the living dead. Her dependence on the Returne drug makes her vulnerable, at the mercy of Manny and the FBI and she still suffers from nightmares about her death and the white room in the bowels of the Pharmadene building. Bryn also has concerns about her growing intimate relationship with Patrick which is hit with a shocking curve ball when the truth of the conspiracy comes to light.

Fast paced, action packed and leading to stunning conclusion that left me wanting more, Two Week's Notice is a thrilling page turner. A must read for urban fantasy fans, this is one series you don't want to miss.
(less)

3 likes · like · see review

Jul 19, 2012 Felicia rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: vaginal-urban-fantasy, urban-paranormal

Um...I got an arc of this, so maybe I'm not as impartial as I could be. But this book was BETTER than #1, I'm extremely confident to say that. I mean, until the last 1/4tg. And then I LITERALLY GASPED OUT LOUD and my heart raced, and laughed out loud too. I mean, the twist was just....best one I've seen in a book in QUITE a while. Wow. This is not as romancey as most urban fantasy I read either, so I think guys would like it as well. I dunno, I think the tech zombie thing is pretty cool and...th...more

7 likes · like · see review

Aug 12, 2012 Erin rated it 5 of 5 stars

Blew my mind.... Once again Ms. Caine demonstrates why she should be on the autobuy list of everyone.

This was a fast paced, edge of your seat, twist and turn kinda adventure. Nothing and no one are who or what they seem and poor Bryn is doing her best to keep up. I loved how Ms. Caine flips things half way through the book only to flip them again toward the end. I raced through this book, desperate to find out how Bryn was going to keep up and cringing at the horrid and sadistic things that Bry...more

like · see review

Dec 10, 2012 LL rated it 4 of 5 stars

Recommended to LL by: AH

Shelves: sci-fi, urban-fantasy

Two Weeks’ Notice is book #2 in the Revivalist series by Ms. Caine. While I liked the first book, I enjoyed this one even more.

Central to the story was Bryn, the survivor from the last book, in which she died from murder and was brought back to life through the injection of a drug called “Returne”. This drug contained nanites that worked to rebuild damaged body parts/organs and kept the body functioning top-notch. It literally was the panacea to aging and dying – provided that the receiver had o...more

2 likes · like · see review

Sep 25, 2012 Kayla Guyette rated it 4 of 5 stars

I'd like to start this review off with a note in hopes that Roc, the publisher. I read Two Weeks' Notice on Sony Reader software on my tablet. The text has issues with awkward spacing in and around words throughout the ebook (Example "B r y n D a v i s" and "Bryn looked to Mr. French then said"). I contacted Sony about the issue since it made it hard to read at times. They told me they'd look into it and now nearly a week later, nothing. I'd hate to see people not read or request refunds because...more I'd like to start this review off with a note in hopes that Roc, the publisher. I read Two Weeks' Notice on Sony Reader software on my tablet. The text has issues with awkward spacing in and around words throughout the ebook (Example "B r y n D a v i s" and "Bryn looked to Mr. French then said"). I contacted Sony about the issue since it made it hard to read at times. They told me they'd look into it and now nearly a week later, nothing. I'd hate to see people not read or request refunds because of an error with the formatting.

Now onto the review:

After finishing Working Stiff I couldn’t wait to get ahold of Two Weeks’ Notice and was glad to finally dive into it. While I ended up enjoying the story, maybe even a little more than the first, there were complaints I found myself picking up on along the way.

This book felt short, a lot of action and information is packed into the 248 pages of the e-book. I found myself wishing it was a little longer to see some more heartwarming scenes between Bryn and Patrick or Bryn and Annie. There was a lot of darkness, so to speak, in this novel and a little light would have helped it a bit. But when it comes down to it I’d prefer a novel that’s no filler just page turning action than one filled with pages and pages of fluff. I still have really mixed feelings on the more detailed descriptions of the funeral home bits. While I give Rachel Caine props for all of the research, a part of me wishes I could un-read some of the grosser tidbits. I was very happy when the story moved away from the funeral home.

The ending of the book was a huge shock I didn’t see coming and can completely appreciate the twist. I’m very curious to see where Caine takes the adventure in the next book in the series. This introduction was a great way to spark curiosity and have people check out the third book. But I found myself finding it being too short once again. It was presented in a few pages which I really feel like should have been a chapter.

Overall, Two Weeks’ Notice is very enjoyable. New allies and enemies are made and just when you think you know which is which, the unexpected happens. Without the twist ending I’m not so sure I would have picked up the third book right away, more like if I had the time I’d check it out. Yet the twist has me waiting for news on a release date. I do hope the third book is longer but with just as much action as the second. Though, let’s pass on the gross details from the funeral home!
(less)

like · see review

Jan 20, 2013 Anya rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

There are so many great and fantastic things I could say about this book
- on the first book, I wrote about how much I admired Bryn. In this one, that love has not wavered: she was just as brilliant and vulnerable. Plus this time, she's managed to get Pat to actually commit, who is such a sweetheart I forget he and Joe are supposed to be hulking ex-military guys!

This whole story is simply ingenious, and much darker and I think better than the first one. Caine gets major props for thinking up such...more

like · see review

Aug 10, 2012 Ami rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: urban-fantasy-paranormal-futuristic

3.5 stars
Bryn Davis is asked by the FBI to work with Pharmadene to uncover the aim of large payments made to a suspicious outside firm. What Bryn discovers is a lot dangerous, especially since the firm seems to have something to do with missing Revivals ...

--------

On one hand, I think the story itself is better than the first book. When Bryn first walks into Graydon Industrial Waste Services and discovers the dead bodies then the building blew up, it is just non-stop intense turnabouts in every...more

like · see review

Aug 11, 2012 Stacy rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: from-publisher-author

TWO WEEKS NOTICE was just as good if not better then WORKING STIFF. Bryn seems to be settling into her new life as best as she can. Bryn has her friends working to keep her non dependent on the government to stay alive but not all the Returne addicts are that lucky and now they are disappearing. The government contacts Bryn to help them once again and she has no choice but to go with it.

Most people don't have to dodge assassin at every turn but Bryn isn't your normal everyday gal. She has been t...more

like · see review

Sep 14, 2012 -RadioActiveBookWorm- rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Everyone<3

Shelves: anything-and-everything-paranormal, awesome-characters, kick-ass-zombies

I never doubted this book for even a moment. You know why? Because it's by Rachel. Effing. Caine. And as you might have noticed by now, I LOVE HER. :D I bought the first book in the series last year at When Words Collide 2011, and thought, Hey. Why not by the second one there too. Only a year later, of course. Too bad she wasn't there this year, totally would have gotten this one signed too. lol.
Bryn is seriously an awesome character. I don't know where she came up with her, and I don't care. Sh...more

like · see review

title link	preview: Two Weeks' Notice
avg rating	preview: Two Weeks' Notice Goodreads rating: 3.95 (739 ratings)
small image	preview: click here [close]
med image	preview: click here [close]
BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12925173-two-weeks-notice?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1331685203l/12925173.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12925173-two-weeks-notice?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]Two Weeks' Notice by Rachel Caine[/url]

Two Weeks' Notice (Revivalist #2)

Friend Reviews

Lists with This Book

Community Reviews

new topic
Discuss This Book

combine
Other Editions (8)

Genres

Readers also enjoyed similar books

About Rachel Caine

Books by Rachel Caine

Share This Book

Share This Book on Your Website

Trivia About Two Weeks' Notice

Quotes from Two Weeks' Notice