Loading...
234th out of 1,234 books
—
4,793 voters
My rating:
add to my books
The Scent of Shadows (Signs of the Zodiac #1)
by
Vicki Pettersson (Goodreads Author)
The First Sign of the Zodiac
When she was sixteen, Joanna Archer was brutally assaulted and left to die in the Nevada desert.
By rights, she should be dead.
Now a photographer by day, she prowls a different Las Vegas after sunset – a grim, secret Sin City where Light battles Shadow – seeking answers to whom or what she really is … and reven...more
When she was sixteen, Joanna Archer was brutally assaulted and left to die in the Nevada desert.
By rights, she should be dead.
Now a photographer by day, she prowls a different Las Vegas after sunset – a grim, secret Sin City where Light battles Shadow – seeking answers to whom or what she really is … and reven...more
Mass Market Paperbound, 455 pages
Published
February 27th 2007
by Eos
(first published January 1st 2007)
There is a good chance some of your friends read this book. Sign in to see!
sign in »
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
5,589)
Seth
rated it
Recommends it for:
Desperate readers and people willing to handle major problems in the faint hope of a better tomorrow
It looks good. New author, first novel, recommendations on the cover by Kim Harrison, Charlaine Harris, and Diana Gabaldon(2). Woman becomes a Super-Powered Heroine fighting forces of darkness and it's supposed to have non-stop action, some hot sex scenes, and it's set in Las Vegas, always a great setting for supernatural action.
But look more closely. The back cover has a big, glossy picture of the author: an atractive brunette with a decidedly Linda Carter look. Large pictures of ...more
But look more closely. The back cover has a big, glossy picture of the author: an atractive brunette with a decidedly Linda Carter look. Large pictures of ...more
view all 7 comments
This was an odd book for me...on the one hand, there are more plot holes than you can shake a stick at, and they're all big enough to drive a fleet of trucks through. It was one of those that kept me up at night after I finished it, thinking "WTF was [plot point X] all about? That makes no freakin' sense! And then there was [Y]! What was THAT?" On the other hand, the main character was very compelling, and the writing generally very good, so I'm giving the second book a try.
“The Scent of Shadows” by Vicki Pettersson for me is probably one of the best books I have had the pleasure to read in a while. It can be described as gritty, dark, violent and one of the more captivating Urban Fantasy titles on the market. A lot can be said about the book, the ideas it conveys and the quality of the writing. By my rating standards this novel exceeds the maximum ten points and skyrockets far in the distance.
“The Scent of Shadows”, which actually is only the first ins...more
“The Scent of Shadows”, which actually is only the first ins...more
I've started this, but so far I don't like it very much. There's something about the writing that bugs me - too much exposition, maybe.
Followup:
I gave it up 100 pages in. The story didn't capture my interest and the writing was too melodramatic for my taste. I mean, the heroine seriously says things like: "The knowledge of violence is my playmate."
I also don't like the details of a character's psyche to be spelled out so explicitly. I prefer to get to ...more
Followup:
I gave it up 100 pages in. The story didn't capture my interest and the writing was too melodramatic for my taste. I mean, the heroine seriously says things like: "The knowledge of violence is my playmate."
I also don't like the details of a character's psyche to be spelled out so explicitly. I prefer to get to ...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
There are plenty of good ideas in this book. Most of them work pretty well. The idea of a brigade of the Light (and their Shadow counterpart) in the form of Signs of the Zodiac mixes a new angle with a tried-and-true idea. Having a child that is of both the Light and Shadow is also not unique, but is explored quite well here.
Thankfully, the passages that would put this into the "romance" category were few, and not over the top. Yay!
I'm also thankful that ...more
Thankfully, the passages that would put this into the "romance" category were few, and not over the top. Yay!
I'm also thankful that ...more
I went into this book thinking it would be an average read from the reviews and I'm thrilled to say I was blown away. V.P. did a great job introducing a whole new wave of supernatural in this book. Her plot kept me on my toes, the leads had just the right amount of everything to make me like them, and the ending has me eager for more of the series. I'm so glad I did not just go by the reviews of this book and actually read it.
I thought that this would be a great book, but I was kind of disappointed. It wasn't anything amazing but very typical, with a super hero swing. It is a definite good verses bad story. With the main character Joanna being a cross between the two. Joanna has just found her powers and the demons are after her. She joins with the Light side only to find she doesn't fit in there either. This was more of an self vs self book as Joanna comes to grips with who she is. It has outside action that pro...more
Laura
marked it as to-read
I am officially done with this book. BUT I am not rating it or adding it to my d-n-f shelf because I couldn't make it past page 30. I tried, I really tried.
Maybe when I'm in the mood for a dark and gritty UF I'll come back to it-that's the advantage of books-they're always there waiting for me.
The premise sounds super interesting, and the fact that it takes place in my hometown is awesome! But I'm shelving it for a while, and I will come back to it, just for now, I'm moving...more
Maybe when I'm in the mood for a dark and gritty UF I'll come back to it-that's the advantage of books-they're always there waiting for me.
The premise sounds super interesting, and the fact that it takes place in my hometown is awesome! But I'm shelving it for a while, and I will come back to it, just for now, I'm moving...more
Janon
rated it
Recommends it for:
people who like supernatural, stong female protagonists without massive quantities of porn
I read this book on the recommendation of some invisible friends online. I liked that the heroine was fairly strong, but with flaws, and flaws that I could understand and empathize with. One challenge I have with the later Anita Blake novels is that I really, really don't like her.
The only thing I really didn't like about this novel is the physical transformation that happens midway, because again - what a surprise, the heroine is a mega-babe. Jeez, aren't there any just ordinarily ...more
The only thing I really didn't like about this novel is the physical transformation that happens midway, because again - what a surprise, the heroine is a mega-babe. Jeez, aren't there any just ordinarily ...more
"I began reading this and almost put it down and then I got to the line: ""..I mean really."" I like witty and sarcastic characters so I thought to keep going.
I found myself really liking the heroine and even the basic plot. The characters were great and very likeable. The scenarios were believable and well thought through. There was just so much to understand though. Events would happen and would have reasons that were told but not explained. I spent so much time being ...more
I found myself really liking the heroine and even the basic plot. The characters were great and very likeable. The scenarios were believable and well thought through. There was just so much to understand though. Events would happen and would have reasons that were told but not explained. I spent so much time being ...more
This book was full of plot holes.
Here is my favorite plot hole. All of the main characters' actions are automatically recorded in comic books. But they're magic comic books, so if a Light character touches a comic book about the Shadow team, or vice versa, they get horribly burned. So these comic books function as evil-detectors. The Light team also has cats which function as evil-detectors. Curiously, they've also known for several months that one of their team is a traitor, but ...more
Here is my favorite plot hole. All of the main characters' actions are automatically recorded in comic books. But they're magic comic books, so if a Light character touches a comic book about the Shadow team, or vice versa, they get horribly burned. So these comic books function as evil-detectors. The Light team also has cats which function as evil-detectors. Curiously, they've also known for several months that one of their team is a traitor, but ...more
What a nice little surprise!
I liked this book - in fact, I liked it a lot and order the follow-up-volumes as soon as they come out.
(Okay, I don't like it enough to NOT swap them away when read, but I have VERY limited space and a huge stash!)
I quite enjoyed the unusual idea of this book of weaving the signs of the zodiac into a story. The writing is good, the plotting well done, the story capivating, and besides very well written action scenes, there is a steamin...more
I liked this book - in fact, I liked it a lot and order the follow-up-volumes as soon as they come out.
(Okay, I don't like it enough to NOT swap them away when read, but I have VERY limited space and a huge stash!)
I quite enjoyed the unusual idea of this book of weaving the signs of the zodiac into a story. The writing is good, the plotting well done, the story capivating, and besides very well written action scenes, there is a steamin...more
I am so glad I looked at this cover in the bookstore. This book was in the fantasy/sci-fi section and I thought the cover was interesting. This story is based on Joanna Archer who comes to find out she is a real superhero. It might sound corny but the author weaves a whole new world around Light superheroes and Shadow superheroes. There is a unit of both Light and Shadow in major cities around the world. They call each side the Zodiac because each side has a corresponding member of each star sig...more
The Scent of Shadows is the First Sign of the Zodiac; the first book in Petterson's Zodiac series. This book exceeded my expectations. I was braced for yet another paranormal series featuring an angsty heroine; but what I got was so much more than that. This book is something both men and women would greatly enjoy; it is much more of a super hero story than a paranormal romance.
Joanna Archer is an heiress. Her father Xavier Archer is a Las Vegas tycoon who owns a number of casinos in L...more
Joanna Archer is an heiress. Her father Xavier Archer is a Las Vegas tycoon who owns a number of casinos in L...more
The Scent of Shadows by Vicki Pettersson. Eos Books 2007.
By way of background, I knew nothing about this book beyond the fact that this was one of three I had seen while lurking around the traps, ie couple of bookstores, the library and mentioned while stalking, (ahem), researching other urban fiction authors. It’s scarce here Down Under.
When I decided to read it I didn’t look up a thing about it beyond the assurance it was urban fiction. I didn’t even read the blurb.
...more
By way of background, I knew nothing about this book beyond the fact that this was one of three I had seen while lurking around the traps, ie couple of bookstores, the library and mentioned while stalking, (ahem), researching other urban fiction authors. It’s scarce here Down Under.
When I decided to read it I didn’t look up a thing about it beyond the assurance it was urban fiction. I didn’t even read the blurb.
...more
Wow. This was different than anything I've ever read - the magic system, the types of supernatural people - ok, those were really the big differences. No vampire or werewolves, thank god. That has been beaten to DEATH. In this case, it was agents of Light and Shadow. But they aren't demons. Or anything else. The can smell each other and chase their enemies down by scent. They fight with weapons, not magic. They are sort of superheroes with secret identities. They aren't human, but sort of anothe...more
Pettersson throws us straight into the action - leaving us to work out the universe as Joanna does. It is a complicated one too, as we have zero frame of reference to go on. Put simply, this series is about a war between two superhero factions: the forces of Light and Shadow. Their battles are depicted in comic form after the fact, then sold to humans as fiction.
Had I understood this before starting, I likely wouldn't have continued. While I appreciate the whole superhero thing, it j...more
Had I understood this before starting, I likely wouldn't have continued. While I appreciate the whole superhero thing, it j...more
The final book that I read while on vacation was the start of another series called Scent of Shadows by Vicki Pettersson. This series takes place in Las Vegas and pulls elements from astrology as well as comic books. Here there is another definition of just what it means to be a superhero.
The main character is Joanna Archer, the eldest daughter of one of the richest men on the planet. But she is far from being the socialite that one would expect from someone raised in wealth. Instead...more
The main character is Joanna Archer, the eldest daughter of one of the richest men on the planet. But she is far from being the socialite that one would expect from someone raised in wealth. Instead...more
The plot of this book is basically The Matrix with a female hero. The writing is just ok, although some of the scenes got a big "huh?" Like when Joanna "shows her shadow side" to someone- what exactly does that mean? A lot of it seems so contrived and cheesy and the characters say/act in ridiculous ways. Plus, things just come too easily for Joanna once she comes into her powers. She can magically use a bow and arrow and a whip without ever practicing those weapons before. Ho...more
This is the first in The Signs of the Zodiac Series. Once again, I read this about a week ago and absolutely LOVED it. Wow. I got totally caught up in this story and couldn't wait to see how everything would unfold. Honestly, things got so bad for Joanne so many times, that I just didn't know how the hell she was going to survive this book.
The concept is intriguing. A mix of the superhero mythos with the paranormal, and a good dose of horror. Man, this story is fantastic, and even he...more
The concept is intriguing. A mix of the superhero mythos with the paranormal, and a good dose of horror. Man, this story is fantastic, and even he...more
I really do not what to think about this book. There was an amazing anount of back story crammed in which tended to slow down the pace. There were so many good ideas which needed further development. I mean does anyone really know why light and shadow fight? Except for the obvious that they are opposites, I mean what is the big prize in all this? A couple of things that bugged me:
the superhero reference - all the time
jo-jo - I know its his pet name for her - but all the time
t...more
the superhero reference - all the time
jo-jo - I know its his pet name for her - but all the time
t...more
I know that some will argue that this book does not fall into the category of urban fantasy, because it does not involve, fae, vampires, werewolves, or any of the other usual suspects; however, I am going to call this urban fantasy, because it takes place in Las Vegas, which is an urban setting. I know that this is thin ground to stand on, but I am going to nonetheless.
The Zodiac warriors actually have powers and special weapons assigned to them based on what astrological sign they a...more
The Zodiac warriors actually have powers and special weapons assigned to them based on what astrological sign they a...more
Favorite lines: “The first thing I do every morning is make coffee, put on sunscreen, and take my birth control…the goal, of course, to be alert, and protected at all times.” (43)
The Scent of Shadows is Vicki Pettersson’s first book in the sign of the Zodiac series. There are supposed to be six books in the series, and Pettersson reeled me in with book one like I was a fish on her fishing line.
Joanna Archer was attacked as a teenager in the desert outside of Vegas. She barely...more
The Scent of Shadows is Vicki Pettersson’s first book in the sign of the Zodiac series. There are supposed to be six books in the series, and Pettersson reeled me in with book one like I was a fish on her fishing line.
Joanna Archer was attacked as a teenager in the desert outside of Vegas. She barely...more
The main character, Joanna Archer is a brooding, cynical kind of personality due to a tragic event that occurred at the age of 16 years. This event effected her that she developed into a loner persona, untrusting and she has a big chip on her shoulder. The storyline is different that it has super heros which fall under the different 12 Zodiac signs. The super heroes inherit this responsibility from the matriarchal line and usually the family descendants are very possesive in keeping the Zodia p...more
To be honest.... I didn't like it.
But why that was is hard to explain. I mean: it is well written, it has a good, intriguing plot and a nice dark mood. Maybe a bit too dark though: The story felt really frustrating at times as one crappy thing after another came flying at Joanna. And another thing I didn't like was how Joanna reacted to things. One moment she was agonising over something supposedly 'evil' she had done and which was in my opinion not exactly nice, but certainly not evil. Th...more
But why that was is hard to explain. I mean: it is well written, it has a good, intriguing plot and a nice dark mood. Maybe a bit too dark though: The story felt really frustrating at times as one crappy thing after another came flying at Joanna. And another thing I didn't like was how Joanna reacted to things. One moment she was agonising over something supposedly 'evil' she had done and which was in my opinion not exactly nice, but certainly not evil. Th...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
This was an altogether interesting read, such that I was unable to put it down. Certainly has its share of flaws, but like potato chips you just have to keep going once you've had a taste. Dead serious in one regard but totally absurd (think "Tiger & Bunny" if you've ever watched the show) in another. I rolled my eyes a lot at the dubious logic that the reader is supposed to follow. But in the end there was more to like than to disparage.
One thing I can say for sure is thi...more
One thing I can say for sure is thi...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Elizabeth
rated it
Recommends it for:
sci-fi/fantasy fans
Shelves:
book-club-selection,
scifi-fantasy
This is an excellent choice for fans of sci-fi/fantasy who like strong female leads. A Scent of Shadows, unlike the usual paranormals, doesn't revolve around vampires or werewolves; instead, it reads more like a graphic novel as literature, featuring teams of superheroes and super-villains, all taking a stand in my hometown of Las Vegas. This book is filled with action, and I found it original and thrilling.
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
Readers Also Enjoyed
Vicki Pettersson is the New York Times bestselling author of the Signs of the Zodiac novels, a six-book urban fantasy series set in her hometown of Las Vegas. Though she'll always consider that glittering dustbowl home, she now divides her time between Vegas and Dallas, where she's learning to like good Tex-Mex (easy) and the Dallas Cowboys (easier than you'd think). Next up is THE TAKEN, first in...more
More about Vicki Pettersson...
Share This Book
No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »
“Looks can’t hide your true identity. It’s the eyes that give you away…the soul behind them. The intent. The Shadows.”
—
7 people liked it
“There’s something about seeing an adult you knew in childhood that makes them marginally vulnerable to you, and vice versa. There’s also something comforting in thinking that if they made it this far, relatively unscathed, then maybe you didn’t turn out half bad either.”
—
6 people liked it
More quotes…
