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Dreg City #4
Wrong Side of Dead
Monster hunter Evangeline Stone woke up on the wrong side of dead this morning—and now there’s hell to pay.
Barely recovered from her extended torture at the hands of mad scientist Walter Thackery, Evy can use a break. What she gets instead is a war, as the battered Triads that keep Dreg City safe find themselves under attack by half-Blood vampires who have somehow retained their reason, making them twice as lethal. Worse, the Halfies are joined by a breed of were-creature long believed extinct—back and more dangerous than ever. Meanwhile, Evy’s attempts at reconciliation with the man she loves take a hit after Wyatt is viciously assaulted—an attack traced to Thackery, who has not given up his quest to exterminate all vampires . . . even if he has to destroy Dreg City to do it. With Wyatt’s time running out, another threat emerges from the shadows and a staggering betrayal shatters the fragile alliance between the Triads, vampires, and shapeshifters, turning Evy’s world upside down forever.
Barely recovered from her extended torture at the hands of mad scientist Walter Thackery, Evy can use a break. What she gets instead is a war, as the battered Triads that keep Dreg City safe find themselves under attack by half-Blood vampires who have somehow retained their reason, making them twice as lethal. Worse, the Halfies are joined by a breed of were-creature long believed extinct—back and more dangerous than ever. Meanwhile, Evy’s attempts at reconciliation with the man she loves take a hit after Wyatt is viciously assaulted—an attack traced to Thackery, who has not given up his quest to exterminate all vampires . . . even if he has to destroy Dreg City to do it. With Wyatt’s time running out, another threat emerges from the shadows and a staggering betrayal shatters the fragile alliance between the Triads, vampires, and shapeshifters, turning Evy’s world upside down forever.
368 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2012
About the author
Kelly Meding
27 books698 followersAlso writes as Kelly Meade: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews
March 10, 2012
I have this hangup, you see. The thing that's always bugged me about serialized novels is how they take X amount of time to catch you up on all the previous novels.
Look, I get it's important for people who can't remember all the past storylines and for those that haven't read the previous books. But I have never been one to start in the middle of a series or to need these little updates so they always aggravated me. They always seemed like gigantic wastes of time and stalled each book more and more as the series progressed.
However, I accidentally requested this title from Netgalley not knowing it was the fourth book in a series I'd never even heard of. So going in blind caused me to have a love/hate relationship with the recaps. I absolutely needed them to know what was going on with the long, involved storyline. However, on the otherhand - and this is not to say Meding did them badly but that all catchups are pretty much like this - they didn't provide enough information or understanding to truly grasp what had happened in previous novels.
And unfortunately, Wrong Side of Dead has a huge backstory to catch up on which feels disingenuous because most of these complicated, deep relationships seem to have begun only a few weeks ago. So when the main character says, "I'd trust him with my back any day!" and then a chapter later we find out that she's only known him for three week, it felt weird.
But then, I'm told the House of Night series, Marked, take place over a couple of weeks and there are a lot more of those.
So my first problem was too many characters, intricate relationships, history and backstory to really get a grasp of in this novel. The storyline kept stalling as Meding needed to go back and explain complicated history, interspecies politics and try to reinforce the importance of a romantic relationship that is scarcely seen in this book.
My second problem was that Meding takes so long to get to the actual plot that it was easy to forget there was one. This series seems to have fallen into the trap where the romantic relationship - or its lack of, has become so important that it has taken control of the story.
My third problem was that, even though I knew nothing of the history of the villain and had only been introduced to him in this book, his comical fiendishness was both predictable and a little trite. There were times when I thought, "Hey, guys... um, this is going to happen so you'd better do something about it. Just sayin'." Then three chapters later it happened, everyone reeled in shock, and I facepalmed myself.
The writing was servicable and several of the characters were certainly likable - but this just isn't a series to pick up halfway through. Perhaps the reviews of dedicated fans who have an emotional investment in the story and characters would be more helpful. I just didn't feel like this series offered anything that you couldn't find in other, tighter, better written series.
Look, I get it's important for people who can't remember all the past storylines and for those that haven't read the previous books. But I have never been one to start in the middle of a series or to need these little updates so they always aggravated me. They always seemed like gigantic wastes of time and stalled each book more and more as the series progressed.
However, I accidentally requested this title from Netgalley not knowing it was the fourth book in a series I'd never even heard of. So going in blind caused me to have a love/hate relationship with the recaps. I absolutely needed them to know what was going on with the long, involved storyline. However, on the otherhand - and this is not to say Meding did them badly but that all catchups are pretty much like this - they didn't provide enough information or understanding to truly grasp what had happened in previous novels.
And unfortunately, Wrong Side of Dead has a huge backstory to catch up on which feels disingenuous because most of these complicated, deep relationships seem to have begun only a few weeks ago. So when the main character says, "I'd trust him with my back any day!" and then a chapter later we find out that she's only known him for three week, it felt weird.
But then, I'm told the House of Night series, Marked, take place over a couple of weeks and there are a lot more of those.
So my first problem was too many characters, intricate relationships, history and backstory to really get a grasp of in this novel. The storyline kept stalling as Meding needed to go back and explain complicated history, interspecies politics and try to reinforce the importance of a romantic relationship that is scarcely seen in this book.
My second problem was that Meding takes so long to get to the actual plot that it was easy to forget there was one. This series seems to have fallen into the trap where the romantic relationship - or its lack of, has become so important that it has taken control of the story.
My third problem was that, even though I knew nothing of the history of the villain and had only been introduced to him in this book, his comical fiendishness was both predictable and a little trite. There were times when I thought, "Hey, guys... um, this is going to happen so you'd better do something about it. Just sayin'." Then three chapters later it happened, everyone reeled in shock, and I facepalmed myself.
The writing was servicable and several of the characters were certainly likable - but this just isn't a series to pick up halfway through. Perhaps the reviews of dedicated fans who have an emotional investment in the story and characters would be more helpful. I just didn't feel like this series offered anything that you couldn't find in other, tighter, better written series.
July 23, 2013
Rating: 3.5 out of 5.
I was pretty disappointed with the first three-quarters of this book.
It started slow, well as slow as it can be amidst the constant action and plots to uncover. But in terms of character development, it was pretty slow.
It annoyed me how quick Wyatt and Evy were willing to take a break from their relationship for reasons that I didn't really understand, especially when you compare it to the way they both moved through hell to get to one another in the last three books. They just gave up and it was so damn frustrating.
Having said that, I really really liked the last quarter of the book. I liked the new change in Wyatt, and I think it says something about him that I didn't like him very much when he was himself, but after the transformation, he was more loveable, had his priorities straight and many other attributes that I can't list without giving out big spoilers!
I was pretty disappointed with the first three-quarters of this book.
It started slow, well as slow as it can be amidst the constant action and plots to uncover. But in terms of character development, it was pretty slow.
It annoyed me how quick Wyatt and Evy were willing to take a break from their relationship for reasons that I didn't really understand, especially when you compare it to the way they both moved through hell to get to one another in the last three books. They just gave up and it was so damn frustrating.
Having said that, I really really liked the last quarter of the book. I liked the new change in Wyatt, and I think it says something about him that I didn't like him very much when he was himself, but after the transformation, he was more loveable, had his priorities straight and many other attributes that I can't list without giving out big spoilers!
January 27, 2012
Posted at Yummy Men & Kick Ass Chicks
Kelly Meding is back with the fourth installment in her Dreg City series, Wrong Side of Dead. This is such a unique and interesting series. Very dark and very gritty, you can’t have a light stomach to read these books. But, as I’ve said in past reviews, you never feel like the gore is too much or that it’s just there to make you squirm – it really blends well with the story and somehow just fits. It helps remind us that this world that Kelly created is dark and it helps us truly see just how strong her characters are. For anyone to be able to survive what these people survive, you have to be resilient and ridiculously brave. These are people who have been through hell and back and who are still standing, still ready to fight and still ready to help each other out. And as much as the world impresses me in this series, the characters impress me more.
The series is told from Evy’s perspective. Her story is insane. Her story is also what makes this series so different. Ever since she was brought back from the dead (no, she’s not a zombie – she’s way cooler) in book one, Evy has struggled. She’s not sure who she is or what her purpose is. She’s dealing with feelings from ‘old’ Evy and ‘new’ Evy and isn’t sure how to mesh everything together. She’s always a strong, kick ass chick filled with heart and loyalty but her vulnerability and how she deals with what her new life throws at her is what makes her truly special. I have enjoyed her journey in these books, and I loved where her character went in Wrong Side of Dead. I feel like Evy finally has some closure and has a better understanding of who she is now. She has grown in leaps and bounds and is almost at peace with her new life. I was so happy for her because if someone deserves a happy moment or two, it’s Evy.
Speaking of happy moments or two, Wyatt really needs that. Especially after this installment. I never would have anticipated where his character has ended up. Evy is usually the one who carries the ‘vulnerability torch’ in their relationship and Wyatt is usually the stronger, more stable one, but this time around we really see deep into Wyatt and feel his fear and confusion over the journey he is about to undertake.
We even witnessed the more supporting characters change. Then again they did have to, either in this book or the last book, face some pretty important events that would force anyone to change. I mean…yeah. I even felt for the vampires!
Seriously, the character growth in this book was amazing.
Phin is another character I want to mention. In this book, he is totally bad-ass. Yet he still has that softer side – the side that makes you want to tell him anything because you know, without a doubt, that you can trust him with it. He is a little perturbed in this book and we really see how he is when someone messes with a loved one. Yes, we got a good idea in the second book, but for some reason, I feel we see it even better this time around. I love Phin’s character. I love how he is a main-ish character and is male yet is only friends with Evy – that there is no romantic anything there. I would not be disappointed at all if Phin suddenly decided to create a bit of a love triangle with Evy and Wyatt, but in the end Evy and Wyatt belong together so the love triangle would be moot. But really, I just want to see Phin kiss someone. I bet he’s a good kisser ;)
There is one more thing about this series, other than the characters and the world, that makes it unique: it’s the way it’s written. Each chapter is a different timeline. Book one counts down how much time Evy has left. In this book, you bounce from right after the events at the end of book three to present time (about a three month span). You see and sense tension between characters or events are being referred to that you are not completely sure of the details, then you are brought there and it all falls into place. It is really neat and brings a whole different dynamic to the stories.
It’s no secret that I am a huge fan of this series. It’s one of my absolute favorites. Everything about it, I like. Powerful characters mixed with interesting settings and a unique writing style. It’s Urban Fantasy the way it was meant to written. Wrong Side of Dead brings the series to places I wouldn’t have assumed it would go, but that work. It kept me guessing and I can’t wait to see what’s coming next.
Kelly Meding is back with the fourth installment in her Dreg City series, Wrong Side of Dead. This is such a unique and interesting series. Very dark and very gritty, you can’t have a light stomach to read these books. But, as I’ve said in past reviews, you never feel like the gore is too much or that it’s just there to make you squirm – it really blends well with the story and somehow just fits. It helps remind us that this world that Kelly created is dark and it helps us truly see just how strong her characters are. For anyone to be able to survive what these people survive, you have to be resilient and ridiculously brave. These are people who have been through hell and back and who are still standing, still ready to fight and still ready to help each other out. And as much as the world impresses me in this series, the characters impress me more.
The series is told from Evy’s perspective. Her story is insane. Her story is also what makes this series so different. Ever since she was brought back from the dead (no, she’s not a zombie – she’s way cooler) in book one, Evy has struggled. She’s not sure who she is or what her purpose is. She’s dealing with feelings from ‘old’ Evy and ‘new’ Evy and isn’t sure how to mesh everything together. She’s always a strong, kick ass chick filled with heart and loyalty but her vulnerability and how she deals with what her new life throws at her is what makes her truly special. I have enjoyed her journey in these books, and I loved where her character went in Wrong Side of Dead. I feel like Evy finally has some closure and has a better understanding of who she is now. She has grown in leaps and bounds and is almost at peace with her new life. I was so happy for her because if someone deserves a happy moment or two, it’s Evy.
Speaking of happy moments or two, Wyatt really needs that. Especially after this installment. I never would have anticipated where his character has ended up. Evy is usually the one who carries the ‘vulnerability torch’ in their relationship and Wyatt is usually the stronger, more stable one, but this time around we really see deep into Wyatt and feel his fear and confusion over the journey he is about to undertake.
We even witnessed the more supporting characters change. Then again they did have to, either in this book or the last book, face some pretty important events that would force anyone to change. I mean…yeah. I even felt for the vampires!
Seriously, the character growth in this book was amazing.
Phin is another character I want to mention. In this book, he is totally bad-ass. Yet he still has that softer side – the side that makes you want to tell him anything because you know, without a doubt, that you can trust him with it. He is a little perturbed in this book and we really see how he is when someone messes with a loved one. Yes, we got a good idea in the second book, but for some reason, I feel we see it even better this time around. I love Phin’s character. I love how he is a main-ish character and is male yet is only friends with Evy – that there is no romantic anything there. I would not be disappointed at all if Phin suddenly decided to create a bit of a love triangle with Evy and Wyatt, but in the end Evy and Wyatt belong together so the love triangle would be moot. But really, I just want to see Phin kiss someone. I bet he’s a good kisser ;)
There is one more thing about this series, other than the characters and the world, that makes it unique: it’s the way it’s written. Each chapter is a different timeline. Book one counts down how much time Evy has left. In this book, you bounce from right after the events at the end of book three to present time (about a three month span). You see and sense tension between characters or events are being referred to that you are not completely sure of the details, then you are brought there and it all falls into place. It is really neat and brings a whole different dynamic to the stories.
It’s no secret that I am a huge fan of this series. It’s one of my absolute favorites. Everything about it, I like. Powerful characters mixed with interesting settings and a unique writing style. It’s Urban Fantasy the way it was meant to written. Wrong Side of Dead brings the series to places I wouldn’t have assumed it would go, but that work. It kept me guessing and I can’t wait to see what’s coming next.
August 12, 2012
MEDING HAS DONE IT AGAIN!
I have yet to be disappointed with anything Kelly Meding has written. Her stories are always exciting, interesting, dramatic and full of lovely, juicy action scenes and often some highly emotional ones, too.
I also enjoy the dangly carrot method of writing she likes to employ that keeps you furiously turning the pages of her books. I am, of course, referring to the flashback plot device. This is something that has been consistent with all four books in the series so far, as we've slowly built the characters' back stories.
I know flashbacks probably aren't everyone's idea of a good time. And I can see how they might be confusing, and maybe even a little annoying at times for some people. But as a method of tweaking your interest to make you desperate for answers, they really are effective. And for me, as a big L.O.S.T fan back in the day, they feel perfectly natural and are very well executed by Meding, in my most humble opinion.
I don't know much about the process of writing a book, but I can only imagine that using jumping time lines like this must make your job that much harder. Trying to keep everything straight, or not straight, as the case may be. I found it fascinating, therefore, that Meding not only does this, but that she also changes from past tense prose for the present day scenes, to present tense for the flashbacks... You know, 'cause clearly before it was just not complicated enough for her! Pfft!
Is the woman some sort of masochist, maybe? I'm just sayin'.
Well, whatever the reason behind it, it really works, and there was not one section of the book, no matter which time we were in, that was slow or dull in any way. It is slightly different from the previous three books in that instead of flashing back to before Evy got her new bod, we have jumped forward four weeks and are flashing back to events between now and the end of the last book. And a lot of things have changed, let me tell you! You might even find yourself wondering if you missed a book somewhere. You haven't. And it will all become clear... eventually.
It's hard to discuss the actual plot without giving anything away, so I'm not going to bother other than to say that a former nemesis is back in town and they haven't given up on their master plan muah ha ha ha! As villains go, they're pretty scary simply because they are completely insane. And you just can't reason with the crazies. You just can't.
So, in sum, if you are an Urban Fantasy fan and you haven't read anything by Meding yet, you are seriously missing out on some top quality UF. You are pretty much guaranteed a fast-paced, action-packed tale full of twists, turns, shocks and WTF's. So go add her to your shelf, like, right now! That's an order!
5 Stars! ★★★★★
Review Copy: Received from the publisher for an honest review
I have yet to be disappointed with anything Kelly Meding has written. Her stories are always exciting, interesting, dramatic and full of lovely, juicy action scenes and often some highly emotional ones, too.
I also enjoy the dangly carrot method of writing she likes to employ that keeps you furiously turning the pages of her books. I am, of course, referring to the flashback plot device. This is something that has been consistent with all four books in the series so far, as we've slowly built the characters' back stories.
I know flashbacks probably aren't everyone's idea of a good time. And I can see how they might be confusing, and maybe even a little annoying at times for some people. But as a method of tweaking your interest to make you desperate for answers, they really are effective. And for me, as a big L.O.S.T fan back in the day, they feel perfectly natural and are very well executed by Meding, in my most humble opinion.
I don't know much about the process of writing a book, but I can only imagine that using jumping time lines like this must make your job that much harder. Trying to keep everything straight, or not straight, as the case may be. I found it fascinating, therefore, that Meding not only does this, but that she also changes from past tense prose for the present day scenes, to present tense for the flashbacks... You know, 'cause clearly before it was just not complicated enough for her! Pfft!
Is the woman some sort of masochist, maybe? I'm just sayin'.
Well, whatever the reason behind it, it really works, and there was not one section of the book, no matter which time we were in, that was slow or dull in any way. It is slightly different from the previous three books in that instead of flashing back to before Evy got her new bod, we have jumped forward four weeks and are flashing back to events between now and the end of the last book. And a lot of things have changed, let me tell you! You might even find yourself wondering if you missed a book somewhere. You haven't. And it will all become clear... eventually.
It's hard to discuss the actual plot without giving anything away, so I'm not going to bother other than to say that a former nemesis is back in town and they haven't given up on their master plan muah ha ha ha! As villains go, they're pretty scary simply because they are completely insane. And you just can't reason with the crazies. You just can't.
So, in sum, if you are an Urban Fantasy fan and you haven't read anything by Meding yet, you are seriously missing out on some top quality UF. You are pretty much guaranteed a fast-paced, action-packed tale full of twists, turns, shocks and WTF's. So go add her to your shelf, like, right now! That's an order!
5 Stars! ★★★★★
Review Copy: Received from the publisher for an honest review
April 10, 2012
*Genre* Urban Fantasy
*Rating* 4.0
*Review* (Series Update)
Wrong Side of Dead is the fourth novel in Kelly Meding’s Dreg City series. When it comes to timeline of events, this story takes place 3 weeks after Evy escaped the mad scientist Walter Thackery who tortured her, and left her for dead (Another Kind of Dead) and 3 months after she was killed by a goblin queen and woke up in her current body (Three Days to Dead).
This story is uniquely different in many ways from the previous three installments. Instead of events happening one after the other, Meding flashes back to Evy’s recovery and the fact that the Triad’s as they once were, are no longer an operational unit and those in charge have disappeared and are presumed dead by suicide or possible interference from the Fey Council and Amalie. There was also a flashback to show how one of their own remaining hunters Felix, was turned into a Halfie and what happened afterward.
It’s also a fact in point that Evy and Wyatt are once again trying to figure out where they are in their tumultuous relationship that just keeps going up and down like a rollercoaster ride. I know there are those who tire of this relationship and wish they would just figure it all out or find someone else to be with. I truly believe you will have your wish by the time this book is over and done.
Evangeline (Evy) Stone once again is a kick-ass and take names later kind of heroine. She is fierce and loyal to a fault, but isn’t shy about showing her feelings and using some colorful commentary to get her point across. She has a cool new power of transportation and she is very protective of her goddaughter Ava who goes missing and is used by Thackery for creating his Halfies who now have functional capabilities.
The biggest surprise of this book is that the Triad survivors including Gina Kismet, Milo Grant, Adrian Baylor, Evy and Wyatt, are now working together with vampires and Therians (shape shifters) in a fragile new alliance to bring down Thackery and Halflings once and for ever.
The so called Triumvirate’s goal is to protect the city and its resident from Halfies at all costs. Whether or not this alliance remains intact shall be determined over the course of future releases since Thackerys deviousness knows no boundaries when it comes to eliminating the vampires from Dreg City.
Once again Phineas (Phin) el Chimal (Osprey shifter) is featured prominently after members of his own pride are taken as hostages by Thackery’s agents of chaos. I must say that I am proud of Meding for not crossing the line and having a 3-way love triangle with Evy and Wyatt as the third parts. Evy and Phin worked together and are friends. That's all there needs to be said about that. I can’t tell you how much I was doing the happy dance after Evy got in Wyatt’s face about Fin and Evy’s friendship and Wyatt’s jealously by basically telling him to shit or get off the pot.
The second surprise surrounds Wyatt after he is seriously injured and learns that he is more than human now after being infected with Lupa blood. A fact that the alliance and Elders find disturbing since he is the first one who has been infected in centuries. How does this all figure in with Wyatt’s gift? Where this twist sends the series is anyone’s guess. Let’s allow Meding the chance to drive this bus before we all get off and complain shall we?
The last surprise, and most enjoyable fact, is that Evy doesn’t end up dead or beaten down so seriously that you wonder how in the hell Meding can continue to torture her heroine so much. I mean, seriously, she’s been killed by a goblin, blown up, and lost part of her hand due Thackery and his warped sense of what he considers duty, and those she comes in contact with end up dead, or in really bad shape.
This is one of my favorite series and try to ensure that I somehow get my hands on this book whether it be by borrowing it from the local library, or hoping like hell that I can get an advanced reading copy of the novel.
**According to Meding's web page, this series is now on hold until further notice. It seems that once again a publisher has decided to drop a series due to low sales. Meding encourages others who love this series to spread the word including to your local libraries who may not carry these books.
I think that's a wonderful idea. I'm tired of publishers dropping series and leaving authors and readers in the lark. We've encouraged Meding to continue the series but as a self published option in the near future. Here I am keeping my fingers crossed that she does.**
*Rating* 4.0
*Review* (Series Update)
Wrong Side of Dead is the fourth novel in Kelly Meding’s Dreg City series. When it comes to timeline of events, this story takes place 3 weeks after Evy escaped the mad scientist Walter Thackery who tortured her, and left her for dead (Another Kind of Dead) and 3 months after she was killed by a goblin queen and woke up in her current body (Three Days to Dead).
This story is uniquely different in many ways from the previous three installments. Instead of events happening one after the other, Meding flashes back to Evy’s recovery and the fact that the Triad’s as they once were, are no longer an operational unit and those in charge have disappeared and are presumed dead by suicide or possible interference from the Fey Council and Amalie. There was also a flashback to show how one of their own remaining hunters Felix, was turned into a Halfie and what happened afterward.
It’s also a fact in point that Evy and Wyatt are once again trying to figure out where they are in their tumultuous relationship that just keeps going up and down like a rollercoaster ride. I know there are those who tire of this relationship and wish they would just figure it all out or find someone else to be with. I truly believe you will have your wish by the time this book is over and done.
Evangeline (Evy) Stone once again is a kick-ass and take names later kind of heroine. She is fierce and loyal to a fault, but isn’t shy about showing her feelings and using some colorful commentary to get her point across. She has a cool new power of transportation and she is very protective of her goddaughter Ava who goes missing and is used by Thackery for creating his Halfies who now have functional capabilities.
The biggest surprise of this book is that the Triad survivors including Gina Kismet, Milo Grant, Adrian Baylor, Evy and Wyatt, are now working together with vampires and Therians (shape shifters) in a fragile new alliance to bring down Thackery and Halflings once and for ever.
The so called Triumvirate’s goal is to protect the city and its resident from Halfies at all costs. Whether or not this alliance remains intact shall be determined over the course of future releases since Thackerys deviousness knows no boundaries when it comes to eliminating the vampires from Dreg City.
Once again Phineas (Phin) el Chimal (Osprey shifter) is featured prominently after members of his own pride are taken as hostages by Thackery’s agents of chaos. I must say that I am proud of Meding for not crossing the line and having a 3-way love triangle with Evy and Wyatt as the third parts. Evy and Phin worked together and are friends. That's all there needs to be said about that. I can’t tell you how much I was doing the happy dance after Evy got in Wyatt’s face about Fin and Evy’s friendship and Wyatt’s jealously by basically telling him to shit or get off the pot.
The second surprise surrounds Wyatt after he is seriously injured and learns that he is more than human now after being infected with Lupa blood. A fact that the alliance and Elders find disturbing since he is the first one who has been infected in centuries. How does this all figure in with Wyatt’s gift? Where this twist sends the series is anyone’s guess. Let’s allow Meding the chance to drive this bus before we all get off and complain shall we?
The last surprise, and most enjoyable fact, is that Evy doesn’t end up dead or beaten down so seriously that you wonder how in the hell Meding can continue to torture her heroine so much. I mean, seriously, she’s been killed by a goblin, blown up, and lost part of her hand due Thackery and his warped sense of what he considers duty, and those she comes in contact with end up dead, or in really bad shape.
This is one of my favorite series and try to ensure that I somehow get my hands on this book whether it be by borrowing it from the local library, or hoping like hell that I can get an advanced reading copy of the novel.
**According to Meding's web page, this series is now on hold until further notice. It seems that once again a publisher has decided to drop a series due to low sales. Meding encourages others who love this series to spread the word including to your local libraries who may not carry these books.
I think that's a wonderful idea. I'm tired of publishers dropping series and leaving authors and readers in the lark. We've encouraged Meding to continue the series but as a self published option in the near future. Here I am keeping my fingers crossed that she does.**
February 10, 2012
WRONG SIDE OF DEAD ended up being my favorite Dreg City book yet. Its been a few months since the events of book 3 ANOTHER KIND OF DEAD. The story jumps a bit between the past (couple months ago) and the present day. There were a few points that that got a bit annoying but only because something good or suspenseful was going on and I was impatient to find out what would happen next.
I couldn't imagine a better fit in the series then Evy and Wyatt. They have been through so many ups and downs that you would think they could survive anything at this point but Evy's latest kidnapping really did a number on both of them and they are on a break when WRONG SIDE OF DEAD starts. We get taken through a lot of growing, soul searching and realizations. It was very easy to imagine being in the story with them. Kelly did a fantastic job conveying feelings and situations. All of the characters in the Dreg City Series are very strongly portrayed. I can picture the way they look and the way they act when they are described. There wasn't as much action as in previous books but the emotion was high and it still left me flipping the pages to find out what would happen next.
If you are new to the series you really should start with book 1, Evy has been through A LOT. She has been tortured, she has died, she has come back to life in a new body, she has been tortured again. There is way to much back story that you would miss if you jumped in at this point and its worth starting at the beginning. I don't think this is the last book in the series but if it ended up being the last I would be happy with where it ended. This is a great darker urban fantasy series to add to your book shelf.
I couldn't imagine a better fit in the series then Evy and Wyatt. They have been through so many ups and downs that you would think they could survive anything at this point but Evy's latest kidnapping really did a number on both of them and they are on a break when WRONG SIDE OF DEAD starts. We get taken through a lot of growing, soul searching and realizations. It was very easy to imagine being in the story with them. Kelly did a fantastic job conveying feelings and situations. All of the characters in the Dreg City Series are very strongly portrayed. I can picture the way they look and the way they act when they are described. There wasn't as much action as in previous books but the emotion was high and it still left me flipping the pages to find out what would happen next.
If you are new to the series you really should start with book 1, Evy has been through A LOT. She has been tortured, she has died, she has come back to life in a new body, she has been tortured again. There is way to much back story that you would miss if you jumped in at this point and its worth starting at the beginning. I don't think this is the last book in the series but if it ended up being the last I would be happy with where it ended. This is a great darker urban fantasy series to add to your book shelf.
February 22, 2012
I normally really like this series, but this book seemed to be off to me. Part of it is that I am getting tired of the whole Wyatt and Evy drama, they are off, then on, then off again, all the while declaring their love for each other. I also am getting tired of Evy dying all the time. It seems like she has more lives that a cat. The whole timeline and flashbacks didn't work for me. I would have enjoyed the story more if it was more linear.
But there were things that I really liked. I like the start of Watchtower and the mall. I think there are all sorts of possibilities here. I really love the friendship that keeps evolving between Evy and Phineas. Part of me wishes that Evy could get over Wyatt and end up with Phin. I think they are more suited to each other.
Even with all my issues of this book I will be reading the next one.
But there were things that I really liked. I like the start of Watchtower and the mall. I think there are all sorts of possibilities here. I really love the friendship that keeps evolving between Evy and Phineas. Part of me wishes that Evy could get over Wyatt and end up with Phin. I think they are more suited to each other.
Even with all my issues of this book I will be reading the next one.
March 10, 2012
Couldn't decide between 4 and 5 stars, so technically, I'm giving this 4.5 stars!
Originally posted at http://addicted2heroines.blogspot.com...
Wrong Side of Dead, Kelly Meding's fourth Dreg City novel, takes place almost a month after Evy's rescue from the hands of the mad scientist, Walter Thackery. We find out that Evy and Wyatt are on a break. They had a huge argument and Evy feels like her relationship with Wyatt is broken due to her own doing. Wyatt, Phin, Kismet, Tybalt and the remaining Triad members and handlers have reached a tentative agreement with the Therians (shifters) and vampires in Dreg City to protect human from the Halfies (half-blooded vampires). This affiliation of species makes their base at The Watchtower, the shopping mall that has appeared in previous books.
As a rule, Halfies are deranged and violent. What is turning up in Dreg City are lucid and almost sane Halfies. At the beginning of the book, we learn that Aurora, Ava (Evy's shifter Goddaughter) and Joseph, all members of Clan Coni and Phin's only remaining brethren, are kidnapped and the race is on to find them before they are executed.
Meding's storytelling improves with this fourth installment of the Dreg City series. She masterfully uses flashback chapters to tell the story of Evy and Wyatt's breakup, the unfortunate event that happens to ex-triad member Felix, and of how the Watchtower came into existence. These flashback chapters are sprinkled throughout the book. Meding uses past tense when writing about the action occurring in the present, and present tense in the flashback chapters. It is risky story-telling, but she pulls it off beautifully.
Although Evy and Wyatt are on uncertain terms, it is obvious that they love one another very much. Evy and Wyatt continue to work together on official business, while Evy trains to get her body (okay, Chalice's body) back into fighting shape. While out on assignment, Wyatt is injured and spends a good chunk of this book fighting for his life in a coma. Now, while I would rather have more Wyatt in this story, this gives Evy a chance to come to terms with what she believes are her failures, and allows her to begin healing from the torturous events of her past.
Phin is present in this book, and I am SO happy that Kelly Meding didn't make him into a third of a love triangle. I like it that Phin and Evy are very close friends. There are no romantic notions between them, and I find it very refreshing. Phin is very loyal to and supportive of Evy, and he helps her to understand that life is too short to push away people that she loves. Evy has already traded in her life for Phin once, and I am sure that Phin would gladly return the favor. It's a lovely friendship these two have.
The twist towards the end involving Wyatt was difficult for me to take. I don't know what's going to happen with Wyatt, but I know it will be interesting to read. This whole book was filled with action and only snippets of personal reflection. There was a nice mix, and it kept the plot moving and intriguing. There is much violence and bad-ass fighting in this book, and one explosion in particular that I won't forget anytime soon.
I believe that this is the best book to date in this series, and I look forward to the release of the next book. Evy is quickly becoming one of my favorite, kick-ass heroines, and Wyatt had become a truly alpha-type hero. But please, can Ms. Meding give this girl a break? She needs a little R&R time.
Favorite Quotes:
"I know what it's like to spend hour after hour, day after day, in agony, just praying the pain will stop. But it doesn't. It's always there, even when you're asleep. You can't get away from it. The goblins tortured me, Thackery tortured me, and both times, I'd have given anything for it to stop. Even if it was just for a few minutes. And all I had to look forward to was death."
"Most of my life, I thought love was just something people did in movies. That in real life, people hurt each other and left and you just picked up the pieces for the next person who came along to hurt you."
"Love makes me stronger." I laughed, choked and wiped my nose on my arm. "That sounds like a fucking greeting card, I know."
Originally posted at http://addicted2heroines.blogspot.com...
Wrong Side of Dead, Kelly Meding's fourth Dreg City novel, takes place almost a month after Evy's rescue from the hands of the mad scientist, Walter Thackery. We find out that Evy and Wyatt are on a break. They had a huge argument and Evy feels like her relationship with Wyatt is broken due to her own doing. Wyatt, Phin, Kismet, Tybalt and the remaining Triad members and handlers have reached a tentative agreement with the Therians (shifters) and vampires in Dreg City to protect human from the Halfies (half-blooded vampires). This affiliation of species makes their base at The Watchtower, the shopping mall that has appeared in previous books.
As a rule, Halfies are deranged and violent. What is turning up in Dreg City are lucid and almost sane Halfies. At the beginning of the book, we learn that Aurora, Ava (Evy's shifter Goddaughter) and Joseph, all members of Clan Coni and Phin's only remaining brethren, are kidnapped and the race is on to find them before they are executed.
Meding's storytelling improves with this fourth installment of the Dreg City series. She masterfully uses flashback chapters to tell the story of Evy and Wyatt's breakup, the unfortunate event that happens to ex-triad member Felix, and of how the Watchtower came into existence. These flashback chapters are sprinkled throughout the book. Meding uses past tense when writing about the action occurring in the present, and present tense in the flashback chapters. It is risky story-telling, but she pulls it off beautifully.
Although Evy and Wyatt are on uncertain terms, it is obvious that they love one another very much. Evy and Wyatt continue to work together on official business, while Evy trains to get her body (okay, Chalice's body) back into fighting shape. While out on assignment, Wyatt is injured and spends a good chunk of this book fighting for his life in a coma. Now, while I would rather have more Wyatt in this story, this gives Evy a chance to come to terms with what she believes are her failures, and allows her to begin healing from the torturous events of her past.
Phin is present in this book, and I am SO happy that Kelly Meding didn't make him into a third of a love triangle. I like it that Phin and Evy are very close friends. There are no romantic notions between them, and I find it very refreshing. Phin is very loyal to and supportive of Evy, and he helps her to understand that life is too short to push away people that she loves. Evy has already traded in her life for Phin once, and I am sure that Phin would gladly return the favor. It's a lovely friendship these two have.
The twist towards the end involving Wyatt was difficult for me to take. I don't know what's going to happen with Wyatt, but I know it will be interesting to read. This whole book was filled with action and only snippets of personal reflection. There was a nice mix, and it kept the plot moving and intriguing. There is much violence and bad-ass fighting in this book, and one explosion in particular that I won't forget anytime soon.
I believe that this is the best book to date in this series, and I look forward to the release of the next book. Evy is quickly becoming one of my favorite, kick-ass heroines, and Wyatt had become a truly alpha-type hero. But please, can Ms. Meding give this girl a break? She needs a little R&R time.
Favorite Quotes:
"I know what it's like to spend hour after hour, day after day, in agony, just praying the pain will stop. But it doesn't. It's always there, even when you're asleep. You can't get away from it. The goblins tortured me, Thackery tortured me, and both times, I'd have given anything for it to stop. Even if it was just for a few minutes. And all I had to look forward to was death."
"Most of my life, I thought love was just something people did in movies. That in real life, people hurt each other and left and you just picked up the pieces for the next person who came along to hurt you."
"Love makes me stronger." I laughed, choked and wiped my nose on my arm. "That sounds like a fucking greeting card, I know."
February 6, 2012
3.5 stars
My biggest issues with this book are more technical:
Unlike the other books where the timeline is linear, this one starts in the present, where I'm shoved into action, with reference to something in the past. I feel like I just step into the unknown, feeling confused about what has happened. Evy talking about her breakup with Wyatt, and I am like, "WHAT?! Aren't they just so positively in love in the end of book #3??". Then about several chapters later, there's the "BEFORE" timeline, where the 'past' is finally unraveled to me. It happens a couple of times. While I admit that it works in the end, but it disrupt my way of reading.
The other technical issue is, Ms. Meding RARELY gives some sort of 'recap' of what has happened previously. I don't have good memory, and I struggle to remember a story that I read a year before. I always struggle to remember the secondary characters names. I just need a couple of pointers.
Aside from that, this book is choc full of action, with a couple of twist!! I still cannot believe what these characters are going through. Since the story doesn't move too long from the last one, Evy has just survived one catastrophy, and now facing another. The evil scientist who kidnapped her for three weeks (and made her lost her finger) is back with another threat, after being successfully raise werewolves as his family. Phin's "family" is kidnapped, and so do other Therians (shapeshifters). Her lover, Wyatt, is bitten by Lupa (werewolf Clan), and goes into comma.
A couple of secondary characters succumb to their death, vampires are being exposed to disease ... allies becomes enemies, and enemies become friends (spoiler: ). While it is not directly Evy who is experiencing all the troubles, but still, it's her friends.
At least one of the 'big' villain is dead. I wonder with the development of Wyatt now , what will happen in the next book.
I really like that Phin's role is getting bigger. The were-osprey is very significant here. I like how he's being Evy's best friend with no romantic tone. It's easy to make him another love interest for Evy, to be one of those never ending love triangle, but I'm glad it doesn't go there. He needs his own love interest though :).
Another secondary character whose role I wish to be bigger next time is Milo, another Hunter. Simply because he's gay. Yes, I'm a supporter for LGBT character in mainstream novels, so I'm glad that this book has one.
My biggest issues with this book are more technical:
Unlike the other books where the timeline is linear, this one starts in the present, where I'm shoved into action, with reference to something in the past. I feel like I just step into the unknown, feeling confused about what has happened. Evy talking about her breakup with Wyatt, and I am like, "WHAT?! Aren't they just so positively in love in the end of book #3??". Then about several chapters later, there's the "BEFORE" timeline, where the 'past' is finally unraveled to me. It happens a couple of times. While I admit that it works in the end, but it disrupt my way of reading.
The other technical issue is, Ms. Meding RARELY gives some sort of 'recap' of what has happened previously. I don't have good memory, and I struggle to remember a story that I read a year before. I always struggle to remember the secondary characters names. I just need a couple of pointers.
Aside from that, this book is choc full of action, with a couple of twist!! I still cannot believe what these characters are going through. Since the story doesn't move too long from the last one, Evy has just survived one catastrophy, and now facing another. The evil scientist who kidnapped her for three weeks (and made her lost her finger) is back with another threat, after being successfully raise werewolves as his family. Phin's "family" is kidnapped, and so do other Therians (shapeshifters). Her lover, Wyatt, is bitten by Lupa (werewolf Clan), and goes into comma.
A couple of secondary characters succumb to their death, vampires are being exposed to disease ... allies becomes enemies, and enemies become friends (spoiler: ). While it is not directly Evy who is experiencing all the troubles, but still, it's her friends.
At least one of the 'big' villain is dead. I wonder with the development of Wyatt now , what will happen in the next book.
I really like that Phin's role is getting bigger. The were-osprey is very significant here. I like how he's being Evy's best friend with no romantic tone. It's easy to make him another love interest for Evy, to be one of those never ending love triangle, but I'm glad it doesn't go there. He needs his own love interest though :).
Another secondary character whose role I wish to be bigger next time is Milo, another Hunter. Simply because he's gay. Yes, I'm a supporter for LGBT character in mainstream novels, so I'm glad that this book has one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 28, 2013
Title: Wrong side of Dead
Series: Dreg City bk 4
Author: Kelly Meding
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Monster hunter Evangeline Stone woke up on the wrong side of dead this morning—and now there’s hell to pay.
Barely recovered from her extended torture at the hands of mad scientist Walter Thackery, Evy can use a break. What she gets instead is a war, as the battered Triads that keep Dreg City safe find themselves under attack by half-Blood vampires who have somehow retained their reason, making them twice as lethal. Worse, the Halfies are joined by a breed of were-creature long believed extinct—back and more dangerous than ever. Meanwhile, Evy’s attempts at reconciliation with the man she loves take a hit after Wyatt is viciously assaulted—an attack traced to Thackery, who has not given up his quest to exterminate all vampires . . . even if he has to destroy Dreg City to do it. With Wyatt’s time running out, another threat emerges from the shadows and a staggering betrayal shatters the fragile alliance between the Triads, vampires, and shapeshifters, turning Evy’s world upside down forever.
There aren’t many books out there that I have read that I can say the main character has been killed not once but twice, revived twice, tortured and beat and has killed over 1000 people. Evy has been one of the most prolific and active main characters in this genre I’ve had the pleasure of reading. She is just so unique as a character, so powerful, and yet she fails, and is killed repeatedly, but somehow they are always able to bring Evy back, and she is able to become stronger and more resilient with every struggle, with every confrontation she learns, grows, adapts and it’s good to see an author that isn’t afraid of killing and bringing back her characters if it makes sense for the story. It’s not that I like the fact that she gets killed, but I like the evolution of Evy how she grows with every death.
The reason I’m so drawn to the story has everything to do with the way Kelly Meding writes her stories. They are Crazy, constant movement, its Nonstop action and activity and the book is over before you even realize it, because you’ve gotten so sucked into the novel that you are in it and invested in the novel before you even remember being so interested in these characters. It’s so compelling, and so entrancing and mesmerizing that you end up so excited by what you are reading and so actively involved in it that you turn the last page. I would recommend this book to any paranormal lover.
Grade A
Review by: Helen
http://www.thebookreadinggals.com
Series: Dreg City bk 4
Author: Kelly Meding
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Monster hunter Evangeline Stone woke up on the wrong side of dead this morning—and now there’s hell to pay.
Barely recovered from her extended torture at the hands of mad scientist Walter Thackery, Evy can use a break. What she gets instead is a war, as the battered Triads that keep Dreg City safe find themselves under attack by half-Blood vampires who have somehow retained their reason, making them twice as lethal. Worse, the Halfies are joined by a breed of were-creature long believed extinct—back and more dangerous than ever. Meanwhile, Evy’s attempts at reconciliation with the man she loves take a hit after Wyatt is viciously assaulted—an attack traced to Thackery, who has not given up his quest to exterminate all vampires . . . even if he has to destroy Dreg City to do it. With Wyatt’s time running out, another threat emerges from the shadows and a staggering betrayal shatters the fragile alliance between the Triads, vampires, and shapeshifters, turning Evy’s world upside down forever.
There aren’t many books out there that I have read that I can say the main character has been killed not once but twice, revived twice, tortured and beat and has killed over 1000 people. Evy has been one of the most prolific and active main characters in this genre I’ve had the pleasure of reading. She is just so unique as a character, so powerful, and yet she fails, and is killed repeatedly, but somehow they are always able to bring Evy back, and she is able to become stronger and more resilient with every struggle, with every confrontation she learns, grows, adapts and it’s good to see an author that isn’t afraid of killing and bringing back her characters if it makes sense for the story. It’s not that I like the fact that she gets killed, but I like the evolution of Evy how she grows with every death.
The reason I’m so drawn to the story has everything to do with the way Kelly Meding writes her stories. They are Crazy, constant movement, its Nonstop action and activity and the book is over before you even realize it, because you’ve gotten so sucked into the novel that you are in it and invested in the novel before you even remember being so interested in these characters. It’s so compelling, and so entrancing and mesmerizing that you end up so excited by what you are reading and so actively involved in it that you turn the last page. I would recommend this book to any paranormal lover.
Grade A
Review by: Helen
http://www.thebookreadinggals.com
February 18, 2012
(Spoiler Alert:Do not read if you have no read the previous books in the series)
I’ll start by saying Wrong Side of Dead is my favorite book in the Dreg City series to date. It’s unbelievable how far the characters have all come in just a few months. It was Wrong Side of Dead that had me adding Kelly Meding to my short list of favorite authors.
>Wrong Side Of Dead opens not too long after Evy Stone was freed from the torturous hands of mad-scientist Walter Thackery. Evy was only gone a few weeks yet comes back to find the world she lives in gone. The Triads are gone, a few allies are now enemies, those she once hunted become friends, the believed to be extinct werewolves are alive and well and Thackery is still on the loose. Evy finds herself growing apart from Wyatt, who was always a constant in life, well lives. Now she adjusts to life at The Watchtower, the new sort of boot camp that is made up of humans, vampires and therians.
When half-blood vampires, who lose their sanity, start showing signs of possessing sanity and logic the Watchtower knows only one man can be behind it – Thackery. When various therians start disappearing, Evy takes the mission even more personally. Before she can even begin to track down Thackery, Wyatt is attacked and put on his deathbed. With time running for not only Wyatt but also the kidnapped therians, Evy must track down the man who tortured her for weeks to save the people she cares about and has sworn to protect. It won’t be easy Thackery has a way of being two steps ahead, but now Evy Stone has more motivation than ever.
I’ve become a huge fan of Meding’s action packed writing. While there are times I wish poor Evy would get a moment’s break, I do love the nonstop-page-turning action. Wrong Side of Dead is a bit different from the other books because there are a lot of flashbacks to fill in parts of the story. At times I became annoyed at not having the answers right away, but found it to keep me reading on. I advise anyone reading to keep note of the dates for the ‘present’ time and the flashbacks to avoid confusion. Overall, I loved Wrong Side of Dead, like I previously stated it’s my favorite in the series. I highly recommend this series to anyone who likes some nonstop supernatural reading.
Rating 10/10
I’ll start by saying Wrong Side of Dead is my favorite book in the Dreg City series to date. It’s unbelievable how far the characters have all come in just a few months. It was Wrong Side of Dead that had me adding Kelly Meding to my short list of favorite authors.
>Wrong Side Of Dead opens not too long after Evy Stone was freed from the torturous hands of mad-scientist Walter Thackery. Evy was only gone a few weeks yet comes back to find the world she lives in gone. The Triads are gone, a few allies are now enemies, those she once hunted become friends, the believed to be extinct werewolves are alive and well and Thackery is still on the loose. Evy finds herself growing apart from Wyatt, who was always a constant in life, well lives. Now she adjusts to life at The Watchtower, the new sort of boot camp that is made up of humans, vampires and therians.
When half-blood vampires, who lose their sanity, start showing signs of possessing sanity and logic the Watchtower knows only one man can be behind it – Thackery. When various therians start disappearing, Evy takes the mission even more personally. Before she can even begin to track down Thackery, Wyatt is attacked and put on his deathbed. With time running for not only Wyatt but also the kidnapped therians, Evy must track down the man who tortured her for weeks to save the people she cares about and has sworn to protect. It won’t be easy Thackery has a way of being two steps ahead, but now Evy Stone has more motivation than ever.
I’ve become a huge fan of Meding’s action packed writing. While there are times I wish poor Evy would get a moment’s break, I do love the nonstop-page-turning action. Wrong Side of Dead is a bit different from the other books because there are a lot of flashbacks to fill in parts of the story. At times I became annoyed at not having the answers right away, but found it to keep me reading on. I advise anyone reading to keep note of the dates for the ‘present’ time and the flashbacks to avoid confusion. Overall, I loved Wrong Side of Dead, like I previously stated it’s my favorite in the series. I highly recommend this series to anyone who likes some nonstop supernatural reading.
Rating 10/10
February 13, 2012
Dark and intense, probably the best book in the series so far. My only real complaint was in the way the author played around with the timeline. I don't mind that except it wasn't clear that she was doing that in the beginning, so when things were being discussed that I didn't remember at all, I thought they happened in the last book and I just couldn't remember, not an unusual problem for me but things usually come back to me pretty fast once they start being referred to. So it was frustrating, made me resent not being able to own the books and feel a bit more confused than I would have had to if she'd somehow indicated that the info would be revealed later.
But other than that it was a typical, intense, fast-paced story. I like the way that things are changing in the world of these protectors and the ways in which they're scrambling to try to come together to protect their own and the people of the city as well. It's all about shifting alliances as who they can (or can't) trust. It's kind of a transitional book, but certainly not a throw-away. And I'm looking forward to the next book very much.
But other than that it was a typical, intense, fast-paced story. I like the way that things are changing in the world of these protectors and the ways in which they're scrambling to try to come together to protect their own and the people of the city as well. It's all about shifting alliances as who they can (or can't) trust. It's kind of a transitional book, but certainly not a throw-away. And I'm looking forward to the next book very much.
February 20, 2012
3.5 stars. Evy gets a break from physical torture this time around, but there wasn't a lot of action in this book. Also, something happened after she returned from Thackery's that fractured her relationship with Wyatt. You don't find out what it was at first, but the events are slowly revealed when the story moves back and forth between the present and "Before" - the point when she just returned from Thackery's. It was a bit confusing at first, so pay attention to the chapter headings to keep up with what's going on.
With Evy's and Wyatt's relationship on the rocks, she pairs up with Phin and others to try to track down the Halfies, Lupas, and eventually, Thackery. I love Evy and Wyatt -- they are two of my all-time favorite characters. But there are also several strong and likable supporting characters in this series, like Phin, Marcus, and Milo. The writing is solid, and with this ending, I wouldn't be surprised if the next book follows Phin. I wouldn't mind that, either!
With Evy's and Wyatt's relationship on the rocks, she pairs up with Phin and others to try to track down the Halfies, Lupas, and eventually, Thackery. I love Evy and Wyatt -- they are two of my all-time favorite characters. But there are also several strong and likable supporting characters in this series, like Phin, Marcus, and Milo. The writing is solid, and with this ending, I wouldn't be surprised if the next book follows Phin. I wouldn't mind that, either!
January 6, 2016
I don't have a lot to say about this wonderful addition to a series I love. I couldn't put it down. There were a couple of parts explaining that what happened in really early books was part of a big scheme, and I wondered if she thought of this intrigue and subversion after she had already wrote the first couple, but overall, the novel worked for me. The plot was good, the pacing excellent--lots and lots of action, people in peril, emotional and tense moments, drama, fear, anger, love, betrayal, forgiveness, loss, etc. It was all here, just a little soupçon of melodrama, right up my alley, I'll admit it. I don't have anything specific to say about it, just that it worked for me and made me happy.
But seriously, she needs to get some M/M action going. I know she's a big fan of it--check out her bookshelves--so I need her to step it up and get our little gay love muffin a bf. 'nuff said.
If you are a fan, you'll love this one, too.
But seriously, she needs to get some M/M action going. I know she's a big fan of it--check out her bookshelves--so I need her to step it up and get our little gay love muffin a bf. 'nuff said.
If you are a fan, you'll love this one, too.
February 23, 2012
Fourth installment of Meding's Dreg City series; it does not disappoint. Evy Stone is back as a courageous, shockingly resilient, kick ass heroine. New characters are introduced and the Triads, out of necessity,join forces with shape shifters and vampires. There's two big surprises thrown in, which had me completely guessing where the story was going. Amazing action and pleasantly surprised about the character growth of Evy, finallly accepting her new self and reaching out, not running from affection. One of my favorite quotes from the book, by Evy "Loving makes me stronger. I laughed, choked, and wiped my nose of my arm. That sounds like a fucking greeting card, I know. But it gives me something more powerful to fight for than just honor and nameless, faceless innocents."
February 9, 2012
Another amazing book!!
Fast paced and keep you intrigued throughout.
The only thing that I don't like will be the sudden switch from present to before.
It's a bit confusing when the scene jumped to before .
I am glad there was a little "rest" for Evy after all those actions.
And I am glad she had worked out the relationship with Wyatt.
Looking forward to the next book!
Fast paced and keep you intrigued throughout.
The only thing that I don't like will be the sudden switch from present to before.
It's a bit confusing when the scene jumped to before .
I am glad there was a little "rest" for Evy after all those actions.
And I am glad she had worked out the relationship with Wyatt.
Looking forward to the next book!
June 3, 2013
I wish I could afford to buy every reader I know a copy of Kelly's work. THAT's how much I love and adore her writing and stories!
October 21, 2022
A pretty good book. I read the first 3 in the series this summer but then took a break from them. Last night I wanted to read and this book was the only one on my stand I hadn't read yet. So, yeah, you guessed it. I opened it up and was hooked by the end of the first page. And, yeah, I stayed up all night reading until I finished it!
The plot of this book was pretty good. Evy and her friends uncovered a long put-in-place plot by the fae. Evy and Wyatt work on their relationship. The main bad guy in the first 4 books finally gets what he deserves. Old friends turn into enemies and there are several surprises I never saw coming like the revival of the werewolves and who gets bitten by one!
It was so good that I was sad to see the last chapter appear!
The plot of this book was pretty good. Evy and her friends uncovered a long put-in-place plot by the fae. Evy and Wyatt work on their relationship. The main bad guy in the first 4 books finally gets what he deserves. Old friends turn into enemies and there are several surprises I never saw coming like the revival of the werewolves and who gets bitten by one!
It was so good that I was sad to see the last chapter appear!
August 29, 2017
Normally I'm OK with the POV time-jumping. Here, not so much. It doesn't increase the tension, if anything it decreases it. It wasn't confusing, but it was rather annoying. And honestly, the third book barely cleared the 3 star barrier without having an obnoxious start for no apparent reason. The people are horrible enough, and with the book structure getting in the way this one may be the deal breaker, I think I'm done here.
January 25, 2018
So this one would seem to somewhat wrap things up, but I see there's two more (that I don't have) so I guess not. I mean there were definitely loose ends that could be continued, but they definitely finished things off with one of the main antagonists.
Pretty good read, but again it seemed to take me longer than I thought it should/would. In fairness I'm gaming more as of late so that doesn't help, but I don't think it's all of it either.
Pretty good read, but again it seemed to take me longer than I thought it should/would. In fairness I'm gaming more as of late so that doesn't help, but I don't think it's all of it either.
June 28, 2022
The fourth volume in Meding's Dreg City series takes everything that she had built in the first three books, shakes it up, flips it and drops it on its head. Following her escape from torture at the hands of crazed scientist Walter Thackery, Evangeline "Evy" Stone returns to find an alliance forged between humans, vampires, and Therians (shape-shifters that change from animal to human form) united against a common foe, Thackery.
The devious geneticist is determined to find a cure for the infection in humans caused by vampire saliva. Years before, Thackery's wife and son had been attacked and bitten by half-human vampires (known as "Halfies"). When he was unable to find a cure for the raging, murderous insanity that consumes Halfie victims, Thackery had been forced to kill his family. Now, his obsession for finding the antidote has driven him far beyond the bounds of compassion and medical ethics and into ruthless barbarism. After a fruitless attempt to find it through sadistic experimentation on Evy Stone, whose uncanny ability to spontaneously heal was thought to be the answer, Thackery turns his attention along a new path of research...
The adventure begins when Boot Camp, a brutal military-style academy for training human Hunters, is attacked and destroyed by monstrous genetically-altered creatures created by Thackery himself. Evy Stone had been trained there as well as dozens of other Hunters who, upon graduation, are grouped in teams of three known as Triads and assigned to a Handler. The Handler is responsible for sending his or her Triad on missions throughout the city, typically to kill non-human creatures of the night when they get out of line.
This untested and dubious alliance of humans and non-humans makes its headquarters in an abandoned shopping mall, now retrofitted with a war room, crew quarters, infirmary, holding cells, cafeteria and gymnasium. A magic spell surrounds the area, subtly dissuading passersby from paying the slightest attention. The facility is dubbed "The Watchtower." No sooner does this new order set up shop than seven Therians are reported missing from their homes, thought to be kidnapped by agents working for Thackery.
To make matters worse, in a recent incursion with Halfies on a bus, one of their own Hunters, Felix, fell victim to their bite and has himself become one of them. He had managed to escape and is now at large. Due to the danger they pose to society, Halfies are hunted with extreme prejudice and killed on sight. Yet when Evy and her Therian allies corner Felix on the rooftop of a nightclub, they are surprised to find that he is rational, cogent and rather...well...sane. Rather than kill him, they capture and imprison Felix at the Watchtower for questioning where he admits to working with Thackery and that the scientist has found a drug that inhibits the madness caused by Halfie saliva. Unfortunately, before Felix can answer any further questions, a bomb implanted inside his body by Thackery detonates.
Although only Felix is killed, the bomb releases an airborne toxin that infects the pure-breed vampires living and working in the Watchtower. Worse, it is discovered that Thackery has employed not just one, but a pack of werewolves known as Lupa, long thought to be exterminated by the other Therians centuries ago. While on a mission, Evy and her Handler-turned-lover Wyatt Truman are attacked by one of the Lupa and Wyatt is bitten. It is not long before his body and mind are ravaged by the poison from the werewolf's saliva and the Watchtower's CMO is forced to induce coma to stabilize him.
With the odds now stacked against them, will the alliance be able to track down Thackery and the missing Therians before his new line of research leaves yet another trail of bodies in its wake? And what of Wyatt? Will he be cured of the poison that is turning man into beast, or will Evy lose him forever?
And is there an even deeper conspiracy at work? One that calls into question the very founding of the Triads, Boot Camp and the Hunters?
Like the other books in the series, Wrong Side of Dead is a quick, action-packed read that ties up a few loose ends in the previous books without actually resolving all of them—and introduces two or three more. Clues and hints, cleverly sprinkled throughout the series, bear fruit here and are clear evidence of thorough world-building and plotting. Word has it that although Bantam Dell has canceled the Dreg City series, Meding will self-publish the fifth installment. As of this writing, I have not heard of a release date.
Overall, it has been an enjoyable saga thus far. As far as protagonists go, Evy Stone is at times amazing and other times infuriating and unreasonable. However, like any good hero, she undergoes an obvious change from hard-ass killer—who actually enjoys her job—to rape and murder victim only to be resurrected in a new body and slowly transform into a woman still more than capable of handling herself, but also of expressing love and kindness in a life that has precious little of either. As the review states in the cover image below, Meding is a real storyteller who knows how to move the story along, write dynamic action scenes and develop strong, memorable characters.
The devious geneticist is determined to find a cure for the infection in humans caused by vampire saliva. Years before, Thackery's wife and son had been attacked and bitten by half-human vampires (known as "Halfies"). When he was unable to find a cure for the raging, murderous insanity that consumes Halfie victims, Thackery had been forced to kill his family. Now, his obsession for finding the antidote has driven him far beyond the bounds of compassion and medical ethics and into ruthless barbarism. After a fruitless attempt to find it through sadistic experimentation on Evy Stone, whose uncanny ability to spontaneously heal was thought to be the answer, Thackery turns his attention along a new path of research...
The adventure begins when Boot Camp, a brutal military-style academy for training human Hunters, is attacked and destroyed by monstrous genetically-altered creatures created by Thackery himself. Evy Stone had been trained there as well as dozens of other Hunters who, upon graduation, are grouped in teams of three known as Triads and assigned to a Handler. The Handler is responsible for sending his or her Triad on missions throughout the city, typically to kill non-human creatures of the night when they get out of line.
This untested and dubious alliance of humans and non-humans makes its headquarters in an abandoned shopping mall, now retrofitted with a war room, crew quarters, infirmary, holding cells, cafeteria and gymnasium. A magic spell surrounds the area, subtly dissuading passersby from paying the slightest attention. The facility is dubbed "The Watchtower." No sooner does this new order set up shop than seven Therians are reported missing from their homes, thought to be kidnapped by agents working for Thackery.
To make matters worse, in a recent incursion with Halfies on a bus, one of their own Hunters, Felix, fell victim to their bite and has himself become one of them. He had managed to escape and is now at large. Due to the danger they pose to society, Halfies are hunted with extreme prejudice and killed on sight. Yet when Evy and her Therian allies corner Felix on the rooftop of a nightclub, they are surprised to find that he is rational, cogent and rather...well...sane. Rather than kill him, they capture and imprison Felix at the Watchtower for questioning where he admits to working with Thackery and that the scientist has found a drug that inhibits the madness caused by Halfie saliva. Unfortunately, before Felix can answer any further questions, a bomb implanted inside his body by Thackery detonates.
Although only Felix is killed, the bomb releases an airborne toxin that infects the pure-breed vampires living and working in the Watchtower. Worse, it is discovered that Thackery has employed not just one, but a pack of werewolves known as Lupa, long thought to be exterminated by the other Therians centuries ago. While on a mission, Evy and her Handler-turned-lover Wyatt Truman are attacked by one of the Lupa and Wyatt is bitten. It is not long before his body and mind are ravaged by the poison from the werewolf's saliva and the Watchtower's CMO is forced to induce coma to stabilize him.
With the odds now stacked against them, will the alliance be able to track down Thackery and the missing Therians before his new line of research leaves yet another trail of bodies in its wake? And what of Wyatt? Will he be cured of the poison that is turning man into beast, or will Evy lose him forever?
And is there an even deeper conspiracy at work? One that calls into question the very founding of the Triads, Boot Camp and the Hunters?
Like the other books in the series, Wrong Side of Dead is a quick, action-packed read that ties up a few loose ends in the previous books without actually resolving all of them—and introduces two or three more. Clues and hints, cleverly sprinkled throughout the series, bear fruit here and are clear evidence of thorough world-building and plotting. Word has it that although Bantam Dell has canceled the Dreg City series, Meding will self-publish the fifth installment. As of this writing, I have not heard of a release date.
Overall, it has been an enjoyable saga thus far. As far as protagonists go, Evy Stone is at times amazing and other times infuriating and unreasonable. However, like any good hero, she undergoes an obvious change from hard-ass killer—who actually enjoys her job—to rape and murder victim only to be resurrected in a new body and slowly transform into a woman still more than capable of handling herself, but also of expressing love and kindness in a life that has precious little of either. As the review states in the cover image below, Meding is a real storyteller who knows how to move the story along, write dynamic action scenes and develop strong, memorable characters.
August 31, 2017
Evy is quite possibly one of my favorite female leads. Kelly writes her with the perfect balance of kickass-ness, vulnerability and sassiness without being over the top and annoying. That, and she's surrounded by all kinds of wonderful 'support' characters, well-rounded, tough, vulnerable and loveable/hateable (bad dudes/dudettes).
I love this series.
I love this series.
February 1, 2019
Been awhile since I read the previous novels, but the author does a good job of bringing up the main events in this book. Flashbacks are clear enough with date and times listed at the start of the chapters.
Some interesting new twists, and some matters resolved.
Good pacing, had a hard time putting it down.
Some interesting new twists, and some matters resolved.
Good pacing, had a hard time putting it down.
January 2, 2023
Evy is quite possibly one of my favorite female leads. Kelly writes her with the perfect balance of kickass-ness, vulnerability and sassiness without being over the top and annoying. That, and she's surrounded by all kinds of wonderful 'support' characters, well-rounded, tough, vulnerable and loveable/hateable (bad dudes/dudettes).
I love this series.
I love this series.
June 5, 2013
Wow. It's been way too long since I last read the Dreg City books by Kelly Meding. My memory was a total blank in some areas. Luckily, Kelly does the important recaps in Wrong Side of Dead. It helped me somewhat, but other details were still too lost. That's the trouble with reading too many books! Sadly, this is the last book in the series as it was cancelled. There's always help for resurrection though!
This book has two stories going on, one in the past and the other the present. For the most part, we're in the present and the past is really just about a month ago, weeks even. The Triads are gone. The whole system that Evie and Wyatt were apart of has disbursed. There's a new one on the horizon though, composed of Triad members and others, such as the vampires and a few shifter types. They are called the Watch and basically do the same thing the Triads did, fighting evil in Dreg City and keeping the humans safe.
Walter Thackery is still on the loose and still scheming as always. His need to protect and preserve the human race includes killing anything non-human. His skewed personality is due to having his wife and unborn child killed by a Halfie. But he just keeps on killing other "others" and he must be stopped.
When Evie's friend and goddaughter are kidnapped by Thackery, she goes to amazing lengths to save them before he can kill or torment them like he did to her. Although, she was a special case, it's best to never put anything past the madman.
The segments of the present take place in a day. Like I said, there are brief segments--ie a few chapters--where we're in the past about a month ago and it moves forward a bit. But the current time, everything goes down in a day. Including Wyatt being attacked by a werewolf. He battles infection for quite awhile and it doesn't look good for him and it drives Evie to fight even harder. Thackery must die.
It's sad to read a book and know that it is the last in the series unwillingly. I was expecting shocking cliffhanger endings, much like I received in another series I read that was cancelled and I didn't know until later on. But knowing doesn't make it any easier. This ending though wasn't as horrid with the cliffhangers as I thought it would be. True, there's some unfinished business, but the day ends on a somewhat happy note, if not, content.
The action though was pretty awesome! Being just another day in Evie's chaotic life, there was never a dull moment. Although, I was slightly confused with the flashbacks when they started happening. I couldn't quite figure out what their purpose was, until they got moving a little more. Then it made sense and all was well.
Evy is a fun heroine. I feel she is very real and down to earth. She's not the total badass chick in leather--although those are pretty wicked--but she's still pretty kickass. She can handle herself and I feel like that is a good type of heroine. She has her struggles with some physical things since she still cannot get used to the new body she's in, but she tries.
There wasn't too much romance in this one, since in the beginning Evy and Wyatt are on a break and we find out why through some of those flashbacks. Which I keep saying flashbacks, but it's not Evy reflecting on anything, I think it's more like one of those things that benefits the reader, we get to see what she went through.
Overall it was a very good read! I wish I hadn't stayed away too long since my memory recall isn't the hottest thing around when I read so many different books. Going to have more challenges ahead of me when I move onto some other previously untouched series. But I did enjoy this! The series from the beginning has been interesting and there are still so many questions I have about Evy and her abilities that I cannot recall if they were ever answered. It's possible. One of these days I will have to re-read the series.
Overall Rating 4/5 stars
This book has two stories going on, one in the past and the other the present. For the most part, we're in the present and the past is really just about a month ago, weeks even. The Triads are gone. The whole system that Evie and Wyatt were apart of has disbursed. There's a new one on the horizon though, composed of Triad members and others, such as the vampires and a few shifter types. They are called the Watch and basically do the same thing the Triads did, fighting evil in Dreg City and keeping the humans safe.
Walter Thackery is still on the loose and still scheming as always. His need to protect and preserve the human race includes killing anything non-human. His skewed personality is due to having his wife and unborn child killed by a Halfie. But he just keeps on killing other "others" and he must be stopped.
When Evie's friend and goddaughter are kidnapped by Thackery, she goes to amazing lengths to save them before he can kill or torment them like he did to her. Although, she was a special case, it's best to never put anything past the madman.
The segments of the present take place in a day. Like I said, there are brief segments--ie a few chapters--where we're in the past about a month ago and it moves forward a bit. But the current time, everything goes down in a day. Including Wyatt being attacked by a werewolf. He battles infection for quite awhile and it doesn't look good for him and it drives Evie to fight even harder. Thackery must die.
It's sad to read a book and know that it is the last in the series unwillingly. I was expecting shocking cliffhanger endings, much like I received in another series I read that was cancelled and I didn't know until later on. But knowing doesn't make it any easier. This ending though wasn't as horrid with the cliffhangers as I thought it would be. True, there's some unfinished business, but the day ends on a somewhat happy note, if not, content.
The action though was pretty awesome! Being just another day in Evie's chaotic life, there was never a dull moment. Although, I was slightly confused with the flashbacks when they started happening. I couldn't quite figure out what their purpose was, until they got moving a little more. Then it made sense and all was well.
Evy is a fun heroine. I feel she is very real and down to earth. She's not the total badass chick in leather--although those are pretty wicked--but she's still pretty kickass. She can handle herself and I feel like that is a good type of heroine. She has her struggles with some physical things since she still cannot get used to the new body she's in, but she tries.
There wasn't too much romance in this one, since in the beginning Evy and Wyatt are on a break and we find out why through some of those flashbacks. Which I keep saying flashbacks, but it's not Evy reflecting on anything, I think it's more like one of those things that benefits the reader, we get to see what she went through.
Overall it was a very good read! I wish I hadn't stayed away too long since my memory recall isn't the hottest thing around when I read so many different books. Going to have more challenges ahead of me when I move onto some other previously untouched series. But I did enjoy this! The series from the beginning has been interesting and there are still so many questions I have about Evy and her abilities that I cannot recall if they were ever answered. It's possible. One of these days I will have to re-read the series.
Overall Rating 4/5 stars
May 18, 2012
As much as I loved Another Kind of Dead, when I finished it, I asked myself how long Kelly Meding could sustain what felt like one long story which already spanned three books. Each installment picked up right where the last one left off, gaining more and more momentum. But here, Meding does something a little different, which had me on my toes from the first page.
A few weeks have passed since the events of the last book and there have been massive changes to Evy's world. She is working for a new organization. An old friend has been infected by the vampire virus. And perhaps most unsettling, she and Wyatt have broken up. At first, I wondered Did I miss a book? Then I got a little mad because I was out of the comfort zone I developed with the series. But I really should have given Meding more credit, because the story paid off as I kept reading.
Thackery, our mad-scientist villain, is still on the loose. Now he has kidnapped a handful of the Therians, including the Owlkin survivors that Evy vowed to protect earlier in the series. Of course, that makes the rescue mission personal for her and Phin. They work along with their new "Watchtower" brethren to get them back.
The Watchtower project is great because it's made up of members of the human, vampire, and Therian races. We see how they are letting go of old stereotypes and are forging bonds among the species. It means Evy's once narrow world is expanding yet again, and as it grows, so does she.
The problems between her and Wyatt are a little frustrating. It's hard to reconcile their split with the deep connection we've seen between them in earlier books. I understand the reason we're given, but it just didn't ring true for me. That being said, the remaining feelings between them are unmistakable. And when a crisis comes knocking for one of them, their struggles help give it a better emotional payoff.
There's a lot going on, with subplots surrounding the new-found existence of werewolves, the infection of the vampires, and the betrayal of the Fae --all in addition to the kidnapping arc I mentioned earlier. It's fast moving and feels like the beginning of a new chapter for our characters. (Evy doesn't even get tortured in this one!) That makes it all the more upsetting that Random House has opted not to continue publishing the series.
The ending is fantastic and satisfying. But it's clear that Meding has more story left to tell. I love where she ultimately went with Wyatt's story and I hope there be more books. In the meantime, I urge new readers to start with book one in the series, Three Days to Dead. This isn't a story that you want to pick up in the middle.
Rating: B
A few weeks have passed since the events of the last book and there have been massive changes to Evy's world. She is working for a new organization. An old friend has been infected by the vampire virus. And perhaps most unsettling, she and Wyatt have broken up. At first, I wondered Did I miss a book? Then I got a little mad because I was out of the comfort zone I developed with the series. But I really should have given Meding more credit, because the story paid off as I kept reading.
Thackery, our mad-scientist villain, is still on the loose. Now he has kidnapped a handful of the Therians, including the Owlkin survivors that Evy vowed to protect earlier in the series. Of course, that makes the rescue mission personal for her and Phin. They work along with their new "Watchtower" brethren to get them back.
The Watchtower project is great because it's made up of members of the human, vampire, and Therian races. We see how they are letting go of old stereotypes and are forging bonds among the species. It means Evy's once narrow world is expanding yet again, and as it grows, so does she.
The problems between her and Wyatt are a little frustrating. It's hard to reconcile their split with the deep connection we've seen between them in earlier books. I understand the reason we're given, but it just didn't ring true for me. That being said, the remaining feelings between them are unmistakable. And when a crisis comes knocking for one of them, their struggles help give it a better emotional payoff.
There's a lot going on, with subplots surrounding the new-found existence of werewolves, the infection of the vampires, and the betrayal of the Fae --all in addition to the kidnapping arc I mentioned earlier. It's fast moving and feels like the beginning of a new chapter for our characters. (Evy doesn't even get tortured in this one!) That makes it all the more upsetting that Random House has opted not to continue publishing the series.
The ending is fantastic and satisfying. But it's clear that Meding has more story left to tell. I love where she ultimately went with Wyatt's story and I hope there be more books. In the meantime, I urge new readers to start with book one in the series, Three Days to Dead. This isn't a story that you want to pick up in the middle.
Rating: B
September 20, 2013
Review originally post at www.TheBookNympho.com
Instead of picking up where Another Kind of Dead ended (like Meding usually does) we find Evy and the gang a couple of weeks after the events of AKoD. Which leads us to some flashback chapters to help bridge the gap in time. And thank goodness for those flashbacks. I had a WTF moment when it came to Evy and Wyatt’s relationship. I know it had been a little over a year since I listened to AKoD and I felt like I was forgetting something. I almost stopped reading so I could re-listen to the last few chapters of AKoD but all is explained in the flashbacks.
Evy’s world is once again turned upside down. The Triads are gone and now the humans, vampires and Therians (weres/shifters) are working together toward a common goal. Take down Thackery, the Dreg City’s answer to Dr. Moreau. This time the evil bastard has kidnapped a small group of Therians with Phin’s family among the group. Oh and Thackery has a group of teenage werewolves working for him. But everyone thought that werewolves were extinct. Guess again, they are running around the city and the Assembly (leaders fo the Therians) is not very happy about it.
Evy and the gang are trying to find the missing Therians, werewovles and Thackery and not to mention still dealing with Halfies (humans turned vampire). But to make things even more interesting there’s a new breed of Halfies, ones that aren’t the insane blood thirsty animals the Triads are used to hunting. No these are completely sane thanks to something Thackery has done to them.
In true Kelly Meding fashion, there is death, sadness, and finally some hope at the end of it all. I love the world and characters that Meding has created and I’m so happy that she has decided to continue the series after publisher dropped the series. It’s just another example of great writing that needs to be out there for readers to find.
If you love dark and gritty Urban Fantasy with a complex and kick ass heroine you should start with book one in the Dreg City series, Three Days to Dead. I’m off to start the self-pub and the 5th book in the series by Meding, Requiem For The Dead.
Instead of picking up where Another Kind of Dead ended (like Meding usually does) we find Evy and the gang a couple of weeks after the events of AKoD. Which leads us to some flashback chapters to help bridge the gap in time. And thank goodness for those flashbacks. I had a WTF moment when it came to Evy and Wyatt’s relationship. I know it had been a little over a year since I listened to AKoD and I felt like I was forgetting something. I almost stopped reading so I could re-listen to the last few chapters of AKoD but all is explained in the flashbacks.
Evy’s world is once again turned upside down. The Triads are gone and now the humans, vampires and Therians (weres/shifters) are working together toward a common goal. Take down Thackery, the Dreg City’s answer to Dr. Moreau. This time the evil bastard has kidnapped a small group of Therians with Phin’s family among the group. Oh and Thackery has a group of teenage werewolves working for him. But everyone thought that werewolves were extinct. Guess again, they are running around the city and the Assembly (leaders fo the Therians) is not very happy about it.
Evy and the gang are trying to find the missing Therians, werewovles and Thackery and not to mention still dealing with Halfies (humans turned vampire). But to make things even more interesting there’s a new breed of Halfies, ones that aren’t the insane blood thirsty animals the Triads are used to hunting. No these are completely sane thanks to something Thackery has done to them.
In true Kelly Meding fashion, there is death, sadness, and finally some hope at the end of it all. I love the world and characters that Meding has created and I’m so happy that she has decided to continue the series after publisher dropped the series. It’s just another example of great writing that needs to be out there for readers to find.
If you love dark and gritty Urban Fantasy with a complex and kick ass heroine you should start with book one in the Dreg City series, Three Days to Dead. I’m off to start the self-pub and the 5th book in the series by Meding, Requiem For The Dead.
January 31, 2013
It has been a while since I read the last installment of the Dreg City series and as this is likely to be the last one I was looking forward to finishing the series. Unfortunately, I felt as though Wrong Side of Dead was the weakest in the series.
The first issue I had with the book was the fact that we jump into the middle of the story essentially, but you aren't really certain you did. I kept second-guessing whether I remembered how the third book ended and how could I have forgotten such major details? Turns out, I didn't. Meding decided to tell the story in a nonlinear manner. Many chapters in we finally get pieces of the background story on what has been the underlining drama for Evy, the main character. Meding continues to do this throughout the book, going back to previous weeks and filling us in on details. However, by that point I could not bring myself to care for the "greater" detail, especially considering it interrupted the story which was already going on. I also did not feel as though this information was worthy of waiting for like it was some big reveal throughout. The story should have been told more linearly, it would have increased the enjoyment overall, although probably not by a ton.
A slight nitpick: in the first few chapters Meding used parentheses too much (much too much). I did not understand why she just did not include what she wrote in the parentheses in the flow of the story (much like the nonlinear format). It was rather distracting (see what I'm doing here?).
Evy and Wyatt. Jeez louise, why all the drama? I just did not feel as though the extra drama between the two characters was necessary in this installment. The reason the two are separated now is also pretty weak in my opinion, especially after everything that the characters have been through, such as both dying!
Overall I did not feel as though Wrong Side of Dead was a good addition to the Dreg City series. There seemed to be drama for the sake of drama, the characters did not impress me and the style that the author chose to tell this installment was unsatisfying. I suppose this disappointment does makes it easier to say goodbye to the series.
The first issue I had with the book was the fact that we jump into the middle of the story essentially, but you aren't really certain you did. I kept second-guessing whether I remembered how the third book ended and how could I have forgotten such major details? Turns out, I didn't. Meding decided to tell the story in a nonlinear manner. Many chapters in we finally get pieces of the background story on what has been the underlining drama for Evy, the main character. Meding continues to do this throughout the book, going back to previous weeks and filling us in on details. However, by that point I could not bring myself to care for the "greater" detail, especially considering it interrupted the story which was already going on. I also did not feel as though this information was worthy of waiting for like it was some big reveal throughout. The story should have been told more linearly, it would have increased the enjoyment overall, although probably not by a ton.
A slight nitpick: in the first few chapters Meding used parentheses too much (much too much). I did not understand why she just did not include what she wrote in the parentheses in the flow of the story (much like the nonlinear format). It was rather distracting (see what I'm doing here?).
Evy and Wyatt. Jeez louise, why all the drama? I just did not feel as though the extra drama between the two characters was necessary in this installment. The reason the two are separated now is also pretty weak in my opinion, especially after everything that the characters have been through, such as both dying!
Overall I did not feel as though Wrong Side of Dead was a good addition to the Dreg City series. There seemed to be drama for the sake of drama, the characters did not impress me and the style that the author chose to tell this installment was unsatisfying. I suppose this disappointment does makes it easier to say goodbye to the series.
February 8, 2012
In the fourth book of the Dreg City series, Evy is back smack dab in the middle of things. She's trying to recuperate from her prior kidnapping and torture to find out that Wyatt and several others have formed new alliances and changed things up. Then, several shifters have gone missing and on top of that Halfies are now sane?
Okay, let me just start out with this, if you've started reading this book and are wondering if you've lost your mind ... you haven't. If you remember from the end of the last book, Wyatt and Evy were back together, happy and all kissy face and at the beginning of this one - broken up!! Yep, you heard me right - broken up!! Don't fear, the author is just switching things up by going forwards and backwards with the timeline. Not sure why and not sure that I really liked it ... especially in the beginning, it was really confusing. But it sure keeps you on your toes.
That being said, I really love Wyatt and Evy together. Sure they have problems and have stuff to work out but they never catch much of a break. And on top of that, it's Wyatt's turn to have something happen. Very interesting and can't wait to see where it goes with this.
There are a lot more characters in this book - as if there weren't a lot already, but you do get to know them quickly. I really enjoyed Marcus and hope we get more of him in the next book. Phineas still rocks. I liked him in the prior books but whoa ... he's really come of age so to speak in this book. Pretty serious romantic contender - or not.
The bad guy is still really bad and there's a whole betrayal going on which really bummed me out since I liked the betrayer. I really wish Evy would've gotten to confront them. Maybe next book.
Another great addition to the series...still action packed as always with a dash of romance. Definitely looking forward to the next one.
Favorite line:
"If you ever come home with fleas, I'm dumping you."
Okay, let me just start out with this, if you've started reading this book and are wondering if you've lost your mind ... you haven't. If you remember from the end of the last book, Wyatt and Evy were back together, happy and all kissy face and at the beginning of this one - broken up!! Yep, you heard me right - broken up!! Don't fear, the author is just switching things up by going forwards and backwards with the timeline. Not sure why and not sure that I really liked it ... especially in the beginning, it was really confusing. But it sure keeps you on your toes.
That being said, I really love Wyatt and Evy together. Sure they have problems and have stuff to work out but they never catch much of a break. And on top of that, it's Wyatt's turn to have something happen. Very interesting and can't wait to see where it goes with this.
There are a lot more characters in this book - as if there weren't a lot already, but you do get to know them quickly. I really enjoyed Marcus and hope we get more of him in the next book. Phineas still rocks. I liked him in the prior books but whoa ... he's really come of age so to speak in this book. Pretty serious romantic contender - or not.
The bad guy is still really bad and there's a whole betrayal going on which really bummed me out since I liked the betrayer. I really wish Evy would've gotten to confront them. Maybe next book.
Another great addition to the series...still action packed as always with a dash of romance. Definitely looking forward to the next one.
Favorite line:
"If you ever come home with fleas, I'm dumping you."
August 9, 2012
A tasty supernatural soup that's full of delicious fun!
Hunters, Therians, Fae, Vampires, Half-Breeds. This book is so full of hearty paranormal goodness that reading it is absolutely essential to your well-being!
Evy Stone is such a powerful and strong lead character. She's a take-no-prisoners and never-take-no-for-an-answer kind of gal whose been dropped into the middle of a supernatural war.
Evy and her love interest, Wyatt, have a rocky roller-coaster relationship in this installment. In the past, they've always had such a deep and emotional connection that it seems about time there were some bumps in the road. You'll be pulling your hair out over the sizzling drama this time around. As for the drama, love it or hate it, it definitely makes for a hell of a good time.
This time around, the story is told in a largely non-linear timeline including lots of flashbacks. If you're a fan of Lost and love discovering the untold tales behind the main story, then you should look into this! You don't even need to have read the previous books because there is plenty of background info worked intricately into the story itself.
WRONG SIDE OF DEAD is urban fantasy at it's finest. The same goes for the rest of the Dreg City series by Kelly Meding. If you haven't yet checked out this series - well, what are you waiting for? It certainly won't let you down.
Review from FreshFiction.com
Hunters, Therians, Fae, Vampires, Half-Breeds. This book is so full of hearty paranormal goodness that reading it is absolutely essential to your well-being!
Evy Stone is such a powerful and strong lead character. She's a take-no-prisoners and never-take-no-for-an-answer kind of gal whose been dropped into the middle of a supernatural war.
Evy and her love interest, Wyatt, have a rocky roller-coaster relationship in this installment. In the past, they've always had such a deep and emotional connection that it seems about time there were some bumps in the road. You'll be pulling your hair out over the sizzling drama this time around. As for the drama, love it or hate it, it definitely makes for a hell of a good time.
This time around, the story is told in a largely non-linear timeline including lots of flashbacks. If you're a fan of Lost and love discovering the untold tales behind the main story, then you should look into this! You don't even need to have read the previous books because there is plenty of background info worked intricately into the story itself.
WRONG SIDE OF DEAD is urban fantasy at it's finest. The same goes for the rest of the Dreg City series by Kelly Meding. If you haven't yet checked out this series - well, what are you waiting for? It certainly won't let you down.
Review from FreshFiction.com
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