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Voices of the Dead #2
Our Lady of the Various Sorrows
Holed up in a farmhouse in the Slovenian Alps, Jo Wiley is hiding from the personal demons and the dead who haunt her in Ljubljana. When she meets a secretive ghost from the area’s war-torn past, being alone becomes much less interesting. Before she can uncover her dead friend’s identity and agenda, her son’s father visits her in the mountains with his own dark secrets, and a cryptic warning.
Forced from seclusion, Jo returns to the city to find things are even more chaotic than when she left. Vandals have attacked her teahouse and she and her chosen family are on the battle lines between ancient deities with human faces and humans who want the power of the gods.
As more secrets are revealed, Jo struggles with how these new pieces fit together and where her place is in a world where her fate is more determined than she ever believed. As she gets closer to understanding the truth about her ex and her own past, it’s clear she may have to make the ultimate sacrifice to save those she loves most.
But what if her sacrifice isn’t enough? And if it is, what are the consequences of thwarting fate?
Forced from seclusion, Jo returns to the city to find things are even more chaotic than when she left. Vandals have attacked her teahouse and she and her chosen family are on the battle lines between ancient deities with human faces and humans who want the power of the gods.
As more secrets are revealed, Jo struggles with how these new pieces fit together and where her place is in a world where her fate is more determined than she ever believed. As she gets closer to understanding the truth about her ex and her own past, it’s clear she may have to make the ultimate sacrifice to save those she loves most.
But what if her sacrifice isn’t enough? And if it is, what are the consequences of thwarting fate?
- GenresFiction
338 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 1, 2020
2 people are currently reading
13 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
March 9, 2022
My only complaint about this book is that it was unputdownable.
Seriously if you love stories about witches, gods, magic, the dead, all set in Eastern Europe, buy the Voices of the Dead series, it’s brilliant.
If you like Seanan McGuire, Neil Gaiman, Lana Popovic, and/or Laini Taylor, you’ll love Victoria Raschke’s Voices of the Dead series.
The characters are brilliantly drawn, and there was a whole new layer of plot twists in this book that I didn’t see coming. It’s well written, funny, and also poignant. Can’t wait for the next book, but I also want to eke this series out because I am enjoying it so much.
Seriously if you love stories about witches, gods, magic, the dead, all set in Eastern Europe, buy the Voices of the Dead series, it’s brilliant.
If you like Seanan McGuire, Neil Gaiman, Lana Popovic, and/or Laini Taylor, you’ll love Victoria Raschke’s Voices of the Dead series.
The characters are brilliantly drawn, and there was a whole new layer of plot twists in this book that I didn’t see coming. It’s well written, funny, and also poignant. Can’t wait for the next book, but I also want to eke this series out because I am enjoying it so much.
November 16, 2017
Still reeling from the trauma of recent events, including the murder of dear friends and the awakening the family "gift" that allows her to see and speak to the dead, Jo Wiley retreats to a mountain getaway to recover. The dead, however, don't exactly respect boundaries or her self-imposed exile. Will the lingering souls on a nearby battlefield help her channel her gifts, or will they push Jo over the edge?
Meanwhile, back in Ljubljana, her meddling ex is leading Jo's son down a dangerous path. Dear old dad is more than he seems and has imbued their son with a legacy that also touches the hidden world full of ghosts, gods, and monsters. Jo would spare him this unwanted destiny, but the price may be too dear. Add in a new enemy bent on destroying Jo and all she loves, and our lady must face a multitude of sorrows if she's to protect what's hers.
This is an incredible follow up to book 1. We see Jo come into her powers, something her son will have to do as well, and channel that inner core of steel as she embraces her purpose. The stakes are higher, the enemies more powerful, and the story even more gripping. Jo Wiley is the cerebral badass I've been searching for in Urban Fantasy. Can't wait to see what's next for her!
Meanwhile, back in Ljubljana, her meddling ex is leading Jo's son down a dangerous path. Dear old dad is more than he seems and has imbued their son with a legacy that also touches the hidden world full of ghosts, gods, and monsters. Jo would spare him this unwanted destiny, but the price may be too dear. Add in a new enemy bent on destroying Jo and all she loves, and our lady must face a multitude of sorrows if she's to protect what's hers.
This is an incredible follow up to book 1. We see Jo come into her powers, something her son will have to do as well, and channel that inner core of steel as she embraces her purpose. The stakes are higher, the enemies more powerful, and the story even more gripping. Jo Wiley is the cerebral badass I've been searching for in Urban Fantasy. Can't wait to see what's next for her!
November 14, 2018
I purchased this book. / Disclaimer: I very rarely read urban fantasy/paranormal books. However, Victoria Raschke has created a world that I willingly visit. I'm a fan of her Voices of the Dead series due to her intriguing premise (one of the most original I've ever read), superb characterization, and complex, well-managed plotting.
"Our Lady" is the second installment in the series and Raschke shows no signs of a sophomore slump. In fact, she's dialled up the action, complexity and characterizations to produce a stunning sequel to Who By Water. Raschke has created a deeply relatable protagonist in Jo Wiley, a character whose welfare I found myself seriously caring about.
Like Who By Water, I got a little confused at times with the numerous characters and Slovenian names, but that is a small price to pay. The storyline is gripping, edgy, and intense. The novel is well-paced and Raschke's prose swept me along to the amazing ending. The book is a truly satisfying read. I recommend it highly.
Dang. Now I need to order a copy of her third book, Pale Moon...
"Our Lady" is the second installment in the series and Raschke shows no signs of a sophomore slump. In fact, she's dialled up the action, complexity and characterizations to produce a stunning sequel to Who By Water. Raschke has created a deeply relatable protagonist in Jo Wiley, a character whose welfare I found myself seriously caring about.
Like Who By Water, I got a little confused at times with the numerous characters and Slovenian names, but that is a small price to pay. The storyline is gripping, edgy, and intense. The novel is well-paced and Raschke's prose swept me along to the amazing ending. The book is a truly satisfying read. I recommend it highly.
Dang. Now I need to order a copy of her third book, Pale Moon...
June 13, 2020
Our Lady of the Various Sorrows continues Jo et. al's story in the "ordinary" world, navigating ever-so-precarious survival and sanity amidst shades (ghosts), gods, demons, and the like. Witchcraft is a big element of this book, which I thought to be a good additional as a "worldly", modern magical presence. The depth and stakes of the story increase, as one should expect from a second-in-series.
I thought the middle half of the book was a little slow at, but the beginning and end were pretty action-packed. I would have like a little more Old Ljubljana and Renegade Tea, but did enjoy the setting in the mountains too. I think the quality of writing has improved from book one, but I probably liked the plot and atmosphere of Who By Water better.
I've picked up this series because Victoria Raschke is a local author. Book three is poised for the action to make its way to East Tennessee, so I'm very interested to see how that will turn out.
I thought the middle half of the book was a little slow at, but the beginning and end were pretty action-packed. I would have like a little more Old Ljubljana and Renegade Tea, but did enjoy the setting in the mountains too. I think the quality of writing has improved from book one, but I probably liked the plot and atmosphere of Who By Water better.
I've picked up this series because Victoria Raschke is a local author. Book three is poised for the action to make its way to East Tennessee, so I'm very interested to see how that will turn out.
January 2, 2018
Ah yes just when you thought things were spicy in Who By Water, Our Lady of Various Sorrows shows you just how deep our favourite gang is entrenched in the paranormal world.
Same characters, but now with new challenges, abilities, and at least one miserable ex who is not quite a good guy or a dastardly villain. I want to hate him, but, grrrr I cannot.
I read this quickly it was so good. As a lover of urban and paranormal books it was great to find a fresh take and a new pantheon to indulge in.
Cannot wait to read more about this world and these characters who remind me that nobody is all bad nor all good. Instead we are all doing the best we can decision by decision and situation by situation.
Recommend it to all!
Same characters, but now with new challenges, abilities, and at least one miserable ex who is not quite a good guy or a dastardly villain. I want to hate him, but, grrrr I cannot.
I read this quickly it was so good. As a lover of urban and paranormal books it was great to find a fresh take and a new pantheon to indulge in.
Cannot wait to read more about this world and these characters who remind me that nobody is all bad nor all good. Instead we are all doing the best we can decision by decision and situation by situation.
Recommend it to all!
December 24, 2017
Jo Wiley has hidden herself away in an attempt to regroup and find some kind of normality in her new definitely-not-normal life. An enigmatic soldier from the past offers solace, but home is reaching out to her with new troubles. It turns out when an ancient city cracks open, things don't just crawl back into their holes like they are supposed to. This time, life is coming at Jo from every angle . . .
August 23, 2018
It opens with a Violent Femmes reference!!! I died. This book was so damn good. Victoria delivers the same well balanced writing, but with the volume turned WAY up. The raw intensity and edgy drama in this book crescendos with satisfying excitement, but it's the easter eggs and personally synchronistic moments that made it feel like an experience. Finishing this book left me with the same adrenaline rush afterglow that a high energy music show gives. Victoria, you're the coolest.
March 20, 2021
Even better than the first novel! Why is Victoria Raschke not a household name? The voice is clear and true, the plot a page turner, and the supernatural elements only enhance what it means to be human. Bravo! And on to Like a Pale Moon. Lucky me to have all three to read in a row.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews