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Black Dust Mambo (Hoodoo, #1)

Adrian Phoenix

Start date: August 1, 2010

Finish date: August 31, 2010

Discussion: Book of the Month

Why we're reading this: New UF voted BOM
Discussion Begins 1 August
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Discussion Begins 1 August

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Book of the Month

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* BOM: Group Read History [2025]
By Steph , Serious series addict · 10 posts · 22 views

last updated 23 hours, 41 min ago

* BOM: Comments & Suggestions
By Steph , Serious series addict · 38 posts · 229 views

last updated Mar 15, 2012 06:15PM

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What Members Thought

Apr 03, 2010 Steph rated it it was amazing

Shelves: series-ongoing, author-웃, series-book1, year-read-2010, favorites-2010, author-favorite, series-i-love, sos-bom, favorites-all-years

Black Dust Mambo is the first in the Hoodoo series by Adrian Phoenix. Her Maker's Song series is one of my favorites, but this one just reinforced my love of her stories. Her world building in this one isn't nearly as complex or initially overwhelming. We jump right in Kallie's world with no acclimation needed.

After partying a little too hard at carnival the night before, Kallie wakes up in the bathroom to find the hottie nomad, Gage, she hooked up with in her bed - dead. First things first Black Dust Mambo is the first in the Hoodoo series by Adrian Phoenix. Her Maker's Song series is one of my favorites, but this one just reinforced my love of her stories. Her world building in this one isn't nearly as complex or initially overwhelming. We jump right in Kallie's world with no acclimation needed.

After partying a little too hard at carnival the night before, Kallie wakes up in the bathroom to find the hottie nomad, Gage, she hooked up with in her bed - dead. First things first, call your best friend to help ya outta this mess. (Belladonna is a riot! I just love her.) She rushes over, but not quick enough. Layne, Gage's brother-in-magic, arrives first after having a dream.

Together they try to find out who killed Gage, was Kallie the intended victim and why they would want her/him dead.

Kallie is a hoodoo, a rootworker. Bella is training to be a mambo, a voodoo priestess. Layne is medium, but not just any medium, he's a Vessel for the dead.

"Vessels don't need ritual or séance or linked energy from the living to call to the dead or to open doors between the mortal and spiritual worlds. A Vessel was a living, breathing spirit cabinet. And most Vessels spiraled into madness by their late teens, usually ending their lives in messy and desperate ways."

We also meet McKenna, Layne's ex-wife, a shaman. Kallie and Bella call her the leprechaun b/c she's so little and has the brogue accent. Dallas, Kallie's cousin, is at carnival to "keep an eye" on her, per their aunt's wishes. Then there's Augustine, the brit sorcerer and his fiesty assistant Felicity.

I instantly feel in love with Layne. Kallie and Bella's BFF banter was a hoot. The other characters were just as colorful. It's going to be interesting to learn more about Kallie and her aunt. I want more!

The wet boxers contest was awesome and Augustine's "exploration" and subsequent comment "Oh.Dear.God." was FANTASTIC! ;)

There is so much action, excitement and sexual tension throughout that I don't want to ruin a single part of the story for anyone, so I'll stop there. Let me just say that I will MOST DEFINITELY be following this series until the end. Thank you, Adrian Phoenix for yet another fantastic UF! ...more

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Jun 28, 2010 Judithe rated it it was amazing

Shelves: uf, read-2010, wrote-review

I was amazed at the compacted time in the story...but it still moved quite quickly! It took me a bit to "adjust" to this world, and there are a lot of characters to remember, but it was a good read! I'm so looking forward to the next book...though I thought about removing one star because of the extreme cliffhanger end. ...more

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Sep 01, 2010 Angi rated it liked it

I really wanted to like this book more than I did. The plot was interesting and the characters were interesting but it was hard for me to get pulled into this book and I'm not sure why. I think it has to do with the writing style. The story is told from several characters, even those with minor roles and it was confusing and pulled me away when I felt I was just getting into the story. I also was distracted by the many, many, many, many, many (did I mention many?) times she used the word, G-D. I ...more

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Jan 08, 2012 Kalynn rated it it was amazing

4.5 stars. This faced paced book about a hoodoo apprentice's search for the source of the threat to herself and everyone she loves is really well written. It starts with Kallie finding a dead man in her blood soaked bed, and the action does not let up. The story is told from multiple perspectives, but they are seamlessly woven together, and the author keeps the momentum for the entire story. I am so glad I have the next installment ready to go. ...more

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