Dead on the Delta (Annabelle Lee, #1) in SOS: Serious Overload of Series

Nov 09, 2011 Katie rated it it was ok

It was okay. I usually am go-go-ga-ga over a faery book with cops and robber action...but for some reason I wasn't feeling it. For me Annabelle should have been more disturbed by the murder and mutilation of a small child in the beginning. Then she hops on her bicycle and rides around town on her way to the police station? After being attacked by a drug addict. Was there any signifigance to the woman? Is she supposed to be with Cain, or Hitch? I don't know...I don't much care for either man. The ...more

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Aug 13, 2011 Chelsea rated it really liked it

Shelves: uf-pnr, fae-angels, suggested-series-firsts

This review was originally posted at Vampire Book Club.

Dead on the Delta features a vivid world, one where people try to ignore how dark things have become. It’s a place where fairies are real — they’ve mutated and want to feed on humans. When bitten by a fairy most people go insane, a handful die immediately and an even smaller percentage are immune. That’s Annabelle Lee. She’s immune. That means when something happens outside the iron grid that holds her little Louisiana town in from the tiny This review was originally posted at Vampire Book Club.

Dead on the Delta features a vivid world, one where people try to ignore how dark things have become. It’s a place where fairies are real — they’ve mutated and want to feed on humans. When bitten by a fairy most people go insane, a handful die immediately and an even smaller percentage are immune. That’s Annabelle Lee. She’s immune. That means when something happens outside the iron grid that holds her little Louisiana town in from the tiny vicious creatures with the sharp teeth, Annabelle is the one heading out into the swamp.

It also means when little local girl’s body is found outside the wall, Annabelle has to be one on the scene. She’s not police, but she has to collect the samples and bring the girl in. And it’s horrific. Annabelle already has baggage with the death of little girls and a hard backstory that includes dropping out of medical school (eventually you’ll find out why, and it makes the tale sadder). She’s a tough woman, who no one would guess was ever raised as a debutante. She lives in a shotgun house, despite having more money than most in her town, and decides to use alcohol to cope with a particularly bad day.

One that only gets worse when the FBI show up after a small mixup on her end. Because one can never underestimate the ingenuity of people wanting to get high, there are those in Dead on the Delta who mix fairy poop with bleach to make Breeze …which they then snort or inject. It’s the fairy version of meth. And someone is definitely making it in her town.

So, now Annabelle is assisting on a murder, drug bust and trying her damnest to keep her ass out of a sling. But battling the big problems isn’t enough. No, she’s in a relationship with one of the top cops. Cane is fantastic. He’s loyal and he loves her. He’s also over her trying to pretend a year and a half relationship is “casual.” She’s thinking about running, because she’s still nursing the pain of a bad breakup six years ago. And, Mr. Bad Breakup Ex? Oh, he’s one of the FBI agents investigating her and her friends. Things are volitile for Annabelle. Mistakes are made. Lives are changed. And the struggle to figure out what’s best for her is utterly entrancing. Seriously, I read this nearly 400-page book in a single day. I kept setting it down — especially after Annabelle, Cane or Hitch did something frustrating — and then picking it back up wanting more.

The story is intense, the emotions, visceral, and Dead on the Delta is just damn good. Those who love flawed heroines not quite ready to own up to having problems, who love small towns with dark secrets and those who want to see fairies in a very different light must read Dead on the Delta.

Also, while Stacey Jay describes her fairies as tiny and humanoid, each time they attacked I kept imagining the tooth fairies from Hellboy II. Cute before they try to rip off your flesh.

Sexual content: References to sex, awesome makeout scene ...more

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May 24, 2011 Wenj rated it really liked it

Shelves: for-review, read-2011

Review provided by Black Lagoon Reviews:

Dead on the Delta, the first novel in the Anabelle Lee series by Stacey Jay, is not your average Urban Fantasy, nor does it follow your average heroine. Wildly original and wonderfully developed with a character who has more quirks that virtues, this novel is a fast paced, quick read that is hard to put down. So, if you're tired of the usual 'goody-two shoes' act, Annabelle Lee is a perfect fit as a shameless under achiever with borderline addictive person Review provided by Black Lagoon Reviews:

Dead on the Delta, the first novel in the Anabelle Lee series by Stacey Jay, is not your average Urban Fantasy, nor does it follow your average heroine. Wildly original and wonderfully developed with a character who has more quirks that virtues, this novel is a fast paced, quick read that is hard to put down. So, if you're tired of the usual 'goody-two shoes' act, Annabelle Lee is a perfect fit as a shameless under achiever with borderline addictive personality.

From the beginning of this novel, the setting is what really struck me. Instantly, you step in to the hot, humid swamps where the air is more moisture then oxygen. The overbearing heat is only matched by the fairy infestation that seems to have taken the place of the clouds of mosquitoes that typically swarm in these marshy locales creating a sense of dread where ever they flit. There was also a great atmosphere built in which there is a very down trodden feeling creating a landscape of the South that is more of a refugee camp then a Parish after the invasion of the mutated fey. The amount of dread that these shimmery creatures leave in their wake is palpable making for an interesting new take on the fey.

The world building was wonderful, with a unique development that was perfectly thought out creating a three dimensional and believable world in which the characters move around. There is ample history to illustrate how the modern world was altered and how the fey came in to being. I also loved the amount of damage these little blighters were capable of causing, altering the landscape of the South to one that is barely recognizable. In fact, there is an unbelievable amount of deterioration in both the social and economic structure in this region and I really loved seeing this so masterfully explored. Also, the different organizations that watch and research the fairy problem, as well as the various entities who police issues tied to the fey, were quite interesting to see developed.

The characters were also quite unique and interesting, a very definite change from what one would normally expect. In fact, Anabelle, the heroine of the story, was unlike anything that I had ever read in the past. She's unashamed of her status as an underachiever, somewhat coarse, and a borderline alcoholic. Of course, with what she is forced to endure because of her status as being immune to the venomous bites of the fey, it's a bit understandable why it is she chooses oblivion over reality with what she is often called in to do for law enforcement. But, at times, I did find her personality to be a bit trying, if not down right repugnant. Truly, I wondered how in the world this woman could be endearing enough to carry a story by herself because she is such a train wreck, utterly unwilling to better herself. However, this was somewhat addressed rather quickly changing her character to something a bit more appealing and I found myself liking her as time went on. In the end I just started accepting Anabelle as Anabelle, and as things start heating up both with the murder investigation and the love triangle that forms, I found myself really engrossed and rooting for the fiery red head. And then there were the peripheral characters whom I really enjoyed. Honestly, they were a very colorful troop, from Fern who I would have loved to see more of, to Marcy who as it turns out has a quite intriguing history that I would love to know more about. Though in terms of love interests, I found both Hitch and Cane sort of lacking. Both are, well, just such downers. True, Cane loves Anabelle, it's obvious. He's a sweety. But, I just can't help bristling at the way he treats her at times. Does she deserve it? Probably. Though for me, he says he understands Anabelle but still he pushes her for a commitment it's obvious she doesn't want to make which sort of made me frown on him a bit. But, Hitch wasn't any better. In fact, I really wanted to strangle him 95% of the time. Seriously, Anabelle needs some new men in her life because these two, not doing it for me.

The story itself was wildly unique with a very original spin on the fey in a modern day setting. There was a wonderful sense of mystery paired with some great tension and action as Anabelle struggles to better herself by finding the killer of a little girl. But, there was also some great mystery about the 'magic' that both Grace, the murder victim, and Anabelle, posses. What does it mean? How is it possible? Is it because of their immunity? So many great questions that I want to see answered. I also found myself loving the down to Earth, easy manner in which the story was told. Southern comfort takes on a whole new meaning as the relaxed work ethics of Anabelle come in to play along with her rather unabashed way of life. The writing style was wonderfully lush creating a very 'Southern' atmosphere filled with great exploration and development of the world this story is immersed in. The pace was quick making this an extremely fast read that kept me on my toes with some interesting twists and turns along the way.

Overall, this was an interesting novel that was unlike anything else that I'd ever read. I rather enjoyed the new take on characterization and the unique spin on the fey. And then there's the Southern atmosphere, a particular favorite of mine when it comes to settings. So, if you love off the wall characters, wonderful urban fantasy that is wholly original, then this is a great choice! I can't wait to see what comes next in Blood on the Bayou, the second installment in this thrilling new series!

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Jun 05, 2011 Tiffany rated it it was amazing

one of the BEST books I've read in a while! what other books do people snort/inject fairy poo and bleach to get high? this book is MAJOR original! Stacey Jay really knows how to spin a story! I can NOT wait for book 2!!!! the ending was great! I was drawn in from the first word on the first page. I couldn't put it down! ...more

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