Undead and Done
A Queen Betsy Novel
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4.5 • 28 Ratings
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- $12.99
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- $12.99
Publisher Description
Vampire Queen Betsy Taylor continues her rule in Hell in the scorchingly funny finale to the Undead series from New York Times bestselling author MaryJanice Davidson.
It had been a well-kept secret for centuries, but now the existence of vampires is all over the news, thanks to Betsy Taylor’s half sister (and the frustrated former Antichrist), Laura. Life for the undead will never be the same, and it’s up to Betsy to do some damage control. But her interview on the local news doesn’t exactly put out the fire. It more or less pours kerosene on it.
With all the added attention on supernatural beings, the werewolves are more than a little agitated (never a good thing) and demand that Betsy gets her interview skills, and her family, in order. And while things go from bad to worse in the world, Hell continues to be hell—especially when Betsy’s new parole program becomes about as complicated as you’d expect.
With a PR team launching a vampire-friendly campaign, the devil at large and out to make trouble, and mermaids on hand to see who falls—and how hard—the end isn’t just near. It’s here. And if anyone knows how to go out with a bang, it’s the queen of Hell.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Readers will celebrate the strong conclusion of Davidson's once-groundbreaking blend of humorous women's fiction and paranormal romance in its 12th volume (after Undead and Unforgiven). Betsy, queen of the vampires and shoe-loving ruler of Hell-as-the-Mall-of-America, is determined not to let her half-sister Laura (the self-righteous former Antichrist) set the terms for the vampires' come-out. She asks Fred the mermaid for assistance, which becomes all the more necessary when the Wyndham werewolves decamp nearby, worried about their anonymity. Betsy proves she's a good deal less vapid than given credit for by turning a theological bee in her bonnet into an innovative parole program for some of Hell's most well-behaved denizens, though her constant mental exposition is deservedly and funnily mocked by her hunky consort Sinclair. For those who once loved the series, which has faltered in recent installments, this provides a proper send-off.
Customer Reviews
The Perfect Ending for the Series Proper
Betsy’s plate is full: now the new boss in Hell after taking over from half-sister Laura, she’s still dealing with the inevitable fallout and learning curve when yet another task is thrown in her lap. And she does it with her usual mix of clever thinking outside the box, happy and not so coincidences, and plenty of interior (mostly) narration that leads to shoes, smoothies, more shoes and, wait for it, fashion sense or lack of it.
What is a wonderful addition here is the footnotes, either notating where a particular scene or series of scenes can be found, a snarky comment from Betsy, a few notes from the author and even a bit of backstory, readers couldn’t completely jump into the story without having read some of the earlier books in the series – but as I can attest, there are plenty of new elements and predicaments to keep you engaged as long as you are familiar with the major players.
Eric Sinclair is still around and he is the perfect sensible, mostly calm balance to Betsy’s outrageousness. Tina, the vampire assistant is there with a penchant for oddly flavored vodka is as organized and rather humorless as possible. We revisit with the Wyndham Pack, have Marc the former ER doc now in residence, BabyJon is growing and they’ve added 2 lab puppies to the mix. What’s missing is Jessica in residence with her husband and twins – moved out when Laura, the Antichrist and Betsy’s half sister decided to out the vampires in hopes that Betsy would be shamed into silence and disappear.
Davidson uses humor, a fascination with shoes, fashion and smoothies, and the entrance to hell in the food court just like the one at the Mall of America to set her story… Yep. It’s silly and snarky and has moments of danger and pure on goofy fun, completely refreshing and wholly different than the angst ridden battles between good and evil, where guilt and self-obsession rule the day. It’s a lighthearted (mostly) story full of the Betsy that has grown into her position, dragging iit into a form of her own shape and making. The perfect ending for the series proper, with opportunities for ‘cameo appearances’ from the characters that have been so integral and loved.
I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.