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Review: Dead, Undead or Somewhere in Between by J.A. Saare

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Dead, Undead or Somewhere in Between by J.A. SaareDead, Undead or Somewhere in Between (Rhiannon’s Law #1)
J.A. Saare

Published: Feb. 2010 (Eternal Press)
Purchase at: Amazon (Paperback or eBook)

Rating (out of 5): 3. 5 stars

Rhiannon can see dead people. It kind of blows. Mostly, she tries to ignore it. Instead she focuses on her gig as a bartender at a gentleman’s club, where she often ends up playing the role of backup bouncer. She’s tough and mouthy, but the local vampires just don’t want to leave her alone. Whatever magic allows her to see the recently departed also lets her identify the half-undead. Rhiannon would rather not deal with the vampire Disco, but as it’s best not to get on the bad side of a vampire she agrees to hear him out when he shows up at her bar.

Local vampires are disappearing, and Disco wants Rhiannon’s help to find out why. With the help of another necromancer, Rhiannon is to find the ghosts of the dead vampires and get answers as to who is killing them. It quickly becomes apparent Rhiannon doesn’t realize just how much power she has, and the tale becomes part self-discovery and part murder mystery. Add that Disco is utterly handsome and willing to do whatever it takes to protect his family and Rhiannon, and you’ll find yourself wondering more about when Rhiannon and Disco will hook up than who’s taking out his fellow vamps.

I loved J.A. Saare’s Crimson Moon. While I know she’s got the second Crimson book in the works, I needed more and decided to give her Rhiannon’s Law series a shot. Several of my favorite bloggers have nudged me on this one saying one can’t help but fall for the leading man Disco. In a quick, two-day read I can tell you: Don’t read it for Disco, read Dead, Undead or Somewhere in Between for Rhiannon.

Don’t get me wrong: Disco is easy to like, if not a little too perfect. But Rhiannon had depth, and Saare made me work to get to know her. She felt real. She’s an ass-kicker who uses her brash, take-no-prisoners front to seal away her past trauma. She’s funny. She’s strong. She’s tortured. Basically, if she were a guy, I’d swoon. As much as I like Disco, I only like him in relation to Rhiannon. Their interactions — especially their banter and his reactions to her foul-mouthed ways — are highlights to be sure.

Those who love a strong heroine and pretty vampire boys in an urban fantasy setting will get a kick out of Dead, Undead or Somewhere in Between. After beginning the series — and enduring the what?! ending — I’m curious to see where Rhiannon’s story goes. I’ll be on the lookout for the second novel The Renfield Syndrome. However, I’m still going to say Crimson Moon has more universal appeal.

Sexual content: Sex, references to sex and allusions to rape. (Though, looking back, it felt much lighter than all that….)

6 Responses to “Review: Dead, Undead or Somewhere in Between by J.A. Saare”

  1. Bells says:

    I agree about Rhiannon. I loved her character as well and she totally made the book. Great review. 🙂

  2. 😀 Loved Rhiannon as well. I really liked Disco, but Rhiannon was the clincher for me. And Disco’s posse. They are a cool bunch. I like the idea of Pain.

    Can’t wait to get back into this series with Rhiannon. 🙂 Great Review! And glad you enjoyed it.

  3. Cindy says:

    This was the first book I read by Jaime and I loved it. Then I read Crimson Moon and I was sold on this author and her ability to create wonderful characters and kick ass stories.
    The ending of Dead, Undead and Somewhere in Between killed me, absolutely killed me. Guess that’s what makes an outstandinging author when they can stay true to the story and shock the socks off people.

  4. “Don’t read it for Disco, read Dead, Undead or Somewhere in Between for Rhiannon.” SOOO true. Rhiannon was maybe my favorite heroine of 2010. Her “laws” are posted everywhere.. on my phone, on my computer on the fridge.. they’re words to live by 😛

Trackbacks/Pingbacks

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  2. Vampire Book Club's Best Books of 2011 | Vampire Book Club - [...] more: VBC review of The Renfield Syndrome and its predecessor Dead, Undead or Somewhere in Between Purchase: Book Depository,…
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  4. Early Review: The Ripple Effect by J.A. Saare (Rhiannon's Law #3) | Vampire Book Club - [...] Law series, particularly The Renfield Syndrome. If you haven’t, you can find reviews of the first and second books…

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