Author: Michael Panush
Edition: Received from the publisher, Curiosity Quills
I received a copy of Dead Man's Drive from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Dead Man's Drive follows the main character, Roscoe, a zombie, who works with Donovan's Motors, a group of paranormal hunting mechanics. It's a group made up of outcasts who have become family. They're well-known in their town as protectors, but when a new businessman comes to town with plans of his own- plans that involve raising dead crusaders- everything Roscoe has ever cared about is threatened.
I liked this book a lot more than I thought I would. I mean, I thought I would like it when I requested it (or I wouldn't have requested it), but it took me by surprise, still. The main character, Roscoe, was not what I expected (in good ways!) and neither were the supporting cast, the plot, or the setting. It was a pleasant surprise.
Dead Man's Drive is urban fantasy lite. It doesn't do a ton of world building, but it also doesn't suffer for it. Panush didn't have to create complex mythologies to deliver an interesting and well-thought-out plot. While his story isn't exactly original, it kept me entertained and was rather refreshing in its sparse writing. The characters, while not given much screen time (it's a very short book), all had interesting backstories that made them feel fleshed out. I liked how every single character had a voice, and no one was pushed to the side.
My biggest problem, and the reason this doesn't have more stars, is that the climax was not very climatic. Sure, lots of time was spent on it, by which I mean there were many pages dedicated to the event. However, the actual action that I would qualify as the actual climax point, was weak. It could be a lot more polished and there could be a great deal more emotion. Even still, it did deliver, and ended up being satisfying.
I recommend this one if you need some light reading at any point. It doesn't require much work on the part of the reader and is very entertaining.
I liked this book a lot more than I thought I would. I mean, I thought I would like it when I requested it (or I wouldn't have requested it), but it took me by surprise, still. The main character, Roscoe, was not what I expected (in good ways!) and neither were the supporting cast, the plot, or the setting. It was a pleasant surprise.
Dead Man's Drive is urban fantasy lite. It doesn't do a ton of world building, but it also doesn't suffer for it. Panush didn't have to create complex mythologies to deliver an interesting and well-thought-out plot. While his story isn't exactly original, it kept me entertained and was rather refreshing in its sparse writing. The characters, while not given much screen time (it's a very short book), all had interesting backstories that made them feel fleshed out. I liked how every single character had a voice, and no one was pushed to the side.
My biggest problem, and the reason this doesn't have more stars, is that the climax was not very climatic. Sure, lots of time was spent on it, by which I mean there were many pages dedicated to the event. However, the actual action that I would qualify as the actual climax point, was weak. It could be a lot more polished and there could be a great deal more emotion. Even still, it did deliver, and ended up being satisfying.
I recommend this one if you need some light reading at any point. It doesn't require much work on the part of the reader and is very entertaining.
Posts
Well, it sounds interesting so I'll tuck the suggestion away for when I want t lighter UF read.
ReplyDeleteKate @ Ex Libris
Awesome! If you read it, I hope you enjoy it :)
DeleteI've always enjoyed urban fantasy, so I will be looking into this one eventually. Great review!
ReplyDeleteThanks! I hope you enjoy it!
Delete