The Neon Graveyard (Early Review)

The Neon Graveyard by Vicki Pettersson

Signs of the Zodiac #6

Once she was a soldier for the Light, the prophesied savior who would decide the outcome of the eternal conflict raging unseen in the dark corners of her glittering hometown. Now Joanna Archer is just another mortal -- still born of an impossible union of Shadow and Light . . . still hunted by both -- and carrying the unborn child of a lover held captive by a depraved demon goddess. Joining forces with a band of rogue Shadow agents, Joanna's ready to storm the stronghold of her demonic foe, risking everything to enter this ghastly, godforsaken realm where the price of admission is her eternal soul. Because in a world that has stripped her of her power, identity, and fortune, Joanna has nothing left to lose -- except her baby, her future, and the epic war poised to consume the city.

Joanna has been knocked down time and time again. She's gone from a damaged woman to an incredibly strong superhero who was prophesized to be the Kairos, and then back down to being mortal again. She's taken up with the grays, or the rouge agents of the zodiac as she is being hunted by both the Shadow and the Light. She carries her trapped lover's unborn child and will do almost anything to free him, even risk her soul.
  
The thing I have always loved most about the Signs of the Zodiac series was the characters and their relationships with each other. Of course the constant danger was more than entertaining, but when it all is said and done, it will be the characters themselves, Joanna most of all, that have made the lasting impact on me, not their journey. Joanna could be described as nothing less than damaged goods, however instead of being weak from that damage, she turned it into a strength like no other. Countless times she is battered down and torn apart only to pick herself up and come back even stronger. It is a funny thing to say, but at times I think her sister's death may have really helped her in the long run. Of course she will always have that pain associated with the loss, but in taking Olivia's identity, it also forced her to allow a softer side, capable of love. This brings into play her relationship with Hunter, who was the only one who saw her for who she was, not what he could use her for. I could go on and on all about all of the characters, especially the two-faced Warren, but I'll let you read the books and find out for yourselves.

I have to admit that I never really cared for the Midheaven aspect in these books. I would have preferred for it to have taken a less important role. In fact, it really lessened the Tulpa's "big bad" aspect, as Solange just seemed so much worse. Of course you know what they say about "A Woman Scorned." All of the conflict and danger was so immense with Solange, that when it came time to deal with the Tulpa, I just didn't really feel the threat. Perhaps it just was the fact that by the time he reared his ugly little head, Joanna was completely done with being pushed around and used, making the Tulpa just another annoyance to her. In the end I guess it makes sense as Joanna states several time that she would sacrifice anyone, including herself in order to protect Hunter, and since the Tulpa wasn't really threatening him, she just really wasn't affected that much.

The Neon Graveyard did have a slightly slow start, but it quickly gained a heart pounding momentum. While the ending wasn't strictly a happy ever after, the characters did find a resolution of some sorts. At the very least, Joanna will be getting the break she so desperately needs, but who really knows what is in store for the future. I did feel a sense of closure and satisfaction with the ending, however things were left more than open enough for Vicki Pettersson to pick things back up in the future if she wants. So, it was the perfect blend of completion yet left me wanting more, and a fantastic place to end the series before reader fatigue could even think to set in. The Neon Graveyard is one you won't want to miss as it really is a great ending to a fantastic series.

(Received from Netgalley)

Rating:

Pre-order at Amazon:
The Neon Graveyard (Sign of the Zodiac, Book 6)

Challenge Categories:
Outdo Yourself
Horror and Urban Fantasy