Nocturnal Book Reviews

I've had this book recommended to me by a friend on Goodreads, and only managed to buy and read it last month.

I can honestly say that this is one of the grittiest, harshest, most hardboiled urban fantasy series I have ever read. And I read a lot in this genre.

Julia Poe Chronicles blends almost childish simplicity of Blood Red Road, Reapers Are The Angels and Mad Max in post-apocalyptic landscape of vamp infested, deserted Los Angeles, and some of the intensity of earlier Connie Suttle and Lilith Saintcrow.

Poe certainly is one of the most messed up heroines I've had pleasure reading about. Her whole family perished in Gray Armageddon -an unknown airborne plague which killed billions instantly and allowed vampires to assert their dominance over human race. Poe was only eight when this happened, and had to find an abandoned bunker where she was hiding and learning about fighting vampires through action movies and books until 4 years later she met her first companions.

Julia is a fascinating creature, mostly due to her lack of any upbringing - savage, bloodthirsty, paranoid, lacking almost all social skills. She never gives up and that's what makes her so terrifying for vamps and their flunkies alike, and that's why she unwillingly becomes one of the symbols of human resistance.

This is an amazing true grit, which I hope any UF fan won't like to miss. You truly feel and root for Poe until the bitter end. She is a heartfelt, stubborn and strong-willed heroine who just can't catch a break... Highly recommended.