Reviews

Romantic Times:

Teenage zombies can be a real pain, as shapeshifter and demon slayer Victory Vaughn can readily attest. Welcome to Holzner’s fascinating world, where a plague has turned much of the Boston population into zombies. Part demon-busting tale, part political thriller, Holzner’s take on urban fantasy is exciting and fresh. Here’s to the future adventures of Vicky Vaughn!

Full review here.

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The Book Smugglers:

From the second I saw the ridiculously awesome, over-the-top cover for the book, I had high hopes and Ms. Holzner truly delivers with this incredibly solid debut UF novel. Deadtown is told with an authoritative voice starring a great new heroine, and puts an imaginative spin on the usual paranormal suspects; the plotting and worldbuilding are compelling and undeniably fresh.

In short – I absolutely loved Deadtown.

[. . .]

Deadtown is one of the strongest starts to a new UF series I have had the pleasure of reading in a long while. Absolutely recommended for old genre fans and new fans alike – and I cannot wait for the release of book 2. Ms. Holzner is a talent to watch out for.

Full review here.

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Bitten by Books:

FIVE TOMBSTONES

Beginning with its first page, this exciting, gripping novel sustains its high-octane suspense throughout the narrative, keeping the reader guessing until the end. With a protagonist easy to root for and a wide range of interesting, well-defined secondary characters and authentic relationships, the author creates a world with eerie parallels to our own.

[. . .]

Holzner applies humor with a deft hand, enhancing the reading experience of this superb addition to the urban fantasy genre. This reviewer will be first in line for Deadtown’s sequel.

Full review here.

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Enchanted by Books:

There is great characterization in this novel with each person fully fleshed out. The zombies are like regular people, the vampires are self absorbed, the werewolf is a workaholic, and the shifter is a kind hearted demon slayer out to save the town. There’s plenty of action, suspense and humor in Deadtown that will keep you reading long into the night. I am thrilled with this first book and can not wait to return to Deadtown for more adventures with Victory Vaughn.

Full review here.

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Huntress Reviews:

FIVE STARS! . . . the author has a winner with Vicky Vaughn. Whether I think back on the writing style, character developments, or anything else, I can recall absolutely zero flaws. Nancy Holzner has created a unique story that is exceptional in every possible way.

Full review here.

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All Things Urban Fantasy:

Deadtown is a welcome addition to the urban fantasy landscape. Nancy imbues an emotional aspect into her debut that resonates with our own past prejudices and fears and forces us to evaluate our beliefs about this unreal world in a very real way. There is a lot of great action, social commentary, and a dash of romance in Deadtown. The world building, borrowing heavily from Welsh mythology, is fresh and complex. Vicky is instantly likable and realistically tough yet vulnerable. And I can’t wait to read more.

Full review here.

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Literary Escapism:

I so totally read Deadtown in one day . . . Definitely go buy this book and check it out.  The cover is gorgeous and the story will be such a great ride.  Who knows, you may get sucked in like I did.

Full review here.

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Sara’s Urban Fantasy Blog:

Deadtown is a fresh and entertaining addition to the genre that has a little bit of everything . . . 5 Stars

Full review here.

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Smokin’ Hot Books:

This was a fast paced read with plenty of action, some giggles, and a heroine written just the way I like ‘em.  Smart, Sassy, and isn’t afraid to kick some ass!

Full review here.

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Falcata Times:

[Y]ou know that you’re in for a serious treat with this book. Its engaging, the characters are fascinating and above all whilst many authors are having virtually unkillable protagonists leading the way, the vulnerability of this tough cookie makes it even more gripping. Yep she’s a smart ass, yep she’s got a tough outer shell but in the centre of her being is much gooeyness that the reader can’t help but like. It’s a good opener, it’s a cracker of a story arc but perhaps most of all it’s a story that will lead the reader by the hand into a series that will capture the imagination as the author interweaves myth’s, legends and prophecies into a web of intrigue. Great stuff.

Full review here.

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Fantastic Book Review:

Holzner’s fantastic world building of Deadtown and nonstop action had me flipping the pages with anticipation. I can’t wait to see what Holzner pulls out from under her sleeves next.

Full review here.

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Book Obsessed:

I really enjoyed the book and I am really looking forward to the next one . . .  [Deadtown] has the potential to become a really great Urban Fantasy Series. Nancy Holzner did a job that far exceeded my expectations for a debut author. I can’t wait to spend more time in Deadtown.

Full review here.

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Fantasy Literature:

I became a fan of urban fantasy when I ran out of Jim Butcher’s The Dresden Files books. My search for substitutes has brought me to discover several authors in that same vein who I particularly like: Patricia Briggs, Simon R. Green, and now Nancy Holzner. That’s lofty company for a debut fantasy writer, but Deadtown holds up quite well against the best in the genre. It’s really an exceptional start of a new series. I’ll be eagerly waiting for the sequel.

Full review here.

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Smexy Books:

Nancy Holzner’s debut in urban fantasy . . . is a strong, welcome addition to the genre. Deadtown is a very solid start to what I hope are many adventures to come with Vicky.

Full review here.

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J. Kaye’s Book Blog:

“Deadtown”, by Nancy Holzner, is a delightful, fresh, and funny, urban legend story. . . 5 Stars

Full review here.

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Fiction Vixen:

Deadtown is a good Urban Fantasy debut full of mystery, fantasy, and magic.  I look forward to the future adventures of Vicky Vaughn and the residents of Deadtown.

Full review here.

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Debuts & Reviews:

[E]ntertaining and highly readable. The characters were interesting and believable, and the dynamics of the protagonist’ difficult family and social relationships were as realistic as her world was imaginative.

Full review here.

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Other Worlds:

Deadtown has enough action, wit and snappy dialogue to stand out from the crowd and Holzner has created a world that’s cleverly and logically constructed, complete with politics and social agendas.

Full review here.

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Night Owl Reviews:

[P]ure excitement is packed in to the 326 pages that is “Deadtown”. . . I found “Deadtown” to be a fast read with exciting, witty characters, a great plot and with plenty of action. Holzner has created a heroine worthy of fans.

4.5 stars . . . A Night Owl Reviews Top Pick

Full review here.

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Best Fantasy Stories:

Deadtown is the first in what I hope will be a long running fantasy series about Vicky’s life as a PA (Paranormal Americans) in modern day Boston. Nancy Holzner has created a plausible world in which humans and the supernatural co-exist, in particular, the political backdrop surrounding the story is dead on.

Full review here.

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Amberkatze’s Book Blog:

[W]ith Deadtown I have found another must read series . . . Vicky is a kick-ass heroine that I definitely want to read more about. The world the author has developed in this new release is absolutely unique, dangerous and worth reading about. Just when I think that all the good plots must have been used up already, something like Deadtown comes along and wows me!

Deep, dark and edgy this could be one of my favourite reads this year . . . There is nothing at fault with this book. Make sure you don’t miss out on this new author on the block. Deadtown is a must read.

Full review here.

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SFRevu:

Deadtown will appeal to urban fantasy readers who like a taste of the new. Here’s to sequels that explore Vicky’s Welsh folklore origins, as well as expanding the cosmology of her world. Holzner has created a big canvas for adventures, so it’ll be rewarding to see that canvas filled in, book by book.

Full review here.

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Paranormal Fantasies:

I absolutely loved DEADTOWN!  Nancy Holzner has created an interesting world with amazing characters that grabs you and sucks you in.  This book brings action, laughs and real issues together with a unique flair that you can’t help but enjoy.  The plot was filled with twists and turns and tons of information but it never slowed down as I became engrossed in this refreshingly new take on Urban Fantasy.  I cannot wait to read more in this series!

Full review here.

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Long and Short Reviews:

In the mood for a dark, sexy, urban fantasy? Then step into Deadtown, the first story in a series that is as refreshing as it is complex. It’s been a long time since I’ve been swept away by a story, and I can assure you that once you delve into the world created by Nancy Holzner, you will be eager to return for a visit.

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Fans of urban fantasy will love Deadtown. It’s something new in a genre saturated by more of the same. If you’re in the market for something different, be sure to place this title on your TBR list.

Full review here.

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Intense Whisper:

Deadtown was one of the most unique books I have read and I spent an hour gushing to my husband about the world. I am so glad that Nancy brought her monsters out of the closet in Deadtown!

Full review here.