This is a fun new book - 1st in its series - by a new author. If you like Charlaine Harris' books, then this is along the same genre. I'm looking forward to the second one in the series.

I almost didn't read this because I was afraid it would be too dark for me, but I'm so glad I did! This book blew me away! Hands down the best book I've read all year!

Extremely promising paranormal series! Strong characters, well developed mythos, solid plotting - a terrific debut. There was substantial world arc development while managing a complete and satisfying storyline - no sense of "the rest" coming in future entries, but enough possibilities to make the universe compelling. Even the most startling twists and turns were foreshadowed well enough to be plausible.

A fresh and interesting paranormal story with a comic book-type twist to the characters and world. It is very imaginative and different than the other paranormal stories that I've read.

It is set in an alternate Las Vegas where a battle between good and evil is happening, but the regular citizens don't know about it. The lines between good and evil -light VS shadow- are very clearly drawn until our protagonist, a tough and damaged young woman, is brought onto the scene. She is part light and shadow and is believed to be the person who has been prophisized to come along and tip the balance and change things forever for whichever side she ultimately chooses to be on.

It is the first book in a series that will be at least a trilogy. I thought that it was a nice change from the vamps, witches and werewolves that are dominating the paranormal market these days.

Sorry to disagree with all of the other reviews but . . . I HATED this book. The beginning was really good but I could hardly finish it - I just didn't care about the characters by the end. The whole Zodiac fighter thing felt a little cliched and the plot was just too drawn out. I don't think I could force myself to buy the next one. However, to be fair, I think that Pettersson is a promising writer with great style and an excellent mastery of the written word - she could just use better editors.

The Scent of Shadows is a book I'd classify as dark urban fantasy. It's set in Las Vegas, there are monsters and heroes and superpowers in it and there are a lot of horrifying and violent elements to it as well. I think the series I'd compare it to in the darkness scale is maybe Lilith Saintcrow's Dante Valentine series. This book wrung me out, but I did find the ending somewhat satisfying and I am looking forward to book 2, The Taste of Night. This book was also long - 455 pages, which I'm not sure everyone will like. It did feel long to me when I was less than a hundred pages in and was still wondering what was going on. It got faster about 100-150 pages in. The world building was slow at the beginning and then revelations came in doses as Joanna seemed to be kept in the dark about many things until she absolutely had to know. The explanation of the Zodiac is something that will probably continue on to the next book.

Pettersson delivers one of the best paranormal stories I've read this year. Joanna Archer has been through hell. At 16, she was attacked, raped and left for dead in the desert. Years later the physical wounds have healed, but mentally she is still fighting her attacker. That fighting attitude will be the only thing that gets her past her 25th birthday.
The suspense, action and surprises continue until the very last page. I'm not sure if there is to be a sequel, but if there is I'll be standing in line the day it comes out.

The first of the series; this one's a keeper. While the overall tone of the book was dark, there were bits of humor sprinkled in appropriate places. The main character, Joanna, is what my grandmother would call "a real pill"; full of cynical, sarcastic, get-out-of-my-way at-i-TUDE.

There are touching moments, there are kick-butt moments and there are "eeewww" moments. This one was hard to put down. When I finally did finish it, I went straight to the computer to find out how to get the next one in the series.

Great new series. Joanna is the new "Archer" in the battle of Light vs. Shadow. She is more powerful than she knows. Great story which introduces us to Joanna and her family and her lost love as well as the people who will help her learn her potential. This is set in Las Vegas which is perfect for good vs. evil. Looking forward to the next in the series.

This is a terrific debut novel for a promising author. I was really taken by surprise with how much I liked the characters and the storyline. It's an unique and fresh addition to a genre that has too many of the same ol' tired plots and recycled characters.

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I have to agree with scoobykins. This book was interesting at the begining but just dragged on. It was much to dark for my taste. I bought the sequel but just couldn't bring myself to read it.

I have to say I was pleasantly surprised by this book. Most books I usually have to give about 50 pages before they get past the exhibition phase and start to get interesting. This one however grabbed me from the very first page. Vicki Pettersson's writing was sharp and witty and made me literally laugh aloud on multiple occasions.

One of the most interesting things about this book were it's characters. They were both strong and flawed, all with stories behind them, well motivated and interesting. It was refreshing.

Anyone looking for a great read with a dynamic storyline and engaging characters won't be disappointed.

very good series

Was OK,not sure I'll read the rest.

It was ok.

I really enjoyed this book and am looking forward to the second, A Taste of the Night, ISBN 978-0-06-089892-2
From the back of the book:


When she was sixteen, Joanna Archer was brutally assaulted and left to die in the Nevada desert. By rights, she should be dead.

Now a photographer by day, she prowls a different Las Vegas after sunset--a grim, secret Sin City where Light battles Shadow--seeking answers to whom or what she really is and revenge for the horros she was forced to endure.

But the nightmare is just beginning--for the demons are hunting Joanna, and the powerful shadows want her for their own...

I liked the books love story but the rest of it I mostly skipped through. I will be reading the second book to find out what happens next though.

Incredible read. She pulls you in and doesn't let go.

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