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Book Review of The Shambling Guide To New York City (Shambling Guides, Bk 1)

The Shambling Guide To New York City (Shambling Guides, Bk 1)
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Zoe Norris is in New York City searching for a job as a travel book editor after her last job ended badly. She learns of a new publishing company which needs a travel editor and feels she would be perfect for the job. The owner is hesitant to hire her. He informs her that these travel books are meant for the undead. Zoe doesn't care and takes the job anyway. Her boss is a vampire. He orders the other creatures (Coterie) who work for him not to harm her or eat her. Zoe works with zombies, water sprites, an incubus, and other undead while she learns about the undead hot spots scattered around New York City.

Well, this was different. I decided to read this book to fulfill a reading challenge. I found it had a unique plot and was amusing in places. As Zoe learns etiquette when dealing with various creatures, she is called to meet the newly hired Coterie Resources Manager. The manager was sewn together using various body parts (think Frankenstein's monster). Zoe is shocked when she realizes he is wearing her ex-boyfriend's head. She didn't even know her ex-boyfriend had died. The CR Manager makes it clear he doesn't like Zoe. She realizes someone is messing with her and wants to know why.

I listened to this audiobook which was narrated by the author. It was a straight reading, so she didn't change her voice at all for the various characters. There were many characters in this story, all with an explanation about what kind of creature they were and how to approach them. It got kind of confusing after a while. Overall, it was an OK book. I'll give the second book in the series a try. My rating: 3 Stars.