Review: Hellbent (Cheshire Red Reports #2) by Cherie Priest

TLDR recap:

Raylene, a vampire who can steal just about anything anywhere, is contracted to steal some magical items. Before she can get the job done, she’s almost blown to smithereens and adopts a kitten. Next thing she knows, she’s dealing with psychotic vampires and old ladies who fly.  Hellbent is a GraveTells Recommended Read!

• Title: Hellbent
• Series: Cheshire Red Reports – book #2
• Author: Cherie Priest
• Prominent Characters: Raylene, Ian, Adrian/Sister Rose
• Recommended reader age: 16+
• Sexual content level: moderate

*** This review is SPOILER-FREE! Read on with confidence! ***

Thoughts:

Priest’s style of writing in Hellbent, casual and conversational with the main character speaking directly to the reader, is new and intriguing. It took me a couple chapters to become accustomed to, but once I did, I liked it. Serving as a method of characterization, it showed Raylene’s slightly neurotic way of thinking, and her habit of digressing from the subject at hand. The only real complaint I had with the writing style was that it constantly reminded me I was reading a story, rather than letting me get lost and feel as if I were in the main character’s shoes.

The beginning was rather slow, cram-packed with details about the character’s life and friends and acquaintances. Combined with the unusual writing style, the initially slow, meandering pace might have been enough for me to stop reading if I weren’t reviewing it. However, once the story actually started moving, a couple chapters in, things clicked right along. I was able to get closer to Raylene, and the digressions and directly addressing the reader became less frequent.

By the time Raylene and Adrian encountered a vampire with a serious hate-on for their friend, Ian, I was right there with them. Then came the old lady who flew and orchestrated earthquakes. The pacing could have been tighter, with more frantic need, but it was still engrossing.

Memorable quotes:

Hey, at least it’s not a biker bar!

“Your taste in hangouts, Christ. Dracula’s castle may have been dank and filled with homicidal hookers, but at least it was quiet. I assume.”

 

You have to be kidding! No one would collect THOSE!

-“…bacula,” he pronounced carefully. “Plural of baculum.”

“Well, that clears it right up.”

With a sigh that almost ruffled the curtains, he said, “Raylene, they’re penis bones.”

Aaaaand…he’d finally done it. The little bastard had rendered me completely speechless.

 

Final thoughts:

Hellbent is worth getting past the slow start, and becoming accustomed to the unusual writing style. If you’re looking for a different twist on vampires, with a healthy dose of ceremonial magic, psychopaths, and an avaricious “art dealer” (read fence for stolen art and antiquities), this one is just what the doctor ordered. And don’t forget, there’s a cute kitten!

Hellbent is a GraveTells Recommended Read!

Rating: Hellbent

Related links:

Buy Hellbent: Amazon

Here are a few places you can find Hellbent author Cherie Priest:

• http://www.cheriepriest.com/ (website)
• http://facebook.com/cmpriest/ (Facebook)
• http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/221253.Cherie_Priest (GoodReads)
• http://twitter.com/#!/cmpriest (Twitter)