PositiveLibrary JournalSmooth and evocative, the writing truly brings the town of Pitchlynn to life. A fine first novel in the lasting tradition of Southern fiction.
Robin Wasserman
MixedLibrary JournalIf it sounds a little soap opera-ish, it is, something the book lightly acknowledges, but the framework is sound. However, the narrative is interrupted frequently by side trips into scientific/psychological disquisition, Lizzie\'s ruminations on \'mistress-hood,\' narrative theory, even soap-opera structure, and more. In the end, one unforeseen mystery is solved—Alice\'s paternity—but a larger one is not: What has become of Wendy/Karen this time? ... For readers of stylish psychological thrillers who can be forgiven for skimming.
Temple Drake
MixedLibrary JournalThe book proceeds apace between the two narrators; tension mounts along with Zhang’s suspicions, but although something momentous always seems about to happen, it really doesn’t. An unexpected ending—though Naemi leaves, of course—sets the stage for a follow-up, forthcoming ... A pleasurable if weird stroll through familiar grounds, vampire lite.
Caleb Crain
MixedLibrary JournalThe pace thus far has been painfully slow, but that changes when the group hacks the computer of a government contractor. The State becomes interested and arrests ensue; the book turns into a quasi-thriller for a while, then slows down again. Crain’s writing is serviceable and competent but suffers from a surfeit of detail, much of it unnecessary and relevant to nothing. There is a lot going on here, which means there is a lot to explain; the story would have been much better were it 100 pages shorter ... Overly ambitious and interesting in concept but flawed in execution; the sum of the parts far exceeds the whole.