The Scent of Shadows by Vicki Pettersson

Well then. I'm finally writing up the review for this book. And yet I'm still not quite sure what I think of it. But what it does do well is uniqueness. There isn't a book quite like it out right now (okay, since it's a March 2007 release, there really isn't anything like it out), I don't think.

The Scent of Shadows by Vicki Pettersson (blog here)



Here's the back copy that I have on this ARC:

Welcome to Las Vegas Nevada...As you've never seen it before.

Supernatural fantasy has never been hotter, or more dangerous. For there's another world behind the bright lights and nonstop action of Sin City...one where Light and Shadow wage an immortal war for supremacy. But the eternal battle has reached the tipping point, and only one person can change the future: Joanna Archer, heiress, photographer, and vigilante. And no one knows the darkness within better than she does.

So....on to what I think. Well, hmm...I'm not really quite sure about how I feel about Joanna, the main character. The story is first person like most urban fantasy seems to be. Joanna is a pretty strong character, though she's got the usual nasty past that's coming back to haunt her.

The paranormal aspects here are certainly unique. They deal with the Zodiac and the idea of being able to smell the opposition. Pettersson does a very good job of conveying that. There's some romance with an old boyfriend, but not enough to really call this a romance. It's definitely more urban fantasy than anything.

And even though I have such a tough time talking about the book, I did end up staying up late to finish the book. So it definitely held my attention. I'll be picking up the second one when it comes out.