Review: Crossroads

Posted October 6, 2011 by Jen in 4 stars, Rating A, Urban Fantasy Tags: , ,

Crossroads
Author: Jeanne C. Stein 
Release Date: August 30, 2011
Publisher: Ace
Anna Strong Chronicles #7
ISBN: #978-0441020775
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Format(s): Paperback (296 pgs), e-book
Book Source: Publisher
About the book:
      As a bounty hunter, Anna Strong knew how to find trouble. But now that she’s a vampire, trouble seems to have a knack for finding her… 
      The death of Anna’s old vampire mentor is causing ripples in the mortal world. His forensic report has brought up some anomalies and people are asking questions-questions that no vampire wants to answer. Anna needs to lie low, but the sudden discovery of a slew of drained bodies near the Mexican border brings an old flame back into her life and with him, a new challenge. Then, some stunning news from an unexpected source sends Anna and her friend Daniel Frey on a journey that may change both their lives-forever. 
What G & U are talking about:
      Crossroads is the seventh novel in the Anna Strong Chronicles.  Neither Gikany nor Una have read any previously released stories from this series, and after reading Crossroads, we recommend the series.  If you don’t mind missing out on a few things (including investment in characters) then feel free to jump in with Crossroads.
      Even though we did not have the emotional connection to the characters others may have when reading the series from the first book, we did enjoy the novel.  Crossroads was a thrilling urban fantasy ride.  Anna Strong, our heroine and narrator, is a complicated woman who is doing the best she can with the circumstances she has found herself in.  As Gikany and Una assume from the previous book blurbs, the series begins with Anna becoming a vampire and then each story chronicles her “new” life.  Although we’re sure the tension with the choices that Anna faces in this book would have deeper meaning for long-term fans, the experiences and decisions she makes in this novel were not lost on us.
      The relationship between Anna and Frey was a little puzzling as we did not have the whole back-story, but we enjoyed their friendship and the connection they must have forged during her short time as a vampire.  The unraveling of Frey’s past was thoroughly interesting and the “mystery” was gripping.  Gikany and Una especially enjoyed the richness that the Native American element added to the story.  We only wish we could speak the language so we would be able to hear the words in our head as we were reading.
      Without giving anything away, Anna is faced with a life altering decision and combined with the murder mystery; we found the novel a gripping page-turner.  There were several twists that surprised us and some questions that were left unanswered; yet Crossroads leaves you feeling satisfied and ready for the next installment.
Their Rating:
Enjoyed – strongly recommend (A-)

4 responses to “Review: Crossroads”

  2. Una

    Yeah, Angela, this poor girl, from what we can infer, has truly had one heck of a year. But we’d be interested in reading the next installment.