Undead and Unemployed

Rating:
Summary: Almost (but not quite) as good as the first one
Review: Betsy (Elizabeth) Taylor is now queen of the dead, but that hasn't solved her problems. Her house is overrun with termites, she doesn't have a job, she can't trust her sometimes-boyfriend, and now she learns that someone is 'staking' vampires. She's convinced that her life has taken a turn for the better when she gets a night-shift job selling shoes at Macy's but even that dream job doesn't make her other problems go away (and, even with the employee discount, she's spending so much on shoes for herself that she barely comes out ahead).

Betsy might not be the brightest bulb in the undead world, but she recognizes manipulation when she sees it--the only problem is, everyone seems to be manipulating her and she can't tell who is doing it for her own good. When she breaks up a team of human vampire slayers, she gets another boy with a crush--and another chance to send Sinclair into a jealous rage.

Fans of UNDEAD AND UNWED will be happy to see Queen Betsy back in action--fighting for fashion, worrying about her evil stepmother, trying to do her part in paying the bills, and trying to resolve the mixture of resentment and pure desire she feels toward Sinclair. There are plenty of funny moments in this story and the not-so-bright but well-meaning vampire who refuses to let go of her human friends and family makes a charming character. UNDEAD AND UNEMPLOYED doesn't quite have the freshness and joy of the first book in the series, but it is an enjoyable addition.

Rating:
Summary: Suprisingly good.
Review: Having seen the title of Ms. Davidson's first books, and thinking it sounded too silly, I read a short story in the anthology Cravings, and was hooked. True, this series is silly, but it is also engaging, hilarious, and a welcome departure from all of the ditz-seduced-by-overpowering-male-vampire books. First of all, the heroine is a ditz, but she is also more powerful than our hero, and it seems more as if he is being seduced by her than the other way around. I love vampire books, and these are the best of them all.

Rating:
Summary: Different from the first but just as good
Review: I don't see the fact that UU is different than its predecessor as a negative thing at all! Who wants to read books that are all the same anyway?

Betsey is back and this time, she gets a job. Of course Sinclair thinks it's beneath her to work but she wants to earn her living (no pun intended) instead of being a kept vampire.

This book's baddies are killing other vamps and as the queen, it's Betsey's job to find the killer and dispatch them.

UU is still as funny at MJD's other vamp books (and her hilarious short story in the How to be a Wicked Woman anthology). Yes, there isn't as much focus on the romance element but what is there is good stuff. MJD brings back Tina and Jessica and Marc as well as Sinclair and adds the goofy but earnest street punk vamp slayers and a ghost. Oh, and her father and the Ant.

Betsey is just as shallow and annoying as she was in Undead and Unmarried, only there's still something inherently likeable about her. This time we get to read her make fun of a pimply group of vampire slayers too as a bonus.

A little bit of sex, more sexual tension, some action, lots of laughs, UU is a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon, especially if you need a few laughs.

Rating:
Summary: Fantastic Book
Review: I love all Maryjanice Davidson's books, but especially the Undead books they are so funny and I can't wait for the next one. Elizabeth Taylor and Eric Sinclair make a great couple, and elizabeth is the one woman he can't intimidate with his scary but gorgous presence.


Rating:
Summary: Loved it. More, More, More!!!
Review: I needed a book to fill my Laurell K. Hamilton void and these Undead books did just that! Mary Janice Davidson is now a new favorite.

Rating:
Summary: Better than its predecessor.
Review: MaryJanice Davidson, Undead and Unemployed (Berkley, 2004)

Undead and Unemployed, I am both satisfied and chagrined to say, is even better than, and reads faster than, Undead and Unwed. In this one, Betsy, Queen of the Vampires, with her cohorts, is trying to track down a serial killer who preys on vampires, while trying to make ends meet. She lands her dream job, selling shoes at Macy's, but her personal life and queenly duties tend to get in the way of such things as holding down a job. As well, she's trying to fend off tall-dark-and-handsome Eric Sinclair and a high-school surfer boy with a crush on her at the same time, trying (and failing) to refuse to let her super-rich best friend sell her three-bedroom bungalow and buy her a ritzy mansion, and try to figure out who the five-year-old kid is who's always hanging around.

A number of the minor characters in the series are a little more fleshed out, though a number of them are still barely more than stereotypes (especially Marc, the bitchy gay roommate), and one of the plot twists here is truly surprising; a shock in formula fiction, and a very pleasant one. Davidson's second entry in the series hopefully won't be the last, and if they keep improving at this rate, she'll be at the top of the romance heap in a couple of years. ***

Rating:
Summary: The Continuing Adventures of Queen Betsy
Review: This book continues the undead adventures of Elizabeth Taylor, aka Betsy, Queen of the Vampires. And as with the first book, Betsy is as reluctant as ever to play ruler of a bunch of undead that she doesn't even find interesting or amusing.

Betsy does find herself a dream job, selling shoes at Macys, but the real plot of this book is Betsy stumbling her way through the undead, and still living world. Again, she finds herself joined by her still breathing comrades in arms, Jessica and Dr. Mark. Also making a return appearance is Betsy's "consort" Sinclair. Rest assured, Betsy still hasn't completely forgiven his deception from the first book. Thats not to say that she doesn't appreciate a fine looking man.

These books are fun, silly, laugh-out-loud funny and incredibly quick reads. They really aren't meant for deep analysis. I give the book 4 stars instead of 5 because Ms Davidson skips over some details which feels just the slightest bit lazy. For instance, what happened to Betsy's cat? Or Sinclair's "sheep"? But these are minor triffles. The book is meant to amuse and entertain, and it does so on both counts. Betsy is a hilarious heroine who appeals to me on most every level. Especially the shoe fetish.

Rating:
Summary: Superlative!
Review: This is the second (and I hope not the last) installment of Betsy, Queen of the Vampires, and it is just as funny and engaging as Undead and Unwed. Those who like strong, ironic heroines, fascinating heroes, and a fabulous assortment for a supporting cast, not to mention a high speed plot, will thoroughly enjoy this book.

Please, please give us more!! And soon!

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful!
Review: This time around Besty, our Bimbo-ish Queen of the Vampires, is forced to protect her "people" from a group of zit faced teenage vampire hunters while convincing her "people" that she is in fact their queen. Also, her self proclaimed King Sinclair is determined to pick up where they left off and rule her both in and out of the bedroom. And speaking of her bedroom - Despite her luxurious new surroundings, her home has a ghost of a murdered child haunting her. However, not all is bad news for Betsy. There is a job opening at Macy's shoe store and she is asked to fill in the position. She is now entitled to the very thing she wants most - an employee discount on footwear. These books are great and I cant wait to read the next installment. Few books make me laugh out loud but this one succeeded countless times and if you read it you will laugh to. Its time to forget the miserable and unhappy vampires from the Anne Rice novels and let yourself be reminded how fun vampires truly are...



Rating:
Summary: Macy's, Shoe's and Armani Oh My!
Review: Who can not adore, the Vampire Queen with the shoe obsession?
I know I can't.

For the longest time I put off reading these books, for no other reason than I didn't know what sassiness they held for me. I am a reader who goes through reading phases, romance, paranormal, mystery, where nothing else appeals to me but those types of books at that point in time, and I wasn't ready for the clothing obsessed Betsy yet. But now that I have met her, I can't believe I waited so long.

She's sassy, and a little vulgar, and she has a problem with saying what she thinks, she's verbally non plussed and just oh so entertaining.

Betsy again gets brought in the fray because some bad guys are killin the vamps. When the would be assassins encounter Betsy, they don't know what to think because she doesn't bare her fangs, and she doesn't try to kill, she just stands there and verbally assaults them while they shoot at her with bulletts and arrows.

Davidson, keeps bringing in more quirky secondary characters who I can't wait to see if she keeps bringing them into the Vamps world because they are quirky enough to work.

This is a sassy and slightly romantic, but definately a smile from cover to cover. Can't wait for the next installment. Give me more Betsy