Three Days to Dead [Mass Market Paperback]

Evangeline `'Evy'' Stone worked as a Dreg Bounty Hunter cleaning up the city by killing rogue goblins, trolls, vampires, and other creatures. She was part of a bounty hunter squad called a Triad but something went terribly wrong and all three people ended up dead.

But somehow Evangeline has been resurrected and has three days more to live. She starts her first day by waking up naked on a morgue slab with out much recollection of what happened to her. Evy now inhabits a stranger's body and with her Triad all dead, there are not many people to go to for answers.

One phone number and name is still fresh in Evy's mind so she reaches out to her boss aka her Handler, Wyatt. Wyatt informs Evy that he is the one who resurrected her because she knows something very important that she needs to tell him that could save the world.

There was a rumor of the vampires uniting with goblins and if this happens it could cause horrible repercussions. Evy knows something and Wyatt needs to uncover this information to save everyone. But there's one problem. Evy's memories are very hazy and she can not remember what she needs to tell Wyatt.

With only three days until she dies again, the time ticks down as the two of them run for their lives as fugitives accused of crimes they didn't commit. Will Evy be able to put together the clues as to why she and her squad were murdered? What does Evy know and will she remember in time to tell Wyatt?

Three Days to Dead is the debut urban fantasy novel by new author Kelly Meding. The story starts off with Evy Stone waking up on a morgue slab, naked and in another person's body. I was immediately drawn into her world, curious, and anxious to find out how she ended up in this situation.

The suspense is so intense in this book with the hours left for Evy to live counted down on the top of every chapter. Every scene is extremely vivid and I felt like I was right along side Evy, hiding from the cops behind the bushes. I could feel the branches scratch my body, my heart raced along with her, I was worried and scared, I felt everything she felt.

Even though this is an urban fantasy novel and we all know that vampires and goblins aren't real and that people can't really be resurrected after dying, Kelly Meding made me believe it could happen. I felt like Evy Stone was telling me her story and I knew her, she was my friend. As she ran around the city, desperate for answers, not knowing who she could trust, I was right there by her side through it all, nervously turning the pages long into the night.

When an author can make her characters come alive for the reader in such a way, I believe she has accomplished her goal. Three Days to Dead does not read like a debut novel. If I did not know this was Kelly Meding's first book I wouldn't believe you if you told me. The story is intricately written with sharp details, strong characterization, plenty of paranormal creatures, mystery, non -stop suspense, and a touch of romance.

Three Days to Dead is hands down the best urban fantasy novel that I've read, ever, and I've read a lot. Kelly Meding's next book is due out in 2010 and has the working title As Lie the Dead. Overall, there is no way for me to properly express how breath taking and amazing Three Days to Dead truly is. I promise you this book will blow you away and make you wish she had a backlist for you to run out and buy. Three Days to Dead is an outstanding debut by a strong new voice in urban fantasy that demands to be heard.

After reading many Paranormal Romance and Urban Fantasy novels, I sometimes wonder how a new author will manage to create a fantasy world with characters that will grab my attention and wow me with something different. Three Days To Dead had me at page one when Evangeline Stone, a bounty hunter of paranormals, wakes up in a morgue in the body of someone else with no memory of how she died or the circumstances that lead up to her death. Accused of killing the other members of her Triad--her bounty hunting team-- Evy has been branded a traitor and is being hunted by those she once trusted. She has three days to solve her own murder, regain her memory and reveal the secrets that could save the world.

Although this Urban Fantasy world offers some fresh and unique elements, I think it's the characterization that really stands out for me. Evy is a heroine that grabbed my attention immediately and I was pulling for her throughout the story. She's a kick-ass woman who keeps her eye on the target. Although she is a fighter in a violent world, she manages to keep her humanity intact, and she can love those close to her without allowing her relationships to cripple her ability to get the job done.

Wyatt, Evy's handler has paid a very dear and permanent price for her temporary resurrection. He does this not only out of duty in an effort to stop an alliance that could mean the end of the world as we know it, but also because he is love with her. This may ultimately be his undoing. There are many things to like about Wyatt, but his character is also quite flawed. He deals with his own selfishness, and poor choices, but his openness with Evy makes him a very likeable character in spite of his mistakes.

Urban Fantasy is fast becoming my favorite genre and books like this are the reason why. Kelly Meding has created a complex Urban Fantasy world of human bounty hunters, paranormal politics, and mythical creatures. This debut novel is fast paced, suspenseful and full of unexpected twists.

A Triad is a three-person Bounty Hunter squad. Evangeline "Evy" Stone wakes up on a cold slab in the morgue - in a stranger's body, with no memory of who she is or how she got there. Bits of memory return. Before that night, Evy and the other two members of her Triad were doing their jobs of mercilessly cleansing the city of the murderous creatures that dwell in the shadows, such as vampires and goblins. Then something happened that cost all three of them their lives and convinced the city's other Hunters that Evy was a traitor.

Wyatt Truman was the Handler of Evy's Triad. At great personal cost he made a deal for a reincarnation spell to resurrect Evy. Evy is now a fugitive, attempting to piece together her memory in hopes of recalling vital information concerning dark rumors of an unholy alliance forming and solve her own murder. But Evy's time is running out. In three days the resurrection spell wears off and Evy will die again.

**** FOUR STARS! Today's market seems to be overflowing with Buffy wanna-be characters; however, this author adds more than one twist to spice up the action. Vampires, goblins, the Fey, trolls, and many more mythical creatures play major roles in Evy's city. Each faction has its own rules and hierarchy. Some are allies with the humans that know of their existence. Others would like nothing more than to see humanity wiped off the earth. There are even a few who walk the neutral line. If you are looking for some dark fantasy with unique and unexpected twists, this is it! Kelly Meding knows her craft well. ****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

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