Haunted (Anna Strong Chronicles #8) by Jeanne C. Stein
Urban Fantasy
August 28, 2012
Ace

Favorite Quote: “What am I?” I whisper then. “Vengeance.“

Haunted, #8 in the Anna Strong Chronicles, brings back the dynamic action packed life of Anna Strong-bounty hunter turned vampire, that I missed in book 7. Anna was turned into a vampire through violent means and without her consent. While it has been a wild adventure for Anna, she has accepted her role in being the Chosen. She is content in her relationship with Stephan, a human reporter, but she can’t help the loneliness that is beginning to claw at her. Being the Chosen and immortal, she is finding herself wanting something more; with someone who can truly understand her dual nature and the problems that comes with it. When her friend Culebra, a mysterious shape shifter, reveals his past to Anna, she is both shocked and repelled. Culebra is not who she thought. When his past comes to him for help, Anna and her ex boyfriend, DEA agent Max, will have to shove aside their animosity, travel with Culebra into Mexico and infiltrate the drug cartel to help him right an old wrong. But things are not as they seem and Anna soon learns that some things from the past will never let you go.

Anna is what every Urban Fantasy heroine should be. A tough, gutsy, complex character who delivers what’s promised. She has a strong presence but doesn’t overwhelm. Stein’s conversational writing style is even flowing and fleshes out even the most minute details to provide a rich story telling experience. She has accepted her destiny as the Chosen and lives more in harmony with her vampiric side, but we see a stronger human urge for love, family, and security in here. Once I started reading, I was engrossed in Anna’s story. The world Stein has created is a perfect blending of supernatural wonder and magic with modern times. I like that Anna continues to learn from her earlier mistakes which allows for growth not only in her character but in this series. She still jumps the gun, but she isn’t as self destructive anymore.

The majority of this story revolves around Culebra. We learn some things about him that contradicts what we have believed so far. Action, violence, and subterfuge are the main components and they are used to highlight and draw out both Culebra’s and Anna’s nurturing sides. We see Frey and his son, giving us hope that they will become more and more a permanent feature in future storylines. I liked the fact that even with multiple subplots, the main story line stays focused and reads fast and furious. Betrayal is a recurring factor that presents itself on many different levels. While some of the plot and it’s main characters actions were predictable, it didn’t take away from the over all enjoyment.

Many readers will be pleased to see that Haunted resolves some long standing storylines and opens new doors for Anna. One in particular that I have been waiting for a long time. What appeals to me in this series is it’s plot driven storyline. Fast paced action and strong characters play a huge part while romance is subdued and used to accent the story rather than compete against it. This series is continuing arc so I do not recommend it as a stand alone. Even though the main conflict is resolved at the end of each installment, past scenes and relationships are often referenced and that will not make sense if you are not familiar with the players. I enjoyed this newest adventure into Anna’s life and was pleased by the direction Ms. Stein is taking with the series.

Overall rating: B

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