Zen and the Art of Vampires

By: Katie MacAlister

Narrated by: Nicole Poole

Length: 10 hrs and 18 mins

Publisher's Summary

USA Today and Publishers Weekly best-selling author Katie MacAlister gets listeners' hearts racing with her unique brand of paranormal romance. While on a singles tour of Europe, Seattle's own Pia Thomason is looking for a man and trying not to think about her 40th birthday. Too bad her choice of suitors is less than appealing. But when she meets two mysterious strangers in Iceland, Pia becomes immersed in an undead love affair. And she learns that where vampires are concerned, love isn’t the only thing at stake.

Love in vein: spend some more time with the Dark Ones.

©2008 Katie MacAlister (P)2010 Recorded Books, LLC

Critic Reviews

“Wickedly hot.” (Romance Reviews Today)

Not full novel. cliffhanger.

I hate being forced to buy a second book to finish a story. it's just wrong. unless you want to buy 2 book don't waste your credit on this one.

Yeah- there’s a cliffhanger

So there is a cliffhanger. End of that now

It’s one of those things where the heroine is caught between two sexy vamps and a slightly deranged guy who is in charge of a religious cult like organization. Someone dies. Pia is accused of her murder. Dark ones help her. Then cliffhanger.

I probably wouldn’t listen over and over. Not a bad story just not a repeat listen for me. Nicole Poole is brilliant as always.

GFYDU MTYB DBAD

Entertainng Story

If you could sum up Zen and the Art of Vampires in three words, what would they be?

unresolved romance

Who was your favorite character and why?

Magda - she has a gusto for adventure

What does Nicole Poole bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

gives the charaters their own personality

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I cannot say I was particularly moved by the book but definately entertained.

Quirky and Fun

A slightly different kind of story by Katie MacAlister but fun as always. Her characters are always a bit off the wall and snarky. Can't wait to read the next installment of this particular story.

Narrator Ruined Book

What did you like best about Zen and the Art of Vampires? What did you like least?

The storyline was really weak and the narrator was a bad choice.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

I really didn't find much of anything interesting and the storyline was slow.

Would you be willing to try another one of Nicole Poole’s performances?

NO

Did Zen and the Art of Vampires inspire you to do anything?

No

Any additional comments?

I really like the other books in the series, but the narrator really ruined this book for me.

Narrator did excellent, with what was presented.

First, I must admit I am reading/listening to these books out of order. I'm not sure if it's because of this or because I have recently read/listened to some very good books, but this story was just completely lacking. It left me feeling entirely lost and wondering if I had purchased only half a book. It leads up to the point where they will begin their relationship (which I knew because I read them bass akwards) but then stops, before they even GET together! The story itself seemed to have an excellent concept, but horrible execution. The main character acts like an airhead the entire book and, quite honestly is an idiot. I've, thankfully only ever met one person that reminded me of Pia, or else I'd probably have gone insane. It's the kind of person that you ask to do something, Tell to do something, then figure 'screw it' and do it yourself. Though, I must admit the main bad guy I didn't realize would be who it was, however the end of the book Really doesn't tie that end up either. I'm left feeling as though I'm holding a bunch of loose ends, and that that's how the author wanted, so that we'd buy her next book in the series. I'm normally alright with cliff-hangers, but by darned it, at least bring the main character and her mate together in the book that's about Them. With that I think I'm done with my rant. Pick another book, even though the narrator tried, and I really did like how she did the voices (though Pia took a little getting used to) I enjoyed being able to tell who was who by the voice she put to them alone. That, sometimes is rare with narrators.

Ending?

I feel like I am missing the last chapter of the story. The ending was very anticlimactic. Edit: just got the next book and the story continues. All of the other books wrapped up the story line so I didn't expect it to continue to the next book. looking forward to hearing the rest of the story.

Disappointing

I would like to preface this by saying how much I love Katie MacAlister. She is an amazing author. She writes hilarious stories that depict what it might be like for real down to earth people to meet and get caught up in the lives of paranormal people. I have read or listened to most of what she has written. For me she is an automatic download. I have thoroughly enjoyed all of the books so far in the Dark Ones series. However this book was very different.

Usually Ms MacAlister's heroines are smart,and have a great deal of common sense who get caught up in all sorts of crazy chaotic situations. But in this book the heroine was disappointing, very disappointing. I actually skipped chapters and skimmed others because though the heroine made me angry I wanted to give the book a chance. I listened to the first nine chapters in full hoping the book would redeem itself. It didn't and nine chapters was all I could take.

So if a heroine that behaves with little common sense or intelligence makes you as frustrated as it does me then I suggest you skip this one and move on to the next. It's not a bad story just very frustrating and irritating.

Chevelle

this book was good getting the next book to the series. narrator was good also

Whiny narrator and cliffhanger ending

I liked the story well enough, though I think it would have been more entertaining reading it rather than listening to it. The narrator's voice was whiny and too old. It made the snarky humor more annoying than it would have been on paper, and the sex scenes sort of squicky because I'm picturing a too-old and unattractive heroine due to the voice. My biggest issue, though, is that this is not a complete story. There is a sequel and this book ends on a cliffhanger. After over 10 hours of listening, I was not amused to get an incomplete story. There should be a big warning that this is not a stand-alone volume. I don't appreciate having to pay for another full audiobook.