Skeleton Crew (Underworld Cycle) [Paperback]

After last year's surprising debut by Cameron Haley, I was very interested to see how the author would further develop the story and setting in Skeleton Crew, the second volume of The Underworld Cycle. With the blurb promising zombies, I grew even more excited, wondering what surprises the author had in store for readers. A warning though before I continue. If you have not read Mob Rules, the first book of The Underworld Cycle, then please be aware that there are spoilers ahead...

Like most urban fantasy novels, The Underworld Cycle takes place in a contemporary setting where magic exists in the normal world. In this case, the residents of L.A. call magic "juice". Domino Riley is one such practitioner and lately she's had her hands full due to the events of the previous book, Mob Rules. This includes dealing with a new gang, Domino appointed the war general of her gang, and working alongside Adan Rashan--the son of Shanar Rashan, a Sumerian wizard ganglord.

Skeleton Crew meanwhile, opens with a funeral that quickly turns bizarre when the bodies of those getting buried climb out of their coffins craving human flesh. From here, Domino, Adan, Honey and her new pixie boyfriend must figure out why the spirits of the recently deceased are refusing to leave their mortal remains, and stop the zombie infestation before the US government decides to nuke L.A. At the same time, Domino must also deal with her complicated feelings for Adan and their power struggles.

Compared to Mob Rules, Skeleton Crew is definitely better. The pacing is excellent with events escalating to an exciting conclusion where Domino and company must face very difficult choices; Domino herself is very fun to read, reminding me of the criminal Parker by Richard Stark; and the tone of the book continues to venture into darker territory. Plus, the author utilizes a real-life controversial topic in the plot that was a good move, even if it is not developed very far.

Drawbacks are few, but include a protagonist who is portrayed more as a hero than the criminal she's supposed to be--probably because Domino's life as a gangster is told rather than shown--and an interesting setting that is restricted only to Los Angeles.

CONCLUSION: While Mob Rules showed some promise, it faltered during the middle and third parts of the novel. Skeleton Crew on the other hand, has very few dull moments as it races towards a macabre, but exciting conclusion, while giving readers larger doses of action, not to mention a kick-ass heroine and a worthwile incentive to come back for the third volume of The Underworld Cycle, which is being paved towards an explosive finale...

Domino Riley is practically the top dog in her outfit as her mobster boss has handed almost all of the reigns over to her. While this may have been her life's admiration, it means the buck stops with her and she is responsible for anything that could go wrong. So when zombies start showing up and "reproducing" like crazy, she knows she's in trouble, but that it is up to her to get to the bottom of things. Of course the distraction of her attraction to her boss's son Adan, doesn't help things. She'll have to team up with him as well as her other allies in order to have any chance at stopping the zombie Apocalypse. Luckily she has some kick butt skills to back her otherwise, there would be no hope for this little sorceress.

The saying goes "Be careful what you wish for because you just might get it." Domino learned this hard lesson in Skeleton Crew as she may have gotten her wish to lead a war effort to help people. However, it came with a horrible cost that she never could have predicted. If she fails in her efforts, millions of lives will be lost, the stakes really are that high. Domino of course keeps her cool and continues to be the driving force. She really is everything a leader needs to be. I found it amusing that the Fairy King kept taking her orders for where he was to concentrate his efforts considering he is supposed to be so much more powerful. In fact, she pretty much controlled the plans the entire book. Perhaps she has more influence than she truly realizes.

I really love the dynamic between the characters in this series. They are so fully fleshed out and their relationships are completely realized. You can't help but to care for them, and want to root them on. The Piskies continue to add a softer side that really helps to balance out Domino's outward gruffness. The sexual tension between Domino and Aden is also rather thick, perhaps more on her side, but this helps to ground her character even more. All of the characters seem to carry a certain amount of respect for Domino, and I am very happy that she continues to work very hard to make sure deserves it. She definitely is my favorite "good" bad guy.

Let me just say that while I enjoyed the first book, this one blew it out of the water. The stakes are just that much higher, however I never once felt weighed down by this, and found the pacing to be very good. Just as soon as a fight scene would start to feel a little overwhelming, it would end, proving this author sure knows how to keep the perfect balance between action, plot, and story. The ending caught me slightly off guard, but I think it set things up for an interesting future. These books are urban fantasy at their finest, and this is one author you will want to watch out for. Major kudos for another great novel that left me more than entertained!

Second book in The Underworld Cycle and a marked improvement over Haley's debut novel. Though I enjoyed Mob Rules, I felt it needed quite a bit of work, hard to get into early on, and the lingo using "juice" instead for "magic" at times irritating, but interesting nonetheless. It did have some great moments, particularly the fast pace second half which I can only describe as twists galore.

Series has a unique focus, mainly on gang wars and then connecting it to the fey. Skeleton Crew was simply better written, and action from start to finish, so good stuff on that regard. I felt the plot of the first book was stronger and more interesting, but the flow of the novel and the character interaction was superior this time around.

The novel focused on zombies, and even though I'm not a fan of them, I thought it was a cool take on zombie lore. In any case, looking forward to the next installment Dead Drop.