Fans of Kim Harrison and Laurell K. Hamilton won't want to miss this action-packed supernatural debut featuring a young woman who discovers she has the ability to detect evil and a perilous destiny as a member of the enigmatic Zodiac. Joanna Archer knows all about darkness. Raped at age 16, she's spent the last 9 years watching the dark side of humanity. By day she's an heiress and photographer in Vegas. By night she prowls the forsaken streets looking for revenge...and the chance to exorcise the demon within. Until a chance date turned horrific reveals a world beyond the bright lights and big action of Sin City - an otherworld filled with supernatural forces where Light and Dark war with each other. Only the brave members of the Zodiac - twelve men and women endowed with magical abilities - can keep evil at bay. And with a mysterious legacy from her mother and preternatural fighting skills, Joanna could be one of them...if she survives long enough. Because the demons are hunting Joanna, and the powers of darkness want her for their own.
The Scent of Shadows
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"The Scent of Shadows came out of nowhere and slapped me silly. ... You're going to love this."--Kim Harrison
About the Author
After ten years with the Tropicana's Folies Bergere, Vegas native Vicki Pettersson traded in her sequins for a laptop. But she still knows all about what really happens behind the scenes in Sin City.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By D. Tasker
Format:Mass Market Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
It is not often that you get a really good supernatural read that has really well developed characters and a great storyline. Although this book has some really hard hitting plot lines and is based on a woman who was raped and left for dead at 16 it is really well written. You actually feel for the characters and you can identify with them. The book is fast paced and has some really original ideas. The story is based on a woman called Joanna as she struggles to reconcile her past and fufill her destiny but it is as a "superhero" for good or for evil? Will not spoil the plot anymore but ignore the cover which would put anyone off and buy it.
13 of 15 people found the following review helpful
By Lesley70
Format:Mass Market Paperback
Where to begin because there is an awful lot packed into this book. Joanna Archer has a destiny of which she is unaware. Attacked at 16 and left for dead, she survived against all the odds. But unbeknownst to her time was still running out - now it's almost up. On her 25th birthday she'll be faced with a choice - live or die, fight for the light or the dark. Now as she discovers her family secrets and finds out who she is, she'll take her place in the Zodiac.
This is one of the best books I have read this year, combining superheroes and urban fantasy into an edgy, compulsive read. Joanna is a flawed heroine, she complains, she bitches and she's got a smart mouth, but she's human, she's real and you empathise with her. And when push comes to shove she gets on with it. It's the fact that she isn't perfect that makes her so interesting to read about. She has a duality, drawn to the light and the dark, and she acknowledges the part of herself that is frightening.
The other characters are equally interesting and well written - Olivia the perfect sister, Warren the mentor with a disturbing past of his own, Chandra the jealous initiate who feels Joanna has stolen her place. What lifts this story above others is the fact it's made clear that though you may be born to the light or dark Zodiac you still have a choice, you can change. Shades of grey are nearly always more interesting to read about than black and white.
Must quickly mention here the comic shop scene which is one of my favourites from the book (reminiscent of a similar scene from The Lost Boys movie). Joanna tries to find out about being a superhero (agent of the Zodiac) from the comic books that have been written about them (called manuals). Just a wonderfully written segment.... Read more ›
This is one of the best books I have read this year, combining superheroes and urban fantasy into an edgy, compulsive read. Joanna is a flawed heroine, she complains, she bitches and she's got a smart mouth, but she's human, she's real and you empathise with her. And when push comes to shove she gets on with it. It's the fact that she isn't perfect that makes her so interesting to read about. She has a duality, drawn to the light and the dark, and she acknowledges the part of herself that is frightening.
The other characters are equally interesting and well written - Olivia the perfect sister, Warren the mentor with a disturbing past of his own, Chandra the jealous initiate who feels Joanna has stolen her place. What lifts this story above others is the fact it's made clear that though you may be born to the light or dark Zodiac you still have a choice, you can change. Shades of grey are nearly always more interesting to read about than black and white.
Must quickly mention here the comic shop scene which is one of my favourites from the book (reminiscent of a similar scene from The Lost Boys movie). Joanna tries to find out about being a superhero (agent of the Zodiac) from the comic books that have been written about them (called manuals). Just a wonderfully written segment.... Read more ›
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By Book Addict
TOP 500 REVIEWER
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
At the tender age of 15, Las Vegas heiress Joanna Archer spends a blissful weekend with her boyfriend Ben Traina until her younger sister Olivia turns up announcing their father intends to send her to juvenile hall if she doesn't return home promptly. During their return journey Joanna is attacked; savagely raped and beaten and left for dead in the desert. Yet somehow she survives and spends nearly ten years honing her body into a weapon capable of killing. Now with her 25th birthday rapidly approaching, strange events are occurring; a blind date attacks her, she hits a vagrant with her car and witnesses his rapid healing with her own eyes before he states that she is the prophesised first sign and her beloved Ben Traina returns to her life.
Since her attack Joanna has certainly changed; she hunts the streets of Las Vegas at night under the guise of a photographer, but in reality she is searching for the face of her attacker and intends to kill him. Yet suddenly she discovers she is part of a supernatural war raging secretly throughout Las Vegas between Shadow warriors and Light; 12 members on each side who each represent a sign of the zodiac. If she survives her metamorphosis into her third life which will take place on her 25th birthday she will assume the role of Sagittarius; The Archer and fully embrace her supernatural skills. Yet those of the Shadow fully intend she never reaches 25 and will not only kill her, but those she loves deeply to prevent her taking her place in Zodiac Troup 175; division of anti-evil Las Vegas.
Wow, wow and wow again; "The Scent of Shadows" is absolutely amazing.... Read more ›
Since her attack Joanna has certainly changed; she hunts the streets of Las Vegas at night under the guise of a photographer, but in reality she is searching for the face of her attacker and intends to kill him. Yet suddenly she discovers she is part of a supernatural war raging secretly throughout Las Vegas between Shadow warriors and Light; 12 members on each side who each represent a sign of the zodiac. If she survives her metamorphosis into her third life which will take place on her 25th birthday she will assume the role of Sagittarius; The Archer and fully embrace her supernatural skills. Yet those of the Shadow fully intend she never reaches 25 and will not only kill her, but those she loves deeply to prevent her taking her place in Zodiac Troup 175; division of anti-evil Las Vegas.
Wow, wow and wow again; "The Scent of Shadows" is absolutely amazing.... Read more ›
9 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Mass Market Paperback
Every generation twelve men and women are born, raised, and trained to keep order in their part of the world. When all twelve positions are filled, there is peace and cosmic balance. Every major city in the world has a Zodiac troop, though the suburbs are patrolled by independents (rogue agents). Think of them as the paranormal police force.
Joanna and Olivia Archer maybe sisters, but they seemed to be complete opposites. Olivia is the socialite and favorite of their father, Xavier Archer. Xavier owns the casino-hotel Valhalla in Las Vegas. He represents the city's finest in business. Joanna's life has been rougher. Since she was attacked as a teen and left for dead, Joanna has turned to photography and the art of dirty street fighting. But everything changes on Joanna's twenty-fifth birthday. She dies.
The next day, Joanna learns that there is another world beyond the glamour of Sin City. Warriors of the Light and of the Shadow battle in an immortal war. The good news is that Joanna is The One, the first real sign of the zodiac. She is half Light and half Shadow. She may very well be the city's greatest warrior. The bad part is that she wants nothing to do with any of it.
***** Paranormal Romance gets no better than this! Author Vicki Pettersson actually gives life to her characters! My heart ached whenever Joanna grieved and I even gave out a loud "YES!" as she fought the Shadow Warriors. I was pulled into the story without even realizing it. I can hardly wait for the next installment of this bright new series! *****
Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.
Joanna and Olivia Archer maybe sisters, but they seemed to be complete opposites. Olivia is the socialite and favorite of their father, Xavier Archer. Xavier owns the casino-hotel Valhalla in Las Vegas. He represents the city's finest in business. Joanna's life has been rougher. Since she was attacked as a teen and left for dead, Joanna has turned to photography and the art of dirty street fighting. But everything changes on Joanna's twenty-fifth birthday. She dies.
The next day, Joanna learns that there is another world beyond the glamour of Sin City. Warriors of the Light and of the Shadow battle in an immortal war. The good news is that Joanna is The One, the first real sign of the zodiac. She is half Light and half Shadow. She may very well be the city's greatest warrior. The bad part is that she wants nothing to do with any of it.
***** Paranormal Romance gets no better than this! Author Vicki Pettersson actually gives life to her characters! My heart ached whenever Joanna grieved and I even gave out a loud "YES!" as she fought the Shadow Warriors. I was pulled into the story without even realizing it. I can hardly wait for the next installment of this bright new series! *****
Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not as good as expected
I made it through this book, but it just wasn't as good as I had anticipated. Much prefer KIn Harrison. This did not leave me wanting to read more.
Published 1 month ago by Sphynx
5.0 out of 5 stars
The first sign of the zodiac
Joanna Archer is having a busy week with the date from hell, bumping into her first love and being disinherited from her casino mogul father when he discovers he isn't really her... Read more
Published on 12 Nov 2010 by C. Manning
5.0 out of 5 stars
"Zodiac" series book 1
At the tender age of 15, Las Vegas heiress Joanna Archer spends a blissful weekend with her boyfriend Ben Traina until her younger sister Olivia turns up announcing their father... Read more
Published on 11 Oct 2009 by Book Addict
5.0 out of 5 stars
fab fab fab!
I came across Vicki Pettersson through an anthology called 'dates from hell' and was intrigued. I can't believe how good it is! Read more
Published on 27 Dec 2008 by Kelly
4.0 out of 5 stars
Vicki sparkling start
OK, initially I was put off this book with part of the book blurb where its announced that the character was assaulted previously to the tale. Read more
Published on 12 Sep 2008 by Gareth Wilson - Falcata Times Blog
4.0 out of 5 stars
Fans of Anita Blake should enjoy
Great action sequences featuring a tough yet vulnerable girl - Jo Archer.
The mythology of the series is new and I had to go back a few paragraphs to grasp the history... Read more
The mythology of the series is new and I had to go back a few paragraphs to grasp the history... Read more
Published on 11 Aug 2008 by Aingeal Fiction
1.0 out of 5 stars
Utter Tripe!
Confusing, badly paced, unlikeable characters, odd mythology, bad technology. I bought this based on customer reviews but if you're into sci-fi with strong female characters I'd... Read more
Published on 11 May 2008 by ismarah
3.0 out of 5 stars
1st Sign of theZodiac
This was the first book by this author I have read and it was not quite what I expected. It was more of a challenging read than an enjoyable one. Read more
Published on 15 Oct 2007 by Melanie Eagles
5.0 out of 5 stars
Book 1. Excellent!
Every generation twelve men and women are born, raised, and trained to keep order in their part of the world. Read more
Published on 31 July 2007 by Detra Fitch
5.0 out of 5 stars
a womans view on the matrix
I have been trying as many new books as possible because none of my other writers are writing fast enough! Read more
Published on 18 April 2007 by c
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