Wicked Game

Synopsis:

Newbie marketing intern Ciara Griffin lands a job at WMMP, a station threatened with being sold to Skyware, a giant communications conglomerate, unless ad revenue picks up. A former con artist with a canny way with people, Ciara soon learns that the DJs are undead and specialists in the musical eras in which they were turned into vampires. One of them, Shane McAllister (turned in 1995), is really hot and dangerously tempting. In order to attract more listeners, Ciara promotes a new marketing strategy and the Sherwood, Md., station becomes 94.3 WVMP, the Lifeblood of Rock and Roll, exploiting the fang factor (which no listener takes seriously) for profit. It works, until an ancient vampire cult wants to pull the plug. Also playing in is The Control, an equally ancient paramilitary group created to protect good vampires and kill bad ones.

Review:

I truthfully don't know what to say about his book. Where to start....

I loved it. Every second of every minute that I was reading it. The story line was so original, so thought out yet, at the same time, used something we all know and seem to fear...the blood thirsty walking dead. No, I'm not thinking about zombie's or those ridiculous depictions in the movie...I am talking about the Vampires in Jeri Smith-Ready's book that live among humans. They run a radio station and play amazing music. Jeri Smith-Ready manage to create a different side to these beings. Not the horrible, blood sucking, killing creature, no. But creatures with souls, that could think, and that used to be human. I'll give you the blood thirsty factor, and granted, there were some evil vamps, but the main charters, the one who ran the radio station, I wish I could know them...that they were in my life.

I can't even pick a favorite character. There were those I really disliked, like the leader of the 'cult', Gideon, and Ciara's father but for picking a favorite? Can't do that. So I will just tell you about the ones that are embedded in my mind. Shane, he seems to be the quiet vamp, the one who keeps to himself. He is also the youngest. Then there is Regina, the one who turned Shane. She is a downright bitch, but a lovable one. She helps you if you have earned her respect...my kind of girl. Jim, the hippie from the era of flower children and way too many 'good trips'. He doesn't play as big of a role as some,e of the others, but you do get to see another side to him towards the end of the book. Noah...he is still a bit of a mystery, but he is part of the radio station and I took a liking to his taste in music! Then there is Monroe, who rarely appears but when he does...makes a fantastic and unforgettable impression. He has soul, not just as a being, but as a musician. Last, but not least, David. He is such a sweetheart. He takes Ciara under his wing and is just the all around nice guy, who genuinely cares for everyone and has a hard time letting go of his past. Ciara deserves special mentioning, hence why she isn't including in the 'group'. She is a treat. One minute you love her and everything she is trying to do to help the Station and her new found friends and then the next you want to wallop her for the way she treats Shane and some other people. She has depth. She has passion. Most of all, she has a heart.

Overall I loved this book. The plot was completely original and I had never read anything like it. Jeri Smith-Ready has created a fantastic piece, one I will never forget and will be passing along to as many people as I can. I recommend it, but only to a mature audience. I say this because there is sex and there is a bit, okay maybe a lot, of blood. To those of you who love that type of thing, then by all means, go and pick it up on your next trip to your local bookstore. You won't regret it. I know I haven't...I think I might even be a little blood thirsty myself.