**Contains a mild spoiler**This is one of the best books I've read in a long time! And to top it off, it was a free download on my kindle, which is why all authors should have book 1 of a series as free in this day and age. It's not something I would have bought, I doubt it's even something that I would have looked at if it weren't for the fact that I was idly browsing free books. The plot sounds weak and aimed entirely at teenage girls; teenage girl finds herself fighting vampires and werewolves, not particularly inspired, especially in the days after twilight, everything is vampires and werewolves and not a lot of it is any good any more. Still, I got it on the off chance, I had a coach trip planned and never again will I travel that far without at least three books to read, so I loaded up.Didn't read this on my coach trip, I actually picked it up when insomnia threatened hoping for something to put me to sleep. BAD MOVE!!! Seriously, I was hooked! It was nothing like I expected! Even this teenage girl who's just like you and me, but will save the world, is actually amazingly well written! I was caught up in the epic struggle between humanity and viscous, sadistic supernatural creatures which may be gorgeous but will rip your heart out of your chest if they're feeling generous. I laughed and gasped my way through the story, crying when I realized that Leo was dead, his body just needed time to catch up, I think I damn near threw the kindle across the room when Lily shot Scott, it came as such a surprise, hoping that somehow she'd managed to concoct a way for him to survive that we just weren't privy to, and laughing maniacally when that dead hope was confirmed. These werewolves and vampires are the kind we grew up with, the kind we fell in love with, cruel, bloody and just a little uncomfortably relatable. But just when you think they might have a point, they rip a mans hand off his wrist with their teeth! The humour and wit is beautifully written and I'm cutting this review short because I've just bought the next two books in the series and I want to start reading! The book takes place in a near future where the werewolves and vampires of legend show themselves to wage war on humankind for their wanton destruction of the planet. The "science" of the author's universe was pretty well thought out. That aspect wasn't as detailed as I have seen elsewhere, perhaps, but it never-the-less was logical and without contradictions later in the book. Once you understand this setting, everything falls into place.I thought characterization was good for the most part. Lily, the protagonist, was somewhat of an odd duck, but she was pretty consistent throughout the book and she grew on me. Everything she did or didn't do was reasonable given the character the author had built. I rather thought the "chief sneak" Abbey was very well developed.The action was pretty well written. The entire going to rescue one character was a bit hard to justify, but after having accepted it, events played out quite well, if a bit surprisingly.Where the novel really shined was in the dialogue. It was quick, brash, funny, and revealing, all while sounding authentic. In particular, Leo was a hoot, but not a cartoon. I laughed out loud several times while reading his dialogue.I never noticed the editing, which is exactly what you want in a book.
What do You think about Day Soldiers (2000)?
This was a really good read. Thoroughly enjoyed the story line ad well as the characters.
—bookhacker
Fun story! It was action-packed but a tad bit predictable. Still one of the better:)
—divvy1969
Finally, a vampire book that doesn't make me want to break something
—SakuraChan
I will be happy to get the next in the series!
—Mimigee
Great read...kept me turning the pages :)
—michelle101
