THE SHAMBLING GUIDE TO NEW YORK CITY by Mur Lafferty

Sex and the City with monsters! Witty urban fantasy from fan favourite Mur Lafferty, about a travel writer finds she's agreed to write a guide to New York - for the undead!

 

Following the disaster that was her last job, Zoe is searching for a fresh start as a travel writer in New York City. After stumbling across a seemingly perfect position, though, Zoe is blocked at every turn because of the one thing she can't take off her resume - human.

 

Not to be put off by anything - especially not her blood-drinking boss or death goddess co-worker - Zoe delves deep into the monster world. But her assignments turn deadly when the careful balance between humans and monsters starts to crumble - with Zoe right in the middle.

 

There was so much to like about this book, but let me start with the cover. Isn't it cool? I love it. Not only does it have Zoë right there, but if you look closely there are a bunch of supernatural surprises. Like I said, cool. ;)

Zoë Norris is a travel writer and has moved to New York City hoping to escape her previous job and disastrous relationship. She got involved with her boss, who conveniently forgot to mention he was married! Poor Zoë finds out the hard way. So here she is, in the city--which she loves--looking for work, when she finds an ad for the perfect job. She's excited and is eager to apply, but the owner doesn't even want to consider hiring her because he feels the job isn't right for her.

Still, she's determined and a fitting position might not come her way again, so she persists and eventually gets the job with Underground Publishing. Except, she's not going to be writing an average travel guide, she's actually writing one for the supernatural community. And that's how she discovers the existence of monsters--coterie--at a time of upheaval. When, not only does she have to adapt and learn as much as she can about them, but zombies are losing their brains and attacking the living. While others are determined to turn the city inside out and throw it into chaos.

Before she realises it,  Zoë is doing a lot more fighting than writing. But when the biggest threat turns out to be someone from her past, she's got no choice but to face her own demons and hope it's enough to save the city.

The Shambling Guide to New York City is an excellent book! It was so much fun. As soon as I started reading, I was hooked. I couldn't wait to lose myself in this world of the supernatural and slowly peel back the layers at the same time as Zoë. The story is engrossing, the characters interesting, the dialogue clever, the worldbuilding awesome... it's a great addition to the urban fantasy genre, with a twist of humour that made me laugh out loud.

 

I also enjoyed reading the Guide Excerpts at the end of each chapter, I thought they added to the story's enjoyment. Yeah, I loved everything about this book. It's a keeper! I'm looking forward to reading more in this series.

Oh, and check this out:

LOL. right?

 

The Shambling Guide to New York City, June 2013, ISBN 9780356501901, Orbit