Monday 9 September 2013

The Coldest Girl in Coldtown - Holly Black


Pages: 347
Publisher: Indigo
Release Date: 3rd September 2013
Edition: UK proof, review copy

Other Titles by this Author: The Spiderwick Chronicles, Tithe, Valiant, Ironside, White Cat, red Glove, Black Heart,  Doll Bones

Welcome to Coldtown.

A Coldtown is a dangerous place; a glamorous cage.

A prison for the damned – and anyone interested in spending the rest of their lives partying with them...

Tana lives in a world where walled cities called Coldtowns exist. In them, quarantined monsters and humans mingle in a decadently bloody mix of predator and prey. It’s an eternal party, shown 24 hours a day. A modern world, a society self-aware and turning a dark mirror on itself with endless up-close social media, but twisted a degree from today – where a deadly virus can mean the end of life as you know it, if not life itself.

I’ve been a huge fan of Holly Black for years and The Coldest Girl in Coldtown was one that I’ve been looking forward to months. Sadly, I was a little disappointed.

For at least 150 to 200 pages, I felt no connection the story or Tana at all. I don’t think I ever became invested in Tana, to be honest, which was strange as she turned into a great heroine who was strong, determined, brave and loyal. I really liked her, but I just didn't feel anything for her. I also thought that it was quite slow-moving until they reached Coldtown. That was where I started to become interested.

One of Holly Black’s strengths is her settings and giving them the perfect atmosphere and describing them so evocatively it comes alive around you and she definitely did this with Coldtown. The dirt, grime, blood and danger was palpable as Tana walked the streets. It reflected her unique and dark vampire mythology really well. I was so glad she shone a fresh light on something so overdone.

Speaking of vampires, Gavriel was my favourite part of the whole book! Mysterious, verging on slightly disturbing and dangerous; I loved him. I loved his chemistry with Tana and everything that was revealed about him was surprising and so fitting to his character, quirks and mysteries. His character helped The Coldest Girl in Coldtown became something closer to the darker, grittier, sexier and more dangerous novel that I fell in love with in the Tithe trilogy, though it still didn't hit its potential I don’t think.

Though I didn’t love The Coldest Girl in Coldtown, I’m a firm fan of Holly Black and I haven’t been put off of her novels in the slightest.

Thanks to Indigo for sending me a copy for review.

Sophie

2 comments:

  1. I'm still intrigued by this, but it does suck that you were disappointed.

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  2. I know I've seen a few reviews where people haven't enjoyed this one, so I don't think you're the only one!
    I haven't actually read anything by Holly yet so will have to soon. I know I am missing out!

    Great review, Sophie!

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