Book Review: Honeymoon of the Dead

By Sandy Amazeen Jun 9, 2010, 1:43 GMT

The latest in the bewitching series from the author of Dead if I Do In wintry Wisconsin, occult bookseller-and witch-Garnet Lacey isn\'t immune to the cold. But even though her new vampire husband doesn\'t actually have a pulse, love will keep them warm-if the honeymoon doesn\'t drive them apart. Thanks to a vengeful frost demon, instead of a gothic honeymoon in Transylvania, Garnet and Sebastian ...more

After a prolonged courtship and plenty of pre-marriage snafus the big day happened, vampire Sebastian and witch Garnet Lacey are finally married and ready to enjoy their honeymoon…what could go wrong? Awaiting deicing on the Saint Paul/Minneapolis International Airport tarmac, Garnet spots Fonn the ice storm demon crouched upon the wing of the aircraft. Creating a scene dramatic enough to alert Homeland Security agents, Garnet and Sebastian are treated to hours of interrogation before being released and that’s just the start of their problems.

Suddenly, assorted figures from Garnet and Sebastian’s past are converging upon the Twin Cities as the newlyweds attempt to selvedge their honeymoon in the midst of an unnatural cold spell. Stalkers and stakers confront Sebastian while Garnet must come to terms with the two Goddesses fighting for dominance within her as demons and ghosts of the past appear for payment owed.

Hallaway puts a spin to the honeymoon from hell tale by throwing an assortment of goblins, a monkey king, Nordic deities and human vampire hunters at the newlyweds that will have lasting repercussions, especially to Sebastian’s son. Garnet’s character is plumbed as her life and sanity depend upon her being able to come to terms with who she is and which Goddess she chooses to embrace. It is a subplot that tends to wear a bit thin by the end although readers will enjoy Garnet’s choice at the climax. Assorted characters from previous books in the series make cameo appearances and Sebastian’s son offers a surprise twist. The many antagonists and loose writing style made it difficult to connect to the characters so it was the action that moved the story forward.