Undead and Unworthy by MJ Davidson

I finally got my hands on the new MaryJanice Davidson novel, Undead and Unworthy. It’s the seventh book in the Queen Betsy series and I have to say it wasn’t as great as her previous novels. There’s nothing about the book that is standing out for me, so here’s a synopsis:

No one does humorous romantic fantasy better than the incomparable MaryJanice Davidson” (The Best Reviews), and nobody reigns over the undead with more savvy than her heroine Betsy Taylor, back to rule the nights as Vampire Queen and survive the days as a new suburban bride. But it’s not all marital bliss. Betsy’s husband, Sinclair, has been perusing The Book of the Dead, Betsy’s being hounded by a ghost who’s even more insufferable in death than in life, and a pack of formerly feral vampires has decided to pay an unwelcome visit…

After reading the synopsis, it just reinforces the idea that I was disappointed in this book. Nothing about it made any kind of statement. It almost seems like Davidson was trying to tie up loose ends and wants this novel to be a bridge to something else. All of the conflicts that were thrown at Betsy were mediocre and I really could have done without them. The one conflict involving Nick had a lot of potential, but it seemed like it was there just so Nick could be in the book and have more of a role. So much more could have been done with it and yet Davidson just breezed through it. The conflict with the Fiends wasn’t surprising and it wasn’t all that exciting. I will say one thing though, Betsy grew up a lot in this novel.

If anything positive was accomplished, it was having Betsy realized that there’s more to being queen that what she has encountered to date. I am interested to see who Betsy becomes in the next novel. She discovers so many things she didn’t know that it opened her eyes. She’s starting to stand up and if she continues at the rate she’s going, she’s going to be a queen the other vampires won’t mess with.

Overall, I wasn’t that impressed with this addition to the Queen Betsy series. I own the previous six novels and I’m seriously debating on whether I want to buy this one or not. The cover was changed to something that doesn’t say Betsy to me; in fact, if I didn’t know this was the cover, I would never have thought this was the new Betsy. The UK cover stays in line with the series and it’s obvious it’s a Betsy novel. If I do end up buying it, I’m going to try and get my hands on the British version. I realize I’m coming off as a disappointed fan, but the novel never once made me want to immerse myself in the story. I could put it down and come back to it days later and not feel like I missed anything. Those type of books are good to have, but this was the new Betsy, I’ve been waiting for it for months and then to get it and find out it’s not that great…I’m allowed to be disappointed. I’m not saying this isn’t a novel worth reading, don’t get me wrong there. If you love the characters and all the mayhem they go through, then go out and get it. All I’m saying is go out and borrow it from the library.

Edited on 7/9: It’s not often that Amberkatze and I don’t agree on a book. I have never really been steered wrong by her, but this time we both ended up with two entirely different opinions on Undead and Unworthy by MaryJanice Davidson. Her review actually makes me want to go get it and read it again – the novel sounds interesting and more in tune with the previous novels.

For some reason, the book never clicked with me. I did think of something though, she ended up with the UK cover and I had the US cover; the two covers are distinctly different and come off with two entirely different impressions. Is it possible the covers can color a person’s opinion on a novel? Since I didn’t like the US cover, did that put me in a mood not to like the book? If I had read the UK version, would I have loved the novel like I have all of her others in this series? What do you think?

About Jackie 3282 Articles
I am a 30-something SAHM with two adorable boys and a supportive husband who is very tolerant of my reading addiction. I love to read and easily go through about a dozen books a month – well I did before I had kids. Now, not so much. After my first son was born, I began to take my hobby of reviewing a little more serious and started Literary Escapism to help with my sanity. I love to discuss the fabulous novels I’ve read and meeting all the wonderful people in the book blogging community has been amazing.

2 Comments

  1. It is weird that we saw things differently. However looking at your review I can see where you are coming from. Maybe I have been blinded by my love for the series?

    However I have to say that I did love this book just like I loved the others. Blinded or not.

    http://www.bookdepository.co.uk – Free delivery worldwide and they have the British cover.

    When is your birthday? I have the urge to send this to you ;)

  2. I think my love for this series will be the only reason why I go out and buy this book. Although, I’m going to have to take a look at the Book Depository…especially since they have free shipping. :) Although, I’ll probably wait until it comes out in paperback.

    Oohhh….I like birthday gifts. Especially when they are books. It’s Feb. 8th. :p hehe

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