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Undead #11
Undead and Unstable
Betsy's heartbroken over her friend Marc's death, but at least his sacrifice should change the future - her future - for the better. But it's not as if Betsy's next few hundred years will be perfect. After all, her half sister, Laura, is the Antichrist. Laura's mother is Satan, and family gatherings will always be more than a little awkward.
What's really bothering Betsy is that ever since she and Laura returned from visiting her mom in hell, Laura's been acting increasingly peculiar. Maybe it's Laura's new job offer': Satan's replacement down under. Unfortunately, the position comes at a damnable price: killing Betsy, her own flesh and blood.
Over Betsy's dead body. And for that matter, Marc's, too, since he's not quite as buried as everyone thought. Now a war has been waged - one that's going to take a sibling rivalry to a whole new level and a dimension where only one sister can survive.
What's really bothering Betsy is that ever since she and Laura returned from visiting her mom in hell, Laura's been acting increasingly peculiar. Maybe it's Laura's new job offer': Satan's replacement down under. Unfortunately, the position comes at a damnable price: killing Betsy, her own flesh and blood.
Over Betsy's dead body. And for that matter, Marc's, too, since he's not quite as buried as everyone thought. Now a war has been waged - one that's going to take a sibling rivalry to a whole new level and a dimension where only one sister can survive.
312 pages, Hardcover
First published June 5, 2012
98 people are currently reading
4,024 people want to read
About the author
MaryJanice Davidson
155books5,331followersMaryJanice Davidson is an American author and motivational speaker who writes mostly paranormal romance, but also young adult and non-fiction. She is the creator of the popular UNDEAD series and the time-traveling historical fiction A CONTEMPORARY ASSHAT AT THE COURT OF HENRY VIII. MaryJanice is a New York Times and USA Today best-selling author who writes a bi-weekly column for USA Today and lives in St. Paul with her family. You can reach her on Facebook and follow her on Twitter.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 406 reviews
June 16, 2012
Why oh why oh why do I torture myself by continuing to read this series? It lost its luster many books ago. Sure, Betsy still has funny lines and witicisms, but it's so disjointed and confusing -- the sentences go and on and on, there are so many people talking without identification one page, and she jumps around like someone with ADD on crack -- it's almost impossible to easily understand WTH she's talking about, much less find it funny. Also -- NOTHING HAPPENED in the book until the last fourth. Are you serious? You're going to make me wait that long for ANY plot development? It was just ridiculous. The only reason I didn't throw this down after the first fourth of the book was because I wanted to see what happened that other readers had raved about. Turns out it was somewhat interesting, but I really don't see how it's all that relevant. I suppose it would matter if I actually plan to read the next book - but I don't. I'm done with this series. There is no trace of the fun and sexy Betsy and Sinclair that I first started reading this series for. Very disappointing :(
July 21, 2012
Why? Why do I keep reading this series? It's just a mess. There are way too many characters, conversations that are hard to follow, and I don't even think this one had a plot. Basically, all this book consisted of was just a bunch of people standing around in the mansion's kitchen all the time having discussions that made absolutely no sense. Oh yeah, there was that time when everyone was standing around in the kitchen having a conversation that made no sense. And then Betsy killed the devil and then Sinclair and Betsy had sex. The end.
*slams head onto desk*
I really have to stop bothering with this series. It's just crap now. None of the fun from the earlier books. I don't find anything funny anymore. Betsy is annoying. And there are too many characters that don't do anything or add anything to the story.
And for the love of gawd, Betsy, make up your damn mind what you are going to call people. I was so sick of the Nick/Dick Nickie/Dickie/Tavvi and Sink Lair crap.
I swear, MJD must have been drinking heavily when she wrote this one.
*slams head onto desk*
I really have to stop bothering with this series. It's just crap now. None of the fun from the earlier books. I don't find anything funny anymore. Betsy is annoying. And there are too many characters that don't do anything or add anything to the story.
And for the love of gawd, Betsy, make up your damn mind what you are going to call people. I was so sick of the Nick/Dick Nickie/Dickie/Tavvi and Sink Lair crap.
I swear, MJD must have been drinking heavily when she wrote this one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 24, 2017
This series has gotten a little too hokie. Still and bizarrely I want to know what happens. So maybe I might move on. The one big thing I forgot to mention in previous book reviews of this series is that the timeline is all messed up. And I’m not taking about her traveling back in time. I mean when one book ended she’s been a vampire for a year. The next book only a few more weeks have past since that book yet, she claims to have been a vamp two years. Only a week or so goes by in that book, the next one picks up a week later, but now she’s been a vamp three years. And for this one, no real time has past and she’s claiming she’s been a vamp for five years. If I add it up, she’s been a vamp less than two years, but claiming five. Add this to the whole changing time and it’s all just a hot mess.
May 9, 2012
Oh lord, it is bad. I have loved this series and now, now I am not spending another 8 bucks on this series. I'm pretty sure Betsy gets stupider as the book goes on and there is NO PLOT. There is a bunch of talking between the characters but nothing moves forward. The entire book could have been combined with the last book and maybe made one okay book. It is unfortunate such a great series didn't quit when the quitting was good. If you've loved the series up til now, don't read this book as it will just destroy the love.
October 1, 2013
I'm officially done with Betsy. Her constant ignorant chatter and her inability to concentrate was annoying but to have everyone in her life call her stupid or remind her that she's easily distracted by shiny things is beyond palatable. She thinks she's as dumb as a box of rocks. Her friends think she is as dumb as a box of rocks. Her husband thinks stuff too but loves her anyway. Not only has Betsy not grown over the course of 11 books it is apparent that she is sliding backwards. If Betsy was this stupid in book 1 I never would have read book 2.
The actual storyline was all of 3 chapters scattered throughout the book. The rest was filler where Betsy drinks smoothies or semi-mourns her cat or gets chased by dogs or gets arrested. None of which is actually pertinent to the plot.
The time traveling aspect is just silly as there are some events that were altered for the sake of humor but for the life of me I can't figure out how they happened. Nick is now Dick and throughout the book (and the last one) Betsy calls him D/Nick or Nickie-Dickie or some other annoying name. I have no idea how Betsy's visit to the past could have changed one of the character's names but having her repeatedly calling Nick, De-Nick annoyed me.
The writing itself seems chaotic. It's written from Betsy's perspective which is just awful. As I mentioned earlier she is easily distracted by shiny things so her mind wanders. We, as readers, are unfortunate to get to read about how she wonders what hair products so and so uses while that character is talking to her. In addition to this, one chapter opens up with something along the lines of 'and that is how I got arrested' BUT the end of the chapter before that had nothing to do with being arrested. The explanation of her arrest and the actions leading up to it are explained AFTER the opening of that chapter.
So, because of the lack of growth on Betsy's part, the lack of a decent plot, the fact that the book is trying to be funny to the point it isn't and the chaos like writing I doubt I will ever pick up another Queen Betsy book.
The actual storyline was all of 3 chapters scattered throughout the book. The rest was filler where Betsy drinks smoothies or semi-mourns her cat or gets chased by dogs or gets arrested. None of which is actually pertinent to the plot.
The time traveling aspect is just silly as there are some events that were altered for the sake of humor but for the life of me I can't figure out how they happened. Nick is now Dick and throughout the book (and the last one) Betsy calls him D/Nick or Nickie-Dickie or some other annoying name. I have no idea how Betsy's visit to the past could have changed one of the character's names but having her repeatedly calling Nick, De-Nick annoyed me.
The writing itself seems chaotic. It's written from Betsy's perspective which is just awful. As I mentioned earlier she is easily distracted by shiny things so her mind wanders. We, as readers, are unfortunate to get to read about how she wonders what hair products so and so uses while that character is talking to her. In addition to this, one chapter opens up with something along the lines of 'and that is how I got arrested' BUT the end of the chapter before that had nothing to do with being arrested. The explanation of her arrest and the actions leading up to it are explained AFTER the opening of that chapter.
So, because of the lack of growth on Betsy's part, the lack of a decent plot, the fact that the book is trying to be funny to the point it isn't and the chaos like writing I doubt I will ever pick up another Queen Betsy book.
July 14, 2012
Awful, disjointed mess. A whole lot of nothing goes on for about 63% of the book. Betsy is so incoherent it's hard to even know what is happening. I really, really hope this is the end of the series. Took me forever to plow through this mess because I just didn't care.
Recap: Betsy insults Jessica about a billion times. It gets old, boring and repetitive. Not funny. I've never had children, and don't plan to have children, but I found the constant insults about Jessica's giant belly to be insulting and demeaning. We get it, she's pregnant and Betsy is jealous because she won't be "#1" to Jessica anymore. Enough with the "belly that ate the world" jokes. They weren't funny the first time or the hundredth time.
Sinclair is a sniveling former shell of himself. I'm so over the "my own" thing. Sack up man!
Betsy is a raging narcissistic moron. (Shocking!)
Laura is barely recognizable.
Everyone kisses Betsy's useless butt for no reason.
Betsy does actually do one decent thing for Sinclair, but it takes so friggin long to spit it out that by the time it's said, I just didn't care any more.
Honest to GOD, the best part was the last page. It was actually cute. The story should have started there.
God, I hope this series is OVER. It has become truly, hideously painful to read.
Recap: Betsy insults Jessica about a billion times. It gets old, boring and repetitive. Not funny. I've never had children, and don't plan to have children, but I found the constant insults about Jessica's giant belly to be insulting and demeaning. We get it, she's pregnant and Betsy is jealous because she won't be "#1" to Jessica anymore. Enough with the "belly that ate the world" jokes. They weren't funny the first time or the hundredth time.
Sinclair is a sniveling former shell of himself. I'm so over the "my own" thing. Sack up man!
Betsy is a raging narcissistic moron. (Shocking!)
Laura is barely recognizable.
Everyone kisses Betsy's useless butt for no reason.
Betsy does actually do one decent thing for Sinclair, but it takes so friggin long to spit it out that by the time it's said, I just didn't care any more.
Honest to GOD, the best part was the last page. It was actually cute. The story should have started there.
God, I hope this series is OVER. It has become truly, hideously painful to read.
June 14, 2012
2.5 stars
More of the same chaotic, hard-to-read and harder-to-understand style as the former book. Where the flighty, ditzy Betsy style used to be fun, now it's just kinda a mess. It's SO over the top it makes it hard to even follow what's going on.
It also feels very repetitive. How many times in this book and the last can they all truly stand around the kitchen making smoothies??
There was at least some plot action in this one. But it felt like, "wha...?" because I literally had no idea what was going on until after it was over. Betsy seemed to suddenly know what to do but I didn't. I still don't quite get how, given the content of the book, she figured out what to do.
I just feel like Davidson had to make such a hard U-turn after book 9 to counter the complaints that she went TOO far and has made it TOO vapid. What was once fun, is now just a confusing mess. And that's a shame.
More of the same chaotic, hard-to-read and harder-to-understand style as the former book. Where the flighty, ditzy Betsy style used to be fun, now it's just kinda a mess. It's SO over the top it makes it hard to even follow what's going on.
It also feels very repetitive. How many times in this book and the last can they all truly stand around the kitchen making smoothies??
There was at least some plot action in this one. But it felt like, "wha...?" because I literally had no idea what was going on until after it was over. Betsy seemed to suddenly know what to do but I didn't. I still don't quite get how, given the content of the book, she figured out what to do.
I just feel like Davidson had to make such a hard U-turn after book 9 to counter the complaints that she went TOO far and has made it TOO vapid. What was once fun, is now just a confusing mess. And that's a shame.
June 21, 2012
I really don't even know WTS I just read. It was like NOTHING HAPPENED for the first 80% of the book (and what little did happen made zero sense) and the end happened too fast.
Most of the time I had no idea who was speaking, no descriptors were used during dialogue.
Something happened, someone spoke, someone else spoke, I assume the first person spoke again, something interrupted the dialogue, then ONE OF THE TWO spoke again, but we never found out who'd been first to speak.
Way to unnecessarily confuse your readers. Blergh.
I'm now sad I devoted 6 hours to reading this last night and today. I guess I no longer disagree with everyone else like I said I did just a few days ago.
***
Don't judge. I read all of them over 4 days last summer. They got better as they went along (I totally disagree with the people who hate the last few books).
Most of the time I had no idea who was speaking, no descriptors were used during dialogue.
Something happened, someone spoke, someone else spoke, I assume the first person spoke again, something interrupted the dialogue, then ONE OF THE TWO spoke again, but we never found out who'd been first to speak.
Way to unnecessarily confuse your readers. Blergh.
I'm now sad I devoted 6 hours to reading this last night and today. I guess I no longer disagree with everyone else like I said I did just a few days ago.
***
Don't judge. I read all of them over 4 days last summer. They got better as they went along (I totally disagree with the people who hate the last few books).
September 13, 2012
I must confess that my reaction to the guilty confection known as Undead and Unstable was a bit mixed. First, the lowpoints just to get them out of the way: (1) there is a tremendous amount of inaction for much of this book (i.e., Betsy pretty much talks you to death but largely the only one who does anything is Jessica who eats her way through the story) and (2)Betsy did so much whinging in this book that there were times that I just had to put it down. That's a problem if your main character is so very self-involved that she becomes unsympathetic. This series is about pure escapism, to be sure. And when catching up with Betsy becomes less like fun and more like other aspects of life--the very sorts of things from which one hopes to escape via books--then it loses some of its enjoyment quotient. Onward to the fun bits. There was (finally!) a fun action sequence which is almost destroyed by Betsy and Sinclair's ludicrous sex scene on the stairs which follows close on its heels. On the positive side, we learn a good bit about the Book of the Dead--which has been seemingly trailing Betsy for some time now. That, and the introduction of the term "asshattery" into my life serves to tip the balance in the direction of a third ŷ star from me. The jumping between universes--esp. as related to the multiple epilogues which I could only imagine were written from the vantage points of the different timelines--wasn't handled as deftly as I'd have hoped. Overall, the book felt positively manic--which was interesting given that it was basically 200 someodd pages of Betsy fussing at/about people. Sticking with the three stars, but I was definitely grading on a generous curve here. I am hopeful that book 12 in the Undead series is a stronger contender.
July 1, 2012
I'm sad to say this. I've tried to get through this. I have been reading this series for some time and I did enjoy it. These last few books though... Jesus. Betsy has always been vain, materialistic, stupid, narcissistic and a general all-around pain in the ass. But this all worked because it was funny. The first book was hilarious. The start of this series set a high-bar but each one after slowly failed to reach it. Till we come to this one. Not even a contender. Betsy isn't funny anymore, she's a walking, talking cliché. The "jokes" are as funny as an 8 year old doing stand up. The relationship between Sinclair and Betsy.. it's not the same after reading she skins him alive for years and turns him into the book of the dead. Oddly enough murder does tend to kill the magic in a relationship.
We jumped the shark with this "go back to hell and change history" story line. Seems to be a favorite excuse of the author to rewrite a series. It doesn't work. It just fucks things up more so then the author already thinks they are. Besides Betsy's lack of hilarity, she's become so annoying I have an extremely hard time stomaching her.
Bah. Undead and Unreadable? Undead and Unenjoyable? Undead and Unending? Pick one. What a shame.
We jumped the shark with this "go back to hell and change history" story line. Seems to be a favorite excuse of the author to rewrite a series. It doesn't work. It just fucks things up more so then the author already thinks they are. Besides Betsy's lack of hilarity, she's become so annoying I have an extremely hard time stomaching her.
Bah. Undead and Unreadable? Undead and Unenjoyable? Undead and Unending? Pick one. What a shame.
June 18, 2012
WTF?, I finished just now and really don't know what happened. This use to be one of my fav series and no matter what I have to know what happens at the end, but every book seems to become more difficult to like. I remember the funny, snarky Betsy that did have a clue about her worth, and even though she can be dumber than a box of shoes, she was still very entertaining, there was always some sort of plot and a reason for her to get out and show what she is made of. The past two books seem like an attempt to salvage the story, I hope with the next book we get back to kicking ass and stop worrying about the birth of Louboutin
June 19, 2012
The main reason this book only gets 3 stars is Mary Janice Davidson chose to stay with the new timeline. I really thought that she would restore the old timeline. Also the first eight chapters was a rambling mess. It wasn't until Betsy found Mark that the story picked up. I am one of the few that liked the book where Laura and Betsy went back in time. Sinclair being the Book of the Dead was such a genius idea that I thought the next two books would have been better than they were. Yes, Mary Janice Davidson rectified everything (mostly) but the book just wasn't that good to me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 13, 2012
#81of2012
It's like a train wreck. You can't help but read it even if it's a mess.
It's like a train wreck. You can't help but read it even if it's a mess.
February 18, 2022
Rating 3.5 stars
Betsy is definitely unstable or maybe her world of past, present and future. There’s a mess that needs to be fixed or figured out and of course Betsy is the one who is in the middle of it. She becomes undone but with all the craziness she manages to make you laugh. Though these stories are quirky, I still find her craziness funny.
Betsy is definitely unstable or maybe her world of past, present and future. There’s a mess that needs to be fixed or figured out and of course Betsy is the one who is in the middle of it. She becomes undone but with all the craziness she manages to make you laugh. Though these stories are quirky, I still find her craziness funny.
June 10, 2012
The third book in a trilogy within the Betsy series where Betsy must deal with the changed timeline—due to her going back in time with her sister in Undead and Unfinished—and trying to prevent the horrible future she’s responsible for, which she saw when going forward in time—same book.
Marc committed suicide in the last book after learning what he becomes from his future self. Betsy is determined to bring him back from the dead; after all she’d already brought Antoine back from Hell.
Adding to her stress are the frequent appearances of both Satan, and to Betsy’s horror, her future self. Neither will tell her what she’d done to trigger such a horrid future, but she should get off her butt and fix it so it doesn’t happen. She’s urged by them to stop whining over a role she doesn’t want and use—again, very cryptic-- an ability she’s capable of but doesn’t know she has.
The author’s considerable wit is in full swing, as is Betsy’s inability to stay focused on a topic without her mind going in multiple directions with each thought. That aspect was both unique and charming at the beginning of the series. And while still humorous, it’s also getting somewhat worn out and even confusing at times. There were some conversations in scenes that I couldn’t figure out who said what.
We, not Current Day Betsy, do finally learn after the disaster from the old timeline has been averted, just what Betsy had done to cause it. Nothing truly sinister; she’d had the best intentions. And the answer to diverting the disaster? I didn’t see that one coming.
I expect this will be the last Betsy book I’ll be purchasing. I don’t know if it’s me getting older that’s causing my difficulty in keeping track of the original thought or conversation that Betsy’s apparent ADD hijacks, or if Betsy’s lack of focus has gotten worse as the series progresses. But it’s been a problem for me in the last two or three books.
I did enjoy the characters and much of the humor, but I found too much of the story distracting.
Marc committed suicide in the last book after learning what he becomes from his future self. Betsy is determined to bring him back from the dead; after all she’d already brought Antoine back from Hell.
Adding to her stress are the frequent appearances of both Satan, and to Betsy’s horror, her future self. Neither will tell her what she’d done to trigger such a horrid future, but she should get off her butt and fix it so it doesn’t happen. She’s urged by them to stop whining over a role she doesn’t want and use—again, very cryptic-- an ability she’s capable of but doesn’t know she has.
The author’s considerable wit is in full swing, as is Betsy’s inability to stay focused on a topic without her mind going in multiple directions with each thought. That aspect was both unique and charming at the beginning of the series. And while still humorous, it’s also getting somewhat worn out and even confusing at times. There were some conversations in scenes that I couldn’t figure out who said what.
We, not Current Day Betsy, do finally learn after the disaster from the old timeline has been averted, just what Betsy had done to cause it. Nothing truly sinister; she’d had the best intentions. And the answer to diverting the disaster? I didn’t see that one coming.
I expect this will be the last Betsy book I’ll be purchasing. I don’t know if it’s me getting older that’s causing my difficulty in keeping track of the original thought or conversation that Betsy’s apparent ADD hijacks, or if Betsy’s lack of focus has gotten worse as the series progresses. But it’s been a problem for me in the last two or three books.
I did enjoy the characters and much of the humor, but I found too much of the story distracting.
December 4, 2013
3 stars
I love Queen Betsy ,I do but sometimes her seemingly self centered behaviour is a bit much.
This book was all about Betsy, I wanted a bit more Sinclair (I think he deserves a bit more time). I also wanted Betsy to be a bit more confident I suppose,maybe in the next books she will finally grow as she takes steps in this book that change the future.
For those of you that have stumbled on this book go back and read the series from the beginning, its too convoluted to read by itself or to start the series with. For those of you reading the series from the start, it was a good read, classic Betsy sort of speak, her ADD and quips are as usual in top form as well as her why me whining. She tries to deal with her altered timeline and the consequences (major spoiler here ). Everyone nags her to fix it and in typical fashion, Betsy does in a spur of the moment type way but as usual her fix creates other problems. It was a good book, I just wanted more character progression I guess.. And Sinclair did I mention? More Sinclair! Maybe in the next one, we shall see..
I love Queen Betsy ,I do but sometimes her seemingly self centered behaviour is a bit much.
This book was all about Betsy, I wanted a bit more Sinclair (I think he deserves a bit more time). I also wanted Betsy to be a bit more confident I suppose,maybe in the next books she will finally grow as she takes steps in this book that change the future.
For those of you that have stumbled on this book go back and read the series from the beginning, its too convoluted to read by itself or to start the series with. For those of you reading the series from the start, it was a good read, classic Betsy sort of speak, her ADD and quips are as usual in top form as well as her why me whining. She tries to deal with her altered timeline and the consequences (major spoiler here ). Everyone nags her to fix it and in typical fashion, Betsy does in a spur of the moment type way but as usual her fix creates other problems. It was a good book, I just wanted more character progression I guess.. And Sinclair did I mention? More Sinclair! Maybe in the next one, we shall see..
June 23, 2012
Three stars at best. I like the idea of the time travel story, but the execution was really shaky. This book just rambled on and on. I get it, Christian Louboutin was never born, Nick is now Dick, Jess is hugely pregnant, and they like smoothies, you don't have to tell me multiple times. It didn't make me laugh and it didn't have much of Betsy's trademark heart either.Tthere were some good ideas and a few cute scenes but also some really questionable choices.
And it was so weird that this book takes place before. The whole time I was reading Wolf I felt like I was missing something, there were so many things that had obviously happened that we hadn't seen yet, most obviously Mark being a zombie. Because they all happened in this book. And Davidson evens sets up that story at the end of this book very clearly. So why in the world did she write them in this order, or did her publisher release them like this? It's crazy. It made me feel duped by reading and having a bad experience with the last book when it should have been better, what a waste. Well, it should have been a better book in a lot of respects, but if I'd known about the events in this book that might have helped, too.
And it was so weird that this book takes place before. The whole time I was reading Wolf I felt like I was missing something, there were so many things that had obviously happened that we hadn't seen yet, most obviously Mark being a zombie. Because they all happened in this book. And Davidson evens sets up that story at the end of this book very clearly. So why in the world did she write them in this order, or did her publisher release them like this? It's crazy. It made me feel duped by reading and having a bad experience with the last book when it should have been better, what a waste. Well, it should have been a better book in a lot of respects, but if I'd known about the events in this book that might have helped, too.
June 12, 2012
I've been hooked on the Undead series ever since I discovered them a few years ago. They are the perfect combination of humor, vampires and a large dose of sexy romance.
Since there is such a long wait between each book (usually 12 months) I tend to forget what happens between each book. Thankfully MaryJanice Davidson gives a recap at the beginning of Undead and Unstable, helping me get caught up.
In Undead and Unstable Betsy is back from Hell, where she was recovering a family member and has found her cat dead, and a zombie in residence. As she has screwed the timeline (due to recovering said family member) she know needs to find out what else has gone wrong. Add in a hundred or so slobbering puppies at her ankles, a shoe designer that doesn't exist anymore and I said zombies right? Well its a formula for lots of paranormal good times.
Or at least I had hoped.
But it wasn't. Well I found the first half of the book wasn't. Maybe it was because it was so long between books or because the plotlines were just not grabbing me. They were a huge tumbled mix of confusion for me, and I was ready to give up on the story.
Thankfully I didn't. Because everything does come together and make sense, and the ending left me with the usual heart warming, toe curling moments that MaryJanice Davidson does so well.
While Undead and Unstable wasn't a homerun for me, I did enjoy it in the end and will likely pick up the next book when it's released.
Since there is such a long wait between each book (usually 12 months) I tend to forget what happens between each book. Thankfully MaryJanice Davidson gives a recap at the beginning of Undead and Unstable, helping me get caught up.
In Undead and Unstable Betsy is back from Hell, where she was recovering a family member and has found her cat dead, and a zombie in residence. As she has screwed the timeline (due to recovering said family member) she know needs to find out what else has gone wrong. Add in a hundred or so slobbering puppies at her ankles, a shoe designer that doesn't exist anymore and I said zombies right? Well its a formula for lots of paranormal good times.
Or at least I had hoped.
But it wasn't. Well I found the first half of the book wasn't. Maybe it was because it was so long between books or because the plotlines were just not grabbing me. They were a huge tumbled mix of confusion for me, and I was ready to give up on the story.
Thankfully I didn't. Because everything does come together and make sense, and the ending left me with the usual heart warming, toe curling moments that MaryJanice Davidson does so well.
While Undead and Unstable wasn't a homerun for me, I did enjoy it in the end and will likely pick up the next book when it's released.
November 2, 2014
"Don't mess with the Vampire Queen!"-Betsy Undead and Unstable
Time paradoxes make my head hurt but with cast of zany characters it's almost bearable...
Betsy Taylor-Sinclair-Queen of the Vampires/Queen of Shoes
Eric Sinclair-husband/co-ruler/hot vampire
Tina-majordomo/subject/friend
Jessica-very prego best friend
Nick-Dick-Jessica's husband/former hater of all things Betsy
Marc-friend/roommate/doctor/zombie
Garrett-the fiend formerly known as George/knitter extraordinaire
Antonia-grumpy werewolf/Garrett's sweetie
Laura-half-sister/Anti-Christ/channeler of Miss Manners
The Devil-Ruler of the Underworld/Lena Olin look-a-like
I highly recommend reading the Undead series in order, especially book #10 and this book, #11 . You will be utterly lost if you don't.
Now, I'm just left wondering if they will ever celebrate Thanksgiving
Time paradoxes make my head hurt but with cast of zany characters it's almost bearable...
Betsy Taylor-Sinclair-Queen of the Vampires/Queen of Shoes
Eric Sinclair-husband/co-ruler/hot vampire
Tina-majordomo/subject/friend
Jessica-very prego best friend
Nick-Dick-Jessica's husband/former hater of all things Betsy
Marc-friend/roommate/doctor/zombie
Garrett-the fiend formerly known as George/knitter extraordinaire
Antonia-grumpy werewolf/Garrett's sweetie
Laura-half-sister/Anti-Christ/channeler of Miss Manners
The Devil-Ruler of the Underworld/Lena Olin look-a-like
I highly recommend reading the Undead series in order, especially book #10 and this book, #11 . You will be utterly lost if you don't.
Now, I'm just left wondering if they will ever celebrate Thanksgiving
June 13, 2012
3.5 stars
I'm not really sure where to begin.... Betsy confuses me. She rambles on and on and is so self absorbed that I don't know whether she is coming or going half the time. The time-travel thing from the previous book confused me even more.
She has to "man up" in this book and make some choices in regards to her messed up timeline. And tho I read with a smile on my face for most of the book, I realized about 3/4 of the way through that the story wasn't really going anywhere. By the end, I did get some resolution to some questions that I had...particularly concerning Sink Lair. (who I'm quite fond of for some weird reason or another) And then when she finally figured out what she had to do to fix things, I was confused even more. ??? And now Laura is bound to be mad at her forever....I mean, your half sister (who happens to be the Anti-Christ) is not someone you want mad at you, that's for sure.
This series is cute, quirky and has some great snarky comments through-out. It's a fun, quick read..and I can picture it being a cute show in a "Charmed" sort of way.
I'm not really sure where to begin.... Betsy confuses me. She rambles on and on and is so self absorbed that I don't know whether she is coming or going half the time. The time-travel thing from the previous book confused me even more.
She has to "man up" in this book and make some choices in regards to her messed up timeline. And tho I read with a smile on my face for most of the book, I realized about 3/4 of the way through that the story wasn't really going anywhere. By the end, I did get some resolution to some questions that I had...particularly concerning Sink Lair. (who I'm quite fond of for some weird reason or another) And then when she finally figured out what she had to do to fix things, I was confused even more. ??? And now Laura is bound to be mad at her forever....I mean, your half sister (who happens to be the Anti-Christ) is not someone you want mad at you, that's for sure.
This series is cute, quirky and has some great snarky comments through-out. It's a fun, quick read..and I can picture it being a cute show in a "Charmed" sort of way.
June 22, 2012
Originally published at
In UNDEAD AND UNSTABLE, I'm glad that we have the old sweet but abrasive Betsy back, her comebacks still burns but you can once again feel the "care" behind them. Here MJD tries to set things right after shuffling it around with Ancient Elizabeth and the future. I don't want to reveal too much but Ancient Elizabeth went back in Infant Betsy's timeline hoping she can reshape the future by manipulating Infant Betsy's choices a little bit, just a little nudge in the right way. Not only that someone is back from the dead, a couple are leaving and another one bit the dust. I'm still trying to wrap my head around the last part but I have a feeling we haven't seen the last of this person yet.
In UNDEAD AND UNSTABLE, I'm glad that we have the old sweet but abrasive Betsy back, her comebacks still burns but you can once again feel the "care" behind them. Here MJD tries to set things right after shuffling it around with Ancient Elizabeth and the future. I don't want to reveal too much but Ancient Elizabeth went back in Infant Betsy's timeline hoping she can reshape the future by manipulating Infant Betsy's choices a little bit, just a little nudge in the right way. Not only that someone is back from the dead, a couple are leaving and another one bit the dust. I'm still trying to wrap my head around the last part but I have a feeling we haven't seen the last of this person yet.
June 10, 2012
What once was a fun series to read has now become tedious. In fact the only reason I keep reading at this point is because I had to find out how the Book of the Dead came into being. I also hate how these books have changed, how it seems like Betsy is ADD on crack with turrets. It seems like every time she speaks it is verbal diarrhea, with changing thoughts every 6 words.
I don't really like what happened with Mark, seems like a cop out. I liked what happened with Antonia and Garrett at the end. I like how things seemed to get resolved, but it was a lot of crap to wade through to get to it.
I don't really like what happened with Mark, seems like a cop out. I liked what happened with Antonia and Garrett at the end. I like how things seemed to get resolved, but it was a lot of crap to wade through to get to it.
November 24, 2012
I used to enjoy Betsey, but it's too much! How vapid can you make one character be? The book picks up towards the end because 1) something actually HAPPENS, and 2) you don't have to read Betsey's inner monologue as much - her lines get reduced.
I was so excited about the revelation about the origin of the book of the dead and how it was going to get resolved. The alternate timeline seems like an ultimate copout. After slogging through the headache-inducing, cringe worthy dialogues and monologues of this book, I don't know if I can continue with this series. The books go nowhere fast and I don't think the author even knows where it's going.
I was so excited about the revelation about the origin of the book of the dead and how it was going to get resolved. The alternate timeline seems like an ultimate copout. After slogging through the headache-inducing, cringe worthy dialogues and monologues of this book, I don't know if I can continue with this series. The books go nowhere fast and I don't think the author even knows where it's going.
January 22, 2021
It was work to finish this book. I pushed through because I am always loathe to give up on a book, and to give Davidson the benefit of the doubt because I thoroughly enjoyed earliest books in this series. They were fresh and fun, but this felt very different. It was very difficult to follow the conversations that went on for pages, without identification as to who was speaking. It no longer came off as clever repartee (which I recall from other books) but just confusing and disjointed. It did occur to me that this might work better as a drama because you could at least visually tell who was speaking. The humour is there, but it gets buried under your efforts to understand the conversation. And the dialogue goes on for more than half the book before there is any plot development. Things picked up a bit in the last quarter when she finally got on with the plot but it was too much work to get there. I am not likely to continue with this series.
November 8, 2023
"Time is a wheel."
You ever read a part of a book that, no matter how good the rest of the book is, takes you immediately out of it? (See: me reading ) This happened here, pretty much right in. Something about Betsy throwing her deceased cat in a pillow case to bury just put me off. I mean, I have outdoor strays whose bodies I've treated with more respect.
Other than that extremely personal reason for me to dislike this book: the rest of it is basic Betsy Taylor. She's less annoying than in some of the other books. I like that there's a lot going on with Jess and the new universe and Ancient Betsy and Satan. It makes everything pretty face-paced but still plot-heavy.
You ever read a part of a book that, no matter how good the rest of the book is, takes you immediately out of it? (See: me reading ) This happened here, pretty much right in. Something about Betsy throwing her deceased cat in a pillow case to bury just put me off. I mean, I have outdoor strays whose bodies I've treated with more respect.
Other than that extremely personal reason for me to dislike this book: the rest of it is basic Betsy Taylor. She's less annoying than in some of the other books. I like that there's a lot going on with Jess and the new universe and Ancient Betsy and Satan. It makes everything pretty face-paced but still plot-heavy.
January 11, 2025
Omg! what an interesting quote from the book!! 😐
" 'It's none of your business, queen of the monkeys,' she said with a scowl.
'Hey, hey,' I warned. Monkey was the werewolf equivalent of [n-word]. " (yeah the author put the actual word, I censored it)
I will not be finishing this book or this series. I was in disbelief reading this line, because what the actual fuck. So the author flippantly used that language AND included a historically racist comparison, again I say, WHAT?!
" 'It's none of your business, queen of the monkeys,' she said with a scowl.
'Hey, hey,' I warned. Monkey was the werewolf equivalent of [n-word]. " (yeah the author put the actual word, I censored it)
I will not be finishing this book or this series. I was in disbelief reading this line, because what the actual fuck. So the author flippantly used that language AND included a historically racist comparison, again I say, WHAT?!
June 29, 2012
Eleventh in the Undead / Queen Betsy comic urban fantasy series revolving around Betsy Taylor, the Queen of the Undead and based in Minneapolis-St.Paul, Minnesota.
My Take
The answers to a lot of questions are in this installment. I was beginning to think Davidson would never explain just how that skin became the Book of the Dead. Or just how Ancient Betsy evolved.
I absolutely cannot stand Betsy. An alternate title could be Queen of the Whingers. Christ, if she would just shut up and let someone talk�! Of course, then Davidson would have to find something else to put in there. How Sinclair puts up with her, I do not know. She must be really good in bed. She is definitely good for a lot of laughs. At her.
For some reason, dogs keep chasing Betsy in this story.
Okay, color me "stupid", I am just not getting the whole "time is a wheel" thing. Nor do I grasp Creaky Me's summing up in Epilogue 2.0. She's rambling back and forth between timelines and...I'm just lost. Although I appreciate learning just why she did what she did to her husband. Of course, part of that is I just want to be finished with this book.
I like the characters (most of 'em) and the concept is interesting, but I can only take so much Betsy.
The Story
The household is still freaking out about Marc's suicide and Jessica, Dick/Nick, Tina, and Eric have gotten Betsy's promise that she won't try to bring him back. Yup, 'cause that's gonna keep Betsy from doing what she wants.
Only, she doesn't bring him back. Marc just is. Back, that is. Hiding out in the attic, trying to keep busy. Playing with the recently-dead cat Giselle. So while Betsy is freaking on that, Laura is having her own bit of panic. How in the world is she going to tell Betsy about the Book of the Dead? By the time Laura gets her nerve up out at the puppy farm, Betsy is off and ranting, not letting anyone get a word in. At least, not until Satan shows up.
The silly part? She's ranting because no one will tell her anything. The fact that no one can get a word in edgewise because she's ranting doesn't seem to cross Betsy's mind.
To cap it off, the queen, who absolutely hates and despises Thanksgiving, has invited everyone for the feast with canned cranberries, canned sweet potatoes…I wonder if she can find canned turkey?
However, throughout the story, people keep dropping little nuggets in Betsy's ear and eventually those nuggets actually get through.
The Characters
Betsy Taylor—do NOT call her "Elizabeth"!—is still fighting her role as queen of the vampires. I must say it's really hard for me to remember that she's thirty-years-old with her maturity level and extreme level of self-centeredness. Ancient Betsy appears in this past and is quite happy to nag and nag and nag at her Infant Me. Although being around Sinclair seems to give her the creeps. Dr. Taylor is her mother and frequently babysits BabyJon, Betsy's baby half-brother (her dad and the Ant).
Eric Sinclair is her co-sovereign. He's cool, classy, gorgeous, and, for some reason, absolutely obsessed with her. He does spend a lot of time in this one laughing his ass off. Tina is his girl Friday, has her own bullet-making set-up in the basement so she's happy if not seen too often in this story, and adores flavored vodka...tomato, anyone?
Jessica is enormously pregnant—The Belly That Ate the World—and swears she's not due until summer. Dick/Nick likes Betsy in this timeline. He's still a cop and he still adores Jessica.
Laura is the Antichrist and Betsy's half-sister—they share the same dad, but Satan is her mother. Seems Satan has been wanting a "temp worker of the damned" 'cause she wants a vacation. Satan, the Devil, Lucifer Morningstar, Lena Olin just keeps showing up and pushing, knocking, watching.
The bitchy werewolf, Antonia, is back from Hell where the Devil gladly gave her back to Betsy. You'll love what she says to her old Pack! Yup, Antonia is back. Garrett the Fiend is much more with it in this timeline—tricksier—but still obsessed with knitting and crocheting.
Jon Delk has written a successful book about vampires and is currently on tour promoting it and the movie that will be made from it. It's the start of a popular vampire revival! In this timeline.
The Cover
The cover is more Florida than the week before Thanksgiving in Minnesota. The base of the cover is a bright green to showcase the title while a deep crackled green background barely shows behind the artfully pixelated Betsy glancing at us over her shoulder. She's wearing a green-black railroad-striped bustier or tube top and rhinestoned sunglasses that reflect a three-story brick house with porch and cupola (the mansion??), but what you really notice is her golden hair dangling in long corkscrew curls to her shoulder blades.
The title says it all about Queen Betsy�Undead and Unstable.
My Take
The answers to a lot of questions are in this installment. I was beginning to think Davidson would never explain just how that skin became the Book of the Dead. Or just how Ancient Betsy evolved.
I absolutely cannot stand Betsy. An alternate title could be Queen of the Whingers. Christ, if she would just shut up and let someone talk�! Of course, then Davidson would have to find something else to put in there. How Sinclair puts up with her, I do not know. She must be really good in bed. She is definitely good for a lot of laughs. At her.
For some reason, dogs keep chasing Betsy in this story.
Okay, color me "stupid", I am just not getting the whole "time is a wheel" thing. Nor do I grasp Creaky Me's summing up in Epilogue 2.0. She's rambling back and forth between timelines and...I'm just lost. Although I appreciate learning just why she did what she did to her husband. Of course, part of that is I just want to be finished with this book.
I like the characters (most of 'em) and the concept is interesting, but I can only take so much Betsy.
The Story
The household is still freaking out about Marc's suicide and Jessica, Dick/Nick, Tina, and Eric have gotten Betsy's promise that she won't try to bring him back. Yup, 'cause that's gonna keep Betsy from doing what she wants.
Only, she doesn't bring him back. Marc just is. Back, that is. Hiding out in the attic, trying to keep busy. Playing with the recently-dead cat Giselle. So while Betsy is freaking on that, Laura is having her own bit of panic. How in the world is she going to tell Betsy about the Book of the Dead? By the time Laura gets her nerve up out at the puppy farm, Betsy is off and ranting, not letting anyone get a word in. At least, not until Satan shows up.
The silly part? She's ranting because no one will tell her anything. The fact that no one can get a word in edgewise because she's ranting doesn't seem to cross Betsy's mind.
To cap it off, the queen, who absolutely hates and despises Thanksgiving, has invited everyone for the feast with canned cranberries, canned sweet potatoes…I wonder if she can find canned turkey?
However, throughout the story, people keep dropping little nuggets in Betsy's ear and eventually those nuggets actually get through.
The Characters
Betsy Taylor—do NOT call her "Elizabeth"!—is still fighting her role as queen of the vampires. I must say it's really hard for me to remember that she's thirty-years-old with her maturity level and extreme level of self-centeredness. Ancient Betsy appears in this past and is quite happy to nag and nag and nag at her Infant Me. Although being around Sinclair seems to give her the creeps. Dr. Taylor is her mother and frequently babysits BabyJon, Betsy's baby half-brother (her dad and the Ant).
Eric Sinclair is her co-sovereign. He's cool, classy, gorgeous, and, for some reason, absolutely obsessed with her. He does spend a lot of time in this one laughing his ass off. Tina is his girl Friday, has her own bullet-making set-up in the basement so she's happy if not seen too often in this story, and adores flavored vodka...tomato, anyone?
Jessica is enormously pregnant—The Belly That Ate the World—and swears she's not due until summer. Dick/Nick likes Betsy in this timeline. He's still a cop and he still adores Jessica.
Laura is the Antichrist and Betsy's half-sister—they share the same dad, but Satan is her mother. Seems Satan has been wanting a "temp worker of the damned" 'cause she wants a vacation. Satan, the Devil, Lucifer Morningstar, Lena Olin just keeps showing up and pushing, knocking, watching.
The bitchy werewolf, Antonia, is back from Hell where the Devil gladly gave her back to Betsy. You'll love what she says to her old Pack! Yup, Antonia is back. Garrett the Fiend is much more with it in this timeline—tricksier—but still obsessed with knitting and crocheting.
Jon Delk has written a successful book about vampires and is currently on tour promoting it and the movie that will be made from it. It's the start of a popular vampire revival! In this timeline.
The Cover
The cover is more Florida than the week before Thanksgiving in Minnesota. The base of the cover is a bright green to showcase the title while a deep crackled green background barely shows behind the artfully pixelated Betsy glancing at us over her shoulder. She's wearing a green-black railroad-striped bustier or tube top and rhinestoned sunglasses that reflect a three-story brick house with porch and cupola (the mansion??), but what you really notice is her golden hair dangling in long corkscrew curls to her shoulder blades.
The title says it all about Queen Betsy�Undead and Unstable.
October 13, 2018
It’s been so long since I read this series that it took me awhile to get back into. Once I did it went really quickly. Not my favorite in the series but not terrible. Fur and Burr rule!
June 9, 2017
Why am I still reading this series?? The books are getting worse and worse, but I can't stop! I really hope the series ends soon so I can just be done with it.
December 8, 2014
Is it Thanksgiving again already? I never get tired of Betsy’s hatred of Thanksgiving. While I don’t share it, her anxiety reminds me of the movie Home for the Holidays. Good stuff.
As I’ve mentioned in previous reviews, probably all 10 reviews of this one’s predecessors, the Undead series is basically an entertainment only read. There isn’t a lot of deeper meaning in here. There isn’t a lot of material to fuel in depth discussion. There is, however, a lot of humor, cussing, airheaded moments, arguing, sometimes sex and a lot more.
In fact, I decided to listen to the audiobook of the first in the series because it sounded like a ‘no brains required� read. The narrator is the reason I continued with audiobooks even though I own the first ten in print. Nancy Wu is just fabulous. She is perfect for Betsy and I frequently laugh out loud; I am convinced it is because of Nancy Wu.
Unstable brings back most of our favorite characters. It’s silly and fun but as with the last book, Unstable does get a little dark. But don’t worry, there is plenty of humor- quips, one liners; Jessica’s pregnancy is definitely good for that. And I was pleasantly surprised to learn something new! How often does that happen with Elizabeth Taylor, Betsy that is, not THE Elizabeth Taylor.
Dystheism. Yep, that’s in this installment. What is dystheism you ask? Even if you didn’t, I will still tell you because despite my love of religious discussion and debate, I had never heard of this term before Betsy Taylor, or rather Satan/ Lena Olin, mentions it. According to the almighty and omniscient Wikipedia, dystheism is “the belief that a god, goddess, or singular God is not wholly good as is commonly understood (such as the monotheistic religions of Christianity and Judaism), and is possibly evil.�
I love –isms.
I do have one issue with Unstable- we still don’t get to see the future. I want to get more details about the future and what Betsy did to get to that point. I know it is going to change, and it’s a little weird writing in past tense about something that hasn’t happened yet and can still change, but the brief glimpse Davidson gave us was intriguing and I want to know more! Well, there are still two books to go, possibly more if she plans to continue with the series. We’ll see.
Once again I will warn against listening to the audiobook on speaker if children are around. There is one sex scene and it gets a little graphic. And as always, Betsy has an arsenal of profanity laced insults at her disposal and some are pretty funny. Her favorite cracks me up every time she says it. I definitely recommend this entire series as a light, entertaining and quick read and I highly recommend the audiobook.
Happy listening!
As I’ve mentioned in previous reviews, probably all 10 reviews of this one’s predecessors, the Undead series is basically an entertainment only read. There isn’t a lot of deeper meaning in here. There isn’t a lot of material to fuel in depth discussion. There is, however, a lot of humor, cussing, airheaded moments, arguing, sometimes sex and a lot more.
In fact, I decided to listen to the audiobook of the first in the series because it sounded like a ‘no brains required� read. The narrator is the reason I continued with audiobooks even though I own the first ten in print. Nancy Wu is just fabulous. She is perfect for Betsy and I frequently laugh out loud; I am convinced it is because of Nancy Wu.
Unstable brings back most of our favorite characters. It’s silly and fun but as with the last book, Unstable does get a little dark. But don’t worry, there is plenty of humor- quips, one liners; Jessica’s pregnancy is definitely good for that. And I was pleasantly surprised to learn something new! How often does that happen with Elizabeth Taylor, Betsy that is, not THE Elizabeth Taylor.
Dystheism. Yep, that’s in this installment. What is dystheism you ask? Even if you didn’t, I will still tell you because despite my love of religious discussion and debate, I had never heard of this term before Betsy Taylor, or rather Satan/ Lena Olin, mentions it. According to the almighty and omniscient Wikipedia, dystheism is “the belief that a god, goddess, or singular God is not wholly good as is commonly understood (such as the monotheistic religions of Christianity and Judaism), and is possibly evil.�
I love –isms.
I do have one issue with Unstable- we still don’t get to see the future. I want to get more details about the future and what Betsy did to get to that point. I know it is going to change, and it’s a little weird writing in past tense about something that hasn’t happened yet and can still change, but the brief glimpse Davidson gave us was intriguing and I want to know more! Well, there are still two books to go, possibly more if she plans to continue with the series. We’ll see.
Once again I will warn against listening to the audiobook on speaker if children are around. There is one sex scene and it gets a little graphic. And as always, Betsy has an arsenal of profanity laced insults at her disposal and some are pretty funny. Her favorite cracks me up every time she says it. I definitely recommend this entire series as a light, entertaining and quick read and I highly recommend the audiobook.
Happy listening!
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