In this LA-set vampire versus werewolf action-thriller... Kayla Steele is an appealing, sexy heroine who could feature in the opening scenes of any number of movies as she dresses to kill, for a date where she expects her boyfriend Karrel to propose... So far, so Hollywood, and yes, this is a solidly commercial read, but it’s soon apparent the story and the writing go well beyond merely ticking the boxes of currently popular formula. For one thing, Karrel’s dead by the end of the first chapter, not the usual fate of action heroes. Then Kayla finds herself pursued, and not by the usual suspects preying on unaccompanied girls in bars. She’s too bright to deny the evidence of her own eyes but entirely believably, she’s left floundering for an explanation. Looking for one, she gets herself into more trouble but most emphatically not because she’s some stupid studio blonde. She’s a brunette, and besides, as her troubles mount, she proves time and again that she can think fast and keep moving amid all the uproar. Thus she develops into a credible heroine who the reader can make a solid connection with, even as she gets drafted into the Hunters who have been Karrel’s life and death. These techno-heavy shadow warriors could have stepped out of any number of stories but again, Natasha Rhodes’ writing brings a freshness to the idea, at the same time cheerfully acknowledging precursors like Joss Whedon’s Initiative.
All this is set in an atmospheric vision of LA that echoes the work of Michael Mann and many others in film and TV. Such writing could only come from someone who lives there, who knows the city intimately but who nevertheless retains the clear-sighted detachment of the incomer.... Jokes are a recurrent motif in the current wave of post-Buffy fiction, and again Natasha Rhodes shows pleasing originality as she works within this framework. When a werewolf comments he likes his women like his coffee, brace yourself for the pay-off.
Sex and violence are similarly features of this new genre and always distinguish the writers to watch. Also-rans sling gore around for shock value and indulge themselves with graphic sex scenes that serve no real purpose beyond adding some dubious erotic charge. Natasha Rhodes proves to be a writer who conveys the reality of death and danger in her descriptions to really engage the reader. The story ends with an explosive movie-style finale that arises perfectly logically from the story yet still manages to startle, right up to the last page. The book closes on a resolution that’s satisfying and at the same time, unapologetically temporary, in the way that real life so rarely has neatly wrapped up endings. This brings its own satisfaction as it implies the stage is set for what should be an equally entertaining sequel.
-- Juliet McKenna, SF Revu
The first Kayla Steele novel by Natasha Rhodes, who has previously done a couple of horror film tie-ins, introduces a tough street girl whose boyfriend was recently killed by supernatural forces, although that hasn't ended their relationship. Kayla holds down a mundane job while trying to learn enough magic to survive amongst the supernatural beings she must confront in order to discover her boyfriend's killer. Ghosts, werewolves, and other creatures of the night provide much of the supporting cast and a good deal of the plot. Rhodes uses a fairly light touch, considering the subject matter, with some dark humour and hints of sexual tension. This one is marketed somewhat ambiguously so you can read it as horror in the tradition of Nancy Collins' Sunglasses in the Dark, or as a paranormal romance.
-- Don D'Ammassa, Critical Mass
Dante’s Girl breathes some new life into the urban fantasy werewolf/vampire genre, with vivid characters and deliciously evil villains.
Cyan X, the evil vampiress in charge of the werewolves that are hunting Kayla, is a well-written character who is saved from being just another evil villain by her emotional vulnerability, in fact you almost feel sorry for her at times (although this would probably be the last thing you felt before she ate your face off!). Kayla and the Hunters have a large stock of quips, comebacks and snappy one liners that they are not afraid to use in any situation, even if that situation is being hopelessly outnumbered by vampires and werewolves who all seem to want them dead. This is reminiscent of Buffy at her best and keeps a level of humour running through out the book.
The plot line of Dante’s Girl twists and turns, with evil plans, double crosses and plenty of back stabbing between the Hunters, the vampires and the werewolves. Leading up to an exciting and explosive conclusion that manages to finish this story nicely but leave the way open for a sequel at the same time. All in all this makes Dante’s girl a fast paced, exciting and enjoyable read. Recommended reading!
-- lovevampires.com
The sheer tonnage of dark fantasy/paranormal romance hybrids being currently released is absolutely mind-boggling. The success of authors like Laurell K. Hamilton, Kim Harrison, and Kelley Armstrong has created a virtual feeding frenzy for novels that feature strong, sexy, butt-kicking female protagonists who are more often than not passionately involved with one or more supernatural studs (vampires, werewolves, zombies, etc.). And while Dante's Girl will undoubtedly be categorized as such, Rhodes's exceedingly witty and vividly descriptive writing style -- not to mention her ability to keep the narrative's pacing consistently pedal-to-the-metal -- place this novel a cut above the rest. Smart, sexy, and oh so satisfying...
-- Paul Goat Allen, Explorations Reviews
The concept of vampires and werewolves in present-day America is not a new one. However, (this novel’s) strength is in the use of characters and situations. There is always something going on in the story and no one is what they appear to be. The varied background of gangs and leaders within the supernatural underworld provides Natasha Rhodes with an environment that lends her characters credibility, and links to realism are aided by the Kayla Steele who, for example, tries to get her life back to normal by returning to work after Karrell’s death... There is plenty of action that maintains the book's fast pace as Kayla grabs opportunities to prove herself to the Hunters whilst trying to stay alive despite being a prime target. This is a fun, contemporary supernatural action novel. It is the first in a series of novels featuring Kayla Steele, and ends with an intriguing cliff-hanger that may entice you to check out others in the series.
— Sue Griffiths, Concatenation
