Favorite Lines: “He kissed me. I pressed my lips tight against the tongue as it pushed harder and harder to get into my mouth.” (213)
After a horrific rape, Zoe Martinique found herself able to leave her body and walk around. She’s not dead; just able to travel around and spy on people and she makes good money doing it. On one such night, she witnesses a murder and discovers that the killer can see her, even though she’s not corporeal.
The killer grabs her arm and so begins the many changes in Zoe’s life. She meets a sexy detective, when out of her body she becomes solid, she’ constantly hungry and thirsty, and is trying to find the killer who branded her.
I had a few reservations about Zoe’s mother. She does some pretty unmotherly (yeah, I know it’s prob. not a word) things, but the author does a great job of moving the reader past them. When I felt like I was going to rip on the mom (Nona), the author would add Zoe remembering how much her mother loved her and how her actions screamed of her terror for her daughter.
There is a killer in this book that I’m unsure of. I know he’s bad, but I don’t know how bad. He’s a freak, but there is much more to him than meets the eyes and ears.
There are two major player in this book besides Zoe and the killer. There is a televangilist and a rich Japanese business owner. Beware, nothing is what it seems. Zoe is transforming into more than a “Traveler” (her term for what she can do) and her friends and family think she’s becoming a Wraith.
I can’t tell you much more without giving the plot away. I enjoyed this book. The book points to the many times we all do things that instinct tells us not to do and the results of doing it. It challenges the reader’s set system of beliefs by allowing us to think, “If that had been me, could I have done that?” She uses foreshadowing liberally throughout the book which prevents me from questioning how we got from point ‘A’ to point ‘B’. She also stresses the gray areas of life. Is evil truly evil? Is good, good? Are there degrees in between and where do you draw the line? Can you draw a line?
Ms. Weldon, I must say I’m ready to kill you because I want to know what’s going on and I don’t want to wait.
I found no blog or web address for Ms. Weldon so, I’m going to copy her bio off the back cover of Wraith.
“Phaedra Weldon was born in Florida and attended Georgia Southern University, from where she launched a career in the graphic arts field. She began writing at age ten, reworking the endings of her favorite tv shows, including such classics as Scooby Doo. She has also had short fiction published in a number of anthologies and on online sites.”
Update: I found Ms. Weldon’s website. You can find it here.
Scooper Speaks 
I’m so glad you reviewed this! I saw it at the bookstore and have considered reviewing it myself, and you’ve men it tempting! Congrats on finding her website. I couldn’t find it when I wrote about Wraith a few weeks ago. Maybe she just put it up.
Tia- There was one moment in this book that confused the heck out of me. I hope you read it so that we can talk about it without me giving spoilers.
I loved this book. I can’t wait for the sequel – there’s so much I want to know about Zoe and the killer! Thanks for dropping by my blog, btw 🙂
I loved the mother. She reminded me of Debbie Reynolds. I think I posted on my review that it was one of the most realistic mother/daughter relationships I’d read recently. Well if I didn’t I should have. 🙂 LOL – or maybe that says more about my relationship with my own mother.
Her mother did come pretty close to being unbearable but I think just before the reader reaches that point Zoe remembers how much her mother helped her. The recalled conversation at that point almost brought me to tears, and you could see even without them saying it how deeply they loved each other. From that moment whenever they’re together you can see past the sniping. I think it’s a case of two people who are too much alike but who have to get along ’cause they’re related. And it wouldn’t surprise me that if ever Zoe had kids she’d be exactly the same.
Thanks for the insightful review. I’m about to pick this book up from the library later today & am more excited to delve into her world after reading your thoughts. Thanks you ever so much.
Naomi- I know! I want to know what happens now? Will she ever get her voice back? I think it’s freaky. The thought that a sexual partner has her voice is gross.
Lesley- Yeah, I agree. I was on the yo-yo path with their relationship for awhile. I’d get irritated until the author flashed back to the good part of their relationship.
Nan- I hope you enjoy it. I’m going to be blogging about Michelle Sagara’s Cast series. It is great fantasy that I’d recommend.
I think ‘unmotherly’ is a perfectly acceptable word, in the proper circumstances.
Thanks Camille.
The next part in the sequel was very good (SPECTRE), the only disapointment is the not so convincing end. But maybe there will be an explanaiton in part 3.. Althoug I really like the series despite I am more of a Sf than Fantasy reader.