Book Review – SNAP The World Unfolds by Michele Drier
SNAP The World Unfolds Synopsis
SNAP, a multinational celebrity TV show and magazine, is the holy grail for Maxie Gwenoch. When she snags the job as managing editor, she’s looking for fame, fortune and Jimmy Choos. What she finds is a media empire owned by Baron Kandesky and his family. A family of vampires. They’re European, urbane, wealthy and mesmerizing. And when she meets Jean-Louis, vampire and co-worker, she’s a goner.
The Kandesky vampire family rose in Hungary centuries ago. They gave up violence and killing to make a killing on the world’s commodities markets and with that beginning they built SNAP, an international celebrity multimedia empire. Now cultured… and having found food substitutes for killing… they’ve cornered the world market for celebrity and gossip journalism.
They haven’t fully left the past behind. Their Hungarian neighbors and rival vampire clan, the Huszars are starting to ramp up attacks, maybe looking to start a war to take over all the Kandeskys have built.
Maxie believes she’s found her ultimate career. She doesn’t realize that she’s found a family feud like none other, a centuries-old rivalry between vampire families, with her as the linchpin. Bells ring with Jean-Louis, but she doesn’t realize they’re alarm sirens until she learns that Jean-Louis is second in command of the Kandeskys…but by then it’s too late. (Amazon)
BOOK REVIEW
I am not normally one to read vampire novels. In fact the only other novel I have read with a vampire in it was The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova. But Michele Drier’s debut novel SNAP The World Unfolds is something quite different.
SNAP The World Unfolds is an original modern interpretation of a European vampire society that does not take itself too seriously. The main character Maxie Gwenoch is a feisty career woman. She is as independent as they come and accustomed to being in control. But when she steps into the Kandesky’s corporate empire she has left control far behind, whether she likes it or not…
SNAP The World Unfolds by Michele Drier is an entertaining light vampire romance set against the world of celebrity journalism.
What is particularly refreshing about this plot line is the Kandesky vampire family do not want Maxie for her blood, they want her for her brains and business acumen.
Michele Drier’s writing style is straight forward and easy to read, and the romance sweet and lingering rather than hot and heavy. Fun and escapist reading for a lazy Sunday afternoon.
“You look better than last night,” he began. “I hope you slept well.”
“I did. I had odd dreams but I’m recovered.” As he looked at me, I could see him beginning to glimmer.
“I’d thought when we went hunting in LA you were interested in me, but maybe I was wrong.”
“You mean with your line ‘I’ve waited years’?” I wanted to be snide then realized he really may have.
“I told you that it wasn’t really a line. Now you know the truth. It has been years.”
SNAP The World Unfolds finishes on a precipice, being the first book in the SNAP series featuring Maxie Gwenoch and the Kandesky’s. I am now eagerly awaiting the second instalment, SNAP New Talent, which will be released in Spring (US) 2012. I can see this series becoming my new secret non-literary indulgence.
BOOK RATING: The Story 4 / 5 ; The Writing 3.5 / 5
BOOK DETAILS: SNAP The World Unfolds (Amazon – Kindle)
Genre: Romance, Sci-Fi-Fantasy, Action-Adventure
Author Information: Michele Drier has come to fiction later in life, having her first career in journalism and then managing not-for-profit agencies. She is a member of the Society of California Pioneers and Sisters in Crime.
- See Michele Drier’s official website
- Read Michele Drier’s interview with Lisa Haselton on SNAP The World Unfolds
Other reviews of SNAP The World Unfolds: Sarah Glenn
Other title by Michele Drier: Edited For Death
* I received a copy of this novel from the author for review purposes. My receiving this book for free in no way affected my ability to express my honest opinions about it.
