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Imp World #3
No Man's Land
Kelly’s family has beaten her nearly to death, yanked her fangs and discarded her in West Virginia - a buffer zone between two contentious vampire families. It’s impossible for a vampire to survive in exile, especially without fangs. Desperate, Kelly will do anything to convince her family to take her back.
Jaq’s werewolf pack calls West Virginia their territory. They keep it that way by killing every vampire that crosses the border from either side. When she finds a vampire abandoned and dying, she throws caution to the winds and nurses her back to health. Now Jaq’s in the difficult position of keeping Kelly safe from her own pack until the vampire is allowed back into her family.
But the vampire factions are on the warpath, and the werewolf territories are smack in the middle. Both Jaq and Kelly must make allies of old enemies to protect what’s theirs and to carve out a family that's more than blood.
Jaq’s werewolf pack calls West Virginia their territory. They keep it that way by killing every vampire that crosses the border from either side. When she finds a vampire abandoned and dying, she throws caution to the winds and nurses her back to health. Now Jaq’s in the difficult position of keeping Kelly safe from her own pack until the vampire is allowed back into her family.
But the vampire factions are on the warpath, and the werewolf territories are smack in the middle. Both Jaq and Kelly must make allies of old enemies to protect what’s theirs and to carve out a family that's more than blood.
324 pages, ebook
First published February 5, 2014
94 people are currently reading
356 people want to read
About the author
Debra Dunbar
96 books1,276 followersDebra lives in a little house in the woods in Maryland with three sons, and a Noah’s ark of four legged family members. She has a corporate job during the day, and writes novels at night, after the kids are tucked in bed.
She drives an Excursion affectionately called The Beast, couldn’t carry a tune if you duct taped it to her back, and enjoys an occasional cosmopolitan (heavy on the vodka). On a good day, she jogs and horseback rides, hopefully managing to keep the horse between herself and the ground.
Her only known super power is ‘Identify Roadkill’.
She drives an Excursion affectionately called The Beast, couldn’t carry a tune if you duct taped it to her back, and enjoys an occasional cosmopolitan (heavy on the vodka). On a good day, she jogs and horseback rides, hopefully managing to keep the horse between herself and the ground.
Her only known super power is ‘Identify Roadkill’.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
August 1, 2017
I have several problems with this book, one of which I came in with, one of which was created by assumptions and beliefs acquired from reading the Imp series.
First problem, the one I can into the book with: Kelly, one of the many points of view in this book, and there are many, has previously appeared in two Imp series books (Imp series is different from Imp World, Imp World is basically all stories in the Imp universe, Imp series is the one that stares Samantha Martin, demon, and Imp). One of those Imp series books occurred chronologically before this book, and one occurred chronologically after this book. She was a side character in both of those books, while a main character in this book here. I've read everything in the main Imp series so I've read both of those other books that included Kelly. I had no real like or dislike for her for either book, but I wasn't overly thrilled with the concept of reading a book that included her. No, I read this one because of Jaq and because of the second thing I came into this book with, that belief and assumption I mentioned.
Second problem - Samantha, and the critters in the series, have two things that seem to occur romantic/sex wise - 1) many seem open to switching genders and or flirting with same genders; 2) all end up in heterosexual unions. Still, there's that vibe that neither sex nor gender are binary or firmly stuck in man/woman zone. And the second book that Kelly appeared in seemed to imply that Jaq and Kelly were a couple. Sooo, they had to become a couple somewhere, right? Well, the book they both star in seems like the place that story would unfold, right?
Wrong.
Kelly spent the early portions of the book annoying me and frustrating me, and the vast majority of the book mourning the loss of 'George'. And constantly burning herself on a silver ring, thereby, without needing more information, letting the reader know that 'George' was from Kelly's prior life. Pre-vampire life. That and suffering greatly from what her vampire 'family' did to her.
In a prior book, in the mainline Imp series, Kelly, while a casino manager, yelled at Samantha, a guest at the hotel portion of the casino, and offered to shove Doritos up Sam’s butt (or something like that). Naturally her higher ups were displeased by this display of temper and loss of control. And so . . . they savagely beat her (in this book not in the other book, to start this book off), tore out her fangs (Kelly's a vampire), and left her to die in werewolf territory. Or, more literally, and more flowing with the next part of my comments, dumped her in a trailer a few trailers down from the one Jaq lives in. Jaq happened to see the vampires dumping Kelly. (Jaq says she is, but isn't exactly, a werewolf).
The majority of the rest of the book involved Kelly slowly starving to death while Jaq kept trying to help her. Trust was slow in coming. Why Kelly was having issues, despite all the help Jaq was giving, was slow to be conveyed. And even after the issue finally was broached, Kelly refused, more or less, the options put forth by Jaq to solve the problem (being purposely vague here, though anyone who knows the concept of 'vampires' and what they feed on probably already knows what the issue is).
Meanwhile one of the other vampires that had turned up in the Imp series, the natural born son of the 'Master', otherwise known as 'Prince' or 'Kyle' (the son not the Master, the master's name isn't given), is attempting to create a territory for himself which probably will include West Virginia (which up to now has been something of a buffer state between two different vampire families, Kyle's, or Forimer (spelling?) and the Kincaids; on a side note, unless one family is located mostly in the Northeast, and the other located mostly west of West Virginia, like in Kentucky, or the like, then I'm not exactly sure how West Virginia can play the role of a 'buffer state' when, in the book, one of the families basically has everything north of Washington DC, while the other had everything south of Washington DC. Meaning that West Virginia is, for the most part, out of the way of the fight. But, meh. (another side note, yeah, there is mention of Martinsburg and Winchester - and yeah, that's where there's a buffer, a tiny tiny sliver of West Virginia - not the whole bloody state like seems to be mentioned in the book; and why two vampire clans with massive territories through several states have that as a buffer . . . - it's still not a buffer unless you are driving on Interstate 81; otherwise, use I95 and there's no bloody buffer (or route 1 or most bloody roads)).
I've no fucking clue where I was or what I was attempting to go. Got caught up with West Virginia and the map (did I mention yet that Virginia is both further west than West Virginia, and further south? Is because of a leg of Virginia that stretches out south of West Virginia. But that doesn't matter at all because the entire conflict between two massive branches of vampires is apparently entangled in a state neither of them are actually in - because of treaties with werewolves).
Lost myself again.
Right. Going to pretend I’ve written something massively important above and just move on.
I was interested in seeing if all the flirtations with mixing people of the same gender that was hinted at in prior books would actually occur in this book. I suppose I should have seen all those hints that angels need balance (as in, the many times an Angel would suddenly flip from female to male just because a powerful woman would enter the room, and therefore ‘balance’ requires them to become male . . . and therefore fuck the concept of same sex relationships, right?). So, yeah, I was wrong. Though there’s even more flirting with the concept that same gender people might couple up in this book, though nothing came of that flirtation.
*shrugs*. Fuck it. I’m tired of this book.
ETA: (okay, not really added after the fact, just after I thought I was done typing) – why am I giving this book as high a rating as I am? Because, despite how difficult the book was to get into, it flowed quite well (after that difficult early stage), and became down right intriguing, interesting in the second half. Kept my interest and made me want to gobble it all up.
Rating: 3.65
August 1 2017
First problem, the one I can into the book with: Kelly, one of the many points of view in this book, and there are many, has previously appeared in two Imp series books (Imp series is different from Imp World, Imp World is basically all stories in the Imp universe, Imp series is the one that stares Samantha Martin, demon, and Imp). One of those Imp series books occurred chronologically before this book, and one occurred chronologically after this book. She was a side character in both of those books, while a main character in this book here. I've read everything in the main Imp series so I've read both of those other books that included Kelly. I had no real like or dislike for her for either book, but I wasn't overly thrilled with the concept of reading a book that included her. No, I read this one because of Jaq and because of the second thing I came into this book with, that belief and assumption I mentioned.
Second problem - Samantha, and the critters in the series, have two things that seem to occur romantic/sex wise - 1) many seem open to switching genders and or flirting with same genders; 2) all end up in heterosexual unions. Still, there's that vibe that neither sex nor gender are binary or firmly stuck in man/woman zone. And the second book that Kelly appeared in seemed to imply that Jaq and Kelly were a couple. Sooo, they had to become a couple somewhere, right? Well, the book they both star in seems like the place that story would unfold, right?
Wrong.
Kelly spent the early portions of the book annoying me and frustrating me, and the vast majority of the book mourning the loss of 'George'. And constantly burning herself on a silver ring, thereby, without needing more information, letting the reader know that 'George' was from Kelly's prior life. Pre-vampire life. That and suffering greatly from what her vampire 'family' did to her.
In a prior book, in the mainline Imp series, Kelly, while a casino manager, yelled at Samantha, a guest at the hotel portion of the casino, and offered to shove Doritos up Sam’s butt (or something like that). Naturally her higher ups were displeased by this display of temper and loss of control. And so . . . they savagely beat her (in this book not in the other book, to start this book off), tore out her fangs (Kelly's a vampire), and left her to die in werewolf territory. Or, more literally, and more flowing with the next part of my comments, dumped her in a trailer a few trailers down from the one Jaq lives in. Jaq happened to see the vampires dumping Kelly. (Jaq says she is, but isn't exactly, a werewolf).
The majority of the rest of the book involved Kelly slowly starving to death while Jaq kept trying to help her. Trust was slow in coming. Why Kelly was having issues, despite all the help Jaq was giving, was slow to be conveyed. And even after the issue finally was broached, Kelly refused, more or less, the options put forth by Jaq to solve the problem (being purposely vague here, though anyone who knows the concept of 'vampires' and what they feed on probably already knows what the issue is).
Meanwhile one of the other vampires that had turned up in the Imp series, the natural born son of the 'Master', otherwise known as 'Prince' or 'Kyle' (the son not the Master, the master's name isn't given), is attempting to create a territory for himself which probably will include West Virginia (which up to now has been something of a buffer state between two different vampire families, Kyle's, or Forimer (spelling?) and the Kincaids; on a side note, unless one family is located mostly in the Northeast, and the other located mostly west of West Virginia, like in Kentucky, or the like, then I'm not exactly sure how West Virginia can play the role of a 'buffer state' when, in the book, one of the families basically has everything north of Washington DC, while the other had everything south of Washington DC. Meaning that West Virginia is, for the most part, out of the way of the fight. But, meh. (another side note, yeah, there is mention of Martinsburg and Winchester - and yeah, that's where there's a buffer, a tiny tiny sliver of West Virginia - not the whole bloody state like seems to be mentioned in the book; and why two vampire clans with massive territories through several states have that as a buffer . . . - it's still not a buffer unless you are driving on Interstate 81; otherwise, use I95 and there's no bloody buffer (or route 1 or most bloody roads)).
I've no fucking clue where I was or what I was attempting to go. Got caught up with West Virginia and the map (did I mention yet that Virginia is both further west than West Virginia, and further south? Is because of a leg of Virginia that stretches out south of West Virginia. But that doesn't matter at all because the entire conflict between two massive branches of vampires is apparently entangled in a state neither of them are actually in - because of treaties with werewolves).
Lost myself again.
Right. Going to pretend I’ve written something massively important above and just move on.
I was interested in seeing if all the flirtations with mixing people of the same gender that was hinted at in prior books would actually occur in this book. I suppose I should have seen all those hints that angels need balance (as in, the many times an Angel would suddenly flip from female to male just because a powerful woman would enter the room, and therefore ‘balance’ requires them to become male . . . and therefore fuck the concept of same sex relationships, right?). So, yeah, I was wrong. Though there’s even more flirting with the concept that same gender people might couple up in this book, though nothing came of that flirtation.
*shrugs*. Fuck it. I’m tired of this book.
ETA: (okay, not really added after the fact, just after I thought I was done typing) – why am I giving this book as high a rating as I am? Because, despite how difficult the book was to get into, it flowed quite well (after that difficult early stage), and became down right intriguing, interesting in the second half. Kept my interest and made me want to gobble it all up.
Rating: 3.65
August 1 2017
December 23, 2014
Anyone who's ever read my Imp world reviews, know that I love Sam and her merry band of demons, angels, werewolves with a passion. The vampires, well, not so much. There's no denying, it: Sam is the star, the shining beacon, and it'd be hard for any other books to compare, especially when the entire cast is new. That being said, I did like this book, and quite a few of the characters grew on me.
I enjoyed getting to know the mysterious vamp clans, which we up until this point, have only seen through Sam's eyes. If I recall correctly, Kelly was the hotel/casino manager in charge at the hotel where Wyatt and Sam stayed. In fact, I seem to remember that Kelly completely lost her cool and shouted to Sam that she'd like to cram Doritos up her ass. So yeah, guess who's most likely responsible for Kelly's banishment. It would seem the vampires really are as conniving as Sam pegged them to be, though. Let's not forget sexist/racist, since made vampires are lower in the hierarchy than born vampires, and women can only be Consorts, never Masters. Well, that rubbed me the wrong way! Kelly, a young but resourceful vampire learns these lessons the hard way when she's de-fanged and thrown out of her vampire family, left to fend for herself in hostile werewolf territory. Luckily for Kelly, she's discovered by Jaq, werewolf with a soft spot for strays, a rebellious streak and certain powers that she's inherited from her father. Yeeeees, Jaq's been hiding certain secrets that I'm sure the ruling council would like to know about... Ssssh!
On the surface, this book tells the cute story of how enemies can learn to trust and even come to care for each other. Not to mention, overthrow old traditions and "truths" and find a new and better family. But I must admit, the thing I liked the best about this book was how old secrets were revealed to Jaq and Kelly. As Monica, the Kincaid consort, and the third strong, very likeable female character in this book observes: The angels have most definitely been too self absorbed lately. Because let's face it, they're all too happy to smite those they don't feel have the right to live. What a crying shame that would be! Some of the "undesirable" creatures we meet in this book seem far worthier of life than certain angelic Lebensborn fanatics from Aaru. Vibration levels are OBVIOUSLY overrated:-( Hear that, Gabe!?
(Yes, Debra, you need to get him laid! ... Leethu... *cough*.,, Leethu. Please:-))
Spoilerish thoughts ahead, beware!
in future installments, I'd love to learn more about Jaq's father and his likes. I want to know their motivations, is it love that drives them to mate with humans, or is it just a case of seriously blue (essence) balls? I'm sure they each have an interesting story to tell. Besides, what exactly is so wrong with human/angel hybrids? After all, the angels don't seem to have the same problem with demon/human hybrids. Ah, angelic hubris at its worst. Or is there more to the story? Anyway,would LOVE to learn more. I'd actually be super happy if Debra wrote a book from these angels' POV.
Amen!
I enjoyed getting to know the mysterious vamp clans, which we up until this point, have only seen through Sam's eyes. If I recall correctly, Kelly was the hotel/casino manager in charge at the hotel where Wyatt and Sam stayed. In fact, I seem to remember that Kelly completely lost her cool and shouted to Sam that she'd like to cram Doritos up her ass. So yeah, guess who's most likely responsible for Kelly's banishment. It would seem the vampires really are as conniving as Sam pegged them to be, though. Let's not forget sexist/racist, since made vampires are lower in the hierarchy than born vampires, and women can only be Consorts, never Masters. Well, that rubbed me the wrong way! Kelly, a young but resourceful vampire learns these lessons the hard way when she's de-fanged and thrown out of her vampire family, left to fend for herself in hostile werewolf territory. Luckily for Kelly, she's discovered by Jaq, werewolf with a soft spot for strays, a rebellious streak and certain powers that she's inherited from her father. Yeeeees, Jaq's been hiding certain secrets that I'm sure the ruling council would like to know about... Ssssh!
On the surface, this book tells the cute story of how enemies can learn to trust and even come to care for each other. Not to mention, overthrow old traditions and "truths" and find a new and better family. But I must admit, the thing I liked the best about this book was how old secrets were revealed to Jaq and Kelly. As Monica, the Kincaid consort, and the third strong, very likeable female character in this book observes: The angels have most definitely been too self absorbed lately. Because let's face it, they're all too happy to smite those they don't feel have the right to live. What a crying shame that would be! Some of the "undesirable" creatures we meet in this book seem far worthier of life than certain angelic Lebensborn fanatics from Aaru. Vibration levels are OBVIOUSLY overrated:-( Hear that, Gabe!?
(Yes, Debra, you need to get him laid! ... Leethu... *cough*.,, Leethu. Please:-))
Spoilerish thoughts ahead, beware!
in future installments, I'd love to learn more about Jaq's father and his likes. I want to know their motivations, is it love that drives them to mate with humans, or is it just a case of seriously blue (essence) balls? I'm sure they each have an interesting story to tell. Besides, what exactly is so wrong with human/angel hybrids? After all, the angels don't seem to have the same problem with demon/human hybrids. Ah, angelic hubris at its worst. Or is there more to the story? Anyway,would LOVE to learn more. I'd actually be super happy if Debra wrote a book from these angels' POV.
Amen!
February 5, 2017
No Man's Land (Imp World #3) by Debra Dunbar is a darker book than the other imp books but I loved almost as much. Kelly is a vamp and loses her temper where she works, and she works for the vamps. She got made at a demon causing trouble. The vamps beat her so severely then drop her off in werewolf territory and make bets on how long she will live. A kind women there knows what she is and knows if her pack finds her that will kill her so she takes her in and helps her. But as soon as she is partly healed, her pack alpha wants her gone or dead, her vamp master wants her to spy on the rival vamps on the other side of the weres, and the rival vamps have caught scent of her. From there, boy is she is deep trouble, like she wasn't before! Action packed, dangerous to turn the pages, and loving every minute!
October 19, 2023
ehhhh I wasn't as into this one, but it was slightly interesting to see what happened to Kelly after the fiasco in book 2.
June 15, 2021
Unexpected friends
Wasn't bad. I didn't really get invested in any of the characters, so it was harder to stay interested. It wasn't that long a read, however, so it was with it. I just won't be looking for a reread.
Wasn't bad. I didn't really get invested in any of the characters, so it was harder to stay interested. It wasn't that long a read, however, so it was with it. I just won't be looking for a reread.
February 9, 2014
Great Story!
I thought this was a well-written story and a good spin-off from the Imp stories. I always was curious about what happened to Kelly after she told Sam what she was going to do with her and those Fritos. The power struggles between Kyle and his father and then carrying over to Gideon and Monica was intriguing. I liked encountering another pack of werewolves and I loved Jaq. I think she was one of the most interesting characters in the story and I loved the relationship that developed between her and Kelly. It was weird to see so much angst over a bunny but it was a welcome and funny release to the darker tone of this novel.
I thought this was a well-written story and a good spin-off from the Imp stories. I always was curious about what happened to Kelly after she told Sam what she was going to do with her and those Fritos. The power struggles between Kyle and his father and then carrying over to Gideon and Monica was intriguing. I liked encountering another pack of werewolves and I loved Jaq. I think she was one of the most interesting characters in the story and I loved the relationship that developed between her and Kelly. It was weird to see so much angst over a bunny but it was a welcome and funny release to the darker tone of this novel.
February 9, 2014
I loved this book. I thought Kelly was an interesting character when she showed up in an earlier book and turned out to be stealing from her own vampire family. Learning what happened to her after she was punished by her original vampire family was fascinating. It was wonderful to read of her relationship with Jaq and to see it unfold especially at the hint there might be a forthcoming romance between them. One of the funniest things was how indignant all the vampires were at Kelly perhaps having a bunny fetish by drinking bunny blood. I cannot wait to see what happens next.
January 17, 2016
1) I feel this is the weakest of all of Debra Dunbar's Imp books. Not bad, but not as good as the rest.
2) You will want to read this book before Angel of Chaos. Some of the plot, backstory, and characters from this book show up in that book with very little exposition or explanation. If you have not read this book first, you may be very confused.
2) You will want to read this book before Angel of Chaos. Some of the plot, backstory, and characters from this book show up in that book with very little exposition or explanation. If you have not read this book first, you may be very confused.
August 29, 2020
No Man’s Land: An Imp World Novel
What another wonderful and amazing addition to this Imp Collection!
Jaq and Kelly. A werewolf and a vampire! Who would have thought.
The story is about vampires, werewolves, humans and demons. The greed of vampires scheming, to take over human, werewolf and even other vampire territories. A young vampire, Kyle, wants his own territories. He wants out from under his ancient fathers (The Master) thumb. He’ll do whatever it takes.
Kelly used to work for The Fournier vampire family, but her temper and disrespect of a demon, got her fangs removed and exiled.
Jaq is part werewolf and part angel. She takes care of the badly beaten Kelly, who now is starving to death, without the ability to feed.
The story tells how these two woman, who are natural enemies, come together to help the werewolves to try to protect their land, from the vampires quest for a take over.
Great writing and tons of action. Sadness and loss, as with any war.
I would love another story about these two loving, caring, protective, supportive and funny ladies!
Kathy Barber Doyle 8/29/2020
What another wonderful and amazing addition to this Imp Collection!
Jaq and Kelly. A werewolf and a vampire! Who would have thought.
The story is about vampires, werewolves, humans and demons. The greed of vampires scheming, to take over human, werewolf and even other vampire territories. A young vampire, Kyle, wants his own territories. He wants out from under his ancient fathers (The Master) thumb. He’ll do whatever it takes.
Kelly used to work for The Fournier vampire family, but her temper and disrespect of a demon, got her fangs removed and exiled.
Jaq is part werewolf and part angel. She takes care of the badly beaten Kelly, who now is starving to death, without the ability to feed.
The story tells how these two woman, who are natural enemies, come together to help the werewolves to try to protect their land, from the vampires quest for a take over.
Great writing and tons of action. Sadness and loss, as with any war.
I would love another story about these two loving, caring, protective, supportive and funny ladies!
Kathy Barber Doyle 8/29/2020
October 29, 2025
Not a bad story, I loved Jaq, I loved Kelly, I really liked the glimpse into the Imp world outside of Sam's POV.
But I'm forced to knock off 2 stars because:
- it was super slow! the first 50% of this novella we're soooo slow. Truly nothing major happened, there was no need to drag it so much.
- it's queer baiting. This whole novella is one huge queer bait! I got that feel from the short glimpse of Kelly and Jaq from Angel of Chaos but I thought that at least since this is their novel there's going to be more clarity here.
Instead what we got was a huge chunk of ambiguity even though it was built exactly like an enemies to lovers trope.
Don't get me wrong - I don't care about the romance. In fact I was going to be super happy if it was just a platonic friendship. But the way it's written is winking at the opportunity of a relationship stopping just short of saying it out loud.
Which feels disingenuous and like the author is trying to get an in with the queer community without committing at all.
I'm unsure if I'm going to continue with the side novellas, I thought I needed them to get the whole story but if all of them are like this one I might just skip them.
But I'm forced to knock off 2 stars because:
- it was super slow! the first 50% of this novella we're soooo slow. Truly nothing major happened, there was no need to drag it so much.
- it's queer baiting. This whole novella is one huge queer bait! I got that feel from the short glimpse of Kelly and Jaq from Angel of Chaos but I thought that at least since this is their novel there's going to be more clarity here.
Instead what we got was a huge chunk of ambiguity even though it was built exactly like an enemies to lovers trope.
Don't get me wrong - I don't care about the romance. In fact I was going to be super happy if it was just a platonic friendship. But the way it's written is winking at the opportunity of a relationship stopping just short of saying it out loud.
Which feels disingenuous and like the author is trying to get an in with the queer community without committing at all.
I'm unsure if I'm going to continue with the side novellas, I thought I needed them to get the whole story but if all of them are like this one I might just skip them.
May 17, 2017
Interesting
While this is an Imp World novel, the Imp herself is nowhere to be seen. This book features the exiled vampire, Kelly, and the nephilim, Jaq. After being defanged and beaten to within an inch of her unlife, Kelly is dumped and left for dead amid the werewolves of West Virginia. Jaq takes pity on the wounded Kelly and attempts to nurse her back to health, knowing next to nothing about actual vampire physiology. For her part, Kelly just wants to regain enough strength to figure out a way to ingratiate her way back into the family that dumped her. With a vampire war brewing on their borders the werewolves need to decide whether to trust an unlikely ally and Kelly needs to decide if she can revamp her definition of family.
While this is an Imp World novel, the Imp herself is nowhere to be seen. This book features the exiled vampire, Kelly, and the nephilim, Jaq. After being defanged and beaten to within an inch of her unlife, Kelly is dumped and left for dead amid the werewolves of West Virginia. Jaq takes pity on the wounded Kelly and attempts to nurse her back to health, knowing next to nothing about actual vampire physiology. For her part, Kelly just wants to regain enough strength to figure out a way to ingratiate her way back into the family that dumped her. With a vampire war brewing on their borders the werewolves need to decide whether to trust an unlikely ally and Kelly needs to decide if she can revamp her definition of family.
December 6, 2021
So I had read ahead on Sam and knew a tiny bit about this book, but even if I hadn't read ahead, I'd have noticed that Jaq fell for Kelly and Kelly's falling for Jaq.
This makes me happy not just because my queer little heart finds them adorable but because this was a fairly straight series, and anyone who came across this gets to see gay characters in makn roles moving forward, something they may not have done if the series had started all gay.
That being said, I'm now Yeam Kelly instead of Team Sam. Sorry, but neither can cook, and Kelly's gonna get with a nephilim, way cooler than an arch angel :-P
This makes me happy not just because my queer little heart finds them adorable but because this was a fairly straight series, and anyone who came across this gets to see gay characters in makn roles moving forward, something they may not have done if the series had started all gay.
That being said, I'm now Yeam Kelly instead of Team Sam. Sorry, but neither can cook, and Kelly's gonna get with a nephilim, way cooler than an arch angel :-P
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 16, 2018
The earlier spin offs from the Imp series just haven't worked for me. In this one Kelly is just too whiny and focused on redeeming herself in the eyes of her family. There's no critical thought happening in her head at all. This is combined with nothing really happening in the book either. Talking, talking, talking. Everyone is talking to people about their feelings or talking in their head about this grand vampire war where, *gasp*, nothing is happening and apparently nothing might actually happen for another century. Pass.
March 23, 2018
This is the first book I've read by this author, and I really enjoyed reading it. In this story, Kelly is disgraced and cast out from her place with her vampire family, but happens to find comfort and friendship with a new family; a pack of werewolves. If you are a fan of fantasy books, vampires and werewolves, you will probably enjoy reading this book.
January 26, 2021
Not a good read if you was looking for LGBT content
Book was okay. No action until the end. It’s like reading a vampire on withdrawal starburst and nice wolf helped. All this build up tension for relationship for it to them be “best friends”. Again if looking for LGBT or lesbian romantic content you will be highly disappointed.
Book was okay. No action until the end. It’s like reading a vampire on withdrawal starburst and nice wolf helped. All this build up tension for relationship for it to them be “best friends”. Again if looking for LGBT or lesbian romantic content you will be highly disappointed.
March 18, 2021
This another book I can’t seem to put down. There is never enough time to read and I can’t seem to finish this series fast enough! In this book Sam focuses more on Gregory and clearing her name after an angel is found dead, even though circumstances are suspicious. Sam learns even more of her powers and must make some terrible decisions. A must read!
October 9, 2021
I NEED to know more about this Monica, she is officially the most interesting character in the entire series. Honestly I had no interest in Kelly, Jaq or any of the other people here, and without her it would have been 1 or 2 stars. I forced myself through this. But I want to know more about this Monica and what happens to her!
June 27, 2019
Well worth reading, a book you can get your teeth into (pub international)
Kelly a vampire, finds herself living, and practically dying in a trailer surrounded by humans and werewolves. Not the best place for an exiled vampire to be. But it's not long before she learns exactly what a family is.
Kelly a vampire, finds herself living, and practically dying in a trailer surrounded by humans and werewolves. Not the best place for an exiled vampire to be. But it's not long before she learns exactly what a family is.
July 4, 2020
No man's land
What a totally captivating creation! There are bloodthirsty fights, badly thought out outings by Kelly and extreme supernatural prejudices. The characters are delightful and engaging. I recommend this book!
What a totally captivating creation! There are bloodthirsty fights, badly thought out outings by Kelly and extreme supernatural prejudices. The characters are delightful and engaging. I recommend this book!
September 25, 2020
Not my usual, but really good
Don't normally read non romance novels. While the chemistry between the MCs was great.There is absolutely no sexy time in this novel. It didn't however take anything away from me enjoying this book.
Don't normally read non romance novels. While the chemistry between the MCs was great.There is absolutely no sexy time in this novel. It didn't however take anything away from me enjoying this book.
October 5, 2017
So boring, couldn't get past 60%. None of the characters really interested me and I realised I just don't care what happens.
October 5, 2019
Definitely hooked
I just love this series of the imp world. Great to find out what happened and a rollercoaster of emotions. Can't wait to read more.
I just love this series of the imp world. Great to find out what happened and a rollercoaster of emotions. Can't wait to read more.
April 29, 2021
Loved it
I really love the author’s stories. I think I’ve read all the IMP WORLD series? Hopefully more on the way?
I really love the author’s stories. I think I’ve read all the IMP WORLD series? Hopefully more on the way?
August 5, 2023
I liked learning more about the vampire clans, the secrets of a species, and getting to know Kelly’s backstory.
March 14, 2017
Amazing!
I didn't expect to like this story. I wasn't a big fan of Kelly, but wanted to read it to keep up with the side stories of the main series. I ended up loving this book! That's the mark of an excellent writer. I'm now a fan of Kelly and loved her story with Jaq. So freaking good!! This could easily be a total spin off series and I would eat it up!
I didn't expect to like this story. I wasn't a big fan of Kelly, but wanted to read it to keep up with the side stories of the main series. I ended up loving this book! That's the mark of an excellent writer. I'm now a fan of Kelly and loved her story with Jaq. So freaking good!! This could easily be a total spin off series and I would eat it up!
July 2, 2018
56 points/100 (3 stars/5).
Kelly was a vampire in good standing. Then an asshole demon wrecked everything for her. Now she is disgraced and left for dead on the border of an enemy vampire family's territory - in the middle of werewolf territory. Jaq's a werewolf with a secret, and she helps Kelly when she finds her left for dead. Now there is a vampire war brewing, and they're all caught in the middle.
Eh, I just wasn't feeling this one. It just wasn't very interesting. While it is tied into the Imp world, it isn't necessary to read this at all to enjoy Imp at all. This is just a side story with one of the characters from Satan's Sword. And, the character isn't even as interesting in this book as she is as a side character, either.
This book returns to the type of urban fantasy story I'm a bit tired of right now. It has a vampire war and court intrigue and just really overdone stuff. It probably would have been more interesting, if a bit more boring, had she stuck to just Kelly overcoming the loss of her vampire family. The way it was handled, even that wasn't exactly interesting. Kelly isn't really a self reliant character at all for most of this book, every side character in the book did more for the story (and Kelly) than Kelly herself did, even though she is the main character in this book.
Also, the Kelly of this book, and the Kelly of Satan's Sword are two different people. In Satan's Sword, Kelly is strong and assertive and a very capable person. In No Man's Land, she is absolutely useless. I don't care how much her position has changed, she is a completely different person. She wallows in the past. She doesn't do anything to help herself. She lets others rule her life. It is pathetic, and isn't at all the strong person we met in Satan's Sword.
This book follows a few other characters over the course of it. For the most part they don't really add much to the story, except towards the end. The one I do want to single out is Jaq. She isn't much of a character - more a worldbuilding device. She does a lot to help Kelly, but it does nothing for me in this book. No, what she does is add more to what the magic is like. This is one of the earliest hints of what really is going on with the werewolves. However, it really doesn't need to be covered now, it just is so might as well give it credit.
Overall, wasn't impressed with the first of the side novels in this series. It wasn't really fun, it just was something to read in the series.
Kelly was a vampire in good standing. Then an asshole demon wrecked everything for her. Now she is disgraced and left for dead on the border of an enemy vampire family's territory - in the middle of werewolf territory. Jaq's a werewolf with a secret, and she helps Kelly when she finds her left for dead. Now there is a vampire war brewing, and they're all caught in the middle.
Eh, I just wasn't feeling this one. It just wasn't very interesting. While it is tied into the Imp world, it isn't necessary to read this at all to enjoy Imp at all. This is just a side story with one of the characters from Satan's Sword. And, the character isn't even as interesting in this book as she is as a side character, either.
This book returns to the type of urban fantasy story I'm a bit tired of right now. It has a vampire war and court intrigue and just really overdone stuff. It probably would have been more interesting, if a bit more boring, had she stuck to just Kelly overcoming the loss of her vampire family. The way it was handled, even that wasn't exactly interesting. Kelly isn't really a self reliant character at all for most of this book, every side character in the book did more for the story (and Kelly) than Kelly herself did, even though she is the main character in this book.
Also, the Kelly of this book, and the Kelly of Satan's Sword are two different people. In Satan's Sword, Kelly is strong and assertive and a very capable person. In No Man's Land, she is absolutely useless. I don't care how much her position has changed, she is a completely different person. She wallows in the past. She doesn't do anything to help herself. She lets others rule her life. It is pathetic, and isn't at all the strong person we met in Satan's Sword.
This book follows a few other characters over the course of it. For the most part they don't really add much to the story, except towards the end. The one I do want to single out is Jaq. She isn't much of a character - more a worldbuilding device. She does a lot to help Kelly, but it does nothing for me in this book. No, what she does is add more to what the magic is like. This is one of the earliest hints of what really is going on with the werewolves. However, it really doesn't need to be covered now, it just is so might as well give it credit.
Overall, wasn't impressed with the first of the side novels in this series. It wasn't really fun, it just was something to read in the series.
November 30, 2014
Though I enjoyed reading this new and very unique story, after finishing the book, I was left with far to many unanswered question. Since this is a novel, I do not think that I should have been left with near as many questions as I still have. The book was quite confusing, leaving the readers to make assumptions on too many matters regarding the characters, their way of life, and even some historical points on their very makeup.
"No Man's Land" is a very dramatic book, often highly overdone. Many scenes in the book were abrupt or downright unnecessary to the book or plot line. I didn't see much growth in the storyline or characters, besides Kelly, who seemed to make a complete 180 in regards to her attitude and moral outlook on life.
That was something else that seemed to be stressed in the book, almost overly much; the focus on morality was very abundant. The characters were constantly discussing the rights and wrong of every given situation. Not that it was necessarily a bad thing, but it made the book seem more of a lecture on making good choices and following the moral code than the entertaining tale about a woman learning the meaning of family and self-sacrifice that I thought it was meant to be.
Overall, it was an interesting enough book, but I'm not so sure what the (for lack of a better term) point was to this book. I'm not entirely sure what the author was hoping to accomplish, and I'm not sure what we as readers are supposed to take from it. The overall uncertainty this book left me with, I think, is its greatest downfall, and I can't help coming away from this book disappointed and wanting more. I am glad, however, that this is only a novel, so that I do not have to continue on with further the books only to leave disappointed time and again.
"No Man's Land" is a very dramatic book, often highly overdone. Many scenes in the book were abrupt or downright unnecessary to the book or plot line. I didn't see much growth in the storyline or characters, besides Kelly, who seemed to make a complete 180 in regards to her attitude and moral outlook on life.
That was something else that seemed to be stressed in the book, almost overly much; the focus on morality was very abundant. The characters were constantly discussing the rights and wrong of every given situation. Not that it was necessarily a bad thing, but it made the book seem more of a lecture on making good choices and following the moral code than the entertaining tale about a woman learning the meaning of family and self-sacrifice that I thought it was meant to be.
Overall, it was an interesting enough book, but I'm not so sure what the (for lack of a better term) point was to this book. I'm not entirely sure what the author was hoping to accomplish, and I'm not sure what we as readers are supposed to take from it. The overall uncertainty this book left me with, I think, is its greatest downfall, and I can't help coming away from this book disappointed and wanting more. I am glad, however, that this is only a novel, so that I do not have to continue on with further the books only to leave disappointed time and again.
June 8, 2016
A strong 3.5 title. It's nice to see some of the background characters from the Imp series fleshed out. At first I didn't really like Kelly (I hadn't liked her when Sam dealt with her - though I sympathized with her - Sam IS a handful), but she grew on me. Dunbar's theme of supernatural creatures changing for the better after extended positive contact with humans (and other species) is a feel good trope, but she does show us in all our not so nice glory as well, so I'm happy to let it work for me.
As some other reviewers noted, Kelly does travel the "oh woe is me" rut fairly often at first, but it's completely understandable given both her background and the horrific abuse she withstands at the hands of her vampire family. If you can get past it, her backbone firms up just fine.
As some other reviewers noted, Kelly does travel the "oh woe is me" rut fairly often at first, but it's completely understandable given both her background and the horrific abuse she withstands at the hands of her vampire family. If you can get past it, her backbone firms up just fine.
February 9, 2014
Great book, rated it four stars though because I kept hoping we would see Sam pop in or link it towards the main series more. Definitely not a criticism though, just love Sam too much to fall in love with some new characters. I did feel like I was a bit impatient reading this book but I'm fairly certain it was because my subconscious kept 'waiting' for Sam. I do hope though that we'll see Kelly and Jaq become bigger characters in Sam's novels.
July 27, 2016
This was an enjoyable read. It had all the things I like but something about it (and in the books before this one) hold it back to truly become a book I would love. I can't tell what exactly, I'm not educated in literature, but it feels like an athlete is slowing down before the finish line.
Also why didn't the main characters ended up together... Kelly and Jaq are cute together. Maybe in a later installment.
Also why didn't the main characters ended up together... Kelly and Jaq are cute together. Maybe in a later installment.
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