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Felix Gomez #5
Werewolf Smackdown
Felix Gomez, Latino vampire detective extraordinaire, tackles a sexy werewolf cabal in Werewolf Smackdown, the fifth installment in Mario Acevedo’s satirical supernatural series. This is the author’s wonderfully twisted blend of comedy, horror, and detective noir.
406 pages, Paperback
First published February 20, 2010
15 people are currently reading
617 people want to read
About the author
Mario Acevedo
65 books270 followersBorn in El Paso, Texas and grew up in Las Cruces, New Mexico, but visited family in Chihuahua. Joined the US Army and flew attack helicopters.
Was artist-in-residence for Arte Americas in Fresno, California and served as a combat artist in Operation Desert Storm. Also teaches/taught art to prisoners at Avenal State Prison.
Was artist-in-residence for Arte Americas in Fresno, California and served as a combat artist in Operation Desert Storm. Also teaches/taught art to prisoners at Avenal State Prison.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
January 14, 2020
Possibly the best of the Felix Gomez series, Werewolf Smackdown has our vampire protagonist go to the Deep South (Charleston, South Carolina) where he is invited to work for two feuding werewolf clan leaders. Both of them are untrustworthy and both of them are willing to do anything to become leader of the werewolf nation. Felix, himself, is bigoted against werewolves and couldn't care less even when a beautiful Lupine woman seeks to win him over to her side. There's a surprising amount of tragedy, twists, and turns with one of the best mysteries since the second book. A solid 5 out of 5 recommendation.
May 22, 2018
This book was from cover to cover a non-stop problem for Felix Gomez half of the time it was caused by his own pride. This book kept me interested enough to finish it but I probably will not pick up another one to read.
June 15, 2022
The title was the grab for me. Who could resist? I was pleasantly surprised. A modern supernatural story with a vampire PI, and clans of werewolves. Fabulous. If this were a movie, I'd definitely watch it!
August 5, 2020
Excellent!
August 15, 2020
An excellent expansion of urban fantasy, highlighting the politics of two supernatural factions at odds.
The writing isn't always the best, but it's fun to read.
The writing isn't always the best, but it's fun to read.
July 29, 2016
I'm so glad this is the last of the Felix Gomez books. It looks like there's one more volume on its way, which will actually revisit some of the loose threads that were left dangling in books three and four, but I'm done with it. This book was pretty horrible.
I'm not sure what made me think that the first two books were fun, other than their titles. Acevedo has a bad habit of telling much more than he shows, which is odd, because he does a bit of showing through dialog, and then follows it up with telling us what just happened. You know, like, having a character say, "Felix, you're this close to crossing the line with me," and then follow it up with Felix's observation: "She was pissed." It's not necessary, but apparently Acevedo wants to make sure we get the point.
He's still reusing the hypnosis thing, but at least in this book, he gives Felix a reason to not have to rely on it so much. The werewolves tell him that if he takes his contacts out, then he's telling them he doesn't trust them, so he keeps them in for most of the story. It's a weak reason (he's had three attempts on his life since arriving in Charleston, and has good reason to not trust the werewolves, so why would he agree to that?), but it at least gets him out of the habit of hypnotizing everyone within range.
Acevedo also refers to werewolves as weres, italicized, for much of the novel, and at first it was really hard to get used to that convention. He tends to check their auras to confirm whether someone is human, vampire, or were, and since "were" looks like "were" (plural past tense of "to be," that is), it kept tripping me up and making me re-read sentences. It seems like it would have been better for the pacing if he had gone with "werewolves" or even "Were," but hey, these books aren't exactly Steinbeck, you know?
Felix also talks a lot about how his kundalini noir, the spiritual thing that drives his vampirism, reacts to certain things. It twists, it cringes, it tenses, and it basically tells us how Felix feels without having to observe anything that Felix actually does. Hell, it even gives him a spider sense for when danger is about to happen! Not only is it a cheap way of skipping over some narrative, but it's also oddly reminiscent of Anastasia's Inner Goddess from Fifty Shades of Grey. At the very least, the kundalini noir was just as annoying.
But hey, this book actually has a story that's relevant to the title! Said smackdown doesn't ever quite happen, but the threat of it is the main thrust of the novel, so there's that. On the flip side, we're almost treated to an explicit vampire-wolf on werewolf-wolf sex scene, so I guess it all evens out.
Honestly? Don't waste your time with this book or series. I wish I had stopped reading these after Jailbait Zombie, but hey, I don't have a kundalini noir to warn me away from this crap.
I'm not sure what made me think that the first two books were fun, other than their titles. Acevedo has a bad habit of telling much more than he shows, which is odd, because he does a bit of showing through dialog, and then follows it up with telling us what just happened. You know, like, having a character say, "Felix, you're this close to crossing the line with me," and then follow it up with Felix's observation: "She was pissed." It's not necessary, but apparently Acevedo wants to make sure we get the point.
He's still reusing the hypnosis thing, but at least in this book, he gives Felix a reason to not have to rely on it so much. The werewolves tell him that if he takes his contacts out, then he's telling them he doesn't trust them, so he keeps them in for most of the story. It's a weak reason (he's had three attempts on his life since arriving in Charleston, and has good reason to not trust the werewolves, so why would he agree to that?), but it at least gets him out of the habit of hypnotizing everyone within range.
Acevedo also refers to werewolves as weres, italicized, for much of the novel, and at first it was really hard to get used to that convention. He tends to check their auras to confirm whether someone is human, vampire, or were, and since "were" looks like "were" (plural past tense of "to be," that is), it kept tripping me up and making me re-read sentences. It seems like it would have been better for the pacing if he had gone with "werewolves" or even "Were," but hey, these books aren't exactly Steinbeck, you know?
Felix also talks a lot about how his kundalini noir, the spiritual thing that drives his vampirism, reacts to certain things. It twists, it cringes, it tenses, and it basically tells us how Felix feels without having to observe anything that Felix actually does. Hell, it even gives him a spider sense for when danger is about to happen! Not only is it a cheap way of skipping over some narrative, but it's also oddly reminiscent of Anastasia's Inner Goddess from Fifty Shades of Grey. At the very least, the kundalini noir was just as annoying.
But hey, this book actually has a story that's relevant to the title! Said smackdown doesn't ever quite happen, but the threat of it is the main thrust of the novel, so there's that. On the flip side, we're almost treated to an explicit vampire-wolf on werewolf-wolf sex scene, so I guess it all evens out.
Honestly? Don't waste your time with this book or series. I wish I had stopped reading these after Jailbait Zombie, but hey, I don't have a kundalini noir to warn me away from this crap.
February 7, 2012
It seems that lately I have come across a lot of books that have combined mystery and horror. Mostly they are centered around a detective that has supernatural powers. For example Jim Butcher has written 13 novels based on wizard detective Harry Dresden. There is also the Shannon Delaney paranormal mystery series by Elizabeth Eagan-Cox. The book I want to talk about here, follows the adventures of vampire detective Felix Gomex in Werewolf Smackdown by Mario Acevedo.
A high powered werewolf Attorney named Eric Bourbon wants to hire Felix to come to Charelston North Carolina to kill his rival, another werewolf by the name of Randolph Calhoun. Felix refuses, but now someone is trying to kill him and it looks like he is now in the middle of a werewolf war weather he likes it or not. To complicate matters further, Felix’s ex-girlfriend is working for Randolph Calhoun. Also a vampire gangster named Gullah Gullah is trying to keep Felix away from the werewolves because he believes vampires should not meddle in werewolf affairs, but he may have a large stake in the battle for the top werewolf in Charelston.
Werewolf Smackdown is basically a detective novel with some horror elements mixed in. I originally bought it because I like werewolves, also I liked the title and the cover art. I guess I should learn to never judge a book by its cover, because the book was not what I expected. I didn’t realize that this was book 5 in a series of vampire detective novels. All of the books are self contained stories but this book referred to a lot of things that happened in previous novels and I was a little lost at times. I was also expecting a horror novel or at least a book with a lot of humor and didn’t get it.
This book wasn’t all bad though, the action picks up in the second half of the book. I really liked the character of Gullah Gullah, he was kind of like a vampire pimp and hard core gangster rolled into one. Also there is a scene in the book where the werewolves are having a convention and play Nintendo Rock Band. One group of werewolves have vampire detective Felix Gomez sing lead on Warren Zevon’s Werewolves of London. This leads to a big brawl and riot that was the best scene in the book. Towards the end of the book there is a ceremony to decide the future of the werewolves in Charleston which I liked as well. Weather you like it or not depends on what your expecting. If you wanted a bloody horror novel then this book might leave you wanting more, but if you want a decent mystery you might enjoy it.
A high powered werewolf Attorney named Eric Bourbon wants to hire Felix to come to Charelston North Carolina to kill his rival, another werewolf by the name of Randolph Calhoun. Felix refuses, but now someone is trying to kill him and it looks like he is now in the middle of a werewolf war weather he likes it or not. To complicate matters further, Felix’s ex-girlfriend is working for Randolph Calhoun. Also a vampire gangster named Gullah Gullah is trying to keep Felix away from the werewolves because he believes vampires should not meddle in werewolf affairs, but he may have a large stake in the battle for the top werewolf in Charelston.
Werewolf Smackdown is basically a detective novel with some horror elements mixed in. I originally bought it because I like werewolves, also I liked the title and the cover art. I guess I should learn to never judge a book by its cover, because the book was not what I expected. I didn’t realize that this was book 5 in a series of vampire detective novels. All of the books are self contained stories but this book referred to a lot of things that happened in previous novels and I was a little lost at times. I was also expecting a horror novel or at least a book with a lot of humor and didn’t get it.
This book wasn’t all bad though, the action picks up in the second half of the book. I really liked the character of Gullah Gullah, he was kind of like a vampire pimp and hard core gangster rolled into one. Also there is a scene in the book where the werewolves are having a convention and play Nintendo Rock Band. One group of werewolves have vampire detective Felix Gomez sing lead on Warren Zevon’s Werewolves of London. This leads to a big brawl and riot that was the best scene in the book. Towards the end of the book there is a ceremony to decide the future of the werewolves in Charleston which I liked as well. Weather you like it or not depends on what your expecting. If you wanted a bloody horror novel then this book might leave you wanting more, but if you want a decent mystery you might enjoy it.
April 4, 2010
Once again, Iraq vet, vampire p.i., and Araneum enforcer Felix Gomez finds himself a touble magnet. A civil war among werewolf factions that may drench the Old South in blood is brewing, and Gomez will do anything he can to make sure it doesn't explode into a world war engulfing everything alive -- and undead. To make things even more complicated, an old girlfriend has become involved in the growing trouble in Charleston, South Carolina, and a gang of local vampires is, for unknown reasons, trying to kill him. This witch's brew of volatiles may be too much for even Felix Gomez, vampire p.i. extraordinaire, to handle.
I love Mario Acevedo's novels about Felix Gomez, the vampire private eye and enforcer for the Araneum, the ancient guild forged by vampires to protect their secrets and keep the human world from discovering their existence and nature. I've followed his adventures through four previous novels -- The Nymphos of Rocky Flats, X-Rated Bloodsuckers, The Undead Kama Sutra, and Jailbait Zombie, and loved them all. None of his novels entail the usual cliches about vampires, and Werewolf Smackdown is no exception. Rather than the willowy adolescent vampires of Twilight and their ilk, these novels are as gritty as those of Raymond Chandler. Their hero, Felix Gomez, is an Iraq vet with a terrible secret: he was forcibly converted into a vampire while in Iraq, and while his powers as a vampire are extraordinary, his sorrows and regrets and the agony he has had to bear since he was turned make him wonder if it was all worth it.
I can't wait to read the next novel in the series. Come on, Mario, let's have another one just like the other one!
I love Mario Acevedo's novels about Felix Gomez, the vampire private eye and enforcer for the Araneum, the ancient guild forged by vampires to protect their secrets and keep the human world from discovering their existence and nature. I've followed his adventures through four previous novels -- The Nymphos of Rocky Flats, X-Rated Bloodsuckers, The Undead Kama Sutra, and Jailbait Zombie, and loved them all. None of his novels entail the usual cliches about vampires, and Werewolf Smackdown is no exception. Rather than the willowy adolescent vampires of Twilight and their ilk, these novels are as gritty as those of Raymond Chandler. Their hero, Felix Gomez, is an Iraq vet with a terrible secret: he was forcibly converted into a vampire while in Iraq, and while his powers as a vampire are extraordinary, his sorrows and regrets and the agony he has had to bear since he was turned make him wonder if it was all worth it.
I can't wait to read the next novel in the series. Come on, Mario, let's have another one just like the other one!
February 20, 2017
So sad. Why couldn't have life been a little easier for poor Felix? I wonder what happened to him...
May 4, 2010
Much more a detective novel than a supernatural one, in my opinion, but a good read all the same. I wasn't put off by the fact that there are apparently four novels or so before this one because the salient points were highlighted in various places as necessary. It did make me want to go back and read them, but it didn't make me feel like I was missing something by not having read them.
The writing was easy to follow, the mystery a bit more transparent (no hidden clues) because it wasn't a "solve-it-yourself" kinda mystery, but there were plenty of twists and turns before the end!
There were also a couple of new twists on supernatural lore particularly as regards werewolf culture and the choice of a new clan alphas. Acevedo highlights the contrast between werewolf culture and vampire culture nicely. The protagonist is a vampire being dropped into unfamiliar werewolf territory. The only really new (to me) piece of lore was that he makes a distinction between the three stages of werewolf - (1) human form; (2) werewolf form (like the werewolves in The Howling); and (3) supernatural wolf form - shape of a full wolf. He mentions a similar situation for vampires - (1) human form and (2) animal form, which is different for each vampire - it's not always a bat.
Other supernatural races (i.e., zombies) are mentioned, but don't make an appearance in this book, except for one lone dryad.
I may very well find myself going back to the series beginning.
The writing was easy to follow, the mystery a bit more transparent (no hidden clues) because it wasn't a "solve-it-yourself" kinda mystery, but there were plenty of twists and turns before the end!
There were also a couple of new twists on supernatural lore particularly as regards werewolf culture and the choice of a new clan alphas. Acevedo highlights the contrast between werewolf culture and vampire culture nicely. The protagonist is a vampire being dropped into unfamiliar werewolf territory. The only really new (to me) piece of lore was that he makes a distinction between the three stages of werewolf - (1) human form; (2) werewolf form (like the werewolves in The Howling); and (3) supernatural wolf form - shape of a full wolf. He mentions a similar situation for vampires - (1) human form and (2) animal form, which is different for each vampire - it's not always a bat.
Other supernatural races (i.e., zombies) are mentioned, but don't make an appearance in this book, except for one lone dryad.
I may very well find myself going back to the series beginning.
April 17, 2013
This series has always been a little bit uneven, and I have to say that this was a fairly weak addition to the group. The dialog is a touch cliched and stilted, and in order to keep the plot moving, the protagonist (vampire P.I. Felix Gomez) has to repeatedly fail the Moron Test. "I'll just sit here and talk casually to the villain, while the slow-moving minions slowly crawl over to me and stab me in the face."
Also, characterization is a trifle weak. Gomez, in a previous book, supposedly came to terms with his vampire nature, which in turn supposedly left him a cold-hearted (literally) bastard. And yet he spends most of the book being pulled around by his "chivalrous" nature. A more sophisticated book could have done a lot with that dichotomy, but Acevedo just sort of left it there in favor of quick action, which to be fair he's a lot better at.
It wasn't a bad read-- I'm giving the two stars literally ("it was ok"). But it wasn't great, and it didn't leave me in any hurry to read any more of Acevedo's work.
Also, characterization is a trifle weak. Gomez, in a previous book, supposedly came to terms with his vampire nature, which in turn supposedly left him a cold-hearted (literally) bastard. And yet he spends most of the book being pulled around by his "chivalrous" nature. A more sophisticated book could have done a lot with that dichotomy, but Acevedo just sort of left it there in favor of quick action, which to be fair he's a lot better at.
It wasn't a bad read-- I'm giving the two stars literally ("it was ok"). But it wasn't great, and it didn't leave me in any hurry to read any more of Acevedo's work.
August 20, 2012
So what’s an Army vet to do when he returns home from Iraqi dead, well undead….. Become a supernatural private detective.
Werewolf Smackdown once again throws Felix into a furball, yes pun intendended. Ariving in Charlston Felix is tossed into a middle of a possible war between werewolf war. Add in a past enemy who wants Felix dead, by creative ways, think Wile e Coyote, and past n future lovers, yes once again he gets some tail.
With a mix of headstrong determination, luck and just using his brain Felix makes his way through another mess.
Over all it is a great book, you see Felix grow as a character in this book, a good read but I would recommend starting with the first book in the series for continuity.
Werewolf Smackdown once again throws Felix into a furball, yes pun intendended. Ariving in Charlston Felix is tossed into a middle of a possible war between werewolf war. Add in a past enemy who wants Felix dead, by creative ways, think Wile e Coyote, and past n future lovers, yes once again he gets some tail.
With a mix of headstrong determination, luck and just using his brain Felix makes his way through another mess.
Over all it is a great book, you see Felix grow as a character in this book, a good read but I would recommend starting with the first book in the series for continuity.
March 25, 2010
It's just hard not to love the Denver based Latino vampire P.I. Felix Gomez. This is the 5th book in the Felix Gomez series. Just like in the previous books, Mr. Acevedo paints a highly entertaining supernatural world of vampires, werewolves, dryads, ghosts and more. The story follows Felix's adventures in Charlotte, SC, where he gets involved with the local werewolves and their internal power struggles, tangles with an old lover, and faces an old deadly enemy. This book, like all of the Felix Gomez books, is a guilty pleasure that is almost impossible to put down once started. What's not to love?
June 28, 2011
I love a mash up of genres. Felix is a vampire P.I. who inhabits a noirish world where the supernatural creatures generally police themselves and ignore each other. He's a gulf war vetern and works for himself, unless he's taking orders from the Araneum, the super, secret vampire council that takes the Great Secret very seriously.
In this installment, Felix is lured from Denver to Charleston, South Carolina and finds himself in the middle of a Werewolf showdown.
If there is trouble to be had or made Felix is usually in the middle of it. We could have a drinking game: a shot everytime Felix senses danger.
In this installment, Felix is lured from Denver to Charleston, South Carolina and finds himself in the middle of a Werewolf showdown.
If there is trouble to be had or made Felix is usually in the middle of it. We could have a drinking game: a shot everytime Felix senses danger.
June 22, 2010
In skipping from The Nymphos of Rocky Flats all the way to Werewolf Smackdown, I most certainly missed things. However, it wasn’t enough that I ever felt confused. Werewolf Smackdown could definitely stand on its own with it’s great writing and fast moving plot. I would say that any fan of paranormal detective stories would not be disappointed in having read Werewolf Smackdown.
See the full review over at Literary Escapism
See the full review over at Literary Escapism
October 2, 2011
Mario Acevedo is one of the only authors who can combine zombies, vampires, werewolves, and aliens and not make me think, "Man this guy is overdoing it." But as the series continues all I can think is, "How does he do it?" I bought the first novel because of the title, but the further I go through these novels the more I want to know what happens.
Felix Gomez is a walking tragedy, and while the novels are mostly told in a light tone, the undertone is heavy as is the emotions swirling through the private eye's being.
Felix Gomez is a walking tragedy, and while the novels are mostly told in a light tone, the undertone is heavy as is the emotions swirling through the private eye's being.
December 14, 2012
So my wife and I were on vacation one summer, and here I am checking into a hotel, dragging my duffel bag and toting a copy of Werewolf Smackdown. My Suffering Sunflower rolled her eyes as I slapped the book down on the counter to check in.
Some people don't get Mario Acevedo or Felix Gomez, maybe it's the cover art or the book titles. I love 'em all, great fun reads with solid plots, fleshed out characters and good writing.
Some people don't get Mario Acevedo or Felix Gomez, maybe it's the cover art or the book titles. I love 'em all, great fun reads with solid plots, fleshed out characters and good writing.
June 7, 2011
It was an amusing read, and had more than a few moments that made me laugh, but generally these scenes would be followed by something that kicked me out of the story. I find the key with stories is for them to be believable. Maybe if I had read the books before this one in the series it wouldn't have been quite as bad, but I cannot currently recommend it to anyone.
April 12, 2011
I liked this book more than I thought I would, the plot is a bit cliched at times, but other than that, the only complaint a person could have would be some of the more "R" rated parts of the book. It gets interesting because everything is headed towards a mix between war and anarchy, while Felix is being tossed around and trying to get a grip on the situation.
March 18, 2012
Another book in the series about Felix Gomez, who came back from the Iraq conflict as a vampire, and became a detective, also working for the Araneum (which governs vampire affairs and protects the Big Secret- the fact that vampires etc exist). In this book, he gets involved in a werewolf conflict in Charleston, reconnects with an old girlfriend, and encounters an old enemy.
January 27, 2011
Werewolves and vampires do NOT get along but Angela and Felix seem to have hit it off. This time around Felix saves his own vampire skin at the cost of others. Not on purpose but isn't that always how it ends up?
April 25, 2011
Very good, although I still think Jailbait Zombie has the edge. Still, Acevedo continues to connect elements from past novels and introduce supernatural phenomena(e.g. Ghosts and Werewolves) within an intriguing mystery.
September 16, 2015
This book is not hugely worse than the books that preceded this one; in fact, the author has begun to check his Tendency to repeat himself. However, I've run entirely out of patience with the protag's paternalistic chauvinism. It's annoying and offensive.
September 17, 2014
Nope. Didn't like it. I'm sure it's a good book for those who like more of the "men in black" theme then I do. Just couldn't get into it. Only finished it because I spent good $$ on a hardcover version.
October 27, 2016
Just when you think Felix is going to find someone to get over Carmen with...nope. OK, so it's understandable why it didn't work out, but come on...give the guy a break.
And make him stop and think already!
And make him stop and think already!
May 7, 2015
Any more? The series is just hanging.
April 4, 2010
Twilight has nothing on Felix Gomez. 1st person Vampire stories for MEN!
April 3, 2010
Just when you think Felix can't get into any more hard to get out of situations....
March 27, 2010
I loved this, well written and funny. I have both the e-book and the audio book.
April 5, 2010
Always a good read. Fast & fun. I just wish Mario would keep his stories in Denver... maybe Littleton Colorado has a problem!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews