Tana lives in a world where walled cities called Coldtowns exist. In them, quarantined monsters and humans mingle in a decadently bloody mix of predator and prey. The only problem is, once you pass through Coldtown's gates, you can never leave.
- Used Book in Good Condition
Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
25 of 28 people found the following review helpful.
Chillingly good with a dose of classic Holly Black!
By Step Into Fiction
Holly Black is an author that I can rave about for days. I have read and reviewed a few books by her. I have also had the pleasure of meeting her on quite a few occasions. I consider her to be a personal hero of mine. I admire the way she creates these new worlds in her books, and characters that I have grown to love and adore. At BEA this year, I made it a priority to pick up her latest book The Coldest Girl in Coldtown.This book was really good. It's the type of book that makes you wish that there were more hours in the day, so you can read more. It's just so captivating. But unfortunately for me the week that I read this book, I was so incredibly busy with real life, that I had to keep putting it down. I would try to force myself to stay awake a little bit longer to keep reading, and actually fell asleep while reading a few times. Most people fall asleep while reading when a book bores them, but it's actually the opposite for me. It's usually me doing everything to stay awake, but my body just collapsing on me.The Coldest Girl in Coldtown is an extension of the short story of the same name that Holly Black wrote a few years ago. I actually did not read the short story, but after finishing the book I am gonna to hunt down a copy and read it, so I can compare the two. The novel is a modern take on vampires. Now it's been awhile since I've read a vampire book. But this book reminded me how captivating and seductive vampires can be, and also how dangerous they are. There is a perfect balance of human fascination with vampires and a nerve wracking fear.The novel starts off with a seventeen year old girl named Tana waking up in a bathroom at a party to discover that everyone at the party has been slaughtered by vampires. Scared and confused as to whether the vampires are still in the house, she tries to plan her escape and discovers that her ex boyfriend Aiden is still alive and tied to a bed next to a vampire who is wrapped in chains. Tana quickly discovers that Aiden has been bitten by a vampire, and now has the vampire infection in his system.The vampire aspect is very interesting. When someone is bitten by a vampire, the infection is called going "cold." In order for someone with the vampire infection to become a vampire, you have to drink human blood. You can choose to fight the infection, by trying to sweat it out for 88 days, but from the way it was described it is an extremely painful and horrendous process.The vampire that Tana meets that is locked in chains is Gavriel. Gavriel is totally swoonworthy. I try not to gush and fangirl while writing reviews, but even as I am writing this review I am grinning like a school girl just thinking about him. He is the perfect mix of danger and seduction. He is also a little crazy, but he's the type of crazy that I enjoy reading about. As you read the novel, you learn more about him and you start to understand him. I loved watching his relationship with Tana grow. Tana was such a pleasure to read about. She's such a strong and driven character. She puts her love ones before herself, and fights for what she believes in.The human obsession with the vampires in this book is very believable. Teenagers and anyone who feels like they just don't belong being obsessed with them just seems so realistic. Adolescence is a time where you just want to fit in. And here is a community where it seems you will be accepted. But of course nothing is easy. It is such a good example how there are no quick fixes. That everything you see on tv, is not what it seems. Vampires live in what's called "Coldtowns" and the more glamorous parts of vampire life are broadcast on television. I love how modern this story is. It's the first vampire novel I've read since social media has made a huge impact in everyday life. And social media is very present in this book.I urge fans of paranormal novels to read The Coldest Girl in Coldtown! It's such an amazing read and is definitely one of the best books I have read this year!Reviewed by Sana @ Step Into Fiction
29 of 34 people found the following review helpful.Loved every page of this magical, gory book!
By Jennzah
As someone who grew up loving vampire books, I was a bit hesitant to read this as I heard that Ms. Black's inspiration to write it came from THE VAMPIRE CHRONICLES by Anne Rice (which I have been a longtime fan of). Since I was lucky enough to receive a copy at ALA in June, I decided to give it a go anyway.I ended up loving it. From the beginning of the story where Tana wakes up amongst a houseful of dead people - to the suspenseful ending -- I LOVED IT. It's the first vampire novel in a long time that I've loved so much -- and it doesn't disappoint. It's whimsical and gory and fabulous.A good vampire story is always hard to write. You could end up with something fluffy like Twilight -- or something dark and almost horrible like Carmilla. Holly Black finds the ultimate balance between the two -- writing a world where vampires are looked upon as gods by some, but everything is not as it seems. The story is a rich tapestry of blood, decadence, disgrace, and awesomeness. If you like a decent vampire story, I suggest reading THE COLDEST GIRL IN COLDTOWN immediately.
11 of 13 people found the following review helpful.Reminded Me Why I Love Vampire Stories
By Sophie Riggsby
*Review posted on Page Turners Blog on 9/3/2013*Sometimes a book inspires you to think back to the very first time you read a similar character in a genre. And The Coldest Girl in Coldtown made me do just that. PTB readers, do you remember your first vampire? I cannot forget mine; his name was Lestat. He was not a hero by any means; he was world weary, always jaded, but there was something about him that made me read on. I remember the thrill of picturing what his life would be like. I've met (fictionally, of course) many vampires since Lestat, but none teased my curiosity as much as he did. Until now.Holly, Holly, Holly, what have you done? You've not only refreshed the concept of vampiric lore, but you've built an entire, credible (yes, I know vampires are fictional but you all know how involved I become in these matters) world. Coldtown is a tempting, seductive place where humans can be infected, where the entire world can watch vampish goings-on through their internet/TVs, where the allure of becoming cold is something that everyone can crave.And Holly gives us this world through Tana's eyes. Tana who has a back-story that will haunt you as you read on. Tana who is strong and yet, flawed and worried about the repercussions of her decisions. Tana who is loyal to her friends and family even when the risk to her life is astronomically high. I simply adored her, no, I loved her. If you're like me and are tired of the super-strong-can-do-no-wrong characters, read Tana. She's so very, very believable.I want to quote my favorite parts here, I really do, but they're so filled with spoilers that I can't. So, let me just say that Midnight and Winter may just be two of my favorite bloggers just because of their sheer determination to get to Coldtown and to document every single step in their process. In addition to them, there's Aidan. Aidan is a slick character who is so consistent that at times I wanted to smack him. And then, oh boy, there's Gavriel. The only thing I have to add is...move over Lestat and dozens of other vamps I've read in my past, Gavriel takes the Numero Uno spot as my Very Favorite Vampire Ever. He's melancholy in his madness, fierce in his determination and lovely in his romantic sensibilities. If I'm not making any sense to you, just go read him. I dare you to think differently about him.And now I'm just going to sit back and re-read some of my favorite moments. Oh yeah, THAT KISS. I couldn't not BELIEVE Tana did that. Sorry, no spoilers. But who would kiss a vamp like THAT? OMGSOGOOD.Holly, thank you for reminding me of why I love vampire stories, and why there is always room on my shelf for another exceptional tale.
