Another exciting entry in David Wellington's vampire series. I really love the way they are depicted as monsters and not romantic figures. ( )

Durante las próximas 23 horas no habrá indultos, clemencia, ni reducción de pena por buen comportamiento. Encerrada en una prisión de máxima seguridad, Laura Caxton, ex-agente de policía y cazavampiros, tendrá que vérselas con una multitud de asesinas y reclusas condenadas a muerte que no tienen nada que perder... y mucho tiempo para matar. Caxton siempre ha sabido cuidar de sí misma, incluso entre rejas, pero pronto aprenderá que una amenaza aún mayor que el resto de reclusas se ha colado entre los barrotes para atraparla.

I only picked up this book because of the author's last name. :) It was an enjoyable book. Didn't know this was #4 in a series but the book can stand-alone. Rather interesting additions like the half-dead, vampires actually getting weaker in age, and vampires liquifying in their concerts in the day only to solidify at night. ( )

Unfortunately on my side, it's been ten years since I finished VAMPIRE ZERO. Needless to say, I pretty much lost all momentum and thrill from the previous books before I started reading 23 HOURS. On the plus side, I was able to pick it up again pretty quickly.

As best as I can remember and as revealed in the book opening, the story continues not long after the last book. Laura Caxton is in prison for her actions from before and is now peacefully serving her time with the hopes of getting out quickly. However, Justina Malvern, the world's oldest living and last surviving vampire, wants revenge on Laura. Through careful planning, Justina is set to get it. While Laura is still in the prison.

The story is fast paced and vicious. I was engrossed the whole way through. I constantly had questions of how was an unarmed Laura going to start killing the undead and vampires? Or how was Justina planning on getting away? What's going to happen after the climax of the story? Of course all was revealed while reading and I was not displeased! The story seemed compact but I'm sure that since the setting of most of the book was the prison, that helped. It made things more confining and limiting. At the same time though, it sped the pace up; every action was a room away from more guards, undead, and/or vampires. I've already learned from my previous mistake and have started the final book in the Laura Caxton series. ( )

http://www.zomboscloset.com/zombos_closet_of_horror_b/2009/07/23-hours.html ( )