City of Souls, Fourth
Sign of the Zodiac by Vicki Pettersson

Release Date: June 30, 2009
Mass Market Paperback: 368 pages
English
ISBN010: 978-0-06-145678-7

The Fourth Sign of the Zodiac

City of Souls

Joanna Archer, Agent of Light, has survived a violent initiation into the paranormal world lurking behind the seedy seams of Las Vegas. She's found a home, friends, and even t he chance for a new life and love.

But evil never rests, and to save her beloved city, and herself, Joanna must venture into a new world hidden among the shadows, one where the line between good and evil is barely visible, every agent is a rogue ... and each breath could be her last./p>

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Reviews

"This fourth book in Pettersson's Sign of the Zodiac series is a wild roller-coaster read. With a kick-ass heroine and characters who blur the line between good and evil, this book will have readers panting for more."

– RT Magazine/4.5 Stars

"Ms. Pettersson is a master at weaving tales that are simply too engrossing to set down. City of Souls holds many surprises that will stun readers with emotion, and most you won't see coming. If you thought it wasn't possible for Ms. Pettersson to outdo her previous releases, you're in for a wonderful treat."

– Darque Reviews (read more)

"With even more suspense, mysteries, and intensity, City of Souls was impossible to put down. And the climactic ending left me truly surprised and itching to see where Pettersson takes us next ... superhero and urban fantasy fans should not miss this incredible series."

– SciFiChick.com (read more)

"The emotional ride that is City of Souls by Vicki Pettersson cut out my tongue, ripped out my heart, and jammed them into a pretty little box with a pink ribbon. Wow. Vicki delivers one hell of a punch. What's important, though, is that it's a well-placed punch with just the right force behind it. The events in the fourth novel of the Zodiac series didn't occur merely for shock value – every cut, bruise, and scar was necessary not only for Jo but for the rest of the inhabitants of the world as well. Underneath the blood and despair was hope – not a lot, and you had to squint to see it, but it's more than I expected."

– Jackie/BittenbyBooks(read more)

Overflowing with razor-sharp wit and lightening speed action, "City of Souls: The Fourth Sign of the Zodiac" takes readers on a journey into the thinly veiled world of the modern day Superhero. Focusing on those beings that quietly stalk the cities to protect us, Pettersson continues to highlight the life of new inductee, Joanna Archer. Joanna and those like her have mastered the ability to hide in plain sight, each living dual lives in order to protect their true identities and superhuman talents as they rise to meet the challenges of constant battle.

With a clear passion for creating intricate imagery, Pettersson infuses her creation with frequent, unexpected twists, which will appeal to more than the typical fan of paranormal fantasy. Readers will find themselves eager for the next installment, looking forward to the unique and remarkable world that only Pettersson can offer.

– Reviewed by Shannon Raab with Suspense Magazine

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About The Books

The Signs of the Zodiac Series

I hate to say the idea for this series came to me in a dream – it sounds too precious and capricious, like writing is something that comes to you rather than something you have to work for – but that's exactly how this idea germinated. I woke up laughing, having just imagined a caricature-ishly beautiful woman fending off a leather-clad homicidal maniac with an overpriced stiletto. If you've read SCENT you'll know the scene I mean. The juxtaposition between silly and scary was enough to get me interested and asking questions. What was the situation here? Why would this guy be attacking her? And how do I make someone this ridiculously beautiful sympathetic?

The series is set in Las Vegas because it's the best possible place in the world for strange characters, and because I know it well. I also wanted to blend fact with fiction, sharing real places with my readers – like the Neon Boneyard, and the old-school ultra lounge at the Peppermill. It's a way for the Vegas girl in me to pay homage to the town I grew up in.

The fantasy aspect, in the form of superhero mythology, was a complete surprise. I don't know what it is about entering your thirties that engenders feeling more settled and centered and powerful than ever before, but this is how I was feeling when I created my protagonist, Joanna Archer, and she absolutely mirrors these things (though, admittedly, in the extreme). However, Jo doesn't just become the woman she's meant to be, she becomes the superwoman she's meant to be. The core question that intrigued me here was this: What makes a person truly super human? The answer I came up with? Living up to your potential, even if – or, in Jo's case, especially if – it means saving the world in the process.

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