The Coldest Girl In Coldtown by Holly Black Review

Published: September 3^rd 2013

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. 

One morning, after a perfectly ordinary party, Tana wakes up surrounded by corpses. The only other survivors of this massacre are her exasperatingly endearing ex-boyfriend, infected and on the edge, and a mysterious boy burdened with a terrible secret. Shaken and determined, Tana enters a race against the clock to save the three of them the only way she knows how: by going straight to the wicked, opulent heart of Coldtown itself.

The Coldest Girl in Coldtown is a wholly original story of rage and revenge, of guilt and horror, and of love and loathing from bestselling and acclaimed author Holly Black.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book.  I was very surprised! The synopsis was intriguing, but I honestly didn’t have very high hopes. Prior to this I had only read two other Holly Black books, and they weren’t my particular cup of tea. I definitely understand the appeal of Black’s writing, but as stated, it isn’t a style that really speaks to me.

The Coldest Girl In Coldtown started slow, I was almost about to call it quits and then BAM! The story really took off and I was completely captivated by the world of Coldtown.  The supernatural has always appealed to me, in specific vampires, I really liked the spin on the “modern” vampire.

I initially hated Tana. I thought she was a terrible protagonist with no backbone, she would agree to doing whatever everyone else wanted and never once stood up for herself. Once the story shifted into the walls of Coldtown she became more likeable. She grew as a character and her individuality was finally able to shine through.

Holly Black was able to captivate the reader and make her version of vampire lore believable. The world of Coldtown had a ‘Big Brother’ sort of feel. Everything is watched, and of course common society loves the look into the almighty vampire.

I am glad I continued this book. It was executed divinely. Who knew, a dark book could be so beautiful?

Thank you, Hachette Book Group for the review copy.