Zen and the Art of Vampires

Written by Katie MacAlister

Narrated by Nicole Poole

USA Today and Publishers Weekly best-selling author Katie MacAlister gets listeners hearts racing with her unique brand of paranormal romance. While on a singles tour of Europe, Seattles own Pia Thomason is looking for a man and trying not to think about her 40th birthday. Too bad her choice of suitors is less than appealing. But when she meets two mysterious strangers in Iceland, Pia becomes immersed in an undead love affair.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc.
• Release date: May 21, 2010
• ISBN: 9781449814304

Katie MacAlister

Despite her love for novels, Katie MacAlister didn’t think of writing them until she was contracted to write a non-fiction book about software. MacAlister resolved to switch to fiction, where she could indulge in world building, tormenting characters, and falling madly in love with all her heroes. More than thirty books later, her novels have been translated into numerous languages, recorded as audiobooks, received several awards, and landed on the New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly bestseller lists. She also writes for the young adult audience as Katie Maxwell.

Reviews for Zen and the Art of Vampires

[mishmelle · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is my first book by Katie MacAlister and I loved it! Even though it is book #6 in the series, I wasn't lost at all. Perhaps it is a new story line, I guess I'll have to read the others to find out. I like the way the heroine, Pia, isn't a "beautiful person" with a "perfect body" like the leads in many books of this genre. The humor has the right amount of snark-itude and I really liked the addition of the ghosts that follow Pia around. I think the story continues in Book #7, Crouching Vampire, Hidden Fang, which I can't wait to read!

[mumugrrl · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Maybe since I am sort of a linear kind of thinker that it's not a good plan for me to start a series not at the beginning, but I loathed this book so much that I have no plans to start at the beginning, or ever knowingly read another book by this author. The heroine was not amusing, clever, smart, witty, resourceful or in any way shape or form, engaging. Not to mention the remarkably unappealing vampires. Blechhhh. The heroine's stream of consciousness blather that ran for the 112 pages that I actually forced myself to get through gave me a headache and I can honestly say that it's been a while since I've come across a book that I can so wholeheartedly not recommend.

[booklizard_1 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Fans of Katie MacAlister are likely to be disappointed by this novel. It presents itself as part of the Dark One series, but it's not a stand-alone romance. The characters are unlikable, the plot is unbelievable, and the humor falls flat. There's no closure at the end of the book and the storyline is going to be continued in [Crouching Vampire, Hidden Fang]. Maybe the sequel will somehow redeem this book, but I don't see how it can.

[bgale11 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Zen and the Art of Vampires is a well written book about a woman who everyone can relate to. From the beginning you like her and want her to succeed.There are several mini plots that combine for the large plot of the book.One plot you meet a 40 year old woman, Pia, on a tour of Iceland with her friends. You learn of how she despises a co-traveler and what she will do to avoid her.Another plot you find Pia being confronted by ghosts. Ghosts that only she can see as she has purchased an item that attracts the ghosts to her. With this item she takes the role of a woman called a Zoroya in the Brotherhood of the light. A role which she does not want at first.Then yet another plot Pia meets a tall dark stranger and takes him home with her. Later she finds that this man she has been with is a vampire and in the dark ones group the sworn enemies of the brotherhood. Here is where the main story begins. By having the item that attracts the ghosts she learns of the role she is deemed to play. One that will help those who have died crossover to Ostri but to cleanse those referred to as the Dark Ones.The story continues as Pia tries to balance her role as a Zoroya and still fall for one of the Vampires she meets along the way.The ending is an ending one may not expect, but I will leave that for you to find out.I recommend this book for anyone who likes romance and vampires.

[anniik_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This book was interesting, but in all honesty, a bit slow moving. I had problems following it in places, and the heroine's rather nonchalant reaction to the fact that she'd slept with a vampire kind of took the excitement away.That's not to say that it was a bad book; I enjoyed it, just that I've read better. I did like the heroine, and I liked the fact that she was chubby, and not the little waif type you always find in these books. Also liked the fact she wasn't a 20-something. I guess I identified with her better because of it.

[dasuzuki · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I loved this book and think I found a new series to catch up on. It's apparently a part of the Dark Ones series and the next one is due out in May. I can't wait as you are sort of left at a cliff hanger at the end of the book and I really want to know what happens. I kind of wonder if Magda is really who she says she is? Seems like she was too good to be true but you never know. Pia cracks me up and I can totally related to being the "big" girl and I am glad she actually ends up with several guys liking her. Her personality was funny and I had to laugh over the thoughts she says out loud by mistake. What can I say about Kristoff except I love the dark and kind of surly guys. Talk about sexy. If you are looking for some sexy and funny vampire romance this is a book for you.

[averitasm · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This was very good like some of her other dark ones books but a new twist I liked the heroine and the hero or anti-hero as is were, fast read and nice start to a new series, a nice easy para-romantic read, You will want the next book in this series this one leaves you hanging. I haven't really found a bad book by her some are better than others but she keeps a pretty good level of writing, you do start to notice some sound like previous books but nothing really annoying, if you just want a light read to pass some time and a fun story I found her books are good for that.

[jjmachshev_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Humpf! I've been a reader of Katie MacAlister's 'Dark Ones' series--a lighthearted take on vampires--since it began. These are some very sexy vamps, but they don't have most of the supernatural powers other writers have given to their vamps. They are pretty much a group of people like others, although extremely long-lived to be sure. Those without a soul are looking for their Beloved, the one woman who can return their soul to them...but most believe a Beloved is a lot like the tooth fairy or Santa Claus! MacAlister's books, of course, tell about finding Beloveds, and her latest "Zen and the Art of Vampires" was both fulfilling and frustrating in turn. The continuing story of the Dark Ones and their world is advanced, yet the main couple don't quite get their happy ever after...yet.Pia is an overweight, almost forty year old who feels the need to do something drastic to find her dream of home and kids before it's too late. So she signs up for a 'romance tour' of Europe. When the tour hits Iceland, she's about fed up with the snarky, spiteful blonde who's one of her tour mates, so when the blonde dares her to approach two gorgeous hunks of Viking-sized maleness, she takes the dare...but chickens out and ducks into a book store where her life takes an unexpected, and at times unbelievable turn. Within forty-eight hours, she's slept with two men and is married to two men...and one of the men she's married to isn't one of the men she slept with! She's also found out about ghosts, vampires, and a deranged quasi-religious sect and the only ones who 'appear' to be on her side are the ghosts!I like MacAlister's writing. I 'get' her humor and there's a lot of it in here. I also like the fact that her Dark Ones don't have miraculous powers (for the most part) and instead must rely on their extensive lives for the knowledge and wit to come out on top. (Pun fully intended there) My only beef is that now I'll have to wait to get the rest of Pia's story :(