Two Weeks' Notice

A Revivalist Novel, Book 2

By: Rachel Caine

Narrated by: Julia Whelan

After dying and being revived with the experimental drug Returne, Bryn Davis is theoretically free to live her unlife - with regular doses to keep her going. But Bryn knows that the government has every intention of keeping a tight lid on Pharmadene's life-altering discovery, no matter the cost. Thankfully, some things have changed for the better; her job at the rechristened Davis Funeral Home is keeping her busy and her fragile romance with Patrick McCallister is blossoming - thanks in part to their combined efforts in forming a support group for Returne addicts. But when some of the group members suddenly disappear, Bryn wonders if the government is methodically removing a threat to their security, or if some unknown enemy has decided to run the zombies into the ground.

©2012 Roxanne Longstreet Conrad (P)2013 Tantor

Shades of depth to the characters come into play

The story in the original Working Stiff grows in complexity in this second book. The characters grow in depth as more are revived and insanity v confusion v security are the side effects

Bourne + iZombie + Terminator = Empire cliffhanger

The cover art needs to be a lot grittier, because this is not a campy, paranormal undead urban fantasy. There’s no magic or monsters, except of the Dr. Frankensteined lab-created variety, instead, this is about corporate greed, government programs run amok, and one lady veteran trying to roll with her zombie-nano-bot-filled life.

The first half of this book was on the slow side, needing to recap book 1 and reset the game board with new characters or old characters with new dynamics. But, man! When the bodies start dropping and the twists start twisting that jagged knife, this became a viscous, action packed ride.

I appreciated that multiple ladies are fierce and not simply treated as damsels. I would have liked a bit more personality, color and teamwork among the cast, as things got a bit hyper-focused on Bryn.
I would also have liked a bit more nuance for the bad guys. And, I was mildly annoyed that a usually smart Bryn let herself pout because folks around her didn’t bare their souls and secrets from go. However, these are minor criticisms for a solid middle book. The Empire Strikes Back ending made me glad I picked up books 2 and 3 together at the last sale.

Amazing story!! I loved it!!

Rachel Caine's Bryn Davis is tough, smart, damn near indestructible and just a little bit broken. I stopped listening to another book as soon as this came available because I just love the series. I could not wait to find out what happened to Bryn. This book has action, romance, thrills and everything you could ask for. The concept is so creative and unlike other paranormal books. Bryn is not alive, not dead and not a zombie.
Ms. Caine created a world that works - not too far out there and just close enough to reality to be believable. Julia Whelan is a fabulous narrator.
Just one more thing - Audible please don't make me wait so long for the next installment to come out on audio!! I am impatient!

Wow so crazy!!! (Crazy good!)

Where does Two Weeks' Notice rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Part of my top 10 favorite series (and I am EXTREMELY well read)

What was one of the most memorable moments of Two Weeks' Notice?

When the company started killing all the employees and bringing them back to blackmail them it was just like...a car wreck so awful but you can't stop looking at it I like how Rachel Caine wasn't afraid to tell the "ugly" parts in detail most authors skim over that

Which scene was your favorite?

Couldn't say it was just one crazy ride

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I was upset to think that they had repeatedly raped and killed and revived her sister very gruesome to think about

Great Middle Book!

Read from October 29 to November 02, 2013

Listened/Read for Fun (Audible/Paperback)
Tracking Books Read Review (Short)
Overall Rating: 4.25
Story Rating: 4.00
Character Rating: 4.50

Audio Rating: 4.00 (not part of the overall rating)

First Thought when Finished: OH MY Two Week's Notice was such a good listen! I am so glad I had Terminated ready to go when I finished.

Overall Thoughts: I have pretty much devoured this series back to back. Two Weeks Notice did exactly what the middle book in a trilogy should do: advance the story. We got more action, romance, back story, and emotion. Middle books should always be the "meat" of the trilogy and this one delivered. Bryn (the leading lady) is probably one of my favorite characters in Urban Fantasy. She is kick ass but mostly she is just dealing with the hand that she has been dealt. I tend to admire the leading ladies that are "human" about their circumstances. The rest of the cast of characters are great too. My favorite thing about Rachel Caine is she writes characters that I care about and want to root for! The Revivalist series though is probably my favorite!

Audio Thoughts:

Narrated By Julia Whelan /Length: 9 hrs and 52 mins


Julia does a fantastic job with Bryn and the rest of the characters in this series. Her pacing and rhythm are very well done. She also has one of those voices that you can listen to on higher speeds and it doesn't distort at all. Overall very well done.

Final Thoughts: I love this series!

Zombies without zombies!

Would you consider the audio edition of Two Weeks' Notice to be better than the print version?

I've not read the print version

What other book might you compare Two Weeks' Notice to and why?

My life as a White Trash Zombie by Diana Rowland
It's the only other book with female zombie as the lead character that I've read!

Which character – as performed by Julia Whelan – was your favorite?

Brin

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes

Any additional comments?

Bring on book 3!

Oh Snap! Bryn 2.0 is going to be very interesting.

Issue(s) I Had:
I don’t understand why the revived people are being called Returne addicts. Addicts are people who can (if they choose to) stop doing something like drinking or drugs. But the revived NEED the Returne drug or they die. It’s like calling me an oxygen addict. I don’t get it.

The Story:
Bryn is now working for the government in order to get her doses of Returne to stay “fresh”. But little does the government know, she has her own private supplier. The crazy ex-FBI mad scientist, Manny is trying to tweak Returne so that Bryn and the revived do not have to get their supply from the government.

While Bryn works her first assignment for the government she is trying to find her sister, Annie that was also killed and revived in Working Stiff. But Bryn is not alone; Joe is still working for Bryn at the funeral home and doubling as her back/bodyguard. And Bryn’s would be lover Patrick is sticking around to help.

Speaking of Patrick, a part of his past comes back to bite everyone on the ass this time around.

While the gang tries to work out the mystery and keep Bryn “alive” they find themselves getting into a much big and darker conspiracy than they ever thought was possible.

Narration:
The narration is not the best but still very enjoyable. Whelan does a great job with Bryn and her male voices are believable.

Final Thought:
A whole can of worms was opened at the end of Two Weeks’ Notice so it leaves me thinking that the Terminated, the 3rd book in the trilogy will have to be fast paced to get us to a conclusion.

Good follow up

This is a pretty good follow up to first book. Her skills as a former military person are still lacking but she is not afraid of action. Unlike many books Rachel is able to deliver story without the step-by-step formula, which made the first book a success. For instances, some books you can count on a car chase, one love scene, and a fight sequence all set off by the discovery of a murder.

The story is Pharmadene's formula, the government and the tug of war between them. Between book one and two the battle still rages but circumstances are different. Who was once an executive secretary is actually an FBI agent. Who was once a corporate spy is now your body guard. And who was once head of security is now, your rich lover. Ewew. We all through a point in our lives when we have questionable sex partners but zombies.

Since the roles of the people have changed there is a different twist but the mission is the same, find the formula, find a solution to the formula and of course make sure the government does not use it as a weapon.

Awesome

Such a good series. Julia Whelan rocks the crazy chick voice. I can't wait to read the next.