I read Strange New World by Vivian Shaw and I really enjoyed this read. Strange New World is the fourth book in the Dr. Greta Helsing series by Vivian Shaw and although I have not read books 1 -3, I was able to pick up the story and read it. I gave this book 4 stars and I have now ordered books 1 - 3. I'm going to recommend if you have not read any of the Dr. Greta Helsing books, go ahead and get all four. I love the story, the writing, the characters. Heaven and hell exist in this world as do demons and angels, vampires, etc. I love her word play with names. Something unique about this book is that there really is not a bad guy per se. Just someone who thought he understood the rules and how to live his life according to the rules, but then the rules changed and he struggled to adapt and then just stopped adapting and actively, secretly fought to change things - back to a simpler time when he understood the rules. Applying this to today's political environment and you get the idea. Again, really enjoyed this book and cannot wait to read more of Dr. Greta Helsing. Thank you to Net Galley and Orbit for my e-arc.

I first read Vivian Shaw's Greta Helsing books back in 2018 with Strange Practice and fell immediately in love with this world where a descendant of the famous Van Helsing is a physician to all sorts of beings—vampires, vampyres, ghouls, banshees, etc. I actually had no idea there was more to come after the first three books, so finding out that Shaw was releasing a fourth novel in the series was almost better than Christmas. And best yet, it absolutely held up to the first three!

Full disclosure, I was already inclined to love this next installation because I loved the preceding books. But there can be some trepidation when you return to a series after it's wrapped itself up. Does this story feel justified? And Shaw did a great job setting this up and making it feel not only justified, but necessary. This is a world where vampires and were-somethings walk around, as do actual angels and demons, so you know there are always going to be shenanigans, and that means there will always be a story to tell. This time around the leaders of Heaven and Hell are trying to cooperate and coexist, which is proving difficult as angels and demons are allergic to one another. So they decide to send an angel and a demon on a roadtrip across the States to test those allergies when on neutral territory (Earth) and they task Greta Helsing with overseeing the project. What could go wrong?
Everything, everything could go wrong! But Greta is resourceful, and she's surrounded herself with the best group of problem-solving vampires, vampyres, demons, and more, so there's going to be chaos, but it'll be addressed by the most colorful and well-dressed cast you could imagine.
Shaw's writing style itself is just lovely. She peppers her rather erudite prose with wickedly funny expressions that had me reaching for the dictionary in one moment, and then snorting with laughter the next. One new character (a nosferatu named Contini) describes main character Greta as having an English accent that was neither "snobby nor yobby" and it gave me such a perfect image of how Greta sounds, as well as leaving me in absolute stitches.
I also just love the obvious affection Shaw holds for her characters and their friendships. I've seen some other reviews describing this as almost cozy, and even though it feels odd characterizing a book with literal demons in it as cozy, the shoe fits here. Shaw's characters have such detail and quirky personalities and details that even though they're already stretching imagination, at the same time they feel real. I can picture a regal vampire who adores fashion and shopping and hosting functions. I can picture the angel and demon who look more like shabby grad students. I can absolutely picture having tea with them all and loving the experience.
This was such a pleasant and unexpected addition to the Greta Helsing series, and one that honestly left me wanting more stories, if for no other reason than I'm reluctant to say goodbye to these wonderful friends just yet.
This review has been posted on my social media --Instagram and Goodreads -- and to the Barnes and Noble website..

Thank you Orbit and NetGalley for an E-ARC of Strange New World by Vivian Shaw in exchange for an honest review.

Honestly, I would have given this book a 2-star rating if it weren’t for the characters used and the message delivered. I found the story lacking any plot or purpose to be driven with this myriad of characters. There were more than a handful of points of view to follow through and grasp any character development or purpose.

I understand this is acting as the finale to the Greta Helsing series; however, the book was proposed to be read as a standalone novel. Instead, I felt spoiled and unsatisfied. It felt like a monotonous ending to a series with vampires, werewolves, banshees, witches, angels, and demons. I did favor the overall theme about “who you are” versus “what you are,” yet I think the story could have presented this topic with more consideration.

This entire series is delightful and very smart. I love the characters and the references to famous - and infamous - works. This book feels a bit less clear than the previous ones; there’s a lot of philosophy and even some hand-wringing about right and wrong, divine and infernal; and I never did figure out exactly WHY the villain got to BE the villain. While I don’t mind that, I do feel like in this case it took me out of the story a bit. That said, I really like this series and I will definitely read anything that comes next.

The last book in the Greta Helsing saga is the one that both strays farthest from the premise and also explores the implications of the lore most deeply. It is absolutely a different creature from book 1, but the structure and quality remain consistent and solid! The {danger to the supernatural world} part of the story is closest to the first book, but the everything else is so different that it feels misleading to tell you to expect it.
If you go in expecting Helsing to be running around Paris in a chic ballgown again you will not find what you are looking for, but if you want to bite deeper into the politics of heaven and hell and stuff like the intricacies of Hell's HR and how Heaven's power structure works, you'll have fun.
I honestly read someone else's review first and I am glad I did, because I went into it with the expectation that it would be "bouts of supernatural shenanigans between large chunks of bureaucracy" and that is exactly what I got!
I had fun, I love this series, and I look forward to more of Vivian Shaw's work-and the day she releases the novella in print!

Thank you to netgalley and orbit for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

I can’t believe I nearly snubbed this series because I didn’t like the cover art style very well…. On the plus side the series was half when I picked it up so I didn’t have as long to wait in the remaining books! Interesting characters and a solid story. Whatever she writes next I’ll try even if the cover art isn’t my cup of tea.

When I had I first initially picked this book up I hadn’t had any knowledge that this was actually in fact apart of a series and that this was the fourth and final installment in said series. However despite not having this knowledge prior to my read I still thoroughly enjoyed this multiple POV cozy gothic New York City mobster vampy read. Strange New World follows doctor to the undead Greta Helsing as she embarks on an investigation to discover what is causing angels and a demons to get sick. The plot dives into politics of heaven and hell which I found really unique and intriguing and despite not having previous knowledge or back story to the books I still found it easy to feel connected to Shaw’s cleverly crafted characters. Overall I really enjoyed this humorous and creative read but I do think starting from book one would be best to fully embrace and enjoy this series.

Strange New World comes out May 20th, 2025.

Thank you NetGalley and Orbit Books for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

After the averted end of the world, Dr. Greta Helsing is tasked with taking a road trip with an angel and a demon to see if they can work together without having allergic reactions to each other. Too bad their first stop in New York City coincides with an attempted coup of the New York undead mob and a mysterious enemy.

I’m feeling torn. This fixed one of my biggest problems with book three, and gave that ending narrative weight. But after the novella, it also went straight back to Greta and The Boys. I really just want Greta to interact with other women in the story, and except for one nosferatu in a single chapter, every other character is a man.

I found the mystery fascinating, and it kept me guessing. As much as the gender disparity bothered me, I also did enjoy the side characters. Adariel and Orlax were particularly charming, and I’d love a novella as they both work on their internships with Greta.

But in the end, the ending felt a bit abrupt and too open, leaving too many questions unanswered for me for the conclusion of a series. And there ended up being way too many POV characters for me to keep track of.

Thank you to both NetGalley and Orbit Books for this arc.

I love the world that Vivian Saw has created here in the Dr. Greta Helsing series with it's supernatural beings and found family aspect. In this last installment we see previously known characters and are introduced to new ones too, like the nosferatu. I wish there have been more of Ruthven in this book, he is one if my favorite characters. The conflict this time is with the unexpected attacks to both angels and demons and they need to find the source of it. Greta travels to NY with an angel and demon to conduct some research to find other beings attacked there too. With the help of Heaven and Hell they found the root of the attacks. One thing that made this book a bit hard to read was that there where a lot of different pov's we had to follow within the same chapters and that's something I don't particularly like. It was a very nice conclusion to the series and I will miss this characters.

Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit Books for this ARC, all opinions are my own.

Strange New World is a charming and clever finale that blends dry humor, heartfelt character moments, and a supernatural road trip of chaos in all the best ways. Greta Helsing remains a refreshing and compassionate protagonist, grounding the absurdity of an angel-demon experiment with her steady humanity. The banter is sharp, the stakes are meaningful without ever losing the series’ cozy gothic charm, and the monster politics of New York’s underworld add fresh intrigue. Though the plot sometimes meanders, the emotional payoff and satisfying conclusion make this a worthy send-off for a truly original series.

Bear with me…….why would I start with the fourth book in a series? I honestly don’t know why I do it myself? Because I know that if the series is any good I’ll have to go out and them to my excessively long TBR and that is a problem. To be fair though I love a good series. So I’m never honestly mad at myself when I find a new one. I felt like this www one of the good ones. I was able to settle in to the story and could enjoy the book on its own. I am intrigued by the backstory enough to want to grab those books as well. A fun supernatural mystery that will have you rethinking heaven and hell.
I received an ARC of this title, all opinions are my own.

While I didn't realize that this is a much larger series and ended up being a bit lost to start, I'm so completely in love with what I've read so far. This is such a cozy and completely quirky read that seems to balance humor and heart in that really memorable way.

Now that I'm aware that this is a larger series, I fully intend to go back and read the entire thing, then finish this one. But from what I've read so far, this is easily going to be a five star read for me. I'm actually VERY excited that this is a larger series, and can not wait to spend time in this world.

Vivian Shaw delivers an exciting, witty, and wholly satisfying conclusion to the *Dr. Greta Helsing* series with *Strange New World*. This book pulls readers into an engaging supernatural road trip that quickly spirals into a thrilling adventure, blending humor, political intrigue, and heart in equal measure.

### **Plot & Characters**
Dr. Greta Helsing—physician to the undead—is once again drawn into the complex world of supernatural diplomacy, this time assisting an angel and a demon who, due to their celestial incompatibility, must figure out whether their allergic reactions persist outside of their respective realms. But their journey soon leads them to New York, where monster factions and heavenly forces collide in an underground struggle that threatens the fragile peace between Heaven and Hell.

Shaw masterfully balances tension and levity. Greta’s dry humor and grounded approach to supernatural medicine make her a compelling protagonist, while the angel-demon dynamic adds a fascinating layer of conflict and reluctant camaraderie.

### **Writing & Themes**
Shaw’s trademark wit is on full display here, with clever banter and richly realized supernatural politics keeping the story fresh and engaging. Themes of cooperation, identity, and evolving societal norms thread through the narrative, making this more than just an entertaining read—it’s a smart and thoughtful reflection on diplomacy in all its messy forms.

### **Final Thoughts**
This was an easy 5-star read! The dynamic storytelling, sharp humor, and imaginative world-building kept me hooked from start to finish. If you’re looking for more, Shaw’s previous *Dr. Greta Helsing* books are well worth checking out.

Happy reading 💀📚

I have tried to like the Greta series as I find the concept very interesting but the style is just not for me. I would recommend this series for people who love yapping and could see it doing well as a tv series for that reason . But it’s not for me. 🙂

I have read every book in this series and highly enjoy them. However, I would suggest not starting here. You really need the third book to set up the plot for this one with the resolution of that plot between heaven and hell. This one was a fun and fast read, but I am finding that I don’t remember as well as I expected to write this review a few weeks later. (That is partly on me for not writing it sooner). The time frame seems shorter, and some new characters were introduced. I did miss Ruthven especially and something was introduced with him being out of town that seemed to never be followed up on. It was fun and I recommend it to those who enjoyed the series, but it still felt kind of tacked on since book three was such a strong ending. I will however, read anymore in the series and enjoyed seeing familiar characters again.

I was unaware when I started reading this book that it was 4th book in a series so I was a little confused. But it was still a good read, very spookie, very penny dreadful vibes.

I’ve loved this series from the start, so it’s no surprise I enjoyed this installment—but what did surprise me was how much it exceeded my expectations.

The “Heaven” portion of the book, in particular, felt incredibly timely and profound. At its heart, it’s a quiet, meaningful conversation about self-understanding—and how that understanding opens the door to empathy, growth, and the courage to stand up for yourself. There’s no traditional villain here—just a deeply confused man, shaped by a rigid set of beliefs he never questioned until they no longer made sense. His reaction? One we see all too often: hurt others for breaking the same rules he feels bound by.

Maybe I’m reading into this more than intended—but honestly, even if I am, I don’t mind. In a world where questioning long-held beliefs is more important than ever, this book delivers a message that feels urgent and deeply human. For that alone, this is an easy five-star read.

Loved this and I couldn't put it down.. relatable characters. Loved the banter and the main character

I’m a huge fan of this well-written series. That said, this installment wasn’t my favorite. No fault to Shaw, whose world-building was as good as ever. There was just a lot of demon-angel stuff going on and demons and angels aren’t my personal favorites. So, I found the first half of the book to be a bit slow. The action picked up around the mid-point, though, and I thoroughly enjoyed the second half.

Vivian Shaw’s Greta Helsing (ultra-competent "doctor to the undead") returns one last time in Strange New World, as Dr. Helsing is forced to step in when her supernatural clients get caught in the fallout of the forces of Heaven and Hell trying to fulfill the terms of a brand-new treaty. A delightful romp with a well-crafted mystery, the return of beloved characters and the introduction of fun new ones. Fun, funny, with enough heft to make it a deeply satisfying read.