Burgundy

I like a good story set in Louisana. It seems that UF series and Louisana go well together. Here are a few if you are looking for UF set in Louisiane: Mark of the Demon, Skinwalker, Black Dust Mambo and of course Dead Until Dark.
The setting, the historical undead (an undead pirate), voodoo, Baron Samedi, Old New Orleans,...all this should have made this book work for me and it didn't. 

- I enjoyed the dialogue; I picked some interesting quotes here and there. Drusilla Jaco gets two thumbs up for her initial reaction towards one of the love interests: Body of an Adonis, brain of an anchovy. Yes, there's a love triangle but no instant love. 
-The historical undead was a nice concept. Characters as Jean Lafitte, Marie Laveau and Louis Armstrong play prominent roles.
- In Drusilla's world there are elves, goblins, shapeshifters, vampires, pixies, wizards, zombies etc. Maybe too much? But why not.
- During the whole book Drusilla is looking for clues to find her missing guardian Gerry.

Anyway enough is going on. Unfortunately Royal Street was extremely dull. Some passages were much too long. I wasn't invested in the story at all. There was not enough to make me come back for more. The characters were so-so, the plot was meh. Also I didn't feel the connection Drusilla had with Gerry. The whole time Drusilla was looking for Gerry and I didn't care. And most of all Drusilla wouldn't recognise a clue if it hits her. 
Alex said he wasn't a were but he had ties with the were community so he's a shapeshifter. Alex and Gandalf are never seen together therefore Alex is Gandalf. Gerry couldn't be found on Earth in the 'real' world because he's in Old New Orleans. Etc. Come on Drusilla, get a clue.

I give this book three stars but honestly the book leans more towards "it's okay" than "I liked it". I might pick up the sequel.

Note; this is the first book I read that takes place during hurricane Katrina & Rita and its aftermath. The author tried to represent and show the backlash to the natural disaster. 
[...] I tried to imagine it two weeks ago, escaping from home on a boat like this one, floating so high, knowing your whole life lay immersed beneath you.