This is a fast moving and multilayered story. In the main plot, Natalie is a Born vampire as opposed to a Revenant, or turned one. She is just coming into heat or maturity and is feeling urges for blood and sex that she can’t control. Her “family”, including one of the detectives, Chessa Tomas, kidnap her and Chessa’s partner and imprison them. Rene apparently is a convenience for the baby vamp. Chessa has feelings for Rene, but waited too long for him to get over the death of his wife. Nic, a very powerful Revenant apparently wants Chessa, but is willing to wait. This vampire society is very confusing, with most of them living at Ardeal, their very isolated and secure compound. It seems to be a very luxurious prison where they are all hiding from the Rogue Revenants who want to take over. The author really describes this depressing place, its inhabitants, and their customs very well, I had no problems picturing any of it, especially the grandmother vamp Inanna. Some of the scenes in the book will make some readers a little uncomfortable, and Rene and Natalie’s relationship is never clear until the end. I never could warm up to the Chessa character, but loved Natalie, Rene and Nic. I am still not entirely sure what Simon is, but enjoyed his character and his bird Kestrel. This is a book that the reader will have a hard time putting down, I know I did.

Overall rating:
Sensuality rating: Explicit

Reviewer: Maura Frankman
February 8, 2007