Blood Shadows by Lindsay J. Pryor

*ARC received for an honest review, thank you

For vengeance-would you trust a vampire?

For justice-could you betray your family?

For love-are you ready to question everything you believe in?

Gifted with the ability to read the shadows of third species being, Caitlin Parish is the Vampire Control Unit's most powerful agent. Despite that, her mission to hunt down Kane Malloy-a master vampire-comes with a death wish. Many have tried. But few have survived. For Caitlin, tracking Kane is about more than just professional reputation. With her parents both mysteriously killed seven years apart to the day, Caitlin knows that without Kane's help she is next. She has four days to make a deal with the wicked, the irresistible, the treacherous Kane Malloy. The vampire who despises everything she stands for. Or die. 

This book is a bit hard for me to review. I liked it. A lot. But it was different to the usual style of books I usually read. This story was really dark, without it being creepy and without characters being killed every chapter in gruesome ways. It was a romance story without a hint of romance within it. I know that doesn't really make sense, but that is what it felt like. The 'hero' wasn't a hero at all, not even a Byronic hero. He was dark, terrifying, and even when we get his point of view, his actions are always a surprise because of his changeability. But his need for vengeance against the people who murdered his sister in such a brutal way is what endears him to the reader, and to our heroine. I'm not completely sure whether or not I like Caitlin. She was dogmatic and sometimes got on my nerves with her stalking ways. I mean, I know it was her job to track Kane, but four years? And who has dreams about a guy who you think has done unimaginable sadistic murderous things? Anyway. Although I liked the world-building, I wouldn't have minded getting to know a bit more history behind it, because it was interesting, and I wanted to know more. Blood Shadow was an intense read, with unpredictable characters and a magnetism that draws you right in to this world of betrayal and revenge. 

Rating: 3.5/5

The Last True Vampire by Kate Baxter

*ARC received for an honest review, thank you!

He is the last of his race. The one true King of the vampires. Michael Aristov roams the nightclubs of L.A. after dark, haunted by his past and driven by his hunger. The last of the Ancient Ones, he alone has survived the destruction of his race at the hands of slayers. Now he is forced to hunt and feed like a common vampire, a creature of lust. Nothing in this world can fulfil his needs...until he meets a women who is everything he needs, and more. 

Her name is Claire Thompson. Her blood is so sweet, so intoxicating-the smell alone draws Michael to her like a moth to a flame. Sly, sexy and seductive, Claire seems to be the only mortal who can satisfy his craving and seal his fate-forever. Can she be trusted? From their very first kiss, the last tru vampire sweeps Claire into a world in which darkness rules desire-and where falling in love is the greatest danger of all...

A past-paced romance with non-stop action, The Last True Vampire was an incredible read that had me reading for almost half a day because I could not for the life of me put it down. Claire is a great main character, because although her past may be filled with pain, she tries desperately not to let it impact her future, practically adopting a young girl who reminds her of herself when she was young, even though she can barely pay her rent. Her selflessness juxtaposed with her determination to survive ay any cost makes her such a complex character that I instantly fell in love with her. Mikhail is also an interesting character that I loved on first read, but the minor characters just didn't have the level of depth I look for in them. They were fun, but there was just something missing that I can't pin-point. The world building was captivating and heart-pounding, the reason I was unable to tear my eyes away from this book, and although it felt a little but generic, there was still enough originality to keep me entertained. A thrilling story of survival and finding love in the darkest of times. 

Rating: 3.5/5

Sealed in Sin by Juliette Cross

Sometimes sin looks an awful lot like Heaven

One demon prince may be festering in the bowls of the soul-eater Cocytus, but Genevieve's troubles are far from over. Prince Bamal, the demon prince of New York City, still wants her. But this time, he wants her alive, to control her inherent power as a Vessel of light. With Jude Delacroix off searching for the prophesy, Thomas-a guardian angel with sea green eyes and an aura of winter woods-steps into the gap, offering her the power to protect herself. Yet she hesitates, for the transfer of that power comes through a kiss. While Gen's love for Jude is true, Thomas stirs a desire where there should be none. Thomas also knows Jude's darkest secret and plans to use it, if necessary, to win Gen for his own. While her Vessel power grows and more demon spawn creep from every dark corner of the world, one thing is certain-the Great War between the angels and the demons is quickly approaching. And Gen is in a race against time to awaken her full power before the storm breaks. 

An awesome second book to a series that makes me smile like a complete moron in happiness and cry like a baby in fear for the characters. I love Genevieve and Jude so much, their loyalty and need to do the right thing always winning out over the temptations of the dark. They are such complex characters that I am always cheering for them, even the minor characters make me need several spin-offs. Cross' world is dark, with creatures lurking in the shadows waiting to feed off the character's pain and suffering, but there is always a glimmer of light to found, and that is what makes this series so enchanting and engaging. It is so hard to put these books down, even when there are no pages left to turn. Sealed in Sin is such an emotional and tense story, the characters growing individually and together, and the world around them becoming darker and darker. A beautifully written story of love, light, destiny and temptation. 

Rating: 5/5