A much, much, much better read than book one. The mystery was better, the characterisation of Kita and Nathaniel (aka The Hermit) was better and focused on more, the plot twists, turns and drama were all really good and the sexual tension has me bouncing up and down waiting for the next book.

I like slow developers. I like to be teased and tantalised by the mere possibility of a love connection over several books. Insta-love has its place when I'm in the mood for it, but those are not the pairings that stick with me long after I finish a series. I need time to grow to love the characters as they grow to love each other. But, having said that, I'm glad to confirm I was at least given some nice crumbs in this book. In book one you might have been forgiven for wondering if you were imagining the tension (If you are not an expert at spotting it like me:)). But in this one we got....some good scenes, shall we say.

More now please! But not too much more, only a little. And then maybe take it all away again for a while just to torment me and make me that much happier when you give it back again.

I'm a glutton for punishment, I know.

The plot is a kind of 'whodunnit' affair and it involves Nathaniel and Kita having to appear in front of the vampire council. This all reminded me a bit of Anita Blake, only back when Anita Blake was good and before she became a ho-bag. And for those who know how much I now detest Trampita, you'll know I don't make that comparison lightly, but you've gotta hand it to Robocrotch, when she was good, she was good. She is, after all, the original and very first UF heroine.

The vampires in this series remind me of those same types. They've lived a bit too long and are a bit too bored to be safe around humans. You've got the rare ones who are decent and good (like Nathaniel) but even he isn't totally tame; ones who are bad but maybe a little bit good if the situation calls for it and it suits them; and then there are the just plain bad; and lastly, the scariest of them all: the complete headcases. 'Cause you just can't reason with the crazies.

So, to sum up, I'm now very glad I started this series and am glad to see it's been re-released and had its third book confirmed for august 2012. I will be one of the first in line to buy it. Jolly good stuff.

4 Stars! ★★★★