Gah! I didn't want to like Xavier del Toro! He and King Julian were such bastards to Carling that I really didn't think this story would sway me from Gah! I didn't want to like Xavier del Toro! He and King Julian were such bastards to Carling that I really didn't think this story would sway me from my reserve. However..... Thea Harrison writes an excellent book about a character that from the outside, appears to be a monster, but once you get to know him is so damned honorable that you can't help but like and respect him.
Xavier and Tess meet at the Vampyre's Ball when, in desperation, she petitions to become Vampyre's attendant. Intrigued by her, Xavier chooses her as a candidate. During the interview, it is obvious that Tess is terrified of him. In spite of this, he still offers her the position on a one year trip basis. Upon arriving at his home, Xavier and his right hand man Raoul realizes that there is more to Tess than she is saying and that she is hiding something.
Tess is hiding something. She is running from her former boss, the pariah djinn Malphas. She betrayed Malphas to save the life of a Senators son and had to run for her life. She was desperate and at the end of her rope when she decided to become a vampyre attendant. She sees vampyres as monsters and is terrified of them, but that does not stop her from petitioning to form a liaison with one.
The flow of the book was much slower than any of the others in this series. There was a lot of internal dialogue and lots of conversation. It gave you the opportunity to watch Tess grow from the terrified girl you initially met to a strong, well trained, almost self sufficient person. She is a smart lady and spoke up when she had questions or disagreed with something. I also liked the fact that she was a total geek and LOL'd when she hacked Xavier's system and sent out the 'You Suck" email to all the vampires in the demesne from his account! Tess did the unexpected. She refused to donate blood for Xavier direct from the vein. She sassed him and although she saw him as a monster, she faced him as fearlessly as she could. I really liked her character and liked watching Xavier grow fonder and fonder of her contrariness. She is the perfect foil for his old world charm.
I originally thought that this would have worked better as a novella, however after reading it, i'm glad that it was written as a full novel. It was a well told story that leads into King Julian's book and his tempestuous relationship with Melisands, Light Fae Princess. The adversary in these two books, Justine, is wicked!! She reminds me of a Disney villianess...beautiful and poisonous! I cannot wait for Midnight's Kiss. I am anticipating a fun ride!!!
Merged review:
Gah! I didn't want to like Xavier del Toro! He and King Julian were such bastards to Carling that I really didn't think this story would sway me from my reserve. However..... Thea Harrison writes an excellent book about a character that from the outside, appears to be a monster, but once you get to know him is so damned honorable that you can't help but like and respect him.
Xavier and Tess meet at the Vampyre's Ball when, in desperation, she petitions to become Vampyre's attendant. Intrigued by her, Xavier chooses her as a candidate. During the interview, it is obvious that Tess is terrified of him. In spite of this, he still offers her the position on a one year trip basis. Upon arriving at his home, Xavier and his right hand man Raoul realizes that there is more to Tess than she is saying and that she is hiding something.
Tess is hiding something. She is running from her former boss, the pariah djinn Malphas. She betrayed Malphas to save the life of a Senators son and had to run for her life. She was desperate and at the end of her rope when she decided to become a vampyre attendant. She sees vampyres as monsters and is terrified of them, but that does not stop her from petitioning to form a liaison with one.
The flow of the book was much slower than any of the others in this series. There was a lot of internal dialogue and lots of conversation. It gave you the opportunity to watch Tess grow from the terrified girl you initially met to a strong, well trained, almost self sufficient person. She is a smart lady and spoke up when she had questions or disagreed with something. I also liked the fact that she was a total geek and LOL'd when she hacked Xavier's system and sent out the 'You Suck" email to all the vampires in the demesne from his account! Tess did the unexpected. She refused to donate blood for Xavier direct from the vein. She sassed him and although she saw him as a monster, she faced him as fearlessly as she could. I really liked her character and liked watching Xavier grow fonder and fonder of her contrariness. She is the perfect foil for his old world charm.
I originally thought that this would have worked better as a novella, however after reading it, i'm glad that it was written as a full novel. It was a well told story that leads into King Julian's book and his tempestuous relationship with Melisands, Light Fae Princess. The adversary in these two books, Justine, is wicked!! She reminds me of a Disney villianess...beautiful and poisonous! I cannot wait for Midnight's Kiss. I am anticipating a fun ride!!!...more
Love the concept, the characters, the story. Great read from start to finish. Can't wait for the next installment in this series.Love the concept, the characters, the story. Great read from start to finish. Can't wait for the next installment in this series....more
Thirty seven books in and I am still loving this series. It is so much fun and such quick, easy reads. I think grandma is easily my favorite characterThirty seven books in and I am still loving this series. It is so much fun and such quick, easy reads. I think grandma is easily my favorite character, next to Winky, that is. ...more
Loading...
