Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Finally, a color blind author!, December 17, 2007
The Brethren are an ancient clan of ruthless vampires. They live on about 1,750 acres split among four families in Kentucky. Nobody bothers them. It is very secluded and isolated. No one comes or go, except illegal immigrants who are paid under the table - until they are slaughtered like the meat they are considered to be. They live very long lives. Their metabolisms and healing capacities were so far accelerated beyond those of humans that nothing short of a bullet to the head or a stake through the heart could kill them. The men take care of business and finances, the women tended to homes and families. Teen Brethren females are wed to Brethren men far older than them in arrangements preordained by the Elders. Women have no say in the rules or governing of the clans, no voice among the Council. They feed and sate their bloodlust after the males have finished. No one ever leaves the clans. No one ever leaves those secluded acres.
Brandon Noble is the grandson of Augustus Noble. Augustus is referred to as The Grandfather. (He is what most humans consider The Godfather, of the movies, to be.) While young, Brandon walked in during a robbery. To silence Brandon, the thieves beat his head and slit his throat. Help for Brandon arrived just a moment too late. His attackers were slaughtered, but from then on Brandon has been deaf and mute. Unlike his other kin, Brandon is horrified by his birthright. When time came for Brandon's bloodletting ritual, he shunned it, earning the Brethren's lasting wrath.
The last time Brandon considered leaving home for a special college for the deaf, The Grandfather broke all the bones in one of his hands. His brother, Caine, took pleasure in breaking all the bones in Brandon's other hand. It took a year for his hands to heal. Once Brandon is ready to attempt leaving again, he made sure no one knew in advance before disappearing. Brandon went to the only person he knew outside the clans, his former tutor, Jackson Jones. Jackson had known that something was strange about the Noble family and made sure Brandon knew he could come to him if he ever needed anything. Problem is that when Brandon arrives, Jackson is not home.
Angelina "Lina" Jones takes care of her brother's plants whenever he is out of town. She is stunned to find Brandon in Jackson's domicile. Being a cop, Lina first thought him to be a burglar until she had a clear view of him. Lina wants to help Brandon, however, the man refuses to tell her who he is running from or why. At the same time, Lina has her own problems. But she cannot deny her attraction to Brandon. They may be of different races, but love is color-blind, and Brandon is keeping secrets - secrets she plans to discover.
***** I was a bit confused at first, while trying to picture the characters in my mind's eye. Brandon, according to the cover, is white. Lina is black. I am SO happy to know that this author is color blind! I was beginning to believe that I would never live to see the day that writers would dare to cross-race the main hero and heroine. I believe that if it happens in today's world, then it should show in today's stories. This one does! Brava! Author Sara Reinke writes in a smooth flowing style that I found extremely easy to read. Nothing is so detailed as to become confusing. The focus is on the plot with the romance being a close second. There are a few secondary characters (one of Brandon's sisters and Lina's former partner) that may very well get their own story told soon. At least I hope so! Be warned that this book is a stand alone tale, but strings are left dangling for future problems with the Brethren. I eagerly look forward to the next segment of this mafia-style, vampire saga. *****
Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.
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11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
This is a keep by my bed to read again book!, October 18, 2007
I really enjoyed reading this book, so much so I read it again and continue to flip back to my favorite parts. I loved the fact that the author took creative liscence and made the vampire lead, Brandon, vunerable and imperfect from the usual immortal beings I read about. He was a deaf/mute.And his youth added to a sense of innocence, but he had a strength as well. He was strong enough to endure so much abuse from his grandfather and his brother, strong enough to resist the urge of bloodlust that would envolve killing someone and strong enough to leave everything he knew, knowing he would suffer serious ramifications from his family and The Brethren if they cought him. I found Brandon sweet and edearing, strong where it really counted and not just physically and I suspect he is more powerfull than he anyone realizes. I found Angelina to be a strong character without being overbearing, whinny or annoying.I loved the interracial aspect and the fact that she was a little older(5 years) than Brandon. I loved the Brandon and Angelina together.I didagree with what someone else wrote about placing too much emphasis on the racial issue.I didn't find that to be the case at all. In fact, I was relieved that race wasn't emphasised.
Overall, I found this to be a fantastic read. The story flowed and was easy to follow. Not many spelling or grammtical errors that I saw.It was a great beginning to what I hope will be an even better sequel, which I read will be out next July.
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17 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Very good start for a new series!, July 13, 2007
I love paranormal books & this one is very good. I believe its the start of a new vamp series & it laid the foundations for the characters as well as the vamp world. Its a different take on vamps (yes, they still need blood, but they can go out in the sun, eat, etc.) So if your looking for a new vamp series try this one ~ you won't be disappointed.
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