This is not your mother's romance book! Is there lust? Is there smex in it? Are people overcome with passion/love/weak knees? Yes to all of the above. But you get 89% through the book before the hero even gets to third base! This book was a romance novel in the strictest sense: it was about the relationship (not the sex).
The story is written from five different viewpoints: Dimitri, Voss, Angelica, Maia, and Narcise. The book opens with Dimitri's POV, which was a bit confusing and I double checked a few times to make sure that I was reading the right book. The story then moves on to alternate mainly between Voss and Angelica; occasionally revisiting Dimitri and just a smidgen of Maia and Narcise thrown in.
It seems that Angelica Woodmore's brother Chas (a vampire hunter) has disappeared with Narcise (sister of uber evil Cesare Moldavi). Moldavi is furious and tries to kidnap a Woomore sister in order to force Chas to return Narcise. Voss and Angelica briefly meet at a ball (he's quite irritated that she doesn't pay attention to him) when she tries to warn his fellow vampire that she has predicted his death. Voss finds himself strangely and forcefully attracted to Angelica and events move quickly to force them into close proximity (so close it could ruin Angelica). As the story progresses, Voss struggles with his need to have Angelica and his desire for her health and happiness.
Gleason has taken an interesting slant on the vampire myth. The Devil approaches certain descendants of Vlad Tepes, and makes a deal with them in their dreams. Eternal life in exchange for joining his army during the final battle. Many believe that the dream is just that, merely a dream and agree to the bargain. Once they wake, the first thing they see will become their greatest weakness, his kryptonite if you will. It could be copper, rubies, pine needles, ink, anything. Each member of the draculia is also marked with a black root like mark on their back - representing their devil's bargain and the crack in their soul. Lucifer never mentions this, nor does he mention their new propensity for bursting into flames in the sunlight. Voss thought this was just a dream, and agreed, never knowing what he would be giving up for his immortal life. However, Voss embraced this new life, its opportunities and its vices. And having always been an indulged and spoiled child in life, he remained the same spoiled immortal man. However, as bad as he might be, he is delightfully egocentric. I liked him and the way he developed a conscious (without his even noticing). Angelica is sweet and sincere, not a total pushover, not foolish, but occasionally adrift in her new and dangerous circumstances. While the fact that Voss is a vampire horrifies her, she sees the good in him and gives him the benefit of the doubt.
As I said above, this book wasn't really about Voss and Angelica's physical relationship. It was very much about Voss changing himself, Angelica trusting herself, and them finding each other. Voss had to fight Lucifer's painful reminders of the type of life he was expected to lead - this more sympathetic and in love Voss is not what the Devil wanted.
I found myself unwilling to put this story down, I NEEDED to know what happened next. There were times that I thought I knew how Gleason was going to resolve certain problems, but then there would be a twist and the game changes. However, there came a point where I'd pretty much figured out how the HEA would be achieved, but it was still a satisfying ending.
Problems I had:
Voss, and most vampires, are accustomed to using their "thrall" to get sexual partners and donors. While I'm not going to get into the awfulness of this or its implications, Gleason tosses this out so many times that it affected my view of the book and Voss. I would be enjoying his character, and then these reprehensible hints pop up, and my enjoyment decreases.
I hated Maia, just hated her. She's pushy, nosy, overbearing, ridiculous, demanding, and infuriating. While there are hints as to why she is this way I just don't have patience or compassion for her at the moment.
Once you figured out how the book "had" to end you could kind of see how the other books in the series would end. I could be wrong, but it's hard for readers to really sympathize with a hero who made a deal with Satan. Major redeeming will be required in order for the love interest and the readers to be satisfied.
Verdict:
For me, this was a totally different type of vampire romance - and I while enjoyed it, something holds me back from giving it a 4 star or more rating. I loved how self-centered Voss was, Angelica was sweet and likable, and the story moved along at a nice clip. I can't help but think that this is a book best checked borrowed instead of purchased. It was fun, but not awesome. I give it 3 stars.
