Author: Shane Leighton
Series: Of Light & Darkness (book 1)
Publisher: Decadent Publishing Company
Release Date: 26 Jun 2011
ASIN: B0058DBUBM
Synopsis
Abandoned as an infant in Prague, naive and strong-willed Charlotte Ruzikova was raised by one of the last Vampires left alive. As a human, she knows no other home than the one nestled deep in the woods of Eastern Europe, where Witches drew spells of enchantment, Phasers threw tea parties, and Elves are the closest in kin. Charlotte has lived her life in the dark with her Guardian, content to having him to herself and reveling in his attention, until she's realizes she wants more...
Resident medical doctor and Vampire, Valek Ruzik fears the day his ward would come of age and blossom into a fine woman, and he is forced to confront his own motives as time is of the essence once his past catches up to him, and their lives become endangered...
As genocide and war threatens their secret society, the dictator in power is ready to wipe out Valek's race, but Charlotte will not allow that to happen. Fighting for the only one she's ever loved and truly believed in, she will do whatever it takes to save their love...before the sun comes up and light takes over.
My Review
I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I will admit, I was sent this back in February, but I got really behind with me e-book reading so I must firstly apologize for my lateness!
Now I have my ipad, I'm finding it easier to get through books and I actually started and finished this book today. Man I love lazy Bank Holiday Mondays!
Charlotte is found abandoned as a baby, but she is found by a Vampire, Valek decides to take her home and brings her up. It's a strange arrangement but it works for them, they live in a designated Occult area, safe and sound with other magical beings like witches and fairies. Until things start to go wrong and the two of them must decide what they really want.
I must say this book did hook me in immediately and I found myself unable to put it down. The whole world/setting in Prague is really good and well written, the imagery is clear and the characters full of personality. I liked Valek - kind of like the gentle monster, wanting to do good but held back by his circumstances. Charlotte is feisty and quite independant, but also has moments of insecurity. The two of them work really well together.
However I must point out that in places I found their relationship creepy. It starts out as a father/daughter thing, he is her guardian, she his little girl. Then as she grows up she develops feelings for him. Of course they are not actually related so that isn't necessarily an issue, however if he has been a father figure for that long it is a little weird. However I went with it and they do make a good pair. But I just wish they would pick one circumstance and stick with it. Either become 'lovers' or stay as father/daughter, not both. Valek seemed to flick between, one minute he would be saying things like 'she's my little girl.', 'i'm her father'. then the next be kissing her. If he is going to move on and they were going to have a relationship, he needs to drop the fatherly act otherwise it's just creepy and it did make my skin crawl a little bit.
Other than that I really did enjoy the story, the magic, mystery, action and characters really pulled me in.
The last 100 pages are particularly action packed and have a lot of twists and turns, and I devoured those pages even quicker.
I really got into the world and I would read the second one. Once you put aside the weird relationship the rest of the book is fab!!!
My Rating
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