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hmmreads's review
4.0
Wow this book was action-packed! I could do without the OM drama in the beginning (it was very pointless) and hoped for more intensity between the leads. I don't think there's enough tension between the two and how they went from business to pleasure wasn't natural at all. It felt forced. But Leila's cool powers and personality kept me on board.
It started with the abduction of Leila when she was practicing a stunt at the circus. These vampires brought her to a motel and we discovered that her right hand could conduct electricity as a result of touching an electrical pole when she was 13(?)ish. Additionally, it granted her psychic abilities: first touch with a person shows her their deepest sin, she's able to see the future occasionally, and trace essence back from items to the memories/owners in the past and present.
Her kidnappers asked her to trace Vlad's location. Vlad was a mind reader so he was aware that Leila's consciousness was there with him. Leila made a deal with him to kill the kidnappers and not harm her. At the same time Vlad arrived, Marty (her father figure from the circus) came too. Vlad took Leila and Marty back to his home in Romania anyways because he wanted to find his seeker, plus she'd need the protection.
There was some BS OM drama and things get sexual between the two. They started a relationship but Vlad said outright that he lost the ability to love due to losing his first wife. Leila of course agreed to the terms.
Leila managed to find out the main bad guy, Szilagyi, who was supposed to be dead but didn't because he shared a sire with Vlad. From their sire, Vlad received pyromancy while Szilagyi got degeneration that allowed him to fake his death.
Marty was captured and Leila's friend was killed. Leila wanted to sacrifice herself as bait. She had a plan and all but it went haywire when she accidentally traced Szilagyi and revealed her presence. She was then captured and tortured alongside Marty. But since she's been honing her electricity skills, she's able to get them out of there and locate Szilagyi's location. Two of Leila's guards were captured there too and she decided to go there to save them, meeting Vlad there. Szilagyi nuked Leila but Vlad got to her in time and extended his fire-proof aura toward her so she could survive. But this caused her to lose her psychic abilities.
It started with the abduction of Leila when she was practicing a stunt at the circus. These vampires brought her to a motel and we discovered that her right hand could conduct electricity as a result of touching an electrical pole when she was 13(?)ish. Additionally, it granted her psychic abilities: first touch with a person shows her their deepest sin, she's able to see the future occasionally, and trace essence back from items to the memories/owners in the past and present.
Her kidnappers asked her to trace Vlad's location. Vlad was a mind reader so he was aware that Leila's consciousness was there with him. Leila made a deal with him to kill the kidnappers and not harm her. At the same time Vlad arrived, Marty (her father figure from the circus) came too. Vlad took Leila and Marty back to his home in Romania anyways because he wanted to find his seeker, plus she'd need the protection.
There was some BS OM drama and things get sexual between the two. They started a relationship but Vlad said outright that he lost the ability to love due to losing his first wife. Leila of course agreed to the terms.
Leila managed to find out the main bad guy, Szilagyi, who was supposed to be dead but didn't because he shared a sire with Vlad. From their sire, Vlad received pyromancy while Szilagyi got degeneration that allowed him to fake his death.
Marty was captured and Leila's friend was killed. Leila wanted to sacrifice herself as bait. She had a plan and all but it went haywire when she accidentally traced Szilagyi and revealed her presence. She was then captured and tortured alongside Marty. But since she's been honing her electricity skills, she's able to get them out of there and locate Szilagyi's location. Two of Leila's guards were captured there too and she decided to go there to save them, meeting Vlad there. Szilagyi nuked Leila but Vlad got to her in time and extended his fire-proof aura toward her so she could survive. But this caused her to lose her psychic abilities.
chelsfoust's review
5.0
Loved it! Of course :) I enjoyed Leila, I was a bit nervous about having a new character introduced, buit she was great. Marty was interesting also, and the carnival aspect was different, in a good way. I was a bit thrown by how cold Vlad seemed. He is so much different around Cat and hilarious when around Bones. This seemed a bit darker. I was suprised by the cliff hanger ending, even though I knew it was coming. Can't wait for Twice Tempted!
gossamerwingedgazelle's review
3.0
I am not the target audience for this book, so for people who love paranormal romance, my review probably isn't terribly useful. Anyway, I felt that the romance was good. The story moved along really quickly. However, the author used the word "slanted" so many times that it became intrusive. Everyone slanted their eyes at someone else. The main character tells us twice that someone looked at her 5'6" height and.... She ties up her thick, black hair. People don't generally think of themselves that way, and it felt awkward. There were scenes that didn't make sense. But honestly, I would have been okay with that if the ending had been good. Very disappointing.
Spoiler
There is a shower sex scene that just made zero sense in terms of how different positions were described, the adjectives used (Of course she is "wet", she's in a damn shower! Come up with a better description.), and the fact that the shower is freezing cold.Spoiler
I'm assuming that the author is going for a series based on it being unclear what exactly is going on between the main character and Vlad. However, the ending was so weak. If she had been in his arms when she thought her last lines, I would have liked it, but he just walked out. It was totally not romantic.Spoiler
I would have been happier if she had wrapped up the "he is so arrogant, and it will come back to bite him" plotline in a different way, too, but that was just a small letdown compared to the ending.beachybookstack's review
4.0
I ship it. A fun listen (audiobook), Tavia Gilbert brings Leila out different enough in attitude from Cat or Denise. The setup is interesting & her powers make zero sense but maybe it'll be explained in the next book.
ninnicannotspell's review
dark
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
ladylilyofold's review
5.0
I love Vlad from the NH series and this book did not disappoint. Can't wait for the next one!
kathydavie's review
4.0
First in the Night Prince urban fantasy series that is a spin-off from Frost's Night Huntress series (Bones and Cat).
My Take
Yes, it is a spin-off based on a minor character in the Night Huntress series and that's as close as it gets to resembling it. I suspect that Vlad and Leila will progress into the sort of "law-enforcement" partnership that Bones and Cat have if only to maximize their combined powers. Characters from Night Huntress do make an appearance. It would be silly for them not to since they do know Vlad. But it's only an appearance.
Frost is setting us up with the series in this book. Building the background of both protagonists and having quite an adventure along the way.
I do like Leila. She's feisty and doesn't hang about waiting to see what happens. Oh no, our girl is making use of her gymnastic skills and is on the run. Her and Vlad's first meeting is too funny because, naturally, she thinks he's just using the name Vlad. It's a snark-fest with Leila hurling 'em at Vlad like there's no tomorrow. And there might not be at the rate she's going.
Part of her reaction is his statement that she will be in his bed sooner or later. Frost certainly does provide a twist on "courtship".
It's kidnappings and rescues, family reunions and the forming of new ones. I do like how she left it. As much as I enjoy the happy-ever-afters, I also enjoy the cliffhangers. Even tiny ones like this.
The Story
A freak accident has left "Frankie" feeling freakish. Enough so that she's joined a carnival. And one night, her life turns even stranger when she saves a woman's life in front of too many strangers.
They've found her and they won't stop coming. Luckily, Frankie's first "client" is seeking the man who can save her.
The Characters
Frankie's accident has left her alone. So very alone. She can't even consider casually touching someone let alone taking someone into her bed. They'll die. She also is a touch-sensitive, psychometric, and vampires everywhere are coming after her. Her real name is Leila Dalton, Frankie is simply short for Frankenstein. If kids were going to call her one, she'd be one. Her father is Hugh Dalton, a retired lieutenant colonel, and her sister Gretchen and she are on the outs. Aunt Brenda is the woman who raised Leila and Gretchen after their mother died.
Marty is a dwarf, a vampire, and her partner in their circus sideshow act. It's perfect since he can withstand her touch. And she reminds him of his dead daughter, Vera. Turns out he's been keeping a very important secret from her.
Vladislav "Vlad" Basarab Dracul is known in popular fiction as Dracula or Vlad the Impaler. Yup, that one. He's a vampire, a firestarter, and a mind reader with an interest in Leila. Maximus and Shrapnel are some of Vlad's vampires. His live-in donors include Ben, Joe, Damon, Tom, Angie, Sandra, and Kate. Hunter is one of the staff.
The Night Huntress Characters include:
Mencheres and Kira and Bones and Cat ---Bones teaches Leila a useful trick as part of his war against Tepesh.
Jillian is a sketch artist who contrives a portrait from Leila's images in the bones. Gabriel Tolvai is one of Vlad's allies and provides an important clue.
Jackal, Twitchy, Pervert, Rend, and Psycho work for Mihaly Szilagyi, a vampire whom Vlad killed centuries ago.
The Cover
The cover is menacing with a bare-chested Vlad---he obviously hasn't let himself go over the centuries---looming out of a purple mist.
I can't help it, every time I read the title I want to finish it with "twice shy".
My Take
Yes, it is a spin-off based on a minor character in the Night Huntress series and that's as close as it gets to resembling it. I suspect that Vlad and Leila will progress into the sort of "law-enforcement" partnership that Bones and Cat have if only to maximize their combined powers. Characters from Night Huntress do make an appearance. It would be silly for them not to since they do know Vlad. But it's only an appearance.
Frost is setting us up with the series in this book. Building the background of both protagonists and having quite an adventure along the way.
I do like Leila. She's feisty and doesn't hang about waiting to see what happens. Oh no, our girl is making use of her gymnastic skills and is on the run. Her and Vlad's first meeting is too funny because, naturally, she thinks he's just using the name Vlad. It's a snark-fest with Leila hurling 'em at Vlad like there's no tomorrow. And there might not be at the rate she's going.
Part of her reaction is his statement that she will be in his bed sooner or later. Frost certainly does provide a twist on "courtship".
It's kidnappings and rescues, family reunions and the forming of new ones. I do like how she left it. As much as I enjoy the happy-ever-afters, I also enjoy the cliffhangers. Even tiny ones like this.
The Story
A freak accident has left "Frankie" feeling freakish. Enough so that she's joined a carnival. And one night, her life turns even stranger when she saves a woman's life in front of too many strangers.
They've found her and they won't stop coming. Luckily, Frankie's first "client" is seeking the man who can save her.
The Characters
Frankie's accident has left her alone. So very alone. She can't even consider casually touching someone let alone taking someone into her bed. They'll die. She also is a touch-sensitive, psychometric, and vampires everywhere are coming after her. Her real name is Leila Dalton, Frankie is simply short for Frankenstein. If kids were going to call her one, she'd be one. Her father is Hugh Dalton, a retired lieutenant colonel, and her sister Gretchen and she are on the outs. Aunt Brenda is the woman who raised Leila and Gretchen after their mother died.
Marty is a dwarf, a vampire, and her partner in their circus sideshow act. It's perfect since he can withstand her touch. And she reminds him of his dead daughter, Vera. Turns out he's been keeping a very important secret from her.
Vladislav "Vlad" Basarab Dracul is known in popular fiction as Dracula or Vlad the Impaler. Yup, that one. He's a vampire, a firestarter, and a mind reader with an interest in Leila. Maximus and Shrapnel are some of Vlad's vampires. His live-in donors include Ben, Joe, Damon, Tom, Angie, Sandra, and Kate. Hunter is one of the staff.
The Night Huntress Characters include:
Mencheres and Kira and Bones and Cat ---Bones teaches Leila a useful trick as part of his war against Tepesh.
Jillian is a sketch artist who contrives a portrait from Leila's images in the bones. Gabriel Tolvai is one of Vlad's allies and provides an important clue.
Jackal, Twitchy, Pervert, Rend, and Psycho work for Mihaly Szilagyi, a vampire whom Vlad killed centuries ago.
The Cover
The cover is menacing with a bare-chested Vlad---he obviously hasn't let himself go over the centuries---looming out of a purple mist.
I can't help it, every time I read the title I want to finish it with "twice shy".
yodamom's review
5.0
Vlad- he can take my flying any time anyway ! He shows his arrogant, princely side in this first book in a series based on the sex god of the night himself and some woman, what was her name.... ? LOL Anyway enough about her. Vlad takes on the badness when it comes for him and it comes from a long thought gone source. He travels around wearing sexy well fit clothes, wonderfully sexy jackets, he is a sight to read. Let's talk about his power, his very soul radiates power and demands respect. He is Vlad, he is ancient, he fly's, flames and can read your mind. What he can't do is love.
Read it.
Read it.
erikajay's review
5.0
Vlad!! I was so happy when I saw he got his own series! I really enjoyed Cat and Bones’s series, but this one is even better!