Review

A new Dark Ones novel that resolves the issue of beloved reincarnation…

Corazon Ferreira agrees to the whole past-life hypnosis thing on a party dare. Little does she know the vampire she views murdering a woman lives next door to her friend. Who knew the same vampire, Alec Darwin, was her mate in a previous life? She hates vampires, especially since her sister up and married one, and they like to kill people.

When Corazon finds herself on the wrong end of a demon lord and shipped off to some form of hell the only one available for rescue is… of course, the gorgeous vampire she wants to despise. She would love to give him the finger and be on her way, but he’s the only thing willing to stand against those who seek to use and kill her. What’s a girl to do with a hungry, seductive vampire that is so good at whispering sweet nothings? Take advantage of course.

Katie MacAlister’s latest is my first Dark Ones novel, and I was a bit thrown off. I think Corazon’s character is what did it for me, and the fact that the entire story is from her point of view.  The heroine is intelligent, but I didn’t like her. Her attitude threw me, and I found it difficult to believe Corazon could be anyone’s beloved. I know that females are fickle, but this character is a big barrel of fickle. She tends to overreact and jump the gun on things, which is a major turn off to me.

On the other hand, I really liked Alec— dark, brooding, and delicious. It surprises me that MacAlister gave him such a polar opposite for a beloved. It really disappointed me that this story was not told, at least partially, from his point of view because I really wanted to be in Alec’s head. I don’t believe this was fair because heroes deserve the chance to give readers a peek at their inner thoughts.

Now I will say that the story did stand well on its own. MacAlister does a great job of bringing people into the world she's created, and I was able to pick on the rules quickly. She does a good job of blending the back stories of the characters into the tale. Secondary characters were extremely enjoyable and there is one in particular—a certain, abandoned beloved that I’m interested in finding out more about.  Plus, readers who love other books in the series get to see Pia and Kristoff again.

Overall, for fans of this series that have been anxiously awaiting Alec’s story then you will not be disappointed. I found this was not a favorite of mine, but would still be willing to give other books from Katie MacAlister a chance.

Reviewed by Landra