** spoiler alert ** Mmm, sooo, if I'd like the characters a little more, I'd have given this four stars.

First off, it has a very slow start. It was an effort to continue reading. Then there were the main characters. Let's talk about Vin, first. Originally, I didn't particularly like him, then he grew on me and I began to really like him, and then by the end I just hated him. He's...cold, and I just didn't like some of his reactions to certain situations. It annoyed me that Jim was lying there about to die, and Marie-Terese and Vin had to take the time to hug? Right, this is probably just me, but...it bugged me. It bothered me also how Vin basically said he was glad Jim gave his life for Marie-Terese. Sure, he didn't use those exact words, but it's what he meant. Now, fine, he can go ahead and think this, but to actaully say it out loud? I found that totally unnecessary. Plus, I really think it should have been Vin sacrificing himself for Marie-Terese. After all, she's his woman. Why should Jim have to take a bullet for her? Sure, she has a kid, but...it doesn't seem like it. She barely spends any time with him or thinks about him, especially toward the close of the book.

As for Marie-Terese. Well, she was made to be a strong, tough character, but she wasn't. She supposedly escaped her crazy ex-husband, but she's just so weak, I find it hard to believe. She was constantly either fainting or crying or pitying herself or trying to act all proud. Despite this, I didn't dislike her. She was sweet and everything, I suppose, but...nothing special.

The relationship? Vin + Marie-Terese = meh. I felt a tiny bit of spark, but...not much. This may be because I just didn't really care that much about either of them. Vin seemed to have no real sympathy for anyone but MT, so...eh. Me no like. Me no like Vin. He cold, cold man. His stupid, "Oh, I'll give Jim a proper burial" speech was just...ick. WTF? Oh, WOW, you'll go all out with his funeral!? How amazing of you! Oh, wait, the guy died to save your stupid girlfriend. So, really, this is the very least you could do. Like I said, cold. Very cold. D:

Then there's Eddie and Adrian. I frankly don't think they had much of a role, so it's hard to connect with them. At this current point, I loathe Adrian. He seems like a real jackass, and I don't care what crap is in his past, it doesn't excuse his horrible behavior. I did find his character itriguing, though, which is more than I can say for either Marie-Terese or Vin. Oh, and I found it odd that while we were in Jim's POV, we always had to hear about how gorgeous Adrian's hair is. Honestly, what straight guy would be thinking that all the time?

Jim himself? I'm honestly not sure why so many people dislike him. I thought he was a great guy, and he did quite a bit of growing from the beginning of the book. He really tried to do what he felt was right. Plus, he seemed like a regular guy to me, and a relatable one, too, not like the cold, sort-of scary Vin.

The POV of the creeper was okay. Kind of boring and gross. Could have done without it, but I SUPPOSE it was necessary. Maybe.

What I did like, was the inclusion of Vin's powers; I wasn't expecting it, so it was intriguing. Um, what else? I don't know. I wasn't as bothered by the writing style as some, and I don't know why everyone says Ward uses an excess of f-bombs, because I found that this book was very limited in the swearing department. I like that we have quite a few main characters, because it makes the story more interesting for me.

I'll go on with this series, and hopefully the characters will become more likable.