Really fantastic book...and yes, I bought all the rest of them last night! I can't wait to read more, but I can't imagine any of them being as powerful as Lucan's story...

Full review reposted from my SMitten with Reading blog...


My Review:
Loved, LoVeD, LOVED this book! I can already tell you that this is going to be a favorite series. And it's even better because this is our discussion book over at Chick-lits blog book club this month (March- come join us- the chat starts tomorrow- it's not too late to go out and read this book.)

Lara Adrian has created a world of vampires. There are 2 sides to this world- Breeds and Rogues. Rogues are former Breeds that have become addicted to bloodlust. There is a group of warrior Breeds who set out to "take care" of the Rogues. Lucan is a Gen One (1st generation) Breed- he's really old and he's the one who created the warrior Breeds group for eradicating the Rogues. Unfortunately, as a Gen One, bloodlust is a constant battle and as the book begins, Lucan is losing his fight against it.

All vampires are males and so they need Breedmates. Breedmates all have a natural birthmark that they are born with which shows them to be compatible with vampires.

Gabrielle is a photographer. She goes out to a club to celebrate a successful showing with friends, but leaves early because she is uncomfortable at the club. As she leaves, she witnesses a gang (and extremely gruesome) murder. The problem is, no one believes her and there is no sign, besides some blurry photos on her phone, that it ever happened.

The murder was committed by 6 Rogues caught up in bloodlust and Lucan caught all but 1 which is how he ends up with Gabrielle, posing as a police detective, to obtain her photos. He immediately feels the pull to Gabrielle and quickly discovers that, unknown to her, she is a Breedmate.

This story and world is so rich and full of details. From Gabrielle's start in life to her life as a photographer...vampires have always been a part of her world...she just never realized it. She's had to be a really strong person to survive, and she has survived, even thrived through her beautiful photography.

Lucan is a tortured soul- 1st with the ongoing battle against the bloodlust that he's trying to overcome. 2nd with the undeniable draw that he feels for Gabrielle that he doesn't want to give into. But she is a Breedmate and one that is in danger so he can't just abandon her.

This world of warrior Breeds is full of strong alpha males. They each get their own book in this series (so far, there are 9 books) and I hear that they are all as good or better than this first one. I cannot wait to read them all....