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Anna Strong Chronicles #2
Blood Drive
Anna Strong was a tough-as-nails bounty hunter, until the night she was attacked-and changed forever.
Now a vampire, Anna discovers that her long-dead brother may have had a daughter-and the girl's in serious trouble. There are some very dangerous people after her, but they're about to learn that to a bounty hunter with an unnatural thirst for blood, even the deadliest human predators are easy prey.
Now a vampire, Anna discovers that her long-dead brother may have had a daughter-and the girl's in serious trouble. There are some very dangerous people after her, but they're about to learn that to a bounty hunter with an unnatural thirst for blood, even the deadliest human predators are easy prey.
220 pages, Paperback
First published January 30, 2006
37 people are currently reading
1487 people want to read
About the author
Jeanne C. Stein
49 books549 followersJeanne C. Stein is an American Urban Fantasy author living in Colorado. She now lives in Colorado, but was raised and educated in San Diego, which is the setting for her contemporary vampire fantasy.
Jeanne is active in the writing community, belonging to Sisters in Crime both nationally and in San Diego and Los Angeles. She also belongs to Horror Writers of America, RWA and Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers. She was named RMFW’s Writer of the Year for 2008 an honor given to a writer who has contributed to the organization as well as achieved success in publication.
She writes the blog "Biting Edge" with Mario Acevedo at :
http://www.biting-edge.blogspot.com/
Jeanne is active in the writing community, belonging to Sisters in Crime both nationally and in San Diego and Los Angeles. She also belongs to Horror Writers of America, RWA and Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers. She was named RMFW’s Writer of the Year for 2008 an honor given to a writer who has contributed to the organization as well as achieved success in publication.
She writes the blog "Biting Edge" with Mario Acevedo at :
http://www.biting-edge.blogspot.com/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 142 reviews
December 23, 2008
I love Anna Strong! This character is awesome. She's tough, brass, funny, and even though she's a vampire, she's still has a lot of her humanity intact. She makes a lot of mistakes as she's learning the ropes of her new life but that is what makes this story so interesting. I'm very interested to see how she will deal with the humans in her life and how she will eventually have to either explain to them what has happened to her or if she will leave their lives completely. The introduction of Frey, a shape-shifter, notched up the "love" aspect a couple of levels. You can easily read one of these books in a day or two. They're smartly written and I'm sure you will become very fond of Anna. Now I'm ready to read book 3!!
July 7, 2015
Culebra is trying to teach Anna the feeding basics while she is in Mexico and tries to persuade her to sort things out with police chief Williams. The girlfriend of Anna's dead brother reports that her abused daughter is missing, and her daughter's friend was murdered for threatening to expose a paedophile teacher. Anna goes undercover at the school.
This book was such a let down after enjoying the first one. It didn't actually feel like a vampire story...it felt more like a crime novel with a few supernatural characters thrown in. The plot is a missing teenager who may be related to Anna and a teacher who might be perving on his students. We then follow Anna going to the school to investigate, Anna finding out the suspect teacher is a shifter, Anna getting David involved in the case, Anna discovering what Carolyn has lied to her about, and the search for Trish. There is so much talk and interviewing people that it feels more like a crime novel than urban fantasy. It is slow and lacks the action and excitement that I expect in this genre.
The subject of the book is child pornography and the story is of course pretty dark and grim. This doesn't bother me but I DON'T like the implication that the rapes aren't rapes because the victims 'enjoyed' it. That seriously offends me. In the first book Anna is raped but seems to think she was more of a willing participant because she was drugged and didn't fight back. In this book a thirteen year old girl is subjected to rape and abuse but despite her terror, climaxes leading to the assumption that she was a participant and may have enjoyed it. Sounds like an escuse a rapist would use and I expect better from female authors.
I also don't like the way the character of Carolyn justifies her treatment of her daughter. It is the chip on the shoulder defence, saying that she only abused and mistreated her daughter because she didn't get the chances in life that Anna was given. Oh please. I hate that whining 'woe is me' excuse for child neglect. Plenty of single parents on low incomes do everything they can to provide for their child, putting the kids first at their own expense, not selling them into sex abuse.
I'm afraid I did not like the slowness of the plot, the way the story was put together or any of the new characters that appear. I don't like the way that Anna refuses to resolve any of her issues ie Max, so it drags on into yet another book. It was just dull. And I don't like the ideas that the author puts in the heads of her female characters and projects as normal. Actually, I didn't really like anything about this book, and I've decided not to read on with the series.
This book was such a let down after enjoying the first one. It didn't actually feel like a vampire story...it felt more like a crime novel with a few supernatural characters thrown in. The plot is a missing teenager who may be related to Anna and a teacher who might be perving on his students. We then follow Anna going to the school to investigate, Anna finding out the suspect teacher is a shifter, Anna getting David involved in the case, Anna discovering what Carolyn has lied to her about, and the search for Trish. There is so much talk and interviewing people that it feels more like a crime novel than urban fantasy. It is slow and lacks the action and excitement that I expect in this genre.
The subject of the book is child pornography and the story is of course pretty dark and grim. This doesn't bother me but I DON'T like the implication that the rapes aren't rapes because the victims 'enjoyed' it. That seriously offends me. In the first book Anna is raped but seems to think she was more of a willing participant because she was drugged and didn't fight back. In this book a thirteen year old girl is subjected to rape and abuse but despite her terror, climaxes leading to the assumption that she was a participant and may have enjoyed it. Sounds like an escuse a rapist would use and I expect better from female authors.
I also don't like the way the character of Carolyn justifies her treatment of her daughter. It is the chip on the shoulder defence, saying that she only abused and mistreated her daughter because she didn't get the chances in life that Anna was given. Oh please. I hate that whining 'woe is me' excuse for child neglect. Plenty of single parents on low incomes do everything they can to provide for their child, putting the kids first at their own expense, not selling them into sex abuse.
I'm afraid I did not like the slowness of the plot, the way the story was put together or any of the new characters that appear. I don't like the way that Anna refuses to resolve any of her issues ie Max, so it drags on into yet another book. It was just dull. And I don't like the ideas that the author puts in the heads of her female characters and projects as normal. Actually, I didn't really like anything about this book, and I've decided not to read on with the series.
July 23, 2014
I had a real problem with something specific in this book. WARNING: POSSIBLE TRIGGER
13 year old Trish is being sexually abused and forced into "kiddie porn" videos. This is bad enough on it's own. But it gets worse when Anna watches some of the videos and first Trish is forced to masterbate to orgasm and then is finger raped - and again is brought to climax. All while being assaulted, humiliated and filmed by strange men she's terrified of. It's described as
"her body betraying her." As if there's no possible way she wouldn't climax.
This disgusted me. Not just because it's a child, but because it makes no fucking sense. It's RAPE and sexual assault. It's not pleasure. Anyone who was scared, abused tormented and then forced into a terrible situation wouldn't have an "uncontrollable" ability to stop herself from climaxing. It's not like something involuntary like sticking your hand in a hot fire and instantly pulling it out in reaction. It requires willingness. It requires a certain mindset. And by specifically mentioning Trish reaches orgasm despite the situation belittles the seriousness of the RAPE. It makes it as if she is some willing participant rather than a victim.
I don't appreciate that at all. It really bothered me deeply that an author - especially a female author! - would write such a horrible thing that belittles the terror and horror of sexual assault on ALL women. This is the kind of lie that evil men repeat; that the woman secretly enjoys it so it's not really rape. By painting Trish in the role of "participant" it demeans the seriousness of sexual assault and rape and that's utterly repugnant.
13 year old Trish is being sexually abused and forced into "kiddie porn" videos. This is bad enough on it's own. But it gets worse when Anna watches some of the videos and first Trish is forced to masterbate to orgasm and then is finger raped - and again is brought to climax. All while being assaulted, humiliated and filmed by strange men she's terrified of. It's described as
"her body betraying her." As if there's no possible way she wouldn't climax.
This disgusted me. Not just because it's a child, but because it makes no fucking sense. It's RAPE and sexual assault. It's not pleasure. Anyone who was scared, abused tormented and then forced into a terrible situation wouldn't have an "uncontrollable" ability to stop herself from climaxing. It's not like something involuntary like sticking your hand in a hot fire and instantly pulling it out in reaction. It requires willingness. It requires a certain mindset. And by specifically mentioning Trish reaches orgasm despite the situation belittles the seriousness of the RAPE. It makes it as if she is some willing participant rather than a victim.
I don't appreciate that at all. It really bothered me deeply that an author - especially a female author! - would write such a horrible thing that belittles the terror and horror of sexual assault on ALL women. This is the kind of lie that evil men repeat; that the woman secretly enjoys it so it's not really rape. By painting Trish in the role of "participant" it demeans the seriousness of sexual assault and rape and that's utterly repugnant.
April 6, 2016
Lockruf des Blutes.
October 19, 2013
You know, you don’t really realize you’ve been reading lackluster books until you come across some that are REALLY good. I mean from the characters, their development and interactions with each other, the overall plot and pace of the story, everything in these Anna strong vampire novels just work.
In blood drive we find Anna still adjusting to life as a vampire having only been one for six months at the start of the novel. she has yet to reconcile whatever issues have arisen from her killing her former mentor and lover Avery, but she has made a new friend, Culebra who seems to have her best interest at heart. even though he refuses to tell her what he is…
This book focuses on Anna finding out that she may have a teenage niece who is caught up in everything from murder, involvement in kiddie porn and an elaborate coverup facilitated by the FBI.
Once this book hits it’s stride, and it does so very quickly, all bets are off and anything can happen. things went down in this book that had me dumbfounded. it is completely unpredictable and utterly entertaining, I can’t believe i’m only just finding out about this series because boy have I been missing out.
A new character, Daniel Frey is introduced in this book and he helps answer a few of Anna’s (and my) questions. like what her friend Culebra is and why he can so easily read her thoughts and intentions. Frey a teacher at the school Anna’s “niece” attends and is someway involved in everything that is happening. oh yea, he’s also a shapeshifter.
Jeanne has a knack for taking you through a story without letting on if you can ever really and truly trust anyone but Anna in her books. surprisingly though, I don’t find that to be the least bit frustrating. it makes the story more interesting and the twists and turns that much more shocking when they happen. I didn’t know if I could trust Frey completely until the very last chapter of the book.
There isn’t really anything that I disliked about this book. the only thing I can think of is Anna still doesn’t know what she is completely. (Chief Williams who is also a vampire suggested that she is more than just your run of the mill vampire in the first novel) and we also don’t find out why Williams was so adamant about getting Anna out of town in the previous book either. but i guess Anna’s evasiveness is more to blame than a plot hole. so I’ll give it a pass this time.
Can’t wait to read the next book!!!
In blood drive we find Anna still adjusting to life as a vampire having only been one for six months at the start of the novel. she has yet to reconcile whatever issues have arisen from her killing her former mentor and lover Avery, but she has made a new friend, Culebra who seems to have her best interest at heart. even though he refuses to tell her what he is…
This book focuses on Anna finding out that she may have a teenage niece who is caught up in everything from murder, involvement in kiddie porn and an elaborate coverup facilitated by the FBI.
Once this book hits it’s stride, and it does so very quickly, all bets are off and anything can happen. things went down in this book that had me dumbfounded. it is completely unpredictable and utterly entertaining, I can’t believe i’m only just finding out about this series because boy have I been missing out.
A new character, Daniel Frey is introduced in this book and he helps answer a few of Anna’s (and my) questions. like what her friend Culebra is and why he can so easily read her thoughts and intentions. Frey a teacher at the school Anna’s “niece” attends and is someway involved in everything that is happening. oh yea, he’s also a shapeshifter.
Jeanne has a knack for taking you through a story without letting on if you can ever really and truly trust anyone but Anna in her books. surprisingly though, I don’t find that to be the least bit frustrating. it makes the story more interesting and the twists and turns that much more shocking when they happen. I didn’t know if I could trust Frey completely until the very last chapter of the book.
There isn’t really anything that I disliked about this book. the only thing I can think of is Anna still doesn’t know what she is completely. (Chief Williams who is also a vampire suggested that she is more than just your run of the mill vampire in the first novel) and we also don’t find out why Williams was so adamant about getting Anna out of town in the previous book either. but i guess Anna’s evasiveness is more to blame than a plot hole. so I’ll give it a pass this time.
Can’t wait to read the next book!!!
December 30, 2010
This is the second book in the Anna Strong Chronicles. I actually enjoyed this book quite a bit more than the first.
This book is very much in the same style as the first. No nonsense writing style, fast paced, and a fun-easy read.
In this book Anna has accepted her need for blood but is still struggling to retain her bonds with humanity. When her brother's ex-girlfriend shows up claiming that Anna's niece is possibly involved in a murder; Anna is determined to find the young girl and find out the truth.
The best part of this book was the introduction of Daniel Frey; you also learn more about Calebra (I think that's how you spell it). I was a little disappointed in what Calebra was; I thought he would be something more interesting. Daniel Frey is an interesting and strong character. The addition of the secret underground organization is also interesting.
I was disappointed in a few things. Anna doesn't seem to progress much in understanding who and what she has become; she makes many of the same mistakes she made in the first book. I was also disappointed that Max made such a brief appearance. It's like he shows up once or twice in each book so that Anna can have sex with him and then he's off again. I would like to learn more about him, since the brief glances we see of him make him seem like an interesting character. Maybe in the next book.
Overall, I like the book, it was a quick, fun read, and well-written for what it is. I will definitely read the next one.
This book is very much in the same style as the first. No nonsense writing style, fast paced, and a fun-easy read.
In this book Anna has accepted her need for blood but is still struggling to retain her bonds with humanity. When her brother's ex-girlfriend shows up claiming that Anna's niece is possibly involved in a murder; Anna is determined to find the young girl and find out the truth.
The best part of this book was the introduction of Daniel Frey; you also learn more about Calebra (I think that's how you spell it). I was a little disappointed in what Calebra was; I thought he would be something more interesting. Daniel Frey is an interesting and strong character. The addition of the secret underground organization is also interesting.
I was disappointed in a few things. Anna doesn't seem to progress much in understanding who and what she has become; she makes many of the same mistakes she made in the first book. I was also disappointed that Max made such a brief appearance. It's like he shows up once or twice in each book so that Anna can have sex with him and then he's off again. I would like to learn more about him, since the brief glances we see of him make him seem like an interesting character. Maybe in the next book.
Overall, I like the book, it was a quick, fun read, and well-written for what it is. I will definitely read the next one.
July 31, 2024
Takes Anna Strong's story to the next level. Learning her powers, deciding what things in her human life she can keep and what must go. Helping a child she believes to be her niece find her own way. And unlike many women in the genre, while she has men in her life they are partners, friends & lovers, rather than rescues. .
November 3, 2017
Anna Strong is still learning what it means to be a vampire and in this story she must protect a young girl who could be her dead brother's daughter, as she investigates a child pornography ring with the help of Daniel Frey, a shapeshifter. I'm enjoying the series, Anna is an interesting character, at times strong and resourceful, and then at others not quite able to control her vampire side and a bit lost. Luckily she has people to assist her, she only needs to accept their help.
February 15, 2011
This is not the follow-up to The Becoming Anna Strong Chronicles 1 that I expected, it's a lot better. Something struck me odd about the way Stein included the detail about our heroine's dead brother in the first book, and I should've realized she was planting a seed.
The seed, no pun intended, is what just may be her brother's heretofore unknown daughter. Her brother's girlfriend at the time of his death appears, asking for Anna's help tracking down her runaway daughter, claiming it's Anna's niece. Before Anna can start looking, the girl's best friend turns up murdered in a grisly fashion with hints of the supernatural. While looking for the girl and trying to find the murderer, Anna deepens her understanding and awareness of the supernatural world that she's now a part of, and is reminded that perhaps the greatest monsters are merely human.
Great pacing, taught writing, good action--and even though I knew the identity of the bad guy at least one hundred pages before Anna did, I was on the edge of my seat.
The big issue that Urban Fantasy writers have to deal with his how to treat vampires (at least those authors that deal with vampires). Some leave them as horrid monsters, most find some way of toning down the whole vicious, blood-drinking, killer aspect. Stein doesn't do that, yet. If Anna ends up toning down the animalistic nature of her protagonist, it will be as a result of a lot of trial and error, and stubborn choices she makes. While I hope Anna never becomes someone that I want Ms. Summers and the Scooby gang to track down, I hope she doesn't turn off that aspect of her nature like a light switch.
I'm more than a little bothered by the dynamics between Anna and her boyfriend, and Anna and her partner, if Stein doesn't resolve or change them soon, it's really going to drag the series down. But I'm inclined to give her the benefit of the doubt.
I don't know why I keep comparing this series to the Rachel Morgan books as I read them, but I do. And, Anna Strong comes out looking better and better each time I do. I'm really looking forward to seeing where she takes this.
The seed, no pun intended, is what just may be her brother's heretofore unknown daughter. Her brother's girlfriend at the time of his death appears, asking for Anna's help tracking down her runaway daughter, claiming it's Anna's niece. Before Anna can start looking, the girl's best friend turns up murdered in a grisly fashion with hints of the supernatural. While looking for the girl and trying to find the murderer, Anna deepens her understanding and awareness of the supernatural world that she's now a part of, and is reminded that perhaps the greatest monsters are merely human.
Great pacing, taught writing, good action--and even though I knew the identity of the bad guy at least one hundred pages before Anna did, I was on the edge of my seat.
The big issue that Urban Fantasy writers have to deal with his how to treat vampires (at least those authors that deal with vampires). Some leave them as horrid monsters, most find some way of toning down the whole vicious, blood-drinking, killer aspect. Stein doesn't do that, yet. If Anna ends up toning down the animalistic nature of her protagonist, it will be as a result of a lot of trial and error, and stubborn choices she makes. While I hope Anna never becomes someone that I want Ms. Summers and the Scooby gang to track down, I hope she doesn't turn off that aspect of her nature like a light switch.
I'm more than a little bothered by the dynamics between Anna and her boyfriend, and Anna and her partner, if Stein doesn't resolve or change them soon, it's really going to drag the series down. But I'm inclined to give her the benefit of the doubt.
I don't know why I keep comparing this series to the Rachel Morgan books as I read them, but I do. And, Anna Strong comes out looking better and better each time I do. I'm really looking forward to seeing where she takes this.
March 10, 2011
Band zwei ist deutlich besser als Band 1. Es gibt mehr deutlich mehr witzige Szenen und die Geschichte löst sich von bekannten Vorbildern. Man erfährt, dass die Welt der Übernatürlichen deutlich diverser ist, als Anna es erwartet hat, z. Bsp. gibt es da Formwandler und die Übernatürlichen haben eine Art Hauptquartier wie in Men in Black.
Alte Bekannte tauchen in diesem Band wieder auf, wie Max und David und wir erfahren mehr über Annas Familie.
Anna muss gegen den Vampir in ihr ankämpfen, um ihre Menschlichkeit zu bewahren und sie stellt fest, dass das vielleicht nicht so einfach wird, wie sie sich das ursprünglich einmal vorgestellt hat.
Es gibt neue, interessante Mitspieler die die Bühne betreten und die Fragen aus Band 1 werden nicht geklärt. Ich frage mich immer noch:
Wer ist Casper?
Wie wird sie Culebra den Gefallen zurückzahlen?
Meine Lieblingssätze:
Aber sehen nicht alle Babys irgendwie gleich aus? (S. 35)
[...] Ein wild entschlossener Schüler wird es schaffen, eine Dose Farbspray auf das Gelände zu schmuggeln und sein Territorium zu markieren wie ein Straßenköter. (S. 49)
"Das Leben ist vielleicht nicht sie Party, die wir uns erhofft hatten ... aber da wir nun schon mal hier sind, können wir auch tanzen." (S. 61)
Schon erstaunlich, wie klar auf einmal der dämlichste Mensch denken kann, wenn man ihn ein bisschen würgt. (S. 80)
Spoiler Spoiler
Was gibt es sonst noch für Wesen, die ich erst noch kennenlernen muß? [...] - Wollen mal sehen. So spontan kann ich Dir einige nennen. Geister zum Beispiel. Engel. Dämonen und Drachen?
Fehler:
Spoiler Spoiler
Frey soll gegen Ende des 19. Jhdts. geboren sein und wäre somit laut Anna ca. 200 Jare alt. ABER Ende des 19 Jhdts. ist z. Bsp. 1899 und dann wäre Frey definitiv nur knapp über 100. Hat da jemand Ende und Anfang verwechselt oder spielt die Geschichte ende des 21. Jhdts? (S. 70)
Das Schmiedeeinserne Motiv des Zauns passt zu dem Gitter vor Fenstern und Türen (S. 315). ABER S. 317 springt Anna locker flockig durchs Fenster. Keine Erwähnung mehr von Gitter vor dem Fenser.
Gegen Ende beginnen sich Tipp und Grammatikfehler zu häufen, ein Hinweis auf Stress und Termindruck beim Satz?
Alte Bekannte tauchen in diesem Band wieder auf, wie Max und David und wir erfahren mehr über Annas Familie.
Anna muss gegen den Vampir in ihr ankämpfen, um ihre Menschlichkeit zu bewahren und sie stellt fest, dass das vielleicht nicht so einfach wird, wie sie sich das ursprünglich einmal vorgestellt hat.
Es gibt neue, interessante Mitspieler die die Bühne betreten und die Fragen aus Band 1 werden nicht geklärt. Ich frage mich immer noch:
Wer ist Casper?
Wie wird sie Culebra den Gefallen zurückzahlen?
Meine Lieblingssätze:
Aber sehen nicht alle Babys irgendwie gleich aus? (S. 35)
[...] Ein wild entschlossener Schüler wird es schaffen, eine Dose Farbspray auf das Gelände zu schmuggeln und sein Territorium zu markieren wie ein Straßenköter. (S. 49)
"Das Leben ist vielleicht nicht sie Party, die wir uns erhofft hatten ... aber da wir nun schon mal hier sind, können wir auch tanzen." (S. 61)
Schon erstaunlich, wie klar auf einmal der dämlichste Mensch denken kann, wenn man ihn ein bisschen würgt. (S. 80)
Spoiler Spoiler
Was gibt es sonst noch für Wesen, die ich erst noch kennenlernen muß? [...] - Wollen mal sehen. So spontan kann ich Dir einige nennen. Geister zum Beispiel. Engel. Dämonen und Drachen?
Fehler:
Spoiler Spoiler
Frey soll gegen Ende des 19. Jhdts. geboren sein und wäre somit laut Anna ca. 200 Jare alt. ABER Ende des 19 Jhdts. ist z. Bsp. 1899 und dann wäre Frey definitiv nur knapp über 100. Hat da jemand Ende und Anfang verwechselt oder spielt die Geschichte ende des 21. Jhdts? (S. 70)
Das Schmiedeeinserne Motiv des Zauns passt zu dem Gitter vor Fenstern und Türen (S. 315). ABER S. 317 springt Anna locker flockig durchs Fenster. Keine Erwähnung mehr von Gitter vor dem Fenser.
Gegen Ende beginnen sich Tipp und Grammatikfehler zu häufen, ein Hinweis auf Stress und Termindruck beim Satz?
March 10, 2011
In the follow-up to The Becoming, Anna Strong is now a full fledged vampire and bounty hunter along with partner David, who nearly found himself died during the events in the Becoming. Once again, she finds herself dealing with another intriguing situation, but this time she will need help from others and learn more about the supernatural community itself.
It's been two months since the events in The Becoming. Anna Strong is learning to cope with her new dietary requirements by seeking donors chosen by Culebra. Chief Williams has been trying to reach her, but she refuses to make contact, preferring to keep her life as normal as possible.
Then, Carolyn Delaney, who Anna blames for her brother Steve's death 14 years ago, shows up and says he has a daughter and her name is Trish. Anna's parents are excited and shocked the same time. Can anyone really believe Carolyn's tall tales? Anna takes this information with a grain of salt, going as far as having DNA tests done to prove Carolyn is either telling the truth, or lying.
Unfortunately at the same time, 13 year old Trish, is missing and Carolyn wants Anna to find her. Anna's search leads her to a teacher at Trish's school, Daniel Frey. Frey is a shapeshifter (a panther) and he begins assisting Anna both with the investigation and with her experiences as a new vampire. The FBI gets involved since it's child porn, and put the blame fully on Frey's shoulders for Trish's disappearance.
Anna is forced to confront the evils of child porn films and the horrors that a child can face when she lacks family support, like her own mother selling her child for money. Anna also begins to face that she needs to separate herself from her mortal ties since she will eventually outlive them all.
In the end, Carolyn lied about the girls father, but Anna's parents decide to make her their own anyway, something Anna comes to agree with since she will outlive her own family now that she's a vampire.
I like this series, but sometimes Anna can be a nitwit, and flake.
Next book in series< The Watcher
It's been two months since the events in The Becoming. Anna Strong is learning to cope with her new dietary requirements by seeking donors chosen by Culebra. Chief Williams has been trying to reach her, but she refuses to make contact, preferring to keep her life as normal as possible.
Then, Carolyn Delaney, who Anna blames for her brother Steve's death 14 years ago, shows up and says he has a daughter and her name is Trish. Anna's parents are excited and shocked the same time. Can anyone really believe Carolyn's tall tales? Anna takes this information with a grain of salt, going as far as having DNA tests done to prove Carolyn is either telling the truth, or lying.
Unfortunately at the same time, 13 year old Trish, is missing and Carolyn wants Anna to find her. Anna's search leads her to a teacher at Trish's school, Daniel Frey. Frey is a shapeshifter (a panther) and he begins assisting Anna both with the investigation and with her experiences as a new vampire. The FBI gets involved since it's child porn, and put the blame fully on Frey's shoulders for Trish's disappearance.
Anna is forced to confront the evils of child porn films and the horrors that a child can face when she lacks family support, like her own mother selling her child for money. Anna also begins to face that she needs to separate herself from her mortal ties since she will eventually outlive them all.
In the end, Carolyn lied about the girls father, but Anna's parents decide to make her their own anyway, something Anna comes to agree with since she will outlive her own family now that she's a vampire.
I like this series, but sometimes Anna can be a nitwit, and flake.
Next book in series< The Watcher
July 12, 2012
Aha! I knew there were other supernaturals. Sometimes I think the author is focusing on the plot so much that Anna seems like some kind of an idiot because she doesn't realize there's so much more to being a vampire and doesn't ask questions about other supes. Then whoops, someone lands in her lap and she's shocked. Maybe I'm too used to reading so many other books in this genre that I would immediately question more about everything than Anna does. Maybe she's just way more stubborn. I don't know. The story once again is about a case, specifically finding a missing teen who may be her niece. More things happen in this book on the personal front. You actually get to see a little more of Max, and Anna comes to terms with what she wants in their relationship. Anna discovers that not only are there other supes (weres, empaths, etc.),but they seem to be more organized. However, she doesn't have time to find out much since she is on a time limit to catch the predators she's hunting. There was a little mention of the Watchers in The Becoming, but of course Avery is the one who mentioned it, so you never knew if it was a lie or not, or how anything was run in the supernatural world. Apparently Anna knows nothing about the secret society, or where she will fit in. She hasn't bothered to do anything, even talk to Chief Williams, and instead has tried to live her life like she is still human (except when she goes to get blood in Beso de la Muerta). This book ends with the cryptic thought that Anna will now start "training". Finally! How is it that we have gone through 2 whole books without this happening?! Other than that point of frustration, I like the series very much.
November 15, 2011
I read this in the ImaJinn press version and the lack of copy editing by the POD publishing house was a bit distracting at times. I should take a look at the ACE edition, which I'm sure has much better editing.
While I really like Stein's fast-paced writing and twisty plots, I'm undecided whether or not I like her vision of vampires and reshaping of the vampire myth. Since many of these issues come up in the first few chapters of the first book of the series, "The Becoming", I don't think these are spoiler. If you want to know none of it, stop reading now.
***
I really do not think that I like day-walking vampires being the norm. The inability to be out of doors, or even conscious, during the day is a staple of the vampire myth and removing that from vampire stories takes away some obvious complications of being a vampire. Day-walking is fine for the occasional odd-ball vamp, like Blade, but for it to be the way all vampires are is distracting. The vampire trait that I have always found to be the least explainable, that of not having a reflection, is left in. A mirror reflects light because light bounces off of one thing and is reflected by the mirror. If vamps did not reflect light, we would not be able to see them. If you're going to remove anything from the traditional vampire myth, this would be it.
While I really like Stein's fast-paced writing and twisty plots, I'm undecided whether or not I like her vision of vampires and reshaping of the vampire myth. Since many of these issues come up in the first few chapters of the first book of the series, "The Becoming", I don't think these are spoiler. If you want to know none of it, stop reading now.
***
I really do not think that I like day-walking vampires being the norm. The inability to be out of doors, or even conscious, during the day is a staple of the vampire myth and removing that from vampire stories takes away some obvious complications of being a vampire. Day-walking is fine for the occasional odd-ball vamp, like Blade, but for it to be the way all vampires are is distracting. The vampire trait that I have always found to be the least explainable, that of not having a reflection, is left in. A mirror reflects light because light bounces off of one thing and is reflected by the mirror. If vamps did not reflect light, we would not be able to see them. If you're going to remove anything from the traditional vampire myth, this would be it.
April 15, 2008
Anna Strong is a bounty hunter. Both her personality and her abilities (somewhat special abilities) rather suit the job. Anna is assertive, inquisitive, and quick to uncover or smell out the smallest of details.
Two months before the action takes place, Anna's life had changed dramatically. She became a vampire. Most of her loved ones haven't yet realized that she has no reflection in mirrors and that is on a high protein diet. She's still trying to figure out the myths versus realities of her situation herself.
Now, yet another dramatic situation rears it's ugly head when Anna's deceased brother's ex shows up at the door. This woman claims that the niece that Anna never knew existed is in dire trouble. The young girl has not only run away but she may even be involved in the murder of one of her school mates. The truth of the situation is even worse, much worse.
Blood Drive is the sequel to The Becoming. Although I have not yet had the pleasure of reading the first book, I had absolutely no trouble understanding what was happen, differentiating between characters, or catching the various complexities and relationship nuances. However, reading this second book did make me curious about what had happened in the first book.
Two months before the action takes place, Anna's life had changed dramatically. She became a vampire. Most of her loved ones haven't yet realized that she has no reflection in mirrors and that is on a high protein diet. She's still trying to figure out the myths versus realities of her situation herself.
Now, yet another dramatic situation rears it's ugly head when Anna's deceased brother's ex shows up at the door. This woman claims that the niece that Anna never knew existed is in dire trouble. The young girl has not only run away but she may even be involved in the murder of one of her school mates. The truth of the situation is even worse, much worse.
Blood Drive is the sequel to The Becoming. Although I have not yet had the pleasure of reading the first book, I had absolutely no trouble understanding what was happen, differentiating between characters, or catching the various complexities and relationship nuances. However, reading this second book did make me curious about what had happened in the first book.
September 30, 2014
I received a copy of this book free of charge from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Anna is back and is coming to terms with being a vampire. A woman comes to see her and claims that her daughter is Anna's niece. The daughter of Anna's brother who died 13 years ago. The girl, Trish, is missing and Carolyn, Trish's mother, wants Anna to find her. What Anna uncovers is a world of child pornography and sickos.
I'm just not sure about these books. What really pissed me off in the first book is that Anna was raped. The rapist was a vampire who used vampire magic to make her feel like she was enjoying it. Therefore, Anna wasn't a victim but a participant in her own rape! And, she believes this. She never once had a reaction to her own assault. And, that theme continues in this book. A guy suggests that since Trish's body responded to the assault; she liked it and it wasn't rape. Trish, I might add, is only 13 years old! So, yeah, the author seems to suggest that if a women's body orgasms or responds at any time during the assault, then it isn't a rape. Anna, this time at least, is rightly pissed off and attacks the guy.
The storyline itself has promise and is somewhat interesting, but I just cannot get past the underlying theme of what constitutes rape.
Anna is back and is coming to terms with being a vampire. A woman comes to see her and claims that her daughter is Anna's niece. The daughter of Anna's brother who died 13 years ago. The girl, Trish, is missing and Carolyn, Trish's mother, wants Anna to find her. What Anna uncovers is a world of child pornography and sickos.
I'm just not sure about these books. What really pissed me off in the first book is that Anna was raped. The rapist was a vampire who used vampire magic to make her feel like she was enjoying it. Therefore, Anna wasn't a victim but a participant in her own rape! And, she believes this. She never once had a reaction to her own assault. And, that theme continues in this book. A guy suggests that since Trish's body responded to the assault; she liked it and it wasn't rape. Trish, I might add, is only 13 years old! So, yeah, the author seems to suggest that if a women's body orgasms or responds at any time during the assault, then it isn't a rape. Anna, this time at least, is rightly pissed off and attacks the guy.
The storyline itself has promise and is somewhat interesting, but I just cannot get past the underlying theme of what constitutes rape.
April 18, 2011
Well, I don't know why I like this series so much but I do. I complained that I got suckered in the first book not believing who the bady was because it was so obvious. I thought the author wouldn't be so bold as to think her audience so gullible. I was wrong, and yet I fell for it again.
This book deals with child pornography and seriously demented individuals. Anna remains tough as nails and head strong which manages to land her in trouble repeatedly. The reader gets to know more about Anna's parents and the loss of her brother introduced in the first book. Anna continues to cling to her humanity and fight the reality of her true nature, usually unsuccessfully. Sadly "Casper" does not appear often enough in the book or reveal himself yet. Fortunately Daniel Fry makes an appearance in this book and turnout to be a very intriguing character introducing an entire structured organized supernatural group that will undoubtedly be included in the next book. I think I like this series because I like Anna. She seems real as she struggles through life, making mistakes, but being true to her beliefs and family and friends along the way.
This book deals with child pornography and seriously demented individuals. Anna remains tough as nails and head strong which manages to land her in trouble repeatedly. The reader gets to know more about Anna's parents and the loss of her brother introduced in the first book. Anna continues to cling to her humanity and fight the reality of her true nature, usually unsuccessfully. Sadly "Casper" does not appear often enough in the book or reveal himself yet. Fortunately Daniel Fry makes an appearance in this book and turnout to be a very intriguing character introducing an entire structured organized supernatural group that will undoubtedly be included in the next book. I think I like this series because I like Anna. She seems real as she struggles through life, making mistakes, but being true to her beliefs and family and friends along the way.
June 14, 2008
I first read book one of this series on a plane while heading forth to study overseas for the summer. I think that must be why I vaguely remember enjoying book one, although not any of the specifics about why. I picked up book two mainly to read it before a friend of mine got to it (petty, I know, but all in good fun), and I was instantly reminded about how much I enjoy the Anna Strong series. Anna is a great main character, who is strong and stubborn and flawed, and the story is strongly grounded in a believable environment and peopled with interesting characters. Add into the mix vampires and shapeshifters (two of my favorite plot elements), and I'm a happy reader. I flew through this book, promptly picked up book three, and am anticipating the publication of book four later this year. I highly recommend this series to fans of Charlaine Harris and Janet Evanovich. It's almost as though Anna Strong, the vampire bounty hunter, is a merging of the Sookie Stackhouse and Stephanie Plum worlds. Very enjoyable!
January 10, 2009
Anna Strong takes on a very human problem in Jeanne C. Stein's Blood Drive.
Anna's brother died whilst still a teen. Now his girlfriend wants Anna to find her runaway teen daughter, Trish. Anna doesn't like Trish's mother, and dislikes her all the more when she investigates Trish's disappearance - why she left, and why her friend has been murdered.
More of a mystery with paranormal elements, those elements include Anna and the police chief being vampires and a school teacher being a werepanther. (That's not a spoiler: look at the gorgeous cover art by Cliff Nielsen.) Considering that I was big on crime fiction before discovering urban fantasy, this novel wasn't a problem for me, and it's even a step up from its not-quite-engaging UF predecessor, The Becoming. Be warned: Parents more than anyone else may be freaked out by the content.
I'm not quite connecting with this series, though this installment appealed to me more than Book 1. I have Books 3 and 4 waiting on my shelf, so will stay tuned...
Anna's brother died whilst still a teen. Now his girlfriend wants Anna to find her runaway teen daughter, Trish. Anna doesn't like Trish's mother, and dislikes her all the more when she investigates Trish's disappearance - why she left, and why her friend has been murdered.
More of a mystery with paranormal elements, those elements include Anna and the police chief being vampires and a school teacher being a werepanther. (That's not a spoiler: look at the gorgeous cover art by Cliff Nielsen.) Considering that I was big on crime fiction before discovering urban fantasy, this novel wasn't a problem for me, and it's even a step up from its not-quite-engaging UF predecessor, The Becoming. Be warned: Parents more than anyone else may be freaked out by the content.
I'm not quite connecting with this series, though this installment appealed to me more than Book 1. I have Books 3 and 4 waiting on my shelf, so will stay tuned...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 10, 2010
I'm giving this 4 stars but it is more like a 3.5 star book. I'm reading the next one in the series and it is likely I'm going to buy more of them, so they are more than good enough to read, but not quite as good as most of my 4 star books.
This is the second book in this series about a new vampire who is learning how to deal with the changes in her life. The mother of a young girl in trouble, who has run away from home, comes to Anne's parents' home claiming that her daughter is the child of Anne's brother who died young.
The girl is in serious trouble, and so is Anne mainly as a result of looking into the situation.
I like the characters. Anne's parents are neat people and so is the young girl. Her mother, not so much. And the arc of the story about Anne learning how to deal with being a vampire is also interesting along with the world building that is beginning to happen. We are learning about Anne's supernatural world as she learns about it, which I like much better than the data dump that sometimes happens with new paranormal series.
This is the second book in this series about a new vampire who is learning how to deal with the changes in her life. The mother of a young girl in trouble, who has run away from home, comes to Anne's parents' home claiming that her daughter is the child of Anne's brother who died young.
The girl is in serious trouble, and so is Anne mainly as a result of looking into the situation.
I like the characters. Anne's parents are neat people and so is the young girl. Her mother, not so much. And the arc of the story about Anne learning how to deal with being a vampire is also interesting along with the world building that is beginning to happen. We are learning about Anne's supernatural world as she learns about it, which I like much better than the data dump that sometimes happens with new paranormal series.
January 18, 2015
I liked this book much better than the first, like I said in my previous review I'm glad I didn't take the first book as an indicatior for the whole series or I would have stopped.
Things I didn't like...
1. What parent in their right mind, despite who the person is, sends their 13 year old with a detective without first getting some ID and second goes with them! There are two parents, no excuses.
2. I'm not sure the child porn angle needed to be described in such vivid detail when the actual consensual scenes between two adults are basically fade to black...that didn't sit well with me at all and I found it gross
What I did like...
1. Daniel Frey (I've read the reviews for book nine lol what can I say)
2. Trish, she's a sweetheart and I really like her
Things I didn't like...
1. What parent in their right mind, despite who the person is, sends their 13 year old with a detective without first getting some ID and second goes with them! There are two parents, no excuses.
2. I'm not sure the child porn angle needed to be described in such vivid detail when the actual consensual scenes between two adults are basically fade to black...that didn't sit well with me at all and I found it gross
What I did like...
1. Daniel Frey (I've read the reviews for book nine lol what can I say)
2. Trish, she's a sweetheart and I really like her
December 31, 2010
Anna Strong is a total kick-ass chick. I love it! This series is awesome and the world is just getting bigger. I really can't wait until the third book. It's going to be a very long wait because I don't think it comes out until November.
In this book, she's dealing with human monsters after a woman drops in out of nowhere claiming her daughter is Anna's niece. Anna's brother died when he was still very young, so the possibility that the teenager is his confuses everything. She also has to deal with her vampire side a lot more. I'm telling you, it's fantastic!
I really, really, really love this series. This one's a definite winner, and I'm staying on for the ride.
In this book, she's dealing with human monsters after a woman drops in out of nowhere claiming her daughter is Anna's niece. Anna's brother died when he was still very young, so the possibility that the teenager is his confuses everything. She also has to deal with her vampire side a lot more. I'm telling you, it's fantastic!
I really, really, really love this series. This one's a definite winner, and I'm staying on for the ride.
January 12, 2011
I expected to learn a little bit more about Casper. I was also expecting Anna to learn about this legacy people keep mentioning to her. I also thought she would settle some things between her and Max. Instead, I got a mystery about a teenage girl that runs away. There is no furthering of any of the things mentioned above. I get a little irritated with series that never end and only give us a tiny taste of what is to come eventually. The story was well written and entertaining, and can almost stand alone as simply a mystery book. However, I'm going to need a little more plot progression to continue with this series.
April 3, 2012
I really enjoyed this book; however, I really wish that Anna Strong was able to finally meet the character she refers to as Casper. Also, I found the introduction of Mr. Frey to be intriguing and the fact that he is a shape shifter allows the author to explore other areas of the paranormal world than just vampires. I'm glad that Ms. Stein is adding these other types of "supes" to the plot; however, she isn't throwing every single type into the book all at once. Hopefully, Ms. Stein will take her time in allowing Anna to learn that her world has more than one type of monster that goes bump in the night.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 2, 2011
3.5 of 5 stars. It was hard to rate so I'm rating it more for my liking the basic story & characters. There were some lapses in credibility, storyline, & lapses in character's logic that soured it some. It's a fun read if you're not into being seriously critical though. Again, I'm moving on to the next one tonight. There's enough little tidbits in the background that keep my curiosity peeked as to what's going to be revealed next. I think the writer has got potential to make the series even better but I'm happy enough to keep reading as it is now.
November 14, 2009
Another amazing book by Jeanne Stein. I was very impressed by the first book, and I found this one to be just as good. I am anxious to read the next in the series. Anna Strong is an addictive character, making this books a must read. The author includes just enough comedy to make the book funny in light of the seriousness of the storyline situations. I believe we will see many other good books from the author.
September 2, 2012
Well what can i say!! after a few days of suffering Magor BOOK BLOCK i stumbled across an awesome series written by Jeanne C.Stein “anna strong vampire chronicles” the series of five stories
BOOK#":-
Blood Drive : In this second installement of Anna Strongs Vampire chronicles she is beginning to accept that she is a vampire and willing to learn how to be a good one. However when Anna Strongs involved nothing every seems to be an easy transaction for her or her fellow friends.
BOOK#":-
Blood Drive : In this second installement of Anna Strongs Vampire chronicles she is beginning to accept that she is a vampire and willing to learn how to be a good one. However when Anna Strongs involved nothing every seems to be an easy transaction for her or her fellow friends.
August 17, 2013
In the 2nd book of the Anne Strong series, Anne takes on human problems while still having vampire problems. These books are an easy, fast paced read that keeps you interested until the end. I really enjoy Anne's stubbornness and feistiness. As I never reveal spoiler, you will just have to read the books yourself. If you are a fan of shape-shifters, vampires, and witches, then you will not be disappointed.
June 22, 2014
Good sequel. The kids weren't annoying, which was good - otherwise the book would have dragged a lot, since so much revolves around Trish and features her friend Ryan too. There wasn't too much retelling of events in the first book. They were mentioned, but just enough. More referred to now and then. It was a good balance overall. I want to know what Anna found out about Frey and his past. That feels like it ended up on the cutting room floor.
September 23, 2017
Bounty-hunter-turned-vampire Anna Strong returns in this sequel to The Becoming. The first person present voice lends a gripping immediacy to the story. Stein’s sleek writing style and creative plot twists ensure a fantastic, fast-paced read. The books in this series can be read alone or savored together.
April 29, 2012
I am really enjoying this series. I picked this up and read it in one comfortable sitting. Anna is a strong & interesting character. I like her very much. The other characters in these books are well drawn also. The mystery of the individual book plus the mysteries of her new world keep things fascinating and fun. I think if there was more humor in these books, they'd be favorites of mine.
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