Wow :). I never read the first one but you kinda don't have to because this book explains so much about the first one that you are caught up if you don't.. Jess is the daughter of death and I can't tell u who her mother is cuz I don't want to give that away. Jess has a mate and wonderful friends and family to get her through everything but she has to believe in her self and realize she is not a monster before she runs out of time. This was a really good book but I would not recommend for anyone under the age of 18 to read because the sex and fowl language. I hope you will enjoy this as much as I did