Blood Shadows (Blackthorn, #1) in Dangerous Hero Addict Support Group

Nov 04, 2014 Treece rated it really liked it

Shelves: series, exotic-locale, vampires, unusual-non-arch-type-hero, relationships-baby, erotically-inclined, femme-fiesty-heroine, la-familia-themes, heartbreak-hotel-revisited, hits-the-funny-bone

Blood Shadows is a unique novel with a futuristic, dystopia setting where human beings are walking a precarious line to remain at the top of the food chain. Vampires, shape-shifters and other beings are the known threat that the human-powers-that-be are fighting to keep contained. Unfortunately, whenever a prophecy is involved, along with a ship-load of intrigue, fear and corruption, there is little hope for the humans. The inevitable is only a matter of time but the illusion of control remains, Blood Shadows is a unique novel with a futuristic, dystopia setting where human beings are walking a precarious line to remain at the top of the food chain. Vampires, shape-shifters and other beings are the known threat that the human-powers-that-be are fighting to keep contained. Unfortunately, whenever a prophecy is involved, along with a ship-load of intrigue, fear and corruption, there is little hope for the humans. The inevitable is only a matter of time but the illusion of control remains, and there are those who are willing to do anything to keep the status quo.

Enter Caitlin Parish, a shadow-reader affiliated with the Vampire Control Unit, whose target is Master Vampire, Kane Malloy. Kane is on the VCU's most wanted list, except for one crucial point. They want him brought in alive despite all his horrific crimes and dangerous gifts listed in his dossier. As the number one agent in the VCU, young Caitlin is determined, no obsessed, with Kane, and means to bring him in. She studies him until she's an expert on all things Kane Malloy, which means she doesn't have much of life, no friends, and is quite naive about anything outside her career.

Caitlin does succeed in managing to outwit Kane. Once. Or so she thinks. She believes in justice; in all things being seen as black and white, good and evil, and the dividing line between is never blurred or crossed. What she finds is gray murkiness; lies, revelations and evil so deep that her very life depends on finding a solution.

Kane is that solution.

Kane Malloy is mad, bad and dangerous to know. I loved this macho, dark and complicated male. He was sexy, rugged, unabashedly without airs, earthy and Machiavellian to the core. Yet, if he was the Black Knight, he carried a code of chivalry that surpassed everything else surrounding them. It made him a favorite PNR anti-heroes in my catalog, and he will be joining others on my list: Archangel Raphael, Dragos Culebere and Dark Prince Vlad.

Caitlin was tough, hardheaded and vulnerable because she believed in everyone's goodness--in truth, justice and honor. In her mind, all the people in her life were noble do-gooders like her, and she had no cause to believe otherwise. The VCU are the good guys; fighting to keep order, protect humans while ensuring that vampires and others have their rights. And stay in their place. This core of honor, and her humane self-sacrifice made me like her a lot. Her quick mind, the way she fought against her attraction to Kane, and how she always tried to keep ahead of him was admirable. I knew she stood no chance against Kane but she kept fighting while keeping her principles.

Caitlin never wavered in her belief in justice, no matter who it was for. Her blindness and tenacity got on my nerves sometimes, and she was almost a martyr at others, which is a disgusting thing to do to a female protagonist. I don't believe this was the author's intent. She just wanted to show Caitlin as being true to her convictions.

Despite all of this, I couldn't understand Kane's fascination and attraction to her. They could have worked well as friends and allies in this cause. They really didn't have to become lovers, which is why I gave this book four stars instead of five. There is chemistry between them but it felt lopsided; Kane seemed just interested in 'one thing' while she wanted more. Once he got it, he would have moved on but continued to work with her, while keeping his word. Falling in love with her seemed strained and far-fetched. It placed Caitlin's feelings on the level of a school girl crush because he had a vast history as a vampire and many secrets that are never revealed entirely. Why would a hot, libidinous Master Vampire like Kane, who could have whoever and whatever he wanted,(and did) give it all up for a sweet, idealistic human with little life experience and mindless devotion to the very source of his troubles, the VCU? In the end, one day the vampires and others will be running things, no doubt about it. You see my dilemma? It was a sweet effort on the author's part. Perhaps it was another case of opposites attract except she did such an excellent job world building the problems they faced, I couldn't swallow this love thing on Kane's side. Sorry.

All in all, Blood Shadows is a novel for anyone who enjoys dark intrigue and secrets. The non-humans feel very real and a part of the world, not forced into the storyline or plot. There is action, and fascinating supporting characters who offer insight into the world Ms. Pryor has created. The novel ends on a realistic note with a HEA for Caitlin and Kane, while leaving room for the next installment. There are loads of unraveled plot threads that desperately need to be untangled and I can't wait to see how well this author will continue to execute her writing skills by sucking readers further into this excellent series. ...more

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Jan 27, 2013 Cindyg rated it really liked it

Awesome read. The relationship between Kane and Caitlin is dynamic, fierce and filled with so much distrust, you have to wonder how in the hell these are going to overcome it all.
Kane is on a mission to avenge his sister's death, and Caitlin to avenge her parents deaths.
Caitlin's world is turned up side down by the what she believes is the truth; only to discover the lies and deceit by the only people she believes in.
Kane is definitely the definition of a Master Vampire...HOT, strong, sexy, cun ...more

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Jan 05, 2013 Debra rated it really liked it

Great start to a new series! Kane is a Master Vampire out for vengeance and Caitlin is a agent for the VCU out to arrest Kane for his many offenses and heinous crimes. When she is about to arrest him there are sparks between them that will change everything. Kane is really hot and arrogant!!! And will Caitlin be able to stay the course in her quest for her own agenda? I really liked this book and highly recommend it!!!

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