July Group Read: Once Burned - Vlad as a main character?

[Candace]

It's July and time for a new group read. This month's winner is Once Burned, the highly-anticipated book one of the Night Prince series by Jeaniene Frost. Fair warning, Vlad fans, there is a heroine, so the most lauded literary vampire of all time may fall prey to...*gasp*...love. But regardless of whatever Vlad's heart is up to, he's ability to cause fear in the hearts of living and undead alike do not waver.

To start our discussion, I want to know what you guys think about Vlad as a hero. We've seen him as loyal friend to Cat, confidante of Mencheres and leader of his own line. But does Vlad the main character live up to your expectations?

[Chelsea]

I was excited about Vlad's book, just to see what Jeaniene could do with him. I hadn't ever been drawn to him as a leading character during the Night Huntress books, but DAMN.

Vlad is meant to carry his own series. I was very impressed. Almost makes me want to re-read the Night Huntress books that feature him, so I can see him in this new light.

[Marlene]

Love him as a main character to know his side of the story I cant wait for the 2nd book to see what happenes and who knew he had a big heart

[Mel]

I've loved Vlad since the moment he walked onto the page. When Jeaniene announced he was getting his own series I was beyond thrilled but waiting for almost two years just about did me in. *grins* With all the affection he felt for Cat I knew he was a better person than he was given credit for and I couldn't wait to learn more about his hot ass. Once Burned was a great beginning to his series. I wanted to dislike Leila for stealing my man but I really liked her. I look forward to seeing where their story is headed.

[✿~Danielle~✿]

Really loved Vlad. Liked him in Night Huntress books but was great getting to know more about him in his own series. Can't wait for the 2nd book next year.

[Jo]

Move out the way Bones, Vlad Tepes coming through!! I really like him as a MC, although have to admit I was a bit surprised that no part of the book was from his POV. I guess I saw the series title and assumed wrong. Thought Leila was a great addition to the NIght Huntress world though!

[Karen]

This has been good for me because while I bought the Cat & Bones books they've been sitting on my TBR pile; and so I'm getting a totally fresh look at Vlad.
I love him; I love how he's ruthless in some respects like torturing Marty, but doesn't go out of his way to intimidate her. And I love how she stands up to him, especially when she says she doesn't have a lot of experience and doesn't know how to play games without getting hurt.
So good so far!!

[Chelsea]

Mel wrote: "I wanted to dislike Leila for stealing my man but I really liked her. I look forward to seeing where their story is headed."

THIS.

[Candace]

Mel, we can rock paper scissors over who gets Vlad (I learned pyrokinesis from the best, I'm just saying;). To answer the why there is no Vlad POV question, Jeaniene addressed that in the Cary, NC signing yesterday. To paraphrase, it would answer too many questions too quickly. She's got a lot of story to tell and if Vlad answers all of our questions through his POV at the beginning, it cuts out story. And I don't know about you guys, but I want as many Night Prince novels as I can get my hands on.

[Jo]

Arr ok, that makes sense, and if it means more Vlad I'm very much down with that!

[Jill]

I really don't see Vlad as a hero, per se. I mean really all he does is: get a tip someone is moving against him, found out who it is, and then take that person out. That's not very heroic, that's just working to secure your own base. If anyone is the hero in this book it would be Leila. She dives in time after time to save people who are just her friends.

That being said, I like Vlad as a character. He is the equal parts dark and light that I like in my fictional men. I thought he was hilarious in the night huntress books and that sarcastic "stick it to everyone" personality kind of disappears in this book.

I can almost see this series just being a repeat of the night hunters series and I really hope I'm wrong. Guess well see =)

[Karen]

I see Vlad as a protector and as the definition of vengence. I loved the book <3

[Tyia]

I liked this incarnation of Vlad because unlike alot of paranormal romance novels with him in them he's not watered down. He didn't have to be to be a hero for his people or his woman. And Leila is strong enough to accept his faults, and lord knows there are alot of them. But Vlad always showed his true colors from the beginning and I admire him for that. If you love him you love him. He's not whining or spouting poetry, when another Vlad did in the wings of night series by Maggie Shane I about threw the book out the window. I didn't realize that that wasn't the Vlad I wanted until I got it. I love ruthless Vlad with a secret heart of gold a lot better.

[Karen]

Tyia wrote: "I liked this incarnation of Vlad because unlike alot of paranormal romance novels with him in them he's not watered down. He didn't have to be to be a hero for his people or his woman. And Leila is..."

And we find out why he's called Vlad the Impaler ;)

[Jacqueline]

I must admit at the start i really couldn't imagine Vlad as the hero, but by the time i was into chapter 4 i was changing my mind and soon after i was totally on the Vlad side of the fence. By the end i couldn't believe that he hadn't realised that he had feelings for Leila after all if he was as unfeeling as he likes to make out then with everything that happened at the end he would have kicked Leila into touch.

[Jo]

@Tyia - couldn't agree more. Though JF did a fantastic job of keeping him true to the Vlad we've come to know from the Night Huntress series. He is ruthless and arrogant, sometimes to a fault but it think thats going to provide some great character growth over the series. after all don't we all love a bad boy who can change? :)

[Carmen]

I was one of the ones that was a fan of Vlad in the Night Huntress series and was really anticipating this novel. I was originally disappointed that we wouldn't get his POV in this series but the way JF allows us to see snap shots of it through Leila's gift is addictive. I loved it and can't wait for the next installment.

[Amy]

I really liked Vlad as the main character. I liked that he didn't turn all mushy when he and Leila got together he was still a little cruel and dangerous. I also liked that Jeaniene Frost chose not to have their story all tied up at the end. There's still some things left over to figure out (like Vlad actually acknowledging that he loves Leila).

[Book Huntress]

I was always a fan of Vlad's from NH series, and I agree that JF did him justice. I was wondering why nothing was from his POV, but that makes sense, although a few thoughts here and there would have been nice, but that's not JF's MO unfortunately.

I felt the end left me hanging just a little, not sure with what but I wanted just a touch more something.

[Candace]

I'm seeing that you guys like this version of Vlad. Personally, he's my all time favorite version. As far as main characters go, Vlad gives Bones a run for his money. And that's pretty hard to do considering that Bones actually pursued the woman he loves for FOUR YEARS and, let's just face it, Bones IS chapter 32.

[Jacqueline]

Never a truer word has been spoken[or written]

[Karen]

I love Vlad. I'm almost finished the book now and I am so in love with him as a hero. He's so dark; and Leila is a wonderful heroine.
I also want to say: finally read (and devoured) One Foot in the Grave. Amazing Amazing Amazing!! I can't believe I waited so long!!