GtPGKogPYT4p61R1biicqBXsUzo" /> Google+ Sheep Book Review: Kiss of the Vampire by Cynthia Garner | I Smell Sheep

Thursday, April 26, 2012

Sheep Book Review: Kiss of the Vampire by Cynthia Garner

Kiss of the Vampire, by Cynthia Garner, is the first book in her Warriors of the Rift series. It's technically categorized as a PNR, but for me it felt much more like a crime drama with side characters that just happened to be a variety of different lore folk. Some bumps in dialog and a little laggy in parts but overall the story itself wasn't too bad for writer just breaking out.

Plot:
Once a generation, the rift between the paranormal world and the human world opens, allowing supernatural entities to cross. Vampire, demon, or shapeshifter, they can save the world-or send it spiraling into chaos.

Half-demon, half-human, Nix de la Fuente is accepted by neither and mistrusted by both. Determined to prove she's more human than not, she devotes herself to solving crimes between the world's mortals and its most unsavory undead. But her latest case brings her face to face with the one vampire she could never resist . . .

Called in to investigate a string of violent murders, special agent Tobias Caine isn't interested in rekindling his relationship with Nix. Yet one look and the vampire knows his need for her is as strong as ever. Once, their all-consuming passion nearly cost Nix her fragile hold on her humanity. Now, as their hunger for one another intensifies, exposing them to an unimaginable danger, it could cost them both their lives.

I'm not exactly sure how I feel about this book but I hope by the end of typing this review it will all somehow make sense. First off the author has a strong passion for crime drama, as I stated in the top of this review, and it's clear as day that she loves that genre. However, the author also has a passion for the things that go bump (or suck) in the night. She's taken creatures of the lore and given them her own unique interpretation. The characters in her story are actually beings that came through a rift (or portal) and took over the bodies of human host, most of whom were dead or dying. So yes, all the creatures are in fact "others" but are more like spirits possessing human bodies.

Some of these facts are given to the reader straight away but most are gradually revealed as the story gets going. While I don't know how I feel about the possession aspect it was definitely different and interesting. Now our main characters Tobias and Nix have some good and bad qualities going on as well. Tobias is a 200 year old vamp who came into the earth realm after chasing down a psycho killer that took out the vamp's rule. (Apparently you can only come to earth and cannot go back through the portal.) Tobias is written as a man who's got all the sexy vamp things going for him, he's supposed to be strong and arrogant (cause really what alpha vamp men aren't?) but for some reason I didn't really buy into it. I don't know if I could put my finger on the exact issue as to why...but I just didn't get a strong connection to him.

Nix on the other hand was pretty engaging for the most part. She was dumped by Tobias five years ago and now she's a lady on her own path, fighting a demon that lives inside her just waiting to pop its horns and cause mayhem. She's young, but the gal is pretty witty and funny at times. As her character develops and the sexual tension heats up between our main two she started to loose me. *SPOILER* I'm sorry but if some guy dumped me (even if it was for my own protection) and I was going on and on about how much that hurt and blah blah blah I would NOT hop right back into the sack with the dude and then go on to confess my undying love and affection for him. *END SPOILER* Nix needed to have a bit more balls for me. That being said, she grabbed my attention more then Tobias.

Things are definitely left wide open for the saga to continue and while I enjoyed aspects of this story I do not know if I would continue this one. Maybe I'm just not a big crime drama fan (expect for Castle and Murder She Wrote which btw was an amazing show) or maybe I just can't get over how my favorite lore friends are being coined. I'd say check around at other reviewers first and see for yourself.

Book two Secret of the Wolf hits shelfs June 26th 2012.

Getting 3 'office after hours' Sheep
KD

7 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. So glad you loved it, I always enjoy hearing what other people think of the same books I've read. We are the collective! Maybe not Borg exactly...but you get the idea. ;)

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  2. Nice review, not sure I would like to read this book or series.

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  3. I totally agree with what you have said!!

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  5. Great review! I love how you broke down the characters and plot of 'Kiss of the Vampire.' Cynthia Garner's take on vampires sounds fresh and exciting. Your insights into the romantic and supernatural elements really piqued my interest. Can't wait to pick this one up!
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