This book needs proofreading – like, a lot of proofreading – but honestly, it DIDN’T BOTHER ME. And considering I’m often completely turned off by technical problems, that’s a pretty big compliment to how truly great the voice of this writing is. It’s smart and witty and snarky and creative, and the flavor of the language kept me turning pages without ever regretting picking this book up. I laughed out loud several times.
Tristan could very easily have been that typical American smartass character I often hate, but the author puts you in his head so that you sympathize with the guy and want him to survive if for no other reason than to hear what he’s going to think/say next. He reminds me a lot of Eddie Dean from The Dark Tower. It’s great fun entering the world of vampires and monsters from the perspective of this guy, and it’s equally terrifying. Ash (the other main character) is used really, really well as a contrast to Tristan’s brazen, defensively care-free attitude. Without spoiling anything, I’ll just say that Ash is a mystery through half the book, and twist after twist about Ash’s past gives the story a nice mystery edge.
I was delighted that this vampire story was emo-less and angst-free. The dangers these characters face are real dangers. The world of these vampires is seeped in a historical context and unique rules and traditions. There’s still plenty of the usual sexy vampire stuff, but the romance feeds off of emotional connections between these characters and is believable and genuine. I’m sure some people would wish there was more action, but the periods of the book when the characters are learning and interacting are almost all necessary, and I thought there was a good mix of action and downtime. Setting the story in Japan also is a nice touch.
Overall, I’d definitely recommend this book to anyone who likes vampire stories with a bite of dark humor.
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Sunshine Somerville 