Bleeding Hearts by Alyxandra Harvey

Genre: Young Adult
Sub Genre: Paranormal Romance; Vampires, Vampire Hunters
Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

Back Cover: As vampires from all over the world descend on the Drake farm for the Blood Moon gathering, security is ramped up. Lucy has been temporarily banned, for her own safety—and to allow Solange some time to adjust to her new existence. But their enemies realize how much Lucy means to the family, and plan to abduct her to use her for leverage against the new royal family. Instead, Lucy’s cousin Christabel is kidnapped by mistake—and Connor Drake immediately heads off in pursuit, but isn’t in time to prevent Christabel’s infection by the Hel Blar. He can’t save her human life, but he can still try to save her new vampire life, and is willing to put his own life on the line for the girl he has grown to care so much about. Can he save Christabel, the Blood Moon, and his mother’s newly forged Vampire Alliance?

This is the fourth book in the Drake Chronicles. Lucy is not to be hanging out at the Drake’s due to all the vampires that are coming. Then her cousin Christabel shows up and gets mistaken for Lucy. Conner goes after her while still trying to protect his family. The story adds more to the world and we see character development in all the characters that we have already grown to love. Solange is becoming a bit of a mystery and yet you still feel connected to her. I really enjoyed reading this story and can’t wait to read Blood Moon.

Publisher: Walker Childrens
ISBN: 978-0802722843
Pages: 304
Series: Drake Chronicles
Volume: 4

Out for Blood by Alyxandra Harvey

Genre: Young Adult
Sub Genre: Paranormal Romance; Vampires, Vampire Hunters
Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

Back Cover: Hunter Wild is the youngest in a long line of elite vampire hunters, a legacy that is both a blessing and a curse at the secret Helios-Ra Academy, where she excels at just about everything. Thanks to her friendship with Kieran Black, Hunter receives a special invitation to attend the coronation of Helena Drake, and for the first time, she sees the difference between vampires that must be hunted and vampires that can become friends-or even more. When students at the academy fall victim to a mysterious illness, Hunter suspects they are under attack from within. She will need someone she can trust to help her save the future of Helios-Ra . . . help that shockingly comes in the form of Quinn Drake, a drop-dead gorgeous vampire. Who said senior year would be easy?

This is the fourth book in the Drake Chronicles series. Again the main characters are changed now to Hunter and Quinn. Hunter has been a vampire hunter and been taught that vampires are the worst kind of evil. Then her friend Kieran goes and starts a relationship with one and her views on them begins to change. When she meets more of the Drakes she finds something she never thought she would imagine a partner. Quinn who is very true to his family and yet he feels drawn to help Hunter. I love how these two characters interact with one another, how Hunter fights with herself. With this book it adds more to the world of the Drake Chronicles. I enjoyed reading this book and can’t wait to read the next book, Bleeding Hearts.

Publisher: Walker Childrens
ISBN: 0802721680
Pages: 304
Series: Drake Chronicles
Volume: 4

Hearts at Stake by Alyxandra Harvey

Genre: Young Adult

Sub Genre: Paranormal Romance; Vampires, Vampire Hunters, The Drake Chronicles

Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

Back Cover: Solange Drake’s sixteenth birthday is finally here, but in her family, this day triggers the transformation from human to vampire. Her seven older brothers each made it through the potentially deadly passage, but since she’s the first female-born vampire in almost 800 years, and since her birth was foretold in a prophecy that predicts she will unite all the vampire clans as their queen, this birthday isn’t looking quite so sweet. Solange could be killed by the transformation itself, or by one of the existing queen’s followers who are after the bounty on her head. Luckily her protective older brothers and her very kick-butt best friend, Lucy, have her well being at heart. And it will take all of them – plus the help of their nemesis, Kieran Black – to make sure Solange survives. By the stroke of midnight, her fate will be sealed, one way or another.

This is the first book in the Drake Chronicles. The story is told from the perspective of Solange and Lucy. These two great friends are trying to make sure that everything goes well for Solange’s transformation. Lucy also finds that she is starting to like Nick, who has always teased her, while Solange becomes friends with Kieran. The characters are brilliantly written. I liked the twists that they added about how Vampires can have kids. As well as how and when the change can occur to become a vampire. It all made for a very interesting read. The relationship between the girls as well as the ones between the male counter parts is very dynamic. I really loved this book and I can't wait to read the next book in this series, Blood Feud.

Publisher: Walker & Company

ISBN: 0802720749

Pages: 256

Series: Drake Chronicles

Volume: 1

Hourglass by Claudia Gray

Genre: Young Adult

Sub Genre: Paranormal Romance, Vampires, Ghosts, Wraiths, Vampire Hunters

Rating: 3 out of 5 Stars

Back Cover: After escaping from Evernight Academy, the vampire boarding school where they met, Bianca and Lucas seek refuge with Black Cross, an elite group of vampire hunters. Bianca must hide her supernatural heritage or risk certain death at their hands. But when Black Cross captures her friend--the vampire Balthazar--all her secrets threaten to come out. Soon, Bianca and Lucas have orchestrated Balthazar's escape and are on the run, pursued not only by Black Cross, but by the powerful leaders of Evernight. Yet no matter how far they run, Bianca can't escape her destiny. Bianca has always believed their love could survive anything--but can it survive what's to come?

This is the third book in the Evernight Academy. In this Bianca and Lucas are trying to keep everything about what Bianca is from the Black Cross. But there are many twist and turns are thrown at them. I have to say that it was great to see my favorite characters again, but I didn’t like where the story is going. I don’t see how things are going to turn out. I look forward to seeing what’s to happen in the next book of Afterlife.

Publisher: Harper Teen

ISBN: 0061284416

Pages: 352

Series: Evernight

Volume: 3

Stargazer by Claudia Gray

Genre: Young Adult

Sub Genre: Paranormal Romance; Vampires, Ghosts, Wraiths, Vampire Hunters

Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

Back Cover: The vampire in me was closer to the surface…Evernight Academy: an exclusive boarding school for the most beautiful, dangerous students of all – vampires, Bianca, born to two vampires, has always been told her destiny is to become one of them. But Bianca fell in love with Lucas – a vampire hunter sworn to destroy her kind. They were torn apart when his true identity was revealed, forcing him to flee the school. Although they may be separated, Bianca and Lucas will not give each other up. She will risk anything for the chance to see him again, even if it means coming face-to-face with the vampire hunters of Black Cross – or deceiving the powerful vampires of Evernight. Bianca’s secrets will force her to live a life of lies. Yet Bianca isn’t the only one keeping secrets. When Evernight is attacked by an evil force that seems to target her, she discovers the truth she thought she knew is only the beginning…

This is the second book in the Evernight series. As another year starts at Evernight there is more mystery as again there are things the characters are hiding from one another. Bianca is still seeing Lucas although infrequently. While everyone else believes that she and Balthazar are a couple. Which I found to be a little weird as Balthazar seemed to be in love with Bianca, but that whole side of the story was a little weird. Claudia again through in a little spin with adding the wraiths. I thought that this was a great twist on the vampire legend. I couldn’t put this down from the moment I started reading it. I love new and innovative takes on stories. I can't wait to read the next book in this series, Hourglass.

Publisher: Harper Teen

ISBN: 0061284467

Pages: 352

Series: Evernight

Volume: 2

Beyond the Pale by Savannah Russe

Genre: Paranormal Romance; Vampires; Vampire Hunters

Sub Genre: Urban Fantasy

Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

Back Cover: The government knows that Daphne Urban is a vampire, and they have an ultimatum: spy for them, or be killed. The choice is easy. She can speak 13 languages, has a genius IQ, and has escaped detection for nearly five hundred years-making her perfect for Team Darkwing. Her first mission is to get close to Bonaventure, a shady arms dealer with an unexpected gift for seduction. But when Darius, a darkly sexy vampire slayer, begins chasing her, Darius is torn between desire and duty. For his lithe, young prey is also his ultimate temptation.

This is the first book in the Darkwing Chronicles. Daphne is one of those characters who are very confident in herself. She isn’t all that happy that she is forced into joining Team Darkwing. But at the same time she’s very good at what she does. Darius who is the perfect counter to her just can’t quite handle that she is a vampire. I liked the why this story is written. It keeps you on the edge of your seat with the action that takes place. I enjoyed it a lot, and I’m looking forward to finding out what happens next in Past Redemption.

Publisher: Signet Eclipse

ISBN: 0451215648

Pages: 304

Series: Darkwing Chronicles

Volume: 1

Evernight by Claudia Gray

Genre: Young Adult

Sub Genre: Paranormal Romance; Vampires, Ghosts, Wraiths, Vampire Hunters

Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

Back Cover: Bianca wants to escape. At the eerily Gothic Evernight Academy, the other students are sleek, smart, and almost predatory. Bianca knows she doesn’t fit in. When she meets handsome, brooding Lucas, he warns her to be careful – even when it comes to caring about him. But the connection between them can’t be denied. Bianca will risk anything to be with Lucas, but dark secrets are fated to tear them apart…and to make Bianca question everything she’s ever believed.

                                                

This is the first book in the Evernight series. Bianca is the new girl at Evernight Academy. All she just wants to run the other way. And Lucas seems to totally understand her. I have to hand it to Claudia Gray, this is the first story in a very long time that totally blew me away. I had no idea where the story was going and then you find out the truth. Bianca is one of those characters that wants to stay out of the light. I would almost say that she is mousy, as she feels so inferior to everyone around her. Then you have Lucas who runs hot and cold all the time and you are trying to understand what his deal is. I enjoyed their love story, very Romeo & Juliet. I can't wait to read the next book in this series, Stargazer.

Publisher: Harper Teen

ISBN: 0061284440

Pages: 352

Series: Evernight

Volume: 1

Blood Feud by Alyxandra Harvey

Genre: Young Adult

Sub Genre: Paranormal Romance; Vampires, Vampire Hunters, The Drake Chronicles

Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

Back Cover: The action and romance continue as the Drake family faces a new vampire with a 200-year-old grudge. As the clans gather for Helena’s royal coronation as the next vampire queen, the rifts left over from Lady Natasha’s reign are slowly beginning to heal. But a new common enemy – Leander Montmartre – has a thirst for power that must be stopped before he destroys the newfound peace they’ve just begun to enjoy. With their new status as vampire royalty, it’s up to the Drake family to unite the clans against him. That includes Isabeau St. Croix, who is intent on confronting Montmartre’s top lieutenant, Greyhaven, the evil British earl who left her for dead centuries ago when he turned her into a vampire. But after meeting Logan Drake – a vampire whose kiss is as sweet as the revenge she seeks – she’ll have put her own mission aside to fight for the common cause.

This is the second book in the Drake Chronicles. The main characters have changed to Logan Drake and Isabeau St. Croix. Logan just wants to protect his family but when he is sent to make sure that Isabeau and her group arrive safely things begin to change for him. Isabeau doesn’t want to look at Logan in that way but there is so much going on. The book is faced passed and keeps you on the edge of your seat. I liked that this book changed main characters. That we got to see more of the Drake family is even better. I really love this book and can’t wait to read the next one in the chronicles, Out for Blood.

Publisher: Walker & Company

ISBN: 080272096X

Pages: 272

Series: Drake Chronicles

Volume: 2