Once Burned

Once Burned (2012) Jeaniene Frost

I seem to be on a roll. This is the second book in a WEEK I’ve read that doesn’t end cleanly.

It wasn’t quite the cliffhanger that Tempest’s Fury was, but it did introduce issues and problems in the epilogue.

And of COURSE this book JUST came out, so it’s not like I can grab the next book.

Leila was electrocuted as a teen, and the accident left her not just physically scarred, but now, when she touches people, they receive anything from a mild shock to a tasering. And, she can see their sins, usually in the past, but sometimes in the present and even future.

Vlad Tepesh has made appearances in many of the Night Huntress books, and has always been an intriguing character. Especially since Cat and Vlad get along so well while Vlad and Bones can’t stand each other. Although many of the stories about him are completely made up, there is truth enough in the name “The Impaler.” Vlad will do anything to protect his people, but some of the things he does really skirt (or really, dance right on top of) the line between good and evil.

In case it wasn’t obvious, this is the story of Vlad and Leila. With lots of boinking, but also with lots of Leila being pretty kick-ass awesome. Which for me, more than made up for all the boinking (tho of the boink writing authors I read, I think Jeaniene Frost writes some of the best boinking scenes. Ever.)

This is only the start of their story, which is where I took issue with it. I suppose that the subtitle, “Night Prince, Book One” should have been a give-away. But her Night Huntress books have all been complete story arcs.

That said, I see why this story is going to take more than one book. Vlad is an extremely complex character with a LOT of history. If he is going to be changed by Leila (that is an IF) then having him do so over the span of a single book would be completely unrealistic. So I can understand it. But I don’t have to like it.
Rating: 8/10

Published by Avon

• Browse the archives:
  
• About Face » »
• « « Rashomon Gate