Vlad, you've stolen my Bones-loving heart. Really, you did. With your arrogance, your confidence and your ability to ignite any situation, I find myself smitten with you. You have it all - devastatingly handsome features, a rock-solid body toned by centuries of fighting and ruling, a sharp mind full of darkness, flowing dark hair and the uncanny ability to set anything on fire while simultaneously reading any human's mind. You're the whole package!
This story, be forewarned, is not told from Vlad's perspective, but from Leila's. We meet Leila, a mid-twenty-something girl who is hiding from her own dark and destructive past. She is a circus performer and has an act with her friend and father-figure, a vampire dwarf named Marty. Leila also has an uncanny ability - she can shock people with electricity if she touches them with her right hand, and she can catch glimpses of their past, present and future by touching people or objects with the same hand. Leila is kidnapped early on by a couple of vampires, and is able to channel Vlad to rescue her by holding a silver knife he had once used to kill a rival vampire.
While linking up to Vlad, she informs him that vampires have kidnapped her and that she needs help. Vlad is immediately interested in Leila because of her abilities. Once Vlad determines that Leila is not lying to him, he flies to Florida to save her and to capture the kidnapping vampires. These vampires kidnapped Leila in the hopes of her using her abilities to locate Vlad, so Vlad takes Leila to his castle in Romania to protect her.
Leila is shocked to find that she is unable to hurt Vlad with the electricity running through her body. She is also annoyed that Vlad can read her mind. Vlad begins his pursuit of Leila in earnest once they are at his castle. Vlad is immediately intrigued by Leila, a dark-haired beauty with a toned gymnast's body, and is in awe of her power - her ability to see the present, past and future. His arrogance is palpable and he is confident that he will eventually call Leila his own.
Vlad is every bit the arrogant, powerful vampire we have grown to know from The Night Huntress series. What we see more of in this book is his underlying pain and vulnerability. He makes it very clear to Leila that he is not playing games with her and that he wants her as his lover. He promises her protection, monogamy and companionship, yet tells her up front that he can never love her. Vlad is plagued by the sorrows in his past, and his inability to protect his wife that ended up dead in his arms.
We see some familiar faces briefly in this book. Cat, Bones, Mencheres and Kira are all present. It is interesting to see Bones through Leila's eyes. Cat comes across as sweet and kind. Bones as a too-handsome Ken doll. We also see Vlad's true distaste for Bones in one scene. Bones goes as far as taunting Vlad during a scene were Leila puts the Romanian prince in his place.
Leila is one of my favorite new heroines. She carries around her own baggage and has a fair bit of darkness inside of her. The girl has some spunk, though. She is not scared of Vlad, and is perfectly capable of taking care of herself. She doesn't let Vlad push her around, and oftentimes tells Vlad the way that things are going to be. She is strong and stubborn with an unbreakable will of her own. When she is in a critical situation in this book, she doesn't run to Vlad for protection. Instead, she purposely doesn't involve Vlad in order to protect him, and finds a way out of trouble all on her own. Leila also has a wonderful sense of humor that is evident throughout this book, that kept me laughing.
The relationship between Vlad and Leila is the highlight of this book for me. Neither is dependent on the other. They immediately agree to no game-playing, and they are honest with one another. Vlad quickly decides that Leila is the right woman for him. In his six centuries of life, Vlad has rarely taken on a lover and he is ready to share himself with Leila. There are a couple of steamy scenes, and one very hot shower scene. Vlad begins to care more for Leila than he is willing to admit, although the subject never comes up in conversation. Leila has the hots for the dark and sexy vampire who has changed her entire world.
The question remains at the end of this book - Who is Vlad Tepesh? Leila learns throughout this book that Vlad is a series of contradictions. Something happens towards the end of this book that leaves Leila feeling a bit insecure. However, her determination to live with and help Vlad in any way she can is evident.
I honestly must say that I was less than thrilled with the last Cat and Bones book, One Grave at a Time. However, this book made me fall in love with Jeaniene Frost's writing all over again. The only criticism I have, which isn't even a criticism, is that the book was left open-ended and there is a long wait until the continuation of the series. I loved this book about Vlad, and he has me begging impatiently for the next Night Prince book due in Spring of 2013.
Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
Loading your book clubs
There was a problem loading your book clubs. Please try again.
Not in a club? Learn more
Join or create book clubs
Choose books together
Track your books
Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free.
All 4 for you in this series
See full series
About the author
Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
