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funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Drug use, Gore, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, Stalking, Car accident, Injury/Injury detail
4 stars - It was really good
The VRC, Vampire Related Crimes, unite has never had a human on it but Finn finds that joining is the easy part, dealing with his grumpy ancient vampire of a partner who keeps threatening to eat him is much harder. Marcus is determined to get Finn out of the VRC but before he can a group arises that threatens the peace between humans and vampires.
This is my third Alice Winters book and I can already tell I am loving her writing and humor. Finn was a funny, determined, and a bit traumatized, officer who just wants to make a difference and not be put in a glass house because he is a double amputee. He has gone through so much but he also doesn’t know how to deal with asking for help. I really liked seeing him open up to Marcus and let go of his insecurities around his body and ask for help when it came to being stalked and scared.
Marcus was a grumpy, ancient vampire who has been in law enforcement for over 100 years. He initially is a bit standoffish and very grumpy about Finn being a part of the team. But he quickly warms up to Finn once he realizes that while he can be annoying, he does know what he is doing and can be helpful for the team, especially against the new threat. Also, I love when he introduces Finn to Artemis and his dog who hates everyone loves Finn because it just makes his grumpy heart melt.
One of the things I have quickly come to realize about Winters books is that I live for the banter between the characters. Like the previous two books I read of theirs, I absolutely loved the banter between these two and found myself laughing and smiling so many times and the ridiculousness of conversations. The fact that they made sense in the context of the story was just perfect and I can’t wait to see how the rest of this series goes with craziness.
The case in this was very interesting because we had a group trying to disrupt the peace between humans and vampires by using a drug that caused vampires to lose control and attack mindlessly. It was a very interesting case and I enjoyed the pacing of it. It mixed nicely with the romance. This world is a very interesting one with humans and vampires getting along and having a peaceful existence but turning is no longer allowed and you can no longer feed on humans. I am very curious to learn more about the world as this series continues.
My one complaint about this book is that Finn is being stalked by an ancient vampire and has been for years. He is causing problems for Finn again, which is why he wanted to be on the VRC, but this is not resolved in this book so I assume this gets resolved later in the series, or at least I hope it does.
TW: stalking; gun violence; death; body self-confidence issues; PTSD and nightmares; characters with drug addiction; mentioned of mentally ill and abusive parent; death of a parent in a car accident;
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Drug abuse, Gun violence, Mental illness
Moderate: Stalking
Minor: Child abuse, Death of parent
adventurous
funny
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
The snarky banter was a lot of fun, but there was maybe too much of it. It deflected some of the tension from the plot. I also just didn't feel any chemistry between the MCs. I'll probably continue the series since I enjoy police procedurals and all the characters were fun.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Bullying, Confinement, Gun violence, Blood, Stalking, Murder
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Violence, Blood, Car accident
Moderate: Ableism, Sexual content, Stalking
Minor: Child abuse
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, Stalking, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Car accident
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Stalking
Moderate: Blood, Murder
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Torture, Violence, Car accident
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism
Moderate: Stalking
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was so much fun, and so entertaining. I spent a couple of days just laughing and swooning every time I picked it up.
I absolutely loved the story Alice Winters has weaved. Humans and vampires co-existing, separate police departments, the whole backstory to vampires and their different hierarchy within, their auras: I adored it.
I also adored both of the MCs. Finn is a delight: he's hilarious and silly and fun; he's also a bit broken and scared too, a practiced liar. I found his interactions with, well, everybody so funny that I literally could not stop grinning. I also loved Marcus, with his brooding and moody façade, that hides a really sarcastic and playful side and a protective (and a bit possessive) one that had me swooning. These two together are lovely and fun and they respect each other so much. All of the side characters were priceless too, funny and nice and I loved how they all unconsciously (and some, consciously) decided that protecting Finn is their life goal.
I found the plot interesting and well-structured, it kept me hooked. I especially loved how well Alice Winters manages to mix comedy and playful moments with some very dark stuff, that has me so excited to read the next, especially after that ending.
I don't know when I started liking paranormal stories again, but I'm so glad I'm discovering all these wonderful books. I'm now a BIG fan of both shifter and vampire stories and I cannot wait to read some more of this series (and her other books).
I absolutely loved the story Alice Winters has weaved. Humans and vampires co-existing, separate police departments, the whole backstory to vampires and their different hierarchy within, their auras: I adored it.
I also adored both of the MCs. Finn is a delight: he's hilarious and silly and fun; he's also a bit broken and scared too, a practiced liar. I found his interactions with, well, everybody so funny that I literally could not stop grinning. I also loved Marcus, with his brooding and moody façade, that hides a really sarcastic and playful side and a protective (and a bit possessive) one that had me swooning. These two together are lovely and fun and they respect each other so much. All of the side characters were priceless too, funny and nice and I loved how they all unconsciously (and some, consciously) decided that protecting Finn is their life goal.
I found the plot interesting and well-structured, it kept me hooked. I especially loved how well Alice Winters manages to mix comedy and playful moments with some very dark stuff, that has me so excited to read the next, especially after that ending.
I don't know when I started liking paranormal stories again, but I'm so glad I'm discovering all these wonderful books. I'm now a BIG fan of both shifter and vampire stories and I cannot wait to read some more of this series (and her other books).
Content Warnings
Minor: Torture, Violence, Stalking