Review
Celine is new to New Orleans. She is running from her past in Paris, but in New Orleans she isn’t safe either. As she makes new acquaintances, dead girls begin popping up all over the city. Celine decides to do something about it, but what she uncovers, well, is shocking to say the least.
A story in which vampires are done well, and are not, actually, good people. So I grew up loving Anne Rice books. Interview and Lestat were two of my favorites. But later I also read and loved Twilight (which I have a different opinion on now, than I did 10 years ago). I like vampire books in general, but sometimes I feel like they’re a bit rocky, or they didn’t work. In any case, I am so PLEASED that I absolutely, unerringly adore this book. It’s so far beyond fabulous that when I closed it I said, “There better be another book because I am going to die if that’s the end.” I am glad, that it is not.
I am struggling putting words to the million and one feelings I have running through me regarding this book. I’m all over the map – it was just so excellent that I can’t believe it’s over. I think I’m still in denial about it. Anyways, you’re here to read my thoughts on it, not hear me ramble.
Perhaps New Orleans was not what it seemed at first glance. Fittingly, neither was she.
First off: the plot is not strictly speaking, about vampires. It barely features vampires at all. They’re there but in the background. Do not let this put you off. It was done so well, that the fact that it didn’t have vampires in a leading roll did not bother me. And as you read, you’ll find out why. I don’t want to spoil too much of the plot line. The dead girls plot and Celine’s detective work? Spot on. I really enjoyed those portions. The plot has lots of moving parts, and as they come together at the end, prepared to be shocked. Or not. But I was.
And that might be the crux of it for some people, this wasn’t very fast paced. There wasn’t heaps of action. Things happened, yes, but they were spooky than they were action. I really enjoyed that about this book though. It was spooky, a tiny bit creepy and had a lot of atmosphere. All of it combined made it a great read.
I think Celine is interesting enough without being perfect. She’s a character, and she’s done something wrong – and she’s running from her past. But she also makes mistakes with her “friends”. And there isn’t anything easy about her. She is very much a flawed character. It’s nice. But she’s also powerful in her own right and I enjoyed those parts immensely.
He was…truly beautiful. Like a prince from a dark fairy tale.
And her romance with Bastien. Heaven help me, I normally can’t get behind romances, but this was done so well. It was sort of insta-love, sort of not. It’s really hard to explain, but I was drawn in by it. Absolutely thrilled with it. I think Ahdieh created a powerful romance between the two of them. I certainly was invested in them by the end. They also have the banter I like and enjoy…lots of it. And her inner thoughts are hilarious as well.
But she refused to waste more time contemplating that wretched boy and his ridiculous pet snake.
The other characters were great as well, you had lots of minor characters flowing in and out, but they were all different enough that you weren’t trying to keep them apart. Or at least, I wasn’t.
The writing was fantastic in this book. Ahdieh is a powerful writer, and I felt every moment of this book, and I did not want it to end. The words lush, and delightful both apply to this book. It felt as if I could really be there she painted such a clear picture for us. This was definitely a five star read for me.