Blood Feud Review.

Author: Alyxandra Harvey

Release Date: June 22, 2010

Pages: 272 (ARC)

Publisher: Walker Books For Young Readers

Most Appropriate For Ages: 12+
Where I Got It: Around The World Tours
Other titles in series: Hearts At Stake (which I would recommend reading before this)

It's been centuries since Isabeau St. Croix barely survived the French Revolution. Now she's made her way back to the living and she must face the ultimate test by confronting the evil British lord who left her for dead the day she turned into a vampire. That's if she can control her affection for Logan Drake, a vampire whose bite is as sweet as the revenge she seeks.

The clans are gathering for Helena's royal coronation as the next vampire queen, and new alliances are beginning to form now that the old rifts of Lady Natasha's reign have started to heal. But with a new common enemy, Leander Montmarte—a vicious leader who hopes to force Solange to marry him and usurp the power of the throne for himself—the clans must stand together to preserve the peace he threatens to destroy.

This second adventure in the Drake Chronicles—told from both Logan's and Isabeau's perspectives—has all the same butt-kicking action, heart-pounding romances and snarky humor that readers loved in Hearts at Stake, as well as exciting new revelations about the vampire dynasties to keep readers coming back for more.
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When I read the description for Blood Feud the first time I must admit that I was slightly horrified that they were taking the focus away from my beloved Lucy and Solange and instead putting the spotlight on Logan and some new chick. I should've had more faith in Alyxandra Harvey.

The plot was action-packed, as expected, but still had a very good story to go along with it instead of just being "Hey let's kick some butt for no reason cause people like action books!" The Drake Chronicles has actually progressed to be a really original and interesting vampire book, with a little history thrown in with Blood Feud.

Like I said, I was worried about ditching my Heart's At Stake's fantastic protagonists (which were still included in the book, but not nearly as much), but I still loved them! From what I saw of Logan in Hearts At Stake I wouldn't expect him to be as sweet and sensitive as he was. And man does Alyxandra Harvey know how to create some kick-butt chicks! Isabeau was another great character, and she brought a whole new vampire storyline with her that I loved and would loved to have heard more about. There wasn't as much humor as in Hearts At Stake, but there was still some, of course.

Alyxandra Harvey is a brilliant storyteller, and her writing was good too. But I mean the woman can tell a great story!

Even though the ending wrapped things up nicely, I'm still dying for the next book. I think I may be addicted to this series. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

How kid friendly is it? Pretty. There's not a lot of gore, but there is violence as well as a little language.

Hearts At Stake Review

Author: Alyxandra Harvey

Release Date: December 22, 2009

Pages: 248 (ARC)

Publisher: Walker Books for Young Readers

Most Appropriate For Ages: 12+

On Solange’s sixteenth birthday, she is going to wake up dead. As if that’s not bad enough, she also has to outwit her seven overprotective older brothers, avoid the politics involved with being the only daughter born to an ancient vampire dynasty, and elude Kieran Black—agent of an anti-vampire league who is searching for his father’s killer and is intent on staking Solange and her entire family.

Luckily she has her own secret weapon—her human best friend Lucy—who is willing to defend Solange’s right to a normal life, whether she’s being smothered by her well-intentioned brothers or abducted by a power-hungry queen. Two unlikely alliances are formed in a race to save Solange’s eternal life—Lucy and Solange’s brother Nicholas, and Solange and Kieran Black—in a dual romance that is guaranteed to jump start any romance-lover’s heart.

Even fans of the genre who’ve seen it all will find a fresh read with kick-butt characters and family dynamics that ring true for all brothers and sisters—vampire or otherwise.

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Hearts At Stake was a fun, fast-paced read that I didn't want to end.

The plot was always moving. Stake here, holy water there, something was always happening. I loved that aspect of Hearts At Stake. It's a page-turner that quickly becomes addictive and hard to put down.

In the midst of all of the action, I somehow managed to fall in love with a few characters. I can't just pick one favorite character from Hearts At Stake, but it's a three-way tie between Lucy (Solange's best friend who's can kick some major butt), Helena (the Drake family's mother who was also a very strong, kick butt character), and Nicolas (he's one of those super-sweet guys/vampires...usually). I had a lot of trouble distinguishing which brother was which, except for maybe one or two. (And obviously not the brother that Hearts At Stake mainly focused on, Nicolas.) There were seven of them, so it was a little hard to remember every single one.

The writing flowed nicely, and Alyxandra Harvey seems to write action and romance scenes with ease. She'll be a much welcome addition to the genre.

The ending was climactic and exciting, just as I'd expected. My only complaint with Hearts At Stake would be that I didn't get to know some of the characters as much as I'd like in the midst of all of the action. But overall I really enjoyed this novel to the very happy ending. Definitely one for paranormal fans to pick up when they're looking for a fast, fun read! I'm very excited to read the sequel, Blood Feud.

(Thanks again to Walker Books for Young Readers/Bloomsbury for providing me with a review copy!)

Hearts At Stake is one of seven books being offered in my 200 Follower Shin Dig. Go enter!

Teaser Tuesday (January 5, '10)

First Teaser Tuesday of the new year, woo-hoo!

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly meme, hosted by MizB of Should

Be Reading.

Anyone can play along, do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Here's mine:

"Someone's downstairs," he said quietly. "They scratched at the window and Dad let him in after Mom threatened to eat his face."
"Ew," Lucy said.
"Vampire."- Page 40 of Hearts At Stake by Alyxandra Harvey, which I'm really enjoying so far.