Thirst (The Energy Vampires #1)

Thirst (The Energy Vampires #1)

by Jacquelyn Frank 

Blurb:

A hidden society of vampires—and the humans they love—are at the heart of this opening novel in a biting, all-original series from the New York Times bestselling author of the Nightwalkers saga.

Rafe DaSilva is an energy vampire, soaking up nourishment from the sun—and, only when necessary, drawing sweet sustenance from humans who are pure in body and spirit. As the right-hand man to his queen, Rafe is a key player at a historic peace summit in New York City, which will unite the vampire nations against a common threat: the sycophants, who feed on humanity and kill indiscriminately. But Rafe’s fascination with a beautiful blond police detective may put everything at risk.

Detective Renee Holden has never worked a homicide quite like this. The victim has twin puncture wounds on his neck, and the only eyewitness swears she saw a vampire. Now’s definitely not the time to get distracted by a seductive stranger. But the suave, darkly austere, exotically handsome Rafe DaSilva is a hard man to deny, and as Renee falls under his spell, she also falls prey to his enemies. Desperate to protect her, Rafe lifts the veil on a shadow realm she can only visit—a world of intoxicating power, terrifying dangers, and forbidden pleasures.

Themes:  Paranormal

Rating:  4.5 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

 Another all new world from the amazing imagination of Jackie Frank has arrived and taken me into an alternative view of the world around me and given me another way to escape. I have been a fan of Ms. Frank’s ever since either stumbled onto her Nightwalkers series and only very rarely have I even felt let down by one of her stories, and this was definitely not one of those times. While I am generally wary of beginning a new series (mainly since I already have so many going as is) I knew there was no way I’d miss anything Jackie released.  Rafe and his fellow enemy vamps are an all new take on the traditional view of the paranormal and I was fascinated as I learned more and more. That being said, while I certainly enjoyed the story, it is fair to say that like all first stories in a series like this, there were a few times that it seemed to drag just the slightest bit.  Once you overcome those parts though the story is wonderful.  Rafe was an odd duck to be sure but I enjoyed seeing him and Renee interact with one another.  He is obviously enamored with her, even though he initially resists the draw.  Renee is like an human suddenly pulled into a fantastical world with no compass for surviving that world. Renee clings to Rafe as much as an independent woman would, but she is also a strong female lead character and able to stand on her own.  Once things heat up between them it becomes obvious they are meant to be together, but Rafe knows there relationship is destined to have an end date…unless Renee turns out to be even more special than he originally thought. Renee and Rafe are certainly explosive and the heat between them is easily felt by anyone they cross paths with.  I enjoyed this story and can see my self really enjoying the series, as long as those lull times are few and far between –which is usually the case once the series gets fully underway. I am looking forward to the next in the series and whatever stories Ms. Frank might send our way.  

*eARC provided by publisher (via netgalley) for the purpose of an honest and unbiased review.  No compensation was provided.

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