For some reason, I was thinking of this book as some obscure, new author. And after reading her little ditty after the book, I realize that she was very new, as this was her first book. But it sure didn't seem like it. I was really surprised at the world that she has here. She didn't spend a lot of time explaining all of the little details about how vampires came to be and their role in society and how humans deal with them. She simply wrote her book as if they exist, and that's just how it is. That left this book without the dreaded first book syndrome. I already felt comfortable with the idea within the first few pages. Raphael is brutal, and the author makes no excuses or apologies for him. He is responsible for many people, and in order to protect them and not appear weak, he has to show no mercy. Cyn is one of those tough chicks, a woman in a man's world. She doesn't want a man or need one. Once these two meet, it's pretty obvious there is a battle of wills. And let me tell you, it gets unexpectedly hot. As in, all of a sudden, whoa! The book was gritty, full of action, and really, surprisingly good. Five stars for me, and I'm stoked to read the next!
