Author: Alyxandra Harvey
Publish Date: June 2010 by Walker & Company, Division of Bloomsbury
Synopsis: 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.
BOOK 1, Hearts at Stake, SPOILER WARNING!
When I learned I wouldn't be getting a TON more of Lucy and Nicholas I was a little sad, but Alyx does a great job of helping me move on to Isabeau and Logan (and I still got some fun Lucy/Nicholas interaction hehe)!
Blood Feud starts where Hearts at Stake leaves off. We are only a few weeks after the upheaval that ends Blood Feud and Alyx has brought us right into how the Drakes are handling being royalty. This time around we get to live the story through Logan and Isabeau. Logan is the Drake brother who was most impacted by his old world upbringing. He wears frock coats and pirate shirts and takes his manners seriously. Isabeau lived through the Reign of Terror during the French Revolution only to be turned into a vampire and not just any vampire but a Hound. Hounds have 2 sets of fangs, not overly accepted in the world of vampires, and are seen as wild and unpredictable.
I really enjoyed getting to learn more about the world Alyx has created for the Drake Chronicles. We got to see the different types of vampires and see into the world of the Hounds. Through Isabeau and her fellow Hounds, the reader gets to see the magic and the traditions of the Hounds that the larger vampire community has lost site of. With the introduction of the Hounds, we are shown more of the vampire social structure and how the different vampire groups relate to each other. The introduction sets up one of the larger themes running through the book: The Hounds illustrate the fear of the unknown that festers within the larger vampire community that has lead to the creation of prejudices over the decades. The Hounds also shine light on the fact that even though the Drakes have received a well rounded education, there are still vampire traditions that have not been passed along through the generations and this might be to their detriment.
I really enjoyed delving back into the world of the Drakes and being properly introduced to Isabeau and experiencing the French Revolution through her eyes.
My Overall Rating:
Glad you enjoyed it =)
ReplyDeleteI have a copy at home, I still need to get to it
I got these books. So excited to read them! Great review
ReplyDeletethis series sounds so good, I've got to check it out. :)
ReplyDeletegreat review. i also enjoyed the second book, but i was hopping to see more of Lucy and Nicholas in it. i am looking forward to book three in th series which also looks awesome.
ReplyDeleteHaha, I keep hearing about this book and Im like "uh.." I guess its the cover :P It irritates me, covers can easily turn me off from the novel.
ReplyDeleteLOL what...more books, i also wanted more Lucy and Nicholas, they crack me up! but i like that we're getting to see each member of the Drake Family. It's structured more like the adult fiction vampire books out there, so that's kind of cool. it's different from most YA books.
ReplyDeleteAri - understand your issue with covers, they totally can turn me off too, but this is one that if you can get beyond the cover it's worth it! Maybe snag it from your library so you're not too invested or read a bit while grabbing some coffee at your favorite bookstore. But hope you give it a chance!