Review: Second Prequel ALMOST as Good as First. . .
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 10 28, 2012
I won't recap the story line here as others have all done that for you.I will say that this was more of a standard paranormal/urban fantasy storyline, in that it dealt primarily with vamps. That can be a bit ho-hum anymore.However. . .a couple of spots in this one really stood out.  The first was the introduction of Chang, the ancient black market dealer of rarities.  Fascinating and humorous, I truly hope he becomes a more central figure in the continuing Asylum Tales.The second was the inclusion of the scene with the gargoyle clan.  My favorite quote was from the beginning of that scene: "If I could count on one thing, it was that gargoyles loved cereal."  The scene where he includes the information about the older males preferring bran flake-type cereals, while the females liked anything chocolate and the "younger" gargoyles prefered anything sugar-frosted with marshmallows and toys is a great mood lightener before a story-intensive moment in which one of Gage Powell's strongest character-traits is revealed.I love when an author is writing in a genre such as this and doesn't get caught up in their seriousness.  The above quote shows that Jocelynn Drake has an unerring sense of self in her writing.  She doesn't intend this to be serious literature and that is exactly why this sort of genre endures long after the main players, vamps and wolves, have pretty much overstayed their welcome.  This genre in general is meant for us to suspend our sense of reality for a time, enjoy our stay, and return to reality a little better to cope with the real-world stuff. In particular, Jocelynn Drake's Low Town, Gage Powell,Asylum,Bronx,Trixie and all the other assorted fun side characters we've been introduced to in these two prequels is a great new contender into the urban fantasy genre.  Long may it live and continue to grow. . .