Review: I could tell this was a good book because I didn't want it to end
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 04 17, 2013
I could tell this was a good book because I didn't want it to end. The story answered many of the questions I've had about the history of how Jon met Vivian and Rafe and why he's with them. It also answered the question I had regarding the underlying tension between the men that I've seen in the chronologically later books (Vampire Vacation, The Hunt, and Big Game). Also, if you want to learn more about "were blood addiction" you need to read this book. It is all spelled out.C.J. Ellisson paints a vivid image of the world in which all of the V V Inn characters live in this book as well as the others of the series. You really care about the characters and like them as people. Reading this prequel made me like Jon even more and sad for the loneliness he has suffered during the years covered in the other books. To me that is the sign of a worthwhile series. This book can stand on its own, but it will be appreciated much more when read in the context of the series.Seeing how Vivian (aka Dria aka Alexandria McAndrews) is portrayed in this book is interesting after having seen her in the others. In this book she is much more "harsh" and less empathetic but that's because of the timeline ie, before she had the humanizing affect of a blood servant. Her portrayal is enlightening as to the progress she has made to becoming more human. I've enjoyed this series since the first page of the first book and this one did not disappoint either.