Title: Blurred Nights
Series: The Demons Age, #5
Author: Kallysten
Published: First published, 2008.
Format: Ebook provided for review
In a future world shattered by the invasion of beast-like demons, humans are fighting back as well as they can, using ancient weapons along with magic to defend their cities. Next to them, vampires are fighting too – some for the thrill of it, others to hold on to age-old Pacts, which demand that they protect humans.
When Kate’s squad of fighters meets vampires Marc and Blake, she is torn. Her squad could use their help, but the two men are distracting her from her duty. Night after night, they search together for the breach between realities that allows the demons’ invasion. They search, also, for the equilibrium that will allow Blake to forgive his Sire, Marc to accept Blake as he is – and Kate to admit she is attracted to both of them.
Can they find that delicate balance before the demons destroy the squad?
I think before I began Blurred Nights I was expecting a high heat ménage type of vampire story, perhaps similar to the On The Edge series, also by Kallysten. If I had to classify this book, I would say straight up Urban Fantasy with just a hint of romance. To be honest, it took me quite a few chapters to not look for sex around every corner, behind every fleeting glance. And that is totally on me and my dirty brain. This book is also number five in The Demons Age series, which I have read none of them previously. I did not feel as if I were lost, but I do wish that maybe I had read other so that I could learn more about the demons themselves.
In Blurred Nights we have Marc and Blake, Sire and Childe. Friends and lovers. I liked both of these men quite a bit and found their personalities complimented each other well. Where Marc is by the book and strict, Blake blazes his own path and makes the rules as he goes. Apparently there are issues in their past, and I don’t know if that is covered in another book or not. But this has definitely caused some trust and abandonment issues between them. While they are out hunting demons, they happen upon a group of people, and they end up going back to their compound with them.
In this group is Daniel, the leader, Simon, the mage, and Kate, a soldier of sorts. There are others, but their parts are generally smaller. The main issue of focus here is Kate, and she sort of finds herself in a bit of a triangle with the vampires, Marc and Blake. I liked Kate enough. She is a strong woman, stubborn in her ways, and when she loves, she does it all the way. What I would ultimately like is for Marc, Blake, and Kate to be thrown in a room with no doors to figure their hearts and wants out without escape.
Like I said, I would consider this book Urban Fantasy. There were some romantic kissy moments, and there was even some sex (of the Marc & Blake variety). It was mostly about the war with the demons. Now the demons… that is where I think I could have benefited from reading previous books. Were they mindless killing machines, or were they intelligent killing soldiers from another dimension? Did they think for themselves, or were they driven by a singular command? I’m still not entirely sure. One thing I do know is that they are pretty badass and just bad. I definitely wouldn’t want to meet them in a dark alley.
So did I like this book? Yep. I sure did. After I got out of the mindset that it wasn’t all about the nookie. That took me a moment. Would I recommend this book? Absolutely. Kallysten always has this free flowing familiar style to her writing. It’s always easy to follow and very descriptive. She creates these whole worlds around these characters, and you feel like you are right there in the deserted and foggy streets with them. Add that on top of compelling characters and the drama she injects into every story, and you’ve got yourself a hell of a book.
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Demons & Lullabies Excerpt
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Previous Kallysten Posts:
Demons & Lullabies Excerpt
The Edge for Breast Cancer Awareness Month
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