I started this back in October 2021, but didn't finish until January. Normally I swallow books whole, but the holidays pushed this novel to the backseat. I just couldn't find time to finish it --- until now, and I'm glad I did.

This is a dark post apocalyptic world, and the women coming forward from our time for the Season of the Vampire series are ones who had a hand in destroying their world, Violet most of all. Her brain conceived the bomb that destroyed everyone she knew. It left her broken in strange ways. And the new world, on her "waking" day, welcomed her with a nightmare PTSD inducing moment.

Her response is to lash out. To hunt. Push the border of serial killer. To hate herself every moment. To try to redeem her soul. Or, more accurately, pay some imagined balance enough weight of good to offset being one of the instruments which killed billions.

It's an interesting exploration of psyche. And matches many of the comments I've read about those who participated in building and dropping the bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

That being said - this is a romance, an action adventure, and a fantasy story with vampires and magic, high fantasy politics and guardian organizations. The dark mental exploration weaves throughout.

If you want a romance that is bit grittier than normal, The Secrets in Shadow and Blood delivers.

(Read through Kindle Unlimited)

4.5.

I've been quite tired of PNR books lately, but I actually really liked this. I didn't realise at first, but I probably should have started at the beginning of the overall Fae Guardians series this is a part of, though.

Maybe I'll get bored of the series, but I like the mythology enough to read more. I'd like to know more about the Sluagh.

Ehh

Really loved this book at the beginning but it seemed to stall about fifty percent in and lost my attention. Not my cup of tea but obviously lots of folks love it so don't go by me.

The next wave of the Order--vampires! We got Indigo & Violet's story in this book. I love that it's got a little grumpy/sunshine trope but with the grump being Violet and not Indi. Indigo can be mischievous and fun, while poor Violet has never had a single ounce of self worth. I love how Indi was so adamant that she find herself, even at the expense of waiting to help himself.

Indigo is my favorite of the Vamps. Love this series.

If you made it past the wolf stories, you're going to love the vamps. Each book in this series continues to get better and better!