4.5 stars.

Trigger warnings for - assault, sexual assault, torture, general gore, drug abuse, child abuse.

If you're looking for a book that makes you feel safe and comfortable, don't pick up a Kristoff solo book. They aren't here to make you feel good, they're just here to make you feel.

Dark, action packed and filled to the brim with dry wit and sarcasm this story is perfect for someone looking for a new vampire hit to add to to their collection. It brings in new and interesting lore that will herald a change in the way we think of vampires on the whole. I enjoyed the character development throughout, the twists and turns as well as the general banter.

The reason this didn't get a full 5 stars for me is that I would have preferred linear story telling, rather than back and forth. Whilst I appreciate there is a reason to it, I'm just built like the historian taking the tale - always wanting order. I also felt that there was a slight lack surrounding Astrid, I really wanted more scenes involving her so that there was more emotion as the story played out. If I didn't know that Jay could write complex and interesting female characters so well, I would have been niggled less by it. But I did want more.

I still greatly enjoyed the book, it met my dark souls needs, but most of Jay's books have left me sobbing, and this one only made me shed a few solitary tears. I came to have my heart destroyed - let's hope the sequel does just that.