This book introduces a vibrant culture of vampires. There are those that the vampires feed upon and protect: syn (servants), kyne (someone between a mortal and a vampire--they aren't as powerful as vampires but don't age and can walk in the sun). And then there's the heirarchy of vampires--some good, some evil, and some you can't tell which no matter how hard you try. Our heroine, Calan, finds herself the syn of the Scottish vampire, Sloane. They travel to Basaravia (Sloane packs himself into a large crate that looks much like a coffin which unnerves the airport crew, which is hilarious). This is a story of love, betrayal, and power. I loved it.