THE LOWDOWN:
In the ninth and final Den of Shadows novel, the compendium of creations intertwine in an exciting, unsettling plot featuring happenings both accidental and deliberate that will forever change the alternate landscape inhabited by vampires, Tristes, shapeshifters et al.
It all begins with a wrong turn and a crashed party, and from there it’s an epic clash of elements and the promise of more chaos still to come. At the center of the storm is Jay, a young vampire hunter that no one would ever have predicted might be earth’s best bet to thwart the rise of a vampire-controlled slave empire called Midnight.
FIRST IMPRESSION:
Midnight
September 22, 1804
When she first woke, Brina thought the stench and noise that greeted her were an extension of her nightmares. The stink of smoke and scalded flesh accompanied wails of pain and fear that echoed through Midnight’s stone halls.
SNAPSHOT:
Since 1999, the vampires, witches and shapeshifters of the Den of Shadows have found their way into backpacks everywhere: waging wars, fighting for lost loves, and dealing in moral shades of gray. The final installment brings to the forefront teenage witch and vampire hunter Jay Marinitch. A powerful empath and skilled slayer, Jay’s carefree attitude manages to land him in deep with a line of artistic and sadistic vampire slave-traders and draw the attention of a powerful and angry Elemental.
The lightning-fast pace at which Jay hops from one ill-defined plot point to the next will likely keep the attention of reluctant readers. A surprisingly light read considering the heavy topics and themes implied: self-worth and purpose, the long-term consequences of slavery, and world-altering powers at war.
There are cryptic references to characters from previous installments while others make brief drop-in cameos, which may confuse new readers and disappoint fans hoping for longer, more meaningful interactions. In general, readers would benefit from familiarizing themselves with prior novels before diving into Jay’s story.
The use of the many cultures, families, organizations, and empires of this world—while a fascinating experiment—does tend to bog down the action with descriptive asides as each new group or mechanic needs introducing. Those familiar with past tales may find such breaks as redundant and pandering, as the book does not seem intended to hook new readers.
Appropriate for ages 12+. Mild language, fantasy violence, light romance with LGBT tones. Younger readers should be encouraged to compare and contrast the impact of vampire-led slavery on the denizens of the fantasy world vs. the historical and present-day slavery and human trafficking of our own world.
GET IT ON YOUR SHELF:
If you…
- Enjoy vampires, shapeshifters, witches, and more
- Are a fan of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Grimm, or True Blood
- Love paranormal romance spiced with a dose of action-adventure
- Need a short, quick, guiltless read
- Have read the other Den of Shadows novels
THE ESSENTIALS:
YA paranormal romance
Hardcover & Ebook, 256 pages
Published March 12th, 2013 by Delacorte Books for Young Readers (ISBN 0375990321)
http://www.randomhouse.com/book/214189/promises-to-keep-by-amelia-atwater-rhodes