My introduction to the works of Cassie Alexander was the “Nightshifted”
series (in which a nurse discovers a new career path in a secret hospital ward for
supernatural patients). I loved how she handled nonhuman characters, great
dramatic tension, and smooth prose. So I picked up this first book in a new
series without knowing much about it beyond the lots-of-queer sex content warnings.
I found many of the elements I’d previously enjoyed, including characterization
and great action sequences. The sex scenes were better done than usual for “high
heat” stories. There was a nice balance in tension between a satisfying landing
level for the first novel in a series on the one hand, and enough of a
cliff-hanger so the reader will be left hungry for the next. My personal
quibble, and other readers may feel quite differently, was that the sex scenes took
up a disproportionate amount of space for what they contributed to the plot. I
think this has to do with what different readers look for. If it’s a (in this
case) action-mystery with sex scenes that enhance that plot, or if it’s very
juicy sex scenes that make sense in terms of character and motivation. As I
said, the scenes are very well done, great examples of how to write literate,
well-paced intimate encounters. I especially liked the depiction of consent,
the mutuality of pleasure, and the care of the partners for one another.
And of course, if that sex comes with vampire and werewolves,
oh my, so much the better.
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