Blood and Rain

I’m going to start out by saying that I really enjoyed this series. It’s one of the best vampire series I’ve read. Flashbacks in books have always been an issue for me because a lot of time they’re not very easy to follow. This book is book one in a three-book series. Being book one, there’s a lot of information being thrown out and adding flashbacks, I got a little cross-eyed. I thought the storytelling and world building was absolutely fantastic. The author did a great job with not only telling an intriguing story, but she actually brought in so many details that it was so easy to be transported into the world she created.

Adrien Gilbert is a hunter. Born into one of the most powerful hunters families, he accepts his place, but he also wants to live a quiet life on his family’s vineyard. The problem is that he pledged his life to the hunters at age sixteen, so his life is not his own. When his brother is murdered, things quickly go from peaceful to utter chaos. Being a Gilbert and a bound hunter, he’s expected to perform his duties no matter how high the cost. His first assignment, take the life of the vampire that murdered his brother.

Nicolas Lambert is an ancient. Born into one of those oldest and most powerful clans, he’s surprisingly humble and soft-hearted. Nicolas has pledged to marry a clanswoman from a rival vampire clan seeking a truce between the two ancient rivals. Adrien has been hunting his brother’s killer for months with no luck. He won’t give up, but it’s like he’s just chasing a ghost. When an old mentor of Adrien’s presents an opportunity to help catch his brother’s killer once and for all, Adrien knows he can’t refuse. He needs to avenge his brother’s death and complete the contract from the hunters by any means necessary. Nicolas’ overly protective brother, Jean, hires Adrien to escort Nicolas to his betrothed. All Adrien has to do is get Nicolas to Paris safely, and Nicolas will help him find Charles, the vampire responsible for his brother’s death. Simple right? Not even close.

I enjoyed the characters although sometimes I got a little impatient with Adrien’s childishness. He has a lot of anger towards vampires in general, which is understandable and I don’t necessarily blame him. I just wish he would actually seek answers instead of just holding on to his animosity. Nicolas is adorable. He is such an original character. I assumed with him being an ancient and clearly powerful that he would be insufferable, but he wasn’t at all. He showed so much patience with Adrien even when I felt Adrien didn’t deserve it. The secondary characters were just as enchanting as the main characters.

I highly recommend this series. The first book is a little mind numbing at times because a lot of information is being thrown out, but if you stick with it, you’ll find you’re flipping pages and rushing to find out what happens next.

I was reading this book, and it made me think of the all important pre-test in high school, you get most of the info you will need for your final exam, and it is presented in an orderly fashion that is easy to follow! This book is that for me, it gave me the info I needed for the final book, and it did it in spectacular fashion!
The way Shira tells a story is perfect, your emotions are right in tune with the book, and at times I was wondering if I could take it! Adrian goes through so much, for so long for the man who holds, no owns his heart!
I really enjoyed the time travel aspect of the story, an how she did it was brilliant, again I don't do spoilers, just know you will get so much out of this book, and yet book three will hold so much more I am sure!
I would urge everyone to get this book, and if you haven't read Blood and Rain, you need to start there, this is beautiful story that needs to be experienced from start to finish! Thanks Shira, for once again giving us a wonderful book that we will love for years to come!

Man I love a flashback scene in a book when it is done right, and boy is this one done right! The story weaves and flows seamlessly, and it is so real and vibrant that you feel you can almost reach out and touch poor Adrian's heartbreak!
All of the characters in this book are described flawlessly, so they fit into their own little nook in the story, and Adrian and Nicolas are flawlessly portrayed! This book will have you going through so many emotions you won't know what hit you! AHHHH! The ending, whew I was so glad when I got to read book 2!
Get this one friends, it is a study in what a stellar Vampire book should be! Thanks Shira for this beautiful story which has only just begun!

Oh my gosh!!! I've never read a vampire story that was so well tailored and told. Nicholas, Adrien, Francois, Charles, Remy all of the characters were grippingly interesting.
I won't say what the story is about, you can read the blurb. But.....
I can't bloody wait for the sequel!
Spectacular Read!
Thank you Shira Anthony you've done it yet again.