I am a fan of the author´s Cat & Bones series for years now. So, yes, I wanted to read the books of the Night Prince series as well. Unfortunately, the first book couldn´t entertain me as much as the original series was able to. No doubt, there is a lot of action, blood, and well-written scenes but somehow, I missed the irony and sarcastic humor, Cat always shows.
Once Burned
by Jeaniene FrostNight Prince Series #1
Publisher Avon Books on June 26, 2012
Genre Vampire
Pages 373
Format Paperback
Source Penhaligon*
Goodreads
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He commands fire – but only she can ignite his passion.Leila Dalton has the ability to look into the past and sometimes even into the future of everyone she touches. With this magical ability, she suddenly finds herself between the lines of a feud that has been raging for centuries. She takes the side of the vampire Vlad without hesitation. His unapproachable yet soulful manner fascinates her more than she could ever have imagined. The vampire makes no secret of the fact that she will never be more than a lover to him. But since she has finally got to know love in his passionate embrace, Leila will not give up her new happiness …
Story
Leila Dalton stands out. Not because she is a downright beauty. Her jagged scar makes her the number one star. And when the vampire Vlad takes a look at her it is clear: the course has just been set for their future. Unfortunately, his enemies still have a say in this, and so Leila has no choice but to finally deal with her scar and the consequences that come with it.
Style
Once Burned from the Night Prince series has been put into words dark, passionate, and very bloody. Although the author has lit a downright bloody fireworks display, the desired effect remains relatively modest. From the first-person perspective of protagonist Leila, the reader is drawn into an incredibly cruel, blood-soaked, and literally hot story. Very detailed and sharp sex scenes - which took my breath away many times - and quick-witted dialogues alternate skillfully and give the plot an unbelievable spice. The plot itself is simple: the protagonist is kidnapped because of her abilities and the real object of desire of the kidnappers’ rushes to her aid. Nothing exciting, but Jeaniene Frost turns this banal plot into a violent plot that glows with clichés in some places and very much lacks the charm and wit of the other volumes.
What absolutely thrilled me, however, is the emotional story between Leila and Vlad, which emerges from all the blood, violence, and destruction like a ray of pure light and gives the novel such a wonderful undertone.
Characters
Jeaniene Frost expects a lot from her characters in this novel. There is an overly protective instinct, an incredible will to run away from everything and everyone, and the weaker sex is almost trapped in a cage full of helpful spirits in the form of servants.
Leila likes to run away from everything and everyone, but she is a woman who has both feet on the ground and friendship and loyalty are paramount. On the one hand she is fearless, on the other hand she avoids any physical contact with her fellow human beings, as this always means for her a flood of images from the life of the person she touches. It does not occur to her that this could also be different. And so, meeting Vlad is a completely new experience for her.
Conclusion
A title that unfortunately does not go beyond the description of an average novel, even if it is bursting with action, bloody scenes, and hot passion. But in the end, the author literally leaves you hanging in the air with a big question mark. What else is she going to do with Leila?
Happy reading
*I read the German edition published by Penhaligon in January 2012.
Jeaniene Frost
Jeaniene Frost is a New York Times, USA Today, and international bestselling author whose works include the Night Huntress series, the Night Prince series, and the Broken Destiny series. To date, foreign rights for her novels have been sold to twenty different countries. Jeaniene lives in North Carolina with her husband Matthew, who long ago accepted that she rarely cooks and always sleeps in on the weekends. Aside from writing, Jeaniene enjoys reading, poetry, watching movies, exploring old cemeteries, spelunking, and traveling – by car. Airplanes, children, and cookbooks frighten her.
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