Comment

May 31, 2013JCLChrisK rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Exquisite world building. So effectively foreign and atmospheric yet real and immersive, in fact, that I almost didn't notice the female protagonist was involved in a love triangle with two boys, one of which happened to be a vampire. It almost felt like the publisher told Hellisen the story had to have those ingredients--love triangle, one girl two boys, vampire--for them to consider her book, so she included them as necessary then made them as unobtrusive and unimportant to the overall story as possible. Much more significant are the mysterious, dark magics of Felicita's world, the social structure and class dynamics, and Felicita's pursuit of an independent identity. Just enough grunge and danger to give the whole affair weight without descending to drudgery and despair. I enjoyed this one a great deal.