its_tara's review against another edition
4.0
Looking at the cover of the book, I couldn’t help think Bella Swan. I know that it’s always going to be easy to compare EVERY LAST teenage vampire novel to Twilight, and whilst I avoid doing it, it’s really difficult. Because of that association, I was thinking “teenage girl falls into an ill-fated love with hot vampire guy, bad stuff happens, good prevails, girl probably becomes a vampire”. Yeah, exactly, the same sort of story we’ve all read before. Whilst I can’t say it wasn’t at all like that (trust me, the similarities were there) it wasn’t exactly the book I was expecting to read, and that was in a good way.
Basically, the story centers around Jessica Packwood, a normal high school girl who is adopted. Everything is normal, until her senior year, where Lucius Vladescu, a foreign exchange student shows up. Unfortunately, he’s not the nice normal human boy you’d hope for – he’s a vampire prince. And he’s come to claim his fiancé – enter Jessica Packwood, aka Antanasia Dragomir, vampire princess who just hasn’t come of age yet.
I have to admit, at that point in the novel, I wasn’t too hopeful I’d enjoy it. But what made it enjoyable for me was the characters – unlike certain other vampire girlfriends, Jessica doesn’t immediately fall in love with Lucius, she’s (understandably) rather hesitant, and thinks he’s a nut job. I liked this aspect to her, and even when she did fall in love with him, it wasn’t hesitant – it felt organic. Lucius also didn’t immediately love her – he pursued the courtship out of a sense of duty to his family and the blood pact between them, and it was good to see the feelings gradually change, until there was genuine care and affection.
Overall, I enjoyed this book. Very little of the story dragged for me, and it was a nice break from reading more ‘serious’ books. The supporting characters in this were almost as good as the main characters, and for me, this was the perfect book to sit down and ‘escape’ with. If you’re into your vampire romances, this is definitely worth a read, especially as it actually has palpable tension.
Apparently this book is going to become the start of a series, which is good, because I really need to hear more about Jessica and Lucius and what happens next!
Basically, the story centers around Jessica Packwood, a normal high school girl who is adopted. Everything is normal, until her senior year, where Lucius Vladescu, a foreign exchange student shows up. Unfortunately, he’s not the nice normal human boy you’d hope for – he’s a vampire prince. And he’s come to claim his fiancé – enter Jessica Packwood, aka Antanasia Dragomir, vampire princess who just hasn’t come of age yet.
I have to admit, at that point in the novel, I wasn’t too hopeful I’d enjoy it. But what made it enjoyable for me was the characters – unlike certain other vampire girlfriends, Jessica doesn’t immediately fall in love with Lucius, she’s (understandably) rather hesitant, and thinks he’s a nut job. I liked this aspect to her, and even when she did fall in love with him, it wasn’t hesitant – it felt organic. Lucius also didn’t immediately love her – he pursued the courtship out of a sense of duty to his family and the blood pact between them, and it was good to see the feelings gradually change, until there was genuine care and affection.
Overall, I enjoyed this book. Very little of the story dragged for me, and it was a nice break from reading more ‘serious’ books. The supporting characters in this were almost as good as the main characters, and for me, this was the perfect book to sit down and ‘escape’ with. If you’re into your vampire romances, this is definitely worth a read, especially as it actually has palpable tension.
Apparently this book is going to become the start of a series, which is good, because I really need to hear more about Jessica and Lucius and what happens next!
rosetyper9's review against another edition
3.0
I am still unsure what I feel about this book. There are parts where I was completely enthralled and couldn't put it down, and others where I wanted to roll my eyes and walk away for a bit. Both Jessica and Lucius take on Bella and Edwards most uncharitable personality characteristics; Lucius is dark, moody, and whiny through most of the book and Jessica is so bone headed she can't see a vampire when he is standing in front of her. The plot was strong, but felt a bit anti-climactic and rushed at the end, but overall not to bad. I also believe if you are sacraficing yourself up like a ham, there should be a bit more drama, but there wasn't. Even with all the negative in this review, the tension between the two main characters is palpable, in both sexual and psychological.
mrose21's review against another edition
3.0
I was all rooting for this book thinking 'Yes Jessica tell him what you're really thinking...' but it just fizzled out for me.
While I actually loved both characters, for both different reasons I just don't like them together. I wanted Jess to carry on rejecting the idea of a 'forced' marriage and fall in love with Jake and live happy ever after. I wanted 'Lukey' to be a nice guy and fall in love with Faith and she turn out to be a nice person (OK maybe I'm pushing it) and they live happy ever after.
I liked Jess because she was funny, she was pushing him away because he was suggesting an arranged marriage and she didn't want to be forced into that and I liked that she had fire and wasn't the typical YA bend over backwards chick that YA authors always write for us girls...
I liked the fact that the author didn't make him into a sappy vampire, he was angry (a lot) and he was sort of scary. Its refreshing to read a vampire book where the vampire is a vampire and not a watered down one even if all the 'traditional' vampireness (bats, sunlight, etc..) weren't there. It was still great that he wasn't boring.
I don't know if I can read the next book (which I believe is the only other one?) as I just finished feeling a little put out by the ending for some reason. Just didn't make me feel woo about it.
While I actually loved both characters, for both different reasons I just don't like them together. I wanted Jess to carry on rejecting the idea of a 'forced' marriage and fall in love with Jake and live happy ever after. I wanted 'Lukey' to be a nice guy and fall in love with Faith and she turn out to be a nice person (OK maybe I'm pushing it) and they live happy ever after.
I liked Jess because she was funny, she was pushing him away because he was suggesting an arranged marriage and she didn't want to be forced into that and I liked that she had fire and wasn't the typical YA bend over backwards chick that YA authors always write for us girls...
I liked the fact that the author didn't make him into a sappy vampire, he was angry (a lot) and he was sort of scary. Its refreshing to read a vampire book where the vampire is a vampire and not a watered down one even if all the 'traditional' vampireness (bats, sunlight, etc..) weren't there. It was still great that he wasn't boring.
I don't know if I can read the next book (which I believe is the only other one?) as I just finished feeling a little put out by the ending for some reason. Just didn't make me feel woo about it.
thecozyreaderwbo's review against another edition
5.0
Read my review on My Blog.
Here's a snippet:
Originality: 5
Characters: 4
Writing: 5
Setting: 4
Plot: 5
Passion: 4
Overall: 27/30 90% = A
Cover Bonus: 0
Here's a snippet:
Originality: 5
Characters: 4
Writing: 5
Setting: 4
Plot: 5
Passion: 4
Overall: 27/30 90% = A
Cover Bonus: 0
anneb42's review against another edition
4.0
I read this for a book club, and I liked it so much better than I thought I would. Well-written plot, interesting characters. As vampire/paranormal YA lit goes, this is my favorite that I've read so far.
alainaj13's review against another edition
4.0
wow. OK this book was AMAZING! I can't wait to read the sequel! I was expecting some really horrid story about vampires (ahem, akin to Twilight) but it was totally different. The main girl, Jessica, didn't immediately fall for the guy, which was nice. And Lucius, the love interest (well he ends up being the love interest), was really different and had charisma. I liked that he pursued her and didn't give up until he realized his uncle's evil plan, then he pushed Jessica away for her safety (just when she was starting to show interest). Faith really got on my nerves though. I didn't really like Jake that much either. But I loved Jessica's Romanian uncle who shows up! The writing was excellent and it seemed really authentic and true to some Romanian culture (and/or legends) from what I could tell. Highly recommend for romantic readers and supernatural/paranormal readers
kphmitten's review against another edition
4.0
I thought this was a good book. But, I did have a few questions.
1) If vampires are undead, how are they able to procreate? Are they undead babies?
2) If Jessica is a vampire princess awaiting transformation, wouldn't she be undead, too? Wouldn't a doctor or someone have noticed if she was cold or lacked a heartbeat? Wouldn't she have noticed? So...how could a simple bite some how make her from a living person to an undead vampire within a few minutes?
The ending, while satisfying and tied ends, seemed abrupt and made me wish it was a little longer. I was also wondering if anyone knew of a sequel in the works - such as, you know, Jessica's Guide to Becoming Vampire Royalty or something of the sort. I'm curious how she could make that full transformation into running a territory, keeping peace, and how her and Lucius do ruling side by side. Despite everything, I'm not quite sure he saw them ruling as equals, at least not entirely. And they definitely both had different upbringings - I would see that they would also see ruling quite differently, especially since Lucius was primped since birth for this. I don't want like, a million books like Princess Diaries ended up to be, but a little further story would be entertaining.
Lucius was definitely yummy though.
1) If vampires are undead, how are they able to procreate? Are they undead babies?
2) If Jessica is a vampire princess awaiting transformation, wouldn't she be undead, too? Wouldn't a doctor or someone have noticed if she was cold or lacked a heartbeat? Wouldn't she have noticed? So...how could a simple bite some how make her from a living person to an undead vampire within a few minutes?
The ending, while satisfying and tied ends, seemed abrupt and made me wish it was a little longer. I was also wondering if anyone knew of a sequel in the works - such as, you know, Jessica's Guide to Becoming Vampire Royalty or something of the sort. I'm curious how she could make that full transformation into running a territory, keeping peace, and how her and Lucius do ruling side by side. Despite everything, I'm not quite sure he saw them ruling as equals, at least not entirely. And they definitely both had different upbringings - I would see that they would also see ruling quite differently, especially since Lucius was primped since birth for this. I don't want like, a million books like Princess Diaries ended up to be, but a little further story would be entertaining.
Lucius was definitely yummy though.
lucy_qhuay's review against another edition
5.0
I must confess that I was tired of books about vampires but this one was like fresh air to me.
I love it!!
I love the idea of a vampire prince and a vampire princess from two different "covens" that are destined to be together and bring peace to the vampire world. *-* How romantic!!
And I am totally crushing on Lucius!! ;P
I can't help it. I have a thing for "hardened" guys that, after all, are just as helpless and eager for love as we are *-*
I love it!!
I love the idea of a vampire prince and a vampire princess from two different "covens" that are destined to be together and bring peace to the vampire world. *-* How romantic!!
And I am totally crushing on Lucius!! ;P
I can't help it. I have a thing for "hardened" guys that, after all, are just as helpless and eager for love as we are *-*
redmars's review against another edition
2.0
2 stars
This book went from probably being on my faves of 2017 list to me wanting to throw my tablet across the room.
The author committed character assassination to the max with her love interest on the second half of the book. He went from a charming sassy vampire who had interest in our MC( even tho some of his idiocy was kind of sexist and archaic) to an angst ridden almost murderous vampire who try to destroy himself instead of fighting back from his "true nature". Altho that was kind of contrived too since in the begging in the book they were really no hints of him being a murderous and ruthless vampire like his uncle. So close to being a book boyfriend..
The romance was kind of contrived since Jess went from not wanting nothing to deal with him to falling in love with him cause he got hurt and the chick she couldn't stand started to liked him.
The author also committed the " tell don't show" crime to the fight degree. What's the point of being in someone who knew about the MC family but proceed to not tell it in the freaking book? Lack of worldbuilding to the fifth degree.
That's all. I'm not reading the second book in the series..
This book went from probably being on my faves of 2017 list to me wanting to throw my tablet across the room.
The author committed character assassination to the max with her love interest on the second half of the book. He went from a charming sassy vampire who had interest in our MC( even tho some of his idiocy was kind of sexist and archaic) to an angst ridden almost murderous vampire who try to destroy himself instead of fighting back from his "true nature". Altho that was kind of contrived too since in the begging in the book they were really no hints of him being a murderous and ruthless vampire like his uncle. So close to being a book boyfriend..
The romance was kind of contrived since Jess went from not wanting nothing to deal with him to falling in love with him cause he got hurt and the chick she couldn't stand started to liked him.
The author also committed the " tell don't show" crime to the fight degree. What's the point of being in someone who knew about the MC family but proceed to not tell it in the freaking book? Lack of worldbuilding to the fifth degree.
That's all. I'm not reading the second book in the series..