KV Taylor isn't trying to reinvent the wheel; her vampires are sexy, nasty, and out for blood. Liam's transformation from angsty farm boy to (mostly) self-assured vampire is realised in detail, vampire Gianni on one side of him and human Aldo on the other. The sex is hot, the horror is dark, and the characterisation is realist and nuanced. This book is driven by its central relationship, though elements are introduced that will clearly drive the plot of the series as a whole. ( )