Its not hard for me to pinpoint why Queen of Shadows works so well for me. There's three reasons actually. One, Miranda doesn't just suddenly overcome her fears. Two, David is honest about who he is, what he has done and doesn't expect anything more from Miranda than a safe recovery. And three, the soul mate/destined for one and other principle works here in a believable way.

Let me back up. Miranda in the beginning is a desperately miserable young woman, barely surviving and staying sane. Things don't go so well for Miranda fifty pages or so. A horrific incident occurs (a warning would be advised here) and her world is suddenly inside out.

Sylvan takes her time in building the connection between David and Miranda. There is definite tension between them, but the two of them are both cautious (for separate reasons) and instead build a solid trust with each other. Its not easy, Miranda doesn't miraculously begin trusting David (or his associates), she's wary of his intentions and sanity quite frankly. And David is wary of her. He doesn't quite understand why he felt a need to bring her back to 'Haven' (the compound he runs his territory from) or why he feels a need to train her so she can control her gift.

Slowly the two open to each other and it’s a sweet process. They communicate, something severely lacking in a lot of relationships in books today. And when the time comes for them to reveal all, well it felt more satisfying (to me, the reader). It didn't feel like the author was pushing this connection to excuse them feeling all touchy-feely after only two days.

Faith and Sophie cracked me up. The two of them added a stretch of humor to the book that kept it from being too brooding.

My only complaint is that Miranda goes from one end to the other end with what seemed like very little difficulty towards the climax of the novel. There was pain, and it didn't come about in the most delicate of ways, but she took it in a stride. I think, based on the rest of the novel and previous explanations, Sylvan was trying to say that Miranda was a natural due to her heritage and gift, plus her connection with David. Which I'm fine with, I'm also cool with her being Miss Kick Butt--we see her training and learning. I wasn't as cool with her becoming Miss Best At All Things in what seemed like a relatively short amount of time.

The epilogue however was priceless. I would so do what that girl does if confronted by a hero of mine. ( )

4-4.5 stars
I decided to re-read this books and the others in the series to remind myself of the happenings, and in hopes that the next installment will be released soon.

I was surprised to see that my rating after the first read was 5 stars, until I remembered that, in the event my rating has a fraction, I round up to the next whole, since I can't actually select 4.5 stars.

On re-reading it I decided that it was between 4-4.5 stars, and rounding down to a four was a more accurate score. I still enjoyed it, and think it was well out together, and a very good starting point for a series, setting up the world building. It whetted my appetite and made me invested in finding out what happened to the characters next. ( )

This book was a breath of fresh air in the glut of vampire fiction that is covering the shelves these days. The heroine, Miranda, felt real, which is something that I feel Urban Fantasy is starting to lose. Miranda makes bad choices. She suffers. Not everyone loves her. Terrible things happen to her and she doesn’t immediately get over them. I loved the way music was worked in, and Sylvan really captured the feel of Austin.

Likable characters
Basic but tolerable consequence model
Ok worldbuilding although nothing special
Focus more on action than romance, and not as graphic as many
Overall might read more by author ( )

When I was looking for Sarah J. Maas' book Queen of Shadows I came across this book and decided to read it as well. Quick sensitivity warning, there is a gang rape scene that may be difficult for some readers to read.

Miranda comes into her empathic powers as an adult, she doesn't know what is happening to her but uses it through her music until it grows out of control almost killing her.

David takes Miranda in after discovering her over the bodies of her rapists, she's bloody and beaten and needing help. David is the Prime of the Southern vampires, he and his Elite are hunting down a rogue insurgent faction, but he keeps making time for Miranda. David helps her recover from her attack and trains her psychically before pushing her away to keep her safe until he's rooted out the uprising, but we all know how that ends.

I enjoyed this world, the main characters as well as some of the secondary characters. David's second easily steals the limelight at times as well as Miranda's trainer Sophie. I loved seeing Miranda grow and change from helpless to strong and in charge of her life. There's a lot of predictability and a few, 'that was too stupid' moments that had me downgrade this read from a five to a four and I didn't like seeing David having sex while feeding when he had Miranda in the house. I know it was still early in the getting to know you stages but I wanted him to be turned off by others not seeking every other red head available.

If you like my reviews I hope you will follow my blog. https://wyldheartreads.wordpress.com/

( )