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Thursday, June 4, 2009

Dayhunter by Jocelynn Drake

Publisher: EOS Books, Harper Collins
Pages: 356

From the Cover: Nightwalkers and Naturi battle:

A new day dawns blood red.

A master of fire, Mira is the last hope for the world. For centuries she has secretly enforced the history-altering edicts of the Triad. Now she and her unlikely ally—the human vampire hunter, Danaus—have come to Venice, home of the nightwalker rulers. But there is no safety in the ancient city, for the threat of conflict is in the wind . . . with unholy alliances and earth-shattering betrayals taking hideous form in the shadows.

Banished for eons beyond the world's boundaries, the malevolent naturi prepare to feed once again upon a vulnerable earth—and treachery is opening wide the portal that will enable their dread re-emergence. The great battle that has always been Mira's destiny is looming, and she must remain powerful in the face of a shocking revelation: that Danaus, the only creature she dares to trust, is something more than the man he claims to be . . .

Mira and Tristan slam into an alley, bloody, battered, and battle weary. Thorne has been killed by the Naturi before Mira could save him. It was a wonder that any had made it from the London bar. She has sworn to try to free Tristan from their maker and to keep him alive if possible. It will be a daunting task, considering his youth and the fact that most of the Nightwalkers will consider him chum...easy pickings for the more powerful and greater hierarchy.

Now, Jabari is demanding her return to Venice, somewhere she really doesn't want to be. But does she really have a choice, both Jabari and Danuis have proved that they can easily wield her as a weapon. Better to go on her own and forced by a will not her own. Mira's maker, Sadira has also been summoned to explain the unexplainable, the death of Tabor and the Naturi's ability to break the seal which separates the evil fae led by Rowe to release his wife and Queen to seek revenge and reek havoc upon the humans and vampires alike. The Naturi wish to kill both species and rule the Earth as they feel the fae are destined to be.

Venice is the stronghold of the vampire council, now missing one member of the council of four with the death of Tabor. That was the whole point of going to London, to seek out one of Tabor's bloodline, Thorne. The Naturi poisoned him, but Mira and Danuis were able to avenge the death. Who knew that together Danuis and Mira would yield enough power to destroy the Naturi, not only in the immediate vicinity, but for miles around. Mira, best known as the Fire Starter - the one true death that vampires feared, and Danuis of the Brotherhood - vampire hunter and the holder of a power so great - to make the blood boil from the inside out. Together, they are force to be reckon with by only the ancients.

When Mira and Danuis arrive in Venice, it is only to find that Weres are also present as well as some of the Naturi, what would the evil fae be doing in the vampire stronghold?

To make matter worse, Mira discovers Sadira's plot to sacrifice Tristan to the wannabes of the vampire council to make up for the loss of Tabor. She is his maker and he is her toy, but Mira has given him her vow of protection. She must go against her maker and claim Tristan as her own, marking him as part of her family; something she has avoided for 600 years. She has also vowed to make sure Danuis leaves Venice alive, will she never learn? Now she is responsible for two lives.

Mira has been an enforcer for the Triad (the keepers of the seal and law enforcers for Nightwalkers), seeking out those you have broken the vampire code to meet their end. Now, the Triad must be remade to keep the Naturi at bay. The Bori, evil fae of demon origin, have also been locked away. But they're not Mira's consideration at this time, the Naturi are the danger.

Danuis feels it's only fair to reveal the origin of his birth to Mira, to explain his longevity and his need to destroy evil; they have battled together and will be forced into a continued alliance. Mira cannot believe what he tells her, and she knows he doesn't understand to truth of his origins as she does. Now she has another secret to hide or the council will kill them both.

As the time draws near to the magical hour when Rowe will try to break the seal that will lead to the eventual release of his Queen, Mira begins to wonder who can be trusted. Surely not Jabari, her once mentor, friend, and teacher who wants nothing more than her head on a spike. Valorie, possibly as they had wondered Italy for years. Sadira, never, Mira has stolen one of her children. The other two members of the council want Mira dead just because of her ability as a Fire Starter. Mira knows the battle must be fought, but who will remain standing...Nightwalkers, Naturi, the Brotherhood? All have reasons to kill her even if she does survive.

Dayhunter by Jocelynn Drake is the second book in the Dark Days Series. Nightwalker, the first in the series, was one of my top picks for 2008 and Jocelynn Drake is one of the best up and coming young authors in urban fantasy. I was not disappointed by her ability with this second installment. She continues to weave a world beyond the knowledge of the human reality. I am enthralled with her series and I hope it continues for many more books. Mira is a heroine who has been tortured in life. She was born of Crete heritage but stood out with vibrant red curling locks, pale skin tones, and jewel green eyes, so unlike the ruddy brown of hair, eyes, and skin tones of her ancestors. She was born with the ability of the fire starter; it did not come as a gift of vampirism. Sadira stole Mira from her family and kept her for many years before offering her the choice of vampire or death. Mira choose life of a vampire over a certain death. She chooses to live alone, with no one but her Angels (her guards) to watch over her resting body during daylights hours. She seeks the humanity lost to her, protecting those whom she preys upon. Even as she needs to feed, she never drains her victims, only taking what she needs to survive. Danuis, our hero, is a supremely tortured individual who has been hiding the origins of his soul for more than thousand years. He has been alive since the Romans controlled the civilized world. He has sought out the evil to destroy as his self imposed punishment. He doesn't understand fully what he is or knows the exist of the evil that could be unleashed by his presence. Mira feels an almost unreasonable attraction to this vampire hunter. She knows it can never be, as he does with his uneasy need to protect her and the vampire that she is. Each has vowed to kill the other. I loved the way this story flowed so seamlessly, the pieces fitting nicely together. Book Two starts almost on the last sentence and thought of Book One. The description of Venice was amazingly well done down to describing the smells associated with a city that has lived under water and the crumbling architecture that surrounds the vampire stronghold. This is Jocelynn Drake's first foray into published writing and she has been rewarded with a second contract. The series in order to date is Nightwalker (7-29-08), Dayhunter (4-28-09), Dawnbreaker (to be released 9-29-09), as well as Unbound, an anthology with Kim Harrison, Melissa Marr, Jeaniene Frost, and Vicki Pettersson that will be available 8-25-09. For more information about Jocelynn Drake and her fantastical books, please visit her website or her blog.

20 comments:

Michelle Greathouse said...

Dottie,

Thank you for the wonderful review!! :)

M

Unknown said...

Hi Michelle!

Jocelynn Drake writes a very good tale!

Dottie :)

Mandi said...

Great review!! I have heard just the best things about this author. I can't wait to start this series.

Unknown said...

Hi Mandi!

I absolutely love Jocelynn Drake! She a great story teller. I was surprised that this was her first series, it's just too good. Of course, you have to love vampires to love these books... It's kind of a new take on vamps. Some are good and some not so good. All are fun, and Danuis, the hunter, is a different kind of hero. Really a cool world to get to know.

Dottie :)

VampFanGirl said...

Great Review Dottie!

Like Mandi, I've heard a lot of great things about this author.

I'm not a big Urban Fantasy reader. If I do pick it up, it's usually by authors that have already solidified their places in the genre like Patricia Briggs. I might wait to see what everyone thinks of the third book before I decide to delve in.

Thanks for the recommendation!

:) VFG

Unknown said...

Hi VFG!

When I first came across Jocelynn Drake, I checked out her website, and she has this whole world built and character descriptions, essays, everything. I couldn't resist and it's been fun ever since.

When you're ready to give her a try, check out her website and see if you like her characters and the world they live in.

Dottie :)

SciFiGuy said...

I'm really looking forward to the third book where they return to the States. This is one of my favorite series.

Unknown said...

Hi Doug,

Me too. I can't wait to see where the story goes from here. I wonder how Mira will handle the new responsibilities, Danuis, council.

I love the series and the characters.

Dottie :)

Anonymous said...

Hi, Dottie!! Wonderful review! I've heard of this author several times. I do love vampires...

BTW, I ordered Fairies Gone Wild, I don't know if I told you, lol! In any event once I read it I'll let you know my thoughts! Thanks for the rec.

((hugs))

Unknown said...

Hi Barbara!

In my opinion, Jocelynn Drake is going to be big in urban fantasy. This is only her second book, I just can't get enough.

I started my copy of Faeries Gone Wild today, so far, pretty good. I'm not saying anymore than that, lol! I hope you like!

Dottie :)

Houston A.W. Knight said...

Dottie!

Whatever do you mean..."nothings that simple for Hawk" ???
Are you saying I'm making life hard on you girl's...that I'm making you girl's work for your contest win? *G*

Well, if I don't make you work for it - how am I going to keep all you girls on your toes? Hummm, will you tell me that?
LOL

Oh go on...those question weren't that hard! And I know all of you are think'in you're going to google the answers this time....*G* not happening. This contest can't be googled! ROTFLOL!!!!!

But I promise you will find it fun and creative...think colors!
(Hint)

Lots of love
Hawk

Houston A.W. Knight said...

Oh, Jocelynn Drake...now those books I'm going to have to read...they sound awesome! Just got to find a way to make more hours in a day.

Hugs
Hawk

Blodeuedd said...

Hi Dottie,
Great review, and it does sound good. Maybe something for me

Unknown said...

Hi Hawk!

Let's admit it your contests are hard!!! I had to guess on the last one. Colors uh? Damn, don't know much about colors!

Jocelynn Drake is a young author, writes are exciting story, great world building. I love her books.

Dottie :)

Unknown said...

Hi Blodeuedd!

Now this is a series that I think you'll like, there's evil vamps, not so evil vamps, weres, Danuis (he belongs in a category of his own!), evil fey, more evil fey, harpies, wizards, and a few humans thrown in to keep the vamps fed and the story fun! Mira is a vamp that controls a power that is a for sure vamp killer, fire. It just fun visiting the world Jocelynn Drake creates.

Dottie :)

Houston A.W. Knight said...

Dottie!

You forgot! You've got to go make your hero or heroine to enter the contest for the book. Just click on the link and you'll go right to it...then when you're done click the download button and it'll go to your picture file from there you can download it into your blog and I'll come see it...if you have any troubles e me - I'll help you step by step if you need me to!

Hugs...I want to see what you create!

Hawk

Houston A.W. Knight said...

Dottie!

Well, you can't say this contest is hard...all you have to do is build a hero...not hard!

Boy oh boy...you don't have to know anything about colors just SEE colors and ...pick stuff.

Now go! Build me a hero or heroine!

It's easy! If I can do it anyone can)!!

Hugs
Hawk

~Sia McKye~ said...

Dottie, my favorite winged fairy. Hmmm, I think you are the only fairy I know, which is good luck for me. Right?

You have all kinds of goodies on your blog, wow. Come one, come all to Dottie's and load up on goodies.

Have a great week!

Unknown said...

Hi Hawk!

I'll build a hero I promise, just another busy day here! lolol

I looked at the site, played with the hero 'parts' (hehe)....I'll get one posted soon!

Dottie :)

Unknown said...

Hi Sia!

Well, Tink is my babe, you know!

As far as winged fae go, she's pretty great!

I try to keep my blog well stocked with goodies....lol!

Thanks Sia!

Dottie :)

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