After the extremely enjoyable Sips of Blood, Mitchell returns with part two of the story of de Sade's life as a vampire now living in San Francisco.
We pick up the story where the first novel left off. Sade is still living with his latest conquest Cecelia (who was the daughter of his cleaner, if you remember) and they continue to frequent the local S&M clubs in the hope of picking up some lively sex-addict and all-round four course meal.
Cecelia has been hearing the voice of Sade's past love in her head, and is sure that if she is able to become pregnant, she can re-birth Liliana into the world and give Sade back his true love. In doing this, Cecelia believes she will be able to rid herself of Sade and move on with her life as a vampire.
Meanwhile, Keith and his son Wil, who were turned into vampires thanks to de Sade and his family, continue to eke out an existance on street bumbs and the lonely, luring them into their traps and feasting from them.
But will de Sade allow Cecelia to go ahead with her plans? Can Wil and Keith continue to kill and not be caught? And does de Sade hold the answers to Cecelia's freedom and to Keith's inability to walk? Or is he just playing each of them against each other? And if they find out, will they bay for his blood?
Mitchell does it again. This character-driven story is, like the first novel, excellent. The characters live on in your mind, especially de Sade who is downright charming and evil at the same time. The other characters, all victims in their own ways, are strong and pitiful and the reader feels for them. The whole novel has a feeling of doom and depravity, controlled masterfully by Mitchell.
Is this a series? Will there be more? You can bet your life on it.
Those who enjoyed the first book, are sure to enjoy this tale as well. Those who have read neither, should buy both today!
