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Monday, June 18, 2012

Once Burned by Jeaniene Frost

Once Burned (Night Prince, #1)Once Burned by Jeaniene Frost

Book Stats:
Reading level: Adult
Genre: Urban Fantasy / Paranormal Romance
Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Avon
Release date: June 26, 2012

Series: Night Prince #1 (Night Huntress spin-off series)

Source: ARC sent by the author

Reviewed by: Tynga

Purchase: Amazon | Book Depository

She’s a mortal with dark powers...
After a tragic accident scarred her body and destroyed her dreams, Leila never imagined that the worst was still to come: terrifying powers that let her channel electricity and learn a person’s darkest secrets through a single touch. Leila is doomed to a life of solitude... until creatures of the night kidnap her, forcing her to reach out with a telepathic distress call to the world’s most infamous vampire...

He’s the Prince of Night...
Vlad Tepesh inspired the greatest vampire legend of all — but whatever you do, don’t call him Dracula. Vlad’s ability to control fire makes him one of the most feared vampires in existence, but his enemies have found a new weapon against him – a beautiful mortal with powers to match his own. When Vlad and Leila meet, however, passion ignites between them, threatening to consume them both. It will take everything that they are to stop an enemy intent on bringing them down in flames.

Once Burned is the first book in the Night Prince series, a spin-off of the Night Huntress series, and is featuring my favorite character: Vlad! Vlad has been my favorite since he made his first appearance in the original series and when I learnt he’d have a series of his own, I was beyond ecstatic and Once Burned didn’t disappoint!

Once Burned is narrated by Leila, a human girl with rather unusual abilities. After she touched a downed power line in her early teenage years, and miraculously surviving, she came out of the encounter changed. Electricity courses through her body, electrocuting anyone she touches. Like it wasn’t enough, by touching someone with her right hand, she sees their biggest sin. She can also access memories of the past, present and even glimpse of the future when touching objects. That’s how she ended up in a carnival troop, never staying long at one place and yet it wasn’t enough to keep her off the radar. A group of vampires will kidnap and threaten her, she has to locate a vampire for them, a ruthless vampire who can manifest fire and isn’t bothered by murder. He might be her only chance at survival though, is it better to deal with the evil you know, or the evil you don’t?

Frost latest book was highly exciting, as per usual. We already had glimpses of Vlad’s past from his time with Cat (main character of the Night Huntress series) but we got a more throughout display of his history in this novel. He was the inspiration behind the famous Dracula stories and we discover the truth behind the legends. We are also blessed with a glimpse behind the hard shell Vlad always keeps up because even though he won’t admit it, he falls for Leila. I truly enjoyed learning more about my favorite vampire, and I know there is still a lot more to discover in the following novel. Leila also was a delightful character. Because of her unique abilities, she always kept herself on the sideline, never allowing anybody close, her only friend being a dwarf vampire from her carnival crew, because he can sustain the electric shocks she gives off. She is fierce, but also starts off as very insecure. Meeting with Vlad will be a life changing experience for her and in more than one way. Her loyalty, determination and courage really shone as she faced some seriously powerful vampires without blinking.

I LOVED the romance in this novel. Vlad and Leila’s relationship is very unusual, to say the least, and seeing them faceoff was highly entertaining! He is used to people cowering in fear, doing his every command but Leila will have none of it. She commands attention and won’t bow to his temper. He is over confident, she’s in denial of her attraction to him and the whole courting (if you can even call it that) was a real game of hide-and-seek. Once they came together is was steaming and electric (quite literally!) and I loved it. There are two particularly searing hot intimate scenes in this novel, and true to herself, Jeaniene Frost delivered epic-scale sex scenes.

The main story line revolve around finding the vampire who ordered Leila’s kidnapping with the ultimate goal of killing Vlad. Frost did an amazing job of keeping us in the dark for a long time, building the suspense and mystery. Via the many actions scenes, Leila developed her abilities with a new found confidence and her progress will be the key to victory. The whole plot was really flowing and kept a realistic and enjoyable pace. Between the action and the romance, there’s no time to be bored at all!

The final battle was grand and I liked that even though it brings some closure, some very important issues remain unsettled, promising even more action for the still untitled second book in the series, scheduled for 2013.

Once Burned is a scorching hot and electrifying read. Its characters and action will sweep you off your feet and leaving you begging for more. Fans of the Night Huntress series do not want to miss it, but more importantly, even though I strongly suggest you read the original series because it’s awesome, you don’t need to read it before you pick up Once Burned. It’s written in a way that let’s you step right into this amazing world Jeaniene Frost created.

Read an Excerpt

tynsig

Tynga is a 32 years old mom of two, from Montreal, working as a lab technician in an hospital specialized in heart disease. In her free time, she enjoys reading all things Paranormal and photography.

Follow Tynga on: Facebook | Twitter

22 People left their mark' :

  1. I love, love, LOVED this one too! I ♥ Vlad. My review will be up later this week.

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  2. I'm not a huge adult reader, but i've read a few of the Night Huntress books and after reading your review, I'm adding this one to me list! Thanks for the great review and featuring this book on your blog!

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  3. I'm right there with you on this one. Vlad and Leila are great together. The wait till until their next book is going to be torture!!


    Paranormal Haven

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    1. True! especially since I read the book 2 months ago already lol

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  4. My friend is trying to get me to read the Night Huntress (and really it is in my ever-so-long TBR list!), but I find myself pining over this one!

    Great review!

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    1. You definitely should! Vlad is my favorite of the series, you can start with this one and read the night huntress after if you like it (which you will)

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  5. I can't wait to sink my teeth into Vlad :).

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  6. Oh now I really can't wait, I have the book I just need more time to read it. You're right I also love Vlad and their romance sounds awesome. thanks for the review!

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  7. Fab review!! I soooo cannot wait to read this! Cannot even described the envy that you got an early copy or ARC!!

    I've entered like 4 or more contests now to try to win a copy and have lost all of them!! :(

    Need Tuesday to come! Need to get myself to a store--since I'll be on vacation and get myself a copy!!

    Again, lovely review!

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    1. I was really lucky. I entered the giveaway Jeaniene held and she emailed me to offer a copy the same day :)

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  8. I seriously cannot wait to read this! OMG! Adore! He is hands down my favorite vampire. Yes, not Bones, Vlad!

    I'm super envious, not of the ARC, but it was sent by the author which probably you've spoken to the author! Which means huge fangirl time!

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    1. I prefer Vlad over Bones too :) ANd yes Jeaniene emailed me to offer a copy, I squeeeed lol

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  10. I loved this review! I can not wait to read this book!

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  11. Great review!! I'm so looking forward to this book! It's one of my most anticipated ones of the year. Love me some Vlad!

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  12. Great review !!
    Si seulement j'avais le livre en main ^^

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  13. Thanks for the amazing review! I read the first 20% of the book through HarperCollins's Browse Inside feature and was left desperate for more. I also loved Vlad in the Night Huntress books and I'm sure the same will be true for Once Burned. I cannot wait to see what will happen! :)

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  14. Thanks for the great review. I cannot wait to read this. Hopefully, my copy will arrive on time. I LOVE The Night Huntress series and even though Bones is my man, Vlad is still a good second choice.

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