Review: Death's Mistress by Karen Chance

Title: Death's Mistress
Author: Karen Chance
Series: Dorina Basarab #2
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Release Date: January 5, 2010
Publisher: Onyx
Edition: Mass Market Paperback
Source: Bought
Blurb:

Dorina Basarab is a dhampir-half-human, half-vampire. Back home in Brooklyn after the demise of her insane Uncle Dracula, Dory's hoping her life is about to calm down. But soon Dory realizes someone is killing vampire Senate members, and if she can't stop the murderer, her friends may be next...

Midnight's Daughter was one of my favourite books I've read this year, so I was a little nervous about the follow up, but I'm happy to say that it was even better! Dorina is back and trouble keeps finding her, as usual. She's still as strong as usual and follows nobody's rules but her own. She has to deal with the vampires once again and that includes her father, Mircea.

Her relationship with him keeps being difficult and complicated but we also see a new side of Mircea. There are things that Dorina always asumed were the truth, but it turns out that she doesn't really know her father much, although the same could be said about him. I loved seeing their relationship evolve, especially when Mircea started trusting Dory.

The other important vampire in the books is Louise-Cesare, Dory's romantic interest. These two have been dancing around each other for quite a while and now they have to figure out where each other fits in their lives. I loved these two characters, especially when they were together, and even though they have plenty of difficulties, they keep fighting for what they want: each other. Also, we find out some ugly things from Louise-Cesare's past and we finally get a resolution on the Christine front.

Other characters in this book are Radu, Dory's uncle and Ray, a vampire that was at the wrong place at the wrong time (although he has plenty to account for). Both of them provide comic relief when the plot gets too dark. They're definitely on my top list of favourite characters.

With a perfect blend of action, mystery and romance, this was without a doubt one of my favourite books of the year. Too bad we have to wait so long for the next one!

Memorable Lines:

"As you're constantly reminding me, I'm family. Tell me and maybe I can help. Or does the family thing only work when you want something?"
Mircea took a deep breath, which he didn't need, to show me how much of a pain I was being. "It's about his family, Dorina, and is not my story to tell. Now, have you seen him?"
"I haven't heard from him in a month," I said flatly, suddenly tiring of the game. Most vampire clans unlucky enough to end up with a dhampir quickly bury the problem—six feet under. I supposed I should be happy that Mircea had taken a somewhat more enlightened view. But as far as my status as family was concerned, it was and always would be second-class.

Previous Books:
1. Midnight's Daughter - Review

Rating:

Review: Midnight's Daughter by Karen Chance

Title: Midnight's Daughter
Author: Karen Chance
Series: Dorina Basarab #1
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Release Date: October 7th, 2008
Blurb:

Dorina Basarab is a dhampir—half-human, half-vampire. Subject to uncontrollable rages, most dhampirs live very short, very violent lives. So far, Dory has managed to maintain her sanity by unleashing her anger on those demons and vampires who deserve killing.

Now Dory’s vampire father has come back into her life. Her uncle Dracula (yes, the Dracula) infamous even among vampires for his cruelty and murderous ways, has escaped his prison. And her father wants Dory to work with the gorgeous master vampire Louis-Cesare to put him back there.

Vampires and dhampirs are mortal enemies, and Dory prefers to work alone. But Dracula is the only thing on earth that truly scares her, and when Dory has to go up against him, she’ll take all the help she can get…

I heard good things about this book, so I decided to check it out. I'm so glad I did.
Dorina is a great character: she's strong, independent but also has weak spots (namely her room mate and her family, although she doesn't want to admit it). I loved how Dorina's rages were handled. You never knew when she was going to snap, and that made the book very interesting.
The other big character is Louis-Cesare. At the beginning he's prejudiced against dhampirs but as the story advances, he starts liking Dori. He's very formal but at the same time lethal. I loved him instantly.

Then there's Dori's family: his father Mircea, his uncle Radu and his crazy uncle Dracula. Mircea is an interesting character. We know that dhampirs are hunted by vampires and viceversa, but he loves his daughter, even though he doesn't know how to show it. I know he's also a mayor character in Chance's Cassandra Palmer series, but I haven't read them, so I've only seen him from Dori's point of view. I especially liked Radu. He's kind of weird and very clever but he's the most sensitive of the three brothers. As for Dracula, he was a great villian. He was cruel, vicious and very intelligent.

There was a sub-plot in the book and it was about Dori's missing roommate. I enjoyed this part of the book, even though sometimes I wished the story centered itself more on Dracula's plot.
The worldbuilding was good and I especially liked the faeries and the differences between them.
The first thing I did after finishing this book was order the next one, it's too bad we're going to have to wait so long for the third book. This was a great read, and fans of vampires will enjoy it.


Memorable Lines:

“Hey, still talking here. If you want me to do this, I do it my way. If you aren’t available 'cause your manicurist can’t switch appointments or whatever, fine. I’ll put a team together. I have a couple names in mind already–all you need to do is get them out of jail for me–and I’m sure Marlowe can come up with a few more. I heard there was some sort of dueling whiz over from Europe to help the Consul with a challenge. Someone like that might be able to keep Drac busy long enough for me to deal with him.”
“I quite agree,” Mircea said, pouring himself a drink.
“Then get busy and see about finding him,” I said testily. I wanted things arranged before I let the sneaky creature beneath me off the floor.
“I don’t need to find him,” I was told calmly. “I already know where he is.”
Good, at least one problem was out of the way. “Somewhere nearby, I hope.”
Mircea downed a generous measure of scotch in a single gulp. I grinned–most unmannerly. But the pleasure quickly faded at his next words. “Oh, yes. You’re sitting on him.”


Next Book:
Death's Mistress - January 5th 2010


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