Memories of Envy by B. Hendee

BHendee-Memories of EnvyWhen I sat down to read Memories of Envy by Barb Hendee, I was all prepped for blood and terror and action, which is usual for vampire novels.  Sadly that’s not what happened.

A reluctant predator, Eleisha Clevon is determined to locate all vampires still existing in isolation, so she might offer them sanctuary at her home in Portland-and more importantly, so she can teach them to feed without killing.

But the beautiful and delicate Simone Stratford doesn’t want to be saved. Made into a vampire in the Roaring Twenties, she enjoys playing her own elaborate games with mortals, stoking their passion for her before finally draining them of their blood. And soon Eleisha and her protector, Philip Branté, find themselves caught up in one of Simone’s games, which turns into a battle for Eleisha’s life and Philip’s soul…

I didn’t like the characters, or the fact that so much attention was focused on Simone and Phillip that you don’t really get to know anyone else.   Although I don’t feel like I ever got to know either of them.  Yes it’s the third book in a series, and I haven’t read the first two, but you should still get an image of the characters no matter what book it is.

The plot I didn’t quite understand either. I get that Eleisha has a mission, but I don’t really understand it.  Some little tidbit is missing to explain it for me.  I have so many questions about it and did from the first few pages that I never got into the story.  I had to push myself through the book, because I hoped, really really hoped, that it got better but it didn’t.  I think one of the main reasons I didn’t like it, is that Barb Hendee has a softer twist on vampires.  That’s not a bad thing, but I like the edgier and darker vamps and I just can’t get into G-rated vamp stories.  There were a few hunting scenes, one ‘horrific’ one but it was far too quick and too clean to really be considered horrific for me.

Memories of Envy seemed to be lacking something the whole way through. If there had been more action, more focus on all the characters introduced, and more of an explanation of the world in Memories of Envy, this would have been a good read.

Read order:
Blood Memories
Hunting Memories
Memories of Envy
In Memories We Fear

About Nikki R 120 Articles
SAHM of 2, happily married bookworm, blogger and aspiring author. If I could read/write all day, every day, I would. Luckily I have a very understanding, and patient, husband who lets me get away with it as much as possible. Now if only the kids would understand my obsession, and the house would clean itself, then I'd be all set.