Normally I don’t care for books with dragons in it, but Shadow of the Vampire by Meagan Hatfield had me from page one. I immediately felt sympathy for Declan, since I, myself, have lost my parents and I know what that is like. The characters were strong and believable and I fell in love, and wanted the best for, them.
Vampire princess Alexia Feodorovna has been undead for 125 years, so it’s been a while since any man has made her pulse race. Until Declan Black. One look at his bronzed body and a fire like no other consumes her. Then she discovers that he’s a dragon lord come to take revenge on the vamps who killed his parents. And claim a crystal said to imbue its owner with incredible powers.
Alexia is ordered to torture and kill the dragon lord. Yet with each reckless encounter, she finds herself consumed by his fiery passion. A passion Declan battles, as well. Will he be able to resist the fire of lust she kindles within him and keep revenge in his heart? Or will he risk everything to quench the burning desire
and claim the vampire as his own?
Declan was just stepping into his role as Dragon King when he gets caught breaking into the vampire horde’s catacombs to retrieve the crystal. Alexia, the future Queen of the Horde, who loves her black leather and her 5 inch high heel stripper boots, is ordered to kill him. However things take a turn that no one is expecting. There is instant attraction between Alexia and Declan. Both of them know its wrong and fight it, but they are forced together in different situations throughout the book. I found the inner struggle of Declan and Alexia over their desires, and what was right, to be interesting.
Declan and Alexia relationship reminded me of opposites attracting. I thought Declan’s desire to protect Alexia was sweet and romantic. The feelings and love between Alexia and Declan to some might seem unrealistic and impossible, but to me it showed how every relationship must overcome differences and hurtles. I enjoyed the story about around the crystal and how it could rule all or destroy one. I really enjoyed the struggles that both Declan and Alexia had to go through to be together.
Alexia’s future stepfather, Lotharus, rubbed me the wrong way. He seemed to be controlling and wanted to run things. Even though women have always ruled the horde, he wanted to take over. Since at the time that wasn’t possible, he controlled the Queen and Alexia, bidding his time. In the beginning it looks like he is being helpful, and just making suggestions, but soon you realize that’s not the case.
Declan’s little sister Tallon was a minor character is this book but as you read about her you wanted to know more about her. She was so hurt and angry inside, she took it out on people around her. She has been through a lot, and after the death of her parents, all she has left is Declan, and the two men in her life that she is torn between, Falcon and Griffon. Tallon fought for what she believed was right, which is very admirable. She stood up and fought when the dragons staged an attack to get Declan back.
I found the fight over the crystal to be remarkable. The vampires had it, but the dragons wanted it, because they feared that the vampires would use it against them. The struggle over the crystal was what pushed Declan and Alexia together, and that was fascinating. This book gives everyone sometime, the drama from the crystal, the fighting, and my favorite the hot steamy romance. The chemistry is right, and will have you turning the pages until the end.
Overall I really enjoyed Shadow of the Vampire. The only thing I was disappointed about was the cliffhanger at the end involving Declan and Tallon’s parents, but it sets it up for another book. Hopefully, this is the first book of a new amazing series.