Author: Cat Hellisen
Published: February 28th 2012 by Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)
 

I have been told that I may not like this book. Generally, advice means well. But the stubborn me did not listen. And what do I know, the warning was right. I did not like it. It wasn’t terrible or anything like it. It just wasn’t my type. Not my cup of tea. I didn’t have any expectations with this book, but if I did it’ll sure fall short.

This book has vampires and my last of this kind was The Immortal Rules. And I have to say that book was awesome. Tough act to follow. Though in this book’s defense, the only thing the two books share is the vampire thing, other than that they are totally different. But still, I was profoundly saddened that I end up disliking it. It’s heartless of me to say it was an utter waste of time, because surprisingly it held my interest to continue and even finish the whole thing. Ok, so I admit I did skim a several pages because this book sort of lost me halfway through. I’m a little confused with this book but I think I get the story. I’m ok with vagueness and profundity (and maybe some profanity). Look at Wither, I liked—loved it. Incarceron too. But I don’t get it here. I’m not sold.

I don’t know why people shelved it as dystopia because it has very historical-fiction feel to it. While I’m aware of that fact, I’m confused with the world, there are few things that took me by surprised. Surprising tidbits I’m not really that fond of. So I was holding on to my last hope that the romance will save it from my complete distaste. Ah, well…it didn’t turn out good. For me it didn’t. Felicita (Firell), the main character runaway from home to avoid her arranged marriage. Then I think she worked as waitress, or dishwasher or whatever it was. Then she fell for Dash, who turned out to be a bad guy. She also has an annoying and puzzling interest with a vampire named Jannick. Two guys? Sounds like a love triangle, yes? That’s what I thought. And if I haven’t said enough, I heart love triangles…at least the well executed ones (great example of it is Unearthly series). But once again, one of many confusing attributes of this book is I don’t get the love story. If there is a love story. I don’t know why she fell for Dash in the first place. As for the other guy Jannick, I’m not interested. Even though I have this feeling that he was peg as the lonely guy (being treated insignificantly by his mother, despite his wealth will end up servant to his powerful and favored sister. And he is a vampire, you know what they think of themselves…) I just couldn’t. Yes, even if I considered his background, he still didn’t win me. Actually, I’m apathetic with everyone.

I’m not even sure about the ending.

I don’t see why others liked it but maybe there’s something that I just didn’t see. So see for yourself. Bats, bats, bats… everywhere bats.