Format Read: Paperback
Number of Pages: 480 pages
Release Date: April 12th, 2010
Publisher: Ballentine Books
Formats Available: Paperback, eBook
Purchasing Info: GoodReads, BookDepository

Book Blurb:


When the human and the vampire worlds collide, there will be hell to pay.

Luca Ambrus is a rare breed: vampire from birth, begotten by vampire parents, blood born. He is also an agent of the Council—the centuries-old cabal that governs vampirekind, preserving their secrecy and destroying those who betray them.

When a cryptic summons leads him to the scene of the brutal killing of a powerful Council member, Luca begins the hunt for an assassin among his own people. But instead of a lone killer he discovers a sinister conspiracy of rogue vampires bent on subjugating the mortal world.

All that stands in their way are the conduits, humans able to channel spirit warriors into the physical world to protect mankind. Chloe Fallon is a conduit—and a target of the vampire assassin who’s killing them. When Luca saves her life, an irresistible bond of trust—along with more passionate feelings—is forged between them. As more victims fall, Chloe and Luca have only each other to depend on to save the world from the reign of monsters—and salvage their own future together.

My Thoughts:


I am a huge fan of Linda Howard, and although her last few books have not really set the pages alight for me compared to her older works, I was hopeful that this book was going to be the one that brings back the old mojo of Linda Howard – especially since her co-author is Linda Jones, who I highly recommend for her fantasy romance books. However, I do have to say that although Blood Born is a book with flaws, it was not a dud either. The main strength of the book was the worldbuilding and characters who were well developed and fleshed out, but I found there were problems with multiple point of views, and with the pacing of the story.

The book starts off with several POVs which makes the pacing slow as it concentrated on minor characters; such as the victims which distracted the attention and early development of the main characters, Chloe and Lucas. Add the fact the Chloe and Luca do not meet up until quite later in the book, that does not help either, and I found that too much time was on the setting up of the plot and the world building. There was a lot of of telling, but it did not bring the plot forward in any way. Also there was quite a bit of repitition such as the characters musings. For example, several times Luca dwells on how humans need to be saved from the machinations of the traitor from the Vampire council. I wished that during the editing stage this was picked up because it really affected the pacing of the plot and a lot of time was wasted on redundant info.

I also felt that Luca was not as well developed in the beginning, and I was not really keen on his character because I felt that the was the atypical noble but loner hero, and there was nothing that really that stood out for me. However, in contrast, I loveed Chloe who was his heroine. She was fully fleshed out and I liked her independence and spunk.

Luckily, I found that Luca’s character was developed further in the book when he finally encounters Chloe, and their relationship unfolds with more depth for his character – as well as having development towards the plot as well as the romance. Her irreverent attitude was a great foil for Luca, and at this point, the story really got going. But I do have to say that Sorin who is one of the vampires hunting Chloe was more memorable, and I think more well developed in many ways compared to Luca. He is unapologetically ruthless when he has to be, but throughout the course of the book, he shows some vulnerability which made him feel more well rounded.

The world-building was well thought out, and I really liked the fact that in Blood Born, the tropes of supernatural beings and archetypal warriors was combined and it was a strong element in the story. I did think that a lot of the time was spent on telling instead of showing with establishing the characters and plot, and I felt with what I read that Linda Howard and Linda Jones did not spend enough time together working out the kinks and editorial decisions in the book. I hope the second book will be an improvement and I am eagerly looking forward to Sorin’s story.

Blood Born is a good start, with several memorable characters and a well thought out premise – for me its a sort of return to form for Linda Howard in her co-authored new paranormal series. And for a first book, despite its flaws and slow start, it shows promise in future instalments.

For Blood Born I give 3 out of 5 Bookies

***FTC Disclaimer: Most books reviewed on this site have been provided free of charge by the publisher, author or publicist. Some books we have purchased with our own money and will be noted as such. Any links to places to purchase books are provided as a convenience, and do not serve as an endorsement by this blog. All reviews are the true and honest opinion of the blogger reviewing the book. The method of acquiring the book does not have a bearing on the content of the review.

About Has

Has is a bookaholic and feeds her addiction whenever she can. She usually can be found lost in a Romance or an Urban Fantasy novel. Her favourite sub genres are Paranormal, Fantasy and some Scifi. Her most treasured authors are, Patricia Briggs, Ilona Andrews, Ann Aguirre, Lisa Kleypas and Tamora Pierce. She loves that discovery of finding a brand new author and falling in love with their books. Has also blogs a The Book Pushers - Book chatter and reviews

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