I was expecting another romp through the world of vampires in this follow-up to [b:Bloodshot|8140731|Bloodshot (The Cheshire Red Reports, #1)|Cherie Priest|http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/511c3Mc0XyL._SL75_.jpg|12937194]. I didn't quite get it. Sure, there was thievery, there was snarkiness, there was even magic this time around.

One thing I found to be missing was a compelling through-line of a story. This felt like three parallel stories that sometimes crossed paths. None of them really carried the book. Therefore, they each just sort ended. So did the the book.

Also missing: suspense. There were very few times I really felt like the characters had everything on the line. Perhaps this is due to the lighthearted tone of Raylene's narration. But I did experience a more suspense in the previous adventure.

Action and adventure were also missing here. There was a bit, here and there, like when Ray was trying to recover the magical bones. But mostly there was a lot of talking.

Even so, I'm caught up with these characters. I have learned to like Raylene's voice. It did keep me going for the length of this book and I will be back for the next adventure. I just hope it's more adventurous. ( )

A fast read and a lot of fun. I also liked it better than the previous book in the series. I look forward to the next book in the series. ( )

Still enjoying the main character, and the writing style. I will be sure to read more of this series and try out her other ones. ( )

This was fun, a solid to high 3 stars, although I don't find now I have a lot to say about it. Enjoyable though. ( )

Raylene Pendle is my new favorite vampire! I loved this book so much. Cherie Priest writes with such humor, but there is also a lot of love there (although don't tell Raylene that, because she really wants to be viewed as a loner). Her little family (a vampire, 2 orphans, and a drag queen/ex-Navy Seal) are adorable, and she actually seems destined to pick up a few more to add to the group along the way.

Raylene is a vampire thief and she has been hired to retrieve a humidor full of bacula - penis bones to us lay people - that can enhance magical abilities. Of course, this proves to be more difficult than expected when she has to chase a psychotic sorceress to get them. She also has to save her friend, Ian, from possible extermination at the hands of his "brother" when the head of their House is killed and Ian is next in line to inherit.

I loved the way all of the characters were so distinct and had their own individual personalities, and that their back stories were explained.in a very organic and natural way. The pacing was great, which made this an enjoyable and quick read.

In summary, I highly recommend this book.

5/5 stars.

I received a copy of this book free of charge in exchange for my honest opinion. ( )