I picked this up because Brandon Sanderson gave it such a strong endorsement, and I’ve liked some of his books before. It certainly didn’t live up to the endorsement (“you must move it to the top of your TBR list now!”), but it wasn’t bad. There were moments I considered not finishing it though.
The story bounces back and forth between Zan and Ellie as point of view characters, in a fantastical world that reminded me intensely of whatever Twilight book it was that took place in Italy (since this takes place in Venice). They even reference Twilight at one point, I think. Zan and his clan are “skilled,” or have supernatural magical powers, and (like every story of the type) they keep their kind hidden from “typics,” or those who lack such powers.
Ellie is a typic, but she’s one in which the mafia-esque “skilled” families are intensely interested, for reasons that become clear as the story goes on. Zan is following her because of this, but as soon as they meet, sparks fly. I wasn’t really feeling the love story this time… I don’t know why. Maybe it just felt too stereotypical, and I didn’t really connect to any of the characters, for some reason I can’t identify.
The action was well-written. I don’t think I’ll be reading on in the series, though.
My rating: ***
Language: some, not overwhelming
Violence: some, but minor
Sexual content: alluded to but not on the page
Political content: none
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