Author: Laura Wright
Series: Mark of the Vampire
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Book: 1
In the mood for a little vampire romance that doesn't involve sparkles?
History:
I have been the proud owner of Eternal Hunger since it was first published in October of 2010. It has since sat on my shelf in a 'to be read' pile that takes up an entire bookcase.
After finishing Wedding Favors I had a decision to make, grab from the ever growing pile of new books from series I'm completely caught up with or start a new book. I didn't really feel a connection to any of my 'caught up' books so I decided to pull Hunger from it's waiting shelf.
Back Story:
The series follows the three Roman brothers, Alexander, Nicholas and Lucian. Having fled the proper and sequestered vampire society over one hundred years ago after being betrayed by their so-called people, they find themselves falling back down the rabbit hole when the Eternal Order, the governing body for all vampires, comes knocking.
Eternal Hunger:
Hunger is the first novel in the Mark of the Vampire series and follows eldest brother Alexander Roman. Son of the Breeding Male, Alexander and his two half brothers Nicholas and Lucian were born into a world (and for two of the boys their mothers) who hate them just for who and what their father is.
Lately Alexander has found his control slipping and usually hides himself away in a self made prison than risk the life of an innocent. But when wandering the streets of New York one night ends with Alexander in excruciating pain from an unknown source with the sun rising and his flesh burning (the sun never burned him before) he realizes he's going to die.
And die he would have had Dr. Sara Donohue not been coming home from her shift at a psych hospital to find him smoldering on her stoop. Before she can make a decision to let the burning man who can telepathically call for her help into her apartment a crazed former patient makes the decision for her, forcing Sara and Alexander into the darkness of her residence.
Out of the sun and able to think, Alexander realizes he's going through the final change and becoming an "adult" vampire (a full one hundred years before he should be) and that the lovely doctor stirs something inside him no human should be able to. Making short work of the former patient, Alexander steals Sara away to protect her from the crazed man - unknowingly setting off a chain of events that will change their lives and the lives of those around them forever.
Review:
Eternal Hunger was actually a really fun read. Fast paced the book doesn't allow itself to become stagnant by getting "stuck" in any one place for too long. Unlike in some books, where the villain sections become too long and tedious, Hunger keeps them short and light - teasing readers with information that makes us want to read their next section.
The book also does a great job of not introducing too many characters. Occasionally in the first novel of a book an author will throw a whole group of warriors into the mix, none getting proper time or depth until they get their own novel. This isn't the case with Eternal Hunger. If anything I left the novel feeling like I knew more about brothers Nicholas and Lucian than I did Alexander, which left me wanting to pick up their novels as quickly as possible (thankfully I already have Nicholas' Eternal Kiss).
As far as heroes and heroines go, Alexander Roman is one Alpha vampire. Sinfully good looking (even more so naked) I loved him even when he was supposed to appear as unreasonable (for me his actions make sense through the entire book). Heroine Sarah Donohue was a great heroine as well. A truly strong woman, I loved being able to see her fears and doubts come through later in the novel, giving the character more depth.
The one "downside" to the novel is the vampire culture / language. I actually created a small cheat sheet for myself as the Roman brothers and the few other vampires we meet in the series will throw out the "ancient" language easily and often.
Additionally I figured out a few key plot points less than one hundred pages into the novel. I thought for certain they would ruin the ending for me but instead I can't help but wonder if the reader isn't meant to figure out those plot points early since they end up not being that important. I was so certain I'd figured the book out by page eighty that when the real shocker comes at the end of the book I was taken by complete surprise!
Note that while the love scenes aren't off the charts X-rated, the language used to describe certain body parts may be offensive to some.
Series (Thus Far):
1. Eternal Hunger
2. Eternal Kiss
3. "Eternal Blood" - eBook
4. Eternal Captive
Rating:
Quality of Writing: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Pace: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Plot Development: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Characters: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Enjoyability: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Ease of Reading: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
