Blessed (Tantalize #3) by Cynthia Leitich Smith

Title: Blessed

Author: Cynthia Leitich Smith

Series: Last in Tantalize

Pages: 480

Published: February 8, 2011 by Candlewick

ISBN:  9780763643263

Source: ARC from Star Book Tours

 

Description: Quincie P. Morris, teen restaurateuse and neophyte vampire, is in the fight of her life — or undeath. Even as she adjusts to her new appetites, she must clear her best friend and true love, the hybrid werewolf Kieren, of murder charges; thwart the apocalyptic ambitions of Bradley Sanguini, the seductive vampire-chef who "blessed" her; and keep her dead parents’ restaurant up and running. She hires a more homespun chef and adds the preternaturally beautiful Zachary to her wait staff. But with hundreds of new vampires on the rise and Bradley off assuming the powers of Dracula Prime, Zachary soon reveals his true nature — and a flaming sword — and they hit the road to staunch the bloodshed before it’s too late. Even if they save the world, will there be time left to salvage Quincie’s soul? 

I Give This ...

 

This was a satisfying ending the the trilogy.  It wasn't as good as Eternal, but I liked it a lot more that I liked Tantalize.  The mesh of characters was a little odd at first, but it worked better than I thought it would.

Quincie's character was so much better in this one.   She's accepted that she's a vampire, but it doing her best to not become a monster.  Plus, she's working her hardest to come up with a cure for those Bradley "blessed" while he was the chief of her restaurant.  Zachary was a little off for me, but I think it's because I think he had a better connection with Miranda.  He just seems like a background character.  The rest of the cast fill out the story nicely.

I liked the action and pace in this story.  I love the inclusions of Dracula and some myths involving him.  Interesting idea that Dracula could be alive and well in this story.  While the part with the wolves was a bit gory, I think it was a highlight of the story.  I also really enjoyed the ending.  It concluded all the storylines and left me happy with the way the story ended.  I'll be looking forward to see what the author comes up with next!