Out for Blood (The Drake Chronicles #3) by Alyxandra Harvey

Title: Out for Blood

Author: Alyxandra Harvey

Series: 3rd in Drake Chronicles

Pages: 304

Published: December 21, 2010 by Walker Books

ISBN: 9780802721686

Source: ARC from Around The World Tours

Description: Hunter Wild is the youngest in a long line of elite vampire hunters, a legacy that is both a blessing and a curse at the secret Helios-Ra Academy, where she excels at just about everything. Thanks to her friendship with Kieran Black, Hunter receives a special invitation to attend the coronation of Helena Drake, and for the first time, she sees the difference between vampires that must be hunted and vampires that can become friends—or even more. When students at the academy fall victim to a mysterious illness, Hunter suspects they are under attack from within. She will need someone she can trust to help her save the future of Helios-Ra . . . help that shockingly comes in the form of Quinn Drake, a drop-dead gorgeous vampire. Who said senior year would be easy?

I Give This ...

 I love this series!  I think it's an original idea to flesh the background characters out in their own individual stories.  The Drake brothers each have the own personality, but we don't know much about them all yet.  Plus each book brings more of the story to life.  And each faction has had a place in the story.

I loved Hunter.  She reminds me a lot of Lucy except were Hunter was trained to kill vampires from an early age.  I like how normal she seems but with a lot of expectations on her shoulders.  She's responsible, but willing to accept that sometimes change is good.  Things to always have to be done the same way.  I liked seeing the inner workings of the Helios-Ra academy.  

I wasn't sure about Quinn.  He seemed your typical arrogant male who also happens to be a vampire.  He used this to his liking.  But, I think Hunter is just the sort of women he needs to put him in his place.  He's an interesting addition to the Drake household.  He attitude about things seems different that the characters we know so far.  

I was intrigued with how things are going with Solage.  Something is different about her besides what we learned in this book.  I'll be looking forward to what future books say about her.  I'm also interested in the parents.  They still seem to be background characters.  I would be intrigued to see what they think about all their children seeming to find partners so quickly (and with people I'm sure they see as unsuitable at first).

Blood Feud (The Drake Chronicles, #2) by Alyxandra Harvey

Title: Blood Feud

Series: 2nd  in The Drake Chronicles

Author: Alyxandra Harvey

Published: June 22, 2010 by Bloomsbury

Pages: 272

ISBN: 9780802720979 

Source: ARC from Around The World Tours

Description:  It’s been centuries since Isabeau St. Croix barely survived the French Revolution. Now she’s made her way back to the living and she must face the ultimate test by confronting the evil British lord who left her for dead the day she turned into a vampire. That’s if she can control her affection for Logan Drake, a vampire whose bite is as sweet as the revenge she seeks.
The clans are gathering for Helena’s royal coronation as the next vampire queen, and new alliances are beginning to form now that the old rifts of Lady Natasha’s reign have started to heal. But with a new common enemy, Leander Montmarte—a vicious leader who hopes to force Solange to marry him and usurp the power of the throne for himself—the clans must stand together to preserve the peace he threatens to destroy.  

I Give This ...
 

I liked this one, but it wasn't as engaging as the first in the series.  I still liked the dual narratives, but the voices didn't mesh as well.  Logan was different as the male narrative.  He's completely the opposite of most male characters.  But, that was the point.  It's also what drew Isabeau to him.  I liked her as well.  I especially enjoyed the flashbacks to the French Revolution and her life before she was turned.  I just didn't feel the attraction and sexual tension between these two.  It wasn't as intense as the first book.  I liked how the characters that played such a big part of the first book are still prominent in this one while the rest of the brothers are still part of the background.  I would miss Lucy and Nicholas if they weren't still part of the story.  I do wonder were the story is going next.  It seems like too much happened at the end of the second book. In general, I liked this book and would recommend it to those who enjoyed Hearts at Stake.

Hearts at Stake (The Drake Chronicles, #1) by Alyxandra Harvey

Title: Hearts At Stake
Author: Alyxandra Harvey
Published: December 2009
Pages: 256
ISBN: 9780802720740
Source: Around The World Tours

Description: The Blakes are rather different to your usual neighbours. They are vampires and some of the members of the family date back to the twelfth century. One of the children, Solange, is the only born female vampire known and, as such, she poses a direct threat to the vampire queen. Her best friend Lucy is human, and when Solange is kidnapped Lucy and Solange's brother, Nicholas, set out to save her. Lucy soon discovers that she would like to be more than just friends with Nicholas. But how does one go about dating a vampire? Meanwhile, Solange finds an unlikely ally in Kieran, a vampire slayer on the hunt for his father's killer.

I Give This Book 4 Stars!

When this book first popped up on my radar, I didn't even add it to my to-read list.  I felt a little bit burnt out on vampires and this one didn't sound any different than all the others.  It came up on my tours site I belong to, so I thought what they heck.   I am so glad I did.  Sure, it's about vampires.  But, that's were the similarities end.  Solange was not your typical character.  She's not a vampire through out most of the book.  Vampires that are born go through the change with they turn 16.  I thought this was an interesting twist on the theories.  Plus, I think she seemed to really dislike the thought of changing and all the stuff that goes with it (crazy people sending her gifts not to mention the prophecy).  Her best friend Lucy was great.  I enjoyed their relationship.  Adding a human to the mix made for some interesting situations.  Nicholas was just the right mixture of brooding vampire and protective older brother.  Some of the scenes between him and Lucy actually made me catch my breath a little!  There was enough action to propel the story forward and leave you wondering what will happen next.  Needless to say, I was surprised at how much I ended up enjoying the story.  I finished in one day and now I'm eager for the next in the series!  Even if you think you've had enough vampires, I would recommend this one!