Title: Vampire's Thirst (The Awakening Series)Classification: Adult Fiction
Genre: Paranormal Romance/Erotic?
Series: The Awakening Series
Format: Paperback: 224 pages
Publisher: Forever Yours (May 6, 2014)
ISBN-10: 1455552607
ISBN-13: 978-1455552603
Author's Website: http://cynthiagarnerbooks.com/
Notes: I received and eARC loan from the publisher.
The zombie apocalypse is going strong. Duncan is adjusting to his new role as Vampire King and is trying to keep moral up while attempting to keep the peace between the humans and vampires. Humans are volunteering to become blood donors for vampires in exchange for protection. They're also becoming restless and resent being cooped up and unable to get out. While their confinement is for their own protection, it does get a bit monotonous, but when even the smallest runs to get supplies more times than not ends in someone dying, it can't be helped.
While tensions are running high, Kimber feels responsible for the apocalypse and keeps trying to figure out what caused it so she can reverse it. One thing appears clear--the darkness that escaped during a reanimation gone wrong has to be pushed back into the Unseen. In order to do that, she needs to experiment on zombies. Afraid to confide in Duncan her theory of how to reverse the situation, their relationship will be put to the test. If a reversal of what happened can't be accomplished, the whole world will be doomed. While it sounds simple--cure the zombies save the world--it's anything but and Kimber will put her life on the line.
Things look bleak as the number of humans decreases as the number of zombies increases. As supplies begin to grow short, alternative methods of gaining food are explored. Safety is the priority and everything done takes careful planning. Meanwhile, Duncan's human donor plan is starting to gain the attention of other vampire leaders. Willing donors are a novelty, and while vampires seem to enjoy and benefit from it, humans are only agreeing because the alternative almost surely would lead to death by zombie.
I like the stress and tension everything brings to the oh so new relationship between Duncan and Kimber. Insecurities and misunderstandings develop between the two as obligations and loyalties pull them apart and make them see how different their lives are. As with any good relationship, it takes work, commitment, and communication. I like that Ms. Garner didn't make things super easy on this couple.
Overall, I really liked the story and gave it 3 1/2 out of 5 roses. There was one discrepancy I found between the first book and this one. In the first book it was stated vampires couldn't become zombies. They just suffered horrible pain. In this book, it was said they'd become a sort of super zombie retaining all their vampire speed and strength. It didn't affect the outcome of this book, but I'm curious about any future books. Of course, as I was reading an ARC, the author may have righted this error before the book goes to print. I'll be curious to see if she does. If not, I supposed in the third book she could claim at first they thought they couldn't be turned until they found out differently. On the Lisarenee Romance Rating Scale, this one earned a SHOWER rating--a cold shower is necessary (need I say more?). Some books should come with a warning--make sure your significant other is handy or your shower is in working order. lol As with the first book in the series, Vampire's Hunger, I felt the love scenes combined with the colorful language used had this one leaning toward an erotic read, but poised precariously on the fence.
Order of the series:
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