The book opens with them receiving a visit from a local vampire named Rick. It seems that Rick wants to overthrow the Denver master vampire and wants Kitty to help him. He also suggests that Kitty go to Denver and overthrow the Denver werewolf alpha. He believes that with his vampire loyalists and her new Denver werewolf clan they can defeat the ruling vampire and his followers.

Kitty left Denver several years ago in an attempt to flee an abusive and violent alpha – the same alpha that Rick wants her to kill. She’s not about to return there to get involved in vampire and werewolf politics. She flatly refuses Rick and discounts his plan, vowing to never return to Denver.

So of course, a situation arises that forces her back to Denver. Her mother, who lives there, has taken ill and Kitty returns to Denver with Ben to see her. Although she’d hoped to remain incognito and take care of her family affairs quietly and privately, she soon finds herself face-to-face with Rick, the Denver alpha, and the Denver master vamp. So much for her plans!

By this time it’s obvious to Kitty that a vampire and werewolf war is brewing on the surface. Not against one another, but it looks like the two rulers plan to unite against their insurgents. Kitty knows this will spell trouble for every werewolf and vampire in Denver and that the potential for human collateral damage is high. When a string of werewolf and vampire murders occurs and an acquaintance of hers is killed Kitty knows she can no long sit on the sidelines. She either has to stay and fight or flee Denver before the war gains momentum.

I’m not telling which choice she makes.

Carrie Vaughn knows how to write evenly paced urban fantasy with solid storylines. Every book in this fantasy series meets that criteria and this one is no exception. What I really like about this book is the range of emotion experienced by Kitty. Grief, guilt, shock, anger, love, compassion, sorrow, regret, outrage, and revenge are all here and collectively serve to illustrate Kitty’s character growth, an element not always present in some of today’s urban fantasy books.

Carrie Vaughn’s writing is as tight as ever and her ability to mix the emotional aspects of the storyline with pulse quickening adventure makes this fantasy book a winner. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and recommend that you check it out.

According to Amazon sales here are the Top 10 Best Selling Urban Fantasy Books thus far for 2008. As you can see, Jim Butcher dominates the list.

Check out the cool carousel at the bottom of the list!

1. Halfway to the Grave (Night Huntress Book 1) by Jeaniene Frost
2. Proven Guilty (The Dresden Files Book #8) by Jim Butcher
3. Magic Burns (Kate Daniels Book 2) by Ilona Andrews
4. Dark Possession (The Carpathians (Dark) Series Book 15) by Christine Feehan
5. Storm Front (The Dresden Files Book 1) by Jim Butcher
6. Magic Bites (Kate Daniels Book 1) by Ilona Andrews
7. Fool Moon (The Dresden Files Book 2) by Jim Butcher
8. Blood Rites (The Dresden Files Book 6) by Jim Butcher
9. Death Masks (The Dresden Files Book 5) by Jim Butcher
10. Dead Beat (The Dresden Files Book 7) by Jim Butcher

Let your cursor hover over any of the books below to check out the latest prices. Click on the book itself to get more information:

J.F. Lewis is the author of the book “Staked” which I reviewed at this site a while back. I can’t wait for his latest edition which I believe is due to hit the streets either late this year or early next year.

Here’s hoping I can nab an ARC of that gem!