Ash’s review of Afterlight (The Dark Ink Chronicles, Book 1) by Elle Jasper
Urban Fantasy published by Signet Eclipse 02 Nov 10
Afterlight is a pretty average addition to the urban fantasy genre. It’s good enough to hold my interest, but there are more than a few things that stand out and make me roll my eyes.
The book is told from Riley’s point of view and there isn’t a chapter where we aren’t reminded that Riley was a bad teenager and she has a shady past. Okay, I get it already. She was hardcore, telling the reader about it over and over doesn’t make her any more of a badass. Her having to get back into “the scene” to find out where the bad vamps are hanging out is built up and then nothing really happened because of it. Nothing except more guys from her past that are creeps and more ways to show just how bad her teen years really were. Again, I got it the first few times.
Another problem I have with Riley is that for all her supposedly street smarts, she could be really stupid. She is told that the bad vamps have super strong mind control powers, she has a family of vampires watching out for her 24 hours a day, yet having freaky dreams and seeing her locked balcony doors open when she wakes up doesn’t ring any alarms in her head? Even without the vampires, what woman wouldn’t think it’s damn weird to wake up numerous times to a previously locked door (bedroom balcony door at that) open? Even one of the good vamps seems to shrug it off. Then her overprotective lover just forgets to mention the weird dreams and doors to his family? I find this all very hard to believe.
One of the thoughts I had while reading Afterlight is I wonder if Elle Jasper is a Twilight fan, because the similarities are most definitely there. There is Riley, the human who is thrust into a world she knows nothing about, falling fast for the dangerous vampire. Then there’s said vampire, Eli, who wants Riley, even when he knows having her could cause him to loose control and kill her. He also ends up leaving for a bit because he comes oh so close to doing just that. Sound familiar? Add in Eli’s vampire family, who protect Riley and teach her how to fight, Riley’s irresistible blood, a mini army of newbie vampires, and what do you have? By the way, I am a total Twilight fan (the books, not the movies), so those things didn’t bother me at all. In fact, since this is an adult book, I like some of those things better here.
If you want a book with a lot of substance, this isn’t the one for you. It is, however, a good book to read when you want to just sit back and go with the flow. I look forward to seeing more of Riley and Eli and to seeing what the effects of what happens in Afterlight are going to be.
Grade: C+
Summary:
As Savannah’s most unconventional tattoo artist, Riley Poe is quite familiar with the local underground scene. She lives and works on the edge of it every day.
Now, she’s about to step over the edge.
When her younger brother is taken by a sinister cult led by centuries-old vampires, Riley discovers a world of shadows and blood–and those who exist there.
Her ally is the hot-tempered vampire Eli Dupre, who is attracted both to Riley’s beauty as well as her one-of-a-kind blood type. A blood type he is not alone in craving.
To save her brother from certain un-death, Riley will face dangers she’s never dreamed of, ruthless bloodthirsty enemies, and an evil of endless hunger that wants to devour all in its vile grasp.
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