Veena’s review of Bound by the Night (The Moonbound Clan Vampires) by Larissa Ione
Paranormal Romance published by Pocket 24 Sep 13

Vampires are one of the most prolific of subjects for paranormal authors. After all of this time I didn’t believe that anyone could give them a new twist until I read this book by Ms. Ione. In a complete departure from the norm, she portrays vampires as slaves and test subjects for medical research. This lead-in already tells you that it’s a dark book, but there are some redeeming moments that make this story a worthwhile read.

Nicole Martin was born into a rich family that uses house slaves. Interestingly enough, these slaves are vampires. Her favorite is her nursemaid cum governess Therese, who teaches her all the goodness and softness in her young life. However, her fortunes take a dramatic change when the house slaves rise up against their masters and Therese is killed and Nicole herself left infected and traumatized.

As she grows up far from the memories of her childhood home, she devotes her life to science and medical research. While she’s not averse to using vampires as test subjects, she does not want to see them as slaves. However, as she prepares to free the slaves who are owned by the corporation she heads up, she’s kidnapped by the Moon Bound vampire clan as hostage to help free one of their own who’s been taken prisoner.

Nicole hates vampires. Riker, who was her erstwhile governess’s mate, hates the Martin family. Interestingly enough, fight as they might, they are attracted to each other. As Nicole spends time with the Moon Bound clan, she gets a different insight into vampires. Similarly, they get insights into humans. Perhaps there is a meeting ground between the two if the outside world will just leave them long enough to bring down the wall of hatred.

This is a dark book with a lot of emphasis on torture and abuse perpetuated by the strong against the weak. I feel that it’s wrong to see vampires portrayed as the weak and enslaved. However, if you can look beyond the darkness there are some very interesting elements of the story, but what really intrigues me is the lead-in to the next book. That sounds superb and I can’t wait to get my hands on it.

Grade: B

Summary:

A WOMAN OUT FOR BLOOD
Nicole Martin was only eight years old when the vampire slaves rose up in rebellion and killed her family. Now she devotes her life to finding a vaccine against vampirism, hoping to wipe out her memories—along with every bloodsucker on the planet. But there’s one thing she cannot destroy: her searing, undeniable attraction for the one man she should hate and fear the most . . .

A VAMPIRE OUT FOR REVENGE
A member of the renegade vampire MoonBound Clan, Riker is haunted by demons of his own. When he recognizes Nicole and remembers how her family enslaved his loved ones, his heart burns for vengeance. But when he kidnaps Nicole and holds her in a secret lair, his mortal enemy becomes his soul obsession, his greatest temptation, and, perhaps, his only salvation—a hot-blooded lover who could heal him with her touch . . . or bury him forever.

Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series: