I received this book for free from the library in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Source: the library
Blood Hunt
by
Shannon K. Butcher
dark fantasy, paranormal romance in Paperback edition that was published by Signet on August 2, 2011 and has 363 pages.
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Other books by this author which I have reviewed include Dark and Stormy Knights, Living on the Edge, Razor's Edge, Burning Alive, Finding the Lost, Running Scared, Living Nightmare, Edge of Sanity, Dying Wish, Falling Blind, Kicking It, Rough Edges
Fifth in the Sentinel Wars paranormal romance series revolving around several groups of sentinels charged with preventing demons from breaking through. The couple focus is on Logan and Hope.
In 2011, Blood Hunt was nominated for the Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award for Vampire Romance.
My Take
This story is more of a bridge in that Butcher introduces a new species and new problems in this story, opening the possibilities even wider. With all the fallout from earlier stories, there are a number of problems which need resolution and Blood Hunt furthers the potentials — both good and bad.
The focus here is on Project Lullaby, a plan by which the Sanguinar intend to create a food supply for their race.
There is a lot of reciprocal rescuing going on in this story. Whew…!
Butcher keeps the action moving and provides yet more depth to the various involved groups. Including a scary close-up of one of Solarc’s Wardens!
I do feel sorry for Logan. So attracted and so forbidden. Butcher had a very clever solution in this.
I got to thinking about the demonic behavior of the Synestryn Krag and I realized he is similar (behavior-wise) to human males who think they can boss women around and beat them. All the ugliest actions of man. The sentinel men are several steps up from this; although, I do have issues with how they approach their particular romance needs.
Did the Solarc ever consider that the children of the men he was punishing were his own grandchildren??
It’s been an intriguing series. Not one of the best, but I do appreciate Butcher’s skill at the long tease. Since the first story, Burning Alive, Butcher has dropped the teeniest hints and slowly increased up to teeny, and not so teeny up to…you get the idea…about the true origins of the sentinels and the Sanguinar. Each time giving us just a bit more. I have to confess it’s this tease that has me coming back. I want Grampa to get his!
The Story
Steve and Pam are under attack at the warehouse and Logan has been diverted to rescue them. Only, who is going to rescue Logan?
The Characters
Logan and his brother Tynan are Sanguinar. Until Project Lullaby is complete, no Sanguinar may have children nor divert resources from the project. Other Sanguinar include Briant and Alexander. Steve and his pregnant wife Pam are part of Project Lullaby.
Hope Serrien only began life ten years ago when Sister Olive found her near this same warehouse. Now she makes a living doing photography when she’s not helping Sister Olive at the shelter. Rory is a missing streetperson for whom Hope feels a connection. Jodi is Hope’s friend and business partner.
Sibyl and Maura are Angus and Gilda’s only remaining children. With her parents’ death and the spell broken (see Living Nightmare), Sibyl is growing up. Cain is the Sentinel who has watched over her for her entire life.
Madoc is mated to Nika (see Living Nightmare) and her sister Andra is with Paul (Finding the Lost); they recently rescued their sister Tori from the Synestryn, but it may be too late. Joseph Rayd leads the Theronai. Carmen is the human he’s adopted as part of his promise. Iain Terra is one of the Sentinels and a member of the Band of the Barren whose lifemark is bare and he is hanging on only by sheer willpower. Other Sentinels in this story include Morgan Valens, Torr who is desolate over Grace‘s sacrifice, and Nicholas. Jackie Patton was one of the women rescued and compatible with several men, but she wants nothing to do with any of them. She understands that Helen and Lexi are her longlost sisters, but there is no emotional attachment here.
Andreas Phelan is the new leader of the Slayers with a proposition for Joseph. Lyka Phelan is his half-sister. Eric Phelan, their brother, is a possible mate for Hope.
Krag is a major demon anxious to prove his worth to his demon lord father. Zillah is the demon who held Tori prisoner for so long. Ava is a pregnant human held captive by Synestryn.
Sanguinar need blood to live, to heal the Theronai Sentinels but that blood is grudgingly given. Project Lullaby is intended to increase the numbers of food sources so they are no longer reliant upon a small group and all the Sanguinar efforts are channeled into it. Slayers are a Sentinel group who slay Sentinels who have gone beyond the pale; for some reason, Slayers and Theronai are enemies. The Band of the Barren are Sentinels living on borrowed time, hoping to find their soulmates. Theronai are a subgroup of Sentinels who battle the Synestryn. They battle in male-female pairs and it is only when the men are paired with their mate that they have a chance of surviving. Well, and some amazing skills at fighting. Gerai are humans who know all about the Sentinels and the Synestryn. They’re backup support. Synestryn is a generic name for a wide variety of demons intent on enslaving the human race.
The Cover and Title
The cover is a background of smoky purples and a black-clad, very young-looking Logan holding a sword before him and wearing jeans and a black leather vest open to reveal his muscled chest and arms.
The title is true enough as Logan is continually on a Blood Hunt in this story.
