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Twilight Times Books
Electronically Published in the United States of America, April 2006
Reviewed by Sally Roddom
Paranormal Romance
Alana has been plagued for years by bizarre dreams involving flying and a
panther. When she was ten, Alana fancied she saw a man watching her in a
bazaar in Istanbul. When the man smiled at her, she thought she saw fangs.
Ever since then she has been obsessed with the paranormal. It seems only
right, then, that she lands a job in Puerto Rico as the manager of a new
nightclub called La Cueva del Vampiro. She dismisses the fact that it
seems a trifle odd that she gains the position with no prior experience in
the hospitality trade. As opening night approaches Alana can't relax. She
feels that something is about to happen but doesn't know what. Her dreams
are getting more sensual and confusing. Her best friend, Valeria, even
stops her climbing out of a window one night.
Shortly after the nightclub opens Alana meets Sadash, and she falls
immediately and obsessively in love with him. He is very mysterious,
telling her nothing about his life. Alana knows there is something
dangerous about Sadash but cannot keep away from him. She learns that he
is the man she saw in the bazaar years before, and that he is not human.
Not even the love for her best friend can stop Alana from following the
man who has been haunting her dreams. Sadesh opens a whole new world for
Alana – one that is both appealing and horrific. Alana is launched onto an
extremely steep learning curve, and does not always act honourably.
I found Alana's character to be inconsistent and confusing. Mind you, to
be fair, her life turns upside down after she joins Sadesh. Everything
that is familiar disappears and she has to start all over again. I did
think she was selfish, headstrong and wilful, wanting her own way no
matter what. The relationship between Valeria and Alana is hard to
describe; it almost borders on erotic at times. Although neither character
crosses the line, the smouldering bond between the two women often
confused me. The author handles this subtle undertone well, neither
confirming nor denying this bond between the two close friends. It is an
integral part of the story without detracting from the main focus between
Alana and Sadesh. There is an interesting sub-plot about the mystery
surrounding the death of Alana's mother. The sub-plot is well developed,
and integrates with the main story, although I was disappointed with the
resolution. I felt that it was left in the air. This is not a normal
romance, neither is it your run-of-the-mill vampire story. What it is, is
a skilfully blended story of two cultures, the dead and the undead, living
and loving together. Could this happen? Do vampires really exist? Who
knows? This book, although light and fluffy at times, will seriously leave
you thinking.
April 2007
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