Everdark (Dark Ink Chronicles #2) by Elle Jasper
Urban Fantasy
June 7, 2011
Paperback
Signet
Reviewed by Tori
Elle Jasper’s Everdark, the second book in her Dark Ink Chronicles, picks up right where Afterlife leaves off. Riley has been rescued from the Romanian vampire brothers, Victorian and Valerian Acros, but not before she was bitten. She, along with her vampire boyfriend Eli and friends, have been on a secluded island as her body processes the strigoi vampire poison her body ingested while being bitten. A poison that is producing some interesting changes in her body. As Eli attempts to train her to use these changes as weapons, Riley begins to notice another problem. She is telepathically connected to one of the vampires who kidnapped her. As he increases his hold on her, Riley must find away to break the connection before he consumes her mind, body and soul.
I think if I would have read Afterlife, I would have enjoyed this one better. As it stands, I found the story enjoyable but did not connect with it as well as I could have. The storyline and main conflict are engaging; filled with plenty of action and suspense as we watch Riley and Eli deal with a ghost from their past who is sets them up for a battle they won’t soon forget. Descriptive world building with a southern charm that permeates the story. Lively characters and witty dialogue makes for a steady pacing yet the story tended to drag in places when we are given minute to minute updates on the little things in Riley’s life.
The characters are personable and vibrant. Genuine assets to the storyline and continuing arc. Riley is an intelligent, out spoken, and independent tattoo artist who prefers to rely on herself. I liked her attitude and self reliance. That seemed to be at odds with her acceptance of Eli and his family’s nonchalance mind reading. We hear her thoughts on how irritating it is but she never says anything. It felt invasive to me.
Eli was an interesting character to get to know. Far from the normal vampire of literature-he can be in the sun, eat, drink, and pee. Very sensual-I liked how he isn’t reluctant to show and speak of his feelings for Riley. The chemistry between them is sexy and can be felt from page one.
Victorian I found to be deliciously creepy and Ms. Jasper hits the right tone for his character. You can’t help but be indigent for Riley and Eli’s sakes as he uses his powers to infiltrate Riley’s dreams and constantly ‘paws’ her in them. For that reason I found myself put off by the faint hints of a love triangle between Riley, Eli, and Victorian that results from this. I’m understanding that this is a continuation from Afterlife, yet it’s hard to reconcile Riley would have any feelings for Victorian after everything has happened. Eli becomes increasingly jealous as he sees Riley experiencing an emotional connection with Victorian and I can’t blame him. Here is the woman he loves with every fiber of his soul and she is defending the man who kidnapped her and wants her still.
The ending comes at you hard and quick; with some intriguing twists and turns. We are left with questions and little resolution in a cliffhanger that leaves you teetering on the edge for the third book in the series, Eventide, which is set to release March 12, 2012.
Rating: C
Recent Reviews:
Errant Dreams – 2/5
Vampire Book Club – 4/5
Goodreads
Author’s Website l Series Listing
Perhaps, I have still not made my mind up ;) I will just wait and see what you think of book 3 lol
Not sure this is a series for me, but great review Tori.
yeah, I bet your reading would have been enhanced had you read the first of the series – it wasn’t a favorite of mine by any means, but an overall enjoyable read. I’m looking forward to giving this one a try one of these days.
LOVED all of Elle Jasper’s books.