Blood Kin by M.J. Scott (The Half-Light City #2)
Paranormal/Steampunk-ish
June 5, 2012
Berkley

Reviewed by Mandi

Blood Kin has a paranormal and slight steampunk world  that brings together humans, Blood (vampires) and Beasts (shapeshifters).

Holly was born to a Fae father and a human prostitute mother, leaving her shunned by her fae relatives. Not having a lot of options, she could follow in her mother’s footsteps but instead she turned to a life spying and thieving. With just enough fae magic to allow spells to work on her, she can turn invisible, or change her appearance, things to make her line of work easier. Her father and her have no happy relationship, but that doesn’t stop him from using her to do his bidding. Her father wants her to spy on the sunmage and healer, Simon DuCaine (hero from book one). Her father knows he is keeping a secret and he wants her to discover it. Holly is against this, but when her father applies a geas (or a spell) to her, she has no choice but to obey his wishes. After he brutally has her beaten, hence needing a healer, she is dragged away to St Giles, a safe haven for those who need healing and shelter. Here, she will be in daily contact with Simon.

What Holly doesn’t count on is meeting Simon’s brother, Guy. A Templar Knight, Guy has devoted his life (made vows) to keep peace within the streets. Guy and his men have been ambushed by the Beasts almost every night. Now that the former Blood Lord (Simon’s mate has rumored killed) is not around, the Beast and the Blood are vying for power. But Guy thinks these attacks by the Beast are not random occurrences. Because of Holly’s geas, she can’t tell Guy why she is really at St. Giles. But when her father starts to pop up and gets the attention of Guy, they both start to have a common goal to work towards.

I really enjoyed MJ Scott’s debut last year, Shadow Kin and was very excited to get my hands on Guy’s book. Templar Knights fascinate me, as they swear oaths to God to protect, yet are really violent. They have this strict code to live by yet they are still allowed to drink, have women etc. Guy is all about honor and keeping his men safe. MJ Scott does a nice job developing her characters,  maybe because we take turns with each of their POV’s so we really get into their heads.

I enjoy heroines that are thieves. It gives them a great flaw, and paired with a Templar Knight, who are so strict, they make a fun pair. Guy really goes through some dark times in this book, and sacrifices a lot for the greater good. Since Holly is under a spell where she can’t really tell Guy her final goal, this creates a conflict between them. I think I liked the build-up to their romance more than the first book. It was a little sexier with more emphasis on it.

While I enjoy this world and that this book builds upon the first in this series, at times I was confused by all of the people in it. I found myself having to flip back to remember names which was a little frustrating. Guy, Simon and Holly have wonderful scenes in this book, and I love their interaction. But, I also felt in this one, we missed out on world building. I wanted to see the Blood and Beast in action more and to learn more about them and their motives in this game of politics.

I was also a little disappointed in what Simon’s big secret is. I’ll tell you why under a spoiler tag.

I still think this is one of the better PNR worlds that has been released lately but I really want to experience the world more. This author writes well developed characters and the romance in this one is pretty solid. But I expected a little more. At the same time, this world excites me and I can’t wait to read more from it.

I recommend starting with book one, Shadow Kin as this book definitely builds on the previous one.

Rating: B-

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