A Shade of Vampire

Title: A Shade of Vampire
Series: A Shade of Vampire
Author: Bella Forrest

I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

From GoodReads:
On the evening of Sofia Claremont's 17th birthday, she is sucked into a nightmare from which she cannot wake.

A quiet evening walk along a beach brings her face to face with a dangerous pale creature that craves much more than her blood. 

She is kidnapped to an island where the sun is eternally forbidden to shine.

An island uncharted by any map and ruled by the most powerful vampire coven on the planet. She wakes here as a slave, a captive in chains. 

Sofia's life takes a thrilling and terrifying turn when she is the one selected out of hundreds of girls to join the harem of Derek Novak, the dark royal Prince. 

Despite his addiction to power and obsessive thirst for her blood, Sofia soon realizes that the safest place on the island is within his quarters, and she must do all within her power to win him over if she is to survive even one more night.

Will she succeed? ...or is she destined to the same fate that all other girls have met at the hands of the Novaks?

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I'm so very grateful to Bella Forrest for offering me the chance to her book. I love vampires...I loved vampires way before it was cool to love vampires. So I'm always intrigued by vampire stories with new twists. When I read the synopsis for A Shade of Vampire, my interest was definitely piqued. But could Ms. Forrest deliver a vampire story in a fresh and innovative way? You betcha! And I'm so thrilled I took a chance. :)

A Shade of Vampire is very fast-paced. It's told from both Sofia's and Derek's POV. I think the dual POV added to the story. I appreciated getting to see into both MC's heads. This is really only a novella in length, but the world building and character development Ms. Forrest accomplishes in such few words in incredible! Plus, she throws in a bit of mystery and lots of suspense...and some vampire romance! :) 

Sofia is kidnapped on the evening of her 17th birthday. When she meets Derek, the reason she was kidnapped, she feels fear but also something else. Derek, upon seeing Sofia, feels an uncontrollable urge for her blood. But he somehow does control himself and this sets the stage for a relationship with a human unlike any Derek's ever had.

The synopsis makes it seem as though there is a competition of some sort between Sofia and other girls to win Derek's attention. However, no competition occurs. Sofia captures Derek at first sight. However, although Derek is immediately taken with Sofia, Sofia has to work up to her feelings. And she's no wilting flower. This girl stands with her head high in the face of adversity. Another reason Derek's attracted to her. :)

This book is seemingly setting the stage for books to come with it's world building. We are introduced to the Blood Shade, a sanctuary built by Derek for vampires. We get glimpses of Derek's history, the shadow hunters who are out to destroy the vampire race, and prophetic visions and prophecies which Derek and Sofia are meant to fulfill.

I don't want to give anything away but I will say that watching the relationship between Sofia and Derek blossom was fascinating. And I cannot wait to read further about this world Ms. Forrest has created. A Shade of Vampire has set some high expectations for me. 

Take a trip to Blood Shade...you won't regret it!