Blood Moon by Alyxandra Harvey

For Review: Bloomsbury
Published: 5 July 2012

From Goodreads: "I can still smell his blood, Lucy. I can smell it everywhere. It's in the grass, in the air, on me. I'm not safe."

When the vampire tribes convene for the rare Blood Moon ceremonies, Solange Drake is plunged into a battle with her feral nature. The Drake brothers have been raised knowing they had to protect their younger sister at all cost. But forbidden magic and a mysterious stranger have put all of them in terrible danger.
Nicholas is going to have to make a difficult choice: between his girlfriend, Lucy, and his little sister, Solange - blood or love?

It's official: I love this series!

This time the story is narrated by Solange, Nicholas and Lucy - and I love getting the multiple points of view. One thing I will say is that Alyxandra Harvey excels at giving each character a unique voice - I knew instantly who was narrating. And how much do I love Lucy? She really is my favourite character! And Nicholas of course. Actually, I kind of love all the Drakes...Hmm...

The story picks up straight away from the events in Bleeding Hearts - which is good because of that cliff-hanger. This time the story is focused on Solange and what is happening to her. Major creepy if you ask me - and the whole storyline with Nicholas? I was only just (and still am) slightly panicked!  You get some answers by the end but more questions too.  I can't wait to see where Alyxandra Harvey takes this story. Yet again there is a major cliff-hanger making it a guarantee I will pick up the next book in the series as soon as I get my grubby hands on it.  I really can't wait!

There is a short story included at the end that fans of the series will love.  I will devour anything set in this world!  Really, really good - if you haven't tried this series yet I recommend you do. It is great fun!

Stolen Away by Alyxandra Harvey

For Review: Bloomsbury
Published: January 2012

From Goodreads: For seventeen years, Eloise Hart had no idea the world of Faery even existed. Now she has been abducted and trapped in the Rath of Lord Strahan, King of Faery. Strahan was only meant to rule for seven years, as Faery tradition dictates, and then give up his crown to another. But he won't comply, and now chaos threatens both worlds.

The only one who can break his stranglehold on the Faery court is his wife. . . Eloise's aunt Antonia. Using Eloise to lure Antonia, Strahan captures his wife, desperate to end the only threat to his reign. Now Eloise must become the rescuer. Together with her best friends Jo and Devin, she must forge alliances with other Fae, including a gorgeous protector named Lucas, and Strahan's mysterious son, Eldric—who may or may not betray them.

I'm a big fan of Alyxandra Harvey's Drake Chronicles so I was really excited to read her take on Fae. And as with her previous novels, there is much to enjoy here.

There is such fun, and humour in Harvey's novels that I can't help but really like them. This one does, however, feel as if it would work better as a series. As a standalone it felt over too quickly - I just want to get back into the world and learn more about it and spend more time with the characters. I think it's a testament to Harvey's talent as a writer that I am left wanting more though.

I did really love her take on Fae. I really liked the characters - Eloise, Jo and Devin (loved him!) and enjoyed the romance element of the story. Lucas and Eldric are awesome! I thought the mythology behind it was really good too - another reason for me to want to get back into the world! Harvey also manages to rock the dual narrative again - giving us the story from both Eloise and Jo's point of view.  I love this and it works brilliantly.

Another really enjoyable novel from Harvey. While I didn't love it quite as much as the Drake Chronicles I'm sure that would change if this were to become a series.

Cover Wars: Stolen Away by Alyxandra Harvey

UK / US

While I really like the colours on the US one I am not keen on the girl's face in the corner - I think because it just kind of looks like it floating there!  But the UK one is just so gorgeous!  I love it - especially the way the title and the author's name kind of shines - plus I love the fairy wings!  So it's an easy one for me this time - I prefer the UK cover.

What do you think?

Bleeding Hearts by Alyxandra Harvey

For Review:  Bloomsbury
Published: 3 October 2011

From Goodreads: Lucy's cousin Christabel has come to live in Violet Hill, and adjusting to the difference between life in a small mountain town and her home in the city is difficult enough. The strict curfew that Lucy's parents enforce is the worst part. Something really dangerous couldn't possibly happen in this tiny town. But Christabel has noticed some mysterious happenings, and it seems like Lucy, her boyfriend Nicholas and his brother Connor are all in on a secret that Christabel doesn't understand - one that seems deadly serious. Although she won't admit it, Christabel would love to be in on any secret with Connor Drake. But after Christabel is kidnapped by the ruthless Hel-Blar vampires, Lucy and Connor finally fill her in on all the undead drama. Together, they must find a way to stamp out the Hel-Blar for good.

I really enjoy this series and practically devour each new installment.  I know I'm going to have a fun time reading them.

This time we get the story from 3 characters:  Connor, Christabel and Lucy.  I'm so pleased to have Lucy back as a narrator - I absolutely love her!  And her cousin Christabel is a great - plus you can tell she is from the same family!  She has attitude but in a very different way - I loved her obsession with reading and the way she repeats quotes to herself.  Connor is another Drake brother to fall in love with - and although I still think Nicholas is my favourite - I can't help falling for each brother!

The story takes a bit more of a serious turn in this installment - especially where Solange is concerned.  Also, it managed to completely take me by surprise - one thing happened that I did not see coming!  And honestly, that ending?  How on earth will I wait until the next book?  Arrgggggg!

A great series and each book raises the stakes (sorry, couldn't resist!).  I love reading them and can't wait to get my hands on the next one.

Bleeding Hearts by Alyxandra Harvey: Extract

From Goodreads: The Drakes and friends will be tested when an infestation of deadly vampires threatens Violet Hill.

Lucy's cousin Christabel has come to live in Violet Hill, and adjusting to the difference between life in a small mountain town and her home in the city is difficult enough. The strict curfew that Lucy's parents enforce is the worst part. Something really dangerous couldn't possibly happen in this tiny town.

But Christabel has noticed some mysterious happenings, and it seems like Lucy, her boyfriend Nicholas and his brother Connor are all in on a secret that Christabel doesn't understand—one that seems deadly serious. Although she won't admit it, Christabel would love to be in on any secret with Connor Drake. But when she is kidnapped by the ruthless Hel-Blar vampires, Christabel must cause more and more trouble in Violet Hill, Lucy and Connor finally fill Christabel in on all the undead drama. Together, they must find a way to stamp out the Hel-Blar for good.

I love this series and can't wait to read this one! More Lucy and Nicholas - yes please! Here's an extract for all of you who can't wait until October.

Bleeding Hearts Prologue[1]

Alyxandra Harvey: UK event dates

Alyxandra Harvey will be coming to the UK in May to promote her forthcoming book Haunting Violet. Below are details of events:

7pm Tuesday 24th May

Alyxandra will be talking about Haunting Violet in the Simpson Room at Waterstone’s, 203 / 206 Piccadilly, London W1J 9HD

Tickets priced £2 redeemable against a copy of Haunting Violet on the night:
Tel: +44 (0)20 7851 2400

For more details click here

4:30pm Wednesday 25th May

Alyxandra will be signing copies of the Drake Chronicles and Haunting Violet at Waterstone’s, 4 / 5 Milsom Street , Bath BA1 1DA

Tel: +44 (0)1225 448 515

For more details click here

11:30am Saturday 28th May

Alyxandra will be appearing at the world famous Hay Festival with Marcus Sedgwick, author of Revolver and White Crow

Tickets priced £4

For more details click here

For more details on events check out the Facebook page. You can also find Alyxandra at her blog and website

I'll leave you with a video of Alyxandra Harvey talking about her new book, Haunting Violet:

I want to read that...

Haunting Violet by Alyxandra Harvey

From Goodreads: Violet Willoughby doesn't believe in ghosts. But they believe in her. After spending years participating in her mother's elaborate ruse as a fraudulent medium, Violet is about as skeptical as they come in all matters supernatural. Now that she is being visited by a very persistent ghost, one who suffered a violent death, Violet can no longer ignore her unique ability. She must figure out what this ghost is trying to communicate, and quickly because the killer is still on the loose.

Afraid of ruining her chance to escape her mother's scheming through an advantageous marriage, Violet must keep her ability secret. The only person who can help her is Colin, a friend she's known since childhood, and whom she has grown to love. He understands the true Violet, but helping her on this path means they might never be together. Can Violet find a way to help this ghost without ruining her own chance at a future free of lies?

I adore Alyxandra Harvey's Drake Chronicles so I am really looking forward to this one!

It's published June (US) and July (UK).

Out For Blood by Alyxandra Harvey

For Review: Bloomsbury.  Published 1 November 2010
From Goodreads:  Hunter Wild is the youngest in a long line of elite vampire hunters, a legacy that is both a blessing and a curse at the secret Helios-Ra Academy, where she excels at just about everything. Thanks to her friendship with Kieran Black, Hunter receives a special invitation to attend the coronation of Helena Drake, and for the first time, she sees the difference between vampires that must be hunted and vampires that can become friends—or even more. When students at the academy fall victim to a mysterious illness, Hunter suspects they are under attack from within. She will need someone she can trust to help her save the future of Helios-Ra . . . help that shockingly comes in the form of Quinn Drake, a drop-dead gorgeous vampire. Who said senior year would be easy?

As many of you know I am a big fan of this series - they are great fun and this one is no exception. 

Taking the same format as the previous books in the series, the narration is split between the two main characters.  This time Quinn is the Drake brother of choice - but it's really Hunter's story.  She is a student at the Helios-Ras Academy and comes from a family of vampire hunters.  I liked her straight away.  She comes across as dependant, strong and kind. Quinn is a bit of a 'ladies man' but immensely likeable - although I think Nicholas is still my favourite brother!   I'm glad we get to catch up with him and Lucy, as well as Solange, Kieran, Logan and Isabeau.  I also really liked Connor (Quinn's Twin) and am hoping to see more of him in future installments.

The story in this one moved away from the Drake family and is instead centered around the Helios-Ra Academy.  There is a bit of a mystery to solve and Hunter finds herself in the middle of it.  I really enjoyed it, although I thought Hunter was a bit too trusting at times.  But it is all great fun and I raced through the book to find out what happens.  My only complaint is I would have liked more resolution to Hunter's more personal storyline - but perhaps this will be explored at a later date in future novels.

Harvey has created a great world with these books and I just love the Drake brothers.  I'm not sure I will ever tire of reading about of them.  There is definitely the potential for many more in the series and I can't wait to read the next one.  Unfortunately, it's not published until next year but I'm sure it will be worth the wait:)

Out For Blood Sample Chapter

From Goodreads: Hunter Wild is the youngest in a long line of elite vampire hunters, a legacy that is both a blessing and a curse at the secret Helios-Ra Academy, where she excels at just about everything. Thanks to her friendship with Kieran Black, Hunter receives a special invitation to attend the coronation of Helena Drake, and for the first time, she sees the difference between vampires that must be hunted and vampires that can become friends—or even more. When students at the academy fall victim to a mysterious illness, Hunter suspects they are under attack from within. She will need someone she can trust to help her save the future of Helios-Ra . . . help that shockingly comes in the form of Quinn Drake, a drop-dead gorgeous vampire. Who said senior year would be easy?

I don't know about you but I can't wait for Out For Blood by Alyxandra Harvey to be released in November. For all of you dying for a sneek peek you can read the first chapter below.

Out for Blood

Thanks to Bloomsbury for providing the chapter:)

Author Interview: Alyxandra Harvey

Alyxandra Harvey is the author of My Love Lies Bleeding and Blood Feud - books 1 and 2 of The Drake Chronicles. Alyxandra kindly took the time to answer a few of my questions...

How did you come up with the idea for the Drake Chronicles?
I wanted Snow White with bite!
Solange's story is loosely based on the Snow White legend. In My Love Lies Bleeding there's the seven brothers (instead of dwarves), the huntsman, the heart, the vain queen with her mirror, the kiss... I love fairy tale retellings so I had a blast weaving those details in. The rest of the Drake Chronicles deal with the other Drake brothers and the continuation of Solange's story (and Lucy!). I hadn't planned a series necessarily, but all those yummy brothers became unwieldy! I consider that a very good problem to have.

I love the dual narrative in the books. Did you consciously decide to do this for the series?
Thanks! And yes, because it gave me a certain kind of freedom to explore both sides of Solange's bloodchange: vampire and human. I was able to be in two places at once which you can't do with straight First person POV and it reflects the quick momentum of the plot.

Do you have a favourite Drake (I have a soft spot for Nicholas myself....)?
I don't have a favourite...except for whomever I'm writing about at the moment. It's like ice cream...it's all good!

And a favourite scene?
Today, one of my favourite scenes is the epilogue of book 4, but that won't be out until next year. And I enjoyed exploring aspects of life in Paris during the French Revolution in Blood Feud but I was pretty mean to poor Isabeau so I couldn't say those are favourites exactly. I also like writing from Lucy's point of view, she just takes right over.

How many books are there planned for the series?
The Drake Chronicles currently has four written and contracted books.
My Love Lies Bleeding Jan 2010
Blood Feud (#2) July 2010
Out for Blood (#3) Nov 2010 UK/Australia, Dec 22 North America
Drake book #4 (untilted) undated/2011
and I'm currently writing book 5. Because I just can't seem to help myself. And I have several spin-off ideas percolating in my head!

What authors/books did you love when you were growing up? Did any of these inspire you to become a writer yourself?
I'm inspired by so many things! Long walks, the forest, rivers, poetry, sari material. I admire Jane Austen, Mary Oliver, Charles De Lint, Tanya Huff, Susanna Kearsley, Patricia McKillip, Holly Black and Joss Whedon. That man can tell a story!

Did you always intend on becoming a writer?
I've consciously wanted to be a writer since I was around nine years old. We were on a family trip and I was bored and bugging everyone and a friend of the family suggested I write a story. I was instantly addicted!

What was the publication process like for you?
Long! I started sending out short stories when I was 15 just to get used to the process. I had some good feedback from Marion Zimmer Bradley for a few short stories, but in the end there wasn't space in that particular Sword and Sorceress anthology. After that, I was published as a poet first, and I still love to write poetry. I would really love to put out a book of poems some day. And I feel very lucky to be working with Bloomsbury to bring the Drake series into the world and three other paranormal YA books (non-vampire).

I’m really looking forward to the next in the series. Can you tell us more about it?
Out for Blood is the story of Hunter Wild, a Helios-Ra hunter who makes a brief appearance in Blood Feud. She and Quinn Drake, the wildest of the Drake brothers, work together to fight an unknown evil at the Helios-Ra academy high school even as Quinn tries to save Solange from herself...

----

Thanks Alyxandra! I can't wait for Hunter and Quinn's story! You can check out the author's website here.

Also, if you haven't read the first installment in the series - My Love Lies Bleeding - you can download it FOR FREE for 24 hours starting at midday on Monday 5th July at the Bloomsbury website. Interested? Just click here.

Blood Feud by Alyxandra Harvey

Review copy: Bloomsbury. Published 5th July 2010

From Goodreads:
The action and romance continue as the Drakes face a new vampire with a 200-year-old grudge.

It’s been centuries since Isabeau St. Croix barely survived the French Revolution. Now she’s made her way back to the living and she must face the ultimate test by confronting the evil British lord who left her for dead the day she turned into a vampire. That’s if she can control her affection for Logan Drake, a vampire whose bite is as sweet as the revenge she seeks.

The clans are gathering for Helena’s royal coronation as the next vampire queen, and new alliances are beginning to form now that the old rifts of Lady Natasha’s reign have started to heal. But with a new common enemy, Leander Montmarte—a vicious leader who hopes to force Solange to marry him and usurp the power of the throne for himself—the clans must stand together to preserve the peace he threatens to destroy.

This second adventure in the Drake Chronicles—told from both Logan’s and Isabeau’s perspectives—has all the same butt-kicking action, heart-pounding romances and snarky humor that readers loved in Hearts at Stake, as well as exciting new revelations about the vampire dynasties to keep readers coming back for more.

I really do enjoy this series. I was really looking forward to Blood Feud and it didn’t disappoint at all! Again we get a dual narrative: this time from Logan and Isabeau’s point of view.

I really took to Isabeau. She is a very strong character, with plenty of attitude, and I found her incredibly likeable. I loved the flashbacks to her life during the French Revolution as it really gave a great insight into her character.

Logan is rather sweet and witty. Nicholas is still my favourite Drake but I really enjoyed spending time with Logan. I think the dual narrative worked slightly better having it from the ‘couples ‘point of view. I was also pleased that we still got to see the other characters, especially Lucy! I love her character and like the way she was present in the story through conversation or thoughts even when she was not in the scenes.

I thought this instalment was much more humorous that the first and was better for it. It also has loads of action and vampire shenanigans! I just love the world Harvey has created and think there is room for many more instalments. One for each brother perhaps? I absolutely cannot wait for Out For Blood when it’s released!

Blood Feud: Sample Chapter

From Goodreads: The action and romance continue as the Drakes face a new vampire with a 200-year-old grudge.

It’s been centuries since Isabeau St. Croix barely survived the French Revolution. Now she’s made her way back to the living and she must face the ultimate test by confronting the evil British lord who left her for dead the day she turned into a vampire. That’s if she can control her affection for Logan Drake, a vampire whose bite is as sweet as the revenge she seeks.

The clans are gathering for Helena’s royal coronation as the next vampire queen, and new alliances are beginning to form now that the old rifts of Lady Natasha’s reign have started to heal. But with a new common enemy, Leander Montmarte—a vicious leader who hopes to force Solange to marry him and usurp the power of the throne for himself—the clans must stand together to preserve the peace he threatens to destroy.

This second adventure in the Drake Chronicles—told from both Logan’s and Isabeau’s perspectives—has all the same butt-kicking action, heart-pounding romances and snarky humor that readers loved in Hearts at Stake, as well as exciting new revelations about the vampire dynasties to keep readers coming back for more.

I can't wait to read Blood Feud by Alyxandra Harvey. It's published July 5th 2010 by Bloomsbury. Anyone who wants a sneak peak can read the first chapter below. A big thanks to Bloomsbury for sending the chapter:)

BloodFeudUKChapter1PDF

My Love Lies Bleeding (AKA Hearts at Stake) by Alyxandra Harvey

From Amazon: The Drake's are rather different to your usual neighbours. They are vampires and some of the members of the family date back to the twelfth century. One of the children, Solange, is the only born female vampire known and, as such, she poses a direct threat to the vampire queen. Her best friend Lucy is human, and when Solange is kidnapped Lucy and Solange's brother, Nicholas, set out to save her. Lucy soon discovers that she would like to be more than just friends with Nicholas. But how does one go about dating a vampire? Meanwhile, Solange finds an unlikely ally in Kieran, a vampire slayer on the hunt for his father's killer.

I had no expectations for this novel whatsoever and I will admit I bought it on a whim. I am so glad I did. It was so much fun that I read it in one sitting. I loved the dual narrative and as I’ve said in previous reviews this has fast become one of my favourite styles of writing. Here it is done really well as Lucy and Solange feel like distinct characters and it would be obvious who is narrating even if it was not indicated at the beginning of each chapter. Lucy is an awesome character – so much wit and sass – and I loved her interactions with the Drake family. Solange is also very likable as someone stuck in the middle of an ancient prophecy that she doesn’t want. And Nicholas is HOT! For me the romantic parts of the story are the books strength, although the action was great too.

I’ve read some negative reviews for this – some have sited not enough depth or a contrived plot – but if this is the case it didn’t bother me at all. My only quibble would be the ending felt too abrupt. I would have like a bit more closure but I expect this is due to there being a sequel later in the year.

As you’ve probably guessed I really enjoyed this and would recommend it to readers who fancy a quick read . I would describe it as a chick-lit paranormal romance that kicks some butt! I loved the world and characters and look forward to spending more time with the Drakes in future instalments. Especially if there is more Nicholas:)