Format read: paperback
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Release Date: 26 July 2012
Length: 346
Publisher: Avon
Formats available: audio book paperback, ebook
Purchasing Info: Amazon | B&N | Kobo | Book Depository US | Book Depository (UK)

Book Blurb:

SHE’S A MORTAL WITH DARK POWERS…

After a tragic accident scarred her body and destroyed her dreams, Leila never imagined that the worst was still to come: terrifying powers that let her channel electricity and learn a person’s darkest secrets through a single touch. Leila is doomed to a life of solitude…until creatures of the night kidnap her, forcing her to reach out with a telepathic distress call to the world’s most infamous vampire…

HE’S THE PRINCE OF NIGHT…

Vlad Tepesh inspired the greatest vampire legend of all—but whatever you do, don’t call him Dracula. Vlad’s ability to control fire makes him one of the most feared vampires in existence, but his enemies have found a new weapon against him—a beautiful mortal with powers to match his own. When Vlad and Leila meet, however, passion ignites between them, threatening to consume them both. It will take everything that they are to stop an enemy intent on bringing them down in flames.

My Thoughts:

I will admit that I set my standards unfairly high when it came to Once Burned, but I am pleased to announce that Frost did not disappoint and has once again blown me away.

After a childhood near death experience, Leila has been left with some odd side effects, the downed power line that killed her mother has left Leila with abilities that render her unable to touch anyone without seeing their past, present and future and electrocuting them. These powers garner her unwanted attention, which leads to her kidnap by vampires who want to use her to find one of the most powerful vampires in existence. Vlad Tepesh.

Leila was an amazing character, not only is she strong and smart but despite everyone else’s fear of him she is willing to stand up to Vlad. Her powers, though lacking full explanation as to why they are possible, are so unique and one of my favourite aspects of this story. Being able to electrocute anyone she touches and pick up memories and impressions from the people and objects around her – even bones – was intriguing.

Vlad as usual was amazing. Smouldering, intense and completely arrogant coupled with a painful history isn’t a mixture modern day vampires can usually pull off – or modern day authors – but Vlad leapt off the page as usual and is still stuck in my mind days after finishing Once Burned.

Frost’s Night Huntress series is the be all and end all of urban fantasy for me, everything I read and rate is scaled against them, and I was honestly scared that the Night Prince series wouldn’t live up to the pure uninhibited awesome that is Cat and Bones, considering Vlad is my favourite character in the Night Huntress world I also didn’t want him tarnished in my mind in any way. So to have it sitting on my shelf for this long and be scared to read it was truly an error on my part.

Cat and Bones naturally made an appearance in Once Burned, and it was quite odd to be reading them through another’s eyes, especially Leila’s, who referred to them as vampire Barbie and Ken and actually thought Bones was too pretty. In a way I’m glad they were only in it for a few pages though because this was truly Vlad and Leila’s story.

The writing as usual complete perfection, timing was wonderful, character’s voices were clear and individual, nothing was too convenient which is hard considering how rich everyone is. The premise was absolutely fantastic, and Once Burned had my attention from the first page.

Frost has definitely lived up to the standards set in her previous series, the action, romance, gritty characters and quality writing, not to mention the slight cliff-hanger mystery at the end has left me salivating for more.

I give Once Burned5 Stars

***FTC Disclaimer: Most books reviewed on this site have been provided free of charge by the publisher, author or publicist. Some books we have purchased with our own money and will be noted as such. Any links to places to purchase books are provided as a convenience, and do not serve as an endorsement by this blog. All reviews are the true and honest opinion of the blogger reviewing the book. The method of acquiring the book does not have a bearing on the content of the review.

About Amanda

Amanda-Lee is a proudly addicted reader and writer from Sydney. She lives with her wonderful husband and their more like a baby than a kitten Hamish. Amanda-Lee has been blogging for 4 years now and is a lover of all genres, though she does have a tendancy to stray towards the weird and wonderful concotions in the paranormal and fantasy genres. In addition to being the Winged Lover on BLI she also runs the book blog StoryWings.

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