Blood Casino - Nina Walker

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" Emotion shifts through his irises they're no longer blocked.  Suddenly I can see into the oceanic depths of them. I could get lost there if I'm not careful.  I would drown and it would not be pleasant.  At least I don't think it would be.  I wouldn't want it to be.  What if it was?"




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In a world where Vampires share their world, running businesses that prey on the weaknesses of humans.  Evangeline or Eva is one of the teenagers who are acutely aware of the effect that the Vampires have had on their society. From the age of 25 Vampires can compel humans to do what they want.  At 18 Evangeline is trying to save her mother from a gambling addiction.  The problem is that her mother gambles at the Alabaster Heart, better known as the Blood Casino, because when you want to gamble you donate blood for chips. A legal way for the Vampires to get blood and make money at the same time.

The second thing Eva desperately wants to do is become a Vampire hunter.  She follows Felix, the brother of her best friend, one night and accidentally kills a freshly born Vampire.  She now has the chance to be a hunter. But her mother keeps her going back to the Alabaster Heart and Adrian Teresi takes note of her and before she knows how she is pulled into a world that she hates, but Adrian does not always act as expected. Will she be able to save her mother, stay loyal to her friends and more importantly will she stay alive…

 

Nina Walker has a way of writing that makes you feel as if you are there in the story and trying to warn the characters while trying to figure out what will happen next.  I love Adrian and the way he manages everyone around him, as well as the chemistry between him and Eva which charges the book with lively electricity.  For the fans of Vampire stories, this one is filled with strong characters, Vampires making a living of humans, hunters trying to make a difference.  The plot has its typical lover’s triangle and it will keep you guessing just as it is confusing to the main character, however, the surprises that the author sneaks in you do not expect. The theme of addiction and the effects it has on the addicted as well as their family and society, juxtaposed with Eva as the virgin with clean blood, a virgin also in that she has nothing that taints her blood is striking. This promises to be as captivating as the Colour Alchemist series was, I am looking forward to the next instalment.


 I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

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