REVIEW: The Renfield Syndrome (Rhiannon's Law #2) by J.A Saare

 

Author: J.A Saare

Pages: 212

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Series: Rhiannon's Law

Publisher: Mundania Press

AMAZON: The Renfield Syndrome

Synopsis (Goodreads)

Vampires, and werewolves, and demons, oh my.

Rhiannon thought facing off against a deranged child vampire was the most dangerous task she would ever have to undertake, but she’s about to discover making a deal with a demon is far, far worse. Sent forward into another reality, one in which vampires are now dominating nearly extinct humans, she realizes the sooner she returns to her vampire lover, Disco, the better.

Unfortunately, time changes a lot of things; including those most trusted around her. When she’s faced with a loss and betrayal unlike any she has ever known, her focus shifts from severing the debt between the demon that wants to kill her, to exacting a revenge that will bring forth consequences she never could have fathomed. By reaching out to the darkness lingering within her, she’ll find the strength to push forward despite the circumstances that would see her dead and buried.

After all, when it’s all said and done, all that she has left to lose is her soul.

REVIEW: 4 out of 5 stars

It is quite hard to write this review without it containing possible spoilers. But here goes…

Dead, Undead and Somewhere in Between ends with a cliffhanger and The Renfield Syndrome picks up exactly where it left off but 101 years into the future thanks to a debt Rhiannon has paid to demon Zagan for her vampire lover Disco, she now has to find Disco in order to fulfill her debt but only has a limited amount of time in which to do this.

The first person Rhiannon meets in futuristic New York is a shape-shifter named Carter who has claimed her as his mate and offers his protection within their compound from the vampires who now more or less rule the city, she is also faced with another reality that humans are slowly becoming extinct thanks to a virus which has wiped them out en masse.

The reality of what has happened leads Rhiannon to find a way to change the future by any means necessary, including using her necromancer abilities, negotiations with demons and putting her own well-being at risk.

The twists and turns in this book were surprising; I hadn’t anticipated what would happen so I am curious to see where it all leads. The plot of this series can go so many ways.

Rhiannon is still a sarcastic, smart-mouthed heroine who has a vulnerability about her. She kicks some major butt and has no qualms about doing it; her quick retorts are witty and entertaining. I was surprised by some of her reactions to certain circumstances but believe they all served a purpose in the overall scheme of things.

We don’t see as much of Disco as what I would have liked, he plays a small-ish role in this book and what we do see of him isn’t in the best light. He abused Rhiannon’s trust which I hope can be redeemed; I enjoy them as a couple.

I loved Paine in the first book, his ability would be heart-breaking and the distance he places between himself and others to avoid ‘reading’ them would be extremely hard, especially in close relationships. I didn’t expect what would happen in the futuristic world but hope his close friendship with Disco can be sorted out. I also liked the role Goose (Ethan) played in this installment.

What I didn’t like: I don’t think the relationship or lack thereof between Carter and Rhiannon - his purposed mate was explored enough, I was quite eager to learn more about him and ‘why’ he would choose to mate with her given his position and her behavior towards him. She wasn’t liked amongst the other shifters so it was a left too open for my liking. I hope it is bought up in future installments.

Also, Rhiannon lacked emotion when she discovered what had happened to Disco, of course she sought to change the past but the possibility of it not happening was always there.

All in all, an enjoyable sequel to Dead, Undead or Somewhere in Between. It is a fast paced engrossing read with a solid plot. I am looking forward to reading The Ripple Effect which has an anticipated 2012 release date.

Books in order:

Dead, Undead or Somewhere in Between - 2010

The Renfield Syndrome - 2011

The Ripple Effect - 2012