This is one of my absolute favorite UF series and not in small part because of Leo. The main difference between UF and PNR was once described as the focus of the story not being the romantic relationship between the two main protagonists and the plot functioning even in the absence of that relationship. Jane does have a romantic interest/love life of sorts; at the beginning of the series she is involved with Ricky Bo, but that relationship goes nowhere after Rick betrays her. After bemoaning the lost chance with Rick, doing a lot of waffling about and eyeing some other candidates she finally allows herself to be seduced by Bruiser/George Dumas (in book 8, Broken Soul). Jane’s relationship with Bruiser is quite smooth, he is gorgeous, hot, a warrior in his own right and, despite his age, he has no problem deferring to Jane in matters of the job. He is supportive, spoils her with his culinary skills (and other skills as well), but basically he plays the role that traditionally would fall to the supportive wife/girl friend of the hero.
Therefore I would argue that from the beginning the main male protagonist has always been Leo Pellesier, Master Vampire of New Orleans and thorn in Jane’s side. His machinations, his long-term plans, his schemes within schemes are what, almost exclusively, have driven the story-arc of the series. He is the one who questions Jane, exasperates Jane, drives her to distraction and challenges her. I don’t mind admitting that I have been in love with Leo from the start, even though he is a very ambiguous character. He is ruthless, wily, cold, doesn’t fight fair in love or war, and tries to bind Jane to him by force when the opportunity presents itself to him. But despite being a very old and powerful vampire he is also honorable, a good leader and has hidden depths (which gave me quite a nerd-girl moment), all redeeming qualities that make him the perfect anti-hero. At the beginning, when we first meet him, he is certainly in danger of losing the last threads of his humanity, but Jane changes him as he changes her. I think that becomes very clear in this installment as we finally see all of Leo’s plans come to fruition as they prepare to face the European vamps in a final battle. It seems most everything that Leo has contrived has been done to not only protect the vampires in his clan, but also all the other paranormals in America that would be impacted if the Eurovamps were to win and take over. And sneaky guy that he is, he also finally succeeds in binding Jane to him, not by force but by baring himself to her.
Although I loved the book overall – it is exciting, fast-paced, action-packed, emotionally wrenching – I had a bit of trouble with the ending. It has been pointed out in previous reviews that this was supposed to be the end of the series and the book had been all but written when the decision was made to add two more books. The final battle with the Eurovamps is the culmination of the story arc of the last several books and you can see where the ending was supposed to go (almost like a Shakespearean tragedy – battle won, order restored, main protagonists dead). Only it doesn’t go there, at least not quite. Instead of closure the ending is suspended, like the drops of possible futures Jane sees when she steps outside of time. I am not sure yet how I should feel about that, but nonetheless 5 stars, hoping this isn’t the last we have seen of Leo.
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Reviews with images
BORROWED FROM THE LIBRARY (EBOOK)
While I thought the Clan claiming ceremony was too drawn out the EV vs. MOC battle more then made up for it
Top reviews from other countries
Büchergourmande
Wow und es geht doch noch weiter
Reviewed in Germany on May 7, 2018Jon Doe
He has his duty-and even Jane knows better than to challenge that
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 2, 2018
