I want to preface that I received an ARC of the book. This is my honest opinion of the book, I will try not to spoil the book too much for future readers.
The book is a slow burn paranormal drama revolving around the vampiric world based in today's day and age in Dallas, Texas. Within the book, main character goes through a transformation, mentally and physically, with the processing of personal trauma, sexual trauma, and becoming a vampire. I would say to make sure to read the trigger warnings because Sonia Blade offers a real, detailed narrative of how survivors of violence and trauma process and heal. The writing in the book offers perspective on the nuances of experiencing trauma and change and how the Joceline acts as a response. I really enjoyed reading the inner dialogue within Joceline's mind because it offers a great perspective/insight on the rationale of her actions. She is processing her assault, as well as her death and her life as a new vampire in an unknown world. She is on a revenge plot to find and kill the vampire who assaulted her which resulted in the end of her human life. This process culminate throughout the entire book and offers a great perspective of the journey to self discovery and acceptance.
Within the world, Blade gives an interesting take on the different vampiric mutations, like
Brutes, Mystics, Paramours, Prole and others. The visual descriptions enticed me the most with the way in which vampires can see each other auras and how intriguing it was for Joceline to see it for the first time. The vivid imagery allows you to really see what she is seeing and in a way be a fly on the wall. The development of the vampire underworld was also interesting with the explanation of their forms of government/institution within their world. One thing I wish the book had was kinda of a page which gives brief explanations of the different mutations and the institution as a quick reference if you need a quick refresher.
The book is a slow burn so there wasn't much spicy in it but it makes sense with the pacing. When reading the two characters I say to be on the look out are Rhys and Slevin (both vampires) who are Joceline's love interests (I am honestly not sure who I would pick or if I would want her to choose both of them). The relationship between the both male characters and Joceline are different within their own right which makes it so difficult to figure out who to root for. I enjoyed reading both interactions with the FMC but I wished I had more background on how Rhys and Slevin know each other and why Rhys had him protecting Joceline. Either way, the interactions with both male characters brought out different sides of Joceline throughout the book. I would say when Rhys texted "I'm sorry, Dove", I think I would have folded like a lawn chair. Both relationships I find very interesting and it shows how having both men in her life has helped her. We see how Joc ends up with found family/friends who are willing to risk their lives for the chance of her completing her revenge plot.
Overall, I did enjoy the book, I do have a harder time trying to get into slow burn book but the world building is so different compared to other plots that it kept me intrigued to see how it will end. I hope this ends up being a series because I want to know (I NEED TO KNOW) what happens next.