A Shade of Novak

A Shade of Vampire #8

by Bella Forrest

I never could have imagined that Derek and I would willingly turn back into vampires.

But there are some things in life that you just can't predict. Like the strange human disappearances that had started happening on the coasts surrounding us.

There would have been nothing mysterious about these kidnappings so close to our own turf, had The Shade's vampires not given up drinking human blood almost two decades ago...

Genres: Vampires, Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance, Young Adult, Paranormal Romance, Fiction

313 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 9, 2014

About the author

UPDATE MARCH 11, 2024:

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*** New, updated online store at https://BellaForrest.com

*** New books coming soon

*** Possible Film/TV series coming soon

*** Stay up to date by joining our e-mail list at https://BellaForrest.com/join

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Bella Forrest is a lover of fantasy, romance, action, and mystery infused stories with twists you don’t see coming. She has sold over fifteen million books since her first novel was published in 2012.

Check out her website for a full list of her books: https://BellaForrest.com

Official Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/BellaForrest...

Here's a list of some of Bella's books:

DARKLIGHT

Darklight (Book 1)
Darkthirst (Book 2)
Darkworld (Book 3)
Darkblood (Book 4)
Darktide (Book 5)
Darkbirth (Book 6)
Darkfall (Book 7)
Darkwilds (Book 8)
Darkhunt (Book 9)

A LOVE THAT ENDURES (Trilogy)
A Love that Endures 1
A Love that Endures 2
A Love that Endures 3

HARLEY MERLIN AND THE SECRET COVEN

Harley Merlin and the Secret Coven (Book 1)
Harley Merlin and the Mystery Twins (Book 2)
Harley Merlin and the Stolen Magicals (Book 3)
Harley Merlin and the First Ritual (Book 4)
Harley Merlin and the Broken Spell (Book 5)
Harley Merlin and the Cult of Eris (Book 6)
Harley Merlin and the Detector Fix (Book 7)
Harley Merlin and the Challenge of Chaos (Book 8)
Harley Merlin and the Mortal Pact (Book 9)
Finch Merlin and the Fount of Youth (Book 10)
Finch Merlin and the Lost Map (Book 11)
Finch Merlin and the Djinn's Curse (Book 12)
Finch Merlin and the Locked Gateway (Book 13)
Finch Merlin and the Forgotten Kingdom (Book 14)
Finch Merlin and the Everlasting Vow (Book 15)
Finch Merlin and the Blood Tie (Book 16)
Finch Merlin and the Legend of the Luminary
Persie Merlin and Leviathan's Gift (Book 18)
Persie Merlin and the Door to Nowhere (Book 19)
Persie Merlin and the Witch Hunters (Book 20)
Persie Merlin and the Dying Song (Book 21)

THE CHILD THIEF

The Child Thief (Book 1)
Deep Shadows (Book 2)
Thin Lines (Book 3)
Little Lies (Book 4)
Ghost Towns (Book 5)
Zero Hour (Book 6)

HOTBLOODS

Hotbloods (Book 1)
Hotbloods (Book 2): Coldbloods
Hotbloods (Book 3): Renegades
Hotbloods (Book 4): Venturers
Hotbloods (Book 5): Traitors
Hotbloods (Book 6): Allies
Hotbloods (Book 7): Invaders
Hotbloods (Book 8): Stargazers

THE GENDER GAME

The Gender Game (Book 1)
The Gender Secret (Book 2)
The Gender Lie (Book 3)
The Gender War (Book 4)
The Gender Fall (Book 5)
The Gender Plan (Book 6)
The Gender End (Book 7)

THE GIRL WHO DARED TO THINK

The Girl Who Dared to Think (Book 1)
The Girl Who Dared to Stand (Book 2)
The Girl Who Dared to Descend (Book 3)
The Girl Who Dared to Rise (Book 4)
The Girl Who Dared to Lead (Book 5)
The Girl Who Dared to Endure (Book 6
The Girl Who Dared to Fight (Book 7)

A SHADE OF VAMPIRE

Season 1: Derek & Sofia’s story

Books 1 to 7

Season 2: Rose & Caleb’s story

Books 8 to 16

Season 3: The Shade continues with a new hero...

Books 17 to 24

Season 4: A Clan of Novaks

Books 25 to 32

Season 5: A Dawn of Guardians

Books 33 to 41

Season 6: A Gift of Three

Books 42 to 50

Season 7: A Call of Vampires

Books 51 to 59

Season 8: A Voyage of Founders

Books 60 to 68

Season 9: A Birth of Fire

Books 69 to 77

Season 10: An Origin of Vampires
An Origin of Vampires (Book 78)
A Game of Death (Book 79)
A Veil of Dark (Book 80)
A Bringer of Night (Book 81)
A Circle of Nine (Book 82)
A Bender of Spirit (Book 83)
A Memory of Time (Book 84)
A Shard of Soul (Book 85)
A Break of Seals (Book 86)

Season 11: A Shade of Mystery
A Shade of Mystery (Book 87)
An Isle of Mirrors (Book 88)
A Sanctuary of Foes (Book 89)
A Ruler of Clones (Book 90)
A Gate of Light (Book 91)
A Dawn of Worlds (Book 92) ➜ Coming soon!

Reviews

[Carol [Goodreads Addict] · Rating 4 out of 5]

RATING 4.5 STARS

A Shade of Novak is book #8 in The Shade of Vampire series by Bella Forrest. Derek and Sofia are back!!! I didn’t realize how much I had missed them!

In the prologue, five years have passed since book #7, A Break of Day. The twins are five years old and Derek, Sofia and the kids are living a wonderful life on the beach in California. But strange mass disappearances have been taking place. People are just vanishing into thin air. Who or what is taking them and why? As Derek and Sofia become concerned with the safety of their children, they decide to return to The Shade.



As Chapter one begins, twelve more years have gone by and it is now the twins seventeenth birthday. As in the previous books, each chapter is told from a different person’s point of view. We get plenty of Derek and Sofia but we get lots of Rose who is one of the twins, and some from her brother, Ben. There are also some new characters introduced. Some you might like, and some not so much. I particularly fell in love with Caleb.



Rose reminds me so much of Sofia at that age. She has the strength and purity that her mother did. Their father taught his children about music. Rose can play just about any instrument. I loved that part of the book.



Derek and Sofia find themselves once again in turmoil as they try to figure out why humans keep disappearing. They have come so far since we first met these two! Now they are just like an old married couple and have truly grown into their roles of King and Queen of The Shade.



Even though some time has passed since I read the previous book, I easily found myself drawn right back into this world. The writing was fast paced and the imagery was perfect. What is it about The Shade and it’s residents that keeps us addicted? There is a cliff hanger and I can’t wait to continue on with book #9, A Bond of Blood. I’m so glad that Bella Forrest decided to keep this series going!

[Mikayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book as much as the others, as you may tell my 5 star review.

I loved how she wrote this one. Not just because you get to hear from Derek and Sophia, but because you get to hear from Rose. Although, I do wish there was more from her brother as I only recall one chapter from him.

I'd like to congratulate Bella on keeping my attention for more than 8 books, as few authors have managed that (not that many can manage more than 8 books).

Yet again I can't wait for the next book. Keep up the good work Bella and look forward to reading your next book. Definite 5 stars from me.

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sofia and Derek are back.

It is exactly 2 years to the day since I read the first 'A Shade of Vampire' and while I loved the book I'd stumbled across I had no idea it would become the sensation that it has, who would have thought.
I'm so glad to have Sofia and Derek back and their twins Ben and Rose, from the very first book I always pictured Sofia and Derek as vampires, King and Queen of the Shade with a child, I only ever pictured one, twins is a bonus. After 'A Break of Day' which I loved, I assumed I wouldn't get my wish so you can imagine how excited I was to find them vampires again and back in charge, this book was everything I imagined and more, more new fabulous characters some to love and some to hate.
Just like years ago humans are going missing from beaches, who's taking them and why? Sofia and Derek are worried about their children and therefore make the decision to return full time to The Shade.
The prologue is fabulous, normally I'm an epilogue kind of girl but the prologue gives us all the information we need.
Brilliant book I'm so glad they're back.

Merged review:

Sofia and Derek are back.

It is exactly 2 years to the day since I read the first 'A Shade of Vampire' and while I loved the book I'd stumbled across I had no idea it would become the sensation that it has, who would have thought.
I'm so glad to have Sofia and Derek back and their twins Ben and Rose, from the very first book I always pictured Sofia and Derek as vampires, King and Queen of the Shade with a child, I only ever pictured one, twins is a bonus. After 'A Break of Day' which I loved, I assumed I wouldn't get my wish so you can imagine how excited I was to find them vampires again and back in charge, this book was everything I imagined and more, more new fabulous characters some to love and some to hate.
Just like years ago humans are going missing from beaches, who's taking them and why? Sofia and Derek are worried about their children and therefore make the decision to return full time to The Shade.
The prologue is fabulous, normally I'm an epilogue kind of girl but the prologue gives us all the information we need.
Brilliant book I'm so glad they're back.

[J. Kahele · Rating 4 out of 5]

The saga continues

Sophia and Derek's children Rose and Ben are now seventeen. When the devise a trick to switch plans of their normal summer getaway from Scotland to Hawaii they find theirselves in a world of trouble when they are kidnapped by vampires.

Rose is introduced to a nineteen year old vampire named Caleb who tries to rescue her from the clutches of another vampire named Stellan. He takes her to his island where he thinks she will be safe but soon finds out the witch that rules the island ordered the kidnapping. Caleb doesn't agree with him and he is determined to return Rose to her parents anyway he can.

[J.E. Benoit · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so excited to see that Sofia and Derek were coming back for another installment in the Shade of Vampire series! I really enjoyed this series and while book 7 ended perfectly I will always welcome more from this crew! I was surprised when I read the blurb and saw a pretty big time jump mentioned as well as the fact that Sofia and Derek were turning back into vampires! The prologue did a great job of catching us up on the occurrences of the 5yrs between the end of A Break of Day and the start of this book, I loved seeing what everyone at The Shade was up to, who was together, who had kids, who had turned back human and who had turned into vampires. It was like meeting up with old friends again after some time away. Then when the actual book starts we experience another time jump and much of the book is told from either one of the twins’ POV (mainly Rose) which I thought was great. We still had some chapters from Sofia and Derek so we had that familiarity from the prior books but at the same time it felt like a fresh start for a new story arc for this series.

The events of this book and where it ended up opened up so many possibilities for future books and I am very excited to see where she takes the storyline next. A few new characters were added into the mix who I think will play big parts going forward. I really liked Caleb and I felt very bad for him for the hand he was dealt, I look forward to seeing what happens with him. I liked seeing the twins as teenagers and having their POV. As I mentioned, much of the book is narrated by Rose and it was fun seeing the similarities and differences between her and Sofia when Sofia was that age and first brought to The Shade. It was also interesting to see the parallels between Rose and Ben’s experiences and Sofia and original Ben’s experiences when they were first brought into the vampire world. I am guessing this was intentional on the author’s part, but I thought it was really smart and a way to bring readers back to the early days of Sofia and Derek. Speaking of them it was awesome seeing them in full on parent mode, I just love these two together and I am glad that we get a whole new adventure and new struggles but at the same time their HEA hasn’t been compromised. I still feel satisfied that they got their happy ending at the end of A Break of Day and what they are going through now is just life.

I won’t spoil anything so I will just close by saying that this was another great installment to the series and I am so glad that there will be more books featuring my beloved crew from The Shade! Can’t wait for the next one to come out!

[Earthy Taurean · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would have given a 4 star but for the ending, I love the series but I always found something or the other so unbelievable that it tested me sorely. Nevertheless this books ending wherein Stellan so easily went inside the Shade, got Anna without even knowing what she looks like, anyone noticing, no one raising alarm that a strange submarine in the waters. Everybody lost their heads and they were all hunters and had security. This makes me super angry. No one even spoke to Caleb about the vampires etc and just let him go.

Seriously! And they were investigating the missing girls.

[Angela Hull · Rating 5 out of 5]

I deliberately took my time just because it always makes me a little sad when I finish a book. By this book, which is book 8 in the series...I have become familiar with these characters. This book is more about Sofia and Derek's children which shifts the attention but you do see Derek and Sofia in a new light. You see them as parents. It's bizarre just because they are young people who now have children. You would think that all problems would be behind them. Nope. This book focuses on the problems that have followed them and now include their children. Their kids, Rose and Ben are teenagers during most of the book and while reading I noticed some similarities from where Sofia started in the first book and Rose's beginning. I'm very intrigued to see where Bella takes them. A lot of questions unanswered.

[Lesli · Rating 3 out of 5]

I still don't understand why they had to turn back into vampires

[Anne · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the first book in the second 8-volume juvenile vampire series by Bella Forrest. Despite myself, I found the first 8-volume set to be compellingly riveting. This new 8-volume series shifts its focus to the twin children of the hero and heroine of the first 8 novels, Sophia and Derek Novak. Now 17, the twins Ben and Rose have grown up in The Shade, the vampire haven ruled by their parents. They seek one last adventure as humans before being turned into vampires by their parents, something which they desire. Unfortunately, when they slip away from the Shade to have their last teen-aged party time, they are abducted by a group of rogue vampires that the good vampires of the Shade are not aware of.

First, to be fair, I should say that I am not the intended audience for these books. I am a 60-something woman who enjoys good juvenile fiction from time to time. So the criticism that follows is not entirely fair and likely would not apply if I were the intended teen audience. However, this is my perspective. The good vampire vs bad vampire plot line has become a bit redundant at this point (and there are 55 volumes in this vampire series--this is number 8!!! You gotta really love them to keep going through all 55! However, they do break into 8-volume sets, each set featuring different main characters, though remaining in the overall story line.) This volume is very juvenile, which it probably should be, as it is juvenile fiction. Of course, like the previous volumes, it ends on a cliffhanger, so I guess I will keep reading to find out what happens. I think if I were a teenager and not an older woman, I would much enjoy the interaction between Rose and Caleb. Bella Forrest does a good job of creating teen-aged sexual tension and dramatic action when one least expects it. And she does a great job of ending each volume on a crisis note that requires the reader to keep going!

Good for older teens who like vampire series, not such great reading for adults--but I will almost certainly finish this 8-volume set before hanging it up on these.

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m Book 8 Ben and Rose are now grown up and are going on there last summer camp before they become vampires but instead they go to Hawaii to hang with 2 friends they met at summer camp previously but when Rose gets the attention of a vampire not from the Shade it gets her Ben an there 2 friends kidnapped will they make it back to the Shade or forever be lost. In book 8 a new love story begins an a terrifying new enemy emerges will the shadians be able to stop this threat an get Ben an Rose back? Read the book to find out you will not be disappointed in this series.


As I am a very picky person it’s hard to come on a series that I immediately fall in love with but with a shade of a vampire I did just that an found it very hard to put it down as I could not wait to find out what happens.

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bella is back on form with this novel.

I wasn't sure I would like this as it felt to me like the Shade series was done but Bella managed to freshen it up by moving it a good 20 years into the future and focusing on Derek and Sofia' s children Rose and Ben.

It was great to have the familiarity of the Shade and to find out what had happened to all of the characters we know but I really liked some of the new characters too. In particular Rose and Caleb whose story was very reminiscent of Sofia and Derek's.

There was some overlap with the Shade of Kiev series so it will be interesting to see what happens next.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars OMG I really had no idea I was finished with this book. When I reached the last page, I had to look at the page number to see if I really did reach the last page. I was really surprised!! I am just zipping through these books like crazy. The writing isn't brilliant, but it's an easy read and I've fallen for the characters. I want to know what happens to them after each book. And now I get to read about the children of these characters. On to book 9....

[Angela Sanders · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just when I thought their story had ended...

It begins again with a new batch of evil vampires, less one! My mind is reeling! This book is just as good as the first, if not better. I can't get enough of this series. I'm so happy to see it continue. I'm dying to read what happens next... This book ends with one heck of a cliffhanger, but thankfully the next book is ready for download.

[Will · Rating 3 out of 5]

Similar to the last story

This was okay, but I was disappointed to see so many similarities to Derek and Sofia's story. It was like reading the first series all over again. Also, the idea of them suddenly wanting to turn back into vampires after spending 7 books looking for "true sanctuary," aka turning human, was especially unrealistic... even for a vampire book. This author can do better than this.

[Mary Winstead · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ben and rose are 17 and their parents want them to enjoy normalcy before they decide they want to become vampires or not. Lying to their parents and not telling them they magically changed their passports to make them 21. The twins head to Hawaii with other friends when a series of abductions have been happening since they were 5. Sadly both twins are taken to separate islands. When rose meets Caleb things happen as both of them find away to the shade.

[Strawz93 · Rating 5 out of 5]

The kids

Every shade of vampire deserves a 5 star. This book has added to the excitement, I like the way the rose and ben, got themselves into that extra vacation time. Cute! Hope Caleb becomes part of the novak family. It is so good to have Derek back as king, and It's so hard, waiting for the next book.

[Val. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always been a fan of this series. It is one of those series you never want to end. I was so excited when I found out it was mostly about a 17 year old Rose! I loved finding out what happened to the characters and getting introduced to new ones! I cannot wait until the next book comes out! Bella never disappoints and always leaves you wanting more!

[Coryann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy these series. They are fast paced and always have a good storyline. The endings usually leave you hanging in one way or another and make you want more. This one was no different. It was interesting as this one was more focused on the twins and their stories vs Sophia and Derek’s story.

[Maria Carrillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unexpected

It was a cute book, i didn't expect it to be about Rose and Caleb but why would Bella make it about Sofia and Derek when they already had their story ? I liked it and I can't wait till the next one .

[Britt · Rating 4 out of 5]

So... wth is the deal with Caleb's witch and Stellan? I want Rose with someone from the shade, and Been with someone from anywhere else. And that ending, WTF? What is this series going to throw at me next?!?!

[Courtney Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really truly don't know why I continue to read this series I feel like this is now gotten repetitive for real unfortunately once I find out what will happen next although I kinda have an idea I may just give up ugh I hate being half in half out

[Toodles · Rating 3 out of 5]

Time for a new series....

I've loved this series up to this book. This book seems to have a storyline that is just starting over but with new names. I think it's time for me to start a new series maybe with the same author......

[Dee · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't finish this one. I read the first 7 books of this series one after the other. By the time I got to this one I was done with the series, I guess I was ready for something new. Maybe I'll come back to it someday.

[Sonja · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great series....

I just can't get enough of this series.... love the characters and their stories. Can't wait to read more. Already downloaded the next few books.

[Cindra Madden · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Shade of Vampire story continues in with our usual cast and Sofia and Derek. Now it's a decade later and their twins are full grown and making mischief along the way.

This book is a transgression from our normal leads. As usual this book is written in multiple point of views but Rose,one of the twins, is mostly who we see things from. As with the first Shade of Vampire book this one has a bit of the Stockholm syndrome thrown into play but you feel it is only a hearing up for a more elaborate story as books come.

I liked that these books didn't just let go of our normal leads as most do when trying to add the "new generation" of characters into the story. You feel like they are still heavy hitters in the story.

After so many previous books in the series this one is a little slower not as much happening but it is still a good read. Like I said you feel it's just ground work for the next books in the series.

I hope Sofia and Derek are still part of the next reads as much as they were in this one. As a reader you never want to let go of your favorite characters.

With all this I will confess it wasn't as thrilling as the story of Sofia and Derek but I can tell it just leading up to more! Forrest will not disappoint I am sure! I am sure to be rewarded by reading on to the next installment.

[Shelley Trickett · Rating 5 out of 5]

The new novaks star in their very own book, all grown up the twins are brought into the safety of the shade to stand alongside their parents as they rule. A summer break to the human realm takes a turn for the worst and the parents are called to help them, but do they really need it or is there someone else on their side?

Despite being part of a spin off from the first novels this manages to stand alone as something of its own. When writing a series,trying to do something different when - let's face it,an awful lot had been covered in the initial series, must be hard but it has been pulled off well. Although as in life, there are similarities in a couple of situations it is brought to your attention with subtlety and humour in opposition to trying to cover it up. It's a nice touch. Definitely somewhat addicted to this book series having read from the first book to here in under two weeks 😂😂

[GypsyLace · Rating 5 out of 5]

As you know, Derek and Sophia got their happily ever after. So, what could come next? I don't like spoilers, but I will say the kids are growing up. This book kind of gives the reader different choices for what the future could hold. I like Bella Forrest's
Imagination, so I know there will be plenty of adventure and love. Lastly, if you go back to the very beginning, Sophia piqued Derek's interest because she reminded him he was and is not a victim. He always has a choice. Those words were an on going
theme throughout each book. Now the Novak children will be learning that lesson as well. I am continuing this series far how. When it reaches a point I begin to set it down easier and easier... That means a break for know at the least. Right now, I am all in.

[Marisol Acevedo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome continuance

Ok so Rose and Ben have captured my interest. I won’t ruin it for you, but if your an avid reader then you’ll figure out a few things and where the story is going.

I am glad that although the next few are about the next generation, the author kept all the “Shade Fam” in tact. Aiden (Grampa) Sophia, Derek, and thenothers are still a part of this story.

Here is where the fun begins or should I say the drama.


Happily ever afters are only for Disney lol.

[Bewaji · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poor Anna...

This is not good. Heavily pregnant Anna had been stolen from The Shade. It just brought to mind what happened to Sofia when she was expecting the twins. So it continues...

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was this the best vampire series I've ever read? No. Was it bad? No. I needed something to read and I liked this, but it didn't really stand out to me. It had a little bit of a different take on vampires hiding from the human world that I liked.