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Victory Nelson's Blood Investigations #5
Blood Debt
It began with a ghost in his bedroom. A tormented soul hungry for vengeance, The sort of nocturnal visitation that even a five-hundred-year-old vampire like Henry Fitzroy found tiresome. It would lead Vicki Nelson, PI, into her most deadly investigation yet.
The wraith is determined that Henry and Vicki track down its killer - and is prepared to use a little persuasion by way of the innocent inhabitants of Toronto to ensure their support. Forced to investigate, Vicki discovers a host of souls in desperate torment and evidence to suggest that trailing the killer will only lead to further deaths - starting with her own.
The wraith is determined that Henry and Vicki track down its killer - and is prepared to use a little persuasion by way of the innocent inhabitants of Toronto to ensure their support. Forced to investigate, Vicki discovers a host of souls in desperate torment and evidence to suggest that trailing the killer will only lead to further deaths - starting with her own.
368 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1997
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1801 people want to read
About the author
Tanya Huff
150 books2,444 followersTanya Sue Huff is a Canadian fantasy author. Her stories have been published since the late 1980s, including five fantasy series and one science fiction series. One of these, her Blood Books series, featuring detective Vicki Nelson, was adapted for television under the title Blood Ties.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 156 reviews
June 2, 2021
This is the fifth and final Vicki Nelson novel, and brings the Blood series to a fitting close. In fact, it reads much like a coda to Blood Pact, and of them all I'd think it would be this one that least stands on its own without reading prior books. Henry seeks Vicki's help with a ghost problem, though the romantic triangle with Mike Celluci and the two of them that was such a major point earlier has become mute. Vicki and Henry are in conflict much of the time, and the light-hearted snarkiness has given way to a more melancholy air. It's a well-written book, nicely paced and plotted with good characters, but without the feel-good tone the early books had. Vicki Nelson was one of the characters that helped establish the urban fantasy/supernatural romance craze that swept publishing a few decades back, and the Blood books remain high-water marks in the genres.
February 10, 2010
This is the fifth and last book in the series by Tanya Huff about Vicki Nelson, Henry Fitzroy and Mike Celluci. We pick up the tale as Henry finds himself haunted by a tormented ghost and realises he needs the specialist help of Vicki.
It is hard to review this book completely without spoiling the events at the end of Blood Pact, but I shall attempt it!
Although there is a ghost involved, the mystery itself is the most mundane out of the five books - concerning an organisation set up to profit from the harvesting of organs. Since Huff persists in signposting her villains, making identifying them extremely easy, these books are not whodunnits and so Huff has to rely on ramping up the tension from supernatural elements. Here there are just human foes - when you have humans one side and vampire the other, you already know who will win (or who should do!), which means the central mystery has no real tension or ambiguity over the resolution.
Instead Huff concentrates on writing tension into the relationships between the three main characters, who have been involved in a love triangle from the second book in the series. I liked the way Huff dealt with Vicki and Henry in this book - it was both heart-breakingly sad and yet hopeful at the same time.
Mike remains a fabulous character. He is by far my favourite character of the series. I love his nobility and his desire to see justice done - but within the parameters of the law. Henry describes Mike best with this:
"Henry had done what he could, but he hadn't been strong enough to finish; he needed more blood. Michael Celluci had offered his, even though he believed that it meant he'd lose everything.
In over four hundred and fifty years of living as an observer in humanity's midst, it had been the most amazing thing Henry Fitzroy had ever seen."
Mike is snarky, clever, exasperated; I love the way he deals with Vicki, alternating between tenderness and arguments - the only thing I wish is that he would get a damn haircut so that Vicki doesn't need to constantly brush that curl of hair back off his face!
Tony comes to the fore here as well. His desire to extricate himself from Henry; his desperation to do the right thing but not hurt others is admirable and written in a realistic way.
I enjoyed the snappy pacing and dialogue-heavy writing. Huff also does a fine job with descriptive passages - bringing places and situations to life with a few efficient words.
I'll make a brief comment on how dated these books sometimes feel - here Tony works in a video store and spends time rewinding the tapes; and one of the characters expresses surprise at the use of a cellphone. Having said that, I shall also say that these books stand up well to the test of thirteen years passing. They still sound fresh and engaging. In a genre now crowded, Huff was one of the first to pair detecting with supernatural forces - and, when reading about Vicki and Henry, you still gain a sense of how exciting and *new* they must have seemed when first released.
It is hard to review this book completely without spoiling the events at the end of Blood Pact, but I shall attempt it!
Although there is a ghost involved, the mystery itself is the most mundane out of the five books - concerning an organisation set up to profit from the harvesting of organs. Since Huff persists in signposting her villains, making identifying them extremely easy, these books are not whodunnits and so Huff has to rely on ramping up the tension from supernatural elements. Here there are just human foes - when you have humans one side and vampire the other, you already know who will win (or who should do!), which means the central mystery has no real tension or ambiguity over the resolution.
Instead Huff concentrates on writing tension into the relationships between the three main characters, who have been involved in a love triangle from the second book in the series. I liked the way Huff dealt with Vicki and Henry in this book - it was both heart-breakingly sad and yet hopeful at the same time.
Mike remains a fabulous character. He is by far my favourite character of the series. I love his nobility and his desire to see justice done - but within the parameters of the law. Henry describes Mike best with this:
"Henry had done what he could, but he hadn't been strong enough to finish; he needed more blood. Michael Celluci had offered his, even though he believed that it meant he'd lose everything.
In over four hundred and fifty years of living as an observer in humanity's midst, it had been the most amazing thing Henry Fitzroy had ever seen."
Mike is snarky, clever, exasperated; I love the way he deals with Vicki, alternating between tenderness and arguments - the only thing I wish is that he would get a damn haircut so that Vicki doesn't need to constantly brush that curl of hair back off his face!
Tony comes to the fore here as well. His desire to extricate himself from Henry; his desperation to do the right thing but not hurt others is admirable and written in a realistic way.
I enjoyed the snappy pacing and dialogue-heavy writing. Huff also does a fine job with descriptive passages - bringing places and situations to life with a few efficient words.
I'll make a brief comment on how dated these books sometimes feel - here Tony works in a video store and spends time rewinding the tapes; and one of the characters expresses surprise at the use of a cellphone. Having said that, I shall also say that these books stand up well to the test of thirteen years passing. They still sound fresh and engaging. In a genre now crowded, Huff was one of the first to pair detecting with supernatural forces - and, when reading about Vicki and Henry, you still gain a sense of how exciting and *new* they must have seemed when first released.
December 22, 2008
Inspired by the recent starting up of the TV show Blood Ties, I've gone and plowed through all five of the Blood books by Tanya Huff. These are all re-reads, but it's been long enough since I read them all that it was almost like reading them all over again. And it was a pleasure, especially after reading a lot more current urban fantasy--in her rather understated kind of way, Huff did her part to contribute to what you see in the more recent run of books.
First and foremost: as vampires go, Henry is a fabulous vampire character. He's got his share of hokey I Am Vampire schtick, sure, but by and large he is refreshingly clear of the woe-is-me angst you see in a lot of vamp stories. I also like Huff's treatment of vampires--that they're not actually really dead, but instead are living creatures that are dramatically changed. For example, they still have a heartbeat, albeit extremely slow. Second: I dig Vicki as a tough, no-nonsense heroine. Third: I really like that the mortal side of the love triangle, Michael, holds his own against Henry. He too is a fabulous character. And Huff's always fun to me to read just because queerfolk are involved in her stories too. Not in any special LOOKIT ME I'M QUEER way, but just... there. Part of the story. Like life. And! Fun to read fantasy novels set in Canada as well.
Of the set, I think my favorites are books 3 and 4, Blood Lines and Blood Pact--where we get an ancient Egyptian mummy trying to take over Toronto, and then, Vicki's mother dying and some scary Dr. Frankenstein-y things going on.
All in all, highly recommended for fun romantic tension and suspenseful action, neither of which ever go out of their way to be over the top with the Dark Dark Darkity Darkness. I approve. Four stars.
First and foremost: as vampires go, Henry is a fabulous vampire character. He's got his share of hokey I Am Vampire schtick, sure, but by and large he is refreshingly clear of the woe-is-me angst you see in a lot of vamp stories. I also like Huff's treatment of vampires--that they're not actually really dead, but instead are living creatures that are dramatically changed. For example, they still have a heartbeat, albeit extremely slow. Second: I dig Vicki as a tough, no-nonsense heroine. Third: I really like that the mortal side of the love triangle, Michael, holds his own against Henry. He too is a fabulous character. And Huff's always fun to me to read just because queerfolk are involved in her stories too. Not in any special LOOKIT ME I'M QUEER way, but just... there. Part of the story. Like life. And! Fun to read fantasy novels set in Canada as well.
Of the set, I think my favorites are books 3 and 4, Blood Lines and Blood Pact--where we get an ancient Egyptian mummy trying to take over Toronto, and then, Vicki's mother dying and some scary Dr. Frankenstein-y things going on.
All in all, highly recommended for fun romantic tension and suspenseful action, neither of which ever go out of their way to be over the top with the Dark Dark Darkity Darkness. I approve. Four stars.
March 23, 2021
BLOOD DEBT is the last of the Vicki Nelson series and parting ways with it is like losing a good friend. Really, this could have gone on for a dozen books or more and probably should have. I certainly enjoyed the BLOOD TIES series with its own episodic stories. Still, I understand why Tanya Huff decided to end the story here. It deals with the shocking transformation that happened at the end of the previous book as well as sets everyone else on an uncertain but hopeful life path.
The actual story, dealing with a organ-trafficking ring, is a bit meh. The book repeatedly mentions how organ trafficking is an urban legend and then weirdly confirms that it does happen in Third World countries for voluntary "cash for kidneys." However, the real meat of the story is Vicki trying to deal with the fact that she and Henry can't be together.
Celluci has won by default and isn't happy about that himself. The fact Vicki cheats on him in the middle of the book and it isn't brought up was also a bit annoying (they were polyamorous before Vicki's change but I thought exclusive after that). We also see how vicious and dangerous Vicki has become when she tears through dozens of mobsters.
A lot of interesting events happen throughout the story and I had a lot of fun with the book.
The actual story, dealing with a organ-trafficking ring, is a bit meh. The book repeatedly mentions how organ trafficking is an urban legend and then weirdly confirms that it does happen in Third World countries for voluntary "cash for kidneys." However, the real meat of the story is Vicki trying to deal with the fact that she and Henry can't be together.
Celluci has won by default and isn't happy about that himself. The fact Vicki cheats on him in the middle of the book and it isn't brought up was also a bit annoying (they were polyamorous before Vicki's change but I thought exclusive after that). We also see how vicious and dangerous Vicki has become when she tears through dozens of mobsters.
A lot of interesting events happen throughout the story and I had a lot of fun with the book.
July 19, 2020
And so we've reached the last novel in Tanya Huff's Vicki Nelson series. This has been a fun ride! This last book was another good read but not my favorite in the series and I'm not sure if it's because things didn't end up how I wanted them to or if it's because, no, it's definitely that. ;)
Spoilers for all books in the series below so you may want to skip this review if you're not caught up.
.
.
.
So, we catch up with Vicki over a year after the end of book four. She's dealing with being a vampire and being back in Toronto. Don't worry though, she's still doing her P.I. thing. So, this story starts out when Henry, back in Vancouver, encounters a ghost. There's a murder as well that seems to be linked so he calls up his old pal Vicki Nelson to come out and lend a hand in the investigation (Henry, after all, is just a romance novelist). Vicki is amped to go but Mike doesn't want her to go alone of course, he's worried about what will happen when Vicki and Henry get together because of the whole 'there can only be one vampire in a territory or they'll kill each other' thing. What follows is the usual paranormal investigation from our team but with added tension as Vicki and Henry do a lot of growling at each other, trying not to tear each other's throats out. That was fun.
I said to one of my friends that I felt like this book was Huff's way of shutting up everyone who wanted to see Henry and Vicki get together by showing us how terrible of an idea that would be and exactly how it doesn't work. On some level I can appreciate that but since I was Team Henry since book one I also can't help feeling a bit mad. But then I also can't do anything other than laugh because, welp. I'm not going to go into details but does this book finally prove that two vampires can't share the same territory? Read and find out!
I do like Vicki's journey in this one as she's still adjusting to being a vampire. Of course it has certain perks, like she no longer needs her glasses, but then there's the whole 'can't be with Henry anymore' thing. Also, she's dealing with being able to control herself. Henry is pretty worried about her in this one as she's typical hard-headed Vicki and comes close to the edge, giving into some bloodlust. Of course her stubbornness pays off in some other ways...so yay? As much as I love Vicki and love her last character arc, I'll admit that she was also a bit annoying in this book. So. Stubborn. It's not always a good look, Vicki. I felt kind of sorry for Mike in this one, for all the stuff he has to put up with. But hey, if there's a character that's really had amazing growth, it's Mike. He's come a long way since book one. Maybe even more than Vicki in a lot of ways. At first I didn't like him (obviously because I'm Team Henry) but he grows on you. And you can really get a feel for how much he cares for Vicki, the things that he does and the stuff that he puts up with. Vicki's happiness is what matters most to him.
Henry is....Henry here. I like that this one had a bit more focus on his character since he's connected to this ghost somehow. We also see a bit of his relationship with Tony and why Tony is so restless with things and ready to move on. I really loved Tony here, by the way, and I think I'll read his series eventually. Come to think of it, there's all sorts of relationship drama in this one, in between and sometimes during investigating! I was also glad that we got to explore a different city, I enjoyed the change of scenery.
Overall, this was a good one and I feel a little sad that it's over. Also upset because Team Henry forever. ;) 3.5/5 stars.
Spoilers for all books in the series below so you may want to skip this review if you're not caught up.
.
.
.
So, we catch up with Vicki over a year after the end of book four. She's dealing with being a vampire and being back in Toronto. Don't worry though, she's still doing her P.I. thing. So, this story starts out when Henry, back in Vancouver, encounters a ghost. There's a murder as well that seems to be linked so he calls up his old pal Vicki Nelson to come out and lend a hand in the investigation (Henry, after all, is just a romance novelist). Vicki is amped to go but Mike doesn't want her to go alone of course, he's worried about what will happen when Vicki and Henry get together because of the whole 'there can only be one vampire in a territory or they'll kill each other' thing. What follows is the usual paranormal investigation from our team but with added tension as Vicki and Henry do a lot of growling at each other, trying not to tear each other's throats out. That was fun.
I said to one of my friends that I felt like this book was Huff's way of shutting up everyone who wanted to see Henry and Vicki get together by showing us how terrible of an idea that would be and exactly how it doesn't work. On some level I can appreciate that but since I was Team Henry since book one I also can't help feeling a bit mad. But then I also can't do anything other than laugh because, welp. I'm not going to go into details but does this book finally prove that two vampires can't share the same territory? Read and find out!
I do like Vicki's journey in this one as she's still adjusting to being a vampire. Of course it has certain perks, like she no longer needs her glasses, but then there's the whole 'can't be with Henry anymore' thing. Also, she's dealing with being able to control herself. Henry is pretty worried about her in this one as she's typical hard-headed Vicki and comes close to the edge, giving into some bloodlust. Of course her stubbornness pays off in some other ways...so yay? As much as I love Vicki and love her last character arc, I'll admit that she was also a bit annoying in this book. So. Stubborn. It's not always a good look, Vicki. I felt kind of sorry for Mike in this one, for all the stuff he has to put up with. But hey, if there's a character that's really had amazing growth, it's Mike. He's come a long way since book one. Maybe even more than Vicki in a lot of ways. At first I didn't like him (obviously because I'm Team Henry) but he grows on you. And you can really get a feel for how much he cares for Vicki, the things that he does and the stuff that he puts up with. Vicki's happiness is what matters most to him.
Henry is....Henry here. I like that this one had a bit more focus on his character since he's connected to this ghost somehow. We also see a bit of his relationship with Tony and why Tony is so restless with things and ready to move on. I really loved Tony here, by the way, and I think I'll read his series eventually. Come to think of it, there's all sorts of relationship drama in this one, in between and sometimes during investigating! I was also glad that we got to explore a different city, I enjoyed the change of scenery.
Overall, this was a good one and I feel a little sad that it's over. Also upset because Team Henry forever. ;) 3.5/5 stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 23, 2016
MORE? MORE! @ P.S. I love that book!
THE WORLD: So just as in previous books we have a typical our world but with a little spice of paranormal. All these dark creatures we heard of in spooky stories exist in this world. Do you wanna visit? I sure do.
CHARACTERS: As the title of the series suggests, Vicki Nelson is our main character. However, opposite to the way we are used to see her, now Vicki is different. She is a vampire and a young one as a matter of fact so her being a private detective is rather on hold. I mean she still does go solve the mystery, otherwise there would be no series, but all the typical case solving pathway she used to have...that is gone. Now she is brave, scary and passionate vampire who cannot stay still. I mean come on, if you were a vampire would you be a little mouse under the brush? Lol. Next to Vicki as always we have Henry Fitzroy, a bastard son of Henry VII Tudor who was turned into a vampire instead of dying from sickness as our history books tell us and Mike Celluci, Vicki's partner cop who is also madly in love with her. Well Henry also loves Vicki but after her being turned into a vampire the whole passion went away. Apparently vampires do not do well together, they prefer being on their own.
So now that I reminded you of our little team in this book let me tell you that this whole change of balance was a little bizarre. Now I never was a big lover of Vicki but somehow I either got used to her by now or just...well I guess I got used to her. Henry on the other hand used to be my fav but in this book he started to get on my nerves. All the territory and old ways conflicts...ain't my thing. And then there is Mike...my relationship with his started bad, I used to hate Mike and just really every time he came up I got annoyed. But now...by book five I freaking love Mike and he is my favorite character in this series hands down. Team #Celluci!
LOVE: Our typical love triangle of Henry/Vicki/Mike took a different direction after Vicki became a vampire. Now that Henry is all about old ways and vampires being apart it is pretty much Vicki and Mike. So I guess that is also the end game. Me is happy happy.
PLUS: I do not adore this series but there is something about them that always makes me smile. It is sad they are almost over. I will miss Tanya Huff's writing.
MINUS: Maybe there could have been a little bit more action but other than that it was a typical Vicki Nelson book.
OVERALL: I think there is one more book, it is either about Mike or another installment in the series, don't remember. One way or another, I will definitely be reading it!
MORE? MORE! @ P.S. I love that book!
August 4, 2007
This is the last of the "Victory" Nelson books and the one I liked least. Vicky was always a bit argumentative but it just got annoying in this book. Even though there was an excuse for her and Henry to lock horns as much as they did, it was exhausting.
I finished it because I read the others but I don't know if I'm going to go on to read the spin-off series.
I didn't really hate the book, it was ok (an option not offered by goodreads), but I know I've read far better fanfic.
I finished it because I read the others but I don't know if I'm going to go on to read the spin-off series.
I didn't really hate the book, it was ok (an option not offered by goodreads), but I know I've read far better fanfic.
May 22, 2017
Not my favorite in the series, and the reason is not because it is the last. There are some wonderful things in here, including Tony and Mike bonding.
November 1, 2025
Blood Debt (Vicki Nelson #5) by Tanya Huff isn't quite as good as the previous installment but I still enjoyed revisiting the characters even if so much has changed. Vicki is different this time around and I totally didn't mind that at all. It was interesting to see her coming into her new identity. I can't wait to read Blood Bank and the Smoke Trilogy.
October 20, 2018
Last in a series of re-reads for me. I had fond memories of this series, having read it years ago, but on this re-read found the main character, Vicki, increasingly annoying in her one dimensional Mrs Angry personality.
In this, she has progressed onto really mindless anger at times, because in the author's universe vampires cannot tolerate each other's physical presence, as intrusions on their hunting territory after the initial year or so when the 'parent' has taught the 'child' enough to pass as human when necessary and survive. That period having passed, Vicki has remained in Toronto with Mike Celluci now in the same relationship to her that she used to have to Henry, and Henry has moved to Vancover with Tony as his sole regular blood donor and sexual partner. But Henry requests Vicki's help when his nights are plagued by a spirit visitor who lacks hands and who responds to questions either by disappearing if the answer would be positive or by letting loose a physic wave of despair when the answer is negative - killing old people or babies in the vicinity and causing serious upset in anyone else. The body is found in the harbour but still cannot be identified - but the clue it provides is that one of the kidneys has been removed. And the culprits appear to be organ bootleggers operating for profit from a private clinic.
The relationship between Vicki and Henry established in earlier books is gone: the two spend their time snarling at each other or mindlessly launching attacks. Vicki becomes even more unlikeable than she was when alive as a result, although the two do find a balance finally, albeit precarious. Their friendship retreats again to a phone or email based one, which both can tolerate.
One element which was always a bit 'dodgy' was the dependence of the 17 year old Tony, ex street kid, on Henry, and his role as sexual partner back when Vicki was alive and also in such a relationship with Henry. The author does seem to finally realise this with Tony showing signs of wanting to break away and have a normal life, which he achieves by story's end.
One problem in this story is that the only supernatural element if you discount vampires themselves - in Huff's universe corporal beings with weaknesses and limitations - is the ghost (and the host of others that Henry senses) who keeps appearing to him, requesting vengeance in its indirect way. The villians are all normal humans, albeit criminal, violent or borderline sociopathic - rather like in the previous story, but in that, one of the victims was Vicki's own mother. Here, there isn't really much interest in that side of things, and the tension has to be racked up rather artificially by peril to Mike Celluci, and the constant sparring between the two vampires. The best character in the books, and probably in the whole series, is Mike with his superficial grumpiness hiding a noble nature - one that can't tolerate seeing Vicki cross the line into vigilantism. I had become increasingly irritated by Vicki and in this book find both her and Henry rather a pain frankly. Therefore, only a 2 star 'OK' rating and I won't be bothering with volume six which apparently was added at some point.
In this, she has progressed onto really mindless anger at times, because in the author's universe vampires cannot tolerate each other's physical presence, as intrusions on their hunting territory after the initial year or so when the 'parent' has taught the 'child' enough to pass as human when necessary and survive. That period having passed, Vicki has remained in Toronto with Mike Celluci now in the same relationship to her that she used to have to Henry, and Henry has moved to Vancover with Tony as his sole regular blood donor and sexual partner. But Henry requests Vicki's help when his nights are plagued by a spirit visitor who lacks hands and who responds to questions either by disappearing if the answer would be positive or by letting loose a physic wave of despair when the answer is negative - killing old people or babies in the vicinity and causing serious upset in anyone else. The body is found in the harbour but still cannot be identified - but the clue it provides is that one of the kidneys has been removed. And the culprits appear to be organ bootleggers operating for profit from a private clinic.
The relationship between Vicki and Henry established in earlier books is gone: the two spend their time snarling at each other or mindlessly launching attacks. Vicki becomes even more unlikeable than she was when alive as a result, although the two do find a balance finally, albeit precarious. Their friendship retreats again to a phone or email based one, which both can tolerate.
One element which was always a bit 'dodgy' was the dependence of the 17 year old Tony, ex street kid, on Henry, and his role as sexual partner back when Vicki was alive and also in such a relationship with Henry. The author does seem to finally realise this with Tony showing signs of wanting to break away and have a normal life, which he achieves by story's end.
One problem in this story is that the only supernatural element if you discount vampires themselves - in Huff's universe corporal beings with weaknesses and limitations - is the ghost (and the host of others that Henry senses) who keeps appearing to him, requesting vengeance in its indirect way. The villians are all normal humans, albeit criminal, violent or borderline sociopathic - rather like in the previous story, but in that, one of the victims was Vicki's own mother. Here, there isn't really much interest in that side of things, and the tension has to be racked up rather artificially by peril to Mike Celluci, and the constant sparring between the two vampires. The best character in the books, and probably in the whole series, is Mike with his superficial grumpiness hiding a noble nature - one that can't tolerate seeing Vicki cross the line into vigilantism. I had become increasingly irritated by Vicki and in this book find both her and Henry rather a pain frankly. Therefore, only a 2 star 'OK' rating and I won't be bothering with volume six which apparently was added at some point.
October 30, 2025
What a solid series. I love them so much and Tony most of all <3 still alive and human after five books of this. Two years with Henry and he's totally fine when Vicki only survived one year. He wins
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 6, 2017
I read the book in one night and I cried, laugh, become frustrated at the same time. This book has a different feeling than the rest of the series. I really don't know how to feel about the interaction between Henry and Vicki. I understand why they butt heads and I'm glad in a way that Tanya stuck with want she wrote previously about vampire behaviour but I really missed the way they were before. All in all, it was a good book.
May 1, 2020
The erosion of the main character morals had been impressive thus far but the blood lust here made me scratch my head with bemusement.
July 17, 2020
E’ fu così che si diede ampio spazio all'immaginazione futura
Si pensava, o almeno era pensiero comune che sarebbe stato uno sfacelo di lettura visto che la sua stesura è stata sforzata rispetto alla decisione iniziale della scrittrice di terminare questa sua miniserie vampiresca con il quarto libro…ma dopo anni e dopo le pretese estenuanti dei lettori, ecco cosa ne è nato: Debito di Sangue! E la cosa fu fatta al meglio!!!Non mi aveva entusiasmato o piaciuto il finale precedente, Vicky ed Henry separati inesorabilmente dalla tradizione e lei a vivere “per sempre” per modo di dire con Celluci, già gli contavo i giorni dediti alla sua morte Ma ora sono contenta per come diciamo si andata a concludere con QUESTO finale, perché è in tutta somma un finale aperto alle varie possibilità future.
Vicky è vampiro da ormai tre anni, e quindi due di lontananza forzata da Henry che si è ritirato a vita propria con Tony in Canada, ma quando i fantasmi ci mettono di loro nulla può forzare la mano a uno scrittore di romanzi rosa che chiamare i rinforzi fidati passati e affidare loro le sorti investigative che li circondano…Il rapporto tra Henry e Tony, non posso non dirlo visto che almeno questo mi ha risollevato il morale a più non posso, infatti Tony lo ha lasciato, dando la stessa possibilità indotta anche a Celluci che pero’ sa già cosa ha passato di pene quando non sapeva che Vicky sarebbe tornata inevitabilmente, e dico io FORZATAMENTE, dopo la trasformazione… ma lui non può e quindi io continuo a contargli i giorni amabilmente! Vicky ed Henry?? Si dovrebbero scornare per tutta la durata del loro rapporto lavorativo no?? Ma più i giorni passano e più riescono a vivere e a eliminare centimetro dopo centimetro fino al momento clue in pieno spargimento di sangue ma che la scrittrice (e per questo glie ne vorrò per sempre!!!!) non da soddisfazione alcuna! Ma visto che sono immortali e visto che i compromessi ci sono sempre dopo Celluci non si sa mai che possano ritornare ad amarsi liberamente, anche nel sangue visto che i sentimenti ci sono ancora e ci rimarranno fino alla loro di morte.
Il caso è bello come i prece denti e altrettanto congenito ma per me ha più importanza la sorte futura nonostante tutto, Henry mi ha troppo stregata anche grazie alla rappresentazione televisiva, e Vicky è troppo ben riuscita anche nei pani del vampiro per non rimanermi dentro e con un po’ di soddisfazione posso dire che se la Huff decidesse nuovamente di scriverne un altro di seguito finale io non mi tiro di certo indietro ma sarebbe troppo bello ed impossibile da credere e quindi rimango sognante con i miei desideri nuvolosi e le quattro stelline se le tiene tutte per se come se le merita!
Si pensava, o almeno era pensiero comune che sarebbe stato uno sfacelo di lettura visto che la sua stesura è stata sforzata rispetto alla decisione iniziale della scrittrice di terminare questa sua miniserie vampiresca con il quarto libro…ma dopo anni e dopo le pretese estenuanti dei lettori, ecco cosa ne è nato: Debito di Sangue! E la cosa fu fatta al meglio!!!Non mi aveva entusiasmato o piaciuto il finale precedente, Vicky ed Henry separati inesorabilmente dalla tradizione e lei a vivere “per sempre” per modo di dire con Celluci, già gli contavo i giorni dediti alla sua morte Ma ora sono contenta per come diciamo si andata a concludere con QUESTO finale, perché è in tutta somma un finale aperto alle varie possibilità future.
Vicky è vampiro da ormai tre anni, e quindi due di lontananza forzata da Henry che si è ritirato a vita propria con Tony in Canada, ma quando i fantasmi ci mettono di loro nulla può forzare la mano a uno scrittore di romanzi rosa che chiamare i rinforzi fidati passati e affidare loro le sorti investigative che li circondano…Il rapporto tra Henry e Tony, non posso non dirlo visto che almeno questo mi ha risollevato il morale a più non posso, infatti Tony lo ha lasciato, dando la stessa possibilità indotta anche a Celluci che pero’ sa già cosa ha passato di pene quando non sapeva che Vicky sarebbe tornata inevitabilmente, e dico io FORZATAMENTE, dopo la trasformazione… ma lui non può e quindi io continuo a contargli i giorni amabilmente! Vicky ed Henry?? Si dovrebbero scornare per tutta la durata del loro rapporto lavorativo no?? Ma più i giorni passano e più riescono a vivere e a eliminare centimetro dopo centimetro fino al momento clue in pieno spargimento di sangue ma che la scrittrice (e per questo glie ne vorrò per sempre!!!!) non da soddisfazione alcuna! Ma visto che sono immortali e visto che i compromessi ci sono sempre dopo Celluci non si sa mai che possano ritornare ad amarsi liberamente, anche nel sangue visto che i sentimenti ci sono ancora e ci rimarranno fino alla loro di morte.
Il caso è bello come i prece denti e altrettanto congenito ma per me ha più importanza la sorte futura nonostante tutto, Henry mi ha troppo stregata anche grazie alla rappresentazione televisiva, e Vicky è troppo ben riuscita anche nei pani del vampiro per non rimanermi dentro e con un po’ di soddisfazione posso dire che se la Huff decidesse nuovamente di scriverne un altro di seguito finale io non mi tiro di certo indietro ma sarebbe troppo bello ed impossibile da credere e quindi rimango sognante con i miei desideri nuvolosi e le quattro stelline se le tiene tutte per se come se le merita!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 2, 2018
This is the last of the Vicki Nelson series, an ex-cop with degenerative eye disease and an assertive personality, Henry Fitzroy, vampire, 450 years old and Mike Celluci, cop Vicki's' ex partner on the force and her lover.
While I was really sad to see the end of this series, I respect the decision to stop while the going is good and move on to different things (sob, sob) too many authors keep going when the mojo has left them and the stories suffer, but the Vicki Nelson 'Blood' series are all good, and this, the final one is different to the others.
First, the supernatural theme here is ghosts, ones that appear to Henry Fitzroy at sunset as her is waking up, and who clearly want something from him. Henry calls in Vicki, supernatural PI, but he has to do it from across the continent, because Vicki is now a vampire herself and vampires cannot share a territory.
This story is set in Vancouver, and manages to be unique in quite a few ways to all the previous books in the series. I am having a certain amount for trouble describing them all without spoilers, so I will just say that I really enjoyed this one, as much as the others, all are different enough to keep me engrossed, I loved the theme of a different aspect of supernatural mythology to each book. It seemed to me that the characters and the story both changed and developed enough from book to book to make it interesting, and not so much that it was not a linear story-line.
Reading them, in sequence, one after the other really works for this set of books.
While I was really sad to see the end of this series, I respect the decision to stop while the going is good and move on to different things (sob, sob) too many authors keep going when the mojo has left them and the stories suffer, but the Vicki Nelson 'Blood' series are all good, and this, the final one is different to the others.
First, the supernatural theme here is ghosts, ones that appear to Henry Fitzroy at sunset as her is waking up, and who clearly want something from him. Henry calls in Vicki, supernatural PI, but he has to do it from across the continent, because Vicki is now a vampire herself and vampires cannot share a territory.
This story is set in Vancouver, and manages to be unique in quite a few ways to all the previous books in the series. I am having a certain amount for trouble describing them all without spoilers, so I will just say that I really enjoyed this one, as much as the others, all are different enough to keep me engrossed, I loved the theme of a different aspect of supernatural mythology to each book. It seemed to me that the characters and the story both changed and developed enough from book to book to make it interesting, and not so much that it was not a linear story-line.
Reading them, in sequence, one after the other really works for this set of books.
June 11, 2024
End of another rather long urban fantasy involving Hoff's irrepressible protagonists and some nasties. This one was also dark, with ethical conundrums punctuating the plot at various points. But I am glad that the series is over, while opening up opportunities for newer, better adventures that we would be having with this trio.
Although I had begun this series firmly in love with Vicki Nelson, I am finishing it with Mike Celluci as my hero. Henry, as usual, is also there; although he deserves better.
Overall, a good read, and a good journey.
Although I had begun this series firmly in love with Vicki Nelson, I am finishing it with Mike Celluci as my hero. Henry, as usual, is also there; although he deserves better.
Overall, a good read, and a good journey.
February 8, 2019
Still very good, but I grew a bit tired of the pattern. Crime --> Vicki and Henri start working on it --> we learn who did what and why --> wait for them to figure it out.
I was glad to see Tony a bit more.
Some editing mistakes, and difficult at times to understand POV's as well as locations's changes.
Overall good, but not as easy to read as the ones before.
I was glad to see Tony a bit more.
Some editing mistakes, and difficult at times to understand POV's as well as locations's changes.
Overall good, but not as easy to read as the ones before.
May 28, 2022
the dysfunction
January 30, 2021
OHHHHHHHHHH BOY!!!! I hoped that this would not happen in this series butttt it did. For me this was a dud. I find that in many series books there is usually one that is not at all good compared to the rest and unfortunately it had to be this book that turned out to be the not so great one. WARNING!!! POSSIBLE SPOILERS!
We start the book with a mystery. A ghost keeps showing up when Henry wakes up. Henry can only ask the ghost yes or no questions. If the answer is no the ghost can kill someone nearby with its killer silent scream. Henry knowing he is in over his head calls in Vicki to help. She is now (GASP) a vampire. Henry being 4 1/2 centuries older and living off knowledge that vampires can't be in the same area without problems tries to leave the area but the ghosts follow him and he has to come back. Henry, Vicki and Mike generally work out a "cease-fire" on their "relationship" and figure out that the ghosts are victims of illegal organ harvesting. The ghosts were kids on the street that the doctors thought no one would miss and used the organs for the rich who needed transplants. But the mystery gets solved and the ghosts get their revenge.
NOW here is the problem I had with the book. Mainly it was just 2 characters in the book: Vicki and Mike.
With Vicki, since turning into a vampire she has developed even more of an attitude then previous books. I loved her independent streak in the other books because she conquered her disability and that made her more likable. In this book, she developed this "I know more then you" and "I'm better than you" attitude that I couldn't connect to anymore. Like when Henry offers to help with investigating she refuses saying that he can't take her case when Henry is the one who invited her and shes used Henry's skills before. Then when Henry has to fight his vampire territorialism instinct, she acts like he's too primitive to not overcome it when she feels the same way. Every time she sees Henry or smells him near by she wants to fight him or get rid of him smell.
Then there is Mike. Overall he is still the same character with ONE major difference. He REALLY seems to like rubbing it in to Henry that Vicki choose to be with him. I mean yeah, Vicki loved Mike as a human and was probably gonna end up with him anyways regardless but why keep reminding Henry that he lost Vicki. I mean Henry loved Vicki so he knew that changing her into a vampire was going to mean that he was going to loose her but he choose to change her regardless of how much it hurt him to do it. I don't see why Mike has to be like "Vicki choose me not you" kind of attitude. It's like yeah Mike you won stop stomping on his feelings.
We start the book with a mystery. A ghost keeps showing up when Henry wakes up. Henry can only ask the ghost yes or no questions. If the answer is no the ghost can kill someone nearby with its killer silent scream. Henry knowing he is in over his head calls in Vicki to help. She is now (GASP) a vampire. Henry being 4 1/2 centuries older and living off knowledge that vampires can't be in the same area without problems tries to leave the area but the ghosts follow him and he has to come back. Henry, Vicki and Mike generally work out a "cease-fire" on their "relationship" and figure out that the ghosts are victims of illegal organ harvesting. The ghosts were kids on the street that the doctors thought no one would miss and used the organs for the rich who needed transplants. But the mystery gets solved and the ghosts get their revenge.
NOW here is the problem I had with the book. Mainly it was just 2 characters in the book: Vicki and Mike.
With Vicki, since turning into a vampire she has developed even more of an attitude then previous books. I loved her independent streak in the other books because she conquered her disability and that made her more likable. In this book, she developed this "I know more then you" and "I'm better than you" attitude that I couldn't connect to anymore. Like when Henry offers to help with investigating she refuses saying that he can't take her case when Henry is the one who invited her and shes used Henry's skills before. Then when Henry has to fight his vampire territorialism instinct, she acts like he's too primitive to not overcome it when she feels the same way. Every time she sees Henry or smells him near by she wants to fight him or get rid of him smell.
Then there is Mike. Overall he is still the same character with ONE major difference. He REALLY seems to like rubbing it in to Henry that Vicki choose to be with him. I mean yeah, Vicki loved Mike as a human and was probably gonna end up with him anyways regardless but why keep reminding Henry that he lost Vicki. I mean Henry loved Vicki so he knew that changing her into a vampire was going to mean that he was going to loose her but he choose to change her regardless of how much it hurt him to do it. I don't see why Mike has to be like "Vicki choose me not you" kind of attitude. It's like yeah Mike you won stop stomping on his feelings.
October 10, 2010
I think I was right with my review of the fourth book. The author wrote herself into a corner. The feel of this book didn't match the feel of the previous books. Vicki's personality changed too fast, and she seemed to make Henry's personality change in comparison. Only Celluci seemed to be the same person, only more lost in the hidden world of the supernatural.
This isn't a spoiler for this book, but I'll hide it anyway. At the end of "Blood Pact" (book 4), Vicki is dying and Henry changes her. So this book starts with Vicki and Henry living on different coasts, only staying in touch over the phone. Only Henry is being haunted by a ghost that kills mortals with his anguished screams, and Henry needs help to get rid of him.
Personally, the territorial fighting annoyed me. Made the vampires seem more generic, and less the characters I had fallen in love with. It's mostly Vicki changing, but since we really hadn't seen Henry with another vampire, we also see a different side of him.
By the end, I felt sorry for Celluci. He doesn't seem the type to easily bend his will to another, and that's what Vicki was demanding. They "worked" before because they were equals. Maybe this is the influence of other vampire books -- oh, what series could I possibly mean? *g* -- but the power balance between their personalities doesn't match the power balance between who they are. Tony, on the other hand, did seem sufficiently submissive towards Henry.
So, in the end, the couple who seemed to have the greatest potential parted, and the couple that seemed to be forcing an untenable situation stayed together.
I was also more disappointed with the lack of actual sex scenes with this book. There is fade to black and just foreplay, then there is not much more than "hero and heroine have sex" footnotes. It felt like the author put in an "add sex scene" note and never came back to fill it out. I know every book doesn't need to be explicit, but give us something.
The scene with Henry and Vicki after the battle ... I think we needed to see at least some of that.
I'm also personally disappointed that we didn't see the couple Henry bunked with. That would have been a fun scene to see played out more fully.
So, overall, my least favorite book in the series. Probably would have dropped to 3 1/2 stars if I had the 1/2 star option, but based on the rest of the series I'm giving it the benefit of the doubt and rounding up.
This isn't a spoiler for this book, but I'll hide it anyway. At the end of "Blood Pact" (book 4), Vicki is dying and Henry changes her. So this book starts with Vicki and Henry living on different coasts, only staying in touch over the phone. Only Henry is being haunted by a ghost that kills mortals with his anguished screams, and Henry needs help to get rid of him.
Personally, the territorial fighting annoyed me. Made the vampires seem more generic, and less the characters I had fallen in love with. It's mostly Vicki changing, but since we really hadn't seen Henry with another vampire, we also see a different side of him.
By the end, I felt sorry for Celluci. He doesn't seem the type to easily bend his will to another, and that's what Vicki was demanding. They "worked" before because they were equals. Maybe this is the influence of other vampire books -- oh, what series could I possibly mean? *g* -- but the power balance between their personalities doesn't match the power balance between who they are. Tony, on the other hand, did seem sufficiently submissive towards Henry.
So, in the end, the couple who seemed to have the greatest potential parted, and the couple that seemed to be forcing an untenable situation stayed together.
I was also more disappointed with the lack of actual sex scenes with this book. There is fade to black and just foreplay, then there is not much more than "hero and heroine have sex" footnotes. It felt like the author put in an "add sex scene" note and never came back to fill it out. I know every book doesn't need to be explicit, but give us something.
The scene with Henry and Vicki after the battle ... I think we needed to see at least some of that.
I'm also personally disappointed that we didn't see the couple Henry bunked with. That would have been a fun scene to see played out more fully.
So, overall, my least favorite book in the series. Probably would have dropped to 3 1/2 stars if I had the 1/2 star option, but based on the rest of the series I'm giving it the benefit of the doubt and rounding up.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 23, 2013
This is the last book in the series that I own and was, I believed the last in the series. I mentioned in my review of the previous book, Blood Pact, that this feels a bit like a filler novel - Blood Pacts ending is definitely the more emotive one but Blood Debt does still have the necessary tones of finality about it.
This book ties off a number of the looser ends, we see that the characters have evolved from Blood Price - Tony even makes the point of mentioning it to Celluci - from book to book the evolution is, perhaps not as obvious, but looking between the first and last it is clearly there.
I think the plot is an interesting one - and we haven't had any ghosts before in the series.... but I do wonder why the ghosts appear. I mean, why did the victims of the demon from Price or the mummy from Lines not appear and ask for retribution? The only answer I guess is that the big bad of this book is human and that the powers of the demon and the mummy outweigh the power of the victims to return as ghosts?
Something I *just* realised - out of five books a 'normal' human is the big bad in three of them, and out of the other two you have a double act of 'normal' human and demon, and 'normal' person granted superpowers by their death god and the death god - typically in the vampire novels of this ilk you have supernatural big bad after supernatural big bad (and yes I'm referring to the LKH books here more than anything else) - it is nice to see some that are more grounded...
I don't think this is the best book of the bunch, even if I do tend to read it the fastest. I do wish that it was as good as Pact but Debt just doesn't have the necessary emotional punch for it to be the series best book.
This book ties off a number of the looser ends, we see that the characters have evolved from Blood Price - Tony even makes the point of mentioning it to Celluci - from book to book the evolution is, perhaps not as obvious, but looking between the first and last it is clearly there.
I think the plot is an interesting one - and we haven't had any ghosts before in the series.... but I do wonder why the ghosts appear. I mean, why did the victims of the demon from Price or the mummy from Lines not appear and ask for retribution? The only answer I guess is that the big bad of this book is human and that the powers of the demon and the mummy outweigh the power of the victims to return as ghosts?
Something I *just* realised - out of five books a 'normal' human is the big bad in three of them, and out of the other two you have a double act of 'normal' human and demon, and 'normal' person granted superpowers by their death god and the death god - typically in the vampire novels of this ilk you have supernatural big bad after supernatural big bad (and yes I'm referring to the LKH books here more than anything else) - it is nice to see some that are more grounded...
I don't think this is the best book of the bunch, even if I do tend to read it the fastest. I do wish that it was as good as Pact but Debt just doesn't have the necessary emotional punch for it to be the series best book.
July 5, 2020
Original 4 Stars.
Re-read 2.5 Stars.
My memory was kinder than reality.
Bloody hell, what a mess.
The idea might have started with something original, but then.. yep, we've been here many times before, and wished we hadn't.
Vicki is no longer likeable, no longer a 'tough chick'. Now she's a vampire. Sexy, slinky, fast, nasty.
Poor Mikey.
I don't like my Mikey when he's with her. Whiny, weak, frustrating.
His part of the story, when he's out on his own, is great. A nice P.I. mystery, with subtle sexiness, hinting at romance, but never making it the point. Tough, street smart, while still being the good guy. Very likeable.
Henry. Hmm. I'm biased, I just don't like vamps anymore.
But I have to confess, without Vicki in the dialogue, he's interesting again, with a good side mystery story.
Tony the street kid, had so much potential from his previous appearances in the first 2 books, but just doesn't live up to it.
Victory Nelson is dead. She no longer exists, and this new chick wearing her story is just not a worthy replacement.
It's no surprise this is her last book.
Re-read 2.5 Stars.
My memory was kinder than reality.
Bloody hell, what a mess.
The idea might have started with something original, but then.. yep, we've been here many times before, and wished we hadn't.
Vicki is no longer likeable, no longer a 'tough chick'. Now she's a vampire. Sexy, slinky, fast, nasty.
Poor Mikey.
I don't like my Mikey when he's with her. Whiny, weak, frustrating.
His part of the story, when he's out on his own, is great. A nice P.I. mystery, with subtle sexiness, hinting at romance, but never making it the point. Tough, street smart, while still being the good guy. Very likeable.
Henry. Hmm. I'm biased, I just don't like vamps anymore.
But I have to confess, without Vicki in the dialogue, he's interesting again, with a good side mystery story.
Tony the street kid, had so much potential from his previous appearances in the first 2 books, but just doesn't live up to it.
Victory Nelson is dead. She no longer exists, and this new chick wearing her story is just not a worthy replacement.
It's no surprise this is her last book.
April 24, 2015
This has never been my favorite UF series but in this volume it gets incredibly dull. Huff does not do the mystery section well at all and the interpersonal comes to the forfront. While the characters are slightly more interesting it feels like they just go through the same dance over and over again. I honestly stopped halfway through, skimmed a little, and jumped to the end. I don't feel like I missed anything.
June 25, 2015
I started this series when it was first published and current. For some reason I never got the last 2 books read. Since then Canada made a TV series loosely based on the books which I sort of liked, although acted out book plots always fall short of faithful interpretation (not always a bad thing...Game of Thrones.)
February 4, 2019
first read 1997
first logged re-read 7/1/2001
re-read 11/22/2013
re-read 3/6/2015
first logged re-read 7/1/2001
re-read 11/22/2013
re-read 3/6/2015
November 18, 2020
I love that Vickie manages to over turn everything Henry believes in this story, while Mike realizes that he and Henry do have common ground.
July 15, 2024
I was correct in my review of book 4 of the series that I remember a lot of plot elements of this one. However, I did forgot who the villain of the piece was and I also forgot which preternatural creature was the villain of the book as well, so it actually felt quite refreshing to read this in the end.
Of the plot of all five books in the series, I would say this is probably the most interesting in terms of the villain. It's arguably very similar to the villain of book 4, in that whilst they are in it for the money, they are arguably doing 'good' for the wrong reasons. Both of them involve medicine to improve the quality of life of other people so compared to some of the earlier books where it is an ancient God seeking power or a demon trying to free itself, these feel a little grounded and true-er to the sub-genre of crime/thriller than some of the others.
That said, that also dates the books in a way. Whilst part of the charm of the earlier books is the fact no-one really has a cell phone, the AIDS epidemic is still near the front of mind, and GoogleMaps or similar is still a pipe dream, focussing on issues like lack or organ donation feels oddly old-fashioned. Whilst I do believe it is an issue today, it's definitely not up there on things being talked about on the political spectrum.
The more I think on the series though, the more I find plot holes. The demon lord from the first one recognised Victory and it's never explained how or why... And whilst there is a reference to the villain of book 3 in book 4, it's never brought up again, considering the fact that there are now two vampires that know of this ancient fear god would that not be something that they would maybe talk about a bit more? To hone in on this entry, in this book there's a certain reaction that happens if certain criteria are met, and I swear at the very end of the book the way the question is answered switches around. Granted this doesn't really detract from the series but it is noticeable.
In terms of the characters, Victory as a vampire is actually quite obnoxious in a way she wasn't as a human, and the repeated 'thoughts' of Henry as to her iron control over her new nature feel like she's edged into Mary Sue territory. The fact that she so easily lies to Carlucci (and he accepts it) also lessens my opinion of them both.
I enjoyed the series overall, but I am happy to be donating all of the books to charity.
Of the plot of all five books in the series, I would say this is probably the most interesting in terms of the villain. It's arguably very similar to the villain of book 4, in that whilst they are in it for the money, they are arguably doing 'good' for the wrong reasons. Both of them involve medicine to improve the quality of life of other people so compared to some of the earlier books where it is an ancient God seeking power or a demon trying to free itself, these feel a little grounded and true-er to the sub-genre of crime/thriller than some of the others.
That said, that also dates the books in a way. Whilst part of the charm of the earlier books is the fact no-one really has a cell phone, the AIDS epidemic is still near the front of mind, and GoogleMaps or similar is still a pipe dream, focussing on issues like lack or organ donation feels oddly old-fashioned. Whilst I do believe it is an issue today, it's definitely not up there on things being talked about on the political spectrum.
The more I think on the series though, the more I find plot holes. The demon lord from the first one recognised Victory and it's never explained how or why... And whilst there is a reference to the villain of book 3 in book 4, it's never brought up again, considering the fact that there are now two vampires that know of this ancient fear god would that not be something that they would maybe talk about a bit more? To hone in on this entry, in this book there's a certain reaction that happens if certain criteria are met, and I swear at the very end of the book the way the question is answered switches around. Granted this doesn't really detract from the series but it is noticeable.
In terms of the characters, Victory as a vampire is actually quite obnoxious in a way she wasn't as a human, and the repeated 'thoughts' of Henry as to her iron control over her new nature feel like she's edged into Mary Sue territory. The fact that she so easily lies to Carlucci (and he accepts it) also lessens my opinion of them both.
I enjoyed the series overall, but I am happy to be donating all of the books to charity.
August 5, 2020
Blood Debt is the fifth and final book in Vicki Nelson series written by Tanya Huff. It centers on private investigator Victoria "Vicky" Nelson, her new, immortal helper, bastard son of Henry VIII, Henry FitzRoy, 1st Duke of Richmond and Somerset, or simply, Henry Fitzroy, and her former lover and colleague Detective Sergeant Mike Cellucci.
It's been a year since Victoria "Vicky" Nelson has turned into a vampire, and along with Henry FitzRoy they are forced to find the killers of a wraith and if they refuse, it would wreck havoc in Toronto. Along the way, Vicky discovers a host of souls in desperate torment and evidence suggest that trailing the killer would lead to more deaths – including theirs.
Blood Debt is written rather well. The dynamics of the narrative is rather different since Vickie Nelson has turned into a vampire. As such, she can't be close to Henry Fitzroy as two vampires within a certain radius tend to fight each other as they are territorial, which is a tad too convenient to end a love triangle that has been building for the last four installments. It was, however, a nice ending to a rather good series.
Overall, the Vicki Nelson series was rather well written. Having the series based in Toronto, the city I live in, gives a more intimate series for me as I know and been to some of the settings mentioned in the series. While light on mystery, as the perpetrator is well known a head of time, it was rather interesting, albeit simplistic narrative. The three main protagonists are written rather well and in depth as they solve paranormal mysteries.
All in all, Blood Debt is written rather well and is a nice continuation to a wonderful series.
It's been a year since Victoria "Vicky" Nelson has turned into a vampire, and along with Henry FitzRoy they are forced to find the killers of a wraith and if they refuse, it would wreck havoc in Toronto. Along the way, Vicky discovers a host of souls in desperate torment and evidence suggest that trailing the killer would lead to more deaths – including theirs.
Blood Debt is written rather well. The dynamics of the narrative is rather different since Vickie Nelson has turned into a vampire. As such, she can't be close to Henry Fitzroy as two vampires within a certain radius tend to fight each other as they are territorial, which is a tad too convenient to end a love triangle that has been building for the last four installments. It was, however, a nice ending to a rather good series.
Overall, the Vicki Nelson series was rather well written. Having the series based in Toronto, the city I live in, gives a more intimate series for me as I know and been to some of the settings mentioned in the series. While light on mystery, as the perpetrator is well known a head of time, it was rather interesting, albeit simplistic narrative. The three main protagonists are written rather well and in depth as they solve paranormal mysteries.
All in all, Blood Debt is written rather well and is a nice continuation to a wonderful series.
February 10, 2023
This, Book 5, is the final full book in the series. There are two books of short stories featuring Vicki, Henry and Mike. Spoilers ahead--
Blood Debt starts with Vicki back in Toronto, living with Mike, after spending 14 months with Henry, where he taught her the ways of the Vampire after he and Mike made the decision to turn her as she lay dying. (Book 4)
Henry has always told Vicki that 2 vampires cannot share the same territory since they are violently protective of their hunting grounds. Vicki being Vicki doesn't believe this and has kept up a friendship with Henry (and Tony) via fax, email and phone calls. Still, she is surprised when she gets a call from Henry, wanting to hire her as a PI, to figure out why he is suddenly being haunted by a handless ghost. Vicki buys a van and tricks it out so she can sleep protected while on the road, and she and Mike take off for Vancouver.
Despite her belief that all is well between her and her ex-lover, the first thing they do upon meeting is fight for supremacy. There is a lot of hissing and snarling and baring of teeth and author Huff crafts a beautiful story of two people who truly love each other but by their nature, want to kill each other. There were several times when I felt myself tearing up, because I've fallen in love with the characters and wanted a happy ever after for them. (Yes, for all 4 characters)
Finally the case is solved, Henry realizes that maybe Vicki is right, with some work they may be able to be together, but the story ends with Vicki and Mike returning to Toronto.
And then I cried.
Blood Debt starts with Vicki back in Toronto, living with Mike, after spending 14 months with Henry, where he taught her the ways of the Vampire after he and Mike made the decision to turn her as she lay dying. (Book 4)
Henry has always told Vicki that 2 vampires cannot share the same territory since they are violently protective of their hunting grounds. Vicki being Vicki doesn't believe this and has kept up a friendship with Henry (and Tony) via fax, email and phone calls. Still, she is surprised when she gets a call from Henry, wanting to hire her as a PI, to figure out why he is suddenly being haunted by a handless ghost. Vicki buys a van and tricks it out so she can sleep protected while on the road, and she and Mike take off for Vancouver.
Despite her belief that all is well between her and her ex-lover, the first thing they do upon meeting is fight for supremacy. There is a lot of hissing and snarling and baring of teeth and author Huff crafts a beautiful story of two people who truly love each other but by their nature, want to kill each other. There were several times when I felt myself tearing up, because I've fallen in love with the characters and wanted a happy ever after for them. (Yes, for all 4 characters)
Finally the case is solved, Henry realizes that maybe Vicki is right, with some work they may be able to be together, but the story ends with Vicki and Mike returning to Toronto.
And then I cried.
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