This month's book was In the Forests of the Night by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes, but some of us read into the rest of the series which includes Demon in My View, Shattered Mirror, and Midnight Predator.
This book had mixed reviews in our group. Here's negative: It was slow moving, and didn't seem like it was going anywhere. The plot seemed a little too simple. Not a sensory-rich book. Not enough romance (in the first book). The ending of the first book was abrupt and confusing. The main character, Risika, seems hard, cold, and unfeeling---making her hard to like.
Here's the positive: It has a good surprise ending. The characters are mixed within the four books, and you realize how each character has an important part in each individual book. Each book takes you to a different part of the vampire world. The main character, Risika is strong, heroic, and independent, making her a gallant character.
Our verdict: Amelia Atwater-Rhodes' series Den of Shadows needs to be enjoyed as a whole, because the over-arcing storyline is a strong, exciting one. One doesn't really get the full benefits of the series by reading just one. The payoff in this series is in sticking with the characters through all four books.
