Out For Blood by Alyxandra Harvey

Published: November 2010

Publisher: Bloomsbury

Pages: 292

Copy borrowed from library

Summary: Goodreads

Hunter Wild is the youngest in a long line of elite vampire hunters, a legacy that is both a blessing and a curse at the secret Helios-Ra Academy, where she excels at just about everything. Thanks to her friendship with Kieran Black, Hunter receives a special invitation to attend the coronation of Helena Drake, and for the first time, she sees the difference between vampires that must be hunted and vampires that can become friends—or even more. When students at the academy fall victim to a mysterious illness, Hunter suspects they are under attack from within. She will need someone she can trust to help her save the future of Helios-Ra . . . help that shockingly comes in the form of Quinn Drake, a drop-dead gorgeous vampire. Who said senior year would be easy?

Oh, don't you just love a book that captures you so quickly you finish it in 24 hours? That's what happened with 'Out for Blood', the third installment in Alyxandra Harvey's 'Drake Chronicles'. I loved the first two in the series, and this one was no exception. One of the factors I particularly enjoy about this series is the fact that each volume is about a different couple. The old favourites keep coming back as minor characters, and at least one of the main characters has been a minor character in previous books. I've already made a guess at who the fourth book will be about and I so hope I'm right!

'Out for Blood' highlights Quinn Drake and Hunter Wild. Quinn is such a romeo. You just can't help but love him, and Hunter is a beautifully strong character, who is comfortable in her skin. You could easily read each of these books as stand-alones, but certain facts will make more sense if you read them in order.

As I was reading this time it struck me that the series strongly reminds me of the adult series 'The Black Dagger Brotherhood' - minus the explicit sex - definitely not a series for those under 18! The similarities lie in the multilayered vampire societies that have been created. With so much more going on than just blood-sucking, these stories pull you in and leave you wanting more. Each is complete on it's own with no cliff-hanger endings - just lots of potential for more good tales to come. There are seven Drake Brothers and a sister - I'm seriously hoping we get at least 8 of these wonderful volumes.

My advice, make a cup of coffee, find a comfortable seat and tune out the world for a few hours. You'll end with a smile and a feeling of having finished a great book.