Peta is a vampire who was adopted by a family of
shapeshifters and now she realises that her life cannot
follow theirs. Growing up in the Rain Forest her life
wasn't complicated. But now she has met other vampires who
came to the forest, and she's somehow expecting a baby.
In ETERNAL SIN, this tale of vampires and shapeshifters is
already well developed and a glossary at the start helps
those not familiar with the distinctions between paven and
mutore, for instance. Synjon Wise lives comfortably in a
Manhattan tower, but not long ago Peta had to save him from
exposing himself to the sunlight. When informed that Peta
is having a desperately hard time with the pregnancy he
doesn't feel anything. It may be his child, but he doesn't
feel responsible. As their alternate society is portrayed,
some vampires want to help others and some... just don't.
The shifters by comparison feel a strong family instinct.
I'm not a great fan of horror and this book came across as
stronger than I enjoy, with too much emphasis on blood
drinking and torture. But those really into dark fantasies
will no doubt have a good time, especially if they have
already read the earlier books. There is an emphasis on
pureblood and halfblood types of vampire, while shifters
take the form of a lion, wolf or a hawk. The surroundings
of Manhattan and the forest are well contrasted and there
are strong adult scenes. There's even a Christmas tree in
the vampire Synjon's apartment, just to add to the surreal
atmosphere.
Laura Wright also writes modern western stories including
the Cavanaugh Brothers series. ETERNAL SIN is definitely
for dark fantasy romance aficionados.
The violent attack left Synjon destroyed and his lover
dead—at the will of the evil vampire Cruen. Syn's
passionate savior was Petra. When she became pregnant with
his child, it should have been a blessing—until Syn
vanished after discovering the truth: Petra was the daughter
of the man he despised above all others. The daughter of
Cruen.
When Petra's health begins to decline, she contacts Syn
to help save their baby. Though reluctant to see Petra, he
cannot turn his back on his own innocent child. But night
after night, as his feelings for Petra are rekindled, Syn
becomes increasingly torn.
Although everyone assumes that Cruen is dead, Syn is not
convinced—and is still hell–bent on finding and
destroying him once and for all. But will his thirst for
vengeance keep him from seeing what is really worth living
for before it is too late?