"But what is Hope? Nothing but the paint on the face of Existence; the least touch of truth rubs it off, and then we see what a hollow-cheeked harlot we have got hold of." - Lord Byron

Secret Agent Vampire, Daphne "Daphy"" Urban is back, engaged in another mission to save the world from a drug that does more than take the mind on a freaked out emotional roller coaster ride. The government's newest crime-fighting secret section, Team Darkwing, is called into play as the lethally exclusive drug, Susto, is being doled out to the masses as the next best thing to life. Together with her fellow vampires (Benny -- a sexy southern belle, Cormac -- a Broadway boy, Bubba Lee -- a good old boy with an intellect higher than most smart guys) Daphy goes undercover in New York City's nightlife to get the job done.

However, Daphy has a few problems of her own. First there's Darius, her vampire-hunter lover, whom she turned and can't seem to get over the fact he's not human anymore. Saving his life may only be accomplished at the breaking of her heart. Then there's rich party-boy St. Julien Fitzmaurice, whose charm is as deep as he is up to his neck in the nefarious underworld trafficking. How can she dwell in the depths of despair over Daruis when being with him seems so right? Lastly, there's Mar-Mar, the defacto behind-the- scenes leader of the whole Darkwing project, who 500-year- old Daphy still finds it hard to cut the apron strings from, no matter how hard she saws. After all, how can one get away from your own mother? Can Daphne, the fashion plate vamp forced into double-O (negative and positive) spyhood save the day, or will she risk it all for her heart, which feels all too human?

bSavannah Russe gives us a vampire nightclub thriller with her latest penning of Daphne and company. This second book in The Darkwing Chronicles wobbles a little on its own, but manages to walk at a satisfying pace when read after the first book in the series, BEYOND THE PALE. Even though there's a lot of brooding vampires who could give Angel a run for his money, and the fact that the ending seemed a bit rushed and wanting, it's still an engaging, light read. Daphne's reminiscences about Lord Byron are even more satisfying this time around, making it both intriguing and quixotic. If you want something light to sink into with enough adrenaline to keep you dancing, romancing and spying the night away, this book is for you.