Review: In the Forests of the Night

Title - In the Forests of the Night

Author - Amelia Atwater-Rhodes 

Series - Den of Shadows #1

Genre - YA Paranormal

Format - Ebook

Published - February 2nd 2000

Publisher - Laurel Leaf

(Goodreads)(Amazon)

Synopsis

By day, Risika sleeps in shaded room in Concord, Massachusetts. By night, she hunts the streets of New York City. She is used to being alone. 

But someone is following Risika. He has left her a black rose, the same sort of rose that sealed her fate three hundred years ago. Three hundred years ago Risika had a family- a brother and a father who loved her. Three hundred years ago she was human. 

Now she is a vampire, a powerful one. But her past has come back to torment her.

Review

The story is about Risika a three hundred year old vampire who doesn’t get attached to humans who lives in Concord, Massachusetts. Before she was turned her name was Rachel, she lived with her family and she was happy she loved her family. Her twin brother had his own struggles issues with controlling his abilities with fire as well as the voices. When Rachel encounters her brother one night in the dark her life changes forever when she meets Aubrey and Ather.

Ather transforms Rachel into a vampire forcing her to feed

to live even giving her the name of Risika. While Risika isn’t thrilled with her life it’s Aubrey who still haunts her because he’s the one who killed her brother, he’s the one she fears. She has made a life for herself living among the human feeding in New York but one night she crosses the line into Aubrey’s territory. Changing her life as she begins to taunt Aubrey read for the fight that has been brewing for years. Is she stronger than Aubrey?

Risika isn’t your typical vampire after losing her humanity and brother she has shielded away loving anyone but she does find love from a tiger in the zoo. Vampires in the book aren’t the typical kind she doesn’t mind the sun but the high point of the day hurts her eyes. She doesn’t hate garlic but she has such a strong sense of smell she doesn’t like it. Silver and religion don’t bother her; she can transform into a hawk and transport herself with the thought.

One of my friends suggested this book to me, and being a paranormal addict I was curious to check out one of her favorite series. The author has taken the vampire concept and added her own unique spin creating a whole new breed of vampires. I was captivated by Risika’s story right from the start it’s interesting and I enjoyed the book. The book is a fast read from start to finish I didn’t put it down, I finished it last night before heading to bed in just a few short hours. I think the author did a fantastic job creating a story that teens as well as adults will enjoy. I’m curious to check out the rest of the series as well as her other books.  

4 out of 5 stars