Wednesday 5 February 2014

Pretty When they Collide by Rhiannon Frater

Pretty When they Collide is a novella by Rhiannon Frater set before the events of the Pretty When She Dies trilogy.
The back cover describes the plot thus - "Cassandra is a dhampire - the offspring of a vampire and a mortal woman - and a thief of occult relics.
Aimee is a full-blooded witch that is bound to a powerful vampire who traffics in the slavery of supernatural beings.
Both are powerful, lonely and trapped in the dangerous world of vampires.
When Cassandra steals a relic from Aimee's vampire master, he targets her as his next acquisition. What he doesn't realise is that a chance encounter between Cassandra and Aimee ignited a spark between them that they cannot deny.
To survive, the women must find a way to band together and fight against the ruthless evil that conspires to enslave them forever."
Essentially, this is the story of how Aimee and Cassandra met and fell in love. It is a novella running to a mere 126 pages, but even so, it is well written, full of action and suspense and as a reader I was rooting for Aimee and Cassandra throughout. Both are very likeable characters. Rhiannon has this to say about them in the author's notes at the back of the book - "I won't lie. These two are probably my second favourite couple after Glynis and Ignatius in the Vampire Bride series. Their dynamic and chemistry is just so vibrant and real and pours off the page. Individually, they are really awesome characters, but together they are magnificent."
I haven't read her The Vampire Bride series but she has intrigued me enough that I want to buy this series. I love vampire novels and the Pretty When She Kills series was easily the best vampire trilogy I've read. So naturally, I wanted to read this spin off book and I was not disappointed. My only criticism, and it is a very minor one, is that I wish the story went on far longer. I hope Rhiannon writes more books in this series. She has said if the fans want them she will write them.
This novella costs £5.89 but I got my copy for £5.60 from Amazon. Not much of a saving, I know, but any saving is better than none. I'd rate this book as 9 out of 10. With a higher page count it would probably have got a 10 out of 10.

16 comments:

  1. I really like the way you review your books, wish I was as eloquent. Nothing wrong with book reviews imo everybody should read more.

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    1. That's kind of you to say, Bob. I totally agree that everyone should read more.

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  2. Good review, but I'll still not be buying it ! I have no interest in vampires as you know, but I have been waiting for some of her Zombie novels to appear as e-books. This book is available as an e-book for £1.99 on Amozon Kindle btw.

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    1. Thanks for the info about the Kindle version, Joe. Not being a Kindle owner myself, it is easy to forget that some people prefer electronic books to real novels. I have no excuse as my own brother is a huge fan of e-books.

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  3. Like Zabadak, I have no particular interest in vampires. However it is great to see someone else's enthusiasm for the subject coming through so strongly! I approve heartily of this :-) .

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    1. Thanks for the compliment, Hugh. I love vampires far more than zombies (hence my name Vampifan as opposed to Zombifan) and it is very easy for me to get excited and enthusiastic about a subject I love.

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  4. I am with Jo a very good review but I don't like Vampire stories. Nothing against those that do like them, just not my personal taste.

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    1. That's fair enough, Clint. Each to their own, I say.

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  5. Not my bag but it does sounds pretty cool Bryan

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    1. Cheers, Adam, and no worries about it not being your thing.

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  6. Just for a change: I am reading it right now and loving it :)
    After your fiery recommendation I bought the whole series on amazon. I don't own a kindle either but there's an official android app that lets you read kindle ebooks on your phone. So I always had them handy the last few weeks on my business trips and I quite devoured them.
    So thanks for the reviews, Bryan.

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    1. Stefan, this is just the kind of comment I love to receive. I am so glad you have enjoyed the series as much as I did. Good for you, my friend!

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  7. Thanks for the review and added to the list.

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    1. Good man, Simon. I hope you get as much enjoyment from it as I did.

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