Review by Sandy Amazeen
May 21, 2007

When paramortal psychologist Gillian Key took on the treatment of the four hundred year old Vampire Lord, Count Aleksei Rachlav at his home located deep in the Carpathian Mountains of Romania it seemed like a golden opportunity for a little covert intelligence gathering. It appeared the legendary Lord Dracula was up to his old tricks, stirring up trouble between the peaceful Human-Parmortal world and worse, open warfare against the other powerful vampire lines. In short order Gillian feels as though she has a bright red bulls eye painted on her butt, good thing she is also a decorated Special Forces op capable of handling herself in tight situations.

Too bad her personal life isn’t as easy to cope with as she finds herself attracted to Aleksei’s brother Tanis, dealing with an amorous ghost and on the receiving end of a lot of unwanted protection from a bunch of old world style vampires. Very old world, as figures from Egyptian and Greek mythologies come to life in the form of immensely powerful Vampire Lords who must now decide which side of the battlefield they will ally with. Gillian will need every bit of her empathic and combat abilities if she is to survive what’s coming and rescue Tanis from Dracula’s clutches before it’s too late.

Kick butt attitude, sassy dialog and steady action make this a light, fast read. Gryphon puts a refreshingly different spin on Anubis, Osiris, Dionysus, Jack the Ripper and elves while giving a nod to J.R.R. Tolken. Plenty of confused love interest makes one wonder just how effective a psychologist Gillian really is, even as it adds an entertaining side note. The strong storyline makes up for Gillian’s tiring defensiveness as much of her time is spent defending her actions and citing military experience to the vampires charged with her protection, the lady doth protest too much? While effectively setting up the next Gillian adventure, the ending leaves several large threads hanging in such a way as to make one wonder if it was an oversight or by design, should make for an interesting sequel.