In the second book of the Donati Chronicles by Author Carol Kerry-Green we reconnect with the characters Jerome Rossini and his Donati family who are attempting to move on with their lives following the previous events. However their recovery is short lived as their Uncle Ignatius goes missing and the investigation into his disappearance leads to a startling betrayal and discovery. With their nemesis Fenton back on the scene and attempting to build his Striga and Vampire army, more secrets and lies are exposed, and are a catalyst for a new Donati gift that Jerome must learn to use quickly if he has any chance of saving his family.
I really enjoyed reading this second offering from the Author and seeing a more vulnerable side to some of the characters such as Cornelius and Dastan. The introduction of the shadowlands brought an interesting premise to this series on a whole. I am looking forward to seeing in what direction the Author takes this and how this alternate plane develops further given its link to a new enemy. I loved the political manoeuvring and power play between the vampire covens and it would be good to see more of this with the other supernatural factions and these characters developed further. It almost feels that we are on the cusp of a great battle or war as the characters are steadily being positioned and readied with new and exciting gifts and abilities. As yet, there doesn’t appear to be a hierarchy in place within the supernatural world that the Author has created and so it will be interesting to see where the Donati fit in this, and who will prove friend and who will be foe should the other factions come under threat and are manipulated into securing their place further up the food chain. Will this spill out into the human world and what will be the response?
This is a series that is full of promise and the author has delivered a steady & solid start with fascinating and engaging characters. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series, and I award, Living in Shadows, 5 stars.
Coming soon to The Book Dragon.