Of Blood and Shadows is the first book in the Donati Chronicles and introduces the reader to the main protagonist of Jerome Rossini, whose father betrays him and has him beaten to the brink of death. Jerome is rescued by his Donati family and taken to a hospital but he disappears before any explanations can be offered and ends up living a miserable life on the streets, tormented by his abusive past. The Donati family don’t give up their search and offer salvation to Jerome who is on the cusp of ending it all. Finally he learns more about his heritage and his paranormal gifts that have laid dormant all these years and hope returns.
As he comes to terms with all that has transpired and begins to heal, his past comes back to haunt him, when his sister is kidnapped and is set to suffer the same fate that Jerome barely escaped from. His father aligned to the Striga, a vampire race who want to destroy the Donati and the human race, is not finished with Jerome and so relishes in tearing open old wounds for the child that got away, the child that betrayed him.
Of Blood and Shadows is a great start to what has the promise of a fantastic paranormal series and I am really looking forward to reading the next book. The characters are all credible and likeable, and the plot moves at a good pace between past and present events ensuring the reader invests in the story and forms an emotional connect to Jerome’s character. There is plenty of drama and conflict along the way, with some lighter moments as Jerome gets to know his family, and clears up past misunderstandings that bring them closer together. The story is well written, with no significant editorial issues to distract from the enjoyment of this highly engaging and entertaining story.
I thoroughly enjoyed and award 5 stars.