I’ve read many of Jordan Castillo Price’s novels and they’ve never failed to thrill and this is no exception.
I love that this doesn’t follow the predictable conventions, with a middle aged and not gorgeous protagonist. He’s very human and all the more appealing because of it.
The world building is fascinating with a unique take on vampirism as a blood born virus. It has a high mortality rate, but if you survive you look like a Michaelangelo sculpture for eternity as well as drinking blood. I love the vampire culture that’s built up throughout the book. With vampire soap operas and mention of an influential vampire movie starring Demi Moore and John Travolta released years back, you can see how the vampire virus not only changed the world but created a subculture that is both foreign and familiar.
There is a strong subtext of vampire’s treatment in society comparable to how HIV+ people are treated with fear and prejudice. Moments where our vampire hero Jonathon tries to pass as "V negative" resonated with me with how LGBT people also sometimes have to pass as straight for their own safety.
Our protagonist Mark has been Jonathon’s personal assistant for years, crushing on the reclusive eccentric vampire artist seemingly without hope. When a murderous vampire ex lover from Jonathon’s past goes on a destructive cross country rampage the two men go on the run. The truth of Jonathon’s past and his feelings for Mark are revealed.