Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal
LGBTQ+ Category: Gay
Reviewer: Maryann
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About The Book
Ethan has spent his life moving from one town to the next with his free-spirited mother. No matter where they go his mother never seems satisfied. This nomadic lifestyle has left Ethan feeling isolated and alone, unable to make friends or have a meaningful relationship.
As Ethan and his mother settle into their new home, Ethan discovers that he is being hunted by a creature not of this world. A creature powered by dark magic.
To complicate matters, Ethan has also caught the attention of Daniel; a mysterious classmate who has a dangerous secret of his own… one that involves feasting on the blood of humans and the ability to live forever.
The Review
From a very young age, all Ethan knows is that he has moved from place to place. He’s never known a stable town to live in. He loves his Mother, Claire Star, but when she becomes restless it’s a sure sign that they will move again. He came to a point, in his young life, where he decided not to make friends anymore because he knew there was every possibility that they would soon move on. As much as he loved his mother, life is still lonely for Ethan.
Now, with yet another move and a new home in Demoine, Georgia, he’s attending Demoine College. He finds himself again remembering those uncomfortable moments of being the new kid in school. Eventually he’s surprised to make a new friend in one of his classmates, Daniel.
When Ethan was younger and in a heated situation with his mother, she warned him to never use or bring magic up again. There were two subjects that he could never discuss with his mother: his father and magic. Even now, he’s very much aware of the gift of magic, and he still experiments with it, but doesn’t have a clue how it works or how to control it.
In the midst of Ethan’s search to find out more about himself and his magic, he finds himself in danger. Can he cope with Daniels secrets? And who is the creepy, evil stranger that seems to be following him?
“Dark Blood” is the start of a new paranormal series from Matthew Dante. Dante brings suspense and action to the world of magic, sorcerers, witches and vampires. The world building is interesting – a combination of modern day earth and the paranormal, and the celestial events and Demoine Witch Trails are interesting additions to the storyline. There’s also a unique relationship that develops between Ethan and Daniel.
The story includes some very entertaining secondary characters: Carlos, Daniel and Melanie’s father; Melanie, Daniel’s at times annoying sister, and Astrid, a high energy witch. There’s also Claire Star, the protector and mother to Ethan.
“Dark Blood” was very intriguing and has great potential. I’m interested to see where Matthew Dante takes this new series next!
The Reviewer
Hi, I’m Maryann, I started life in New York, moved to New Hampshire and in 1965 uprooted again to Sacramento, California. Once I retired I moved to West Palm Beach, Florida in 2011 and just moved back to Sacramento in March of 2018. My son, his wife and step-daughter flew out to Florida and we road tripped back so they got to see sights they have never seen. New Orleans and the Grand Canyon were the highlights. Now I am back on the west coast again to stay! From a young age Ialways liked to read.
I remember going to the library and reading the “Doctor Dolittle” books by Hugh Lofting. Much later on became a big fan of the classics, Edgar Alan Poe, Mary Shelley, Bram Stoker and as time went by Agatha Christie, Ray Bradbury and Stephen Kingand many other authors.
My first M/M shifter book I read was written by Jan Irving the “Uncommon Cowboys” series from 2012. She was the first author I ever contacted and sent an email to letting her know how much I liked this series. Sometime along the way I read “Zero to the Bone”by Jane Seville, I think just about everyone has read this book!
As it stands right now I’m really into mysteries, grit, gore and “triggers” don’t bother me. But if a blurb piques my interest I will read the book.
My kindle collection eclectic and over three thousand books and my Audible collection is slowly growing. I have both the kindle and audible apps on my ipod, ipads, and MAC. So there is never an excuse not to be listening or reading.
I joined Goodreads around 2012 and started posting reviews. One day a wonderful lady, Lisa Horan of The Novel Approach, sent me an email to see if I wanted to join her review group. Joining her site was such an eye opener. I got introduce to so many new authors that write for the LGBTQ genre. Needless to say, it was heart breaking when it ended.
But I found a really great site, QRI and it’s right here in Sacramento. Last year at QSAC I actually got to meet Scott Coatsworth, Amy Lane and Jeff Adams.
