A Shade of Vampire, Book 1

Despite its many issues, I enjoyed the twilight books. So when I saw reviews that claimed this story was even better, I ordered a copy right away, wanting to emerse myself in a great story. Only to be severely disappointed. First off, it looks like it was written for 11 or 12 year olds (although I wouldn't let my 11 of 12 year old read it). The book is 286 pages, but each page is typed in large font, double spaced, within huge margins. It would probably condense to only 30 or 40 pages if printed like a normal book. Most chapters are only a few pages, or a few short paragraphs. Very limited storytelling.There is no substance to this book. Very little scene or plot development. The characters are bland and not very likeable, and even contradict themselves. Sofia at the beginning of the book is an entirely different person from the Sofia in The Shade, and for no special reason at all. She went from being plain and of little consequence, with deep anxiety issues, to being a stunning beauty with great strength and empathy? Really?The writing itself is grammatically poor, one dimensional, and difficult to read. It looks like the book was self published, so lacks professional editing, which is painfully noticeable.And please explain how a vampire who was asleep for the past 400 years isn't experiencing some sort of culture shock, and is able to easily communicate in modern dialogue, and knows how to dress himself in modern clothes?I gave it two stars because I read the whole thing (in a very short amount of time) because I did want to find out what happens. The story had potential, if you can get past the Stockholm's Syndrome issue, but it was poorly executed. Unfortunately, when you get to the end of the 286 "pages" there is no ending to the story in this book. It doesn't even end at a good stopping point.I was left thinking, "That's it? I spent money for a full book and got only a portion of a full book. And now I have to spend more money to buy who knows how many more books to possibly get to any conclusion?"Nope. I'm not going down that path. The story didn't hook me enough, and I can't read more of the bland characters and poor dialogue. I need substance.

I too bought because of the good reviews. This story reads so much like a bad fanfiction, that I wonder how all those reviews could be genuine.It has bland characters and hardly any plot. It's one of the worst books I've ever read.

Absolutely horrible writing! Do not waste your time. The book sounds like someone telling a story to their friends while throwing in 'big' words to sound smart. The author has no feel for the reader's knowledge with frequent repetitions of information. The protagonist once calls the vampire, who she 'just' found out was 500 years old a 'young man'. Horrible book, do not believe the 5 star paid reviews. Google this author and you will that she is on a list of unethical authors due to the amount of paid reviews.

I finished reading this book just becase it counts as one more book read in my Good Reads 2018 challenge. I did not find anything in it worth reading or worth recommending it by. If you like the REAL vampire stories (Dracula, Carmilla, Interview with the Vampire, etc), do not waste your time reading this book. In my opinion it is a silly love story where the characters happen to be vampires.

I picked this up since it was compared to Harry Potter. How dare they!

So, I read the entire book over the course of a day--it is extremely short. At the end of the book the author notes that the following books in the series are much longer. I think, simply because of the number of books the author has written in this series I already had prepared myself that it was going to be a quick read.This book has an incredible number of readers and reviewers, I wanted to see what it was all about and in a way I am glad that I did. Young Adult romance books are my guilty pleasure, they are generally quick and easily digested and sometimes I need that. This book was perfect for that. I am going to continue the series for the time, simply because... guilty pleasure.There are some pretty great buildups in this first book for something that could become greater if Forrest continues to broaden the world that she has created and fills in information about the characters. Right now, having just read the first book, there are a lot of holes and shallowness to everything. I think something is going to pick up in the second book, though, that was a good hanger for us readers with regards to the end of the very last chapter. If you've read this book, you know what I mean... and if you haven't read it yet.... keep your eyes out for it.

I am now reading the second book. It's the first thing that has really hooked me since Twilight. I would highly recommend to all Twi Hards but also anyone who 'digs' Vampires. The vampires are portrayed like typical vampires (they don't sparkle, in the sun for starters), but its not graffic or explicit in any context either (which is good for me). There is only really one focus in the first book, I guess to introduce you to the characters and begin the whole series theme, but it is still an interesting read non the less.I can't really say mcuh more about it, as I wouldn't want to give anything away, but it's a typical vampire human love story in that they fall in love and there's the whole thing about right and wrong. The vampire isn't 'vegetarian' and he is a prince in his little kingdom. The girl is captured and turns prince vampire's eye and she is just a plain Jane so no one really understands why (especially the other vampires).It's just an easy read really with a few twists here and there. I wouldn't say it's an overly dark story (I can read it at bedtime lol) and it's just nice. That's all I can say about it really. I hope you enjoy reading.

Quiet an easy read and struck me as being for the older teenage/young adult market. Typical sort of story Vampires kidnapping young adults and vampire leader falls for captive and upsets the status quo putting everyone in danger..sort of. The story as a basis isn't too bad but feels like the book itself should be longer and finishes just as it gets started. May or may not read further books as their seems to be a lot in the series so instead of 1 book with more to read lots of smaller books ...

This took me by surprise! Due to my lack of excitement for Hotbloods, I wasn't expecting much from this - but given how popular the Shade of Vampire series seems to be, it felt like an injustice to Bella Forrest not to try it.I'm so glad I did! You see, I'm really not averse to a lack of adult steam, because this time there was enough chemistry and enough presence about the leading guy. I'm definitely going to read more.. But holy cow Bella.. 55 books in this series?!! Who does that?! I'm in awe and horror...

I love this book and the series, I'm at book 4 now of this 20 book "library". Just when I expect this series to get boring I find that their are new and exciting things turning up to capture my attention just as much as when I started reading this first book.Sometimes I find myself getting a bit uncomfortable about just how much of a born victim Sofia seems to be, and sometimes that reaches uncomfortable levels. However she does have her strengths as do all fully realised characters, and those strengths cant help but to endear her to me. Her romance with Dereck is often painful as both of them never seem to get it into their heads that they actually love each other, leaving me wanting to bang their heads together.But in all I love the book and the series so far.

Intriguing page turner. Likeable main characters & hateful enemies leaves you wanting more. Slightly more adult than twilight & a similarity in Derek to that of Christian Grey. Leaves the reader feeling compassion, disgust & intrigue. I can't wait to read the next book in the series!