Review: Honor At Stake (Love at First Bite, Book 1) by Declan Finn
These vampires don’t sparkle – they pack a punch!
Lily Sparks has her man, Marco Catalano. Sure, she is small enoough he could squash her and hardly notice as they walk down the street, but he is a hunk. And all the world knows that he is hers.
But now it is time to pull over in the nearest alley and have a discreet taste of her boyfriend. After all, what is the point of an evening walk if you cannot have a bite or two before he takes you home?
However, the two are interrupted by a druggie high and looking to kill. Marco disengages to handle him – easily and rather brutally. Lily loses it when she sees him bite their attacker, running screaming into the night after Marco turns to her with blood all over his mouth and chin.
Not hard to guess who the vampire is, right? Hold your horses, we haven’t even introduced Amanda Colt yet!
The Story
Amanda Colt slips into the college classroom and Murphy’s Law flips a coin to put her next to Marco Catalano. Amanda noticed him the minute she entered the doorway. There was a sense of danger in the air and, after a few moments of searching, she realized that impression came directly from Marco.
Yet there seems to be no reason for this. Marco’s not bad looking, he doesn’t leer, and he seems interesting. If it were not for the extreme control that he demonstrates she might have no reason other than a hunch to consider him a threat. But when she looks him up online later that night, she cannot find Marco Catalano anywhere.
The next day the two have an intense fencing match that puts the other students to shame. Nearly being beheaded or skewered by Marco a couple of times during the match does nothing to satiate Amanda’s curiosity. Marco eventually asks her if she would like to go to the Museum of Natural History with him, before taking her to visit some of his friends, men who turn out to be gangleaders who fear Marco and consider him their “Medieval lord.” And every time the two talks, their conversations return to vampires. What are their actual powers? Where does free will factor in? Are crosses a blanket defense? Are all vampires automatically evil? Or are they capable of being good as well as bad?
It all seems to be going well until, on a walk around Greenpoint, the two are attacked by four muggers. Amanda takes a knife early in the confrontation, prompting Marco beats two of the men into mush. He turns to face the other two in time to see one on the ground and the other with Amanda clinging to his throat, blood trickling down his neck.
Who is the vampire and who is the predator?
The Characters
Marco Catalano has a wry wit that cuts quicker and deeper than his rapier. It would also act as an astringent in the proper circumstances. Although he describes himself as the equivalent of a Medieval lord and is downright vicious in a fight, his predatory nature is always turned outward, to those who would do him and the ones he cares for harm. Thus, his protective nature softens his brutal fighting tendencies and makes him more likeable than he might be otherwise.
Amanda Colt is equally protective of those she cares for, and her aversion to putting innocents at risk at the same time she is determined to protect them make her enjoyable company as she helps Marco when the flak inevitably starts flying. Add to that her practical nature and dry wit, and this is a vampire heroine who is not only fun to follow, she is creative in the application of her powers and skills as well.
The rest of the cast is as much fun as the two leads. From the Vatican ninjas to their priestly boss, from the gang leaders who are actually a neighborhood watch, to the vampires who try to make the lives of Brooklyn’s residents hell, each and every character has their moment to shine. Not one of them is forgettable or out of place, which enables them all to stand out in a reader’s memory.
The World
The worldbuilding for this novel is excellent. Not only are the traditional vampire banes and benefits well-considered, their application and creative use is wonderfully refreshing. Decapitate a vampire with a rosary? Sure, just know how to make a garrote and be ready to use it. Holy water in squirt guns – burns just as well as when splashed, if not better. Electricity can be useful, too, since in the right circumstances it can set someone on fire.
Rare is the novel that applies Faith, folklore, and creativity to the question of dealing with the supernatural. Faith is pretty much thrown out with the bathwater, which is a crime considering how many folklore remedies rely on some kind of faith to help hold off vampires. Free will also usually takes a back seat – just ask the fated mates.
Honor at Stake looks at the tropes, looks at reality, and gets creative with its “What ifs” while still being respectful of the tropes. It’s a perfect blend of “Hmm. Bet I could take out a vamp like that” while treating vampires and the Urban Fantasy milieu with consideration.
That’s not even mentioning the biological factor. When was the last time an Urban Fantasy universe countenanced the idea that vampirism is transmitted via an actual virus that can be studied?
Politics
The politics are relatively subtle, with most of them revolving around the modern perception of the Enlightenment and especially the French Revolution. Beyond that, there is little in the way of politics to speak of in this novel.
Content Warning
There are lots of beheadings, burnings, and beatings. Marco’s wrathful beatdowns might bother some readers even though they are not graphic. Amanda and Marco also have a fake make-out session for the sake of the mission, which might be too steamy for some, but that part is easily skimmed.
Other than that, there is nothing at all objectionable in Honor at Stake. It is probably one of the most PG-13 friendly Urban Fantasies on the market.
Who is it for?
Urban Fantasy lovers who want some meat on the bone. Finn brings his trademark worldbuilding skill to this novel, making it a dense, action-packed read. Those who like a bit of steam with their to their romances will find plenty to satisfy, while those who would prefer the steam not be dialed up too high will be happy to know it leaves plenty to the imagination. Anyone looking for non-stop action that still lets the characters breathe will enjoy this
As for angst – what angst? Everyone is too practical to go around moping and crying into their beer. When the forces of the night are on one’s trail, the number of opportunities for pity parties are Slim, Son of None.
Honor at Stake will appeal to those who want drama with a side of practicality rather than soap opera for this reason.
Why buy it?
It’s a fun book – a REALLY fun book. Perhaps one of the most fun Urban Fantasies in existence.
If that is not enough reason to buy it, what is?