I don’t get to binge-read this series like I did Draper’s previous reverse harem epic, but I’m enjoying it all the same. Esper is an intriguing character, and I appreciate the set-up of her being lost from her family line as a way for the audience to learn about the greater magical world through her eyes. However, the way she continues to belittle her appearance is aggravating, and I hope she gains some self-confidence soon.
I was initially worried that Esper’s relationship with Toma would replicate that between Gesa and Oisin, but all four characters are so different that it hasn’t happened. The vampire who blazes into Esper’s life breaks a lot of genre tropes as well, so I’m excited to see where all the relationships lead.
The greater meta-plot is full of all the mystery and action I could want. I laughed off the “cowboy vampire hunters” in the novella description, but it’s actually accurate and not played for laughs. This installment features a complete arc of action while also slipping in plenty of hints for future developments. I’ve already pre-ordered the next book.
Rating: 4 (out of 5) stars. Cross-posted to Amazon and Goodreads.