Drake isn’t like most other vampires. He’s called a Killer vampire as he chooses to feed off live victims instead of bottled blood. He at least chooses victims who deserve to die, sparing the lives of innocents. This has, unfortunately, alienated many other Guardians of the Night and Drake has had to move from various territories to maintain vampire peace.

His most recent move is to Baltimore, where its leader, Gabriel, has recently disappeared under sketchy circumstances. Having to take up the reins as interim leader, Drake must not only find Gabriel but also keep Baltimore a place of peace. Soon after Drake’s arrival in town, a European Seigneur arrives with an entire entourage of vampires and mortals, also searching for Gabriel, and is demanding to stay at the leader’s home. As the new leader, it’s Drake’s responsibility to keep his own Guardians in line and solve the mystery of the growing violence to vampires in the area.

As the European delegation settles in, it’s clear the Seigneur doesn’t believe Gabriel’s been abducted. So, he sends his concubine Faith to seduce Drake and hopefully discover Gabriel’s whereabouts. Faith pleads with Drake to assist her and her human sister to escape the clutches of the Seigneur. In short order, however, he begins to have romantic feelings for the beautiful female: feelings he hasn’t dared to have in many years. But soon it becomes clear that Faith is just a pawn in many hands, all of whom want to use her or her sister for a different end and it’s up to Drake to either save them both, or allow his past to catch up with him, becoming the cruel Killer many make him out to be.

After reading Hungers of the Heart, I have only one question: how is it that I haven’t heard of Jenna Black before now?

Drake is a fabulous anti-hero with a dark past, unwillingly pulled into a role he didn’t particularly want, but well up to the task of protecting his new territory from all threats, foreign and local. It was a wild ride, experiencing his frustration with him as he has to work with young fledglings, who are no match for the ancient, more powerful vampires coming at them from all sides. Also mesmerizing were the internal demons he battled to feed on humans and the vulnerability he tries to hide around Faith. Even the secondary characters are well placed in the story, making the reader greedy for their stories as well.

Ms. Black has created a breathtaking world of dark, brooding vampires, terrifying glamour, delicious sexual tension and edgy suspense. I, for one, am anxious for more.

Reviewed by: Bella