Silver Under Nightfall by Rin Chupeco – A Book Review

Spoiler-Free Overview

Remy Pendergast is an elite vampire hunter, son of the great Duke of Valenbonne, and shunned by his fellow Reapers because of rumors about his mother and his parentage. But when a new breed of vampire emerges, Remy is tasked by his queen to assist the vampire lord, Zidan Malekh, and lady, Xiaodan Song, in uncovering the source of this mutation. 

Most of the world hates vampires, and rightly so, but there are some people, vampire and human alike, that want a better future. They want an alliance between the species to help reduce the bloodshed and share a better life.

Remy travels with Zidan and Xiaodan to Xiaodan’s castle. Along the way, tension and lust grows between the three, which is confusing for Remy since Zidan and Xiaodan are already engaged. Where can he fit into their relationship?

Everything Remy thought is turned on its head, including his complicated understanding of vampires, the relationship with his father, the future of the kingdom he’s been taught to defend. 

Liz’s Thoughts and Feelings

I picked up this book because of my love of vampires, a need to read more fantasy, and a desire to have a break from romance. Two of those wants were achieved. I wasn’t expecting the amount of sexual and romantic tension in this book. It was off the charts! The build between our three main characters is top-tier delicious.

This book is gothic, fantasy science fiction mixed with savage adventure. The fight scenes are frequent, fast, and unique. Not one is the same, which makes it so addictive. I think these are some of the best fight scenes I’ve read in a long time.

None of the characters are new or innovative, but I enjoyed them all the same. Remy is the classic bruiser that is running off of rage and a belief that this life is all he has. Xiaodan is the fun girl with sharp emotions, short patience, and a secret that defines much of her life. Zidan is the grumpy, secluded older vampire that just wants to protect those he loves but you wouldn’t know that unless someone told you or you spent a lot of time with him. Obviously, Zidan is my favorite. 

The mutated vampire plot line is fun and gives that mad scientist vibe to the story line. The ending to our main plot was rather predictable, which is my only real let down of this book.

I felt like I was reading the plot of a video game the entire time, and I’m not mad about it. Think Castlevania mixed with Resident Evil. This book has some series re-readability, and I would be super excited about the sequel coming out if the internet hadn’t already informed me how bad it is. It’s such a bummer to find out that the second book, Court of Wanderers, doesn’t live up to the first.