Review: Bleeding Hearts by Alyxandra Harvey

Title: Bleeding Hearts
Series; The Drake Chronicles
Author: Alyxandra Harvey
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Publication Date: 3 Oct 2011

Synopsis: From Amazon
Lucy's cousin Christabel has come to live in Violet Hill, and adjusting to the difference between life in a small mountain town and her home in the city is difficult. The strict curfew that Lucy's parents enforce is hard to respect. Surely something really dangerous couldn't possibly happen in this tiny town. But Christabel starts to notice some mysterious happenings, and it seems like Lucy, her boyfriend Nicholas and his brother Connor are all in on a secret that Christabel doesn't understand - one that seems deadly serious. Although she won't admit it, Christabel would love to be in on any secret with Connor Drake. When Christabel is kidnapped by the ruthless Hel-Blar vampires, Lucy and Connor finally fill her in on all the undead drama. Together, they must find a way to stamp out the Hel-Blar for good.

REVIEW

Please bear in mind that this is book 4 in the series and therefore may contain spoilers from the previous books.

For anyone who knows me you will be aware that I completely adore this series. I love Alyxandra Harvey's descriptive writing style, the way her dialogue is so realistic bringing her characters to vivid life in my imagination. The use of simile and metaphor added to the descriptions bringing the world of The Drakes into 3D. Being truthful I adore everything about these books so I will not apologise if this is a gushy geyser review [ ; D ] 

This book is concentrating on brother number four Connor, the geeky twin brother to Quinn, who if you remember changed his womanising ways in book 3  for a Helios-Ra agent. I just adores how geeky was portrayed as totally cool in this book. Not only is Connor a computer whizz, he can kick serious Hel_Blar rotting butt. The Star Wars quotes and imagery had me sniggering out loud to myself.  If like me you like The Big Bang Theory then you are going to love Connor - I kept picturing him as a gorgeous teenage Leonard. Plus I had to agree with him that having no Internet connection completely freaks me out.

Christabel is a geek in her own right - a total bookaholic (omg how I can relate to this girl) head stuck in a book even at a party, having to carry a book with her at all times.You can understand the attraction between Connor and Christabel from the moment they meet. They bring out the best in each other.

The first person narrative from differing perspectives within the book provides insight into the story as a whole while providing an opportunity compare the views of the different characters, giving me the feel of being omniscient observer within the story. I fantastic ability to make the reader feel part of the story itself.

I have to say, I love Lucy's narrative voice and have missed it. She provides such light relief with her sarcasm in the most awkward situations you can't help but love her. Her character development from book one to now is wonderful, snarkytastic.

These books provide some terrific female role models, they don't just sit back and wait to be saved, they actually help save the others, there is a balance which I find refreshing. I especially like the way in which Alyxandra Harvey's characters aren't perfect, they recognise their own faults and learn from them. They recognise their own strengths and weaknesses, something that takes a long time to learn in most people. They aren't afraid to admit their weaknesses either or ask for help. Something I still struggle with at my age, asking for help, it really shouldn't been seen as a sign of weakness.

The portrayal of Christabel's mother within the narrative was unfortunately painfully relatable. Go to my catchphrase, Reading is Subjective, how can you not apply real life situations you have been through when reading about the same subject??  I could really understand the reasons behind Christabel's retreat into fiction, I do the same.

I could have kicked myself that I missed the significance of a certain characters name from the beginning, astoundingly clever use of a name, just brilliant.

The beautiful quotes and humorous inner monologues of the characters re-enforce the plot while adding to the realism of the story. I have the notion that Alyxandra Harvey has a impish sense of humour especially with the use of the Wicked Witch of the West and her Winged Monkeys as a comparison to bullies, lol.

Alyxandra Harvey has gained a permanent place in my heart with these books. I LOVE them with a capital L and am feverishly awaiting the next book after a HUGE cliffhanger of an ending in this one. I am pretty sure that I would make an excellent alpha reader for this series - go tell her that now.

Another brilliant addition to The Drake Chronicles, humour, romance, hot vampires and strong female role models what's not to love.