Bloodlaced (Youkai Bloodlines Book One)

Courtney
McGuire
Genre: 
Paranormal

Warning: Has aspects of physical and sexual abuse as well as talking about self-harm.

Asagi has had a difficult life. Having been prevented from protecting a loved one from abuse, he is sold into a house of young noblemen. He meets Mahiro and the two become very close. When Asagi is poisoned, Mahiro reveals himself to be a demon that feeds on blood in order to survive, and unable to let Asagi go, he turns him into a vampire. But there is a price. Asagi now must feed on the blood of the innocent to survive, something he struggles with. When a figure from his past comes back to haunt him, Asagi must decide what he is going to do and what his life means. 

This book has an interesting plot. Asagi is a very strong character who appears to be vulnerable at times. Courtney McGuire has done an amazing job with regards to setting the scene in Japan for the reader, and there are some amazing scenes that can be visualized because of the fantastic descriptions and language. Granted, there are some aspects where the story slows down, but they are few and far between. What is clear is that the author has done their research with regards to the area and time this book is set. The character of Asagi is complex and easy to love. While not the generic paranormal romance, this is what sets it apart from others. It will be exciting to see where this series goes as this is an awesome first installment. 

Lynn-Alexandria McKendrick