Review: Out For Blood

Out For Blood (The Drake Chronicles #3) by Alyxandra Harvey
Published: November 1st 2011
Published: Bloomsbury PLC

Goodreads Description:

Hunter Wild is the youngest in a long line of elite vampire hunters, a legacy that is both a blessing and a curse at the secret Helios-Ra Academy, where she excels at just about everything. Thanks to her friendship with Kieran Black, Hunter receives a special invitation to attend the coronation of Helena Drake, and for the first time, she sees the difference between vampires that must be hunted and vampires that can become friends—or even more. When students at the academy fall victim to a mysterious illness, Hunter suspects they are under attack from within. She will need someone she can trust to help her save the future of Helios-Ra . . . help that shockingly comes in the form of Quinn Drake, a drop-dead gorgeous vampire. Who said senior year would be easy?
My thoughts:


I gotta say, I think this is my fave of the 3 Drake Chronicle books currently released. I'm possibly in love with Quinn…what is it with vamps named Quinn? I always love them. But he’s the most entertaining of the Drake brother’s we’ve met so far, definitely the most sarcastic and reckless.

I liked Hunter too, she was a smart and loyal girl, dedicated to her cause but not indoctrinated in any way.  She was open to change and alliance which I loved about her, and her enthusiasm and excitement about the upheaval in her world was great to see.

I just loved the whole vampire hunter/vampire relationship going on with Hunter (great name) and Quinn. There’s something about forbidden love that’s just exhilarating to read about. I loved the progression of their relationship too, I thought it was fairly natural and less insta-lovey than maye Logan and Isabeau’s was in the previous book.

The plot of this book is less centered on the Drakes and revolves more around the Helios-Ra academy that Hunter and her friends attend. Whilst this book wasn’t an in-depth outline of everything that goes on at the academy it was great to get an insight into that world, as the last book gave an insight into the Hounds. I definitely enjoyed this plot the most-it had more of a mystery element to it than the others and it was hard to know who to trust and who not too-something I love in a novel. It really keeps the reader on edge and hyper-aware, looking for any hints as to who the culprit may be.

We saw a few sacrifices in this book unlike the previous two, and I have a feeling there’ll be more of those to come as the series progresses. Whilst most people hate to see characters killed off/maimed/in anyway put out I definitely think it adds more to the realism of the story, as well as playing on the reader’s emotions

Harvey has yet to write a novel, a character, a plot, a line of prose that I haven’t adored, and openly fawned over. If you haven’t picked up one of her books yet-you’re making a grave (ha) error. Get yourself down to your bookshop and purchase one immediately!