Ratings Overall: 9 Sensuality: 8 Paranormal Element: 9

This is an Official Review by a contemporary Romance Writer Official Reviewer

Review for Crouching Vampire, Hidden Fang
Author: Katie MacAlister
Date of Review: 01/01/10
Reviewed by: Heather

Reviewer Comments: Pia Thomason’s life has not gone as she thought. She has found that she is married to Kristoff. A Zorya and a vampire cannot be a match in their world. She has to deal with a husband who does not want her, or so he says, and wanting to cast off her role as a Zorya. She decides to go forth and rid herself of the role but she has to complete several tasks and to ensure her husband is cleared of the acts in which he has been charged. Pia has an added complication in Mattias as she tries to get to know her new husband Kristoff. Mattias believes she is not married to Kristoff but is married to him.

Kristoff has been around for centuries and is a made vampire who has spent his time looking for his Beloved. He is unsure about his new wife as she is not what he expected and she was also the girlfriend of his friend. He tries to deal with her and her seductive temptation and a mole in their midst. The pair develop a connection and relationship despite their best efforts.

I found this story a little slow to begin particularly as I tried to grasp some of the intricacies of the story that had been in the previous book and I needed to understand these to understand the context of the story. By the end of the story, I still did not have an understanding of some aspects of this world. Despite this, as the story moved on, the overarching story was entertaining as only Ms McAlister can write. The humor and the turn of phrase suited the characters and the events in which they were immersed.

The secondary characters enhanced the story and added to the humor. In many respects these were the reason the central couple, Pia and Kristoff connected more. The whole idea of an immortal trying to decide upon an endearment was entertaining. Pia would not have thought of this until one of the other immortal’s wife, in being irreverent, called her husband all kinds of pet names, which led to another vampire admitting to being called certain names and having to give in to his mate because the names were getting worse. This was the lesson for Kristoff; give in before it is too late. Pia then makes the mistake of using Kristoff’s pet name out loud and not through the normal mental speak they usually use. Kristoff, the strong immortal, is sniggered at by his fellow fighters.

Pia’s way of dealing with things in her life is to find out then use the magic skills she has acquired as Zorya. Most times she enjoys it but it does backfire to some extent on Mattias as his obstinacy about them being married and his changed demeanor makes for entertaining reading. There are any humorous scenes in this book and makes for an entertaining read.