Hunger Book

Well worth every one of the 4 stars. This is the second book in the Companion Series but takes place before the story of The Companion so I guess you could read them in either order.

In this book we follow Beatrix (who we first meet in the Companion) and John, we also learn more about Asharti. This story takes place during the time of the Napoleonic Wars and has it's fair share of espionage ~ John is a spy who undertakes a dangerous mission which ultimately leads to his capture by the blood sucking sex addicted Asharti, he suffers grealy whilst in her enthrall being subjected to various degrading experiences and when he assumes all to be lost is rescued by Beatrix who he has had a liason with whilst assuming her to a virtueless courtesan.
Beatrix Lisse is born vampire, she has lived for 700 years and whilst one time sister<?i> to Asharti she has long since parted from the evil influence of the made vampire. Beatrix is slowing losing her will to function in the human/vampire world and is questioning her existence, that is until she meets John who awakens her mind and stirs something she long believes to be lost. Beatrix is no courtesan this is a front to enable her to function as vampire in the human world.
When John walks out on her Beatrix is hurt until she starts to piece together all the little things about him and soon she realizes who he is, she sets out to find him with devistating cost to herself.

Despite the misunderstanding regarding the basis of their relationship I didn't find it interfered with the story. John has his own personal issues and so his conflicting feelings for Beatix are well grounded, Beatrix is not without distrust herself, an earlier relationship in which she felt wronged has led her not put too much stock in men.However the two are entwined and cannot help but fall in love.

A great read for anyone loving regency romance with intrigue (I keep comparing this series so far to Sylvia Day) and vampires. The vampire world created by SS is unique and 'flows' well with the story around which it is included. The sex scenes are hot and despite Asharti being clearly unbalanced SS manages to write an exquiste form of torture where Ashartis involvment is included in the story.