Early Review: Nightshades by Melissa Olson

Nightshades

Author: Melissa F. Olson

Release Date: July 19, 2016

Publisher: Tor

TBD Book #1

ISBN:  0765388502

ISBN13: 9780765388506

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Review Copy Source: NetGalley

Alex McKenna is the new Special Agent in Charge of the Chicago office of the Bureau of Paranormal Investigations—the division tasked with investigating crimes involving shades.

Or vampires, as they’re more widely known.

Children have been going missing, and agents are routinely being slaughtered. It’s up to McKenna, and some unlikely allies, to get to the bottom of the problem, and find the kids before it’s too late.

NIGHTSHADE introduces a brand new world where vampires aka shades are persona non grata. McKenna is tasked with taking down a group of shades that are killing humans and finds himself working with the beautiful Lindy who just happens to be a shade who wants to help him take them down.

I wish NIGHTSHADE had been longer. It felt too short and lacked a bit of the details I would have liked to see between the pages. One thing NIGHTSHADE didn't lack was action and suspense. Things start off pretty quickly and the pace stays pretty fast until the end.

I thought the characters were well developed for the little time I had to learn about them. I learned just enough about them to be interested in what happened to them and get a good grasp on how I felt about them and their place in the story. Alex and Lindy had a spark, but it really wasn't explored. They both feel it though and I think it will be explored in the future as they continue their partnership.

With the ending of NIGHTSHADE I have no doubt that this was the start to a new series. You just can't end a stand-alone like Olson ended NIGHTSHADE and not have a follow-up. I am definitely intrigued after reading NIGHTSHADE and will keep an eye out for book two.

I gave it 3.5/5 stars

* This book was provided free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.