House of the Rising Sun
Author: Kristen Painter
Release Date: May 13, 2014
Publisher: Orbit
Crescent City Book #1
ISBN: 0316278270
ISBN13: 9780316278270
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Review Copy Source: PublisherAugustine lives the perfect life in the Haven city of New Orleans. He rarely works a real job, spends most of his nights with a different human woman, and resides in a spectacular Garden District mansion paid for by retired movie star Olivia Goodwin, who has come to think of him as an adopted son, providing him room and board and whatever else he needs.
But when Augustine returns home to find Olivia's been attacked by vampires, he knows his idyllic life has comes to an end. It's time for revenge—and to take up the mantle of the city's Guardian.
What a ride! If you have read Kristen's House of Comarré series you are somewhat familiar with the world of The Crescent City series already. In fact Chrysabelle actually makes a small appearance in HOUSE OF THE RISING SUN. It took me a little bit to get into the story but by the end I was fully invested and ready for book 2 to start.
The main person I had a hard time loving was Harlow. Her reasoning for despising her mother and alienating herself were pretty selfish. I understand the underlying want to know the answers to her questions but her mother didn't seem like the type of person to withhold information out of spite and I felt she needed to get over herself a little and be more understanding. I also had a hard time with her reaction towards her mothers death and the inheritance she was left with. Because of this It took me a while to like Harlow and when she finally got her answers I was glad to see my instincts about her mother were right.
I had no issues enjoying Augustine. We first met him in The House of Comarré series but we really get to know him in HOUSE OF THE RISING SUN. He is very loyal to his friends and family but also a playboy. I liked his sense of justice and the way he carried himself with pretty much every step of the book. The relationship between Harlow and Augustine isn't an easy one. There is a lot of feelings between the two but with that came a lot of head butting, and denial. I am very interested to see how there relationship (whether romantic *fingers crossed* or friendship) grows in book 2.
New Orleans is always a great city to base a paranormal storyline in. Painter did a great job building her world and characters to fit right in. I would recommend Painters new series to anyone who has enjoyed her writing in the past or looking for an intriguing read in the future.
I gave it 4/5 stars
* This book was provided free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
