by Chloe Neill
First published 2011
Merit stares out at Lake Michigan's waters, now turned an unnatural black. The recently turned vampire has enough problems already. Anti-paranormal sentiment grips Chicago. The state government threatens new registration laws targeting vampires and other supernatural beings. Cadogan House needs to keep a low profile until the political storm passes. The lake's transformation changes everything. Chicago's mayor dismisses public concerns, but Merit recognizes the signs of powerful dark magic. Someone has cast a spell strong enough to alter nature itself. The timing feels deliberate, designed to inflame tensions between humans and paranormals when vampires can least afford more conflict. Merit must identify the sorcerer behind the lake's corruption before the situation spirals beyond control. She reaches out to allies both familiar and new, knowing that failure could destroy the fragile coexistence between vampires and humans. The investigation will test her skills as she races against time to prevent catastrophe for both species.
Genres: fantasy, paranormal, paranormal-romance, urban-fantasy
Vibes: atmospheric, emotional, suspenseful
Tropes: found-family, political-intrigue, supernatural-elements
Setting: Chicago, Lake Michigan
321 pages · Paperback · New American Library