This is a completely new take on dystopian vampire erotica. In this world that Kitty Thomas has built, the day last 1000 hours and the night last 1000 hours. Helene spends her days working and stockpiling supplies so that when night comes, her and her sister can hide in the safety of their home. That is until her sister figures out that she counted wrong and doesn't have enough meds to make it all the way through the night. Helene being the provider that she is, decides she can make it to the pharmacy and back in time. However, she is very wrong.

 

It is very early that we learn that the laws of this land are completely different from what we are used to in today's society. During the day, anytype of civil disobedience is not tolerated. However, during the evening, anything is fair game. Helene get kidnapped and taken to a mansion on the outskirts of town. Gabriel, who is head of the household and of the town, is intrigued by this woman and her will to protect her sister, even though she really has no will to live herself.

 

Gabriel offers to ensure that Helene's sister will get her meds, if Helene will just spend the entire night with him. He is convinced that he can make her feel again. He takes her to a dungeon where he beats her to make her cry, the first time since her parents died. He makes love to her and just overall makes her feel again.

 

Things really take a turn when Gabriel is forced to go to another city, and takes Helene with him, to stomp out a rebellion of humans trying to wipe out the vampires. Helene sees that maybe here town wasn't so bad after all. Each city is run completely at the whims of the head vampire.

 

Kitty Thomas has a great knack for writing deeply psychological stories. While I would never want to be one of the heroines in any of this author's books, I do love the emotion that she pours into the characters. While yes, there are sex scenes, they are not overly detailed or gratuitous like some erotica novels. There is more story than sex to this book.

 

Kitty Thomas leaves me with my mind blown after each and every read. I highly recommend this book to people who are willing to try something darker, but well written and wonderful characters. This story is written as a stand alone.

Once I finished this book, I was left a little speechless because I was not expecting to like it as much as I did. Now let's not get crazy here and start *gasp* ripping out pages from the book, but I honestly never wanted this story to end.

“So just to be clear,” I said. My voice shook a little too much for my liking. “I killed myself. I’m in some kind of Purgatory. I am now part of a band of demon-fighting superheroes. We go around saving other people from offing themselves in the real world by protecting their statues in this one. All while trying to earn a second chance at life. Or a chance to end it once and for all.” “That about sums it up.”

Jayden was an interesting character. She was self-centered, ignorant, and sometimes a bit childish. But there was something I liked about her. Despite everything her intentions were good... but as they say,

"The road to hell is paved with good intentions."

As the story progressed, you slowly see a shift in Jayden. I liked that the author was subtle and didn't immediately try to redeem Jayden. It took quite a few wakeup calls before she was able to see how her actions were affecting everybody around her. Marsh, Prince, Neala and all the other characters I had the pleasure of reading about also contributed to the story. I was just as interested in their stories as I was in Jayden's. The writing was easy and flowed nicely. Dark Night of the Soul deals with serious subjects like suicide and self-worth, however, E.M. Havens was able to keep the story light, entertaining and managed not to leave me in a depressed heap on the floor. She got her point across without bludgeoning me with life lessons and held my attention throughout the whole story. This was a YA, clean romance but that's what made it all the more special. Every glance, hand hold and chocolate kiss had my heart racing. The story wasn't centered around the romance, though, and I was just as easily captivated my the story and concept.

*This book was generously provided in exchange for an honest review*

Most everyone wonders what happens after death. Some fear the unknown, some don't care, and some think whatever lies ahead will be better than living life on Earth. Jayden believes the latter, and takes a fantastic journey when she decides to "move on" ahead of schedule.

The place she ends up after death is nothing she could have imagined or expected. She finds a group of mysterious people she can't quite figure out, doing work she can't quite understand. Together, their unlikely team battle demons and keep each other alive, all running from Judgement. Each character has creative quirks and secrets, making the group this story follows interesting and unique. Jayden goes through many levels of self-growth, and experiences things that will change her forever, and leave you enchanted.

This book has everything necessary to entertain- imagination, danger, dark humor, light romance, and adventure. E.M. Havens has created a wonderful fantasy with this story. Putting an imaginative spin on a topic most everyone thinks about from time to time, she's shared an idea that will stick with you for quite a while. I enjoyed this quick read, and would recommend it to any fan of after-life stories, YA paranormal, or fantasy.

*I was given an eCopy of this book, from the author, to read in exchange for an honest review.

Listening to this audiobook as part of the KC Public Library Winter 2013 Adult Reading Program 'While the City Sleeps'