Immortal Empire #2
ARC provided by author
Author: CD Reiss
Thank you, @CDReiss for the advanced copy.
Wowza! Let me start by saying that unlike my usual reviews I won’t recap major points of the book. Reasons: it’s pretty much a book 2 in a series and it will be very spoiler-y. Also, Christine provides an amazing tongue-in-cheek summary for book 1 at the beginning. Let’s just say we pick up exactly where we were left with our jaws on the floor at the end of book 1 with a detour through Carmine, Il Capo’s origin story. We learn how and where and by whom he was made and how he ends up where he is now.
Luna, even though she’s deep “in thrall”, has more agency in this book. She’s WTF-ing her way through this mess, but wouldn’t you? She has a lot to process!
I also have to tell you that you DO need to read book 1 and you’ll probably turn into that guy on the conspiracy theories meme with the white board and all the notes with this one. I kinda did. A LOT happens and it happens non-stop.
Another aspect I really appreciated is the quiet and “it is what it is” queer representation happens in this book. It makes a point by just being there and kudos to how Christine writes non gender conforming characters.
I loved the banter and how the “mundane” and contemporary aspects of life still befuddle Carmine. It’s like your boomer grandpa learning to text and it’s hilarious.
Yes, you will scream at the end … AGAIN. Book 3 can’t come soon enough.
Content notes: seriously?? It’s a story of a Mafia Capo who is a vampire, married to a powerful witch and they are in a quest to find a way to survive. Expect ANYTHING.
