Reviewed by Me for TeensReadToo.com

Francesca (Fran) is currently touring Germany with a Goth Faire, courtesy of her mother, who is a witch. After her father had what she kindly refers to as a midlife crisis, Fran was sent to stay with her mom--who is finally living her dream, living with people who are just like herself, seeing the world, and having fun. Unfortunately, the Faire has caused Fran to feel like even more of a freak than she did back home--not only is she six feet tall with dark hair and pale skin, but she's been cursed (blessed?) with the ability to read thoughts and feelings in other people just by touching them.

After buying a horse on a spur-of-the-moment trip away from the Faire grounds, her mother ropes her into a mission--Fran can keep the horse if she gets a job with the Faire to pay for his feed and vet bills, and if she helps the Faire owners, Absinthe and Peter, find out who's been stealing from the nightly take. She sets off to become an apprentice of Imogen, who reads palms and runes, as her job, and embarks on a Nancy Drew-ish mission to casually touch each individual who's had access to the safe.

During all of this she runs into (literally), Benedickt Czerny, who is Imogen's brother and who also happens to be a Moravian Dark One--a vampire. Added to that, Ben informs Fran that she's his Beloved, the one woman destined to redeem his soul. As she's reeling with all this implies, her investigation leads her to think that evil is in the camp, that someone has not only been stealing money but is planning on killing Ben.

As Fran and Ben begin a relationship, Fran begins to see that she's not a freak and an outsider, but someone who just might have more in common with the people of the Faire than she ever thought.

Katie Maxwell has written a funny and entertaining vampire story that's perfect for all ages. The mystery into the thefts and who wants to harm Ben is perfectly woven, and the last chapter definitely leaves it open for more stories starring the Dark One and his Beloved. An overall excellent read! ( )

I love this book. The whole freak show thing going on and Fran thinking she is a freak ( )

Cute & unique storyline. I think we have just begun to meet the characters. I look forward to the next book to carry on getting to know them all better. ( )

Fran is traveling through Europe as part of a psychic fair, with her witch mother, vampires, and other mystics. Fran’s special talents come into use when the fair’s cash gets stolen. Along with the sleuthing, Fran also has to deal with the arrival of Benedikt, a Dark One, who tells her she's his Beloved. Fran is a strong, likable character; a light-hearted quick read. ( )

I liked this Moravian Dark One novel almost better because it is for young adults rather than the ones for adults precisely because the sex is toned down. Not that I am a prude, quite the contrary--It is not for moral, but aesthetic reasons. ( )