Out for Blood

Summary: Hunter Wild is the latest generation in a long line of vampire hunters. She's going to be a senior at the Helios-Ra academy of hunters, but before school even starts, things start getting weird. She's in trouble with the teachers, she's fighting with roommate and former best friend, and all over the school, students are falling ill to some mysterious flu. Hunter knows it's up to her in order to set things back to rights, but in order to figure it out, she's going to have to rely on Quinn Drake, who is a vampire princeling and an inveterate flirt. Her Grandfather would have a coronary if he knew she had the hots for a vampire, but if they don't work together, both humans and vampires could wind up in much bigger trouble than show more they already are.

Review: The Drake Chronicles books have everything you could want in a guilty-pleasure escapist read. All three of them thus far have been incredibly fun, fast-reading, full of action and snappy dialogue, with plenty of steamy romance and a hefty helping of crush-worthy leading men. Are they Serious works of Literature? Heck no. Are they a thoroughly awesome way to spend an afternoon? You'd better believe it.

Each of the Drake Chronicles books focuses on one of the Drake siblings - who turn into vampires on their 16th birthdays, and are members of an ancient and powerful vampire family. Out For Blood was my favorite installment so far, despite Quinn not being my favorite Drake brother (smirky, cocksure guys who know how hot they are have never really been my cup of tea). Hunter made a great protagonist, a nice blend of being tough and smart and capable while still being a little girly at times. And although Harvey's shown in the past that she can write about vampire politics and clans and allegiances and still hold my interest, I really liked that the plot focused primarily on the mystery at the school. (Hooray, boarding school stories!) Not only did it make this book relatively independent of the rest of the series, it also neatly avoided that whole "girl loses herself into the dark world of her paranormal boyfriend" trope that can get a little tedious.

Was there anything I didn't like? These books are predictable as all get-out, although personally, that's part of their appeal as literary brain candy. In this case, though, not only the romance but also the solution to the mystery was pretty obvious. However, although I'd figured out what was going on relatively early, it never really annoyed me that the characters were slow to catch up; I was having too much fun in the meantime. Otherwise, this book is a perfect diversion for a lazy Sunday afternoon, a likely candidate to hold the attention of someone in a reading rut, and an all-around kick-ass good time. 4 out of 5 stars.

Recommendation: Although this is technically the third book in the series, its story is independent enough (and Harvey summarizes the relevant background information well enough) that it could easily be read on its own. Highly recommended for anyone looking for an entertaining read that doesn't take itself too seriously, fans of YA paranormal romance, and those who would be fans of YA paranormal romance if all the girls weren't such spineless wimps. show less

Alyxandra Harvey's third Drake Chronicles book, Out for Blood, focuses on different characters than the first two books in the series (as each of them did) but still utilizes characters from those books. The main characters of this book are Hunter Wild, a student at the Helios-Ra school and Quinn, one of the Drake brothers.

Hunter is friends with Kieran Black--one of the more central characters of Hearts at Stake, the first book. Hunter, a model student, is returning for her senior year at the school that trains hunters-vampire killers. It looks like it's going to be a normal year (albeit with some vampire interaction thanks to Kieran and his relationship with the Drakes). That is until things begin happening barely a few days after the show more students arrive.

The school year hasn't even technically started yet and already students are mysteriously ill and the school looks to be under attack.

Hunter will have to find out who she can trust (and surprisingly that just might include a vampire) in finding out what is happening.


Out for Blood is a real treat. After Hearts at Stake and Blood Feud, I'll admit that I was expecting to enjoy it, but not nearly as much as I did. It was like thinking you're getting a chocolate chip cookie--one that you'd be completely happy with--then getting a hot fudge sundae complete with whipped cream and a cherry on top. I thought I knew what I was getting and would have loved it--but was blown away with what I got instead.

I loved Blood Feud because I love the story that Alyxandra Harvey weaves and the different characters and backgrounds she works in. I loved Hearts at Stake super much because I loved the characters, the humor, the action, and the way everything worked together.

Until now Hearts at Stake was my favorite of the series but now I think Out for Blood has taken the crown. And for one reason: Harvey's writing has reached a whole new level.

The characters in Blood were as great as in Hearts (I didn't like Isabeau and Logan quite as much), the plot was great and it was really nice to see a look inside the world of the Helios-ra, but it was all so fantastic because of the quality of the writing.

Blood was so well, well written that I am now very, very much looking forward to anything (and maybe everything) from Alyxandra Harvey. The writing of this is so fantastic that I know I can enjoy any world she crates--even one without the Drakes and the Helios-Ra and the other characters that I love so much. show less

Review courtesy of All Things Urban Fantasy

Buffy fans are going to love the romance between vampire slayer Hunter Wild and vampire Quinn Drake in OUT FOR BLOOD (he even teasingly calls her Buffy while she calls him Lestat, although he came off more like a lothario version of Spike IMO).

Hunter is an immensely likeable character. She’s capable, compassionate, and just the right amount of snarky. She’s been trained by her grandpa since she was little to be as fierce and lethal as the vampires she’s sworn to kill, but she is still very much all girl, with a weakness for feminine clothes and a secret collection of romance novels.

Quinn Drake was not as likable, at least not initially, but he grew on me big time. Player doesn’t begin show more to describe him. The first third of OUT FOR BLOOD has him literally tripping over different girls, slipping off with one in the woods while winking at Hunter one night, and sandwiched between two more the next (again while winking at Hunter). Hunter doesn’t play games with herself or Quinn and calls him out on his manwhore behavior—which I loved her for—and Quinn is quick to completely abandon his player ways in favor of something infinitely more rewarding with Hunter.

OUT FOR BLOOD is the best in the series so far with an exciting suspense plot at the Helios-Ra Academy and a sizzling forbidden romance. It’s also the most mature as the couple are both eighteen, although the sexual content doesn’t go beyond some seriously steamy kissing (their kiss in Hunter’s dorm room is dangerously hot). All the previously leads are accounted for as well, and all but Lucy come off well (Lucy thankfully gets little page time as she is unrecognizably annoying this time). All this means I’m psyched for the next Drake Chronicles installment, BLEEDING HEART, which is due out November 2011.

Sexual Content: Kissing. show less

Hunter Wild has been raised a vampire hunter. She has always believed that they were evil. Period. But then she meets the Drake family, vampire royalty, who do not prey on helpless humans. Now she is questioning her firm beliefs.One Drake in particular, Quinn, has her practically drooling. When students at her school for hunters start acting oddly, Hunter has to question her beliefs even more.

This is another fun and romantic addition to the Drake Chronicles. I love the way different characters speak in each of the books. We get two new persectives with each book but we have the same basic set of characters. Hunter and Quinn are a good couple. They are both strong fighters but where Quinn is supremely confident, Hunter has some show more insecurities. There is always action in the books and I think that makes them likable by both boys and girls. I think these books have a lot to say about loyalty and integrity. This book in particular shows that blind loyalty can lead to mistakes that can be fatal. show less

OUT FOR BLOOD, by Alyxandra Harvey, is the third installment of The Drake Chronicles series. As I read each book, I am finding it harder and harder to choose my favorite. Harvey is a master of creating fantastic characters and actually making them captivating narrators.

This book alternated between Hunter Wild, vampire hunter, and Quinn Drake, vampire. I was interested right from the start since this book begins with the introduction of Hunter who is enrolled in an elite vampire hunter school. She is brave, strong, and extremely talented with a stake. Quinn Drake has been in the background as one of the older siblings of the Drake family but in this book I got a closer look at this stud. Quinn is an unapologetic flirt who doesn't need to show more do much to gain a girl's affection, even Hunter. But Hunter is torn between who she should be and who she is with Quinn.

The romance between Quinn and Hunter was E-P-I-C. This is not your typical love/hate relationship, it's a 'I was born to kill you' relationship on both sides. But love definitely gets in the way of what these two think they should want and they have to tread carefully as their relationship is a dangerous one.

Aside from the romance, Harvey introduced a twist of mystery. Students in the Helios-Ra Academy are getting sick, and vampires are more prevalent around campus. I was definitely kept on the edge of my seat wondering if they would figure out the villain in time and also if they would finally put aside their differences and be together.

Overall, this was a great book for those who love this series. And if you haven't read any books in the series yet, be sure to check them out! show less

I love the Drake Chronicles. What isn't to love about seven overprotective, really hot, vampire brothers? If you ask the ladies who fall for them (like me), the answer is NOTHING!

The first three books of the series covers under a month and in that time the three younger Drake brothers all manage to snag a really cool girl who kicks butt--literally. Oh, and then their little sister (who they're protective of) also finds a boy. Wow, there is some hot blood in that family! And some hot kissing. Those older four brothers need to get a move on.

A favorite aspect of these books (besides all the wonderful kissing!) is the humor. So funny. I love books that make me laugh, and the Drake brothers do. They really, really do. And Quinn, oh Quinn, show more is so very laugh worthy. He has some great one liners. And he's really hot.

Another thing I like about these books: the world of the vampires--the different vampire families, the evil vampires, the super-duper evil vampires, the vampire hunters, the poor weak humans. There's a little something for everyone. The plots are great, with a nice complete story, but also longer story archs that flow from one book to the next.

Great cameos in this one from previous books. Though Hunter did have most of the story, I would've liked to get inside Quinn's head more.

Fun books! If you haven't read these yet, I'm recommending you do. show less

I continue to read these great books. This is book 3 as you know from the above listing in this series and they all have been very good. This one felt a bit less life ending than the previous two, but that is ok. I enjoyed the fact that Alyxandra Harvey did not over describe everything, that is a huge point for me, there are many scenes in this book that could have been drawn out endlessly but they weren't. Her writing is quick, efficient, and suitably descriptive.

I enjoyed getting to know yet another Drake brother and see some of the other characters I am growing to love. I really like Hunter, she fierce, loyal, and everything a great heroine should be. I enjoyed seeing her take down the over-flirtatious Quinn. Speaking of Quinn, he is show more hot, one of my favorite brothers so far. I am totally seeing a future story between his twin and another hunter, but I won't share.

I was impressed to see that Alyxandra Harvey is getting deeper into the vampire world, minus some of the politics, and she even tortured a character or two, which is never a bad thing. The plot was fast paced, it didn't have a life or death feel that the other books held, but it was still pretty dramatic, and it was life or death, I just didn't feel that way. Also the timeline feels so weird to me, it has only been two weeks from the beginning of the first book to the beginning of the second, everything moves fast fast...I am intrigued to see if Ms. Harvey continues this pattern of short timelines in her books.

I have enjoyed each of these book and can't wait for the next one. They are light, fun, dramatic, and full of fresh vampire mythos for everyone to enjoy. show less