The fourth in the Vampire Gene series by Sam Stone.
What I have enjoyed about the series is the mix of historic fiction
with the contemporary and the supernatural element along with the time
travelling elements and magick. It sounds like
a mixed bag but the ideas really work for me and I have found each of
the novels a really good read.
Hateful Heart picks up a short time after the
events of Demon Dance with some news and a new arrival at Rhuddlan
Castle. This initial incident triggers a series of events and adventures
through time with appearances from the Templars and
possibly the Illuminati and a really interesting take on a biblical
story.
I like the way that throughout the series Sam Stone
mixes religion, mythology, magicks and, science to create a universe
that is complex and requires a bit of brain power to keep things
straight. The pace is fast and a lot of incidents
occur, coloured with some very vivid descriptions which don't shy away
from violence when necessary.
I will say I'd worked out some of the plot points
well before the reveals but all that did was make me feel smug that I'd
worked it out.
