Find my reviews on Blogger ~ Reviews by Bookish Sarah 
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 *This review contains spoilers for both previously released House of Comarre books!* 
 Bad Blood picks up very shortly after the events of Flesh and Blood. Chrysabelle is still recovering from having her signum stripped from her back by the awful Rennata (does anyone else want to cut this woman? Ugh). BUT - Chrysabelle, ever restless, is ready to venture out and have her signum redone in hopes of paying another visit to the Aurelian - the only person who can tell her the name of the brother she's never met. 
 Mal, despite his many objections to the procedure, accompanies her on the journey to make this happen - which, let me tell ya - is way more complicated than you may think! Part of the problem is having to take a little trip to New Orleans with Mortalis in hopes of retrieving the Ring of Sorrows. Sounds easy enough, right? Not so much, as vampires have been banned from New Orleans for years. Not to mention, who would give up that ring without a hefty price? 
 Meanwhile, the crazy swamp witches are up to no good (of course!). They're torturing poor Doc with their shenanigans as usual, and with a human-vampire baby thrown into the mix - things get about as ugly as they can get. 
 And let us not forget about Creek, who ends up in the wrong place at a very inopportune time. The mayor's daughter has just been murdered, and guess whose arms she lay in as the authorities show up? None other than our mohawk bearing member of the Kubai Mata. Creek pretty much has no choice but to spill the proverbial beans about the otherworldies lurking around, especially since Samhain is right around the corner - and all hell (kind of literally!) is about to break loose. 
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 Bad Blood did not disappoint! 
 Kristen Painter has a knack for making these incredible plot lines run parallel 'til precisely the right moment, when she then weaves them together to complete perfection! Ah, it's one of my favorite things about this series. Such an intricate story. Love it! 
 While I read Flesh and Blood, I loved the idea of Creek and Chrysabelle ending up in some sort of relationship, but, much to my chagrin - that isn't explored anymore in Bad Blood. 
 I have to say I have a new found love for the tortured mess that is Mal. The heated moments between he and Chrysabelle were fantastic in this book. I truly enjoyed the way they interacted with each other after the milestone of admitting what they feel for one another. We get to see a whole new side to both of them in this book. 
 With this installment, Painter has introduced another new round of characters (and killing off others). For me, the most interesting was this enigmatic, paranormal, raven-haired woman that shows up at one point - I am insanely curious about her!! Good, bad? We don't really know. 
 Tatiana is, of course, an ever present pain in the ass. She just keeps on getting the things she wants, and I am really quite ready for her to get what's coming to her! *fist shake* 
 My overall opinion: Bad Blood was fabulous! Everything about it was a plus. I love the intricate and well thought out plot lines. I love the complex and memorable characters. I love the futuristic world full of supernatural elements and creatures. I love the cliffhangers! I just want to crawl inside Kristen Painter's brain and stay there. I was pleasantly surprised to find out there are two more books on their way into the series (looks like Out For Blood is currently scheduled for August 2012, and Last Blood is scheduled for February 2013). It's going to be a long wait, but one that's well worth it. Bring it on! 
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 Favorite quote/excerpt: 
 She looked at him, a wicked smile bending her lush mouth. "How are you not hyperventilating?" 
 "I've never hyperventilated. I don't even breathe, for crying out loud." Hades on a cracker, he wanted to kiss her in the worst way. Literally. With fang. 
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 This book was sent to me from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Much thanks to Hachette Book Group & Kristen Painter.