I have serious mixed emotions about this book as well as the series. 
 I will start with the bad of the book and the series as a whole. The inconsistency of the characters. 
 These Fledgling and Vampires are living on their own, taking care of themselves and others; seen death, destruction, bloodshed, sexually active, and by the premise of the series, out to save the world from evil. Within this book there was serial murder, slavery, countless sex (albeit not explicit) Neferet taking the White Bull as a consort (beastiality) While Aurox watches(voyeurism) Aurox debating rape, and extreme violence. So please enlighten me to why these people act like preschool children on crack when they are in groups of more then 2? 
 Chapter 2 scene 1 just about did me in. I wanted to never lay eyes upon this book... EVER! The Short school bus. It was made into a huge production of monumental proportions. WHY? The words *retard* *Twin* *Accoutrement* was written so many times I wondered if we misplaced our thesaurus. Then Damien said the word redundant in correlation to the word mean. I just about screamed. I am not sure if this was meant to be funny, if so it fell flat, leaving me beyond irritated. REDUNDANT was a definite theme. 
 My point: When the character where by themselves or dealing with one or two other characters they acted their age or older perhaps. The story was enjoyable during these times, thrilling, captivating even. But then all hell would break loose and I would just skip and try not to have my eyes land on the page that was a riot, a literal riot. The mock swearing, one page had the actual words written while another was slang. If you can have sex, kill people, and run a school as a High Priestess you sure as shit do not say BULLPOOPIE! It was as if the author handed over the dialog writing to someone in preschool, nah, even they wouldn't write that mess. I call these scenes the SideKick Riots. Every time the sidkicks appeared I cringed inside. I actually wanted the TWINS to disintegrate into ash, but alas the sun does not affect the blue fledgling vampires in that manner. 
 ******Thank the Goddess****** 
 The Twins broke up. Nyx, I send a special prayer your way for giving us our sanity back. Thank You!! 
 *genuflect before Nyx* 
 The storyline and premise are solid, loaded with twists, turns, and budding romance. The feel of the story is dark and slightly depressive as our heroes try to have good overcome evil. When the story is in effect(not filler time) the Characters are smart, witty, complex, and strong. I can even relate to the so called bad guys. I like how dark and light are not inherently described as good and evil, but as a delicate balance. I like the concept of the white versus Black Bull. In actuality the premise is very solid, original, and inventive. 
 My Verdict: 5***** on the story! 
 1* on the character development. 
 3*** stars overall. 
 I think the authors are trying to lighten the dark feel of the subject matter with the inane chatter of the sidekicks. But it doesn't work. It comes off as improv comedy. The characters end up looking as if they have multiple personalities that are highly rude, childish, and obnoxious. This is all detrimental to the series. I, a long time fan almost didn't get past the short bus scene. The story was worth it. But, why must the authors torture us. 
 Overall I feel frustrated *Yanks Hair out* 
 If I hear or see the words TWIN or RETARD in the near future it will be too soon. BTW, P.C. Cast, your PC-ness is sorely lacking in regards to the handicapped! 
 Side note: Unless you are dealing with a squirming rosey cheeked toddler do not ever use the word *giggle* in your dialog. I will have the Goddess smite you for it, I am not jesting!