3.5 stars 
 This book is on the verge of awesome but never quite reaches the best of its potential. 
 The characters are interesting, original but they are as bold as the beginning as they are fade by the end. 
 Also, in the first half of the book the plot is rich and tight but in the last third the conflict resolution is too slow and lacks the boldness I expected after such a bold start. 
 The world building is interesting, and I don't mind that it's not more developed. However, I find that I don't like that there are many potential inconsistencies (potential because I want to believe that if the book had been longer, the author would have given an explanation that made sense). 
 For example (view spoiler)[ if a vampire must turn a man for companionship when he tires of the thrill of eternity, then what happens to the person who turned him for companionship? Does he die? Is he discarded to give place to a new companion? Let's look at Theo, Merrick's friend: where is the companion we are told he took? Why do we never hear of him? How can we believe in the intensity of Merrick and William bond when Theo's bond seems forgettable? Another thing: if each time vampires feed they HAVE to kill their prey, how come Merrick or Theo didn't kill William? And if they can feed from animals, why does Merrick, who feels so much guilt at killing humans, not feed from animals only? Etc. (hide spoiler)] 
 This book could have been a five stars, now it's just one good book among others. This author can clearly do wonders.