Frequently I am intrigued with a book’s concept only to be disappointed in its execution. With everybody and their sister writing vampire stories these days it’s difficult to find something that stands out without fizzling or going off the rails completely. I am pleased to say that for me the latest instalment in the Tudor Vampire Chronicles delivered on its promise of originality.

In 1537 in the court of King Henry VIII, vampires are a real threat. The Llewellyn line of Welsh Druids holds the honor and duty of guarding the king against this threat. With her brother Jasper injured, it has fallen to Verity Llewellyn to protect the king and his current queen Jane Seymour. It is a duty Verity takes seriously, especially in light of the fact that Queen Jane is expecting a child the king hopes will become his heir.

But Verity is not a particularly adept vampire slayer. She lacks the skill possessed by her predecessor, her cousin Rosalind. Rosalind is unable to attend the court now however due to family obligations, so she dispatches family friend and vampire slayer Rhys Williams. Verity has held a fondness for Rhys since they were children in Wales and even as the pair uncover danger lurking in the royal court they are drawn closer together.

Verity and Rhys work well as a team even though there is considerable friction between them throughout the story. Most of this stems from Verity’s belief that she is second best to her cousin Rosalind, whom Rhys pursued until Rosalind’s husband Christopher captured her heart. Verity’s feelings of inferiority grew a bit tiresome for me, though she had plenty of justification for her feelings. I really liked Verity and wanted her to believe in herself and come into her own as a slayer. Her transformation from insecurity to confidence was a joy to read.

The atmosphere of the story also hit just the right tone for me. I enjoyed the juxtaposition of the manners and civility of life in the English royal court with the down and dirty fights that break out between the vampires and the slayers. The historical detail felt authentic enough to make me think, “Maybe Anne Boleyn really was a vampire…”

In large part the threat to the royal family involves the new Big Baddie on the scene whose identity remains a mystery until the final chapters. I have to give kudos to Ms. Pearce as the revelation caught me completely by surprise. Fair warning though: The novel concludes with a cliffhanger of sorts. Though the romance is self-contained with an HEA, the storyline will likely continue through subsequent volumes in the Tudor Vampire Chronicles. I know I will be looking forward to reading other entries in this series and more from Kate Pearce.