Review: Bloodline by Barbara Elsborg

No one can tattoo better than Inigo, a two hundred year old vampire, who works on human and supernatural skins. But he’s never tattooed a faerie and when a bunch of them insist he comes with them to tattoo one of their kind, saying no proves not to be an option. His skin is Oberon, the faerie king, and Inigo fears this will be the last tattoo he’ll ever do.

The moment Micah lands in the faerie king’s bed chamber, he knows the guy is trouble. But if he’s to save his sister and his family, let alone the job he’s paid to do, he has to stay in Faerieland and endure Oberon’s sadism. When he’s thrown into a vampire’s cell, covered in blood, he fears this day will be his last.

This book follows on from Jumping in Puddles - though there is no need to read that one first.

What do you get when you throw a vampire tattoo artist with a penchant for snark in with a gorgeous fairy James Bond?  You get a delightful romp into the land of the fae and an adventure rife with danger, deceit and intrigue.  You get a clever tale of magic and mischief.  And shenanigans!  What more could you ask for?

Even though there were parts that were extremely dark and disturbing you can’t help but consider this a light, entertaining read.  The balance between light and dark is as perfect as a tightrope act.  It all boils down to Inigo.  Inigo is a delight.  He’s a funny, snarky, arrogant horndog.  He also may be a bit messed up in the head.  I mean, he talks to his penis… and it talks back.

“You’re clever as well as a great fuck?”  “Yep, so don’t lose me.”

Though this book may be about fairies and vampires and have a fantastical storyline it also has an emotional maturity that you don’t see very often.  For example:

One thing he did know, keeping quiet and not trying to sort this out would only make things worse.

and

“Don’t push me away because you’re scared.  Do the opposite.  Pull me closer.”

I had so much fun reading this book!  I haven’t laughed this much in a long time.  Between all the snappy comebacks and one liners this was a riot a minute.  There were a few times that made me sad or angry but then something funny would happen to bring me out of my funk.  And the epilogue?  Perfection.

What have I learned with this book?  I’ve learned unicorns are awesome.  That’s what I’ve learned.  Unicorns are King of the Forest.  They also can cure pretty much anything, even zombieism.  We… er, I mean they are majestic beings who are second to none.  See?  Awesome.