Atlanta was always a dangerous city. Now, as waves of magic and technology compete for supremacy, it’s a place caught in a slow apocalypse, where monsters spawn among the crumbling skyscrapers and supernatural factions struggle for power and survival.Blood Heir is a new spin-off series from the best-selling Kate Daniels novels. It takes place approximately eight years after the finale of Magic Triumphs. I was a big fan of the Kate Daniels novels, so I was uneasy if this new series would actually interest me. Aurelia Ryder is Julie's new name as she chose to start a new life with Kate's aunt, Erra. She is no longer the awkward teen who felt out-of-place among the shapeshifters. She is now a 20-something princess who mastered her God-like powers and honed her survival skills. With the blood of Roland in her veins, she looks completely unrecognizable to people except her family.Eight years ago, Julie Lennart left Atlanta to find out who she was. Now she’s back with a new face, a new magic, and a new name—Aurelia Ryder—drawn by the urgent need to protect the family she left behind. An ancient power is stalking her adopted mother, Kate Daniels, an enemy unlike any other, and a string of horrifying murders is its opening gambit.
If Aurelia’s true identity is discovered, those closest to her will die. So her plan is simple: get in, solve the murders, prevent the prophecy from being fulfilled, and get out without being recognized. She expected danger, but she never anticipated that the only man she’d ever loved could threaten everything.
One small misstep could lead to disaster. But for Aurelia, facing disaster is easy; it’s relationships that are hard.
Returning to Atlanta is not a homecoming for Julie. Rather, she is trying to change the ominous fate of her adopted mother. If Kate sees Aurelia, Kate will die. When Julie arrives in the city, she stumbles upon a murder case that involves powerful ancient magic. During her investigation, the past collides with the present. A man that she loved and thought she would never see appears before her eyes. Despite this unexpected reunion, Julie will do anything to keep her mission--and heritage--a secret.
The first few chapters started off slowly, but the plot picked up in action and suspense as other characters from the Kate Daniels world began to appear. I am impressed with how Julie has become a mature woman with her own wits. With more experience, she will become a suitable successor to Kate. The novel also describes what happened to Derek Gaunt, a werewolf protégé of former Beast Lord Curran, after he disappeared from Atlanta. It's hard to believe he's in his early 30s at this point in time. I was caught off guard by the budding romance between Julie and Derek. In fact, I forgot that Julie had a childhood crush on Derek. The difference is they are now adults without insecurities. In other words, they know who they are and what they desire. I am now intrigued by what the authors have in store for these two characters.
Overall, I recommend this novel. Stay tuned for the next novel in the Aurelia Ryder series.
