ARC Review: Out for Blood by Kristen Painter

Out for Blood by Kristen Painter
Book #4 in the House of the Comarré series
Publication Date: 30 Oct 2012
ARC Provided by Netgalley and Orbit

Christal’s Review – 4 Skulls – B+

OUT FOR BLOOD is the fourth book in the House of Comarré series and I really enjoyed it.  The pace was quicker, the POV changes were handled more smoothly, and the plotlines were integrated much better.

Chrysabelle has had the Ring of Sorrows melted down and stitched into her skin as signum.  It is giving her some odd powers, but she is still more concerned about searching for her brother.  At least she has a lead now; she believes it is Damian, the comar kidnapped by Daciana and Tatiana.  He just happens to be in the same place as the half-vampire child, Lilith.  The KM are determined to have the child and they are not above forcing Chrysabelle to retrieve her.

At the beginning of the book, I was worried that Mal and Chrysabelle’s relationship had devolved, but Ms. Painter quickly turned it around and finally gave us the smoochies we had been waiting for.  I really enjoy Mal and Chrysabelle as a pair; they work well together and are dedicated to one another.  I loved seeing them both finally admit to their feelings.  There were some really beautiful moments between the two of them in this book.  The ending was a complete game changer though and I already cannot wait for the next book.

Fi and Doc were sweet together as always though I don’t think their story has finished playing out.  I feel like there will still be repercussions from the events in this novel and especially from the mate fight in the arena.  I can’t wait to see how Doc develops as pride leader.

I’m not sure I see how Yahla was really necessary for the plotline, but I am happy that a new KM section chief has been appointed at the very least.  A basilisk, who would have guessed?  Creek’s role here was somewhat minor, but I think he will have a much bigger role to play in Paradise City in the next book.  Even though Creek wasn’t himself when he was dealing with her, I really came to hate the mayor and the actions she took in this book.

We see a new side to Tatiana as she takes care of Lilith.  She’s almost, dare I say, compassionate.  You begin to feel bad for her because it seems like all she wants to do is protect her family (her, Lilith, Octavian, and Daci).  Then she’s back to her ways and you don’t feel sorry for her anymore.  I think she has become a more complex villian here and in the previous book, but I bet we haven’t seen anything yet.  She’s going to be a force of pure vengance in the next book.

Overall I was pretty satisfied with this entry into the series.  That ending was a complete killer though.  I cannot wait to get my hands on the next book, LAST BLOOD, to find out what happens with Chrysabelle and Mal and their increasingly complicated relationship.

Thank you to Netgalley and Orbit for providing an ARC copy of this book!

Rating: ☠  ☠  ☠  ☠  ☠ 

Series Reading Order:
0.5. Forbidden Blood (e-novella)
1. Blood Rights
2. Flesh and Blood
3. Bad Blood
4. Out for Blood
5. Last Blood (Expected publication: 2013)

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