Writing in first-person effectively is, I suspect, something of an art and Jennifer Armintrout has mastered it in The Turning, the first book in the Blood Ties series.
I’ve not read any of Ms. Armintrout’s books before, but this one came recommended from a friend. I have to say, I was impressed with the smooth flow of her heroine’s stream of consciousness. If any book could be a gliding read, this one was. I slipped from chapter to chapter with out even realizing I’d done so.
The Turning tells the story of Dr. Carrie Ames conversion to a vampire. She is a doctor working in an ER when a chance encounter with a horrifically injured vampire results in her “turning.” Confusion over what she’s facing lands her on the doorstep of the sexy vampire Nathan Grant, a vampire hunter working for the “Movement.” The Movement is a vampire organization dedicated to keeping the vampire population streamlined, weeding out the ones who kill and turn others at will.
Nathan and Carrie are an interesting pair. They are attracted to one another, but they both fight it, each for their own reasons. Unfortunately, Nathan’s job complicates matters further as he is required to kill her unless she joins the Movement. Amidst their give and take, Carrie must fight her “blood tie” to her sire, Cyrus, a handsome but cruel vampire given to every imaginable excess, and bitter enemy of Nathan. The “blood tie” is a highly seductive bond, compelling a level of intimacy that is enviable. Unfortunately, with Cyrus, it’s not something really desirable.
Unlike so many characters in books, Ms. Armintrout’s are multi-layered. They are neither wholly good, nor wholly bad. Even the most villainous characters have moments where you are stirred to feel at least the most basic of human compassion. You find yourself pulling for their redemption because you can see their humanity even through their perversion. Because of that dynamic, there are scenes in The Turning that I found both uncomfortable and oddly compelling to read. I honestly wanted these characters to change and be made whole again, their humanity restored. Perhaps, it’s my firm belief in spiritual redemption that made me want that so much. I would certainly love to hear other’s thoughts on the book and see if they felt the same and why.
The Turning is an excellent book, but readers should take care that you may find yourself conflicted over the emotions it stirs in you. And, there are also a few gruesome scenes that are not for the faint of heart. If you stick with it, however, there’s a breathtaking scene later on between Carrie and Nathan that almost moved me to tears. That scene alone is worth reading the whole book – but there’s a catch. You MUST read all that comes before that scene to understand its import for the characters, and for you, the reader.
Have you read The Turning? If so, feel free to leave a comment and let us know what you think.
» Read my review of Possession, Book Two of the Blood Ties series
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