Review: Deceived – Stephanie Nelson

Deceived by Stephanie Nelson
Series:  Gwen Sparks #2
Release Date:  December 21, 2011
Publisher:  
Page Count / File Size:  1059kb
Source:  Amazon, via my own wallet
Buy the book at: Amazon 

The vampire drug, brew, nearly ruined Gwen Sparks’ life. Just when things started to get back to normal between her and Aiden, she is summoned by the North American Witches Council to their central city of Moon. A war is imminent between vampires and witches, and Gwen’s experiences with brew are being used to fuel the fire. She is about to discover just how powerful she is with the help of the ruggedly handsome Angel of Death and just how far some people will go to get what they want. Gwen is going to learn exactly what it means to be Deceived.

Gwen’s been called to Moon, the city where the NAWC make their home, as the Witches Council decide to take matters into their own hands over Brew (a highly addictive vampire “drug” which puts witches in harms way since it’s their blood that’s the drug).  Head of the Council, Holly, has decided it’s time for Gwen to come into her power so she can be the Council’s “secret weapon”.  This means Gwen must train with the Angel of Death, Dorian, to fully discover what it means to be a spirit walker.

If you read Craved (book 1 in the Gwen Sparks Series), we met a Gwen Sparks who was trying to heal her broken heart and live a somewhat normal life.  In Deceived, Gwen is torn between her desire to help the Witch Council rid the Brew issue and the Council’s edict that all vampires are bad and must be eradicated.  Considering her boyfriend is Adrian, a 600+ year old Italian vampire, that edict causes issues.  Her other issue is being used as a “Secret Weapon” for the council.  In addition to those pretty big issues, she also has a hard time dealing with the change in her and Fiona’s relationship and her attraction to Dorian.

As a reader, it’s almost like all of Gwen’s emotions leap off the pages at you.  Those emotions make it easy for you to connect with her and become engrossed in the storyline.   She stands up for herself, is willing to go out on a limb for a cause she believes in and calls people on their BS when it’s getting a little deep.  She also someone who takes her powers for granted.  It’s refreshing to see her question why she should do something, just because she can.  For Gwen alone I would love this series.

But Gwen isn’t the only character that will draw you in.  Adrian and Dorian both engage the readers at an emotional level.  Adrian’s feelings for Gwen are always right in front of you and while he may not always take the best path when trying to cement his relationship with Gwen, you always know what he feels for Gwen.  Dorian on the other hand tries to mask his feelings, but when he does make them know you have to wonder how anyone can deny him. 

Council drama, vampire politics, eradication of a shared enemy and the ultimate betrayal round out the plot to this second installment.  It’s witty, edgy,  and emotional read.   It will wrap you in the world of Gwen Sparks from the very first paragraph and make it almost impossible to put down.