I don't know what I was expecting when I started reading this book, I know that I was happily surprised by it. I'm not normally a fan of paranormal stories, but this one hooked me right it. If you're into vampires, witches, snake companions and mysterious love interests then this is the story for you.

One thing I thought was lacking in this story is further expiration of the music and New Orleans aspects. Those are supposed to be a big part of the main character's life, but I feel like they were kind of passed over for the sake of just moving along with things. It feels like there's going to be a sequel or something from the ending of this story, and I certainly hope so, but I'm not sure.

I was drawn to this book by its cover and I was sold when I read that it was a fantasy set in New Orleans, but it didn't live up to its potential. It felt like a very whitewashed idea of dark magic in New Orleans (the two majorly underutilised black characters are described as "black as coal" and "chocolate coloured" and are largely forgotten for a lot of the book - Jude's supposed best friend only appears in a couple of scenes).

The writing felt a bit lazy - it was quite a simplistic fantasy, and some elements were just lifted from history and renamed. The character of Violetta Majstro, a "witch" who tortured and experimented on slaves, is clearly a lazy fictionalisation of Madame LaLaurie.

I just felt that I wanted more from this book. New Orleans is such a rich setting, and the Creole culture and voodoo is such a fascinating subject with a ton of potential for amazing literature, but this wasn't it.

I love a good Urban fantasy, but I have read so many over the years I have become somewhat jaded, there are a lot of copy cat books out there,and its hard to find a totally original one.So am I happy reading this one, oh yea ! I absolutely loved it, what a brilliant place to set a book like this in the very epicenter of magic and all things spooky.Its perfect, so much going on so many original and scary characters and a kick ass likable great female lead.I hope this author is a fast writer because I am assuming the Oliver Twist position and saying ,please,can I have some more......Thanks so much to the publishers and netgalley for an ARC.