Book Review: Blood Gamble by Melissa F. Olson

Blood Gamble
Author: Melissa F. Olson
Series: Disrupted Magic (Book 2)
Publication: 47North (July 25, 2017)

Description: If there is one city that Scarlett Bernard hates, it’s Las Vegas. But when the cardinal vampire of Los Angeles convinces her to go investigate a new vampire-themed stage show, Scarlett quickly finds herself shoulder-deep in sequins, slot machines, and Old World intrigue.

The show’s creators are vampire celebrities Arthur and Lucy Holmwood, who once inspired characters from the original Dracula. Now, however, they have no qualms about announcing their true status to the human world, endangering the secrecy of the Old World and Scarlett’s mission to keep it hidden.

But before she can begin untangling the Holmwoods’ motives, Scarlett also discovers that their new production has attracted more than just fans: Las Vegas’s many vampires are suddenly disappearing, and rumors are flying that actual vampire hunters may have followed Arthur and Lucy to town.

Now, without her allies, her bargest, or her frequent partner Jesse Cruz, Scarlett must navigate a new underworld of secrets and murders in a city where nothing is ever as it seems. And the stakes have never been higher.

My Thoughts: In this adventure, Scarlett is pressured to go to Las Vegas to investigate a new stage show that seems to be outing vampires and their abilities. Her cover is a girls' weekend with her new sister-in-law and the other women of the bridal party. Scarlett isn't at all in favor of putting her sister-in-law and the other women in danger. Now she not only has to investigate but keep the humans safe too.

When she arrives in Las Vegas she finds that the show is being set up by two vampires - Arthur and Lucy Holmwood - who have been vampires since the days Dracula was written. They are vampire celebrities. Along with Arthur and Lucy is Jameson Thomas, a null that Scarlett met when Dashiell sent her to New York to see how other cities work. Jameson was under the control of the Master vampire of New York and had been his since he was twelve.

Jameson and Scarlett began a relationship but Scarlett's life was such a mess that she couldn't pursue the relationship. Now Jameson in in Las Vegas and their relationship grows despite his constant urging that she forget the investigation and leave town. This isn't a bad idea since skinners - people who hunt and kill Old World people - have come to town and are killing vampires.

Soon, Scarlett learns that a number of vampires have gone missing and she meets Wyatt whose partner Ellen is one of the missing. Wyatt's goal is to kill those who killed her and then have Scarlett help him die.

This story is filled with action as Scarlett investigates the disappearances of the vampires and has run-ins with the skinners too. There is romance and intrigue, love and betrayals, and lots of growth opportunities for Scarlett who is changing and coming into her own more with each book.

Fans of urban fantasy and Scarlett won't want to miss this episode and will be hoping for more.

Favorite Quote:

"The Old World system is full of cracks. You are the champion of all the people who fall through those cracks. And that's okay, Scar. This is who you were always supposed to become, if you hadn't gotten sidetracked by that psycho Olivia. Even I can see that, and I'm supposedly on the outside of all this."

I received this one in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.