I read this book after Hunting Midnight, which is the 2nd in the series. This story centers around Gillian, who is mentioned quite often in the 2nd book, so I enjoyed finding out more about her, though I wish Id read this one first as you also find out a bit more history about some of the other major characters.
Gillian comes to the pack as a young girl of 10 years old, whose mother and brother are in the death grips of the plague sweeping the country. She is adopted by the upyr pack and grows to become a strong upyr, partially because she had the some natural gifts, such as the gift of sight, to begin with. Unfortunately, Gillian feels unfulfilled and eventually leaves the cave and protection of the upyr to explore the human world. As a shapeshifter, she finds her familiar in a falcon, but is then captured by a kind falconer named Aimery Fitz Clare whom she eventually falls in love with.
Like bookrabbit, who lent me Hunting Midnight, I think I liked that one a little bit better than this one though not by much. And though the 2nd book expanded on some of the history of the characters, there was certainly enough information given about the major characters in that book (with the exception of Gillian since she was part of that book in word only) so that you didnt feel lost if you started the series there.
I did like the magic in the story and Gillian's internal battle to do what is right and remember the human aspect of life. I liked her relationship with the bird, Princess. Aimery's character was also Very likable and you wanted to cheer for him.
