Miranda Grey is a gifted musician who can manipulate emotion. Her mind is a fragile thing. It picks up pieces of people’s thoughts and fears, bombarding her from all angles with the sheer power it. Because of this, she’s become a recluse and a bit of an alcoholic. One horrible night changes everything. She’s abused, violated, and taken to safety by a strange man who claims to be able to help her control her powers.

David Solomon is the Prime of the South. He leads his vampires with strength and understanding. His outlawing of the killing of humans hasn’t been popular, to say the least. In the midst of his struggle to police the vampires in his area, he finds himself absorbed with the fragile, fragmented Miranda. It isn’t just her power that calls to him—it’s everything about her. He knows she isn’t ready for what he wants, but he can’t help but fantasize about what life would be like with Miranda by his side.

When matters escalate, David fears for Miranda’s safety. Traitors are in his midst, so he sends her away, foolishly thinking it will keep her safe. What he doesn’t realize is that, in his care, Miranda developed an inner strength that refuses to be coddled. With or without David, she vows to never be a victim again.

One of my favorite lines from Queen of Shadows occurs midway through the novel. Miranda is beginning to evolve, but her old patterns are hard to overcome. This is a small example of the emotion and self-deprecating humor Dianne weaves into every scene of this novel, but I think it shows just how much of a punch she packs: “If I asked, would you kill me?” she whispered to the empty bathroom, “How would I taste? Like a sad little girl? Or am I damaged goods now?”

I feel it’s important to mention a scene near the beginning of Queen of Shadows that may bother certain readers. Rape is a delicate subject that some readers, understandably, do not wish to read about. What happens to Miranda is horrible. She isn’t just raped, she’s defiled by multiple men in an alleyway. What’s worse is that she knows it’s going to happen and she can’t stop it. It’s a pivotal piece of the plot and helps Miranda break out of her psychosis and become all she can be. It’s also extremely disturbing. Don’t be discouraged when you reach this point. If it’s something you wish to skip, do so, but know this: there is happiness for Miranda. There is joy. There is a better life waiting for her.

Queen of Shadows plucked at my heart strings in a smooth rhythm of fear, mistrust, and love. It detailed the maturation of a woman living in the bottom of the barrel. Miranda’s pattern of self-loathing and despair was, thankfully, chiseled away by a hero I could really sink my teeth into. He was alpha, but not an ass, caring, but not a doormat, and just foolish enough to think he could fight his feelings. Watching the romance between Miranda and David develop was a treat. Watching Miranda become a true warrior woman was the icing on the cake. There were a few events at the end that tied up too neatly, but I have faith Dianne will expound upon them in the next novel.

Book Stats:

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Ace (August 31, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0441019250
• ISBN-13: 978-0441019250

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Books in the Shadow World Series in the order they should be read:
Queen of Shadows