The Fear of Moncroix

The author offered me a review copy, for which I took far too long to get to, but he was really gracious about it. And honestly, I'm pretty pissed I waited. 
This is a vampire-led dark fantasy that is scifi-linked to the author's other works via the Intercontinents. Regardless of that, on its own, this is one of the most unique novels I've read in years. It has the fast paced, fang-fueled action of Underworld (sans guns), with the backdrop of a completely original fantasy world. Since the fall of the Waywards, the Midlands are said to be safe from the vampires, when really they are the focal point of secret vampiric hunting parties. Not everything—and most definitely not everyone—is as they seem. 
The main character of Davion is both accessible while still being somewhat tainted and morally gray. His hands aren't clean, but he still fights for what's right. A secret potion allows him to blend seamlessly with the vampires, being accepted as one of them, but it also leaves him with the same insatiable bloodlust they suffer from. 
The novel somehow manages to be its own entity while still having this entirely gothic feeling to it. The descriptions of the vampiric court are gaudy and vibrant, while still otherworldly. 
This is a first for me from the author, definitely won't be the last. I need to know more about the wolven race! Personally a 5/5*. 

Vampire crime mystery in a well realised world. The Fear of Moncroix is a fascinating take on economy in world building. Everything here is here for a purpose and you end up with an incredibly strong sense of place, yet the story is remarkably short and self contained. We are introduced at the start to a kind of secret society dedicated to maintaining the balance between the different races/factions in Moncroix. Something goes horribly wrong leaving the Vampires with a dominant position. The bulk of the book is looking at unpacking what actually happened - what hidden conspiracy is at the heart of the failure.

This mystery setting in a vampire court with the inherent darkness of such creatures well realised gives a wonderful murky morality to everything going on. I love the unsuspected farming of humans as a concept, with people from different areas treated as different vintages like in wine... The rules and structure of the vampire court is cleverly defined. The pettiness that entails is well brought in to the story as well. The main issue I had was the way Davion infiltrated the court - somewhat contrived that he manages to rise to such a high position when apparently entering at a moment of great betrayal, and I was never quite able to let that go.

A fun shorter novel that works as a great palate cleanser between the bulkier fantasy epics out there. Enough grit and darkness to get your teeth into as well!