Shadow's Claim by Kresley Cole

Separate from the Immortals after Dark series, the first book in The Dacians series, Shadow's Claim, still maintains continuity of the original IAD storyline, with slight overlap of Cole's last book, Lothaire. While tertiary characters are still working toward the Accession (or immortal end-of-days) the major plot line here focuses on Bettina, heir-apparent to a demonarchy, and the unfortunately timed wakening of vampire Trehan Daciano's heart.

What I appreciate about Cole's books, what has kept me reading, is that they aren't all-powerful Mary Sues. Bettina has flaws. She has past trauma that triggers panic attacks, even though she's an immortal. She's struggling under the hand of an outdated patriarchy, being patted on the head by everyone in her life and is thoroughly frustrated by her lot. Even the seemingly invincible Daciano has his flaws as he wars with an inner nature that he has worked hard to suppress. There's actual conflict between characters, and while yes, it's a romance novel and there's a happy ending, you can't help but feel enmeshed in the strife and wonder how things can be worked out between everyone. That's what keeps me turning pages. That, and tastefully written love scenes with anatomical terms.

This book leaves one loose end to tie up but I'm so glad this book exists, because now means exist to tie up loose ends from previous novels. And this, too,  is something I appreciate in Cole's writing. In approximately 12-13 books, the story has been consistent, and while loose threads have been left in places, they haven't been abandoned. It's one huge story arc, but each book can be read independently without the reader feeling completely lost.

Rated 5 stars on Goodreads