occult

"Laws of the Blood: Deceptions" is my first Susan Sizemore novel ever, and though I came in on #4 of the series, it was surprisingly easy to become engrossed in this dark and seductive world of vampires. "Deceptions" is a gripping tale peppered with sporadic and brutal violence, smart writing, wit, humour, and some kick butt characters! I must add, however, that the story seemed a bit slow to get going, though this may be a byproduct of my coming in on the 4th book in the series. But once the story did get going, I couldn't put the book down. Upon reflection, I think I would enjoy the first hundred pages much more a second time around.

"Deceptions" tells the story of Olympias, an immensely powerful vampire who has long reigned as the Enforcer of Washington D.C. She was once the wife of Phillip of Macedon and mother of Alexander the Great, and her age can be measured in millennia. But Olympias is in for some trouble. A gifted psychic and his team working on a top secret government project are on the verge of discovering the existence of vampires, and it's Olympias's job to make sure they don't. Which normally would be a simple enough matter, only she has fallen in love with the leader of the project, military man Mike Falconer. To make matters worse, Mike is the very same man that one of the baby vampires in the area has chosen for her companion. Add in Olympias's human servant, Sara, questioning her master's choices and becoming dangerously preoccupied with a suicidal vampire, and things are starting to get uncomfortable for Olympias.

And into this scene rife with unrest has walked a very dangerous man, Roger Bentencourt. He's the companion of one of the local nest leaders and he bears a deadly grudge against Olympias. Determined to bring about Olympias's destruction, he'll use every problem and frustration to his own advantage. And while Olympias is preoccupied by her complicated romance with Mike Falconer and dealing with a dozen situations begging for her attention, Bentencourt may just succeed!

"Deceptions" is fast-paced, exciting, and entertaining. The characters are strong and well developed and I really grew to like both Olympias and Falconer. Olympias's much-loved hellhound, is wonderful, and is one of my favourite characters! This book is not for the faint of heart, but Sizemore has created a fascinating and original society of vampires, known as the Strigoi in this series, that vampire fiction and fantasy fans will NOT want to miss. "Deceptions" is compelling, riveting, and sometimes shocking fare, and I, for one, loved it. I'd like to see Olympias get a second book, as she most certainly deserves, if not demands one! So read this book, it comes highly recommended.

She was the mother of Alexander the Great and Philip of Macedon's queen. She saw the rise and fall of Greece and Rome and other civilizations lost to the dust of time. Her name is Olympias and her age can be measured in millenniums but she prefers to live in the present where she is the Chief Enforcer of Washington DC. She insures that all vampires in her domain obey the laws of the council and keep their identities hidden from the mortals living along side them.

Olympias is going through the motions of her job, but she is not really paying any attention to the beings that are dissatisfied with her actions. Her "slave" Sarah wants her mistress to pay more attention to her, while a vampire's companion sets in motion a plan that will topple Olympias from power, and a black ops government backed psychic group is on the verge of discovering that vampires actually exist. To complicate matters even more the Enforcer is attracted to the head of the psychic group, a man whose vampire father lives in Olympias' territory.

Every book in this series seems better than the previous highly regarded predecessors as Susan Sizemore continues to develop the culture of the vampire society. The heroine of this novel has earned a sequel and the audience deserves learning the fate of some of the likable characters in LAWS OF THE BLOOD: DECEPTIONS. There are so many exciting subplots that tie into the main story line that readers will want to read this book more than once, but each time in one sitting.

Harriet Klausner

Deceptions is a wonderfully entertaining novel, in many ways the best of the first four books in Susan Sizemore's Laws of the Blood series, yet there a few aspects of the story that weaken it a little bit, in my own estimation. I actually think the author had a little too much fun writing such an obviously crowd-pleasing novel, and this led her to extend the magic of coincidence just a little too far. There is more than enough exciting action to be found in these pages to make up for any flaws, however.

Deceptions takes us to Washington, D.C., always a dangerous place. This turf belongs to Olympias, ancient vampire and exceedingly powerful Enforcer of the laws; not only does she have to keep the local population of blood-suckers at bay, she has the added task of making sure no one in the government learns about the actual existence of her kind. After centuries of exercising vast power, she has begun to slip a little, entrusting a lot of authority (not to mention work) to her slaves, especially her secretarial slave Sara. Olympias has chosen a bad time to start nodding at the wheel because Roger Bentencourt, the Companion of a local vampire, is bent on revenge and the acquisition of power without having to wait around for his eventual transformation from vampire's Companion to actual vampire. Bentencourt sets in motion a plan to turn the local nests against Olympias, culminating in what should be unthinkable - usurping her power and replacing her with one of their own (one whom Bentencourt knows he can manipulate and control). Olympias indirectly plays into the usurper's hands by ordering all of the nests out of the territory and seemingly stealing a young fledgling's chosen mate. Bentencourt is slick, gaining influence over members of Olympias' own slave nest as well as some special humans who enter the picture. Michael Falconer leads a group of Watchers (men and women who practice something akin to remote viewing), and Falconer finds himself in the middle of a vampire mess when a young vampire seeks to make him her Companion, after which point Olympias takes a very strong interest in him. The inclusion of the Watchers into the story adds a new and fresh element to events that works quite well. As if all of this isn't distraction enough for Olympias, the presence of a suicidal vampire makes things even more interesting.

There is a lot of exciting action throughout this book, and several nice touches that play well and add originality to Sizemore's vision. I just thought there were a few too many coincidences for my blood; the very source of Bentencourt's hatred for Olympias is rather laughable, and there is another highly coincidental plot point I won't mention for fear of giving something away. I also have trouble accepting the fact that a vampire Companion, no matter how smart he might be, could hide his nefarious intentions from a number of incredibly psychic vampires - that is the major sticking point for me. Characters also have an annoying habit of engaging in flirtatious dialogues in the midst of trouble with a capital T. Still, you will find some of Sizemore's most fascinating characters in Deceptions, with Olympias assuming the distinction of being my favorite character of the series up to this point. Whatever qualms I have about the story, there is no denying this is a book that can deliver loads of entertainment to the reader.