Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher/author through the LibraryThing.com Members Giveaway program. I was asked to post an honest review (though not necessarily a favourable one). The opinions expressed are strictly my own.

A nice urban fantasy, full of intrigue and action and refreshingly devoid of hot-monkey-sex with paranormal hunks.

Some of the characters are just sketched, but the ones that get more screentime are quite complex and the plot is intriguing.

The real pity is that it is very short... ( )

I received a A Victory that Counts, The Impaler Legacy #2 by Ioana Visan through LibraryThing.com.

In A Victory that Counts, Ioana Visan takes her cast of characters to New Zealand where they fight the new breed of vampires. I did not enjoy this book nearly as much as the first one. It is short, there is very little plot, and I found the translation less graceful than the first book, although Ms Visan implies in her acknowledgements that the translator was the same for both.

None the less, I eagerly await #3. ( )

Liana has traveled to New Zealand with her pandurs accompanied by Maximilien and his vampires. She is still not comfortable with the vampires but knows she and her pandurs need them to bring down the new breed vampires coming out of New Zealand in Ioana Visan’s A VICTORY THAT COUNTS, book 2 of The Impaler’s Legacy. Unfortunately someone wants them all out of the way but wants Liana alive. Who is it? What do they want?

The Impaler’s Legacy must be read in order. Each book picks up the story line. It is important to know what has happened to know why they are where they are. That being said, I liked A VICTORY THAT COUNTS. I got a better idea of what is happening but not why. That has yet to be revealed. I like the suspense that continues with book 2 and will run into book 3. I am hooked to find out why Liana is wanted and who wants her. The characters are developing well. I now have a definite feel of their personalities and how they work together with each other. The world building is impressive. We still are waiting for the world to be built. We get it one piece at a time on a need to know basis.

When Liana is hurt I liked the solution to heal her. I also liked how the pandurs and the vampires had to work together to survive. I wonder how this change will play out. Whose prejudices will change? I also wonder about Liana, Jesse, and Max. For me Liana and Jesse are not a couple with strong chemistry between them. They seem more like best friends than lovers. Liana has a very strong personality and Jesse is more accepting, tolerant, and laid back. It does not seem that they have much in common. Liana needs a strong man like Radu or Max who can stand up to her and fight with her. Being that Radu is from her past I do not see that relationship happening. Max could handle her but he is a vampire and Liana hates vampires. We do not know much about Max though so I do not know how that will affect the possibility of a relationship between them.

I look forward to book 3. I want to know if the Little Council can team up with the vampires and destroy the new breeds or if they both will be destroyed. I also want to know who wants Liana enough to destroy everyone else to get her and why do they want her. I have to know with whom she rides off in the sunset. ( )