Post-apocalypse, vampires, orcs - oh my!

You get the impression that the setting for this series is somewhat medieval, though there are very contemporary turns of phrase and ideologies. Some readers need language to match the setting, and I have seen a lot of negative Goodreads reviews based on this element of the book alone - For me, the contradiction didn't matter too much.

Larisa is a somewhat naive young adult and is immune to the illness spreading throughout humankind, decimating the population. She is quite bitter that the Prince she had a secret affair with dropped her in a heartbeat when the Crown landed on his head and he had to make a match society would expect him to. Overall, the environmental state of things is dismal, depressing, and hopeless. Enter Kingsnake. The lord of the vampires (although he kind of isn't) and lord of darkness (sort of - dark places, maybe?). He takes Larisa back to his lands once he learns of her immunity, as the vampires are worried about the plague killing off their food supply. Vampires who feed from the ill end up dying, so this plague is a multi-species pain in the ass.

Kingsnake is his name. Not first or last, just the one name. Like Madonna. It's a weird, kind of lame name for a main character. His brothers are Viper and Cobra (so... bizarre). I feel like the snake theme has a deeper meaning in the story, but the appropriation of snake-theme names is just... cheesy. Kingsnake is a grumpy arsehole. Larisa has him challenging some preconceptions, but she's a unique flower, so he starts to like her.

This story could have done a lot more focusing on the story and a lot less of repetitive inner dialogue about pining/hating on each other (Larissa/Kingsnake). Once the sexual tension snaps, there's a whole lot of sexual activities. While it is nice to have some spice, there is a point where the book should either go down the erotica path, or focus on the story more. I wished for the latter. Kingsnake was a hard character to like. He does stupid, asshole things, and I don't feel he redeems himself. Larisa seems a bit of a flake for continuing to put up with him.

I like the overall world, and potential in this story, so will keep on to book 2.
Ramona Master was a great female narrator; while for my tastes, Michael Ferraiuolo made me imagine senior male characters. His narration made it difficult for me to relate to the characters as the book tried to portray them.

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