Kelley Armstrong's talent in transporting the reader into a fantasy world that is simultaneously surreal and tangible is immense – it is physically impossible to not enjoy this book series! This book in particular does nothing but excel as a prime example of fantasy done well. Her characters and their relationships with one another are so easy to become absorbed in. The characters (especially Elena) have just the right mix of heroism, self-hesitancy and kick-assery to make them really stand out from a genre full of Tom, Dick and Harry (Emma, Helen and Bella-) vamps/weres . I would recommend this book to anyone over the age of 16 – the sex scenes are quite graphic (without being pornographic, or gratuitous).