I gave this book 2.5 stars.

This has to be one of the most wishy-washy books I've ever read. Just when you think the book is leading you somewhere, the plot switches over to something else even less engaging. There is a reason I've been reading this book for so long. I've just been having a hell of a time trying to finish it because I just can't get into it.

Our protagonist had so much potential, she was badass and she doesn't take peoples shit. Sadly, the plot of the book was shit. There was one central plot that I didn't really care about and then about 5 other subplots that I cared even less about.

I can't help but feel a deep disappointment from this one.

DNF
I asked for this book for review from Netgalley because I enjoyed the synopsis. Each time I've tried reading this story I'm not able to get past the first 5 chapters, and yes I've tried repeatedly. For me the story just does not flow well so I can't get past the confusion to understand what was going on.

***ARC kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review***
***Thank you***

DNF 16%

Yeah, this book ended up being not for me.

It started out okay, but then there was a jump, things were so different, and I did not understand what was going on. Sometimes it is okay to not understand if there is hope to soon understand, but one of the things I still didn't know 15% in is if the general public knew about vampires or not. This seems like a big issue that should be gradually uncovered, like why the main character left the agency.

There were also so many characters introduced, but not given time to make themselves known, so I would forget who they are or what they are: vampire? human? government? random person?
With all these characters and chapters told from different characters' POV, I still do not know anything about Alex Stone, the main character. I have no opinions about her either way. This is one of those times where I don't like multiple POVs which is rare for me.

I think if the author focused on one or two character POVs and narrowed down the story more, it would be much more entertaining or gripping. I wanted a reason to care about Alex Stone or an action which made me think how much of a badass she is, but all the action thus far was outside the story.

I have to say I am quite disappointed about this one. I expected myself to at least enjoy it considering how exciting the blurb sounds like, but it ended up being the slowest read I've done this year. For a book that promises romance, In Her Blood kind of fell short. Not that I expected it to be full on romance (because I do enjoy a lot of action with a side of romance) but I just can't seem to find any connection, chemistry or even the relationship/romantic development between the two main characters. Out of no where it went from 0 to 100 real fast, and for someone who enjoy insta-love in several occasions, this book still doesn't do for me.

Same goes to the characters, in my opinion. There's just so many things going on that it feels like there is no space for the characters to develop and for the readers to feel attached to them.
Either it's the plot or new characters being introduced, at some point everything just felt so messy and exhausting. I have to actually focus on going back and forth trying to remember characters that was previously mentioned because there's just too many of them!

I don't know if I like or dislike the main character, Alex Stone (love the name though) or her love interest, Jason. The whole book simply fell in the 'just ok' category for me. I do think with less characters and more organised plot line, this book could become something more. I wouldn't recommend this personally but that being said, the book is still worth to try out.

DNF.

I tried and tried and tried and tried to get into this one, but I just can't seemed to get interested enough to continue.
I LOVE vampires, they are my favorite paranormal monster ^^ But it was all too much. To many mystical creatures and places I just lost track of what was what....
And the MC.. #special-snowflake. Really not my kind of girl.
So sorry, but not going to finish.

In Her Blood, (The Dagger Chronicles 1), Janice Jones

Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews

Genre:  Romance, New Adult

Well, its termed Romance so I expected there to be some in the book, but apart from some heated action between Jason and Alex towards the end, that's it for Romance.
Even that feels more like scratching an itch, sex for the sake of it, there's no real closeness, nothing other than lust between them though there are hints Jason might be feeling more. 

 I felt there were too many people, too many plots, and there I'm saying that when I hate the simplified, one plot book that pervades the best seller list.
This though feels like Janice has taken every supernatural concept she ever could come up with, every possible connection and thrown it all together. the Blunderbuss effect, throw it all and hope some sticks. It makes for a messy novel though IMO.

I didn't really like Alex, didn't dislike her, but there's nothing special that I can say I like about her personality. I felt for her, but I didn't understand how she went from A, working as the Dagger for her "father" to B, famous successful business owner. That just doesn't happen without an awful lot of clout.
Then there's all her very useful contacts and people owing her favours. how did that happen, so many powerful people knowing her, owing her?
She spent from 13 to 21 as far as I can see locked away underground unless out on a mission with the rest of the team. After that she's building a base in the human world for her clothing line I assume, so how did she become so close to all these powerful supernaturals. What did she use for funding to build her business?
There's too many unanswered questions for me to believe this could happen that way. 

Jason seemed intriguing when I read the synopsis but I've a horrible feeling he's going to be one of those soft in love types, that become almost emasculated vampires when it comes to their lover ( Think JC from Anita Blake...)
I do wonder how these centuries old vampires survive when a pretty face can make them lose all sense.  

There are irritations too, at one point Jason and Coop are talking and "Jason sat back with a grin and took Amy's water..." Who's Amy? Its only the two of them meeting.
Then later we're told Jason was born 115 years ago. OK - so how come later he's talking to himself "after three centuries of being what I am" - is he 115 or over 300.
The bit about Someone - won't mention a name ( though if you're as confused as me it probably wouldn't matter!) who's recovering and needs...how shall i put it...a certain type of blood, was a step too far for me, really made me feel uncomfortable.
I just don't like reading things like that and it wasn't necessary. shock value writing and not good IMO. 

I've got all the way through and I'm still confused, so many double deals, blackmails, bait and switch, so many hidden agendas, and those playing both sides that I really aren't any wiser now I've finished.
I really, really wanted to like this book but for me its a fail.

Stars: Two, sorry one that I won't be continuing with. I tried, I did finish it but am still lost as to whats actually going on. 

ARC supplied for review purposes by Netgalley and Publishers

overall a good and interesting story. Liked it quite a lot

Whole new take on dhampirs and the part they play in vampire society. This story was very unique, I have not read anything with a similar story line and I read a lot!! Love strong heroines and Alex was definitely one of those, there seems to be a lot of hot alpha males floating around for the love interest, one in particular sticks out, with one or 2 other possibilities stand out. Can't wait to read more, definitely one of the most original story lines I have read in a long time.