This was beautifully and evocatively written. The setting, the situations and the people were so well rendered they were easy to see, feel, even experience. There were so many things done well: the slow burn between the protagonists, Thaddeus being religious and it informing everything he did, Sara being very much a product of his times, their interactions.

With so much skillfully done, the few things done not as well were more easily overlooked. There was a certain lack of tactical thinking, especially from Thaddeus - who's been doing this for tons of years and should be better at it. <spoiler>Thaddeus's plans all seemed to hinge on him being stronger and faster than regular humans and being willing to take tons of damage. That doesn't not count as combat planning. He's willing to be torn up all the time mostly because his religion has convinced him that everything he is -- a gay vampire -- makes him an abomination beyond redemption. It was nice seeing him grow to handle that better.</spoiler> So, they'd most often get their rears handed to them. Then Thaddeus would bull their way free and be a mess until he got fixed up. Also, various scenes with the same theme were repeated too often. Everyone telling Sara he didn't know what he was dealing with and he should stay put and "be safe"; Sara, naturally, getting ticked off at this sort of treatment; Sara going out and into dangerous situations with little forethought. I got to the point where I wanted to slap someone and say, "Okay, so TELL him what he's dealing with -- in detail. TELL him how to fight it. TRAIN him!" Sara does learn things and does find ways to protect himself, but it took too long for me and everyone was just bone-headed at times.

Even saying this I am so glad I read this book and can't wait for the next in the series.