BLOOD EX LIBRIS

An American woman falls into a romance with an immortal vampire in Belasco’s supernatural series starter.

Librarian Anushka “Noosh” Rossetti, who aspires to be a digital archivist, leads a quiet small-town life as a librarian.She’s soon intrigued by a handsome, long-haired Romanian man named Alexandru “Sandu” Solin, who shows up during children’s reading hour. She and Sandu hit it off at a local late-night cafe, where he eventually admits that he’s better known as Vlad the Impaler—a centuries-old vampire, or “am’r,” as his kind call themselves. He and Noosh share blood as part of their ensuing intimacy, and before long, she becomes an am’r-nafsh—a still-mortal vampire who will turn into an am’r if she dies. A serious situation back in Sandu’s home country demands that he return to Romania; Noosh goes, too, as she’s the ideal person to archive am’r history. It’s also a great opportunity to meet countless other am’r, including Sandu’s rival from when they were both mortals. Noosh soon lands in the middle of this rivalry, which puts her in serious peril. Belasco’s leisurely tale introduces an unexpectedly laid-back protagonist; Noosh tends to take things at face value and believes nearly everything Sandu tells her, no matter how incredible it may sound. She’s quite charming but also comes off as reckless, as she doesn’t even think to ask about potential disease until after she ingests Sandu’s blood. The two engage in graphic sex scenes that may unnerve some readers, mostly due to details about blood drinking. However, much of this sharply written series entry involves exposition, including Sandu’s and other backstories; the debunking of vampire myths; and all the changes that Noosh can anticipate in the future. The latter half showcases a savvier Noosh, as she notes downsides to being “basically superhuman” and starts doubting Sandu. There’s plenty more for Noosh to learn, which will provide readers with great incentive to check out further installments.

An unhurried vampire tale with meticulous worldbuilding, a dynamic protagonist, and plenty of blood.