Book Review: The Renfield Syndrome

The Renfield Syndrome

By:  J.A. Saare

Publisher:  Mundania Press - Now Available

Publish Date:  August 23, 2011

Format:  ARC

Genre:  Urban Fantasy

Series:  2nd book in Rhiannon's Law series; 1st book ~ Dead, Undead, or Somewhere in Between

Recommendation:  What are you waiting for?  Vampires, werewolves, demons, a few ghosts and poltergeists, fighting scenes, love and sex.  What else could you ask for?  Full speed forward with a kick arse woman.  GO GET IT!

Book Synopsis:
Vampires, and werewolves, and demons, oh my.

Rhiannon thought facing off against a deranged child vampire was the most dangerous task she would ever have to undertake, but she's about to discover making a deal with a demon is far, far worse.  Sent forward into another reality, one in which vampires are now dominating nearly extinct humans, she realizes the sooner she returns to her vampire lover Disco, the better.

Unfortunately, time changes a lot of things; including those most trusted around her.  When she's faced with a loss and betrayal unlike any she had ever known, her focus shifts from severing the debt between the demon that wants to kill her, to exacting a revenge that will bring forth consequences she never could have fathomed. But reaching out to the darkness lingering within her, she'll find the strength to push forward despite the circumstances that would see her dead and buried.

After all, when it's all said and done, all that she has left to lose is her soul.

First Sentence:
Rhiannon's Law #22.  You can't lie to yourself, so don't bother trying.

My Thoughts and Summary:
Rhiannon shocked beyond belief, finds herself in a 2112 Hell on Earth version of New York after a deal with the demon Zagan trying to resolve Disco's debt to him.  The sneaky bugger sent her one hundred and one years in the future from her time.  She now has to relay the short message to Disco from Zagan to exonerate her from her deal.  Humans are becoming extinct from the Renfield Syndrome in this future reality were vampires, werewolves, and demons are out in the open and rule over breakable humans.  New York is silent.  Nothing in or on the streets.  The homes are desolate and ransacked, until night falls and the town becomes deadly as sin.  This is a future no one would want for their future children's children.  Zagan comes to Rhiannon again as their is complications with the deal regarding the Amulet and Disco.  Rhiannon has 13 days to give Zagan what he wants or lose her soul.  Werewolves, demons, and ghosts all are after Rhiannon for different reasons in a future that Rhiannon finds is Hell on Earth.

Rhiannon becomes more focused in her ability to see ghosts and talk with them.  Her powers have evolved more here with some unexpected help.  Rhiannon is still the kick arse woman we remember.  She takes nothing laying down, and will gouge out any eyes along the way.  Yet we start to see Rhiannon has a softer side when she starts to realize how much she loves her friends she has, or had.

Rhiannon has so many things happening in this book.  It's fast moving and she never seems to get out from underneath the falling piano.  Everyone wants her for one reason or another; love, mating, to resolve a ghost haunting, or most of all her soul.  And all she wants to do is deliver her message and go home to her love.  But that may not be as easy as she had hoped.

I just have to say Saare takes this series to a new platform with this book.  The first book was a great read for me and it stuck with me long after, even to now.  But this one is beyond that with new pieces to learn; of the new world, and of the vampires Rhiannon loves.  Even the werewolves have things for us to learn.  Oh and the DEMONS!  This book opens up the world greatly.  This book is new and fresh.  This is the wonderful thing with authors who take each book to a new level, to keep the series from becoming boring and stagnate.  This series is far from boring!  This book was a page flipper and kept me wanting more.  This is the way to go with a series, keeping it new all the way.

This book left me feeling okay in the end.  Oh, hell yes I want the next book.  But I'm good with waiting with were we ended here.  It didn't feel like the huge cliffhanger of a lifetime this time.  I want to know what the replications will be!  Also known as The Ripple Effect.


I received this ARC from the author for an honest review.

This book qualifies for the Horror and Urban Fantasy Challenge hosted by Book Chick City.