Book Review: Isadora, by Ella Frank

Isadora, by Ella Frank
Series: Masters Among Monsters, Book Two
Release Date: January 12, 2016

My Review of Alasdair (Book One) can be found here.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

I received a copy of this novel from the promotion company in exchange for a fair and honest review. 

Blurb:

A TRAGIC BEGINNING…

Isadora Nikitas understands what it means to be betrayed. That lesson was taught to her in the prime of her life, and when she is offered a chance to exact revenge, she finds it difficult to refuse.
Instead, she entrusts her survival to a mysterious vampire known only as Diomêdês, a male who wants nothing in return but to watch over her—in every way imaginable.

Gifted with speed, strength, and immortality, she determines that her life will no longer be governed by the needs and wants of a mere man. She has cowered for the last time, and with her Ancient by her side, she thrives and blossoms into the most formidable female vampire in existence.

But, once upon a time, like all little girls, Isadora believed in love. She believed it because she once had it. So, when it comes along a second time, she knows that it’s possible—but when you love someone, they become your weakness. Unless, in fact, they become your enemy instead…

A MYSTERIOUS PAST…

Fulfilling your life’s prophecy should be empowering. At least, that’s what Elias Fontana always believed. But, as he stands guard over the beautiful vampire he’s taken hostage, his convictions start to crumble. Made to believe by his creators that he and two others have been designed to destroy a dangerous race, he has difficulty connecting his current reality to the woman he once loved.

A TANGLED TALE TO UNRAVEL…

When friends become enemies and enemies become lovers, who can you trust in the webs of lies and despair? And, when your life is at stake and blood has been shed, how much are you willing to sacrifice to fulfill your destiny?

My Review:

There are two ways I can rate and review this novel: either on what it was supposed to be, or on what it actually was.

Let’s start with the former. Based on the blurb, I expected a solid M/F erotic romance, centered on the vampire Isadora (who we were introduced to in the first book, Alasdair). Based on those expectations, I would give this book 3 out of 5 stars.

Now, what the book actually was? A quick survey showed me that the M/F storyline (between Isadora and Elias, or Isadora and Diomêdês) took up less than half of the book. What we got instead was a book dominated by M/M and M/M/M erotica, focusing heavily on Alasdair and Leo from the first book, and Vasilios, Alasdair’s master. There was a side-plot with Isadora and her backstory, and a few lovely hints at Thanos and Paris, the (assumed) main characters of the third book. It was hot, and I would give it 4 out of 5 stars.

Yeah, I made a chart…

So how do I reconcile these? The book was not what I was expecting. I was led to believe this was an M/F erotica by a blurb that solely focuses on the female vampire, Isadora. So I feel lied to, betrayed almost, because there were all of two M/F sex scenes (one of which was really M/F/M), and more M/M and M/M/M scenes than I could count.

I enjoyed the book. I think Ella Frank writes fantastic erotica. This series is dark and twisted and utterly depraved, and I love it. But I really wanted this to be Isadora’s book. I wanted Isadora and Elias’ relationship and passion. I wanted more of Diomêdês, and his deliciously perverse kinks.

Instead, I got more of Alasdair and Leo. And while I love both characters… well, they already had their own book. It was too much for me.

But maybe Ella was banking on her M/M fan-base to be the anchor for this series? In which case, the blurb probably shouldn’t be all about Isadora, y’know?

Buy Isadora on Amazon.com