This book opened on such a high note, and I badly wanted to love it so, so much. It has a promising plot: a vampire hunter trying to solve the murder of their parent only to fall in love with the enemy (or enemies). It started off well, building tension between the main characters for an enemies-to-lovers tryst. Then we are introduced to the second love interest who embodies the Mary Sue trope to a T. After that, we are told about their insatiable desire for each other which made me acutely aware that I was reading. In fantasy, I would normally be indulged in the scene that I forget I'm a third person witnessing these events, but this -- this made me feel like I'm holding a boom mic in a set where the actors are told to act but are constantly looking at the camera. It felt uncomfortable and (I'm sorry to say) unconvincing. 

Not to say that there aren't any enjoyable parts of the book. The fight scenes were fun, and there were some scenes with minor characters I looked forward to seeing (Elke, for one). I still don't understand the magic system of this world, but I appreciated how some references to Filipino folklore and culture were sprinkled across the book. 

Overall an okay setup for a series. I would definitely give the second book a try if only to satisfy my curiosity about the political intrigue this has established

Remy's father being the mastermind, the mother being the main instigator, Malekh's grief and how they will resolve it, Remy's real power and identity, more details about the world's lore

, and hopefully an improved reading experience.