Review: The Renfield Syndrome by JA Saare

The Renfield Syndrome
Book 2 in the Rhiannon Law series

Author: JA Saare
Publisher: Mundania Press
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Release date:  August 23, 2011
Author's website:  JA Saare

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 has 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. By 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.

The Renfield Syndrome is one of those books that is hard to write a review for. There's not a whole lot that can be said in the review without giving away some major plot points within the book. I personally don't like writing spoilers in my reviews because I like other readers to find out for themselves what happens in a book. So I'm going to try to skirt around the major things that happen all while trying to give my point of view about the book.

For those that have read book 1, we know that Rhiannon ends up in the future and we know that this poses complications for our heroine. Just when she's finally happy in her life with her vampire boyfriend Disco (I LOVE YOU DISCO!) she's transported to the 101 years into the future.  The future is a desolate place due to the Renfield Vaccine and nothing is what is was.  Since trouble seems to love Rhiannon, it doesn't take long for it to find her in the form of a vamp.  After others arrive and come to her aid, Rhiannon is taken to where they live and from there she learns more about what has happened.  It's at this time that Rhiannon must be strong because she doesn't know who she can trust, or if she will get back home.  There were some emotional scenes that had me tearing up as Rhiannon thinks back to her life in the past.  Her character has quite the journey in this book and I just couldn't wait to read what would happen next.  JA Saare did a great job getting into Rhiannon's head and translating that onto a page.  I for one love this character even more because of all she had to endure and because of her internal strength.

Like I said in the previous paragraph, I don't want to give anything away.  But what I can say is that we are introduced to some new characters and get the chance to read about some that were in book 1 in the series.  Carter is a new character that was introduced and I thought he was very intriguing. (Yes I liked him a lot!) I hope the JA Saare plans on putting his character into one of the future books.  I think he would make a great ally and I would love to get to know his character better.  We also get to read more about our favorites from book 1 and all I can say is...OMG!  Seriously.  Disco, Paine, whom I absolutely LOVE in this book, and Goose are unforgettable characters that are even more intertwined with Rhiannon's life in this book.  

 I'm giving The Renfield Syndrome a rating of:

I think The Spinecracker said it best in her review when she wrote that this is the way to write the 2nd book in a series!   I was completely enthralled with this book as I was reading it and read the whole thing at one sitting.  I managed to tune out my entire family that day because I was transported into the future right alongside Rhiannon.  I felt as if I was there and once again I will say that it's all because of the awesome writing of JA Saare.  The twists and turns in the plot will have you weepy one moment, then laughing, then gasping, then swearing because you can't believe what you just read on the page.  Most people know that I've a huge fangirl of the author since book 1 and this book will make you one too!  It is one of my favorite Urban Fantasy series and if you're new to reading it, make sure you read book 1, Dead, Undead, Or Somewhere In Between first before you start on this one to make sure you get the necessary info to know what is going on.  

Check out my 5 Hints of The Renfield Syndrome by JA Saare here as well as info on where to purchase the book!  Link