Iron Night by M.L. Brennan

Title: Iron Night
Author: M.L. Brennan
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Series: Generation V #2

Mass Market Paperback, 305 pages
Publication: January 7, 2015 by Roc

Source: Purchased for my own reading.

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Underemployed by day. Undead by night.

Underachieving film theory graduate and vampire Fortitude Scott may be waiting tables at a snooty restaurant run by a tyrannical chef who hates him, but the other parts of his life finally seem to be stabilizing. He's learning how to rule the Scott family territory, hanging out more with his shapeshifting friend Suzume Hollis, and has actually found a decent roommate for once.

Until he finds his roommate’s dead body.

The Scott family cover-up machine swings into gear, but Fort is the only person trying to figure out who (or what) actually killed his friend. His hunt for a murderer leads to a creature that scares even his sociopathic family, and puts them all in deadly peril.

Keeping secrets, killing monsters, and still having to make it to work on time? Sometimes being a vampire really sucks.

Iron Night is another strong and solid novel in the Generation V/American Vampire series, and it is even better than I expected. Iron Night picks up a few months after the first book with Fort still in transition to become a full vampire and learning the 411 on all things paranormal from his brother, Chivalry. Things are going good for Fort; he has a stable job as a waiter and a pretty awesome roommate this time around. But then one night he finds his roommate dead in his bedroom, obviously murdered by something nonhuman. As usual Fort’s family wants to cover up the murder so the supernatural community isn’t at risk, but Fort is determined to do everything in his power to find his friend’s killer. And what Fort and Suzume discover is worst than anything they can imagine.

Brennan expands her unique world-building as readers learn more about the vampires, kitsunes, and this time around elves. From the first book, it was known that Fort was different from his older siblings but readers didn’t necessarily know why/how. We finally know why! I kind of suspected it, but wasn’t sure till Madeline told Fort how Chivalry and Prudence’s transition differed from his and the steps she took to make her children better than the last…especially after what happened to Madeline’s first daughter who died in England. Readers also learn a bit more about the Kitsunes and what happens when one is pregnant. Then there are the elves (faeries). Brennan elves are similar to other faeries in the sense that they look extremely beautiful and somewhat unnatural but underneath they’re selfish, cruel and have a mean set of sharp incisors. And like Brennan takes on vampires, the elves background was just as fascinating and somewhat disturbing with all the inbreeding going on. While these main sups played a bigger role, there were also trolls, witches, skinwalkers and changelings/halfies mentioned that added to the ever-expanding world.

Fort definitely did a lot of growing from the end of the last book and throughout Iron Night. He is stepping out of his comfort zone and doing what needs to be done when it comes to protecting his friends, family and the innocents. Fort has more of a leadership role and doing a lot more of the decision making this time around. I mean, even Prudence is taking orders from Fort! And readers who already read this series know how scary and deadly Prudence is. Fort’s gradual change to a vampire and demeanor is very believable. Fort is training and slowly adapting to the vampire ways, so it isn’t a big change or anything. Everything that readers grew to love and admire about Fort in the first book is still very much the same in this book. He’s funny, awkward, still an underdog but less of a pushover. Then there is Suzume, Fort’s shifter friend. I love Suzume as much as Fort, and was glad to see more of her. She is freakin’ hilarious! The scenes with Fort and Suzume are just priceless. I found myself laughing out loud so many times throughout this book. Readers also got to see more of Fort’s siblings, more of Prudence than Chivalry. In the last book we only heard of all the vile and horrible things Prudence did, but this time we saw her in action…and boy, was it creepy. While I know we’re supposed to despise Prudence, I actually like her character. And what this book shows is there’s definitely more to Prudence then meets the eyes.

I loved Iron Night and am looking forward to reading more of this series. If you’re looking for a unique Urban Fantasy, with a fresh takes on vampires and underrated supernaturals then check this series out! The world-building and characters are great, the plot exciting, and the writing is excellent. This series has it all; action, suspense, humor, and mystery. If you haven’t read this book/series yet, get it A.S.A.P., this is a series everyone should have on their keeper shelf!