Review: Iron Night by M.L. Brennan

Iron Night
Author: M.L. Brennan 
Reviewer: Gikany and Una
Rating: A+

What We’re Talking About:

Iron Night is the sequel to Generation V in the Generation V series.  We really enjoyed Generation V: it was fresh and unique, gripping and engrossing.  Iron Night knocks Generation V out of the park!  Gikany and Una loved it and cannot wait until we get more of Fort and Suze!

**NOTE – there may be some mild spoilers for Generation V in this review.  So please, just go out, purchase or borrow Generation V so you can catch up on this fabulous series.**

As much as we loved Fort’s debut in Generation V, he comes back stronger and more determined in Iron Night. Fort, a born vampire, has been avoiding his true nature his whole life, but is now forced to deal with it as he makes his transition into a full-grown vampire. Fort is working out with his older brother Chivalry – and they are learning more about each other.  He is also feeding from his mother more frequently in order to be stronger and better equipped just in case.  Fort is even tagging along with Chivalry, learning about the different creatures that live in his mother’s territory and the agreements for their continued good behavior.  Yet, poor Fort’s world is turned upside-down when his (finally) great roommate is murdered and left in his bedroom for Fort to find.  Determined to find justice for his friend (and have some peace of mind about whether he was killed because of Fort or for another reason) Fort imposes on his occasional bodyguard, Suzume to assist him.

As Fort searches for the killer of his roommate, he also embarks on some self-discovery of his own.  Without giving away any of these wonderful insights and experiences that Fort endures, through this journey he learns not just more about himself and his transition, but more about his family.  Fort discovers another facet to his sister, Prudence, as well as why his mother has raised Fort differently than her other two children.  We are just awed at the skill Ms. Brennan utilizes in her seamlessly weaving this gruesome detective drama and self-discovering/coming of age story.  Fort cannot deny his heritage or his species, but he was raised as a human and longs to simply be a human.  It is a conundrum, one that he walks as well as a skilled tightrope acrobat.

If you haven’t experienced the Generation V series, you really need to pick it up.  The struggle of Fort as a somewhat rebellious child (or a black sheep depending on the perspective) is entertaining – the wit and charm woven into the character of Fort is endearing.  The comic relief and romantic tension that Suzume brings just enriches the overall feel of Iron Night.  We have no idea what lies ahead of Fort, but one this is for sure: we can’t wait to read about it!

Rating:  A+ Personal Favorite

About the Book:

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.

Release Date: January 7, 2014
Publisher: Roc
Series: Generation V #2
            American Vampire #2
ISBN: #978-0451418418
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Format(s): Paperback (320 pages), e-book,
Book Source: Publisher

Purchase Info:
Iron Night (American Vampire #2)

Reviews in the Series:
Generation V by ML Brennan (Generation V #1)