But what I really loved was Alec’s struggle to come to terms with his father’s mortality.

Having him along on some of the fact-finding missions added a new dynamic. Kole, Alec’s father, was a lot more present in this book. If anything, I’d say this story put an emphasis on friendship, especially given how long vampires live. There’s less smut in this story, which was fine because it made the tender moments that much more impactful. It was also funny how annoyed he got when Jodis wanted to document everything.Īlec and Cronin’s relationship is so stable at this point that I wasn’t expecting much in the way of romantic development. Still, I’m glad we got to see Alec struggle a little with the powers, both with how to use them and with the vampire community’s reaction to them. I was confident that everyone was going to be fine, no matter who or what came after them. But like book two, I didn’t worry much about the main cast.

It makes sense, given that he’s the first human Key ever. Without giving anything away, I think it’s fair to say that Alec is overpowered. And this book definitely delivered when it came to Alec’s powers. I was curious about what powers he’d have and how he’d use them. While the end of book two was satisfying, I’m glad this third book was written, because I wanted to see what Alec’s life as a vampire would be like.

Alec’s powers make him feel almost invincible.

Some moments that seem to contradict earlier cannon.

How have humans remained unaware of the supernatural?.

Alec’s feelings about his father’s mortality.

And he may need help from the dead to get them all out alive. Facing the Zoan might take every talent he has. In the underground pits beneath churches all over the world, Alec discovers the Key’s true destiny. This new quest leads Alec, Cronin, and their band of friends to Paris, Rome, and Moscow, where they learn that gargoyles aren’t simply statues on walls. Or have they? They bear an uncanny resemblance to gargoyles, leaving Alec’s view on all things weird to get a whole lot weirder. Zoan are half-lycan, half-dragon creatures that have slipped through time and reality, seemingly undetected by man and vampire. But when Alec meets entities from outside this realm, he’s left powerless in their presence. While most vampires would give anything to have more than one supernatural power, Alec craves nothing more than peace and time alone with Cronin.

Twelve months after his change, Alec MacAidan is still getting used to his many vampire talents.

Cronin's Key by N.R. Walker