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Review: The Renfield Syndrome by J.A. Saare (Rhiannon’s Law #2)

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The Renfield Syndrome by J.A. SaareThe Renfield Syndrome (Rhiannon’s Law #2)
J.A. Saare
Published: Aug. 23, 2011 (Mundania)
Purchase at: Book Depository, B&N or Amazon

Rating (out of 5): 5 stars

Note: This review does not contain any spoilers for The Renfield Syndrome, but it does give away key points from the first novel Dead, Undead or Somewhere in Between. If you haven’t read the first book, please see that review.

I was really nervous to read The Renfield Syndrome. The ending of the first Rhiannon’s Law book, Dead, Undead or Somewhere in Between, was a jaw-dropper and a huge game-changer. I was scared about how I’d react to Rhiannon being zipped 101 years into the future. Would she have to lose all the progress she made at opening up to people? She’d just found love, and now she was going to be screwed over, right?

Totally. The demon who sent her into the future to deliver a message screwed her over royally. Rhiannon arrives to find that the city is near destroyed. The vampires, led by a half-demon, run everything. Humans are near extinct and those who do live are more like blood slaves than anything else. The world is dark and cruel. And she just wants to find Disco, her lover. Once she delivers him the demon’s message, the deal is complete and they’ll both be free of him.

But it’s not that simple. Lots of things have changed in the world, turning it into a hellish nightmare that Rhiannon can’t escape until she’s solved a few big problems. The plot takes one crushing turn after another, each more surprising than the last. I never knew what was coming next, but continued to get my hopes up on Rhiannon’s behalf. The plot was clever and new. I can’t call it refreshing, because it’s very dark, but The Renfield Syndrome took me over. Captured by a heroine I love forced to grow amid terrible circumstances, I found myself increasingly involved with the plot.

Now an important note. While I liked Dead, Undead or Somewhere in Between, for me Rhiannon was the star of that book. She’s what I liked most. Disco is great and all, but he wasn’t nearly as remarkable a character as Rhiannon. And maybe that’s part of why I adored The Renfield Syndrome so much. This is Rhiannon’s story. This is her life not on the context of interactions with a hunky hero, but the emotional end. It’s still about love, don’t get me wrong, but the shift is all heroine. The romance angle gets complicated as well, and come time for The Ripple Effect (Rhiannon’s Law #3) there will be some big decisions to be made. I say all this because if you loved the first book only for the delicious Disco, he’s not the focus of The Renfield Syndrome. The tradeoff is worth it, though.

I suggest clearing a weekend to read The Renfield Syndrome, though. Once you’re knee-deep, there’s no stopping.

Sexual content: Sex, references to rape

[CLOSED] WIN A SIGNED COPY OF THE RENFIELD SYNDROME

J.A. Saare was kind enough to offer one signed copy of The Renfield Syndrome up to a VBC reader. To enter, leave a comment on this post. The contest is open internationally. Be sure to enter on or before Oct. 20. UPDATE: Winner is Robin K!

CONTEST DETAILS AND RULES
1. To enter, you must leave a comment on this post.
2. You do not need to follow Vampire Book Club to be entered, but we sure do like it.
3. This contest is open internationally.
4. Contest closes at 11:59 p.m. CST on Thursday, Oct. 20.
5. The winner will be selected using Random.org. Then she will be contacted via email and given 48 hours to claim her prize. If we do not hear from the winner(s) within that time, a new winner will be selected.
6. Entrants must be at least 18 years old or have their parent’s permission to enter. Please review our privacy policy, if you have any questions as to how Vampire Book Club uses your information. (Short version: we’ll only use it to contact you for this contest.)
7. Though unlikely, Vampire Book Club has the right to change or cancel any giveaway at any time without prior notice.
8. Vampire Book Club is not responsible for prizes lost or damage in transit.
9. Big thank you to J.A. Saare for providing the signed book!

64 Responses to “Review: The Renfield Syndrome by J.A. Saare (Rhiannon’s Law #2)”

  1. debbie says:

    I thought this book sounded so good when I heard about it. I would love to read it.
    twoofakind12@yahoo.com

  2. Jet says:

    I have seen this book reviewed on many of the blogs I frequent, sounds like a must-read!

    bookdevoteereviews(at)hotmail(dot)com

  3. Victoria says:

    Sounds incredible!! Can’t wait to read it! GasStationSushi_at_comcast_dot_net

  4. Rain Maiden Jen says:

    I have this series on my wish list. I wish I had time to sit and do nothing but read. Thanks for the giveaway!

    jnmt3@hotmail.com

  5. Missie says:

    Complicated romance. My favorite.

    Thanks for the giveaway!

    missie at theunreadreader.com

  6. Robin K says:

    Ohhh I would love to win this. Already read book one and loved it! I am a follower.

  7. Everyone has raved about this book, so I can’t wait to read it. Thanks for the giveaway!
    rwschwarz11ATgmailDOTcom

  8. Janhvi Jagtap says:

    This book sounds good!Please count me in:)

    Janhvi
    justjanhvi at gmail dot com

  9. Amanda J says:

    Would love to win this book, sounds great!

  10. kara-karina says:

    I remember the end of the first book and how completely unexpected it was! Would love to win book #2! 🙂

  11. LadyVampire says:

    I’d love a chance to read this book. Please sign me up and thanks!

  12. Grace Jolley says:

    Sounds like a great book would love to win it

  13. elaing8 says:

    Thanks for the giveaway.I have the first book and would love to win this one.

  14. Vicki says:

    I’d love a chance to read this book!

    Thanks

    vlpwilson@hotmail.com

  15. Reanna says:

    Definitely sounds like a good book, going to have to get the first one now! Thanks
    pypercharmed@yahoo.com

  16. RachaelM says:

    I loved the first book and can’t wait to read The Renfield Syndrome. Thanks for the giveaway.

    rachaelmccully@yahoo.com

  17. Great review, Chelsea. I agree completely. I also was hesitant about reading this but I ended up LOVING IT! Of course, now I’m itching to get my hands on book 3. Lol!
    Soulswallo[at]yahoo[dot]com
    And of course you *always* know you can find me on Twitter. 🙂

  18. Terri Matlock says:

    Thank you for the giveaway. 🙂

    Terri m
    Oklahomamommy0306@gmail.com

  19. Victoria Zumbrum says:

    I am a follower and email subscriber. Please enter me in contest. I would love to read this book. Tore923@aol.com

  20. Mary Preston says:

    I would love to read “The Renfield Syndrome” thank you!!

    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

  21. Bethany C. says:

    I’ve read lots of great reviews about this series; I’ll have to check it out.

    b(dot)cardone(at)hotmail(dot)com

  22. Angela S says:

    I would love to win this!
    Thanks for the giveaway!
    adsanders77 at gmail dot com

  23. Denise Z says:

    The Renfield Syndrome has been on my wishlist since I first got a sent of it in the promos. I would love to read it. Thanks you for sharing with us today and for the awesome giveaway opportunity. Of course I am a follower and loving every minute 🙂

    dz59001[at]gmail[dot]com

  24. Vivien says:

    Thanks for the giveaway!
    GFC follower

    Vivien
    deadtossedwaves at gmail dot com

  25. Amy Feltus says:

    Would love to read this, if I don’t win it, then I will go buy it.

  26. Kristy Centeno says:

    WOuld love to add this book to my growing collection of vampire books.

  27. Sharon says:

    Wow – I love the cover. This great looking kick ase girl (from the back) going into a dark building with a gun. Very intriguing.

  28. Airaseem says:

    i want to get my hands on the book thanks!:)

  29. Teri C says:

    Oh this sounds good. I loved the first book. I am so glad to be reminded it was out.

    terilhack at yahoo dot com

  30. this sounds really good, i really want to read it now!

    thanks for the giveaway!

  31. thegirlonfire27 says:

    Wow this sounds epic! Thanks for another great giveaway!

    GFC follower

    thegirlonfire27 at gmail dot com

  32. cindyg says:

    Jaime is one of my top ten authors…I love this series. Winning an autographed copy of any of her books would be awesome.
    I’m a follower and appreciate your reviews.
    Cindy

  33. Aik says:

    I love how this book sounds! I’d love to read this!

  34. Melliane says:

    Thanks for this great giveaway , this book sounds great !

  35. Dovile says:

    Thanks for the chance!

    spamscape [at] gmail [dot] com

  36. Rhonda Beyer says:

    Thanks for the chance to win. Sounds like a great book.
    candrbeyer@yahoo.com

  37. Annie @ UTC says:

    Sounds incredible! Thanks for the opportunity!

  38. Zochi Garza says:

    The book sounds fantastic.
    Thanks
    zgarza01@gmail.com

  39. David Chamberlain says:

    Sounds like an excellent book – I always like the character-driven ones rather than just action! Hope I win!

  40. latisha depoortere says:

    This sounds like a great book would love to read it! Thank you so much for the great giveaway!
    tishajean@ charter.net

  41. Teresa Warner says:

    I’ve been hearing alot about this one, sounds good! tWarner419@aol.com

  42. Susan Nguyen says:

    Whoa 5 stars? Rhiannon is so funny! Thanks for the giveaway!
    aah-susann@hotmail.com

  43. Kristen Heyl says:

    This captured my attention from the description and I am going to have to seek out the first book in the series.

    sweetreaderma@yahoo.com

  44. Anne R says:

    This book sounds awesome. thanks for a chance to win it.

  45. donnas says:

    Sounds really good. Thanks for the chance!!

    bacchus76 at myself dot com

  46. EmmaH says:

    Another series I’m looking forward to reading! Looking forward to finding out more about these characters, thanks for the giveaway 🙂

  47. Beckyy says:

    Ive heard nothing but great things about this series 🙂 cant wait to read it, Thanks for a great giveaway!

    GFC – Beckyinwonderland

  48. Sariah says:

    I have been wanting to read this series! It is on my wishlist right now!! Thanks for the giveaway. I am a follower.

    s_walters01 at yahoo.com

  49. Jennifer K says:

    I have been wanting to read this title for awhile now. It looks great.

    jcalvert719(at)yahoo(dot)com

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