Daughters of Darkness is the second in the Night World series of paranormal fantasy books by L.J. Smith. The story in DoD revolves around Mary-Lynette and pureblood vampire Ash Redfern (you may recognize him from other NW books Secret Vampire and Dark Angel).
Ash’s sisters Rowan, Kestrel and Jade decide to move to Briar Creek to live with humans with their aunt, only to discover that their aunt has been brutally murdered upon arriving on the scene. The sisters struggle with their aunt’s death and fitting into the human community – it doesn’t help that suspicious neighbor Mary-Lynette’s afoot. Daughters of Darkness further explores the concept of soulmates through the connection between Ash and Mary-Lynette, which makes for some interesting reading considering they both hate each other (Ash’s inner strife on becoming soulmates with a human amused me to no end).
The thing I love about Smith’s heroines is that they aren’t two-dimensional – they have their own flaws and quirks. Ash was also characterized well; he just might be the original template for blond, snarky male anithero that’s been done to death in paranormal fiction. There’s jealousy and a semi-love triangle when werewolf Jeremy enters the picture, who, childhood friendship with Mary-Lynette aside, isn’t as harmless as he seems. The plot resolution was pretty gruesome, but the book manages to end on a bittersweet note. Mary-Lynette (surprsingly) chooses to remain human, while Ash leaves to do some soul-searching with a promise to return.
Definitely one of the stronger Night World books. Recommended as a quick, satisfying read.
See also: Secret Vampire, Enchantress/Spellbinder, Dark Angel, The Chosen, Soulmate, Huntress, Black Dawn, Witchlight
Plot/originality: 4/5
Characters: 3.5/5
Writing style: 3.5/5
Total score: 11/15
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