"Life has power, Skye. It has a ... grace and beauty and vitality that nothing after death can match." (Balthazar More)
Balthazar is one of my favourite characters from the Evernight series and I was extremely excited to read his story.
The title might have Balthazar's name on it, but this book isn't solely about Balthazar. Balthazar has to share a POV with Skye Tierney from Afterlife. After Bianca possessed Skye's body for a few minutes in the previous book, Skye gains psychic abilities. These abilities make her a target for a ruthless vampire group that has ties to Balthazar's past.
WHAT I LIKED...
◤◥ Balthazar finally gets his own story!
◤◥ There are details about Balthazar's past such as his vampire sire, his first love and the reason for his fractured relationship with his sister.
◤◥ Charity becomes a redeemable character.
◤◥ Most of the characters and secondary characters (especially the evil vampires) aren't that stereotypical.
◤◥ A sinister villain.
◤◥ The vampires, ghosts and psychic powers.
WHAT I LOATHED
◤◥ Balthazar's character change. Balthazar's gentleman nature that I adore isn't focused on as much as his toughness and new Lucas-like traits.
◤◥ The cliche plot. Girl get saved by guy who becomes her protector, lusts after said guy who is unattainable and is chased by ruthless vampire groups because of her blood.
◤◥ The romance between Skye and Balthazar didn't develop naturally. It is forced and is probably just there to add to the plot.
◤◥ The focus is more on Skye instead of Balthazar, although Balthazar's name is on the title.
◤◥ The Evernight crew don't have prominent roles nor do they have cameos in Balthazar, with the exception of Bianca and Lucas.
◤◥ The ending has no closure!
Balthazar is a fast-paced and enjoyable read, but the romance and cliche' aspects make it a disappointing read.