Cabaret in flames

Pueyo (But Not Too Bold) spins a glittering neo-noir that reinvigorates vampire lore, rendering the classic monsters as both decadent and threatening. In an alternate Brazil where vampires, known as guls, hold some degree of political power, quadruple-amputee Ariadne, who lost her limbs in a gul attack, provides medical treatment for injured guls under the direction of her mentor and father-figure, Erik Yurkov. When Erik vanishes without a trace, one of his old friends, an ancient gul named Quaint, suspects he's been kidnapped. Ariadne reluctantly teams up with Quaint to find him, a quest that takes them to a glittering cabaret club in Rio de Janeiro that caters to the upper echelons of guls, through the heart of Brazil's political turmoil, and into a confrontation with Ariadne's past. Pueyo does an impressive job grounding the fantastical elements, tantalizing mystery, and glitzy setting in realistic politics and frank discussions of heavy topics, including child abuse. Add in an intimate romance that never feels rushed despite the slim page count, and this is a triumph. Agent: Lee O'Brien, Looking Glass Literary and Media. (Mar.)

Monsters stalk the streets in this alternate Brazil. Many are bloodsucking, flesh-eating, immortal Guls, but even the merely human monsters are under the Guls' control. It's a horror that Ariadne knows first- and second-hand since a Gul ate both of hers, along with parts of both her legs. She was saved by a doctor who taught her how to treat the monsters who ate her flesh. But her mentor is missing, and his oldest friend Quaint wants her help to find him. All she has to do is go back into the Guls' stronghold and confront the monster who once consumed her, at the side of a Gul who seems to care more for her than any human ever has. The romance between Quaint and Ariadne is surprisingly sweet and touching, while the mix of human monsters, real monsters, and really monstrous historical events chills the (human) heart. VERDICT This dark fantasy is recommended for those who love dangerous and seductive monster romances, alternate history filled with both human and inhuman monsters, fans of Pueyo's debut, But Not Too Bold, and readers of Silvia Moreno-Garcia, especially those looking for a story with the feel of Certain Dark Things.--Marlene Harris