Hera’s Lament (American Noir 3) by Shaun Griffin -review

Hera’s Lament (American Noir 3) by Shaun Griffin -review

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au /

Don’t own a Kindle? Download the FREE Amazon Kindle App for your mobile device or pc

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 17, 2025

Faith has unleashed the vampire virus upon America. Infection guarantees death to all but the few who bond with it—the new vampires. As panic spreads the government scrambles to eliminate the mutating virus. But two men, billionaire Xavier Masters and Senator Drake, recognize its potential—both in the promise of immortality and creating a super soldier. Now they need to find the one who started it all.

Guilt ridden by what she has done, Faith vows to destroy these vampires even if it means venturing into the military controlled quarantine zones. When Faith rescues Hannah, a young girl infected by one of her creations, she becomes the target of Xavier’s deadly team of mercenaries. Aided by an enslaved vampire they close in on her trail. But another threat looms—Anastasiya, her maker, also hunts her.

As the final showdown looms, Faith must decide: is she truly a monster or the key to humanity’s survival?

•••••

REVIEW: You definitely need to read in order.

Having devoured the first two installments of Shaun Griffin’s American Noir Trilogy, I was excited to dive into “Hera’s Lament.” The stakes are higher, the characters deeper, and the world darker than ever before. From the very first page, I was pulled back into the heart of the authors chilling universe, where moral dilemmas collide with the terrifying consequences of ambition….

Faith’s journey is nothing short of harrowing. The guilt she carries for unleashing the vampire virus weighs heavily on her, and I felt every pang of her remorse as she navigated through chaos and danger. Her determination to confront her creations head-on only fueled my admiration for her, despite the monster she believes she has become. In many ways, she encapsulates the struggle between duty and conscience, and I found myself rooting for her at every turn. (Even though she’s classed as the villain!)

Xavier Masters and Senator Drake serve as formidable antagonists, embodying the allure and perils of power. Their relentless pursuit of immortality and superhuman strength made for an engaging conflict that kept me on the edge of my seat. The dynamic between these villains and Faith gave the story an electrifying tension.

The introduction of Hannah, the young girl infected by the virus, added a heart-wrenching layer to the story. Her vulnerability highlighted the stakes involved, and I appreciated how Faith’s protective instincts began to shine through her guilt. It offered a glimmer of hope amid the horror, it was a reminder of what was worth fighting for.

As I raced through the pages, the fast-paced action scenes intertwined with deeper philosophical questions about humanity’s nature kept my heart racing. The author’s skillful writing immerses you in every moment, making you feel the adrenaline, the fear, and the heartache.

The final showdown was everything I hoped for, intense, unpredictable, and emotionally charged. The author masterfully weaves threads of suspense and revelation that culminate in a breathtaking conclusion, forcing Faith to grapple with her identity and destiny.

Overall, “Hera’s Lament” exceeded my expectations.

This trilogy might have started out a little shaky, but it ended on an amazing one.

If you haven’t yet jumped in, I highly recommend grabbing all three books in order.

You won’t regret getting lost in this dark and captivating journey!

And the ending? 😜

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Hera’s Curse
Hera’s Scream

🦋 Reviewed by Julie B

Copy supplied for review

Share

Hera’s Scream (American Noir Trilogy 2) by Shaun Griffin-review

Hera’s Scream (American Noir Trilogy 2) by Shaun Griffin-review

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au /

Don’t own a Kindle? Download the FREE Amazon Kindle App for your mobile device or pc

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date November 4, 2024

You reap what you sow—the old proverb will prove no less true for Anastasiya, self-styled vampire Goddess. She allowed Faith, the young woman turned vampire, to live. But as Faith’s powers continue to evolve Anastasiya must decide—is the girl a potential ally or a rival to her position of power?

As Anastasiya contemplates her next move she is unaware of a deadlier threat. Goran, professional assassin and brother to Dragan, the man she killed, is out for revenge. His hunt will lead him to Anastasiya and her acolytes. Will they survive the deadly retribution he has planned?

Throw into the mix a corrupt biologist on the trail of the alien vampire virus, two FBI agents moonlighting as guns for hire, a cop investigating the suspicious death of his friend, and you have the ingredients for an explosive showdown.

••••

REVIEW:⚠️ TRIGGER WARNINGS ⚠️ Please be advised to read the triggers before reading the book.

Book one needs to be read before book two, as it continues from where book one left us.

Anastasiya isn’t our heroine in this story, she isn’t even really a nice character. A vampire who doesn’t sparkle or give off nice vibes. A killer when she feeds, and doesn’t care about the humans she feeds from! But she does care about the vampires being found out and exterminated! It’s her fault that Faith is killing and exposing herself and the vampires to the humans, she really should have ended her when she had the chance. (She turned Faith into the vampire)

And now that Faith is becoming even stronger than Anastasiya herself, she’s worried that Faith will want her position of top vampire!

Faith herself is still struggling with both being a vampire and obtaining strengths and other powers. All she wanted was to be left alone, but being hunted by humans/vampires and her “maker”, Faith is now turning the tables on the hunters! She’s making her own followers.

We also have Goran, a professional assassin out to 💀 Anastasiya, she took his brother from him, and now he seeks revenge! And I have to admit he’s come close a few times. But if he does come face to face with Anastasiya, what exactly does he have planned?

I liked this book a lot better than the first. It answered a lot of questions from the first book, and sets up book three nicely.

And the ending?!?! Well….. Nope…. 🤐

A little more SciFi than Noir I felt. But still really well written.

If you like your vampires that don’t have redeeming qualities, if you want a book that will have you on the edge of your seat, then I highly recommend both book one and two. Here’s hoping we don’t have to wait long for the third one.

Click HERE for Julie’s review of book one HERA’S CURSE

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Julie B 🦋

Share