I really wanted to like this book. It started off well but I found myself struggling to get through it. I think that my main problem is that it seems derivative of Laurell K. Hamilton's Anita Blake series. I started seeing similarities everywhere and it took away from the story. Also, the explanations of Cassie's world are overly convoluted and somewhat confusing. The story also ends rather abruptly - obviously setting up a sequel.I might give the sequel a try, maybe I can forget my disappointment by 2007.