You would think that after all the vampires she has slayed and villages saved, Magiere would be content to relax and enjoy a peaceful life with Leesil her half-elf partner. But something has been bothering her. Since she first discovered the truth about her origins she has wondered why a vampire would chose to breed a half-breed dhampir (a creature dedicated to destroying all vampires).

This need to know forces her to return to her hometown with the intention of entering her father's keep to try and discover the truth. But, for some reason, someone doesn't want her to find out. Everything suddenly becomes clear to Leesil when he makes a shocking discovery in the old cellars. The truth of her existence is much deeper than even Magiere could imagine.

However, this all takes a back seat when Magiere and Leesil hear of a curse that has been inflicted on the people of the village. They are determined to defeat the evil creature that preys on the villagers and set everyone free.

Sister of the Dead is the third novel in the Noble Dead aaga written by Barb and JC Hendee and follows the ongoing experiences of Magiere and Leesil as they begin to learn the truth about their origins and realise that pretty much everything, including the presence of their dog Chap, has been planned.

When I read the very first book in the series, Dhampir, I thought it was an original and well-written story but I did wonder if the authors would be capable of maintaining the high standards they had set themselves. Well I am delighted to report that they have done more than just maintain – each book has added new levels to the story weaving a more complex world for our characters to explore.

Traditionally Vampire stories have concentrated on the big bad vampire snacking on the necks of poor innocent girlies but this series is different. We get to experience Magiere's personal struggle against the vampiric side of her nature – a side that tends to emerge at times of stress or danger. A side that she constantly has to suppress due to the fear that one day it will take over and she will become the same as the demons she seeks to destroy.

At the end of this novel we are left with a teaser hinting that the next story in the series will explore Leesil's personal history and I am definitely looking forward to reading that one as there is certainly more to our friendly half-elf than meets the eye. But what then? Who knows? One thing is sure, if Barb and JC decide to continue the tale beyond the next instalment I will be ready and willing to read it.