Twilight Fulfilled
Maggie Shayne
Mira, Sep 20 2011, $7.99
ISBN: 9780778312673

The species cleansing of the vampires has left the Undead nearing extinction. Based on an ancient prophecy, the only offspring of a vampire, hybrid twins James William and Bridget Poe, believe they are the only hope for salvation. J.W. liberates from a five-millennium incarceration, the immortal patriarch of the Undead Utanapishtim; the healer assumes their sire will save his children (see Twilight Prophecy).

Instead of being the savior, Utanapishtim believes this is his chance for redemption by eradicating the abomination he created. The warrior twin Bridget confronts Utanapishtim, but is taken aback by her attraction to him. As they battle one another, she also reasons with the founding father that his return to the living is to save not destroy the race. Meanwhile Nashmum the Fed does not want an alliance that could intrude on his torcher experiments on vampires.

The second Children of Twilight urban fantasy is a great finish to the hybrid twins’ next generation’s duology. The complex story line is fast-paced, but character driven by the battling lead couple and key support cast who starred in previous entries of the overarching saga. Readers will relish the climax wondering whether the attraction between Utanapishtim and Bridget will be strong enough to overcome the machinations of Nashmum and his goons, and the doubts as to right and wrong by the ancient one.

Harriet Klausner