The atmosphere is thick and tense as the story begins, coiled like a caged animal ready to spring. Zoë, a newly embraced Ravnos mentioned briefly in previous novels, was just a girl when she was reborn into darkness, and totally unprepared for the challenges of unlife when her sire was killed by the Inquisition. Now, not only does her unlife hang in the balance, so does her soul.

The dark, oppressive feeling of this book is not caused by the weather, but by an evil force trying to overcome her faith and her will: revenge. Born into Christianity, her faith was shaken by the Setites and their strange worship of the ancient god, Set. Now, she must again find the guiding light of faith, or she will be lost forever to the darkness of the Beast.

As she travels across Europe, she courts a deadly dance with members of the forming Inquisition. She seeks to kill the one holy brother who destroyed her sire, but she must remain hidden until the time is right. Just when she thinks she will be able to destroy her greatest enemy, however, he departs while she sleeps. Thwarted for the moment, she does manage to rescue Anatole, a fellow Cainite, from the Inquisition's grasp.

Unlike Zoë, Anatole is strong in his faith. Where her mind is set on one goal, Anatole's is a labyrinth of thoughts and visions. Anatole has seen Zoë and her quest in these visions, and offers to help. Secretly, he vows to help her find her faith in the Lord. But both may yet meet their final death, as the Inquisition seeks to destroy them in the name of the very faith Anatole so dearly loves.

In Ravnos, Sarah Roark blends passion, faith, and intrigue into an intoxicating brew any reader would greedily drink down. This book caught my interest from the first page, and never let go. The level of detail given even minor characters was truly impressive, the more so for being accomplished in just a few lines. Roark's writing truly brings the reader into the story, both mentally and emotionally.

Although revenge is an often (and frequently over-) used plot line, the spiritual twist added here kept it fresh and very unique, and I'd give this story four and a half doors. White Wolf has once again brought their world of death and darkness to life!

Johann says he'd sneak through  doors to read this book.