Immanuel's Veins is by far the best book I've read by Ted Dekker so far. It pulled me in from the first few pages, the mysterious pull I felt to learn more of Alek and Toma as we follow them into the beginnings of their guard assignment. I was empathetic with Lucine, agreeing with Natasha, and impressed with the inhabitants of Castle Castille. I only wish to find a spin-off of sorts that closely follows and expands the goings-on of Castle Castille before the ending, as the mystery and slight glimpses into their activities was what kept me turning page after page.