I did not expect to enjoy this book as much as I did; I must've had lowered expectations (which this book did not deserve).

Edie Spence (at least in this first book by [a:Cassie Alexander|4517253|Cassie Alexander|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1315339948p2/4517253.jpg]) seems to be

Spoiler

an American version of Britain's Felix Castor and a nurse rather than an exorcist.

One of the things I liked most about this book is that I got a better idea of what nurses do and have to know. My respect for them has gone up a hundred fold especially for those nurses who have to deal with vampires, zombies,

Spoiler

shapeshifters,

and lycanthropes as patients.

Some of her characterizations of these creatures differ from whatever is "canon" today. When parts of vampires or zombies die, they turn to dust. The vampires have a well developed hierarchy of thrones and humans who provide them sustenance; this reminded me a bit of vampire society in the Lady Alexia Maccon books ([a:Gail Carriger|2891665|Gail Carriger|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1257289860p2/2891665.jpg]).

I'm looking forward to reading the 2nd book in the series.