Embraced by Blood

Intriguing world-building elements and a zippy story line rev up the predictable sequel to January's Bonded by Blood. Alfonso Serrano is a good guy vampire helping the Agency ferret out noxious Darkbloods and halt their long-running diabolical schemes to obtain and sell coveted human Sweetbloods on the black market. Serrano is trying to move on from both his checkered past and Lily DeGraff, a Guardian Tracker who has stayed in Serrano's heart despite a previous heartbreak. Muted sparks fly between Alfonso and Lily, tempered by Lily's eventually irritating fear that Alfonso will merely hurt her again and their mutual tendency to dance around their history rather than come to grips with it. Various intrigues and spinoff subplots help to bolster the story, but there's little in the way of engaging writing or memorable characters. (July)