**Review courtesy of All Things Urban Fantasy**When I finished with TAINTED BLOOD, all I could think was "Brennan did it again!" TAINTED BLOOD is that spectacular combination of great characters, action, and sexual tension that makes a reader keep flipping the pages, desperate to know what comes next.One thing I particularly enjoy about Brennan's writing is her ability to write such complex characters. Certain characters manage to be both repulsive and sympathetic, and the dichotomy is done really well. Prudence, for example - I want her to be my bestie on a few occasions, except when I remember that she's kind of a sociopath who has no problems killing anybody who bothers her. Plus, the vampires continue to be different than any other I've read in any urban fantasy, and though sometimes repulsive, they're also fascinating. We continue to be introduced to other characters and creatures in the world, as well, and it's always fun to learn more about the world.I also love the tension between Suzume and Fort. The romance between the two is anything but typical, and Suzume's pranks are a highlight of the story. Suzume's (and the other kitsune's) antics offer an outright sense of humor, balancing the action and drama from the mystery.TAINTED BLOOD is an excellent third book in a series, and it only left me eager for more. If Fort's growth throughout books one through three is any indication of the masterful transitions that Brennan can take her characters through, then I can't wait to see where she takes him in book four, scheduled to come out in 2015.