If you read the Dark Prince first, then this book is both a prequel and a sequel to that story. The various Clans of Kindred (Vampires) in San Francisco battle each other for power and manipulation of the Kine (humans). Characters from the Dark Prince (by the same author) make appearances in this book but some "behind the scene" activities in the Dark Prince are spelled out in a much greater detail here. This is an enjoyable read as well as a background for the Vampire the Masquerade fiction series.