Ruining Victoria's homecoming, a vampire stalks the streets of Lond--during the daylight. Not only is Victoria unable to detect the vampire with her heightened senses but she's being framed as the prime suspect behind the killings.
Meanwhile, her heart is still divided between the enigmatic Sebastian Vioget and her fellow slayer Max Pesaro. The battle is made even more difficult by the legacy of a vampire's touch--a vampire who left in Victoria's veins boiling blood that forces her to fight evil on two fronts: against the new breed of undead threatening Londong and against the darkness in herself.
Who-boy. After having Colleen here on my blog, interviewing her and all that stuff, I couldn't wait to get my hands on this book! For some reason, the copy she mailed to me never arrived. When I went to the signing on Friday and saw it sitting there, I just couldn't help myself. :)
I would say that WTB is the darkest yet of the Gardella series. Sure, at the end of Rises the Night, something REALLY bad happens, but in this book, Victoria's biggest enemy might just be herself.
After the events at the end of The Bleeding Dusk, questions were raised on if Victoria herself might be a vampire as well. Confused and alone (or so she feels), Victoria pushes herself in her training and focuses on obliterating the vampires in her neck of the woods. She's also horribly confused about her feelings for Sebastian...and for Max.
All throughout the series, even in the first one when Victoria was married and then widowed, there's been this overwhelming tension building between the three of them. Sebastian has already had a taste of her (so to speak), but he's also done some pretty despicable things to her as well. He's had his reasons, but the things he did were not all happy & light. Max, on the other hand, started out being a complete jerk to her, but there was always an underlying HMMM to it all that made me think there was something just under the surface. Might be why I'm a total Max girl. :)
Anyway, in this book, Colleen basically leaves no question as to who Victoria ends up with. I will not spoil it for those of you who haven't read it (MAX), but I personally think it's the right choice.
This book is full of action and adventure. Trust gained, trust broken, secrets revealed, secrets made...etc, etc. etc. Oh, just go read it, will you!
Rating: A
Showing posts with label colleen gleason. Show all posts
Showing posts with label colleen gleason. Show all posts
Monday, September 22, 2008
Sunday, August 3, 2008
The Bleeding Dusk by Colleen Gleason
Oh, nuts to it. I've already read it. I'm skimming as I go. *sigh*
As Rome prepares for its Carnival, the new leader of the city's vampire hunters--Lady Victoria Gardella Grantsworth de Lacy--must prove herself as never before. For, in order to gain access to the secrets of a legendary alchemist, Rome's vampires have allie themselves with creatures as evil and bloodthirsty as they are.
Reluctantly, Victoria must turn to the enigmatic Sebastian Vioget for help, just as Maximilian Pesaro arrives to help his fellow slayers--no matter what the sacrifice. Desire puts her at the mercy of Sebastian, while loyalty binds her to Max, but can she trust either man? Especially when a seductive vampire begins luring her into the shadows...
Four months have passed since the end of Rises The Night. Victoria is again trying to get past her grief and move on. Max has been given an option, but he's not sure if he's going to take it. I'm not sure where Sebastian is at this point. Things are all a bit discombobulated, but they slowly, but surely get their lives all back in order.
Something fishy is going on in Rome and Victoria, as the new Gardella, wants to solve the mystery as quickly as possible. It's going to be a race against time as she tries to find the key before the vampires do.
She finds herself working with Max in her efforts to find this key. Max is struggling with a major decision that will change his life forever. He's more than willing to help her out, but his mind isn't exactly on his duties to help her. The choice is major, major, major and it's a major theme throughout the entire novel. It seems that the story is nothing but choices and ramifications.
Sebastian is back. The attraction is still there. Major flirtations and other things...again. Mistakes are made. See, it's all about the choices.
In fact, here's just a tiny snippet of conversation between Victoria & Max. You'll see why I say this seems to be the major theme.
"The right decision isn't always easy or evident. You'll find yourself making more and more of those choices as time goes on."
Isn't that the truth?
At times throught TBD, it's extremely obvious how young Victoria is. 21 and she's had more heartache than most people do in a lifetime. In TBD though, she seems to be whining a bit more. Temper tantrums, etc. However, it's not annoying, because if you've read the last two books, it's easy to see why she is the way she is. If you were 21 and had so much riding on your choices and decisions, wouldn't you go a little batty?
Ramifications from choices Max made back in RTN seem to be haunting him in this book. There are a few things he can't seem to get away from, including his ex-fiance. Oh, the humor that brings to the table. Max is nothing but determined to forget he was ever engaged to her, while she seems to go out of her way to smack him over the head with it. Fun!
The search for the key remains the big thing throughout the book. If it's found...well, that's not good. The characters are led on a merry chase.
The end of the book? Totally shocked me. Is she? Isn't she? What exactly transpired? Say what? Those were just some of my thoughts whilst reading that. And now, the next book comes out on Tuesday! I can hardly wait.
So, for my last thoughts. Who will Victoria choose? Will she choose either or remain alone? Did what I think end up being what actually happens? Cryptic much? LOL! Sorry.
Excellent story, beautifully rendered location, scary moments, funny moments. Sexy as always. Nice twist on the typical vampire slayer stories. Can't wait!
My Rating: A
As Rome prepares for its Carnival, the new leader of the city's vampire hunters--Lady Victoria Gardella Grantsworth de Lacy--must prove herself as never before. For, in order to gain access to the secrets of a legendary alchemist, Rome's vampires have allie themselves with creatures as evil and bloodthirsty as they are.
Reluctantly, Victoria must turn to the enigmatic Sebastian Vioget for help, just as Maximilian Pesaro arrives to help his fellow slayers--no matter what the sacrifice. Desire puts her at the mercy of Sebastian, while loyalty binds her to Max, but can she trust either man? Especially when a seductive vampire begins luring her into the shadows...
Four months have passed since the end of Rises The Night. Victoria is again trying to get past her grief and move on. Max has been given an option, but he's not sure if he's going to take it. I'm not sure where Sebastian is at this point. Things are all a bit discombobulated, but they slowly, but surely get their lives all back in order.
Something fishy is going on in Rome and Victoria, as the new Gardella, wants to solve the mystery as quickly as possible. It's going to be a race against time as she tries to find the key before the vampires do.
She finds herself working with Max in her efforts to find this key. Max is struggling with a major decision that will change his life forever. He's more than willing to help her out, but his mind isn't exactly on his duties to help her. The choice is major, major, major and it's a major theme throughout the entire novel. It seems that the story is nothing but choices and ramifications.
Sebastian is back. The attraction is still there. Major flirtations and other things...again. Mistakes are made. See, it's all about the choices.
In fact, here's just a tiny snippet of conversation between Victoria & Max. You'll see why I say this seems to be the major theme.
"The right decision isn't always easy or evident. You'll find yourself making more and more of those choices as time goes on."
Isn't that the truth?
At times throught TBD, it's extremely obvious how young Victoria is. 21 and she's had more heartache than most people do in a lifetime. In TBD though, she seems to be whining a bit more. Temper tantrums, etc. However, it's not annoying, because if you've read the last two books, it's easy to see why she is the way she is. If you were 21 and had so much riding on your choices and decisions, wouldn't you go a little batty?
Ramifications from choices Max made back in RTN seem to be haunting him in this book. There are a few things he can't seem to get away from, including his ex-fiance. Oh, the humor that brings to the table. Max is nothing but determined to forget he was ever engaged to her, while she seems to go out of her way to smack him over the head with it. Fun!
The search for the key remains the big thing throughout the book. If it's found...well, that's not good. The characters are led on a merry chase.
The end of the book? Totally shocked me. Is she? Isn't she? What exactly transpired? Say what? Those were just some of my thoughts whilst reading that. And now, the next book comes out on Tuesday! I can hardly wait.
So, for my last thoughts. Who will Victoria choose? Will she choose either or remain alone? Did what I think end up being what actually happens? Cryptic much? LOL! Sorry.
Excellent story, beautifully rendered location, scary moments, funny moments. Sexy as always. Nice twist on the typical vampire slayer stories. Can't wait!
My Rating: A
Rises The Night by Colleen Gleason
Oops! I didn't get a chance to do this when I thought I would. Shame on me! :)
Victoria Gardella has been a vampire slayer for just over a year, balancing her life as a peer of Society with the dangerous role that takes her out on moonlit streets, stake in hand.
As Victoria races across Europe to stop what could be the most deadly army the Gardellas have ever faced, she is accompanied by the unlikely Sebastian Vioget, a man as tempting as he is untrustworthy. But when Victoria discovers that she has been betrayed by one of her most trusted allies, the truth will challenge all her powers as a Venator – and as a woman.
The best way to describe this book is action-packed. Where The Rest Falls Away was the introductory book to this series, RTN is the craziness. :) It seems that Victoria's life has gone from heartbreak to heartbreak throughout this entire series. I know it's to show her growth as a person, but whoa.
When RTN first starts, it's not long after the end of TRFA. Victoria is struggling with grief and What if's. She blames herself for the circumstances and decides to step back from her Venatoring to concentrate on healing. Thankfully, this happens behind the scenes and the book jumps forward.
The book is mostly based in Italy & Colleen really makes you feel like you're there. It's dark, it's dirty, it's gritty and there's a lot going on behind the scenes that Victoria slowly, but surely finds out. She also finds Max.
This book is really, really hard to talk about without giving a lot away. Suffice it to say that there will be the biggest betrayal Victoria has ever had to face at the end of this book. It will bring about great events, but her hurt and anger will be something I don't know if she'll ever get over.
Rises the Night has all the intrigue, sexiness, and say what moments a girl like me could ask for. Seductions, betrayals, revelations...it's all here.
By the time you get to the end of this book, I think you'll be either totally in the Max or totally in the Sebastian camp as to who Victoria should go for. I'm a total Max girl, but that's just because I love his dark, up front, to the point nature. He doesn't fawn over Victoria and he tells her like he sees it. Sebastian, on the other hand, has way too many secrets and too many things that could be more detrimental than good when it comes to Victoria. Sure, he's a total hottie and I believe he cares for her, but there's something a bit self-serving when it comes to him IMHO. :)
So, if you like TRFA and want to know more, I definitely recommend this book. The end will make you cry (it did me), but it's a powerful scene. I'm rereading The Bleeding Dusk now. Here's hoping I'll finish it tonight so I can review it before the winner is chosen. :)
My Rating: A-
Victoria Gardella has been a vampire slayer for just over a year, balancing her life as a peer of Society with the dangerous role that takes her out on moonlit streets, stake in hand.
As Victoria races across Europe to stop what could be the most deadly army the Gardellas have ever faced, she is accompanied by the unlikely Sebastian Vioget, a man as tempting as he is untrustworthy. But when Victoria discovers that she has been betrayed by one of her most trusted allies, the truth will challenge all her powers as a Venator – and as a woman.
The best way to describe this book is action-packed. Where The Rest Falls Away was the introductory book to this series, RTN is the craziness. :) It seems that Victoria's life has gone from heartbreak to heartbreak throughout this entire series. I know it's to show her growth as a person, but whoa.
When RTN first starts, it's not long after the end of TRFA. Victoria is struggling with grief and What if's. She blames herself for the circumstances and decides to step back from her Venatoring to concentrate on healing. Thankfully, this happens behind the scenes and the book jumps forward.
The book is mostly based in Italy & Colleen really makes you feel like you're there. It's dark, it's dirty, it's gritty and there's a lot going on behind the scenes that Victoria slowly, but surely finds out. She also finds Max.
This book is really, really hard to talk about without giving a lot away. Suffice it to say that there will be the biggest betrayal Victoria has ever had to face at the end of this book. It will bring about great events, but her hurt and anger will be something I don't know if she'll ever get over.
Rises the Night has all the intrigue, sexiness, and say what moments a girl like me could ask for. Seductions, betrayals, revelations...it's all here.
By the time you get to the end of this book, I think you'll be either totally in the Max or totally in the Sebastian camp as to who Victoria should go for. I'm a total Max girl, but that's just because I love his dark, up front, to the point nature. He doesn't fawn over Victoria and he tells her like he sees it. Sebastian, on the other hand, has way too many secrets and too many things that could be more detrimental than good when it comes to Victoria. Sure, he's a total hottie and I believe he cares for her, but there's something a bit self-serving when it comes to him IMHO. :)
So, if you like TRFA and want to know more, I definitely recommend this book. The end will make you cry (it did me), but it's a powerful scene. I'm rereading The Bleeding Dusk now. Here's hoping I'll finish it tonight so I can review it before the winner is chosen. :)
My Rating: A-
Friday, August 1, 2008
The Rest Falls Away by Colleen Gleason
I figured that since I've got Ms. Gleason on my blog this weekend, I would review the first three books in the series (especially for those of you who haven't read her yet). I'm a big fan of this series. It's funny, sexy, heartbreaking...the list goes on and on. The world that Colleen has created is very unique. In some ways, it's our own history, but she's tweaked it and that's what makes it so fun. So, without further ado...here is my review of book 1. :)
Beneath the glitter of dazzling 19th-century London Society lurks a bloodthirsty evil... .
Vampires have always lived among them, quietly attacking unsuspecting debutantes and dandified lords as well as hackney drivers and Bond Street milliners. If not for the vampire slayers of the Gardella family, these immortal creatures would have long taken over the world.
In every generation, a Gardella is called to accept the family legacy, and this time, Victoria Gardella Grantworth is chosen, on the eve of her debut, to carry the stake.
But as she moves between the crush of ballrooms and dangerous, moonlit streets, Victoria's heart is torn between London's most eligible bachelor, the Marquess of Rockley, and her enigmatic ally, Sebastian Vioget.
And when she comes face to face with the most powerful vampire in history, Victoria must ultimately make the choice between duty and love.
Okeydokey...where to begin. At first, TRFA seems like your typical historical romance. Victoria is your basic society miss who is looking for a husband. It is her first season (though she is a bit older...family deaths & mourning caused it to be delayed). She has also just found out that she is a Venator, a vampire slayer.
Her family (the Gardella branch) has a very long history of slaying vampires. Her great aunt is the head of the Venator's, but she is getting quite elderly and it's time for someone to step in to take over the reins (so to speak). So, while Victoria is doing the usual society things like balls and the like, she is also training in kicking vampire butt.
She meets the super hunky Marquess of Rockley and is quickly swept off her feet. It is a mutual thing and they soon agree to marry. However, she also has this pesky attraction to Sebastian who is...not all that he seems.
Juggling her two lives is nothing but trouble for poor Victoria. If it's not one thing, it's something else. In some ways she would love to be just a wife and mother, but her responsibilities are too important to just walk away. How is she going to balance everything?
What I love about this story is how she goes about balancing this double-life she is leading. Yes, she makes some mistakes, but she is so young! You forget that while reading the story, but she's still a girl in a lot of ways. As the book progresses, her choices begin to be harder and have more ramifications. How does she go about protecting her husband and still get her job done?
This book has it all. An intriguing setting, a unique twist on the whole vampire thing, sexy men and a strong heroine. The characters that play a major part throughout the rest of the series are all introduced here (most of them anyway), but it doesn't feel like they've just been dumped into the story just because. Each character that is there is meant to be there. Their part in the story just makes it all the more intriguing.
Is TRFA my favorite in this series? No, but it is an excellent start. I can't recommend it enough. I will be reviewing Rises the Night tomorrow.
My Rating: B
Beneath the glitter of dazzling 19th-century London Society lurks a bloodthirsty evil... .
Vampires have always lived among them, quietly attacking unsuspecting debutantes and dandified lords as well as hackney drivers and Bond Street milliners. If not for the vampire slayers of the Gardella family, these immortal creatures would have long taken over the world.
In every generation, a Gardella is called to accept the family legacy, and this time, Victoria Gardella Grantworth is chosen, on the eve of her debut, to carry the stake.
But as she moves between the crush of ballrooms and dangerous, moonlit streets, Victoria's heart is torn between London's most eligible bachelor, the Marquess of Rockley, and her enigmatic ally, Sebastian Vioget.
And when she comes face to face with the most powerful vampire in history, Victoria must ultimately make the choice between duty and love.
Okeydokey...where to begin. At first, TRFA seems like your typical historical romance. Victoria is your basic society miss who is looking for a husband. It is her first season (though she is a bit older...family deaths & mourning caused it to be delayed). She has also just found out that she is a Venator, a vampire slayer.
Her family (the Gardella branch) has a very long history of slaying vampires. Her great aunt is the head of the Venator's, but she is getting quite elderly and it's time for someone to step in to take over the reins (so to speak). So, while Victoria is doing the usual society things like balls and the like, she is also training in kicking vampire butt.
She meets the super hunky Marquess of Rockley and is quickly swept off her feet. It is a mutual thing and they soon agree to marry. However, she also has this pesky attraction to Sebastian who is...not all that he seems.
Juggling her two lives is nothing but trouble for poor Victoria. If it's not one thing, it's something else. In some ways she would love to be just a wife and mother, but her responsibilities are too important to just walk away. How is she going to balance everything?
What I love about this story is how she goes about balancing this double-life she is leading. Yes, she makes some mistakes, but she is so young! You forget that while reading the story, but she's still a girl in a lot of ways. As the book progresses, her choices begin to be harder and have more ramifications. How does she go about protecting her husband and still get her job done?
This book has it all. An intriguing setting, a unique twist on the whole vampire thing, sexy men and a strong heroine. The characters that play a major part throughout the rest of the series are all introduced here (most of them anyway), but it doesn't feel like they've just been dumped into the story just because. Each character that is there is meant to be there. Their part in the story just makes it all the more intriguing.
Is TRFA my favorite in this series? No, but it is an excellent start. I can't recommend it enough. I will be reviewing Rises the Night tomorrow.
My Rating: B
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