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Vampire Federation #2
The Cross
When an ancient cross is discovered in Eastern Europe it becomes a powerful weapon in the war between the trads and the Vampire Federation – but soon, the world is threatened by its discovery…
The cross of Ardaich, feared by vampires, was believed to have been destroyed during the bloody war between the Vampire Federation and the Trads. But its accidental rediscovery could be catastrophic.
Detective Joel Solomon can’t forgive VF agent Alex Bishop for making him a vampire. Yet when Federation arch-enemy Gabriel Stone enlists a vicious killer to retrieve the cross, the couple and their human allies become the only defence against pure evil.
If the cross is used to gain power by the Übervampyr, the sadistic and primeval race of elite vampires, it isn’t just ordinary vampires like Alex and Joel who will be in danger. Things could be about to turn very nasty for the human race…
A high-octane, action-packed adventure that will thrill fans of Charlaine Harris, Blade and The Passage.
The cross of Ardaich, feared by vampires, was believed to have been destroyed during the bloody war between the Vampire Federation and the Trads. But its accidental rediscovery could be catastrophic.
Detective Joel Solomon can’t forgive VF agent Alex Bishop for making him a vampire. Yet when Federation arch-enemy Gabriel Stone enlists a vicious killer to retrieve the cross, the couple and their human allies become the only defence against pure evil.
If the cross is used to gain power by the Übervampyr, the sadistic and primeval race of elite vampires, it isn’t just ordinary vampires like Alex and Joel who will be in danger. Things could be about to turn very nasty for the human race…
A high-octane, action-packed adventure that will thrill fans of Charlaine Harris, Blade and The Passage.
467 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 1, 2011
73 people are currently reading
569 people want to read
About the author
Scott G. Mariani
3 books176 followersaka Scott Mariani.
Scott Mariani is the author of the Sunday Times bestselling series of conspiracy adventure thrillers featuring ex-SAS hero and former theology scholar Ben Hope. With translation rights sold in 20 countries, the series was optioned for film in 2009 and a major star is lined up to take the leading role. 2010 sees the launch of Scott's new Vampire Federation series for Avon, writing under the name Scott G. Mariani. Scott lives in the wilds of west Wales, and when not busy writing enjoys outdoor pursuits, walking his dogs, archery and photography.
Scott Mariani is the author of the Sunday Times bestselling series of conspiracy adventure thrillers featuring ex-SAS hero and former theology scholar Ben Hope. With translation rights sold in 20 countries, the series was optioned for film in 2009 and a major star is lined up to take the leading role. 2010 sees the launch of Scott's new Vampire Federation series for Avon, writing under the name Scott G. Mariani. Scott lives in the wilds of west Wales, and when not busy writing enjoys outdoor pursuits, walking his dogs, archery and photography.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
October 19, 2011
The Ubervampyr want world domination and no peace pact with humans. They are creating a new breed of monster. The Vampire federation have a set of rules and one of them is a peace with humans and they wish to live amongst them.
The battle of power once again takes foot and the federation need to take out the bad guys. An old weapon against the vampires has been unearthed, a cross. With this in the wrong hands the outcome can only turn out to be fatal.
The author bases most of the story in England which adds a fresh angle to the usual settings used. You will find your usual Human wannabe vampire hunters, a crazed murderer wannabe vampire and the newly turned vampires.
He dishes out a dose of traditional battle sequences with swords, reminiscent of the movie Blade and no steamy boy/girl romance scenes. The chapters of the story are set in different locations between England and eastern Europe, This is a solid addition to the genre that keeps the pace up right through to the end.
http://more2read.com/?review=the-cross-vampire-federation-2-by-scott-g-mariani
The battle of power once again takes foot and the federation need to take out the bad guys. An old weapon against the vampires has been unearthed, a cross. With this in the wrong hands the outcome can only turn out to be fatal.
The author bases most of the story in England which adds a fresh angle to the usual settings used. You will find your usual Human wannabe vampire hunters, a crazed murderer wannabe vampire and the newly turned vampires.
He dishes out a dose of traditional battle sequences with swords, reminiscent of the movie Blade and no steamy boy/girl romance scenes. The chapters of the story are set in different locations between England and eastern Europe, This is a solid addition to the genre that keeps the pace up right through to the end.
http://more2read.com/?review=the-cross-vampire-federation-2-by-scott-g-mariani
April 27, 2012
So, 5 days after I finished the first one "Uprising" - helluva romp, great fun - I finish the second. Mmm... it's fun again, if similarly unpolished stylistically, and won't strain your endurance much, but this one had less momentum to it. There was a hint of bawdy Hammer at times - the phrase "sexy she-vampires" pretty much rolls off the fang - and the main Vampire villain, on the cusp of heaving melodrama in the first book, tends toward pompous pontification in this one, like a Bond villain who just saw the light - or the dark, I suppose, him being a Vampire and all. The Irish boy Dec, supposedly our hero twice removed (so to speak) occasionally loses likeability by repeatedly uttering such cod Hibernian idiolectic pearls as "It's our only chance, so it is", causing at least this reader to cower metaphorically in a corner and wait till he was done. The Ubervampyr meanwhile just struck me as a near-perfect representation of what would happen if Kurt Barlow from "Salem's Lot" raised a brawling dysfunctional family. Which is oddly fascinating, but nevertheless derivative. But gosh, what the hell, hey! It's still quite enjoyable. I have no idea in the world if there's going to be a third book (reasonable bet, you reckon?) - but it should tell you something that there's a fair chance I'll read it if it shows up. And that, though not spectacular, it'll be entertaining stuff.
September 12, 2013
The Cross: Vampire Federation by Sean McCabe is the second book in his Vampire Federation urban fantasy series.
After a battle, Detective Joel Solomon wakes up and realizes that he has been turned into a vampire. Joel hates what he's become and vows to find the person responsible: Vampire Federation agent Alex Bishop. But Alex has her own problems to deal with, including political intrigue at work and vampires who are breaking the law. Meanwhile, evil vampire Gabriel Stone is hatching a plan to find and use the Cross of Ardaich, a powerful relic, against the members of the Federation. Also in the mix are a variety of other characters, good and bad, who are going about their lives, not knowing that they will soon intersect. In one way or another, all of the characters are on the trial of or are tied together by the Cross, which supposedly has the power to destroy vampires ...
This was an interesting book, and it read a little bit like an action-adventure thriller to me, especially when it came to Alex and the Vampire Federation, which is sort of like a spy group that polices the vampires of the world. I enjoyed that aspect of the world building.
I also thought Alex was a cool character. She was strong, professional, and did what was necessary to get the job done, whether it was taking down a rogue vampire or trying to save the day. I also enjoyed reading about Joel and his struggles to come to terms with what he is.
However, there are quite a few characters in this book, most of whom get their own point of view scene at one time or another. The different points of views are interesting, but it takes a while for all the various characters to start meeting each other and for them all to become connected. I thought that slowed down the pace of the book. Also, several characters switch sides and join forces at the end of the book, which I didn't find to be all that believable, despite the new threat that emerges.
Overall, if you're looking for a new urban fantasy with vampires, you might consider checking out this book.
After a battle, Detective Joel Solomon wakes up and realizes that he has been turned into a vampire. Joel hates what he's become and vows to find the person responsible: Vampire Federation agent Alex Bishop. But Alex has her own problems to deal with, including political intrigue at work and vampires who are breaking the law. Meanwhile, evil vampire Gabriel Stone is hatching a plan to find and use the Cross of Ardaich, a powerful relic, against the members of the Federation. Also in the mix are a variety of other characters, good and bad, who are going about their lives, not knowing that they will soon intersect. In one way or another, all of the characters are on the trial of or are tied together by the Cross, which supposedly has the power to destroy vampires ...
This was an interesting book, and it read a little bit like an action-adventure thriller to me, especially when it came to Alex and the Vampire Federation, which is sort of like a spy group that polices the vampires of the world. I enjoyed that aspect of the world building.
I also thought Alex was a cool character. She was strong, professional, and did what was necessary to get the job done, whether it was taking down a rogue vampire or trying to save the day. I also enjoyed reading about Joel and his struggles to come to terms with what he is.
However, there are quite a few characters in this book, most of whom get their own point of view scene at one time or another. The different points of views are interesting, but it takes a while for all the various characters to start meeting each other and for them all to become connected. I thought that slowed down the pace of the book. Also, several characters switch sides and join forces at the end of the book, which I didn't find to be all that believable, despite the new threat that emerges.
Overall, if you're looking for a new urban fantasy with vampires, you might consider checking out this book.
March 14, 2019
Can't wait for the next episode in this story. Characters are well developed and engaging. Storyline is interesting.
February 3, 2012
OMFG!!!!! i loved the first book from this series, the second book blew me away. I think that it is one of the best books that i have ever read. loved it and think that the story was amazing. really want to know if there will be another book in this series as it ended in a way that it seemed like there will be. one of my favorite books. LOVED it and would recommend it to anyone because you will not be able to put it down. READ IT. You will not be disappointed :) xx
June 13, 2021
I thoroughly enjoyed the book because it had a lot of great action and adventure in it as well as some really good twists and turns and good character development. It was a fun quick read that I was able to get through in only a few short days which is always a good thing. The characters were a good mix of complexity and simplified tropes that lent it's to making for a good over all story. I like picking up a sequel and not being so lost that I couldn't figure out what was happening or who the characters were that I needed to care about. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes vampire stories with a undertone of spies, espionage, criminal undertakings and action adventure stories.
April 21, 2025
2 stars feels too harsh but I didn’t enjoy as much as the first book so would have given 2.5 stars if I could.
I enjoyed seeing more of the characters and the vampire world that had been set up in the first book, particularly was excited for an alliance with the villains from the first book.
But in the end, it veered too far into Sci Fi for me by leaning into an alien-vampire story line, for the sake of providing an origin story and a final boss super villain for all characters to ally against. Not hugely for me but was once again hooked and finished it in a week so can’t say I didn’t enjoy.
I enjoyed seeing more of the characters and the vampire world that had been set up in the first book, particularly was excited for an alliance with the villains from the first book.
But in the end, it veered too far into Sci Fi for me by leaning into an alien-vampire story line, for the sake of providing an origin story and a final boss super villain for all characters to ally against. Not hugely for me but was once again hooked and finished it in a week so can’t say I didn’t enjoy.
March 4, 2023
This is a good follow on from Uprising. The plot, blood and gore thickens as Joel has to overcome his prejudice and give in to his feelings for Alex. The whole plot twists round and the truth about vampires is revealed. Lots of violent, gory fights and relationships developing. Declan gets a bigger role this time round.
The only disappointment for me is that is didn't feel like the end. Not sure why but I wonder if the series was dropped due to low sales or something like that.
Don't let that stop you though still worth reading.
The only disappointment for me is that is didn't feel like the end. Not sure why but I wonder if the series was dropped due to low sales or something like that.
Don't let that stop you though still worth reading.
September 30, 2025
Scott Mariani does not disappoint! I've read a few of his books before & thoroughly enjoyed them & can say the same for this vampire federation series. I love Alex & think she is fierce & a great FMC. It was interesting in this book to have Joel now having to get used to his new life & seeing how that panned out. The addition of new characters in this book was interesting & I enjoyed seeing how they fitted into the narrative. I now just wish that there was a 3rd book of this series as I feel like it was left open for it
November 1, 2017
Excellent ale for a sceptic like me. Enjoyable and makes hungry for rhe next. Hanging endings are,so irritating, where to from here I wonder. thenext looks extremely promising can't wait.. but also encouraging
Makes you want to read more. Finished back catalogue now, where to next I wonder. Any recommendations anyone?
This shas become one of my favourites now.
Makes you want to read more. Finished back catalogue now, where to next I wonder. Any recommendations anyone?
This shas become one of my favourites now.
February 9, 2021
So, I was very much impressed with the first book of the series, and though the sequel had the same great writing style, I found it less satisfying to read.
This is mainly because of the whole vampires are actually aliens thing, and that the action felt more rushed than fast-paced.
Still enjoyable, though, but a bit disappointing plot-wise and character-wise.
This is mainly because of the whole vampires are actually aliens thing, and that the action felt more rushed than fast-paced.
Still enjoyable, though, but a bit disappointing plot-wise and character-wise.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 21, 2020
WOW
Another brilliant book. I was totally absorbed and the writing is brilliant, I felt I was there with every bit of action and conversations. Is there another Vampire book in the making? I hope so.
Another brilliant book. I was totally absorbed and the writing is brilliant, I felt I was there with every bit of action and conversations. Is there another Vampire book in the making? I hope so.
December 7, 2024
Took a good q50.pages or so to get going and while the original premise was Gabriel.Stone to defeat the Vampire Federation! He actually times up with Aplex' Joel, Claudia and Del to defeat ASH after they.were double crossed by the uber Vampires.
December 19, 2024
got a bit weird in places but enjoyed and stuck with it. worth a read
A bit strange at times but had good moments, It was worth the read and subject story was readable. Not a subject I particularly like. Finished book and pleased I got thru it.
A bit strange at times but had good moments, It was worth the read and subject story was readable. Not a subject I particularly like. Finished book and pleased I got thru it.
September 1, 2017
Nice. Probably best if ended with this one though.
May 17, 2019
Not quite as good as the first one, but got better at the end.
July 24, 2019
Enjoyed this,
July 21, 2021
Good story. well told but not really my sort of thing
July 28, 2022
I enjoyed it but it is not my thing.
January 28, 2023
What a great read from start to finish the twisted and turns in this book is brilliant I just wish there was another one to carry on from it
Read
June 20, 2024An exciting read.
October 25, 2011
So, vampires. For a scaredy cat like me, reading horror is a challenge. And when I think of non-sparkly vampires or non-Joss Whedon-esque vampires for that matter, I think of scary guys trying to kill me. So vampires aren't a natural subject for me to be reading about. But at the beginning of this year I decided that I'd challenge myself to reading more outside of my comfort zone, so horror was definitely on the menu. Thus, when I was asked about reviewing Scott G. Mariani's The Cross, I said yes and I have to say I was very pleasantly surprised.
As The Cross is the second book in the Vampire Federation series, after Uprising, I was a bit worried that I wouldn't get some of the continuing storylines, but as it turns out Mariani explains what we need to know, without going into info-dumping mode and I never had the impression that I didn't get what was going on due to not having read the first book. It seems like The Cross picks up almost where it left off and introduces us to our protagonists and villains in several chapters.
The reader is taken along on a whirlwind ride of conspiracies, a hidden world inside the one we know and in a way The Cross reads more like a thriller than a supernatural horror novel. And I really liked that. In this book the vampires aren't the monsters, but they do represent the other, a different outlook on life – or maybe rather undeath – than humanity propagates. Mariani's vampires are actually likeable, even the bad guys, Gabriel Stone and company, are not completely beyond the pale and are quite engaging, but then they aren't the biggest villains, they get trumped.
The truly scary characters aren't even vampires, they're a human and the Übervampyr. And these latter are scary but rather unfathomable. Ash, the human vampire wannabe, is a complete psychopath. He kills without remorse and without seemingly giving it any thought. His acts are made even more monstrous by the way Mariani first lets us encounter his victims. We get glimpses of their lives and their personalities in the moments just before Ash enters those lives to end them for evermore. Their normal, everyday lives emphasise their shocking ends and Ash's inhumanity. In contrast, the Übervampyr are never portrayed as anything other than non-human and while they are scary in their patient and single-minded pursuit of domination over the planet and mankind, it is only when they get their hands on Ash that their cause becomes frighteningly attainable. But for some reason the Übervampyr didn't scare me as much as Ash, maybe because they are portrayed as too scary? In the same way a film can be so bad, that it actually becomes funny, maybe the Übervampyrs are so scary, that they're not scary anymore.
The good guys are an interesting bunch of characters as well. At the start I was a bit nonplussed by Chloe, but once she joins up with our intrepid gang she started to make more sense. My favourite, however, was Joel Solomon. I really liked the way Mariani showed him working through the fact that he had been turned and had now become that which he had previously fought and destroyed. His struggle to keep his humanity and at the same time survive as a vampire is of course an oft used trope, just think of Whedon's Angel or Moonlight's Mick St John. But Mariani gives it a nice spin and I loved that undeath didn't mean immortal, unless you get staked or decapitated, but a vampire can actually starve to something worse than death. Joel's slow acceptance of his new state of being and his almost grudging forgiveness of his partner and the vampire who turned him, Alex Bishop, was well done and didn't seem too easy or painless. Dec's acceptance of Joel's being turned was rather too easy though, but that may be explained by the fact that Dec is a rather naive kid that's had his eyes opened rather abruptly and maybe his gut reactions running ahead of his rational reactions.
Overall, I enjoyed The Cross even more than I had expected too. From the flap text I'd expected an exciting story, but what I got was a thriller I couldn't put down. Mariani's vampires are vampires done right and he's created a great world for his characters to run around in. While The Cross ended on a very satisfying note, the next adventure, or better said, mission is already clear and it promises to be just as suspenseful and engaging as this one. I'm really glad I jumped at the chance to review this book and I look forward to reading more of Scott G. Mariani's work. The Cross was released this past October in the UK and will be realised in the US later in the year. If you like a good vampire story or a gripping thriller be sure to check it out!
This book was sent to me for review by the publisher.
As The Cross is the second book in the Vampire Federation series, after Uprising, I was a bit worried that I wouldn't get some of the continuing storylines, but as it turns out Mariani explains what we need to know, without going into info-dumping mode and I never had the impression that I didn't get what was going on due to not having read the first book. It seems like The Cross picks up almost where it left off and introduces us to our protagonists and villains in several chapters.
The reader is taken along on a whirlwind ride of conspiracies, a hidden world inside the one we know and in a way The Cross reads more like a thriller than a supernatural horror novel. And I really liked that. In this book the vampires aren't the monsters, but they do represent the other, a different outlook on life – or maybe rather undeath – than humanity propagates. Mariani's vampires are actually likeable, even the bad guys, Gabriel Stone and company, are not completely beyond the pale and are quite engaging, but then they aren't the biggest villains, they get trumped.
The truly scary characters aren't even vampires, they're a human and the Übervampyr. And these latter are scary but rather unfathomable. Ash, the human vampire wannabe, is a complete psychopath. He kills without remorse and without seemingly giving it any thought. His acts are made even more monstrous by the way Mariani first lets us encounter his victims. We get glimpses of their lives and their personalities in the moments just before Ash enters those lives to end them for evermore. Their normal, everyday lives emphasise their shocking ends and Ash's inhumanity. In contrast, the Übervampyr are never portrayed as anything other than non-human and while they are scary in their patient and single-minded pursuit of domination over the planet and mankind, it is only when they get their hands on Ash that their cause becomes frighteningly attainable. But for some reason the Übervampyr didn't scare me as much as Ash, maybe because they are portrayed as too scary? In the same way a film can be so bad, that it actually becomes funny, maybe the Übervampyrs are so scary, that they're not scary anymore.
The good guys are an interesting bunch of characters as well. At the start I was a bit nonplussed by Chloe, but once she joins up with our intrepid gang she started to make more sense. My favourite, however, was Joel Solomon. I really liked the way Mariani showed him working through the fact that he had been turned and had now become that which he had previously fought and destroyed. His struggle to keep his humanity and at the same time survive as a vampire is of course an oft used trope, just think of Whedon's Angel or Moonlight's Mick St John. But Mariani gives it a nice spin and I loved that undeath didn't mean immortal, unless you get staked or decapitated, but a vampire can actually starve to something worse than death. Joel's slow acceptance of his new state of being and his almost grudging forgiveness of his partner and the vampire who turned him, Alex Bishop, was well done and didn't seem too easy or painless. Dec's acceptance of Joel's being turned was rather too easy though, but that may be explained by the fact that Dec is a rather naive kid that's had his eyes opened rather abruptly and maybe his gut reactions running ahead of his rational reactions.
Overall, I enjoyed The Cross even more than I had expected too. From the flap text I'd expected an exciting story, but what I got was a thriller I couldn't put down. Mariani's vampires are vampires done right and he's created a great world for his characters to run around in. While The Cross ended on a very satisfying note, the next adventure, or better said, mission is already clear and it promises to be just as suspenseful and engaging as this one. I'm really glad I jumped at the chance to review this book and I look forward to reading more of Scott G. Mariani's work. The Cross was released this past October in the UK and will be realised in the US later in the year. If you like a good vampire story or a gripping thriller be sure to check it out!
This book was sent to me for review by the publisher.
November 16, 2011
An Ancient Evil Rises Again…
The cross of Ardaich, feared by vampires, was believed to have been destroyed during the bloody war between the Vampire Federation and the Trads. But its accidental rediscovery could be catastrophic.
Detective Joel Solomon can’t forgive VF agent Alex Bishop for making him a vampire. Yet when the Federation arch enemy Gabriel Stone enlists a vicious killer to retrieve the cross, the couple and their human allies become the only defence against pure evil.
If the cross is used to gain power by the Ubervampyr, the sadistic and primeval race of the undead, it isn’t just ordinary vampires like Alex and Joel who will be in danger. Things could be about to turn very nasty for the human race…
The Cross picks up immediately after the events at the end of it predecessor, Uprising. The reader is immediately thrust into the fallout of the previous novels conclusion. Each of the sides in the conflict has retreated to their respective corners and are licking their wounds.
The action remains just as bonkers as it was in the first novel. There are various sword fights, explosions, massacres and even a Mexican stand-off involving a cable car. I was particularly pleased when I realised that no character is safe, everyone is fair game. Mariani obviously delights in throwing the odd curveball at his readers.
Meanwhile Joel Solomon is coming to terms with the prospect of existing as a vampire. His relationship with Alex has been strained to breaking point, and it is interesting to watch his internal struggle as he accepts his new life. Dec Maddon also returns as the world’s least well equipped, but most enthusiastic, vampire hunter. His journey offers some nice light relief to all the hacking and slashing going on around him. Dec isn’t the sharpest tool in the shed, but he is great character.
There are a couple of new characters introduced to help expand the VF universe. Without a shadow of a doubt, a psychotic mad man called Ash is my clear favourite. He is an insane human who believes he is already a vampire. His actions are violently destructive, and when he does finally meet some genuine vamps, you just know that there will be blood. His unpredictable nature, in tandem with his brutal savagery, makes all the scenes Ash appears in some of the best in the novel.
It is becoming increasingly obvious as the story develops that the VF are just as corrupt and twisted as the Traditional vampires. Although it is only referenced a couple of times during the narrative, I really hope this is explored in the future. Humanity is stuck in the middle, sandwiched between two rivals that are just as bad as one another.
If Uprising is a referential nod to Blade, then The Cross is a vigorous shake of the head at Blade 2. Mismatched enemies are forced by circumstance to become allies and the Ubervampyrs will certainly put any reader in mind of the Reapers from said film. The bad news is that although they are a great deal of fun, the Ubervampyrs don’t get to make a huge appearance in this book. There are glimpses of their hidden Siberian society but not much more than that. The good news, however, is that based on the revelations that occur toward the novel’s end, there is certainly enough loose ends to merit another book in this series and I’m sure the Ubervampyrs will be back.
The Vampire Federation novels are unashamedly tongue in cheek. It may not be the most original story in the world, but there is no heavy handed pretentiousness. This is just out and out fun. If you are looking for fast paced, old school vampire action you could do a lot worse than Uprising and then The Cross.
The cross of Ardaich, feared by vampires, was believed to have been destroyed during the bloody war between the Vampire Federation and the Trads. But its accidental rediscovery could be catastrophic.
Detective Joel Solomon can’t forgive VF agent Alex Bishop for making him a vampire. Yet when the Federation arch enemy Gabriel Stone enlists a vicious killer to retrieve the cross, the couple and their human allies become the only defence against pure evil.
If the cross is used to gain power by the Ubervampyr, the sadistic and primeval race of the undead, it isn’t just ordinary vampires like Alex and Joel who will be in danger. Things could be about to turn very nasty for the human race…
The Cross picks up immediately after the events at the end of it predecessor, Uprising. The reader is immediately thrust into the fallout of the previous novels conclusion. Each of the sides in the conflict has retreated to their respective corners and are licking their wounds.
The action remains just as bonkers as it was in the first novel. There are various sword fights, explosions, massacres and even a Mexican stand-off involving a cable car. I was particularly pleased when I realised that no character is safe, everyone is fair game. Mariani obviously delights in throwing the odd curveball at his readers.
Meanwhile Joel Solomon is coming to terms with the prospect of existing as a vampire. His relationship with Alex has been strained to breaking point, and it is interesting to watch his internal struggle as he accepts his new life. Dec Maddon also returns as the world’s least well equipped, but most enthusiastic, vampire hunter. His journey offers some nice light relief to all the hacking and slashing going on around him. Dec isn’t the sharpest tool in the shed, but he is great character.
There are a couple of new characters introduced to help expand the VF universe. Without a shadow of a doubt, a psychotic mad man called Ash is my clear favourite. He is an insane human who believes he is already a vampire. His actions are violently destructive, and when he does finally meet some genuine vamps, you just know that there will be blood. His unpredictable nature, in tandem with his brutal savagery, makes all the scenes Ash appears in some of the best in the novel.
It is becoming increasingly obvious as the story develops that the VF are just as corrupt and twisted as the Traditional vampires. Although it is only referenced a couple of times during the narrative, I really hope this is explored in the future. Humanity is stuck in the middle, sandwiched between two rivals that are just as bad as one another.
If Uprising is a referential nod to Blade, then The Cross is a vigorous shake of the head at Blade 2. Mismatched enemies are forced by circumstance to become allies and the Ubervampyrs will certainly put any reader in mind of the Reapers from said film. The bad news is that although they are a great deal of fun, the Ubervampyrs don’t get to make a huge appearance in this book. There are glimpses of their hidden Siberian society but not much more than that. The good news, however, is that based on the revelations that occur toward the novel’s end, there is certainly enough loose ends to merit another book in this series and I’m sure the Ubervampyrs will be back.
The Vampire Federation novels are unashamedly tongue in cheek. It may not be the most original story in the world, but there is no heavy handed pretentiousness. This is just out and out fun. If you are looking for fast paced, old school vampire action you could do a lot worse than Uprising and then The Cross.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 15, 2012
The Cross of Ardaich has been found. The cross has the power to destroy any vampire within range of it. A group of characters, good and bad, are forced together to fight the wielder of the cross.
This is the second book in the Federation series. I didn’t read the first, but the second book does a very good job of recapping the events from the last book. I believe this one has a few new characters. Like Chloe who is the one who finds the cross, only to have it be put back together.
The book feels like a thriller. It moves from character to character, and at first I was left wondering how they were going to fit together. Some of the characters were jarring. Like the two leads, Alex, the federation vampire, and Joel who wants revenge from Alex. At first he is ready to kill her, but it feels half-hearted. The same is true for the attraction they have for one another. The problem isn’t just the two of them, but also in the majority of the good guys. Chloe’s dialogue threw me out of the story more than once. There is something stiff about the good guys, while the bad guys have much more to them.
The bad guys from the last book are the characters that felt realized. They were the gem of the book. Even their heartlessly killing humans didn’t stop me from rooting for them in a tight spot. They have a loyalty to one another that made me enjoy them despite myself.
The action is dramatic, and fun to read. The main antagonists are the Ubervampyrs, and the human mass murderer, Ash. The name ‘Ubervampyr’ bothered me, mostly because I think it is a funny title. It was very hard for me to take them seriously. Despite the funny name the Ubervampyrs have, the look into their underground world is very interesting and like the action, dynamic. Ash is a very frightening mass murderer. I found it hard at first to understand his motivations, until he gets involved with the vampires. The vampires in the novel are very strong (super-human strong), so when Ash beats one of them it is too difficult to believe.
At the start of the novel I had a hard time figuring out how each character came together, but once they did I enjoyed the outcome. I still have a hard time with some of the characters, and their motivations. The scenes are very action packed, and some of the scenes boarder on the horror genre. There is a minor romantic subplot that is the “I hate you,” “I love you,” kind of thing. The characters didn’t seem to hold enough emotion, or even action to make the subplot believable for me. The ending was fun, and despite my character draw backs, I would love to see the outcome in the third book.
This is the second book in the Federation series. I didn’t read the first, but the second book does a very good job of recapping the events from the last book. I believe this one has a few new characters. Like Chloe who is the one who finds the cross, only to have it be put back together.
The book feels like a thriller. It moves from character to character, and at first I was left wondering how they were going to fit together. Some of the characters were jarring. Like the two leads, Alex, the federation vampire, and Joel who wants revenge from Alex. At first he is ready to kill her, but it feels half-hearted. The same is true for the attraction they have for one another. The problem isn’t just the two of them, but also in the majority of the good guys. Chloe’s dialogue threw me out of the story more than once. There is something stiff about the good guys, while the bad guys have much more to them.
The bad guys from the last book are the characters that felt realized. They were the gem of the book. Even their heartlessly killing humans didn’t stop me from rooting for them in a tight spot. They have a loyalty to one another that made me enjoy them despite myself.
The action is dramatic, and fun to read. The main antagonists are the Ubervampyrs, and the human mass murderer, Ash. The name ‘Ubervampyr’ bothered me, mostly because I think it is a funny title. It was very hard for me to take them seriously. Despite the funny name the Ubervampyrs have, the look into their underground world is very interesting and like the action, dynamic. Ash is a very frightening mass murderer. I found it hard at first to understand his motivations, until he gets involved with the vampires. The vampires in the novel are very strong (super-human strong), so when Ash beats one of them it is too difficult to believe.
At the start of the novel I had a hard time figuring out how each character came together, but once they did I enjoyed the outcome. I still have a hard time with some of the characters, and their motivations. The scenes are very action packed, and some of the scenes boarder on the horror genre. There is a minor romantic subplot that is the “I hate you,” “I love you,” kind of thing. The characters didn’t seem to hold enough emotion, or even action to make the subplot believable for me. The ending was fun, and despite my character draw backs, I would love to see the outcome in the third book.
January 14, 2012
The Cross of Ardaich has been found. The cross has the power to destroy any vampire within range of it. A group of characters, good and bad, are forced together to fight the wielder of the cross.
This is the second book in the Federation series. I didn’t read the first, but the second book does a very good job of recapping the events from the last book. I believe this one has a few new characters. Like Chloe who is the one who finds the cross, only to have it be put back together.
The book feels like a thriller. It moves from character to character, and at first I was left wondering how they were going to fit together. Some of the characters were jarring. Like the two leads, Alex, the federation vampire, and Joel who wants revenge from Alex. At first he is ready to kill her, but it feels half-hearted. The same is true for the attraction they have for one another. The problem isn’t just the two of them, but also in the majority of the good guys. Chloe’s dialogue threw me out of the story more than once. There is something stiff about the good guys, while the bad guys have much more to them.
The bad guys from the last book are the characters that felt realized. They were the gem of the book. Even their heartlessly killing humans didn’t stop me from rooting for them in a tight spot. They have a loyalty to one another that made me enjoy them despite myself.
The action is dramatic, and fun to read. The main antagonists are the Ubervampyrs, and the human mass murderer, Ash. The name ‘Ubervampyr’ bothered me, mostly because I think it is a funny title. It was very hard for me to take them seriously. Despite the funny name the Ubervampyrs have, the look into their underground world is very interesting and like the action, dynamic. Ash is a very frightening mass murderer. I found it hard at first to understand his motivations, until he gets involved with the vampires. The vampires in the novel are very strong (super-human strong), so when Ash beats one of them it is too difficult to believe.
At the start of the novel I had a hard time figuring out how each character came together, but once they did I enjoyed the outcome. I still have a hard time with some of the characters, and their motivations. The scenes are very action packed, and some of the scenes boarder on the horror genre. There is a minor romantic subplot that is the “I hate you,” “I love you,” kind of thing. The characters didn’t seem to hold enough emotion, or even action to make the subplot believable for me. The ending was fun, and despite my character draw backs, I would love to see the outcome in the third book.
-Beth (Guest Reviewer)
This is the second book in the Federation series. I didn’t read the first, but the second book does a very good job of recapping the events from the last book. I believe this one has a few new characters. Like Chloe who is the one who finds the cross, only to have it be put back together.
The book feels like a thriller. It moves from character to character, and at first I was left wondering how they were going to fit together. Some of the characters were jarring. Like the two leads, Alex, the federation vampire, and Joel who wants revenge from Alex. At first he is ready to kill her, but it feels half-hearted. The same is true for the attraction they have for one another. The problem isn’t just the two of them, but also in the majority of the good guys. Chloe’s dialogue threw me out of the story more than once. There is something stiff about the good guys, while the bad guys have much more to them.
The bad guys from the last book are the characters that felt realized. They were the gem of the book. Even their heartlessly killing humans didn’t stop me from rooting for them in a tight spot. They have a loyalty to one another that made me enjoy them despite myself.
The action is dramatic, and fun to read. The main antagonists are the Ubervampyrs, and the human mass murderer, Ash. The name ‘Ubervampyr’ bothered me, mostly because I think it is a funny title. It was very hard for me to take them seriously. Despite the funny name the Ubervampyrs have, the look into their underground world is very interesting and like the action, dynamic. Ash is a very frightening mass murderer. I found it hard at first to understand his motivations, until he gets involved with the vampires. The vampires in the novel are very strong (super-human strong), so when Ash beats one of them it is too difficult to believe.
At the start of the novel I had a hard time figuring out how each character came together, but once they did I enjoyed the outcome. I still have a hard time with some of the characters, and their motivations. The scenes are very action packed, and some of the scenes boarder on the horror genre. There is a minor romantic subplot that is the “I hate you,” “I love you,” kind of thing. The characters didn’t seem to hold enough emotion, or even action to make the subplot believable for me. The ending was fun, and despite my character draw backs, I would love to see the outcome in the third book.
-Beth (Guest Reviewer)
September 4, 2014
The Cross is the second in Mariani’s Vampire Federation novels, coming after 2010’s Uprising. Part action adventure, part history-conspiracy thriller, part vampire horror, Uprising established a world where vampires governed themselves and ensured their anonymity amongst humans through the Vampire Federation (VF) - a Spooks-like M15-type agency committed to finding and destroying rogue vampires, with the beautiful but deadly Alex Bishop as its no.1 agent. When a ‘traditionalist’ vampire uprising, led by the Byron-esque, Gabriel Stone, threatened to wipe out the VF, Bishop joined forces with ex-CID officer-turned vampire hunter Joel Solomon, to track down the ancient Cross of Ardaich, before Stone could use its deadly force against his vampire enemies. Uprising ended with Stone temporarily defeated, the Cross lost, and Alex Bishop forced to take desperate measures in order to save the mortally wounded Solomon.
The Cross takes up its story immediately from where Uprising left off, with the resurrected Stone enlisting psychotic killer-wannabe vampire, Ash, to retrieve the cross, and Jason Solomon once again forced into an uneasy alliance with Alex Bishop, this time to save humanity from the Ubervampyr, a sadistic and primeval race of the undead, for whom Gabriel Stone is merely doing their bidding.
Like Uprising, The Cross is high octane action-packed adventure all the way. Mariani is perhaps better known for his series of Ben Hope history-conspiracy thrillers (The Lost Relic, The Doomsday Prophecy) and he knows how to write gripping suspense and action. The Cross features these aplenty, especially in the final showdown which takes place in the Swiss mountains - as exciting a climax to a novel as you could hope to read.
Gabriel Stone is less of a villain than he was in Uprising (the real bad guys are the genocidal Ubervampyr), but the shifting sympathies between Stone, Bishop and Jason Solomon make for some intriguing developments and engaging subplots. Teenage vampire hunter Dec Maddon returns, along with new girl, Chloe, who set out together to avenge the murder of their loved ones by Stone.
A minor quibble would be that The Cross takes a little long to bring all of these characters and subplots together, but it is only a small fault as Mariani keeps you turning the pages regardless. The Cross suffers a bit as the middle novel in the series maybe, because it does spend a lot of time re-gathering after the events of Uprising and setting up things to come later in the series. By the end, though, Mariani leaves you once again wanting more, and the scene is set for the ultimate showdown with the Ubervampyr.
The Cross takes up its story immediately from where Uprising left off, with the resurrected Stone enlisting psychotic killer-wannabe vampire, Ash, to retrieve the cross, and Jason Solomon once again forced into an uneasy alliance with Alex Bishop, this time to save humanity from the Ubervampyr, a sadistic and primeval race of the undead, for whom Gabriel Stone is merely doing their bidding.
Like Uprising, The Cross is high octane action-packed adventure all the way. Mariani is perhaps better known for his series of Ben Hope history-conspiracy thrillers (The Lost Relic, The Doomsday Prophecy) and he knows how to write gripping suspense and action. The Cross features these aplenty, especially in the final showdown which takes place in the Swiss mountains - as exciting a climax to a novel as you could hope to read.
Gabriel Stone is less of a villain than he was in Uprising (the real bad guys are the genocidal Ubervampyr), but the shifting sympathies between Stone, Bishop and Jason Solomon make for some intriguing developments and engaging subplots. Teenage vampire hunter Dec Maddon returns, along with new girl, Chloe, who set out together to avenge the murder of their loved ones by Stone.
A minor quibble would be that The Cross takes a little long to bring all of these characters and subplots together, but it is only a small fault as Mariani keeps you turning the pages regardless. The Cross suffers a bit as the middle novel in the series maybe, because it does spend a lot of time re-gathering after the events of Uprising and setting up things to come later in the series. By the end, though, Mariani leaves you once again wanting more, and the scene is set for the ultimate showdown with the Ubervampyr.
December 3, 2011
The Cross is the second book in the Vampire Federation series by Sean McCabe and a Signet Select Novel.
Book Blurb:
The vampires call it the Cross of Ardaich; a relic thought to have been destroyed in the war between the Federation and the rebels led by archvampire Gabriel Stone. But it has been found, and its incredible powers could signal the end of civilization...
A cannibalistic serial killer becomes the perfect tool for the race of the Ubervampyre. His mission: find the cross. His reward: join the ranks of the undead. On his trail are Detective Joel Solomon and Vampire Federation agent Alex Bishop, a woman used to tracking rogue bloodsuckers. This time, the monster is human. At least for now.
If the cross falls into the hands of Stone’s sinister masters, nobody can stop the destruction that will change the world and see humanity enslaved for blood...
My thoughts:
When Joel Solomon wielded the Cross of Ardaich at Gabriel Stone’s Romanian castle, it looked as if Stone and his sister, Lillith, were out of commission. But looks can be deceiving.
Gabriel is weak and near true death when Lillith hauls him miles away to Siberia, to the underground city of the Ubervampyr - in the hope that they can save him.
Waking in the snow, Joel Solomon realizes that he has survived the attack on Stone’s castle - but he is not unchanged by the experience. He is now both more and less than what he was before and he is determined to find the person responsible - and punish them.
In London, Alex Bishop has made it safely home from Siberia to resume work for the Vampire Federation. She is both relieved and concerned - being one of the few vampires to survive the attack - she feels it is premature to think that Gabriel is no longer a threat.
At the same time a young Londoner named Dec is trying to come to terms with the fact that vampires exist while a young American named Chloe has found a relic that seems not of this Earth.
What these people don’t realize is that their paths will soon cross - leading them to the same destination.
The Cross is the first book I have read by Sean McCabe and I liked it well enough. There are a lot of players in this book and we’re jumping around from person to person - trying to get everyone’s story.
I give The Cross 3 out of 5 stars.
Product Details
Paperback: 480 pages
Publisher: Signet Select (12-6-11)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0451413164
ISBN-13: 978-0451413161
Book Blurb:
The vampires call it the Cross of Ardaich; a relic thought to have been destroyed in the war between the Federation and the rebels led by archvampire Gabriel Stone. But it has been found, and its incredible powers could signal the end of civilization...
A cannibalistic serial killer becomes the perfect tool for the race of the Ubervampyre. His mission: find the cross. His reward: join the ranks of the undead. On his trail are Detective Joel Solomon and Vampire Federation agent Alex Bishop, a woman used to tracking rogue bloodsuckers. This time, the monster is human. At least for now.
If the cross falls into the hands of Stone’s sinister masters, nobody can stop the destruction that will change the world and see humanity enslaved for blood...
My thoughts:
When Joel Solomon wielded the Cross of Ardaich at Gabriel Stone’s Romanian castle, it looked as if Stone and his sister, Lillith, were out of commission. But looks can be deceiving.
Gabriel is weak and near true death when Lillith hauls him miles away to Siberia, to the underground city of the Ubervampyr - in the hope that they can save him.
Waking in the snow, Joel Solomon realizes that he has survived the attack on Stone’s castle - but he is not unchanged by the experience. He is now both more and less than what he was before and he is determined to find the person responsible - and punish them.
In London, Alex Bishop has made it safely home from Siberia to resume work for the Vampire Federation. She is both relieved and concerned - being one of the few vampires to survive the attack - she feels it is premature to think that Gabriel is no longer a threat.
At the same time a young Londoner named Dec is trying to come to terms with the fact that vampires exist while a young American named Chloe has found a relic that seems not of this Earth.
What these people don’t realize is that their paths will soon cross - leading them to the same destination.
The Cross is the first book I have read by Sean McCabe and I liked it well enough. There are a lot of players in this book and we’re jumping around from person to person - trying to get everyone’s story.
I give The Cross 3 out of 5 stars.
Product Details
Paperback: 480 pages
Publisher: Signet Select (12-6-11)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0451413164
ISBN-13: 978-0451413161
July 1, 2014
I did not see this one coming at all!
The best way to describe this book is... Highlander meets Buffy meets Superman meets Lord of the Rings!
The vampire federation idea is clever - a more sophisticated Buffy! The sword swishing was all about highlander "there can be only one", the goblins definitely made me think of LOTR, and the twist... aliens from space - of course, superman.
This is my first book by this author & I have to admit that I was convinced it was not my thing when I started. It had the gore, blood and description typical of horror movies - I have never read a book like it.
BUT, as you read you got involved with the complex characters - and boy are there MANY of them! Even I lost track of who was who at times!
If you enjoy action, adventure and gore - this is the book for you.
Overall, I really enjoyed it and was left wanting to read more. It is obvious this is a series since the story is left unfinished... and you get a teaser into the first book. This is the only thing that annoys me - I prefer to know how many books it's going to take to finish the story.
The best way to describe this book is... Highlander meets Buffy meets Superman meets Lord of the Rings!
The vampire federation idea is clever - a more sophisticated Buffy! The sword swishing was all about highlander "there can be only one", the goblins definitely made me think of LOTR, and the twist... aliens from space - of course, superman.
This is my first book by this author & I have to admit that I was convinced it was not my thing when I started. It had the gore, blood and description typical of horror movies - I have never read a book like it.
BUT, as you read you got involved with the complex characters - and boy are there MANY of them! Even I lost track of who was who at times!
If you enjoy action, adventure and gore - this is the book for you.
Overall, I really enjoyed it and was left wanting to read more. It is obvious this is a series since the story is left unfinished... and you get a teaser into the first book. This is the only thing that annoys me - I prefer to know how many books it's going to take to finish the story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 4, 2012
I'm not sure whether Mr Mariani was deliberately trying to cross genres by introducing a touch of science fiction into the classic adventure-vampire story but I don't think it worked. The humans and the vampires are believable (Yes, I know !) but the Uber-Vampires from Space living in Siberia underground are not. Call me fussy but I'm a sucker for humanity winning out or just keeping the status quo and surviving but I found this very strange. Did he begin to like his baddy vampires so he made them kind of good ? I personally would have made the Federation the baddies and stomped on that supremo woman in charge of it. I found this book rather disappointing.
December 17, 2011
It is nice when you discover that an author famous for one series of books has the ability to change and write a second series of books. Scott Mariana famous for the Ben Hope books has done this with his Vampire Federation books. The Cross is the second of the books in this series. It is however, as just as good as a standalone book as it is within a series. The book is exciting and fast paced keeping you on the edge of your seat at all times. With this book the author has put his mark on vampires making his own rules. A brilliant read.
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