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Drake Chronicles #0.1
Corsets and Crossbows
Rosalind Wild thinks it's time for the Helios-Ra to give full membership and recognition to the female descendants of the society-after all, it is 1816 and it's time to make room for new traditions. When Rosalind interrupts a plot to assassinate the leader of the Helios-Ra, she sees an opportunity to prove her worth. But she never expected the assassin to be someone so irresistible, and off-limits. Written as a series of letters to a close confidante, this exciting e-novella gives a glimpse of the early days of the vampire hunting society as seen through the eyes of Hunter Wild's feisty ancestor.
65 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 13, 2012
11 people are currently reading
2133 people want to read
About the author
Alyxandra Harvey
59 books3,159 followerswww.alyxandraharvey.com
Alyxandra Harvey is the author of The Cinderella Society, The Dainty Devils, The Drake Chronicles, The Witches of London, Haunting Violet and more!
She likes chai lattes, tattoos, and books.
Sometimes fueled by literary rage.
Alyxandra Harvey is the author of The Cinderella Society, The Dainty Devils, The Drake Chronicles, The Witches of London, Haunting Violet and more!
She likes chai lattes, tattoos, and books.
Sometimes fueled by literary rage.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
April 19, 2012
Alyxandra Harvey has recently written several novellas to go along with her Drake Chronicles series, they are all quick reads and available for a reasonable price via Amazon for the kindle. If you don't have a kindle there are options to read the story on your computer or through various apps for other devices.
Corsets and Crossbows is set in the early 1800's so can be read as a prequel to the series or at any other time because it contains no spoilers for the main storyline. The story is told using a series of letters from one of the first female members of the Helios-Ra; Rosalind Wild, to her friend Evangeline. Rosalind wants nothing more than to prove that women can be as good at vampire hunting as men are but although she has been allowed to join the Helios-Ra she hasn't exactly been welcomed with open arms. When she uncovers a plot to assassinate their leader she sees it as the ideal way to prove her worth.
This is an enjoyable quick read and has the same humour to it that the Drake Chronicles books do. Although there is no crossover of characters from the rest of the series it was nice to see a glimpse of Helios-Ra history. Rosalind is an ancestor of Hunter's and it shows that her family has always contained it's fair share of spunky women - you can see where Hunter gets it from! I'd recommend this for any fan of the series.
Corsets and Crossbows is set in the early 1800's so can be read as a prequel to the series or at any other time because it contains no spoilers for the main storyline. The story is told using a series of letters from one of the first female members of the Helios-Ra; Rosalind Wild, to her friend Evangeline. Rosalind wants nothing more than to prove that women can be as good at vampire hunting as men are but although she has been allowed to join the Helios-Ra she hasn't exactly been welcomed with open arms. When she uncovers a plot to assassinate their leader she sees it as the ideal way to prove her worth.
This is an enjoyable quick read and has the same humour to it that the Drake Chronicles books do. Although there is no crossover of characters from the rest of the series it was nice to see a glimpse of Helios-Ra history. Rosalind is an ancestor of Hunter's and it shows that her family has always contained it's fair share of spunky women - you can see where Hunter gets it from! I'd recommend this for any fan of the series.
March 16, 2012
Yes! Another Drake Chronicles e-novella. I'm a big fan of anything Alyxandra Harvey writes and as always she hit the jackpot. The title alone is killer: Corsets and Crossbows. Awesome title and I love that it's set in the 1800's. I love novels from that time. Haunting Violet, also by Alyxandra Harvey is also set in that time by the way. (Go read it now!) Anyway... this Drake novella is about an ancestor of Hunter Wild (She appears in the Drake Chronicles) and the story is wriiten in a series of letters. At first I wasn't sure how I was gonna like this but it's really amazing! I kept wanting to turn (or rather click) the pages and read on and on. I loved Rosalind's character and of course the hot vamp Dante Cowan. I really liked how it ended. So romantic! If you like Alyxandra's writing or just anything vampire related you should go read The Drake Chronicles!
September 13, 2013
This and my other reviews can be found at http://amethystbookwyrm.blogspot.co.uk/
Corsets and Crossbows is novella is about Rosalind who a young woman in the 19th century who is writing to a friend about trying to uncover a plot about someone trying to kill the head of the London Helios-Ra. I can’t tell you much more about the storyline as it would be giving it away but for 69p it is a really good story.
Rosalind Wild (ancestor of Hunter) is really ahead of her time as she wants to do what the men do in Helios-Ra and be accepted for it but instead she is not told all the facts about vampires and is excluded (and other women) from helping in hunting vampires.
I would recommend this novella to people who like the Drake chronicles as although I did miss the Drakes it still had the action, humour and romance and is a brilliant price.
Corsets and Crossbows is novella is about Rosalind who a young woman in the 19th century who is writing to a friend about trying to uncover a plot about someone trying to kill the head of the London Helios-Ra. I can’t tell you much more about the storyline as it would be giving it away but for 69p it is a really good story.
Rosalind Wild (ancestor of Hunter) is really ahead of her time as she wants to do what the men do in Helios-Ra and be accepted for it but instead she is not told all the facts about vampires and is excluded (and other women) from helping in hunting vampires.
I would recommend this novella to people who like the Drake chronicles as although I did miss the Drakes it still had the action, humour and romance and is a brilliant price.
December 3, 2015
Before the infamous Drakes, before Helios Ra even allowed women to formally train, Rosalind Wild writes to her friend Evangeline about her busy life of hunting vampires. A novella told through a series of one-sided letters, Harvey offers a quick look into life before the infamous prophecy that hung over Solange Drake’s head. Rosalind has her own secrets to tell, and maybe Helios Ra has always been as corrupt as it appears to be.
To read the rest of the review, simply follow the link: http://www.aleisuremoment.com/2015/03...
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January 3, 2017
I love reading stories that are told in the format of letters because it always seems more personal to me, and I love when fictional stories are written in a way that makes it more personal, and Alyxandra Harvey did an amazing job at doing so.
I wish this book had been a longer, and the story had been more fully developed instead of being an novella, because I loved Roslind. She was fiesty and her attitude was ahead of her time, which make her more interesting as a character. I also like how Rosalind didn't see everything in black and white, and in a way her character grew in that regard, I believe.
I wish this book had been a longer, and the story had been more fully developed instead of being an novella, because I loved Roslind. She was fiesty and her attitude was ahead of her time, which make her more interesting as a character. I also like how Rosalind didn't see everything in black and white, and in a way her character grew in that regard, I believe.
June 28, 2017
This book started well, but suffered from painfully predictable twists (or TWIST) and even though I know it's only a novella, a gag-worthy any eye-rolling case of insta-love that just got a bit silly. I mean she's supposed to be all feminist but the second the guy comes along she's all "oh I love you" 🙄 even while mocking girls who do the same!!!
2.5 stars.
2.5 stars.
May 2, 2018
Full review at https://bronzelock619.blogspot.com/2018/05/corsets-and-crossbows-drake-chronicles.html.
Presented as a series of letters Rosalind Wild wrote to her best friend and cousin living in the country, Corsets and Crossbows was a shot story that gave us a glimpse of the situation of the female Helios-Ra members during the Victorian era. The females were not given the Helios-Ra markings even though they took the same oath, and they were told half-truths about the vampire they were hunting because they thought of the females to be too emotional and could not be trusted completely. I could see how frustrating it would be for the female members during that era. Putting the story in letter format was quite refreshing, but the writing was kind of strange, as from the content, it had seemed that Rosalind was just talking to herself, and this Evangeline she was writing to never replied. The content would have been more suitable as diary entries.
I had really enjoyed this story, which had a completely different feel from the main series. Even if you had not read the Drake Chronicles series, you could still enjoy this story. At times, it was like a light historical romance, set during the London season with an abundance of balls, dresses, and dances. There were waltzes, and romantic rendezvous under the moonlight. Rosalind was the kind of female lead that liked to dress up as a boy when on a mission, and had met her beau that way. I had always liked these types of elements in a historical story. I like reading about girls doing this in those eras. They were always tough and unafraid to break conventional societal rules. It also certainly made things much more interesting. It would have been funnier if the male lead did not realise she was a girl at first, but that did not happen. Rosalind broke even more of the rules by falling in love with a vampire when she came from a hunter family. It seemed that Hunter was not the first of the Wilds to fall for a vampire, although I don't think she would know this about her family history, as it would have been kept hush hush. It was already quite the scandal in Hunter's time.
I also liked that sometimes, this story read like a gothic novel, as Rosalind hunted vampires in the night and fell in love with a vampire gentleman. There were also exciting assassination plots, and faked carriage accidents meant to silence Rosalind, adding a lot of thrill into the story. With such an engaging amalgam of different elements, it was quite a pity that this story was not a full length novel. It would have been great to know more of Rosalind and Dante, along with their romance.
Presented as a series of letters Rosalind Wild wrote to her best friend and cousin living in the country, Corsets and Crossbows was a shot story that gave us a glimpse of the situation of the female Helios-Ra members during the Victorian era. The females were not given the Helios-Ra markings even though they took the same oath, and they were told half-truths about the vampire they were hunting because they thought of the females to be too emotional and could not be trusted completely. I could see how frustrating it would be for the female members during that era. Putting the story in letter format was quite refreshing, but the writing was kind of strange, as from the content, it had seemed that Rosalind was just talking to herself, and this Evangeline she was writing to never replied. The content would have been more suitable as diary entries.
I had really enjoyed this story, which had a completely different feel from the main series. Even if you had not read the Drake Chronicles series, you could still enjoy this story. At times, it was like a light historical romance, set during the London season with an abundance of balls, dresses, and dances. There were waltzes, and romantic rendezvous under the moonlight. Rosalind was the kind of female lead that liked to dress up as a boy when on a mission, and had met her beau that way. I had always liked these types of elements in a historical story. I like reading about girls doing this in those eras. They were always tough and unafraid to break conventional societal rules. It also certainly made things much more interesting. It would have been funnier if the male lead did not realise she was a girl at first, but that did not happen. Rosalind broke even more of the rules by falling in love with a vampire when she came from a hunter family. It seemed that Hunter was not the first of the Wilds to fall for a vampire, although I don't think she would know this about her family history, as it would have been kept hush hush. It was already quite the scandal in Hunter's time.
I also liked that sometimes, this story read like a gothic novel, as Rosalind hunted vampires in the night and fell in love with a vampire gentleman. There were also exciting assassination plots, and faked carriage accidents meant to silence Rosalind, adding a lot of thrill into the story. With such an engaging amalgam of different elements, it was quite a pity that this story was not a full length novel. It would have been great to know more of Rosalind and Dante, along with their romance.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 13, 2023
This wasn't at all what I expected. I really enjoyed seeing Rosalind begin to question what she was told. The way it was written in letter format wasn't to my personal taste but it worked quite well. It was a good Introduction into learning that not all Vampires are bad. This book could easily be read before or after the main series. The main issue with this for me was it was just a bit dull, I had to pull myself through it. I think if anyone joined this world here they wouldnt bother continuing on to the main series.
August 17, 2020
I really enjoyed this little prequel to the Drake Chronicles! I honestly didn't know what to expect from this story when I bought it but I'm so happy that I took the chance. I thought telling the story through letters written to the female lead's cousin was ingenious as I've never seen anything like it before. I was also impressed by how this short novella had the perfect mix of humor, action, and romance. I highly recommend reading this story if you liked the Drake Chronicles!
January 29, 2020
(Sin comentar sobre la traducción)
Para ser cartas de una Helios de los 1800's, habla bastante bien y su historia es completa a la vez que divertida en cuanto a sus formas de expresarse.
Sigue siendo solo una historia super corta que podés no leer sin perder pero le agrega un poquito de historia al universo Drake
Para ser cartas de una Helios de los 1800's, habla bastante bien y su historia es completa a la vez que divertida en cuanto a sus formas de expresarse.
Sigue siendo solo una historia super corta que podés no leer sin perder pero le agrega un poquito de historia al universo Drake
August 22, 2020
The novellas were to short, wish they were more toward 80-100 Pages. Otherwise I loved all the Drake chronicles novellas.
Keep them coming or spin off novels with Lucy and Nicolas would be great!
Keep them coming or spin off novels with Lucy and Nicolas would be great!
July 20, 2024
4⭐️ this beautiful novella was a good start to the Drake Chronicles (série Outre Tombe) it was short but a good 1 day read. The book cover was well thought out and caught my attention.
February 29, 2016
Corsets and Crossbows Summary:
Rosalind Wild thinks it's time for the Helios-Ra to give full membership and recognition to the female descendants of the society-after all, it is 1816 and it's time to make room for new traditions. When Rosalind interrupts a plot to assassinate the leader of the Helios-Ra, she sees an opportunity to prove her worth. But she never expected the assassin to be someone so irresistible, and off-limits. Written as a series of letters to a close confidante, this exciting e-novella gives a glimpse of the early days of the vampire hunting society as seen through the eyes of Hunter Wild's feisty ancestor.
Corsets and Crossbows Review:
I really didn't expect to like this book as much as the full books in the series or even the other novellas. That was mainly because the whole book was written in diaries and for some reasons authors can't do those properly. The book was exciting from beginning to end and I didn't want to put it down. I was happy that the book was that good. Also, a big secret was revealed about the Wild's family. The secret brought a new view on how Hunter is and is kinda ironic considering how Caleb was with vampires. Really insightful just like Lost Girls! A wonderful read is one of the better short stories I've read.
Overall 5 stars!
Full Review at Wintereading
Rosalind Wild thinks it's time for the Helios-Ra to give full membership and recognition to the female descendants of the society-after all, it is 1816 and it's time to make room for new traditions. When Rosalind interrupts a plot to assassinate the leader of the Helios-Ra, she sees an opportunity to prove her worth. But she never expected the assassin to be someone so irresistible, and off-limits. Written as a series of letters to a close confidante, this exciting e-novella gives a glimpse of the early days of the vampire hunting society as seen through the eyes of Hunter Wild's feisty ancestor.
Corsets and Crossbows Review:
I really didn't expect to like this book as much as the full books in the series or even the other novellas. That was mainly because the whole book was written in diaries and for some reasons authors can't do those properly. The book was exciting from beginning to end and I didn't want to put it down. I was happy that the book was that good. Also, a big secret was revealed about the Wild's family. The secret brought a new view on how Hunter is and is kinda ironic considering how Caleb was with vampires. Really insightful just like Lost Girls! A wonderful read is one of the better short stories I've read.
Overall 5 stars!
Full Review at Wintereading
March 16, 2015
Before the infamous Drakes, before Helios Ra even allowed women to formally train, Rosalind Wild writes to her friend Evangeline about her busy life of hunting vampires. A novella told through a series of one-sided letters, Harvey offers a quick look into life before the infamous prophecy that hung over Solange Drake’s head. Rosalind has her own secrets to tell, and maybe Helios Ra has always been as corrupt as it appears to be.
“Surely a spot of blackmail and bribery is all right, under the circumstances. One does what one must when one hunts vampires.”
Rosalind Wild only wanted to be accepted for what she truly was: a vampire hunter. But hunting vampires didn’t receive the same merit being a woman as opposed to being a man. Rosalind was headstrong and determined, just like many of the female leads that Harvey pushes to the forefront of her novels. In 1815, that was a trait that remained hidden, not flaunted, which supported the format of the story. Just like I imagined Evangeline would have done, I created my own responses to every event, not necessarily agreeing with all of Rosalind's choices.
The romance that Rosalind mentioned in the novella was not one of my favorites, and it didn’t seem as strong as some of the others that are connected to this series. However, it did have it’s shinning moments.
Corsets and Crossbows is a quick enjoyable read, and like the other novellas associated with The Drake Chronicles, added to the story.
“Surely a spot of blackmail and bribery is all right, under the circumstances. One does what one must when one hunts vampires.”
Rosalind Wild only wanted to be accepted for what she truly was: a vampire hunter. But hunting vampires didn’t receive the same merit being a woman as opposed to being a man. Rosalind was headstrong and determined, just like many of the female leads that Harvey pushes to the forefront of her novels. In 1815, that was a trait that remained hidden, not flaunted, which supported the format of the story. Just like I imagined Evangeline would have done, I created my own responses to every event, not necessarily agreeing with all of Rosalind's choices.
The romance that Rosalind mentioned in the novella was not one of my favorites, and it didn’t seem as strong as some of the others that are connected to this series. However, it did have it’s shinning moments.
Corsets and Crossbows is a quick enjoyable read, and like the other novellas associated with The Drake Chronicles, added to the story.
March 16, 2012
I can't say it enough but I LOVE this authors books and this one does not disappoint! It holds it's own.Taken back time, to the early 1800's, when women weren't allowed to wear anything but dresses and expected to be nothing but proper. While none of the original characters are even so much as mentioned in this book it's focused on Hunter Wild's ancestor, Rosalind Wild. She's a spirted young women just coming of age and at a time when women are just being allowed to take the Helios-Ra oath, she is bound and determined to prove her salt. However, when she over hears a vampire and a "turn coat" League member planning to kill the leader of the Helios-Ra she takes matters into her own hands. But when Dante Cowan returns from his grand tour nothing is what it seems and is the traitor and bad guy who she thinks it is? This book is fabulous with the back ground it provides and the way it is beautifully written. As a lover of the series I feel this book could have been a complete novel and held it's own. I was upset when it ended because it was so good I wanted more and more. I finished it in a day and have re-read it and still find it worthy.
June 17, 2015
Interesting story told through a series of ten letters to Evangeline, Rosalind’s best friend. It takes place in 1815 and she’s relating the experiences she has involving her role as a new member of the Helios-Ra vampire hunters. It’s London’s season and she meets Lord Thornwood who’s just returned from a world tour.
Most of it is the ramblings of a silly society girl who having her first secret adventures, but the ending is very exciting. I hope to find out more about them in the following books.
We never find out much about Evangeline other than she’s stuck in the country. Rosalind is a little too tomboyish for the time period. But then since her parents let her train for the role, you would think they’d expect her to do the things she does.
Quick Thoughts: 1)I wish authors won’t do a short story that takes place before the first book in a series. Usually all it does is confuse people. Instead do a memory tome trip during or between one of the other books.
Fave Scenes: the runaway coach, Dante’s cave and the fire.
Most of it is the ramblings of a silly society girl who having her first secret adventures, but the ending is very exciting. I hope to find out more about them in the following books.
We never find out much about Evangeline other than she’s stuck in the country. Rosalind is a little too tomboyish for the time period. But then since her parents let her train for the role, you would think they’d expect her to do the things she does.
Quick Thoughts: 1)I wish authors won’t do a short story that takes place before the first book in a series. Usually all it does is confuse people. Instead do a memory tome trip during or between one of the other books.
Fave Scenes: the runaway coach, Dante’s cave and the fire.
April 8, 2013
This story is written in a series of letters in the late 1800s from Rosalind Wild, who we can assume is an ancestor of Hunter Wild, to her cousin Evangaline. Basically Rosalind is writing to Evangaline about the Helios-Ra and vampires. It's a world that she so wants to be a part of but cannot due to the fact that she is a woman. Despite being denied becoming a true member, she hunts and kills vampires anyways. She starts to be courted by a man, Dante, who she actually starts to like until one night on one of her hunts, she discovers that he is a vampire. She goes to kill him one night but realizes that he still is the good guys courting her and maybe all vampires aren't bad guys. The corrupt Helios-Ra leader sets a trap for Dante to try and kill him. Rosalind gets in the way and he tries to kill her as well. This short story ends with Rosalind and Dante escaping the fire set to kill them and running away together to Spain.
November 23, 2014
First of all let me tell you that this is the first instalment I read from the Drake Chronicles. I admit that starting with a novella written after several published tomes might be foolish but I thought that as its number implies that it's set before the first book, it should be all right.
Many things I didn't understand but the story was still enjoyable. To write it in the form of letters is an unusual idea but it worked well. Rosalind was a good female lead suited for a longer book, but the same cannot be told about Dante. He was kinda ordinary, similar to all other vampire heroes out there. Moments after I finished reading I forgot his name.
I give it three stars because of the momentarily pleasure it give me.
Many things I didn't understand but the story was still enjoyable. To write it in the form of letters is an unusual idea but it worked well. Rosalind was a good female lead suited for a longer book, but the same cannot be told about Dante. He was kinda ordinary, similar to all other vampire heroes out there. Moments after I finished reading I forgot his name.
I give it three stars because of the momentarily pleasure it give me.
August 27, 2020
My adult rating would probably be closer to three stars because I've read a lot of historical fiction in the past few years and this definitely was a mix of historical and modern. It was insta-love, which for a ten page story it to kinda be expected. I just think that while it had a good element of the time period, there were a few things that seemed too modern for my taste.
But. It's short and easy to read.
But. It's short and easy to read.
November 17, 2012
I did not expect to end up either feeling as bored during or as amusedly loving of this book as I felt in completely different parts. I madly, deeply, truly love epistolary fiction, so that drug me in right away. I love a one sided format, that leaves you asking questions, looking into the past, only getting one half of the story or the comments, but it was a wild, wonderful ride regardless.
March 21, 2012
Adorable and compelling novella. It didn't give any insight into the Drakes; however, it brings history into the current world. I only wish the lee terms were two way and I knew who Evangeline was. It would have been good to hear her rebuttal. I give it 4 stars. It was enjoyable.
October 20, 2012
I liked the back story about one of the vampire hunter's families. I did not appreciate that I paid for an eBook that was advertised as 80 plus pages, but only had forty or so pages of original contact. Half of it was blurbs about the author's other books.
August 26, 2016
Alyxandra Harvey is an awesome author. I love her books. I am enjoying reading the Drake e-books. After reading them, I get excited for the next book in the series to come out. Keep up the great work.
October 2, 2012
I adore this series and this novella was no exception. I loved learning about Rosalind and perhaps seeing the very first vampire hunter fall in love with a vampire.
Rosalind's voice was fantastic, feisty with just a touch of humor. Very well done!
Rosalind's voice was fantastic, feisty with just a touch of humor. Very well done!
May 2, 2012
Until i read this, i'd forgotten how much i love Alyxandra Harvey's writing style. an amazing read though short, but it's a novella so it's expected. i liked Rosalind as a character and she really does remind me of the headstrong Hunter Wild. really enjoyed this
May 23, 2012
I love Rosalind, being in her head is fantastic. She's a strong, resourceful woman living in a time and place that doesn't truly appreciate her. Her quick wit and nose for chaos had me laughing as I devoured each page as quickly as I could. Would definitely love to hear more from this character!
June 25, 2023
3.5 Stars
This short story is letters written by one of Hunter's ancestor's. They are interesting (the ending even more so) and good but, the novels are better. I would still read this along with the series :)
and hopefully Hunter and Rosealind will meet up in one of the books!
This short story is letters written by one of Hunter's ancestor's. They are interesting (the ending even more so) and good but, the novels are better. I would still read this along with the series :)
and hopefully Hunter and Rosealind will meet up in one of the books!
August 21, 2012
The use of letters to tell the story is very interesting. I thought I'd be annoyed but I found it enjoyable. To get 5 stars though, I would have love to have seen the replies to the letters. I am intrigued enough to be excited to read the rest of the series though!
October 2, 2013
4.5 stars. What can I say, I'm a sucker for anything Victorian.
Very short, very cute. Written in letter form, from the London debutante Rosalind Wild to her best friend and fellow hunter Evangeline.
Very short, very cute. Written in letter form, from the London debutante Rosalind Wild to her best friend and fellow hunter Evangeline.
April 25, 2018
*Re-read in August 2017*
I absolutely love Rosalind, she's an amazing character and I love her bravery. I would have loved a full novel because this short story was not enough.
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*First read June 2015*
I absolutely love Rosalind, she's an amazing character and I love her bravery. I would have loved a full novel because this short story was not enough.
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*First read June 2015*
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews