The Tale of the Vampire Bride

The Vampire Bride Dark Rebirth #1

by Rhiannon Frater

Set in the 1820s, The Tale of the Vampire Bride is sure to thrill fans of vampires of literary past with its lush, gothic atmosphere and terrifying spectacle. All Lady Glynis Wright ever wanted was the freedom to live life as she pleased, despite her aristocratic parents' wishes for her to marry into wealth. But her fate is far more terrible than an arranged marriage when her family becomes prisoners to one of the most fearsome and powerful vampires of all time, Count Vlad Dracula. Imprisoned in the decrepit castle in the Carpathian Mountains, Glynis’s new life as a Bride of Dracula is filled with bloody feasts, cruel beatings, and sexual depravity. There is no hope for escape. Vlad Dracula has elaborate plans to use her familial connections in England and she has become his favored pawn. Even more terrible is the bond of blood between them that keeps Glynis tethered to his side despite her deep hatred of him. It’s only when Vlad Dracula takes Glynis to the picturesque city of Buda on the Danube River and she meets a mysterious vampire in the darkened city streets, does she dare hope to find love and freedom.

Genres: Vampires, Horror, Paranormal, Fantasy, Romance, Paranormal Romance, Dark

404 pages, Paperback

First published December 7, 2009

About the author

Rhiannon Frater is the award-winning author of the As the World Dies zombie trilogy (Tor) as well as independent works such as The Last Bastion of the Living (declared the #1 Zombie Release of 2012 by Explorations Fantasy Blog and the #1 Zombie Novel of the Decade by B&N Book Blog).

She was born and raised in Texas where she currently resides with her husband and furry children (a.k.a pets).

She loves scary movies, sci-fi and horror shows, playing video games, cooking, dyeing her hair weird colors, and shopping for Betsey Johnson purses and shoes.

Reviews

[Giselle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't give 5-stars often, in fact, half of the ones I gave this year are all for Rhiannon's As the World Dies series, so I was a bit afraid to give this a 5 and have you think it's only because I heart Rhiannon, thus I'm biased, but no, she deserves every single one of these stars. I guess in a way I am biased, she's just one of those authors who could make restaurant menus the best thing you've read all year. She takes a story and gives it heart, filling it with characters who bring it to life; The Tale of the Vampire Bride is no exception.

Set in the 1800s, we go back to the traditional vampire folklore in this old school Dracula tale which takes us into the life of Lady Glynis Wright and her dark, violent fate as a vampire bride. I was a bit wary at first because I'm not often a fan of stories set in past eras, but once I started reading I could not put it down. The prose is wonderful, I never felt overwhelmed by the old-fashioned ambiance. In fact, I was so entranced by it that the other book I was reading felt too modern. As I keep saying, Rhiannon has a way of addicting you to her words. There is constantly something happening that has you especially intrigued, therefore, you can't ever bare to quit. From beginning to end, the suspense will keep you on your toes, the horror will leave your eyes wide, but don't worry, Glynis stumbles into the arms of a sexy, mysterious lover, giving us a romance that will make your heart aflutter.

Lady Glynis Wright, what can I say? I'm absolutely thrilled by her character. She's stubborn, incredibly determined, and grows immensely throughout the novel. This is another thing I love about Rhiannon's books, her characters are ALIVE. They have depth, personality; they are imperfect and get right inside your heart. Evil and merciless, Vlad is a despicable villain. However, at the same time, he's terribly fascinating. I wanted to know everything about him: his intentions, his past, his customs. Sorry to break it to you, though: this one, he doesn't sparkle.

The setting: I absolutely loved it! The castle, the towns, the carriages - it's all hauntingly beautiful. We're taken back into an era where there are no cars, no electricity, small town living; same as her characters, this is all brought to life. I could see myself walking the streets of Buda, and the Castle halls. It really has incredible charm that's constantly peeking through all the animosity.

Even if you're not familiar with the classic Dracula tale, vampire fans who are craving for an honest to goodness old school vampire story can truly find it all in The Tale of the Vampire Bride. We've got horror, romance, plenty of twists, non stop action, all narrated by a strong, defiant heroine that you will simply adore.

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For more of my reviews, visit my blog at Xpresso Reads

[Rhiannon Frater]

I wrote this novel, so of course I love it.

But fair warning to the paranormal romance fans...this book is gothic horror.

[Stefanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I admit it. I have a vampire thing... along with half a million other people... However, I am starting to notice that most of the leading male vamps are well kinda... soft... Like seriously, what's the point of dating a Vampire who'd rather not drink blood and glitters in the sun? I like my Vamps with a heavy dose of bad assness.

Enter Vlad The Impaler.

Nice.

It was on reputation alone that I kindled this book. I've really been getting burnt with the Vampire Romance thing and didn't really know if I could read another one. However, Rhiannon has yet to disappoint me. True to her previous works, she takes the sterotype kicks it in the ass and sends it home cryin to mama.

The story (don't worry I won't spoil it here)is about Lady Glynis Wright and her life as she goes from bratty british aristrocrat to the unwilling bride of the first and most famous vampire Count Dracula. I will say for a fact the book really does have it all: horror, sex, romance, suspense, and honest to goodness characters that grow and evolve as the book goes on. Love or hate them - they make you feel, and in the end you actually feel like you did some growing along with The Countess herself.

This book does have a something for everyone no matter what your taste. It is more than a horror novel, it's more than a vampire book, and it is way more than a romance. It most definately awakened my hunger for more! :-) I can't wait to see what is next from such a promising author.

[Felicia A Sullivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having had the absolute honor and pleasure to be the editor for this outstanding book, I may be a little bit biased. That said, though I am not a vampire buff, I found this to be a wholly terrific story.

It will be tough to review this with no spoilers, but I am going to give it the old college try!

It is a period piece, set in the 1800s, and the main character, Lady Glynis, spoiled, outspoken and headstrong, is one hell of a character. She is beautiful and intelligent, and wants what she wants. Well, she gets what she wants, but not in the way that she ever imagined she would. She is a strong lead character, in depth and very well fleshed out, as is her newly acquired "husband", the other main character.

Through tragic and calculated circumstances, Lady Glynis becomes the person she always thought she wanted to be. Coming to that realization, considering the circumstances, is a painful journey for her as she comes into her own.

Normally, I do not like period pieces....they bore me. Not so with this book. Rhiannon has written a lively story, with good history - both geographical and as referencing the history of Count Dracula, for whom she has written a new and exciting life.

Dracula is a cold, calculating and vicious man, who also gets what he wants. In Glynis, he has met his match.

The story that follows their meeting is well written, engaging, and you will forget that you are reading about characters set in the 1800s.

Again, I am not a vampire book reader, but this story drew me in and kept me interested, even the second and third times I read it while editing it.

I believe that anyone who is a vampire genre fan, particularly the old school type of vampires with all the attendant old vampire "rules" and "laws" will find this book spot on and hard to put down.

Another awesome book by Rhiannon. Gigantical congratulations, by the way, on your new endeavors.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review to come...

[Willow Brooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had me on the edge of my bed, seat, and sanity. This is by far the best version of Dracula I've ever read or watched on television. This is a thriller that's sure to keep you turning the page from one dark scene to the next.

Umm.... the sisters and vampire mother in this story were some weirdo freaks. Seriously strange little blood sucking freaketts.

[Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first 1/2 of this book was a bit slow and I was nervous that it was going to just be a 'meh' book for me. But with everything that happened at the end, explains why the author took her time to tell this story of Lady Glynis who was changed into one of Dracula's brides against her will. I could rate this anywhere between 3-5 stars. 3 for the slowness of the beginning and 5 for the last 1/3 of the book which was great! It was full of action, love and resolution. I will be picking up the next book soon!

[Lisa {Silverlight} {Paranormal/Urban Fantasy Reviews} · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gothic Horror at it's best, Amazing!


Miss Frater works magic with her writing, and storytelling ability.
Seriously, she can make you hate the worse character with bile rising within' your mouth, wanting to tear into the book and strangle the monster within the pages, to actually feeling a tender spot for this unmerciful character.

Lady Glynis Wright a young lady who has reached the age of marriage is a strong, outspoken, feisty, character.
It's the 1800's, and her parents decide it is time for her to finally marry.
So they set out to visit a suitor, whom will bring Lady Glynis and her family prestige within society, wealth, and luxury.
Count Vlad Dracula invites her family to be guest in his home. A home filled with eeriness and darkness. After visiting for some time the family decides there is too much strangeness, within the Castle walls, and with the Count himself. They decide to leave, and for Glynis not to marry the Count. Of course, that is when things turn for the worse and secrets of whom the Count truly is are unveiled. I don't want to spoil the rest of this part of the story because it is graphic, horror filled, and not for the faint of heart. But, it is a very powerfully written piece, and emotionally charged.

Vlad Dracula a name of history, horror and is not the sparkly vamp of today, to say the least. He is vile, cruel, and vicious. An impaler whom lives up to his namesake. He unleashes his full fury on Lady Glynis and her family, and will take Glynis as his bride forcefully and inscrutably.
Glynis must now live a tormented life of utter loss and contempt. She must follow the rule of Vlad as his bride. She is not alone at being a bride of Vlad's he has four others, one of which is condemned to a life of torture, because she did not obey Vlad, something Glynis has a very difficult time with doing, as she does not enjoy being submissive. The other brides adore Vlad as their master and do everything in their power to satisfy his desires and needs. As they try to teach Glynis the ways of their master, Glynis, being a strong, outspoken, character is defiant and desires nothing more than to be freed from her captor.

Time goes on and Lady Glynis slowly learns to be submissive, but not because she breaks down, no, she is only plotting ways to rid herself of her husband and the prison of his castle, forever.

Count Vlad, always plotting in his ways wants to become an aristocrat in the English society. Of course he has devised a plan, and it will involve his bride Lady Glynis. He takes her with him as his bride and forsakes the other brides, leaving them behind.

This is the part of the story that becomes even more intriguing and I found myself tearing thru the pages, enjoying the life that they will need to build as a farce to society and wondering how Glynis will escape from Vlad's torments.
I won't spoil the rest for you. I will just say that it is an exciting, thrilling, warped story all at the same time. I fell in love with this story and the author's writing style.

This book is written as a journal of Lady Glynis pov, and as well as a few other characters. Not being a fan of horror, or books with historical elements, I must say I am now, thanks to Miss Frater.
I will most definitely read all of her books, and will be reading the second book in the continuing series The Vengeance of the Vampire Bride.
I must also pay credit to a fellow blogger for introducing me to Rhiannon's work, Giselle, of Xpresso Reads raved about Rhiannon's other books, as well as this one. Her recommendations built upon my curiosity and had me jump into this pool of awesomeness.
5/5 Stars! Highly recommend, must read 2012


See full review here, with favorite quotes:
http://pnrurbanfantasyreviews.blogspo...

[Floridapossum · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the pleasure of reading this book a few weeks ago. It is truly one of the best vampire novels I have read in a very long time. This book allows us to see another dimension of the legendary vampire and slip into their skin. Reading "The Tale of the Vampire Bride", will take you on a roller coaster ride of emotions and it's no kiddy ride.

Thoroughly enjoyable and in the ilk of Bram Stoker's original "Dracula", I highly recommend this read for any fan of the vampire genre.

[Kody Boye · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been taking some time after reading this novel in order to culminate my thoughts on it. It’s not because I’m lazy in writing reviews (because trust me, I try to write a review for each and every small press/independent book I read if only because I want to support them,) but it’s because I wanted some time to think about the story in whole. There’s a lot to think about, considering its first print run was somewhere near the five-hundred page mark, so without further ado, here’s my review.

The Tale of the Vampire Bride isn’t what many people would make it out to be. Violent, brutal, heartbreaking and above all else, tragic, it begins with a young Englishwoman’s family traveling to meet a count that has requested to meet our heroine of the story, Lady Glynis Wright. Far ahead of her time and more than against the idea that she should marry what she believes will be an ‘old, fat count,’ our main character is instantly introduced to us in a way that only begins to solidify her personality from the start. As with past experience with Rhiannon Frater’s work (As the World Dies, Pretty When She Dies, The Living Dead Boy and the Zombie Hunters,) the reader quickly learns about their character through minute, seemingly-unrecognizable things that some readers won’t immediately pick upon. The way Glynis pouts, stamps her feet and shows a strong relationship with her father immediately introduces us to a young woman who is, by all means, a feminist, and proud of the fact that she should be able to be an independent woman even in the face of her set-upon adversity. This, I will say, is one of the great trademarks of the novel, as it shapes the character so early on in the story that you can’t help but want to get to know the her more.

However, like all of Rhiannon’s stories, things seem to take a darker turn. When a boulder blocks their path, forcing them to go an alternate route that their guides say will lead them to a place that is ‘evil and foreboding,’ Glynis’ father insists that they continue on the other path. To the grief of the guides, they continue on, but soon they are pursued by a pack of wolves directly to an old, seemingly-run-down castle.

Here, she meets the count that has so inspired unsurety within her life: Vlad Dracula.

There is little I can say at this current time to describe this book without fully giving it away. The Tale of the Vampire Bride is, by all means, gargantuan—not only in forms of size, but story. It begins with a meeting with the count and quickly turns into a terrifying visage of horror as Glynis sees everything stripped away from her, then quickly translates into a tale of survival, perseverance and fear, that of which is bestowed upon our main character not only due to her captor, but her fledging powers and just what it means to have your entire life upended.

Now, to say that it took me a while to read this book would be an understatement. I began reading it nightly and then quickly began to read it more fervently while on a plane ride. I tore through this book like a madman, because one of Rhiannon’s great qualities about her writing is that once you start reading something, you can’t stop. Thus makes the book a compelling read, which eventually leads to the finale—which, I should say, is perfect beyond any means.

Without spoiling too much for you, I’ll simply say this: The Tale of the Vampire Bride is a novel that returns to the old formula. You won’t find vampires sparkling, shimmering or glowing in any sort of way within this novel, nor will you see trivial pursuits of the heart like some books use to overly romanticize them. No—these vampires are monsters, despicable creatures who are either forced to become what they are or fall into it by necessity, who feed on the blood of innocents in order to remain alive and sometimes end up taking life in the process. They are not, however, heartless, at least not in the case of Glynis, the female protagonist which quickly shows what it means to be a powerful young woman. In the face of all odds, she emerges in order to become a strong, independent creature. By the end of the novel, I was so overwhelmed by just what had transpired that it instantly left me wanting more.

As of the date of posting this, a sequel is in the works, one of which I know will instantly launch The Tale of the Vampire Bride and its eventual saga to new and even more exciting heights.

Epic, gargantuan, a return to the old folklore and traditions of the vampire, The Tale of the Vampire Bride is a novel that any vampire fan would love to read, one that should be read, preferably, with the lights down and in a very muted room. You won’t be disappointed when you crack this tome open and begin to read.

[Liis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow... !
***
Something or other compelled me to get this book and give it a go. Perhaps it was the mention of Dracula. I loved Bram Stoker’s Dracula and I hoped Rhiannon Frater’s attempt at a book around this character would be great.
It wasn’t great, it was awesome. I enjoyed this story set in the 1800s. A gothic horror story that kept me glued and my phone battery at a constant brink of death (Kindle app on phone.)

Glynis is young lady from a respected English family. Her mother is Italian, her father British. Both of the parents characters are brilliantly described, which made the start of the book and utter joy for me to read. Glynis wants to be free of the social norms, she wants to be a woman respected as men are respected. She doesn’t want to be a weakling, opinionless female that her future husband has to support at any turn. All of the fuss around Glynis and tried to get her married off is what sets this story off to a rocking start. Guilt and inevitable sorrow of survivor(s) will hit you like a ton of bricks.

“You do not want to be a wanton woman. You just want to be a man.”
“Well I want to be a woman who lives her life as a man. With no constraints. Being able to do as I please. I do not understand why they can do as they wish and we cannot. Just because we have breasts…”
“And they have that–” May widened her eyes, leaning forward “- you know.. they have…”

There were some similarities to the original Dracula story, for example the existence of brides… I cannot recall Stoker’s book vividly as it has been a decade since I read it so am unable to draw accurate comparisons.

Once Count Dracula entered the story, things got a bit more rough and I can understand how females near and afar would cause an uproar. Yes, the story falls on touchy subject of abuse and rape a few times. Also death and torture. Then again, a lot of books do.

So… be warned now… If this is something you cannot bear to read, this book is not for you.

"A thick fog rolled slowly down the street, dark and menacing as it undulated in great waves over the flagstones. I knew this could only mean one thing. The Master had arrived. I took a deep breath as my heart began to race. Black horses waded through the gloom drawing a carriage up to the front entrance of the hotel."

I was rather taken aback by my own feelings at the end of the book… We follow Glynis through the book learning to hate Dracula and for a reason… At some stage you can sense the subtle change and it makes you wonder… specially when Ignatius comes into the picture. And when Glynis pulls the ace out of her sleeve at the end of the book, I felt sad, as she did in her confusion and realization, as if I was in this strange position instead of her, the book character! And it shocked me… It also made me realize how easily women can fall into the traps of powerful men… Matters of the mind are tricky business… Gah, if you can at all, read the story, perhaps you’ll understand what i’m trying to say :)

"Repulsed, I backed away and nearly slipped. The dead and the dying surrounded me as my new family danced to the strange music. It was then I realized the music was not music at all, but the fading heartbeats of the dying, their tortured moans, and the magnified symphony of the sounds of the night."

Overall, I enjoyed this book a lot… I loved the way Rhiannon writes… It’s just fantastic! So totally tantalizing. I liked the subtle dignity, even though there are a lot of repulsive events happening. I liked Glynis for she was one strong-headed woman. The book is lengthy enough to help bind the reader to the characters and help you truly live in the story.

[Angie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Told in a series of journal entries, The Tale of the Vampire Bride is the dark and frustrating story of Lady Glynis who becomes Count Dracula's newest bride. I thought I was going to really like it in the beginning, since Glynis is not ladylike at all. Her parents are having trouble marrying her off until a foreign count shows interest in her. But upon arriving at his castle, they know something is very off about the count. Dracula isn't about to let Glynis go, and uses his power to dispose of her family and trap her there with him and his three other brides. Glynis vows to escape even if it kills her.

The Tale of the Vampire Bride quickly lost my interest. The first half is incredibly violent and repetitive as Dracula abuses Glynis and forces her to become a vampire. Glynis also lost that spunk I loved (understandably so, given the situation), but she turned into this whiny child. She literally just stamped her foot and yelled "I hate you!" all the time. Wow, you tell him. She also said she was going to refuse to feed, but that she's hungry so she's going to feed, but after that she's refusing to feed. Um, what?! I really couldn't bring myself to care for her, because she was just so dang annoying!

Speaking of annoying, Dracula's other brides are infuriatingly dull! Of course, they love being vampires and love their "husband" and everything is so great and awesome! And they simply can't understand why Glynis is upset after he kidnapped her, murdered her family, killed her, raped her, and beat her. Whenever Glynis was crying or said she wanted to leave, they were all like "I don't get it." Not even joking. Like, is there anything going on in those brains of theirs? Obviously not. I expected them to be irritated with their new "sister" or jealous or resentful or something; not complete airheads.

I started to regain my interest in the second half though, since this is where Glynis and Dracula travel to Buda, where the blurb promises romance. Well, no. Unless you consider Glynis proclaiming her undying love to a complete stranger after five minutes a romance. She seriously meets this guy and is immediately in love, and she doesn't even learn his name until later. But she must be with him forever! And he must be with her forever! And then...they have like ten pages together, so I wasn't sold on this at all. Maybe that's how romance is developed in Gothic Horror. I don't know. If it is, then it's not for me.

But back to the characters of The Tale of the Vampire Bride. I liked how in the beginning, it was clear that Count Dracula was not the good guy. Vampires in this are dark and evil. They do not sparkle. They don't even smile. They have evil grins. But then Dracula changes and I did not believe these changes at all. They were so out of nowhere and out of character. I was like, what the heck just happened?! It was like he went from one extreme to the other.

The ending of The Tale of the Vampire Bride did get a bit exciting, even though it's back to the castle with the mindless wives and more "I hate you"-ing. Glynis finally takes action, but then...Well, it's like Horror Movie 101. The undead don't die that easily, and yet she doesn't do something that needs to be done and it ends. But it's obviously not the end because of reasons. *eye roll*

Read more of my reviews at Pinkindle Reads & Reviews.

[Literary Ames · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a toughie. The Tale of the Vampire Bride puts a different spin on Dracula from a view of a new "bride", Glynis, and is made up of mostly her journal entries and letters.

I wanted to seriously give up about 10% in and briefly hated the author for subjecting my mind to such cruelty. Yes, I know this is horror but I figured it would be just blood-and-guts, not the personal kind of horrors happening one after another in such a short space of time that would be everyone's worst nightmare.

The beginning is deceptive -just a loving but argumentative family travelling Europe in order to find their daughters husbands after Glynis offends every suitor with her outspoken ways. And they're unwittingly led to the home of Dracula. He takes Glynis to be his fourth bride but she fights him and his rules at every turn. He attempts to break her using various and sickening methods. He doesn't value life and has no concept of compassion. She refuses to give him the satisfaction of breaking her and suffers the consequences along with her vampire sisters (the other brides).

Glynis is an incredibly strong yet vulnerable character. She's a modern woman, a feminist who believes she should have the same freedoms as any man. She's intelligent, charming and witty. Her strength of will is formidable and her bravery, admirable. I was on her side from the very beginning.

I don't want to give too many details away because I appreciated this book so much more for having no idea what was around the corner as I read it. It's not predictable, you can never tell what will befall Glynis next. The writing is amazing. I found myself right there with Glynis, every step of the way, and despite being set in 1819, I never tired of the language or of the politeness and propriety of the time period as I usually am.

Due to my discomfort I sometimes wished the book was shorter, not because it wasn't of good quality I just wanted Glynis's suffering to end just like she did, whether that meant her escape or her death. However, she did experience some better days (or should that be nights?) in the hell of her captivity. It does get easier to read as you go on.

It must've been fate for me to read this when I did because the same day I picked this up I had read a magazine article on Natascha Kampusch's 3,096 Days, the real-life story of her kidnapping and years of imprisonment by Wolfgang Priklopil and her escape in 2006 when she was 18. I found myself comparing her views of her kidnapper and Glynis's and they were quite similar.

It's surprising to me that people can survive so much without breaking. I admire anyone real or fictional who can bear such trauma and still be intact when they come out the other side.

Warning : To those of you who avoid books with rape, it does contain more than one rape scene but it's not overly described and does have a purpose and although horrific, I wasn't offended by it's use.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars...try like...One Million Stars. This book has everything I want and more in vampire books. I don't mind new age vampire novels with their lovey feely vampires that sparkle and have sweet dogs. I don't absolutely love them either. I may like the romance of the the story but for the most part I find vampires like that kinda meh. I have never had a problem finding anything Rhiannon does as meh. Ever. If I am going to lose myself in a vampire book I WANT my vampires to be horrifying. I want them bloody. I want them slightly mad with blood lust and power. I want them to sexual predators....wait that came out wrong. I want the to be sexy, and dark, and beautiful but most of all I want them deadly and covered in blood. Vampires shouldn't be you prom date. They should be haunting you and conspiring to slaughter your school at prom. (Hello shout out to Buffy the Vampire Slayer the movie, and TV show). They should be stealing virgins and scarficing them, unleashing the swamp monster, and wolf man all whilst looking for the amulet to free the forces of hell. Frankenstein should be your friend. (shout out the Monster Squad). You get my point. I grew up in the day and age where vampires were MONSTERS! Thank you Rhiannon Frater for giving me those monsters.
Now to talk about this particular book...LOL that's what you thought I was doing? Well I was. But not specifically.
To me this book has two parts to it. The first part is the betrayal, the changing, and the aftermath. The second part is the discovery of self, love and power. These are my distinctions not Rhiannon's.
The first part of this book is dark. Very dark. The mood matches Vlad's castle, Glynis matches Vlad's castle. It is gothic horror at it's best. Vlad is an evil dickhead. He is gross and disgusting and I hate him as much as Glynis does. The light at the end of the tunnel. Well Glynis's relationship with the sister brides. I love the relationship she has with them. They very much save her from being destroyed by Vlad. They also remind Glynis of what she doesn't want to become. Seeing their devotion to Vlad allows her to keep her soul. It disgusts her so much that she is able to maintain her independence.
The second book is much lighter. Even though Glynis clearly cannot go into the sun light I picture their time in Buda as being sunny. Glynis is much happier out the castle's gloom. She has freedom. The light well I won't tell you. But it is yummy.
The last 30% of this book. Oh wow, was everything thrown up in the air. I loved the way the pieces landed. It was wonderful. I never grew to love Vlad and neither did Glynis (thank goodness) but I did enjoy his monsterhood. It was refreshing. Glynis spent as much time covered in blood in the book as she did in gowns. Swoon. I love that!! Thank you Miss Frater for the monsters!

[Books & Vodka Sodas · Rating 5 out of 5]

You know when you get a present from someone that you really don’t know all that well. You haven’t told them what you wanted, yet you take it with some trepidation, but at the same time you have this internal excitement that you just might get something super good?

That is what reading The Tale of the Vampire Bride was about. I have to admit that about a quarter way through the book I hated it. I wanted to stop and tell everyone about the bitter taste it left in my mouth. However, I am a sucker for abusive, sociopathic, and brutish vampires apparently, because against my better judgment I keep on reading.

Was I glad I did?

HELL YES! This book unraveled in this complicated weaving of the traditional Dracula tale, with the perspective of his unwilling Bride Glynis Wright. I have to admit that I loved her from that start and I was so angry over her treatment in the beginning half of the book. Then the plot started to evolve. Then things started to click in my brain. Then I just couldn’t stop, but I had to. I had to walk away and take a deep breath because I was getting far too involved in the characters.

I was starting to somewhat fall for the abuser!

I felt dirty, I felt wrong, but in all fairness, it makes since. Vlad is the ultimate bad boy. He suddenly sees, and by then it is too late, his brutality is his ultimate downfall.

There are some grammar errors throughout the book, which I know that ultimately the stuck up reader will judge the whole book on. Trust me, I have seen a very and truly amazing story be taken down brutally by the stuck up reader just because of grammar issues. I am not said stuck up reader and I saw the book for what it was, one hell of a damned good vampire book! The heroine was strong, the villain was an anti hero that I want more of, and the love interests’ fate was left to the unknown. It was a book filled with twists and turns, and the narrative totally sucked me into Glynis’s world.

I recommend this book to ANYONE that wants a good juicy vampire book to sink into. It is not for the faint of heart and it will piss off most women, but in the end I’m pretty sure you will be left like I am, wanting more and it’s on its way. According to the author’s blog she’s on Chapter 19!

[Alyssa · Rating 4 out of 5]

What I liked:
*Good, descriptive writing that really sets the mood of the book. The story is loosely based on Bram Stoker's take on Dracula and the writing is similar in style.
*Dracula is portrayed as a complex character and you can't help but be both horrified and intrigued by him.
* There were moments when I wondered where the plot was going but just as my mind was about to wander off, a new twist is added to the storyline that gets my full attention and made me turn the pages quicker.
*The story has got a good blend of horror and romance.

What I disliked:
* I felt that the pacing was uneven where parts of the story would drag on, picked up pace then slowed down again. Having said that, the last 20% of the book was a real page turner and most probably influenced my overall rating of the book.
*I found the heroine annoying throughout the story. The book is written in a diary style predominantly from the heroine's point of view and some of her thought process was inconsistent with her actions. For instance, she wrote that she swore to seek revenge on Dracula for the death of her family by acting crafty, but instead, she threw major hissy fits, sulked and carried on like a spoilt brat (and got backhanded a few times for her antics).

Overall this is a good, dark, gothic tale about Dracula and the bride that got away, so to speak. I'm now looking forward to reading the second book.

[Kris43 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don't let the pretty lady on the cover fool you. This is NOT a heart-wrenching cheesy romance! If you are looking for light 'sparkly vampire' fluffy romance type of reading, look elsewhere.

This is a REAL HORROR in every sense of the word! Its full of dark deeds that will make your blood freeze.
It made my cry, terrified me, enraged me, horrified me, outraged me and god knows what else.... But not for one moment was i bored or indifferent about it!
I recommend it for real horror lovers.

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the Dracula I remember reading about in my teens. The story was dark and brutal, with a leading lady who was strong and defiant. Just couldn't put the book down. I would have liked more info at the end but maybe there will be book 2?

[Mandapanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scary and romantic retake of Bram Stoker's Dracula. Can't wait till her zombie series comes out!

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delicious and eerie horror novel :)

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four stars: A terrifying tale that takes us back to the most famous vampire of all time!

Glynis resents the fact that she is being carted all over Europe to prospective male suitors. Why does she have to marry? Why can't she be free to choose her own mate and live a life free of societal constraints? As the coach lumbers up the treacherous mountain road, she feels an overwhelming sense of foreboding. When their journey is suddenly halted by boulders in the road, her anxiety grows. The giant rocks look like they were deliberately placed in the way. The group has no choice but to continue up the mountain. The lantern lights barely pierce the gloom, and Glynis feels like the night is alive around her. At last, the coach stops in front of a decrepit castle. Glynis and her family are surprised to find that the very man they came to Romania seeking, Lord Vlad, occupies the castle. Thankful, the weary family takes refuge in the Count's castle. Glynis soon finds that her troubles are just beginning and she has no idea of the horrors that await her.......

What I Liked:
*I have read my fair share of vampire books over the years, but none can compare to the original, Dracula by Bram Stoker. I was pleased to find that Ms. Frater borrows heavily from this old tale and brings us her version of Count Dracula in The Tale of the Vampire Bride. Dracula is terrifying and creepy, just as he is in the original. I am not a big fan of the sparkly, romantic depictions of vampires so I was thrilled to return to the kind of vampire I like best: monstrous and horrible!
*How I admired Glynis. She is a young lady trapped in the rigid expectations for young ladies of class and privilege in the nineteenth century. She might be locked into the demands of the society, but she doesn't let it control her fiery, stubborn and outspoken personality. Not for one minute does she conform. She is constantly fighting and raging against her captors, whether it be the pressure to marry, Count Dracula, or her vampire life style. She rages against all the things that try to contain her. I especially admired how she remained steadfast to win her freedom despite the horrific conditions and terrible odds that were stacked against her. I loved her spirit and fire!
*I liked that this book kept my on edge with its creepy atmosphere and frightening story. I felt anxiety as the coach crept up the dark mountain, pursued by wolves and dense fog, I knew danger awaited. Ms. Frater does a superb job creating atmospheric tension in this one, and it was eerily similar to the terrifying scenes in Dracula.
*I enjoyed getting to know Dracula's vampire brides and learning their stories. I was surprised that I ended up feeling such strong feelings for the brides. At first, they frightened me, but by the end I felt very sympathetic toward them, especially Cneajna.
*I liked the dark tone of this one. Make no mistake this is not a sweet, fun vampire romance. This is a horrifying tale of lust, murder, betrayal and revenge. Vlad is an absolute monster, and Glynis' situation is tragic and terrible. She is torn from her family and trapped in a vicious marriage against her will. Her unwavering resolve to exact revenge against the man who ruined her life is what sustains her through her darkest days, and believe me she endures hell! I can't tell you how much my heart ached for her when she faces her mother.....
*I was amazed at the array of emotions this book made me feel. From intense dread and terror, to horror and sadness, wanting revenge and then at the end, I was shocked that I actually wavered and felt sympathy. Ms. Frater certainly knows how to drag you through thrills, chills, heart break and more, and her writing is beautiful as well!

And The Not So Much:
*Keep in mind that this is not a vampire book for the faint of heart. At times it is brutal and downright scary. There is violence and lots of bloodshed so if you are looking for a sweet vampire romance, move on....this is not the book you want. If you are in the mood for something dark and terrifying with an ominous atmosphere and driving revenge, definitely pick this one up.
*I was a bit disappointed with the insta love that erupts between Glynis and Ignatius. One minute they meet, and the next they are tangled into a fiery hot embrace without even knowing each other's names. I was shocked with how suddenly this romance developed. I guess I was expecting Glynis to be a little more weary of male vampires.
*At the end, I was left with some burning questions: I desperately wanted to know who created Vlad and Ignatius. I was also unsure of the strange encounter Glynis had in the hotel when she first arrived in Hungary. Who was the mysterious stranger that melted away in the shadows? Finally, I wanted to know more about the Fallen, Astir, and what his role on Earth is and how his Purgatory sanctuary worked.
*Finally, I wanted more information on the dhampirs and vampire hunters. They suddenly just appeared on scene and there is nothing about them, how they hunt and destroy and so forth. The dhampirs were especially troubling, if I hadn't read other vampire books, I would be completely clueless on them. I really wish that there was more explanation on them and their powers.

Favorite Quotations:
"As the sky transformed from light to dark, so did our mood. The day had been drenched with refreshing sunlight. The night was darker than any I could recall, the air stifling. I felt as though I could not even take a full breath. The darkness filling the carriage smothered me."
"Deep shadows covered the stairs, dark and menacing, as though a piece of the night was hiding from the sun."
"As we descended the narrow spiraling staircase into the blackness below, I clung to Cneajna as an old childhood fear of monsters returned. I then realized that the only monsters were the three lovely women, and to my horror, me."
"I know you hate me, but loyalty to one does not also mean that you must love the one you serve."
"Winter was dying as Spring rose her head and the night was cool and fresh with life."

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and I was not compensated for this review.
Posted @Rainy Day Ramblings.

[Sunseeker☀️ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Diana (Offbeat Vagabond) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Original post here: http://offbeatvagabond.blogspot.com/2012/08/indie-book-review-tale-of-vampire-bride.html

This is a story about a young woman named Lady Glynis Wright. Her and her family are off to meet the husband that her family has chosen for her, Prince Vlad Dracula. He comes off as a gracious host who would want nothing more than to have Glynis for his wife. He is so taken by her beauty. But she refuses him because she knows there is something wrong about him. She doesn't know just how deep her refusal effects him and pays for it tenfold. She soon becomes one of Dracula's wives (the unwilling one). Glynis may be trapped and and has become something she detests, but she will fight for those she lost and her life.

Wow! Just holy crap! This is what I am talking about! Frater has taken the original story of Dracula and given it a facelift. Just the feel of this book is breathtaking. It is dark and haunting, the setting sends chills up your spine and sets you on edge. Even if vampire stories have never been your thing, I believe this would change your mind.

Lady Glynis was such a great lead to follow. Her drive and determination to find a way from Dracula made me have a connection to her quickly. Her family was a bit oblivious, but she felt it from the beginning and fought. I love her stubbornness and some of her childish antics. It reminds you that she just entered her marrying age and has always been under her parents thumb until being whisked off to Dracula's home. I love that she isn't just instantly going into her womanly role like a good girl should. It made her more believable for me. And seeing where she starts and where she ends up is such a rewarding experience when reading this book. Her journey is filled with so much pain, blood, and tragedy. The other wives; Cneajna, Elina, and Ariana, will scare you just as much as Dracula. Cneajea was the only real likable one, but she definitely had a few issues.

Then there is Dracula. Goodness, Dracula. This is how I always imagine Dracula like. He is scary, detached from humankind completely, violent beyond belief, arrogant, selfish, but you really can't help but be intrigued by him. Seriously, I couldn't help but imagine Bela Lugosi and Gary Oldman as Dracula. He frightens you to your core, but you just can't look away. Frater has done a great job capturing that quality about Dracula. I have seen many representations of Dracula that were just atrocious (2004 Van Helsing anyone?) and I love that Frater truly understands characters. Her take on Dracula was quite frankly...flawless.

This is like a revenge and coming-of-age story all rolled into one. Glynis doesn't necessarily accept her role as Dracula's wife (actually his favorite wife), but she endures and takes her time. Dracula is very intelligent and has covered all bases in case anyone has any ideas of escaping. Glynis waits and waits until the opportunity rises and she not only gets help, but she also finds someone who is willing to fight for her. But there are no dull moments. Seriously, this book won't let up and even when you get to the end, you know the story has just scratched the surface.

I can't say one bad thing about this. Frater gives her characters such complexity and beauty, it is staggering. There is so much suspense and emotion in this book, you will have to stop to catch your breath, like I did. The Tale of the Vampire Bride is not for the faint of heart,there were times I had to put this book down because there were scenes that were too difficult for me. Frater packs a punch and I swear, there will be tears. It brings back the original vampire legend and delivers. The Tale of the Vampire Bride is brilliant, plain and simple.

[Nicole Hadaway · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had the pleasure of featuring the first chapter of Rhiannon's new novel, The Tale of the Vampire Bride, back in November. When I read said chapter myself, I have to say that I was very, very hesitant to read the remainder of the novel. Why?

Because I was afraid I'd be very jealous that I didn't write the darn thing myself.

Not one to shy away from my fears (except spiders, but that's a different story ;-), I ordered Rhiannon's novel when it came out last December. I read it, all 484 pages -- it's a bit of an epic, all in one novel. Unlike other epics, however, this one doesn't spend 300 pages describing the exchange of smoldering looks in high school hallways, nor do the vampires sparkle. They do shimmer, but in the moonlight, as part of their undeadly beauty that is befitting an immortal, unGodly creature. So now that I've read the entire novel, what do I think?

I think I'm very jealous that I didn't write the darn thing myself.

I've posted it before, and I'll say it again -- the Brides in Dracula -- the novel and various movie adaptations -- have always held my interest. They're mysterious, beautiful, though not much information is given about them at all. Where did they come from? Do they love Dracula? Did they wish to be his bride, or were they forced into a life of undead servitude?

If you want to find out such questions, read The Tale of the Vampire Bride. Rhiannon Frater does an amazingly awesome job of re-creating the early 19th century European world, in which old-time superstitions and customs ruled. Women were property, married off to the highest bidder to increase family fortunes. People died of unexplained illnesses, or were lost among the empty roads at night. Vampires were real.

I don't want to give too much away, but suffice it to say that Rhiannon has created a likeable heroine in Lady Glynis Wright: she's headstrong, capable, but has flaws and weaknesses which make her well-rounded. The villain is especially cruel, which for me, after a while, was a bit hard to take. The story is amazing: from a lonely castle in the Carpathian mountains to the cosmopolitan city of Buda, we follow Glynis's transformation from mortal to deadly immortal. It's a beautiful, poetic, frightening story which showcases all the things I love about vampires: their beauty, their powers, their weaknesses. This is a return to the old-time Dracula vampires who are repelled by holy objects, can transform into beasts such as wolves, grab the night and wrap themselves in it like a cloak, seduce mortals and bend them to their will, and can slip through doorways and cracks of rooms to find their prey sleeping. The vampires are beautiful, horrible, deadly monsters.

It's an amazing story, and a must-read for all vampire fans who like to see a strong, capable heroine grapple with her undead existence. The Tale of the Vampire Bride is available at Amazon.com in paperback and Kindle. Rhiannon's agent is currently pitching her zombie novels, the As the World Dies, to the New York publishing houses. BEST OF LUCK, RHIANNON! So head out and read Vampire Bride now, gang, and we can all say we knew her when....

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like your vampires classically wicked, nasty and powerful, you'll love this nightmare of a tale from Rhiannon Frater!

Frater has become known as of late for her zombie trilogy, As The World Dies, and the hugely popular The Last Bastion of the Living: A Futuristic Zombie Novel. But before zombies, I think she loved her vampires a bit more. Case in point, the classic and sophisticated nightmare-ish tale of The Vampire Bride.

Told in the first person through diary entries, Lady Glynis Wright is a nineteen year old English aristocrat whose parents are bound and determined to marry her off despite her protests. Glynis refuses to play nice while meeting potential suitors. On a last ditch effort to find her a husband, the family heads to Hungary to meet Count Vlad Dracula. Dracula, a name of prestige and wealth in society, soon becomes the true meaning of evil to Glynis.

I had been hearing about author Rhiannon Frater all over the blogs and how terrific her books were. Not having read a lot of zombie books, I decided to start with her Vampire Bride series, a genre I know and love. I started reading urban fantasy with Anita Blake so my first love is Jean-Claude and I will always love him most. He might have some competition, though. We'll have to see...

I absolutely loved getting into this vampire tale fraught with evil, true love and ultimately tortured souls that had me feeling empathy for the bad guy at moments. Truly, sometimes even I wasn't sure who the bad guys were. Ms. Frater convincingly had my emotions shredded back and forth consistently throughout the entire length of the book. If the rest of the book sucked, I would have given this book 5 stars on the ending alone!

The pace of the book was timed perfectly. There were absolutely no lulls in the story where I felt comfortable putting the book down. And I connected with each and every character, even peripheral characters whose motivations I quickly understood even as briefly as they were "on the scene".

Ms. Frater doesn't hold anything back in the horror, torture and evil departments. This is NOT a light, breezy read. I think I like that most about the story. There is no dancing around the subject here! Hold on!

It IS a great, classic vampire tale for the mature audience; for those of us who can appreciate a dark tale of despair, love and hope. I think all vampire fans MUST read this book, if not for the sheer pleasure of reading a good book, but to read an example of what a classic vampire, in my opinion, truly is in literature.

[VampireNovelFan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply put, this is another one of those novels that you will either love or hate. As for me, my goodness I loved it!

Lady Glynis Wright is Dracula’s love interest of choice in Rhiannon Frater’s dark and gothic novel. She aspires for a carefree life where she can seek out her own opportunities, however her aristocratic parents have other plans in mind. They want their daughter married to a man of high status and means. Unfortunately, their ambition leads to nothing but trouble as they wind up in Dracula’s home and ultimately his evil clutches. It’s going to be a hell of a battle to get him to let go.

Overall I was very impressed. By the 20% into the story I had no idea where things would go next. This book at 20% would be another book at 100%, I guarantee it. This really built anticipation and excitement for me. Though Frater introduces her own take on this age old tale, it successfully incorporates Braham stoker’s fictional world in a manner that provides endless possibilities while still feeling familiar. While it feels long at times, I honestly never wanted to put the novel down because I was so immersed.

Your mental approach to this book will mean everything. If you want to enjoy it, I highly recommend that you envision Dracula as the villain. This book is NOT, I repeat, NOT a love story and if you keep that in mind you may be more willing to stay on this roller coaster ride to see how it all plays out. Dracula gets so much focus that you want him to seem like an anti-hero, but honestly he is Glynis’s nemesis who she must overcome. I loved how this dynamic broke the usual formulaic mold of a brooding guy who may be an ass to the heroine; however he hasn’t yet crossed that moral event horizon–therefore he’s redeemable.

Some of the themes are very disturbing, especially the sexual themes. While this is fiction, it really pushed the limits for me and I feel that it’s not for the faint of heart. It’s brutal and downright ugly at its most intense and lowest moments. Then games are even more psychological and political than physical and I felt true horror as I read a number of the scenes.

I didn’t really know what to expect when I read this book, but I LOVED getting this kind of surprise.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Edit: 12/4/12 - I have decided that I didn't like my wording on a few things so I've tweaked the review. Still love the book!

I loved this book! It kept me awake the night I finished because I couldn’t stop thinking about Glynis, the main character, and how this part of her story ended. As a woman, I appreciated her strength but she did try my patience a few times. In the end I decided that it was okay for her to be a little petulant (stomping her foot and pouting when she didn’t get her way). It actually made her more charming. She may have been too harsh otherwise.

I don’t want to give away too much because I am recommending that anyone who enjoys vampire, dark gothic horror or just GOOD books should read this. Glynis is travelling with her family so that they can find her a husband. Keep in mind that she doesn’t want a husband but her family is anxious to get her married. They love her and I think they want the best for her. But, given the time period, this urge to get your teenage daughter married was the norm. When they come to Vlad Tepes’ / Count Dracula’s / Prince Vlad’s home, things don’t quite go as planned (to say the least). This isn’t Twilight, people. Don’t expect Vlad to be a sparkly, piano-playing, tree-climbing introvert. He is BAD and things get ROUGH! Did I mention that this is DARK gothic horror? Let’s just say that I, along with Glynis, hated Vlad with a passion during most of this book. There is a love interest for Glynis, Ignatius. But I have to admit that, as a character only, he wasn’t as interesting as Vlad.

When I finished the book, I debated the rating with myself. It isn’t perfect (my e-book has several typos which would usually drive me nuts). But, the strength of the story more than overshadowed those slight issues so this is definitely a 5-star read for me. The scenes where Vlad shows himself, the violent life that he has lived and his true feelings were written in such a way that while you could never forgive him, you could at least have some understanding. This is rare for me and it takes a very talented author.

Rhiannon Frater rocks. Read her books!

[Dawnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was pretty awesome. It was very old school vampire... It sort of had this feel to it.



Except the vampire looked more like this



Except he had a mustache...



Crap. I can't get this right :/

You get the point though. He was hot and he had a mustache. I used to think those two were mutually exclusive, but Rhiannon Frater has some serious powers of persuasion because I was sensing some serious hotness from the main vampire/bad guy. (I looooove it when you can't figure out if you're supposed to love or hate the bad guy... And when he's hot)

Onto the story. It was long. Not sure if I was just in an ADD mood when I read it. But it was LONG. That being said, it sort of pulled it off. The longness was kind of fitting.

I hate doing reviews so long after reading a book because all I can write about is how it made me feel and none of the actual plot points, so I'm sorry for that :( But I will say that most of the characters were complex, and the internal moral struggles of Glynis (the heroine) were very interesting to witness. Not many vampire books actually have their main characters killing innocents. It disconnected me from her quite a bit because honestly, who can relate to killing innocent people? But even with that hanging over me, it still pulled me in and made me feel for this girl who fought her monster. It really explored the 'evil vampire'.

Good stuff :)

[Amanda Croley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I almost gave up on this book several times, now I am glad I finished. Once you are a little over half way through it gets really good. Gladyis is a young England aristocrat whose family is trying to find a husband for her and her sister. In those days it was the families desire to find their daughters wealthy husbands so their daughters could be taken care of. Because of Gladys' flippant attitude to the men as well as the idea of marriage she has few offers. When they receive word that a Count wants to meet Gladys and her family they travel cross country to meet him. She takes an instant dislike and persuades her family to return to England. The Count refuses to allow them to leave. After taking them hostage and forcing Gladys to be his bride he attempts to break her spirit and almost succeeds. Gladys is determined to avenge her family and free herself from him and tries to convince him of her submission. The journey as well as the results were fun to read. Both of Frater's books that I have read have been really good, and I look forward to reading more of her books in the future.

[Selena · Rating 1 out of 5]

Meh....it was a struggle to finish this one. This is a story told in journal format. For me it did not work as the protagonist's writing and language did not fit the time period. Had the book just been in first person this would have been less of an issue as you don't expect people to think in proper English(or at least you can over look it easier). Since this woman was a daughter of English aristocrat in the early 1800s her voice/narrative/writing should have reflected it. If you manage to get past the language/writing style the story was not great. Also who would write in their journal that they stomped their foot at someone in frustration/anger whatever. Every other page had this woman stomping her foot at someone like a spoiled child not this amazing strong woman she was supposed to be. Another thing was that Vlad spent the entire book being a murderer, wife beater and rapist but by the end we are supposed to feel sorry and or understand him based on a brief flashback. There was also insta-love with another character with no real story there.