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Episode 4: The Gift
With the arrival of the new vampires, Vanora's life has once more been changed forever. The only mortal among the undead, she feels like an outsider in her own home. As her seventeenth birthday approaches, she struggles not only with her deepening feelings for Armando, but also her own burgeoning powers.
In Darkness We Must Abide is the epic saga of one young woman caught in the dangerous world of the creatures of the night.
Already living in the shadows due to her albinism, Vanora is just a little girl when her older brother inadvertently unleashes a terrible evil from the family crypt that changes their lives forever.
As she grows up in a world where beautiful deadly beings hunt by night, one captures her eye and her heart. Yet, can she trust the mysterious Armando? For there is a powerful entity plotting to claim her when she reaches adulthood in order to fulfill an ancient prophecy, and her enemy has enveloped her in a web of deceit, casting doubt on all she believes to be true. Soon, she will have to fight not only to save those she loves, but also for her very soul.
Rhiannon Frater delivers a chilling adventure once again with this multi-part epic serial with a dynamic cast, old school vampires, bloody action, a smoldering forbidden love, and a terrifying villain set against the backdrop of a modern day vampire war.
Each episode will be between 10,000 and 20,000 words with new installments being published every 2 to 3 weeks.
Episode 1: Death Comes Home
Roman Socoli inadvertently releases a terrible evil when he has his Romanian ancestors entombed on his estate in Houston, Texas.
Episode 2: Death in the Shadows
Death has claimed a Socoli, but the family curse will not allow him to stay dead. Vanora and Alisha must battle the creature that stole their brother's life while fearing the possible resurrection of Roman.
Episode 3: The Arrival of Armando DeLeon
A mysterious new vampire appears in the life of the Socolis. Is he friend or foe?
With the arrival of the new vampires, Vanora's life has once more been changed forever. The only mortal among the undead, she feels like an outsider in her own home. As her seventeenth birthday approaches, she struggles not only with her deepening feelings for Armando, but also her own burgeoning powers.
In Darkness We Must Abide is the epic saga of one young woman caught in the dangerous world of the creatures of the night.
Already living in the shadows due to her albinism, Vanora is just a little girl when her older brother inadvertently unleashes a terrible evil from the family crypt that changes their lives forever.
As she grows up in a world where beautiful deadly beings hunt by night, one captures her eye and her heart. Yet, can she trust the mysterious Armando? For there is a powerful entity plotting to claim her when she reaches adulthood in order to fulfill an ancient prophecy, and her enemy has enveloped her in a web of deceit, casting doubt on all she believes to be true. Soon, she will have to fight not only to save those she loves, but also for her very soul.
Rhiannon Frater delivers a chilling adventure once again with this multi-part epic serial with a dynamic cast, old school vampires, bloody action, a smoldering forbidden love, and a terrifying villain set against the backdrop of a modern day vampire war.
Each episode will be between 10,000 and 20,000 words with new installments being published every 2 to 3 weeks.
Episode 1: Death Comes Home
Roman Socoli inadvertently releases a terrible evil when he has his Romanian ancestors entombed on his estate in Houston, Texas.
Episode 2: Death in the Shadows
Death has claimed a Socoli, but the family curse will not allow him to stay dead. Vanora and Alisha must battle the creature that stole their brother's life while fearing the possible resurrection of Roman.
Episode 3: The Arrival of Armando DeLeon
A mysterious new vampire appears in the life of the Socolis. Is he friend or foe?
ebook
First published April 24, 2013
155 people want to read
About the author
Rhiannon Frater
68 books1,660 followersRhiannon 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
April 27, 2013
This was my favourite episode so far, but I feel that the next one is going to be UBER EPIC! The pressure is building, and it's gotta blow at some point! The thing that blows my mind, though, is that there is a little blurb at the end that explains that the next episode will be the finale of season 1. O_O You mean... I'll have to wait even longer for season 2??? I don't know if my heart can handle this...
Vanora finds herself with a foot in each world. While the world of light, of mortals, is calling to her in the form of college, her uncle's family and her best friend, the world of darkness is not quite ready to release its grasp on her. Vanora is growing in strength and I think she's going to need it.
Vanora finds herself with a foot in each world. While the world of light, of mortals, is calling to her in the form of college, her uncle's family and her best friend, the world of darkness is not quite ready to release its grasp on her. Vanora is growing in strength and I think she's going to need it.
April 25, 2013
When you get to the part with the gift you are going to die! I did. Best one to date!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love this "softer" side of Rhiannon. Of course, we all know she's already planning to throw it all to hell. *snickers* I am gleefully excited for the shit to hit the fan!!!
May 6, 2013
"You're not for me, Vanora," he whispered. "I am not for you."
From Amazon: "With the arrival of the new vampires, Vanora's life has once more been changed forever. The only mortal among the undead, she feels like an outsider in her own home. As her seventeenth birthday approaches, she struggles not only with her deepening feelings for Armando, but also her own burgeoning powers."
Each Episode of this serial is more and more action packed. The Gift focuses primarily on Vanora's seventeenth birthday. SPOILER ALERT - There are actually many gifts referenced. Vanora's powers are a gift and they are becoming stronger with age. Roman and Alisha are giving Vanora a car (remember being that age and the best gift your parents could give you was a car?) And, Armando....the sweetest gift of all - a silver charm bracelet with moons and stars. Swoon. But, maybe the most important gift she received was the kiss from Armando. That was a good kiss!
At the end of this episode, Vanora dreams about her mother's death. What does Rhiannon have in store for us with this storyline? I cannot wait to learn more.
EVERYONE should be reading this serial. It is full of great characters and emotion. You will be on the edge of your seat waiting for the next installment. 5/5 stars.
Psst...I've alread read Episode 5 (review to come) and it is WONDERFUL! You need to catch up now so that you will be ready when it is released.
Check out the e-book giveaway on Rafflecopter.
Thank you to the author for providing an e-copy through the IDWMA readalong in exchange for an honest review.
From Amazon: "With the arrival of the new vampires, Vanora's life has once more been changed forever. The only mortal among the undead, she feels like an outsider in her own home. As her seventeenth birthday approaches, she struggles not only with her deepening feelings for Armando, but also her own burgeoning powers."
Each Episode of this serial is more and more action packed. The Gift focuses primarily on Vanora's seventeenth birthday. SPOILER ALERT - There are actually many gifts referenced. Vanora's powers are a gift and they are becoming stronger with age. Roman and Alisha are giving Vanora a car (remember being that age and the best gift your parents could give you was a car?) And, Armando....the sweetest gift of all - a silver charm bracelet with moons and stars. Swoon. But, maybe the most important gift she received was the kiss from Armando. That was a good kiss!
At the end of this episode, Vanora dreams about her mother's death. What does Rhiannon have in store for us with this storyline? I cannot wait to learn more.
EVERYONE should be reading this serial. It is full of great characters and emotion. You will be on the edge of your seat waiting for the next installment. 5/5 stars.
Psst...I've alread read Episode 5 (review to come) and it is WONDERFUL! You need to catch up now so that you will be ready when it is released.
Check out the e-book giveaway on Rafflecopter.
Thank you to the author for providing an e-copy through the IDWMA readalong in exchange for an honest review.
May 15, 2013
*Actual rating is 4.5 on my blog
In this one, Vanora is getting ready to turn seventeen, and feeling more alone than ever. With all the new vampires always hanging around, and Roman trying to keep their interaction with her minimal, it really makes her long for the family time that she's used to having.
It seems that the only one who is noticing how left out and alone Vanora feels is Armando, but we also learn a bit more about Armando which still leaves me with a lot of trust issues towards him. He seems to genuinely care about Vanora, but he isn't exactly truthful about his reasons for being around.
Vanora celebrates her birthday away with her relatives and has a great time. It's good for her to be out and about, doing normal things with normal people, and not surrounded by vampires all the time. She did really miss her brother and sister though, and is happy to be go home to celebrate with them also. She needs to get used to being away from them though since she will be going off to college on her own. Along with that, her powers are strengthening. She discovers that she isn't sure whether she can trust Armando or not, no matter how she is starting to feel about him.
*copy provided by author for an honest review
In this one, Vanora is getting ready to turn seventeen, and feeling more alone than ever. With all the new vampires always hanging around, and Roman trying to keep their interaction with her minimal, it really makes her long for the family time that she's used to having.
It seems that the only one who is noticing how left out and alone Vanora feels is Armando, but we also learn a bit more about Armando which still leaves me with a lot of trust issues towards him. He seems to genuinely care about Vanora, but he isn't exactly truthful about his reasons for being around.
Vanora celebrates her birthday away with her relatives and has a great time. It's good for her to be out and about, doing normal things with normal people, and not surrounded by vampires all the time. She did really miss her brother and sister though, and is happy to be go home to celebrate with them also. She needs to get used to being away from them though since she will be going off to college on her own. Along with that, her powers are strengthening. She discovers that she isn't sure whether she can trust Armando or not, no matter how she is starting to feel about him.
*copy provided by author for an honest review
April 30, 2013
Wow! The gift!?! Sweet but there's got to be an ulterior motive Armando?!?! What is going on in that gorgeous head of yours?!?! RHIANNON!? :)
May 27, 2013
I like these but it keeps building and I want some payoff! It's like sex without an orgasm. Hopefully the next book will give me some relief.
May 23, 2013
And the plot thickens. Considerably.
We learn a little more about Armando’s plan, or his Master’s plans, that he his hiding from the Socoli children. He’s very good at acting though because when he’s around the family, even I’m a lulled into a false sense of security.
At the same time, in the present he seems to be on Vanora’s side. He’s protecting her, though she’s admitted she doesn’t trust him. So Frater is doing an awesome job of keeping us guessing about where Armando’s loyalties lie.
It turns out these two have some big plan for Vanora.
Alisha also learns the downside of immortality and it really its her hard. You can’t help but feel bad for her. She’s frozen at twenty-two and can only have a relationship with a vampire and sooner or later (she has been eight years since she turned), she’s going to have to fake her death or go into hiding.
We continue to learn more about these characters and everybody has such a unique voice and persona. Vanora’s change has been the most interesting in her change from a 10-year-old to a 17-year-old.
She’s dealing with two different worlds and trying to juggle both of them. She’s not only dealing with the teenage hormones (and everything else that comes with being a teenage girl), but strange vampires hanging around the house all day - well, night. Of course, her growing feelings for Armando are only making things more difficult.
One episode left in season one and I’m dying to find out what’s going to happen! I took a sneak peak and instead of the usual 50-some pages, episode 5 is 140 so I already know a lot of things are going down!
We learn a little more about Armando’s plan, or his Master’s plans, that he his hiding from the Socoli children. He’s very good at acting though because when he’s around the family, even I’m a lulled into a false sense of security.
At the same time, in the present he seems to be on Vanora’s side. He’s protecting her, though she’s admitted she doesn’t trust him. So Frater is doing an awesome job of keeping us guessing about where Armando’s loyalties lie.
It turns out these two have some big plan for Vanora.
Alisha also learns the downside of immortality and it really its her hard. You can’t help but feel bad for her. She’s frozen at twenty-two and can only have a relationship with a vampire and sooner or later (she has been eight years since she turned), she’s going to have to fake her death or go into hiding.
We continue to learn more about these characters and everybody has such a unique voice and persona. Vanora’s change has been the most interesting in her change from a 10-year-old to a 17-year-old.
She’s dealing with two different worlds and trying to juggle both of them. She’s not only dealing with the teenage hormones (and everything else that comes with being a teenage girl), but strange vampires hanging around the house all day - well, night. Of course, her growing feelings for Armando are only making things more difficult.
One episode left in season one and I’m dying to find out what’s going to happen! I took a sneak peak and instead of the usual 50-some pages, episode 5 is 140 so I already know a lot of things are going down!
May 9, 2013
So here we are with the penultimate episode (next to last) of the In Darkness We Must Abide serial! I have to say that this one surprised me, just like the last one. I was so of luke-warm to begin with when I started these but now it’s really pulling me in and my ratings are getting higher. I think it might have something to do with Armando…yummy yummy Armando. So if you have not read the previous episodes there may be some slight spoilers!
Vanora has grown in a young woman about to go to college and her life isn’t what she wants. She feels like an outsider, both in a house filled with vampires and in the world around her where people fixate on her albinism. I want her to find some confidance in herself. She finds acceptance from Armando, but there is a lot going on there and it’s really getting me to the point where I have to know what is going to happen. There is a lot of uncertainty when it comes to Armando and I need to know what he’s about to do. There is also quite the mystery surrounding her and I’m looking forward to seeing exactly what it is.
I love that we are getting know more about Vanora, Armando, and Carlotta…whom I don’t trust in the slightest. They have such unique voices, and I really like what they lend to the story. That sense of sensuality and exotic danger that vampires were once so well known for.
I’m definitely ready to read the next episode!
I received this from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Vanora has grown in a young woman about to go to college and her life isn’t what she wants. She feels like an outsider, both in a house filled with vampires and in the world around her where people fixate on her albinism. I want her to find some confidance in herself. She finds acceptance from Armando, but there is a lot going on there and it’s really getting me to the point where I have to know what is going to happen. There is a lot of uncertainty when it comes to Armando and I need to know what he’s about to do. There is also quite the mystery surrounding her and I’m looking forward to seeing exactly what it is.
I love that we are getting know more about Vanora, Armando, and Carlotta…whom I don’t trust in the slightest. They have such unique voices, and I really like what they lend to the story. That sense of sensuality and exotic danger that vampires were once so well known for.
I’m definitely ready to read the next episode!
I received this from the author in exchange for an honest review.
May 25, 2013
With the shocker ending of the last episode, I jumped feet first into this book – and was a little disappointed. This part, out of all the others, felt like the bridging episode I was expecting #2 to be.
Yet, we still get to see more of Vanora and discover her delicate underside that is hidden by her surly exterior. We also get to see some of the inner mechanics of a vampire’s mind – and not all of it is nice:
“You high-brow Spanish aristocratic pig, whose genes are so inbred you’re lucky you’re genitals aren’t growing out of your forehead, how dare you attempt to put down my great family!”
Out of all the amazing dialogue, this is probably my favourite quote from the entire season.
The author manages to place more intrigue in this episode also, so the reader still feels the compulsion to carry on and find out what comes next.
I was finding it a little tiring, by this point though, to keep reading about Vanora being an albino who thinks she’s ugly. You know it’s a pet peeve of mine, and I am glad when the author starts to bleed this trait out in the next instalment.
Yet, we still get to see more of Vanora and discover her delicate underside that is hidden by her surly exterior. We also get to see some of the inner mechanics of a vampire’s mind – and not all of it is nice:
“You high-brow Spanish aristocratic pig, whose genes are so inbred you’re lucky you’re genitals aren’t growing out of your forehead, how dare you attempt to put down my great family!”
Out of all the amazing dialogue, this is probably my favourite quote from the entire season.
The author manages to place more intrigue in this episode also, so the reader still feels the compulsion to carry on and find out what comes next.
I was finding it a little tiring, by this point though, to keep reading about Vanora being an albino who thinks she’s ugly. You know it’s a pet peeve of mine, and I am glad when the author starts to bleed this trait out in the next instalment.
May 5, 2013
The Gift was so good I am at a loss for words - which it totally unlike me. I normally ramble on like an ADHD child that just ate a five pound bag of sugar, colored with red dye #40, when it comes to my reviews. And I could totally do that right now, but I don't want to give anything away.
I felt sorry for Vanora through much of this episode, and now I'm not sure how I feel. I do know that what I thought was coming after episode three has been completely blown out of the water now. I'm excited, and slightly terrified, to read the final episode.
Check out my "Read Along" post on My Book Addiction on Monday, May 6th, where I will be discussing "the gift."
I felt sorry for Vanora through much of this episode, and now I'm not sure how I feel. I do know that what I thought was coming after episode three has been completely blown out of the water now. I'm excited, and slightly terrified, to read the final episode.
Check out my "Read Along" post on My Book Addiction on Monday, May 6th, where I will be discussing "the gift."
May 27, 2013
I have a serious love hate thing going on with Armando. More tiny clues about Vanora’s abilities start to appear in episode four and I am dying to see if we have some revelations in episode five. I’m beginning to get very concerned about where the story is going in regards to Armando’s, shall we say, cohorts. I am going to need therapy if anything happens to these characters. Well done, Rhiannon Frater.
April 29, 2013
Absolutely loved it; this gets better with every episode. Still not totally sure about Armando but I like where this is going. More please :)
April 29, 2013
I love this little bi-weekly treat of IDWMA! The last scene with the Gift***SWOON***!! Every week it gets better and better! waiting with anticipation for Episode 5..Love the cover art too!
May 29, 2013
Part 4 and brilliant.
June 27, 2013
Original review here: http://offbeatvagabond.blogspot.com/2013/05/read-along-review-giveaway-gift-in.html
I loved the fourth installment of the In Darkness We Must Abide. We are getting deeper and deeper into Armando's world and Varona's. Varona is definitely having some self-esteem issues due to her albinism. She hates how people keep looking at her and how boys treat her. I felt so sorry for her. And due to Roman's new role, she is starting to feel neglected and alone. Her family is off doing their own thing. But Armando is there. She is almost seventeen and her crush is yet to cease. In fact, it has grown stronger. I love that he is there for her even if he has his own agenda.
I love that we finally get a glimpse into what Varona can do. While celebrating her birthday with her cousins, some rude drunk says some pretty obscene things to her. Varona feels something building in her and then something happens. She keeps getting this feeling like something is wrong. And then she gets an interesting dream that says more than she wants. But she is on the right track. I can't wait to see how she will handle this, but she is a smart girl. This will be interesting.
I felt so bad for Alisha as well. She is, surprisingly, still with Sin. They are pretty serious, but it may be dangerous. I felt so bad for her. She hates what she is and says so to Roman. Varona and Roman are all that are keeping her alive. I really want to see what will happen to her and Roman. They both deserve someone dammit.
As I said before, this series gets better and better. I love the buildup of each book. The characters are so likable and so much fun even though they are facing some terrible issues. And worse, they don't even know what is brewing beyond their seemingly safe world. I am excited and scared for the final serial in this episode. I can't wait. You better have started this series. You just don't know what you are missing.
I loved the fourth installment of the In Darkness We Must Abide. We are getting deeper and deeper into Armando's world and Varona's. Varona is definitely having some self-esteem issues due to her albinism. She hates how people keep looking at her and how boys treat her. I felt so sorry for her. And due to Roman's new role, she is starting to feel neglected and alone. Her family is off doing their own thing. But Armando is there. She is almost seventeen and her crush is yet to cease. In fact, it has grown stronger. I love that he is there for her even if he has his own agenda.
I love that we finally get a glimpse into what Varona can do. While celebrating her birthday with her cousins, some rude drunk says some pretty obscene things to her. Varona feels something building in her and then something happens. She keeps getting this feeling like something is wrong. And then she gets an interesting dream that says more than she wants. But she is on the right track. I can't wait to see how she will handle this, but she is a smart girl. This will be interesting.
I felt so bad for Alisha as well. She is, surprisingly, still with Sin. They are pretty serious, but it may be dangerous. I felt so bad for her. She hates what she is and says so to Roman. Varona and Roman are all that are keeping her alive. I really want to see what will happen to her and Roman. They both deserve someone dammit.
As I said before, this series gets better and better. I love the buildup of each book. The characters are so likable and so much fun even though they are facing some terrible issues. And worse, they don't even know what is brewing beyond their seemingly safe world. I am excited and scared for the final serial in this episode. I can't wait. You better have started this series. You just don't know what you are missing.
June 6, 2013
This episode is another step away from the violent vampire action that you see in the previous episodes, but it does show a lot more insight into the individual lives of the Socoli family, Armando and some of Vanora’s thrown in. The character development flourishes in this episode, and though it fills up some space in the story and holds back on the violence we all love to read about, it tosses in the emotional fragility of everyone close to the Socoli family, which is vital to become attached to all of them.
Vanora is growing up and is now a young lady, with very womanly curves and thoughts. Armando continues to be a mystery, though his home life with his longtime lover Carlotta gives us some insight of his actual personality, the way he lives and his preferences.
The most touching part of this episode is Alisha’s sacrifice. We all knew it was coming but her heartache is dire and I do love how she continues on with the poise of a true warrior, even if her heart is broken.
We also got a lot of insight into Vanora’s human side of her family when she visits her uncle and aunt, which is refreshing and worlds away from her life back home in the Socoli mansion. It’s like she could almost forget about the vampires and dangers lurking at her family’s mansion, even if it was just for the summer.
Armando’s gift was surprising and what happens afterwards was also anticipated but yet a bit shocking. Vanora’s reaction was very natural and I was sad to see her feelings hurt.
Overall an interesting episode setting up for the season finale next. I can’t wait to see what will happen next.
Vanora is growing up and is now a young lady, with very womanly curves and thoughts. Armando continues to be a mystery, though his home life with his longtime lover Carlotta gives us some insight of his actual personality, the way he lives and his preferences.
The most touching part of this episode is Alisha’s sacrifice. We all knew it was coming but her heartache is dire and I do love how she continues on with the poise of a true warrior, even if her heart is broken.
We also got a lot of insight into Vanora’s human side of her family when she visits her uncle and aunt, which is refreshing and worlds away from her life back home in the Socoli mansion. It’s like she could almost forget about the vampires and dangers lurking at her family’s mansion, even if it was just for the summer.
Armando’s gift was surprising and what happens afterwards was also anticipated but yet a bit shocking. Vanora’s reaction was very natural and I was sad to see her feelings hurt.
Overall an interesting episode setting up for the season finale next. I can’t wait to see what will happen next.
May 28, 2013
Review coming soon.
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