What do you think?
Rate this book
Blood Wine #2
A Dance In Blood Velvet
For the love of her vampire suitor, Karl, Charlotte has forsaken her human life. Now her only contact with people is when she hunts them down to feed. Her thirst for blood repulses her but its fulfilment brings ecstasy.
The one light in the shadows is the passion that burns between her and Karl. A love that it seems will last for eternity - until Karl's former lover, the seductively beautiful Katerina, is rescued from the Crystal Ring. For nearly fifty years she has lain, as dead, in the icy depths of the Weisskalt. Now she wants to reclaim her life... and Karl.
In despair, Charlotte turns to the prima ballerina Violette Lenoir, an ice maiden who only thaws when she dances. Charlotte is fascinated as she has been by no other human, longing to bring joy to the dancer. But her obsession opens the floodgates to a far darker threat than the vampires could ever have imagined. For Violette is more than human and if she succumbs to the vampire's kiss it could unleash a new terror.
The one light in the shadows is the passion that burns between her and Karl. A love that it seems will last for eternity - until Karl's former lover, the seductively beautiful Katerina, is rescued from the Crystal Ring. For nearly fifty years she has lain, as dead, in the icy depths of the Weisskalt. Now she wants to reclaim her life... and Karl.
In despair, Charlotte turns to the prima ballerina Violette Lenoir, an ice maiden who only thaws when she dances. Charlotte is fascinated as she has been by no other human, longing to bring joy to the dancer. But her obsession opens the floodgates to a far darker threat than the vampires could ever have imagined. For Violette is more than human and if she succumbs to the vampire's kiss it could unleash a new terror.
505 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1994
17 people are currently reading
610 people want to read
About the author
Freda Warrington
52 books326 followersFreda Warrington is an award-winning British author, known for her epic fantasy, vampire and supernatural novels.
“The Blood Wine books are addictive, thrilling reads that are impossible to put down and they definitely deserve more attention” – Worldhopping.net
Her earliest novels, the Blackbird series, were written and published in the 1980s. In the intervening years she has seen numerous novels of epic fantasy, supernatural and contemporary fantasy, vampires, dark romance, horror and alternative history published.
Her novel ELFLAND won the Romantic Times BEST FANTASY NOVEL Award in 2009, while her 1997 Dracula sequel DRACULA THE UNDEAD won the Dracula Society's BEST GOTHIC NOVEL Award.
Four of her novels (Dark Cathedral, Pagan Moon, Dracula the Undead, and The Amber Citadel) have been nominated or shortlisted for the British Fantasy Society's Best Novel award. The American Library Association placed MIDSUMMER NIGHT in its Top Ten for 2010.
Recently Titan Book reissued her popular romantic-gothic Blood Wine vampire series set in the 1920s - A Taste of Blood Wine, A Dance in Blood Velvet and The Dark Blood of Poppies - along with a brand new novel, The Dark Arts of Blood. In 2017, Telos Publishing will publish her first short story collection, NIGHTS OF BLOOD WINE, featuring fifteen lush dark tales - ten set in her Blood Wine world, and five others of gothic weirdness.
In 2003, Simon & Schuster published The Court of the Midnight King, an alternative history/ fantasy retelling of the story of King Richard III. To celebrate all the events surrounding the discovery of Richard III's remains in Leicester, The Court of the Midnight King is now available on Kindle and in paperback format. Most of her backlist titles, including the Blackbird series, Dracula the Undead, Dark Cathedral and Pagan Moon, can already be found on Kindle or will be available in the next few months.
Warrington has also seen numerous short stories published in anthologies and magazines. For further information, visit her website Freda Warrington
Born in Leicester, Warrington grew up in the Charnwood Forest area of Leicestershire. After completing high school, she trained at Loughborough College of Art and Design and worked in medical illustration and graphic design for some years. She eventually moved to full-time writing, and also still enjoys design, photography, art, jewellery-making and other crafts, travelling and conventions.
Series:
* Jewelfire
* Dark Cathedral
* Aetherial Tales
* Blackbird
“The Blood Wine books are addictive, thrilling reads that are impossible to put down and they definitely deserve more attention” – Worldhopping.net
Her earliest novels, the Blackbird series, were written and published in the 1980s. In the intervening years she has seen numerous novels of epic fantasy, supernatural and contemporary fantasy, vampires, dark romance, horror and alternative history published.
Her novel ELFLAND won the Romantic Times BEST FANTASY NOVEL Award in 2009, while her 1997 Dracula sequel DRACULA THE UNDEAD won the Dracula Society's BEST GOTHIC NOVEL Award.
Four of her novels (Dark Cathedral, Pagan Moon, Dracula the Undead, and The Amber Citadel) have been nominated or shortlisted for the British Fantasy Society's Best Novel award. The American Library Association placed MIDSUMMER NIGHT in its Top Ten for 2010.
Recently Titan Book reissued her popular romantic-gothic Blood Wine vampire series set in the 1920s - A Taste of Blood Wine, A Dance in Blood Velvet and The Dark Blood of Poppies - along with a brand new novel, The Dark Arts of Blood. In 2017, Telos Publishing will publish her first short story collection, NIGHTS OF BLOOD WINE, featuring fifteen lush dark tales - ten set in her Blood Wine world, and five others of gothic weirdness.
In 2003, Simon & Schuster published The Court of the Midnight King, an alternative history/ fantasy retelling of the story of King Richard III. To celebrate all the events surrounding the discovery of Richard III's remains in Leicester, The Court of the Midnight King is now available on Kindle and in paperback format. Most of her backlist titles, including the Blackbird series, Dracula the Undead, Dark Cathedral and Pagan Moon, can already be found on Kindle or will be available in the next few months.
Warrington has also seen numerous short stories published in anthologies and magazines. For further information, visit her website Freda Warrington
Born in Leicester, Warrington grew up in the Charnwood Forest area of Leicestershire. After completing high school, she trained at Loughborough College of Art and Design and worked in medical illustration and graphic design for some years. She eventually moved to full-time writing, and also still enjoys design, photography, art, jewellery-making and other crafts, travelling and conventions.
Series:
* Jewelfire
* Dark Cathedral
* Aetherial Tales
* Blackbird
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
August 18, 2015
My review of the first book is here.
I still feel kind of weirdly ambivalent about these books. Everything the copy says about the lush gothicness, it’s true; I find the prose really compelling, something sweet and syrupy and addictive. It engages all the senses, it draws you into its dark embrace… it is exactly the rich velvety experience promised by the titles: A Taste of Blood Wine, A Dance in Blood Velvet, The Dark Blood of Poppies…
I was a little ambivalent with the first book because of the fear that it was going to glorify the vampirism as some kind of true love, some kind of real romanticism. In a way, it does: Karl and Charlotte do truly love one another, and they’ll come through their trials to find each other again. But at the same time, it never shies away from the monstrousness, which is in part what makes it so compelling. Their power, hypnotic, sensual; their pain and separation from humanity. It’s done well, that constant push-and-pull, their dependence on humanity, the way they may kid themselves they feel above.
“Fierce, intolerant and possessive” is how Charlotte describes their love — there are no illusions here about it. I think I’m okay with that, as long as the books continue walking this line between monstrous and sympathetic. Andreas, for example, is one character who seems to fall on the other side of the line in his sheer self-absorption. Ilona, in her amoral gloating about what she is, the way she plays it to the hilt. Charlotte and Karl aren’t perfect either, but they try not to fall into that, and it works to make them interesting characters.
Now what I’m not sure about is the mythology; the angels, or whatever they are, and Violette/Lilith. After Kristian’s fall in the first book, it seemed like it was going a more rationalist route with Charlotte’s beliefs, and then there was a ton of occult stuff in this book. I’m gonna read The Dark Blood of Poppies, though, definitely; if Warrington can keep me uncertain but riveted through two books, I’m along for the ride with the next two.
Review originally posted here.
I still feel kind of weirdly ambivalent about these books. Everything the copy says about the lush gothicness, it’s true; I find the prose really compelling, something sweet and syrupy and addictive. It engages all the senses, it draws you into its dark embrace… it is exactly the rich velvety experience promised by the titles: A Taste of Blood Wine, A Dance in Blood Velvet, The Dark Blood of Poppies…
I was a little ambivalent with the first book because of the fear that it was going to glorify the vampirism as some kind of true love, some kind of real romanticism. In a way, it does: Karl and Charlotte do truly love one another, and they’ll come through their trials to find each other again. But at the same time, it never shies away from the monstrousness, which is in part what makes it so compelling. Their power, hypnotic, sensual; their pain and separation from humanity. It’s done well, that constant push-and-pull, their dependence on humanity, the way they may kid themselves they feel above.
“Fierce, intolerant and possessive” is how Charlotte describes their love — there are no illusions here about it. I think I’m okay with that, as long as the books continue walking this line between monstrous and sympathetic. Andreas, for example, is one character who seems to fall on the other side of the line in his sheer self-absorption. Ilona, in her amoral gloating about what she is, the way she plays it to the hilt. Charlotte and Karl aren’t perfect either, but they try not to fall into that, and it works to make them interesting characters.
Now what I’m not sure about is the mythology; the angels, or whatever they are, and Violette/Lilith. After Kristian’s fall in the first book, it seemed like it was going a more rationalist route with Charlotte’s beliefs, and then there was a ton of occult stuff in this book. I’m gonna read The Dark Blood of Poppies, though, definitely; if Warrington can keep me uncertain but riveted through two books, I’m along for the ride with the next two.
Review originally posted here.
Want to read
August 15, 2013Woohoo! *happy dance* They have finally rereleased this book!
I can finally afford to get it.
I can finally afford to get it.
Read
June 12, 2023this book infuriated me. sometimes I loved it and other times I hated it. but I still read it obsessively because it was so gosh-darn good.
July 6, 2014
http://openbooksociety.com/article/a-...
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Caro
Beware of spoilers!
The Blood Wine series was first published in the 1990’s, and now, by demand of the fans, it is being reissued with new book covers, that I’m just in love with, and a new book to the series due May, 2015.
As A Dance In Blood Velvet starts, we find out that Charlotte is still being looked for by her family. Soon after, while in the Crystal Ring, Karl and Charlotte find Katerine and nourish her back to life. At the same time, their friend Andreas is brought back by a human named Benedict Grey and his mysterious book. From this point on, the reader learns that the events taking place are all, somewhat, being caused by the death of their vampire creator, Kristian. Everything has a reason.
I was very interested on reading this book, I had been so out of focus from the vampire lure that I don’t know why I didn’t discover it earlier. I do have to admit that the first half of the book is a rollercoaster, which made the pace of it a little slow for me to catch on. There would suddenly be an interesting flashback or important information and then Karl and Charlotte’s relationship would over shine it with their lovers quarrels. I found myself rooting more for a love line between Holly and Andreas than the main characters’ one.
Speaking of Andreas, he definitely became my favorite character. He was always bright and sarcastic, very peaceful even though years of his life were taken from him. When he lost Katerina, he coped with it maturely and understood she needed to rest. He’s a vampire I would like to keep around. Another vampire that caught my attention was Ilona. She could have been a ferocious one, but she had her reasons. She was always there to keep Charlotte company, and she was a key point for Violette’s behavior.
Then, we get to the second half of the book and things start to get interesting. Katerina has somehow taken Karl away from Charlotte, and they find Ben, Andreas, and several vampires that came out of the Crystal Ring, too. Meanwhile, Charlotte, now in more acquaintance with Violette learns that her body can’t take the dancing no more and decides to turn her into a vampire with the help of Stefan and Ilona. Here is where the author mixes Jewish mythology with vampirism and the product is the Blood Wine series. There’s an extensive talk about Lilith and God, reincarnation in its way, and the belief where vampire come from. Throughout the book we get clues that at some point Lilith will become the main character of this story and then the reader is caught by how she came to be.
“Kristina used to say, ‘Our Father is God and our Mother is Lilith.’ As they do not exist, clearly we are all orphans.”
“Andreas, what would you call yourself?”
“A vampire, natürlich, unless you want to be poetic. We are Lamie, Children of Lilith. Immortals.”
This book has everything that a vampire novel should have: vampires, symbolism, occultism, love, blood, sarcasm, and a cliffhanger to make you read the book that follows. I still want to know what will Karl do with his inner struggles of accepting to be a leader, his love for Charlotte and his fear that Violette will take her away. Charlotte has quite a lot in her hands, too. She could choose to end it once and for all or live with what she has. And, then there’s the possibility that Kristian could still be alive. What if he is the one Violette has been waiting for? Let’s not forget about Katerina, who after all turned out to be colder than Violette and Ilona together.
I definitely recommend you read A Dance in Blood Velvet. If you’re like me and getting back into vampire stories, this is a good one to start again. Not to mention that the new book covers look amazing!
Favorite quotes:
“This is what ballet is. It’s not glamorous, it’s hard work. If I don’t complain, nor must anyone else. I always tell my dancers, if you can’t endure the pain, find another career.”
“Poor Holly. So we both are helpless. Shall we be friends in our helplessness?”
“What’s the point? Confide in someone and you become vulnerable. They use your pain as a weapon against you. I have no friends because I have only one passion: to dance.”
“If you want to help us, become our leader. Take Kristian’s place!”
”No.”
“You must. We need someone. You cannot slay the king and not replace him!”
“Men are wicked, human and vampire alike; don’t let them make you sad.”
*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Caro
Beware of spoilers!
The Blood Wine series was first published in the 1990’s, and now, by demand of the fans, it is being reissued with new book covers, that I’m just in love with, and a new book to the series due May, 2015.
As A Dance In Blood Velvet starts, we find out that Charlotte is still being looked for by her family. Soon after, while in the Crystal Ring, Karl and Charlotte find Katerine and nourish her back to life. At the same time, their friend Andreas is brought back by a human named Benedict Grey and his mysterious book. From this point on, the reader learns that the events taking place are all, somewhat, being caused by the death of their vampire creator, Kristian. Everything has a reason.
I was very interested on reading this book, I had been so out of focus from the vampire lure that I don’t know why I didn’t discover it earlier. I do have to admit that the first half of the book is a rollercoaster, which made the pace of it a little slow for me to catch on. There would suddenly be an interesting flashback or important information and then Karl and Charlotte’s relationship would over shine it with their lovers quarrels. I found myself rooting more for a love line between Holly and Andreas than the main characters’ one.
Speaking of Andreas, he definitely became my favorite character. He was always bright and sarcastic, very peaceful even though years of his life were taken from him. When he lost Katerina, he coped with it maturely and understood she needed to rest. He’s a vampire I would like to keep around. Another vampire that caught my attention was Ilona. She could have been a ferocious one, but she had her reasons. She was always there to keep Charlotte company, and she was a key point for Violette’s behavior.
Then, we get to the second half of the book and things start to get interesting. Katerina has somehow taken Karl away from Charlotte, and they find Ben, Andreas, and several vampires that came out of the Crystal Ring, too. Meanwhile, Charlotte, now in more acquaintance with Violette learns that her body can’t take the dancing no more and decides to turn her into a vampire with the help of Stefan and Ilona. Here is where the author mixes Jewish mythology with vampirism and the product is the Blood Wine series. There’s an extensive talk about Lilith and God, reincarnation in its way, and the belief where vampire come from. Throughout the book we get clues that at some point Lilith will become the main character of this story and then the reader is caught by how she came to be.
“Kristina used to say, ‘Our Father is God and our Mother is Lilith.’ As they do not exist, clearly we are all orphans.”
“Andreas, what would you call yourself?”
“A vampire, natürlich, unless you want to be poetic. We are Lamie, Children of Lilith. Immortals.”
This book has everything that a vampire novel should have: vampires, symbolism, occultism, love, blood, sarcasm, and a cliffhanger to make you read the book that follows. I still want to know what will Karl do with his inner struggles of accepting to be a leader, his love for Charlotte and his fear that Violette will take her away. Charlotte has quite a lot in her hands, too. She could choose to end it once and for all or live with what she has. And, then there’s the possibility that Kristian could still be alive. What if he is the one Violette has been waiting for? Let’s not forget about Katerina, who after all turned out to be colder than Violette and Ilona together.
I definitely recommend you read A Dance in Blood Velvet. If you’re like me and getting back into vampire stories, this is a good one to start again. Not to mention that the new book covers look amazing!
Favorite quotes:
“This is what ballet is. It’s not glamorous, it’s hard work. If I don’t complain, nor must anyone else. I always tell my dancers, if you can’t endure the pain, find another career.”
“Poor Holly. So we both are helpless. Shall we be friends in our helplessness?”
“What’s the point? Confide in someone and you become vulnerable. They use your pain as a weapon against you. I have no friends because I have only one passion: to dance.”
“If you want to help us, become our leader. Take Kristian’s place!”
”No.”
“You must. We need someone. You cannot slay the king and not replace him!”
“Men are wicked, human and vampire alike; don’t let them make you sad.”
*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
November 4, 2013
I have an odd relationship with this book. I read it at some point when I was a teenager - I'm 34 now, so over 15 years ago - and I can remember being absolutely blown away by it. I found it in the library and read it without having read A Taste of Blood Wine. But strangely enough, the only thing that I remembered about it, other than the opening scene, a handful of other moments, and the Crystal Ring aspect, was how beautifully written it was. I don't know what I'd been reading up to that point, but I remember thinking that the writing was like poetry.
And from then on this book has always been in the back of my mind. Never managed to get hold of the other ones, and then couldn't even get my hands on this one again. So it just drifted away from me.
Then it must have been about three or so years ago that the idea of tracking down these books came back to me, now armed with my knowledge of Google and ebay. So I searched for them again and found out that the only way to get hold of this book was to shell out at least £40 pounds on ebay. I came close. But again I let it slide.
Then about a year ago I looked again and saw that they were being re-released. And God Damn, was I excited.
Loved A Taste of Blood Wine. A simple tale with almost standard archetypes at its center. The vampire falling in love with the human, their growing obsession - but done with a fantastic twist on the mythology.
Nothing simple about this one. Reading it again, I'm amazed that I didn't remember it more clearly (I'm glad I didn't), but I'm not at all surprised that it stayed with me all these years. This is an incredible book. Beautifully written and endlessly compelling. The mythology that the author weaves is nothing short of amazing. Not just with her take on Vampires, but with Biblical mythology as well. And at its center, the dark heart of religion - the truly despicable idea of original sin.
The thing is, Freda Warrington plays with these ideas in such an amazing way. Things get so big, and so elaborate - dealing with the notion of God and Angels, and whether or not it's all real - to the point where you think she can't possibly come up with any answers that could be satisfying without betraying everything that came before, or without maybe just being totally fucking lame. But she does.
And to top it all, the way she writes somehow makes the whole thing feel like it's this one big giant erotic sex scene.
Intoxicating stuff.
Hope The Dark Blood of Poppies lives up to it. Though I don't see how it could. But so long as it lives up to A Taste of Blood Wine I'll be happy.
And from then on this book has always been in the back of my mind. Never managed to get hold of the other ones, and then couldn't even get my hands on this one again. So it just drifted away from me.
Then it must have been about three or so years ago that the idea of tracking down these books came back to me, now armed with my knowledge of Google and ebay. So I searched for them again and found out that the only way to get hold of this book was to shell out at least £40 pounds on ebay. I came close. But again I let it slide.
Then about a year ago I looked again and saw that they were being re-released. And God Damn, was I excited.
Loved A Taste of Blood Wine. A simple tale with almost standard archetypes at its center. The vampire falling in love with the human, their growing obsession - but done with a fantastic twist on the mythology.
Nothing simple about this one. Reading it again, I'm amazed that I didn't remember it more clearly (I'm glad I didn't), but I'm not at all surprised that it stayed with me all these years. This is an incredible book. Beautifully written and endlessly compelling. The mythology that the author weaves is nothing short of amazing. Not just with her take on Vampires, but with Biblical mythology as well. And at its center, the dark heart of religion - the truly despicable idea of original sin.
The thing is, Freda Warrington plays with these ideas in such an amazing way. Things get so big, and so elaborate - dealing with the notion of God and Angels, and whether or not it's all real - to the point where you think she can't possibly come up with any answers that could be satisfying without betraying everything that came before, or without maybe just being totally fucking lame. But she does.
And to top it all, the way she writes somehow makes the whole thing feel like it's this one big giant erotic sex scene.
Intoxicating stuff.
Hope The Dark Blood of Poppies lives up to it. Though I don't see how it could. But so long as it lives up to A Taste of Blood Wine I'll be happy.
August 8, 2015
This is a very enthralling historical paranormal series. The way Freda Warrington writes and creates the story is phenomenal. The characters, the relationships and the plot are very complex and she weaves all these elements in such a way that you cannot stop reading. I highly recommend this series--it deserves so much recognition and I even discovered that they have such a wide fan base that new issues of the books have been produced in fantastic new editions (the ones I have purchased).
Similarly, her take on the paranormal elements is extremely unique and well thought out. These are not your typical vampires and I love them more for that. Check out the first one because it's definitely one I recommend if you love this genre as I most certainly will be purchasing the next book and probably devour it in a matter of days like I have done with the previous two.
Similarly, her take on the paranormal elements is extremely unique and well thought out. These are not your typical vampires and I love them more for that. Check out the first one because it's definitely one I recommend if you love this genre as I most certainly will be purchasing the next book and probably devour it in a matter of days like I have done with the previous two.
July 24, 2022
what?? i liked this?? i have Thoughts???
July 25, 2018
In A Dance in Blood Velvet, Warrington continues the story of vampire lovers Charlotte and Karl, adding some great twists and turns to deepen her vampires’ world and keep readers curious about her mythology.
Karl and Charlotte’s world is turned upside down at the appearance of a vampire thought to be long gone—Karl’s former lover, Katti. Charlotte, already in doubt of her place in Karl’s life, drifts as Karl immerses himself in healing Katti and finding out how she escaped her fate.
But Katti isn’t the only vampire to return. Humans have been playing with forces beyond them. Benedict and Lancelyn Grey have found a way to connect with the Crystal Ring, the vampires’ realm. Benedict unleashes a flood of long-sleeping vampires as his brother Lancelyn dabbles in making himself a god with the help of dark forces.
Wanting to stay well-away from Katti, Charlotte becomes obsessed with prima ballerina Violette Lenoir. Violette leads her down a dangerous path, one that awakens the mother of vampires, Lilith.
I’m completely hooked on the world Warrington has created! Her vampires’ mythology is unique and the twists she’s added in this book deepen that for me. I’m really looking forward to reading the rest of this series.
Karl and Charlotte’s world is turned upside down at the appearance of a vampire thought to be long gone—Karl’s former lover, Katti. Charlotte, already in doubt of her place in Karl’s life, drifts as Karl immerses himself in healing Katti and finding out how she escaped her fate.
But Katti isn’t the only vampire to return. Humans have been playing with forces beyond them. Benedict and Lancelyn Grey have found a way to connect with the Crystal Ring, the vampires’ realm. Benedict unleashes a flood of long-sleeping vampires as his brother Lancelyn dabbles in making himself a god with the help of dark forces.
Wanting to stay well-away from Katti, Charlotte becomes obsessed with prima ballerina Violette Lenoir. Violette leads her down a dangerous path, one that awakens the mother of vampires, Lilith.
I’m completely hooked on the world Warrington has created! Her vampires’ mythology is unique and the twists she’s added in this book deepen that for me. I’m really looking forward to reading the rest of this series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 24, 2018
Black shadows appear within the Crystal Ring, bringing confusion and fear to those who inhabit it. Charlotte Neville and her lover Karl von Wultendorf find themselves, despite being separated by emotional conflict, deeply embedded in the scheme of three mysterious figures that wish to preform a questionable ceremony.
(WARNING: This review contains MAJOR spoilers.)
The first instalment (A Taste of Blood Wine) of this darkly alluring series captured my heart, in that despite the overly dramatic tone relating to the Neville household, I found the writing itself a literary treasure; atmospherically gothic, intense and beautiful; it appealed to my utmost fondness for vampire romance. What I expected from this volume, was more of the same brilliance, yet instead of entertaining family turmoil, relationship jealously saturated every aspect of each character and unfortunately dulled my enjoyment because of such. I'm all for conflicting emotion, of mistakes being made due to overpowering feelings, yet nearly every event that transpired in this book, was more or less due to jealousy in some form - Ben and Lancelyn, Charlotte and Katerina, Karl and Violette. Perhaps I should've appreciated the fact they were realistic, and like normal people plagued by insecurities, but there's a point I began to roll my eyes at the abundance of selfish behaviour.
A happily-ever-after was not in store for Charlotte and Karl, on the contrary, in fact. They spent most of their time apart, as obstacles seemed to rise in every direction and threaten their attempt at eternal love. I didn't mind this, I actually considered it refreshing that they had to continually fight to make it work. I however believed them both mostly to blame for their unhappiness, and Charlotte became especially intolerable. From being jealous of Katerina whilst she, herself, had the audacity to lust after and stalk Violette, well, what happened to the character I actually liked and felt attached to? And when she planned to turn Violette without even asking for her permission, I was ready to throw the book across the room. The same occurred with the rest of the characters, as well; I didn't particularly feel for any of them.
This isn't to say I believed the entire book a disappointment. Some endearing elements were still present, such as the style of writing and the overall elegance of the story, but it definitely lacked some of its original charm. The plot consisted of two, seemingly separate subplots coming together, pretty much revolving around the (re)birth of Lilith. Religion was further contemplated, yet it remained a mystery if God actually existed. The exact origin of the Crystal Ring was also pondered upon yet again, raising the question of if it relates to scientific or spiritual means. I do wonder if answers will ever come to light, or if it'll remain unexplained. At least the discovery of humans accessing the Crystal Ring was revealed, and the presence of a physic human also added to the conundrum that is Warrington's world.
In conclusion: The self-centred actions of the characters brought bouts of annoyance. I'll certainly continue with this series, but I hope I enjoy further instalments more than this one.
Notable Scene:
"How can I be content to bury myself in dead mythology, after living mythology has revealed itself to me? How can I feel anything for Lamia, succubus, incubus, Lilith and her demon children or all the angels of heaven, when I have met a real being who is richer and stranger than anything on the dry page of a book?"
"Do you want to write me into a book, a thesis?"
"It's tempting, but no, no more than I'd put a bird of prey in a glass cage."
© Red Lace 2016
Wordpress ~ Booklikes ~ Twitter
(WARNING: This review contains MAJOR spoilers.)
The first instalment (A Taste of Blood Wine) of this darkly alluring series captured my heart, in that despite the overly dramatic tone relating to the Neville household, I found the writing itself a literary treasure; atmospherically gothic, intense and beautiful; it appealed to my utmost fondness for vampire romance. What I expected from this volume, was more of the same brilliance, yet instead of entertaining family turmoil, relationship jealously saturated every aspect of each character and unfortunately dulled my enjoyment because of such. I'm all for conflicting emotion, of mistakes being made due to overpowering feelings, yet nearly every event that transpired in this book, was more or less due to jealousy in some form - Ben and Lancelyn, Charlotte and Katerina, Karl and Violette. Perhaps I should've appreciated the fact they were realistic, and like normal people plagued by insecurities, but there's a point I began to roll my eyes at the abundance of selfish behaviour.
A happily-ever-after was not in store for Charlotte and Karl, on the contrary, in fact. They spent most of their time apart, as obstacles seemed to rise in every direction and threaten their attempt at eternal love. I didn't mind this, I actually considered it refreshing that they had to continually fight to make it work. I however believed them both mostly to blame for their unhappiness, and Charlotte became especially intolerable. From being jealous of Katerina whilst she, herself, had the audacity to lust after and stalk Violette, well, what happened to the character I actually liked and felt attached to? And when she planned to turn Violette without even asking for her permission, I was ready to throw the book across the room. The same occurred with the rest of the characters, as well; I didn't particularly feel for any of them.
This isn't to say I believed the entire book a disappointment. Some endearing elements were still present, such as the style of writing and the overall elegance of the story, but it definitely lacked some of its original charm. The plot consisted of two, seemingly separate subplots coming together, pretty much revolving around the (re)birth of Lilith. Religion was further contemplated, yet it remained a mystery if God actually existed. The exact origin of the Crystal Ring was also pondered upon yet again, raising the question of if it relates to scientific or spiritual means. I do wonder if answers will ever come to light, or if it'll remain unexplained. At least the discovery of humans accessing the Crystal Ring was revealed, and the presence of a physic human also added to the conundrum that is Warrington's world.
In conclusion: The self-centred actions of the characters brought bouts of annoyance. I'll certainly continue with this series, but I hope I enjoy further instalments more than this one.
Notable Scene:
"How can I be content to bury myself in dead mythology, after living mythology has revealed itself to me? How can I feel anything for Lamia, succubus, incubus, Lilith and her demon children or all the angels of heaven, when I have met a real being who is richer and stranger than anything on the dry page of a book?"
"Do you want to write me into a book, a thesis?"
"It's tempting, but no, no more than I'd put a bird of prey in a glass cage."
© Red Lace 2016
Wordpress ~ Booklikes ~ Twitter
May 5, 2014
I really enjoyed reading (re-reading technically though I didn't realize I had read it back when it was new in the 90's) the first and was looking forward to the second.
Ugh, though! So EMO. The entire book is one character whining about god/evil/morals/the devil after another. Katerina is so obnoxious. Charlotte is obsessed for no real reason given with a ballerina. Karl is cold and aloof and the "eternal" love between he and Charlotte is missing after a mere three years for most of the book. (Really? Three years?? They couldn't even make it as long as a high school couple?)
Ugh, so much to be annoyed at and by in this volume. I feel I am being generous at 3 stars. Towards the end, it got nearly unbearable in it's plodding, whining, melodrama. I just wanted to shout, "shut up already!" and it became such a struggle to complete. I just wanted it to be over.
Some ideas and concepts were interesting and it was written with technical proficiency but holy hells it was the biggest emo fest ever. I question if I will even bother with the third when it's re-published this autumn.
Ugh, though! So EMO. The entire book is one character whining about god/evil/morals/the devil after another. Katerina is so obnoxious. Charlotte is obsessed for no real reason given with a ballerina. Karl is cold and aloof and the "eternal" love between he and Charlotte is missing after a mere three years for most of the book. (Really? Three years?? They couldn't even make it as long as a high school couple?)
Ugh, so much to be annoyed at and by in this volume. I feel I am being generous at 3 stars. Towards the end, it got nearly unbearable in it's plodding, whining, melodrama. I just wanted to shout, "shut up already!" and it became such a struggle to complete. I just wanted it to be over.
Some ideas and concepts were interesting and it was written with technical proficiency but holy hells it was the biggest emo fest ever. I question if I will even bother with the third when it's re-published this autumn.
August 18, 2017
This series does vampire romance like no other series I've read before, I'll tell you that. I read the back so I thought I knew what to expect. Nope. I was wrong. So, so very wrong. And it was awesome. This is a fantastic book with even more amazing characters, thrilling passion, heartbreaking lies and hidden truths, and rich story telling. I love Karl and Charlotte and their romance and while I'm all for them staying together forever, I have to admit it was nice to see them go through a misstep in their romance. Karl's a dreamboat, but I didn't know how it would turn out. Charlotte definitely went through some changes but I still felt myself sympathizing with her. One of the new characters, Violette, is a force to be reckoned with. I'm terrified of her, but kinda love her too. The antagonists were surprising and I enjoyed their plot as it unraveled and led to one heart-pounding conclusion. I'm entirely in love with these books and cannot recommend them enough to paranormal-romance fans or fans of vampires and/or romance. I need to know what happens next!
February 26, 2018
Another exceptional piece by Freda! This book tore all of my heart strings apart and thankfully mended them back together at the end. I've never read a book that made me feel anything other than excitement. I found myself yelling at Charlotte when she pursued Violette and even more when her and Karl started to grow apart. I honestly started to feel sick like I was in the relationship (it was maddening). I have no issues with this book whatsoever and its a strong competitor for A Taste of Blood Wine. While I disliked Violette being brought into the picture I trusted the author and by book three (my review is somewhere on here) I grew fond of her. It is hard to change my opinions of a character once I've made them.
The ending was a twist I wasn't expecting. I figured something would happen earlier in the book but as things came to a close and everyone was more or less "friends" I had no idea that that was going to happen! I was incredibly excited and quite frankly relieved with the character she wrote off.
The ending was a twist I wasn't expecting. I figured something would happen earlier in the book but as things came to a close and everyone was more or less "friends" I had no idea that that was going to happen! I was incredibly excited and quite frankly relieved with the character she wrote off.
March 16, 2015
A full review will be available on my blog 3/16.
Short review:
That gothic style that worked so well in the first book works against the sequel as the story broadens beyond being merely Karl and Charlotte's tale. Furthermore, the obsession that drove them together in the first book now merely causes them to stare at each other longingly and wonder why their relationship is falling apart. It's annoying, not romantic, and Violette is just as depressed as the rest of them. The vampires in this book can make a human obsess over them, but it seems I've broken the spell the first book cast on me.
Short review:
That gothic style that worked so well in the first book works against the sequel as the story broadens beyond being merely Karl and Charlotte's tale. Furthermore, the obsession that drove them together in the first book now merely causes them to stare at each other longingly and wonder why their relationship is falling apart. It's annoying, not romantic, and Violette is just as depressed as the rest of them. The vampires in this book can make a human obsess over them, but it seems I've broken the spell the first book cast on me.
April 10, 2018
The storyline really annoyed the sh*t out of me.
It wasn’t completely bad but it wasn’t great...
I honestly wanted to strangle Charlotte... badly... her character went downhill in this story, I expected much more character growth... instead I felt like she done a 360 and turned into a brat... I just felt like she wanted it her way and it was her way only. Just terrible, I actually liked Charlotte in book one and now... mehhhh.
Well... not only Charlotte was annoying, there were other characters too. Just can not be bothered to name them, sighhhhh....
I will read the next book and I am praying it gets better...
It wasn’t completely bad but it wasn’t great...
I honestly wanted to strangle Charlotte... badly... her character went downhill in this story, I expected much more character growth... instead I felt like she done a 360 and turned into a brat... I just felt like she wanted it her way and it was her way only. Just terrible, I actually liked Charlotte in book one and now... mehhhh.
Well... not only Charlotte was annoying, there were other characters too. Just can not be bothered to name them, sighhhhh....
I will read the next book and I am praying it gets better...
July 6, 2014
Just as good as the second!
November 10, 2020
#2 Blood Wine series - Vampires
These vampires are the real deal. If you're looking for fun, sparkling "vampire-lite" books, this series is not for you.
These vampires are the real deal. If you're looking for fun, sparkling "vampire-lite" books, this series is not for you.
October 6, 2021
After loving the first book, this sequel was something of a disappointment.
The plot: After becoming a vampire, Charlotte is living happily with her lover, Karl. But with master vampire Kristian's death at the end of the previous book, the vampires banished to the icy reaches of the Crystal Ring are reviving, including Karl's ex-lover Katerina. Katerina wants to pick up her relationship where it left off, which naturally puts Charlotte's nose out of joint. As a result Charlotte develops a fascination with prima ballerina, Violette Lenoir, which leads to deadly consequences. There was also another plot dealing with an occultist group, including two feuding brothers and the wife of the younger brother, and the mysterious book which played a modest part in the first volume.
It was okay, but I didn't love it. Where the first book was a fairly tight little story, this one seemed a little too disjointed and frankly all the characters acted in a rather selfish way that made them more dislikable - I sincerely hope that's the last we'll see of the new characters that appeared in this book. And Karl's refusal (or inability?) to react to almost anything made me want to shout at him.
It was technically well-written - Freda Warrington is a good writer - and I was glad I finally had a chance to read it (the book was out of print and hard to get hold of for years), but I didn't find the story engrossing.
I already have the next two books in the series (can I add the first three are signed by the author? Yes, I'm incredibly smug about that), so I'll be reading all four and hope they chime more with my preferences - which probably makes me as selfish as the characters I've been complaining about.
Nice cover, by the way.
The plot: After becoming a vampire, Charlotte is living happily with her lover, Karl. But with master vampire Kristian's death at the end of the previous book, the vampires banished to the icy reaches of the Crystal Ring are reviving, including Karl's ex-lover Katerina. Katerina wants to pick up her relationship where it left off, which naturally puts Charlotte's nose out of joint. As a result Charlotte develops a fascination with prima ballerina, Violette Lenoir, which leads to deadly consequences. There was also another plot dealing with an occultist group, including two feuding brothers and the wife of the younger brother, and the mysterious book which played a modest part in the first volume.
It was okay, but I didn't love it. Where the first book was a fairly tight little story, this one seemed a little too disjointed and frankly all the characters acted in a rather selfish way that made them more dislikable - I sincerely hope that's the last we'll see of the new characters that appeared in this book. And Karl's refusal (or inability?) to react to almost anything made me want to shout at him.
It was technically well-written - Freda Warrington is a good writer - and I was glad I finally had a chance to read it (the book was out of print and hard to get hold of for years), but I didn't find the story engrossing.
I already have the next two books in the series (can I add the first three are signed by the author? Yes, I'm incredibly smug about that), so I'll be reading all four and hope they chime more with my preferences - which probably makes me as selfish as the characters I've been complaining about.
Nice cover, by the way.
April 15, 2021
I wasnt enamoured w book one, but at the very least I was intrigued enough to pick up book two. And I am not sure where things went wrong.
The subplot with Ben and Lancelyn did not interest me, though that ended up becoming the major point of the story. Whatever happened to scientific reasoning that was the majority of the first book was thrown out the window, and suddenly we are in a recreation of the Bible.
With Karl and Charlotte spending most of the book apart, I looked forward to Charlotte's relationship with Violette. The book is full of eroticism and sensuality, but god forbid the two major female characters showed any actual romantic interest in each other. The author screams "no homo" every chance she gets, and that alongside Violette's "I am evil, I am damned" arc made me very uncomfortable and upset.
For whatever reason none of the female characters are allowed to get along with one another, with Katerina and Charlotte scheming against one another for most of the book. Then the surprise twist at the end to find out Katerina still hates Charlotte! It was awful.
I expected Charlotte to see her family or return to them at least once throughout the book, but she never does. I find that awfully strange. And the man that she visits twice--we have no idea what happens to him, or really what the point of him was. That relationship goes nowhere.
Im glad to have finished this book, to be done with it. I wont be reading the rest of the series.
The subplot with Ben and Lancelyn did not interest me, though that ended up becoming the major point of the story. Whatever happened to scientific reasoning that was the majority of the first book was thrown out the window, and suddenly we are in a recreation of the Bible.
With Karl and Charlotte spending most of the book apart, I looked forward to Charlotte's relationship with Violette. The book is full of eroticism and sensuality, but god forbid the two major female characters showed any actual romantic interest in each other. The author screams "no homo" every chance she gets, and that alongside Violette's "I am evil, I am damned" arc made me very uncomfortable and upset.
For whatever reason none of the female characters are allowed to get along with one another, with Katerina and Charlotte scheming against one another for most of the book. Then the surprise twist at the end to find out Katerina still hates Charlotte! It was awful.
I expected Charlotte to see her family or return to them at least once throughout the book, but she never does. I find that awfully strange. And the man that she visits twice--we have no idea what happens to him, or really what the point of him was. That relationship goes nowhere.
Im glad to have finished this book, to be done with it. I wont be reading the rest of the series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 14, 2019
Beautifully written and very fast paced, it's equal parts a wicked romance and an occult horror novel. HIGHLY recommended for fans of Anne Rice (and I know that every vampire novel has that blurb, but this is only the second time that I've said that about another author's work.) The stakes (heh) are much higher than they were in the previous novel, and the plot is more driven by Charlotte's conflicting desires, as well as the humans' involvement with the occult, than they are by the plot of a relationship. That being said, Carlotte and Karl have their usual melodrama going on, Katrina is back and steps in, and Charlotte is increasingly self-overanalyzing over her infatuation and eventual obsession on the mortal ballerina, Violette. It's a good mix of emotions, moral dilemmas, and active plot, with a tidy ending that still leads right up to the next book.
You don't really have to read the first one to jump right into this one, but I recommend reading the series in its entirety.
You don't really have to read the first one to jump right into this one, but I recommend reading the series in its entirety.
August 30, 2017
I genuinely enjoyed the first in the series, however, this one became too fanastical for me. The author continued her questioning about the existence of God, the reason for vampires, the spirit or the consciousness, the reincarnation of Lilith and a chosen Adam for consort, etc. The ending of this book foreshadows events in the next. I was deeply interested in the relationship of the main characters, but I lose patience with stubborn, bull-headedness with disastrous results. I will not be reading a further book, but that is just because my interests lie elsewhere, and I have settled the matter of the existence of God long ago.
April 30, 2018
This one surprised me so much, it was so much better than the first. I was expecting the story to go a certain way, but it went somewhere I never thought it would and it worked. So much stuff happened all the time, it didn't feel draggy like the first one, and the characters and the world were just fantastic. There was just one thing I didn't like, which made me knock off a star, but it wasn't enough to hinder my enjoyment of the book.
September 3, 2019
Depressing vampire soap opera? DNF.
October 20, 2020
Fantastic style, prose, characters, worldbuilding, and setting.
If you love vampires and all things dark romance, this is for you.
If you love vampires and all things dark romance, this is for you.
April 2, 2021
Intriguing. Very different spin in vampires. Such an interesting read.
October 11, 2023
Enjoyed it.
March 29, 2013
This has to be the book which really introduced me to the love of reading. It is dark, gothic, romantic, passionate, right and flippin wrong(as I don't approve of the glorification of vampires) but Carl and Charlotte are both tender as well as brutal, and you can't help like them in their way and feel for them in their own tough and perilous existence.The way Freda has written this novel... Well..its pure art...though if it were a candle it would offer very little light and warmth. Its intriguing, but its dark.
not-finished
January 24, 2016I'm getting better at asking myself Why (am I reading this)? versus Why not (finish anyway)? and if the answer to the former is not satisfactory, giving up. A Dance in Blood Velvet is a Why? book. There's nothing particularly wrong with it, I just have more interesting books to read.
July 26, 2016
The second book was interesting. It provided more of a look into the questions Karl and Charlotte have been looking for as well showing how events, people, and situations can alter the relationships you depend on most.
March 24, 2015
I loved CHarlotte in the first book and hated her with a passion in this book. Despite that, loved this book!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews