Episode 11 The Socoli Mansion is in ruins. Roman’s vampires have been butchered and their havens burned in Aeron the White and Terrible’s ghastly purge. Separated from her sister and lover, Vanora is accompanied by Greg, the sleazy incubus that saved her from Aeron’s clutches. As she attempts to make sense of the destruction brought upon her by an ancient prophecy, the players in the upcoming battle prepare for the final power struggle.
Serial Synopsis:
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.
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.
So far I'm really liking the smarmy demon Greg Brady, who's gone from sleazy asshole to charming asshole in the last installment. Here, we get to see him as an accomplice of Vanora now that Armando's on the Betrayal Bus. More to come!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
This serial just gets better with each episode!! It's seriously like your favorite TV show when you are dying for the next episode. Like a great show, it also has it's explosive episodes, then the slower ones. This was a slower one, but after the season finale of season 2, I think we needed a little bit of breathing room. Even with this one being slower, we get a lot out of it. We discover new things, and have the worry of where things are headed. This was a perfect start to the 3rd season and it sets up for things to get beyond crazy in the coming episodes.
Vanora is now on the run to get somewhere safe for the time being. She knows that she needs to find and kill Aeron, but also knows the power that he has over her. She doesn't show her fear though, and she is very in tune with others around her. She has grown up so much. I can't wait to see her hopefully destroy Aeron brutally!! Even while missing her sister and Armando, she really has her head on straight and knows what she ultimately will have to do. I really have come to adore her so much!!
Of course, all of the secondary characters are just as awesome. We get to know them well, know how they are feeling, and what they are going through and thinking.Greg, as much of a tool as he is, I really am enjoying him. It's hard to fault the guy for being such a sexual pig when that is what he is. A succubus must need the sex and desire. He is so funny and entertaining. We also got some more of Carlotta, and her story just gets more and more heartbreaking. I wanted to climb inside the book and give her a hug. I really feel like I know all of the cast very well, which makes this serial so much more enjoyable. I have that emotional attachment to it all.
This one was a good slow steady episode. I liked that. It had that creepy type doom outlook to things, and though not a lot was going on, I still felt very tense wondering what is lingering in the near future. Rhiannon Frater knows how to keep her readers needing more and making us all get completely engaged in the story. I feel like I have to know what will happen not just with Vanora, but with everyone. I have a pit in my stomach knowing that not everyone that is left can possibly make it through what is coming. I am terrified for Vanora because of how scary Aeron is. This serial has become an addiction to me and I am going crazy with needing the next one. If you haven't started it yet, you really need to.
*An advanced copy of this book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review. I did not receive any compensation.
Oh! How I have missed this series!! I completely appreciate that Rhiannon is a busy author (and I am RIDICULOUSLY excited to read all of her new projects) but this feels like coming home. Vanora and Armando have slowly wormed their way into my heart, making this my favorite all-time vampire story.
While this isn’t the most exciting of episodes, it certainly did its job of setting the scene! This is just the beginning of season 3, with tons of nail biting in store. The anticipation is going to kill me! This story is building to something BIG!
There are a lot of the familiar characters, like Vanora and Armando obviously, but also my personal favorite, Greg. He’s such a vulgar little shit, and I can’t help but giggle every time he opens his mouth. Far too much space between Vanora and Armando, if you’re asking my opinion. I love their chemistry, and I can feel it drawing them together, even while they are miles apart. Just… hard to fit in the sexy time while avoiding physical contact. ;) I was a little disappointed to not have any conflict between the characters this episode, but I know I just need to bide my time. Full-on war is just waiting in the wings. I’m sure my blood lust will be completely sated in the episodes to come.
And if you haven’t had the extreme pleasure of starting the series yet, you can pick up the first episode from Amazon for FREE!!
A copy of the book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Is anyone out there obsessed with a television show? Each week, you wait for the next episode on pins and needles. There may have been a cliffhanger last week or maybe we were left with tears or smiles and want to see what is next.
Reading a serialized novel is a similar experience. We wait for the next episode to find out what is happening to our favorite characters. This format won't work for everyone but I happen to love it. The anticipation of the unknown. And, knowing that more is to come if I am just patient.
Episode 11 of In Darkness We Must Abide continues Vanora's story. She is fighting what appears to be her destiny. There were some revelations about her power and the path she may need to take to change her fate. In this episode she is forced into an uncomfortable and unexpected alliance. Those of you that are familiar with the series will enjoy her interactions with her new 'friend'.
In past episodes, Vanora's relationship with Armando has been an integral part of the plot. They are now separated and Vanora is standing on her own without him right there to be her protector. This makes her a more realistic and, honestly, likable character. She's always been strong but now she can really flex her muscles. For the first time, I can see a future for Vanora without him. Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying that I want this to happen but now I know she can make it on her own. I like that.
5/5 stars. Thank you to the author for providing a copy as part of the read-a-long.
If you have not read the first two seasons then this review may contain spoilers!! I have enjoyed the first two seasons quite a bit and would recommend them to anyone looking to read some old fashion vampire fiction.
—
AH! It’s the start of a new season for In Darkness We Must Abide! I’m trying to keep my fangirling to a minimum but I’ve been dying to know what happened after last seasons ending and I finally get to find out!
So right off the bat we get to learn more about some background on characters! Greg is playing a bigger part, and as sleazy as he is I love him! It’s great seeing him be around Vanora who is not interested in taking any of his crap and pretty much his exact opposite. We even get to learn more about Carlotta, including her past and her connection with Armando.
Without saying too much we also get to see what Leto is up to, and learn a bit more about what Vanora is truly capable of. I can’t wait to see what Vanora is like once she “powers up” and gets her self ready to face off with Aeron. It’s even cooler now that we have some werewolf lore and history being thrown in, and we even get a taste of the ‘origins’ of the vampire!
So once again Rhiannon has given us an episode worth freaking out over and I can’t wait to read the next one!
Poor characters. Rhiannon is so mean to you. I can feel the story building to a huge ending. I'm totally invested in this story and anxiously await the ending. But I dread it at the same time. Rhiannon Frater has been known to kill some really good characters.