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Blood Skies #7
Vampire Down
Who ever knew the end would come so soon?
In this final volume of the BLOOD SKIES series, Eric Cross and Danica Black find themselves facing impossible odds in the desolate ruins of the world they once knew. Hunted by the mercenary forces of the newly formed East Claw Coalition and desperate to find the elusive White Mother, the two refugees will be pushed to the limits of their abilities and sanity as they struggle to survive.
Meanwhile, in the near future, the undead hunter called Reaver searches for the lost city of Bloodhollow, the place where humankind will make its final stand, while the undead of New Koth and the rebellious White Children make their push to end the reign of the Ebon Kingdoms once and for all.
As timelines collide and the spider weaves her web, the battle for the fate of the riven world will come to its violent conclusion in the depths of a forgotten city, where unlikely heroes will emerge and hidden evils shall finally be revealed...
In this final volume of the BLOOD SKIES series, Eric Cross and Danica Black find themselves facing impossible odds in the desolate ruins of the world they once knew. Hunted by the mercenary forces of the newly formed East Claw Coalition and desperate to find the elusive White Mother, the two refugees will be pushed to the limits of their abilities and sanity as they struggle to survive.
Meanwhile, in the near future, the undead hunter called Reaver searches for the lost city of Bloodhollow, the place where humankind will make its final stand, while the undead of New Koth and the rebellious White Children make their push to end the reign of the Ebon Kingdoms once and for all.
As timelines collide and the spider weaves her web, the battle for the fate of the riven world will come to its violent conclusion in the depths of a forgotten city, where unlikely heroes will emerge and hidden evils shall finally be revealed...
350 pages, Paperback
First published June 24, 2014
3 people are currently reading
232 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
May 25, 2014
Wow! What a fantastic ending to a great series! Thanks to the author for allowing me to read a beta copy, too!
Lots of loose ends tied up nicely with this volume, surprises galore, and an ending that is satisfying. I'm disappointed that the series didn't go the whole nine books as originally envisioned, but I think Mr. Montano made the right decision to bring it to a close. I'll reread this book when it is released next month, curious to see if any major changes are made.
If you haven't started the Blood Skies series yet, what are you waiting for? You're missing out!
Lots of loose ends tied up nicely with this volume, surprises galore, and an ending that is satisfying. I'm disappointed that the series didn't go the whole nine books as originally envisioned, but I think Mr. Montano made the right decision to bring it to a close. I'll reread this book when it is released next month, curious to see if any major changes are made.
If you haven't started the Blood Skies series yet, what are you waiting for? You're missing out!
June 6, 2014
Where do I start? This is the end. The world of Blood Skies has come full circle. I didn't ever expect to type that. The story of Eric Cross and Danika Black has definitely not been easy. Hell I dare to say that it hasn't just been hard it's been excruciating.
I have never seen characters go through so much. But you know what? These characters are probably the only characters that I know that could survive or go through what they go through. That's the thing with Cross and his team. They never give up. They never say die and never say no. They are always the first to step up and the last to stop. They are incredible heroes that I will remember for many years to come.
Of course none of this changes in Vampire Down. They are still the first to volunteer and the last to drop, but unfortunately they have lost a lot. And the losses begin to wear heavy on them. They have always worn heavy on them, but as things escalate the losses seem that much bigger. But with all the unknown, loss and war Cross and Danika find a glimmer of beauty. They finally get some sliver of happiness in a world that has dealt them nothing but crap. Naturally, in true Steven Montano fashion, the happiness doesn't last long, but it's there. And it made me happier than I can ever say. Truly.
Things are definitely escalating for the Cross and his team. The world has changed. Everything has changed. But it is time to end things. To learn the truth and take things back for man. It is time to see this through no matter the consequences or loss of life. Every member of the team would give their life for the mission and it may take that to see this through.
The story of Blood Skies is a complicated tale. It has been weaved delicately by Steven Montano, the mastermind behind this intricate dance. And in Vampire Down he finally gets to weave it all together and give us all the details. All the truths. We finally get to step back and see the entire tapestry. Oh yes, this story is one that makes you pull your hair out. In Vampire Down it is no different. We follow two stories in two different times, one which I refused to accept as a reader. I knew it was happening, but my mind just wouldn't accept what the pages were telling me. I was mad. I read a lot of it out of anger and with the certainty that things would change. Luckily for me things did change and I got what I wanted.
Vampire Down was a powerful ending, full of action and wrought with emotion, Steven Montano broke me with this story. And that ending? He really killed me with that one. I still have questions, but of course my mind is accepting the one that makes me the happiest.
The story has come to a close and it is time for me to say goodbye to these characters. It has been an incredible journey. One that has taken me to unknown worlds, introduced me to new magic, creatures, and characters. I have watched Cross grow form an uncertain soldier and mage to an incredible leader who would give anything for the people of his world. All the characters in this story survive so much, deal with so much and yet come out stronger.
If there is one thing I've learned from the Blood Skies series it's that there is always hope. In even the bleakest and darkest of times hope is there, if only just a glimmer, Steven Montano reminds me of that. Never give up, never stop pushing, never stop hoping. Because that's ultimately what this story is. A story of hope.
*received a free copy in exchange for an honest review
I have never seen characters go through so much. But you know what? These characters are probably the only characters that I know that could survive or go through what they go through. That's the thing with Cross and his team. They never give up. They never say die and never say no. They are always the first to step up and the last to stop. They are incredible heroes that I will remember for many years to come.
Of course none of this changes in Vampire Down. They are still the first to volunteer and the last to drop, but unfortunately they have lost a lot. And the losses begin to wear heavy on them. They have always worn heavy on them, but as things escalate the losses seem that much bigger. But with all the unknown, loss and war Cross and Danika find a glimmer of beauty. They finally get some sliver of happiness in a world that has dealt them nothing but crap. Naturally, in true Steven Montano fashion, the happiness doesn't last long, but it's there. And it made me happier than I can ever say. Truly.
Things are definitely escalating for the Cross and his team. The world has changed. Everything has changed. But it is time to end things. To learn the truth and take things back for man. It is time to see this through no matter the consequences or loss of life. Every member of the team would give their life for the mission and it may take that to see this through.
The story of Blood Skies is a complicated tale. It has been weaved delicately by Steven Montano, the mastermind behind this intricate dance. And in Vampire Down he finally gets to weave it all together and give us all the details. All the truths. We finally get to step back and see the entire tapestry. Oh yes, this story is one that makes you pull your hair out. In Vampire Down it is no different. We follow two stories in two different times, one which I refused to accept as a reader. I knew it was happening, but my mind just wouldn't accept what the pages were telling me. I was mad. I read a lot of it out of anger and with the certainty that things would change. Luckily for me things did change and I got what I wanted.
Vampire Down was a powerful ending, full of action and wrought with emotion, Steven Montano broke me with this story. And that ending? He really killed me with that one. I still have questions, but of course my mind is accepting the one that makes me the happiest.
The story has come to a close and it is time for me to say goodbye to these characters. It has been an incredible journey. One that has taken me to unknown worlds, introduced me to new magic, creatures, and characters. I have watched Cross grow form an uncertain soldier and mage to an incredible leader who would give anything for the people of his world. All the characters in this story survive so much, deal with so much and yet come out stronger.
If there is one thing I've learned from the Blood Skies series it's that there is always hope. In even the bleakest and darkest of times hope is there, if only just a glimmer, Steven Montano reminds me of that. Never give up, never stop pushing, never stop hoping. Because that's ultimately what this story is. A story of hope.
*received a free copy in exchange for an honest review
July 17, 2014
[READING]
As always the language and descriptions are immaculate. Nothing wasted or missing.
[END READING]
Review to come.
Series rating:4.5
As always the language and descriptions are immaculate. Nothing wasted or missing.
[END READING]
Review to come.
Series rating:4.5
July 12, 2014
I was of two minds picking up my Kindle to read Vampire Down, the final book in the Blood Skies Series of author Steven Montano (@Daezarkian), which the author graciously offered me in exchange for this review.
First was bittersweet sadness: I’ve had so many hours of reading enjoyment with the six previous entries, exploring Earth’s blasted landscape After The Black, the cataclysmic event that somehow merged our world with many others. Ever since the remaining humans, most banded together in the Southern Claw Alliance, have battled the vampires and other undead of the Ebon Cities for control and with former warlock Eric Cross as our primary guide, we’ve met and battled all manner of fell beasts and creatures, as well as amoral and ruthless men and women.
But secondly there was a steadily growing sense of anticipation that many Big Questions would be answered. What really is The Black, and can it be reversed, returning the world to what it was? Who or what are the Maloj? The Kindred? What part does Azradayne the spider, bane of Cross throughout the series, play? Who will live and who will die before the journey is done?
This last part is of course important to fans of the series, and I count myself as one. Mr. Montano hasn’t been shy about letting us get to know characters, spend time with them, watch them grow and change, before killing them off. Cross and the members of his group who made it to this final installment — former jailor and mercenary Danica Black, assassin Ronin and the girl Shiv, last of The Kindred — have lost much: friends, family, homes, even their humanity. But with this being the final entry of the series and with the stakes so high, can any one life be considered safe?
Vampire Down picks up shortly after the final events in the previous book, Chain of Shadows, in which Cross and his team defeated at great cost one of the Maloj in far-off Nezzek’duul. Returning by magic portal to more familiar lands, they find great changes have occurred in their absence and, to the reader at least, it becomes apparent timelines have been split. Can it be a good sign that boundaries between realities have thinned so much, allowing such changes? Or that no one seems to know how or why these great changes have occurred? Hardly.
Although some of the team exists in one "now" and the others in a separate reality, one overriding goal becomes paramount to them: finding Bloodhollow, a mythical city unheard of until recently but rumored to hold the key to defeating the vampires and reversing The Black. Of course, Cross and his friends aren’t alone, as the Ebon Kingdom vampires and ruthless human-led mercenaries of the East Claw Coalition are also looking for Bloodhollow.
I won’t spoil any specifics, but Vampire Down absolutely did not disappoint, either as the finale to a wonderfully complex and engrossing series or simply as a dark fantasy adventure. It features familiar and new breasts and creatures, swords and assault rifles, single combat and sprawling battles, triumph and heartbreak, and all told in Mr. Montano’s signature descriptive prose. I highly recommend it, but do yourself a favor and start at the beginning and read them all. It makes this last outing with Cross and crew that much more satisfying.
For more information about Mr. Montano and his writing, visit his website. For more of my thoughts on the Blood Skies Series, see my blog for reviews of Chain of Shadows (Book 5), The Witch's Eye (Book 5), Crown of Ash (Book 4), Soulrazor(Book 3) and Black Scars (Book 2).
First was bittersweet sadness: I’ve had so many hours of reading enjoyment with the six previous entries, exploring Earth’s blasted landscape After The Black, the cataclysmic event that somehow merged our world with many others. Ever since the remaining humans, most banded together in the Southern Claw Alliance, have battled the vampires and other undead of the Ebon Cities for control and with former warlock Eric Cross as our primary guide, we’ve met and battled all manner of fell beasts and creatures, as well as amoral and ruthless men and women.
But secondly there was a steadily growing sense of anticipation that many Big Questions would be answered. What really is The Black, and can it be reversed, returning the world to what it was? Who or what are the Maloj? The Kindred? What part does Azradayne the spider, bane of Cross throughout the series, play? Who will live and who will die before the journey is done?
This last part is of course important to fans of the series, and I count myself as one. Mr. Montano hasn’t been shy about letting us get to know characters, spend time with them, watch them grow and change, before killing them off. Cross and the members of his group who made it to this final installment — former jailor and mercenary Danica Black, assassin Ronin and the girl Shiv, last of The Kindred — have lost much: friends, family, homes, even their humanity. But with this being the final entry of the series and with the stakes so high, can any one life be considered safe?
Vampire Down picks up shortly after the final events in the previous book, Chain of Shadows, in which Cross and his team defeated at great cost one of the Maloj in far-off Nezzek’duul. Returning by magic portal to more familiar lands, they find great changes have occurred in their absence and, to the reader at least, it becomes apparent timelines have been split. Can it be a good sign that boundaries between realities have thinned so much, allowing such changes? Or that no one seems to know how or why these great changes have occurred? Hardly.
Although some of the team exists in one "now" and the others in a separate reality, one overriding goal becomes paramount to them: finding Bloodhollow, a mythical city unheard of until recently but rumored to hold the key to defeating the vampires and reversing The Black. Of course, Cross and his friends aren’t alone, as the Ebon Kingdom vampires and ruthless human-led mercenaries of the East Claw Coalition are also looking for Bloodhollow.
I won’t spoil any specifics, but Vampire Down absolutely did not disappoint, either as the finale to a wonderfully complex and engrossing series or simply as a dark fantasy adventure. It features familiar and new breasts and creatures, swords and assault rifles, single combat and sprawling battles, triumph and heartbreak, and all told in Mr. Montano’s signature descriptive prose. I highly recommend it, but do yourself a favor and start at the beginning and read them all. It makes this last outing with Cross and crew that much more satisfying.
For more information about Mr. Montano and his writing, visit his website. For more of my thoughts on the Blood Skies Series, see my blog for reviews of Chain of Shadows (Book 5), The Witch's Eye (Book 5), Crown of Ash (Book 4), Soulrazor(Book 3) and Black Scars (Book 2).
November 6, 2014
And so it's come to this...the end of the Black. Or is it?
I've enjoyed reading Steven Montano's dark and abysmal world of vampires and dark magic. It's been a hell of a ride since Eric Cross' ill-fated journey with Viper Squad. Since then he's been a wizard, a mercenary, a prisoner, and refugee, and a savior. He's been to the vampire cities, across space and time and back again, all so he can defeat the greatest evil in this or any other universe.
Vampire Down is the conclusion of Eric Cross and his mission to stop the Black from destroying all that is left of the world after the vampiric invasion. In the novel we finally learn about the origins of the black. We get to see the vampire homeworld and how the Black got to earth in the first place. A lot of questions were answered which drew the series to a satisfying, albeit abrupt, conclusion.
Steven Montano writes at the end of the novel that he had originally intended to write six novels, but extended it to seven to properly finish all the little sub-plots. Danica and Cross, predictably, wind up together and, also predictably, almost every single character dies at the end. It's pretty much a forgone conclusion that Montano intends to GRR Martin the hell out of his cast by picking them off one by one.
But surprise, surprise! We have a happy ending...sort of. The epilogue feels rushed and even Steven admits it's not what he had originally planned after writing the first novel. It seemed kind of campy considering all the horrible things he'd put Cross and Danica through. It wasn't bad, only out of place, I think, especially considering how dark and morbid Montano has been with us thus far. He really created a feeling of hopelessness, of utter defeat in his world, where no matter how hard the good guys fought, the vampires would (eventually) win in the end. It didn't end up like that and I'm content, I just could have done without the shiny, happy ending.
Montano really created a fascinating world. I will always remember reading the introduction to Blood Skies and thinking Wow! The vampires and their civilization were easily the highlight of this story. I especially enjoyed the globe-trotting aspect where we explore various parts of the world after it has been affected by the Black. Steve's written short stories and novellas about the Black that I will definitely check out. He's also started work on other series. The guy's on fire!
Overall, I'd give the Blood Skies series a solid three and a half stars. Good, but with a few flaws that kept it from being great. I recommend the series to fans of vampires, dark fantasy, horror, and steampunk stories. Thanks Steven for making vampires scary again!
I've enjoyed reading Steven Montano's dark and abysmal world of vampires and dark magic. It's been a hell of a ride since Eric Cross' ill-fated journey with Viper Squad. Since then he's been a wizard, a mercenary, a prisoner, and refugee, and a savior. He's been to the vampire cities, across space and time and back again, all so he can defeat the greatest evil in this or any other universe.
Vampire Down is the conclusion of Eric Cross and his mission to stop the Black from destroying all that is left of the world after the vampiric invasion. In the novel we finally learn about the origins of the black. We get to see the vampire homeworld and how the Black got to earth in the first place. A lot of questions were answered which drew the series to a satisfying, albeit abrupt, conclusion.
Steven Montano writes at the end of the novel that he had originally intended to write six novels, but extended it to seven to properly finish all the little sub-plots. Danica and Cross, predictably, wind up together and, also predictably, almost every single character dies at the end. It's pretty much a forgone conclusion that Montano intends to GRR Martin the hell out of his cast by picking them off one by one.
But surprise, surprise! We have a happy ending...sort of. The epilogue feels rushed and even Steven admits it's not what he had originally planned after writing the first novel. It seemed kind of campy considering all the horrible things he'd put Cross and Danica through. It wasn't bad, only out of place, I think, especially considering how dark and morbid Montano has been with us thus far. He really created a feeling of hopelessness, of utter defeat in his world, where no matter how hard the good guys fought, the vampires would (eventually) win in the end. It didn't end up like that and I'm content, I just could have done without the shiny, happy ending.
Montano really created a fascinating world. I will always remember reading the introduction to Blood Skies and thinking Wow! The vampires and their civilization were easily the highlight of this story. I especially enjoyed the globe-trotting aspect where we explore various parts of the world after it has been affected by the Black. Steve's written short stories and novellas about the Black that I will definitely check out. He's also started work on other series. The guy's on fire!
Overall, I'd give the Blood Skies series a solid three and a half stars. Good, but with a few flaws that kept it from being great. I recommend the series to fans of vampires, dark fantasy, horror, and steampunk stories. Thanks Steven for making vampires scary again!
Want to read
September 16, 2014wow a 4.8!!!!! damn must get to this book!
November 6, 2014
A happier ending than i expected from the author
April 23, 2020
This entire series was incredible.
Awesome and keeps you wanting more! I was thoroughly entertained and look forward to more from this author. Try it!
Awesome and keeps you wanting more! I was thoroughly entertained and look forward to more from this author. Try it!
June 30, 2014
To be fair to Steven, I guess he tried his best. But as a huge fan of this series could not help but feel a bit cheated. Its just too complicated right from the start and things never really make much sense all throughout. Somewhere along the line Steven regressed back to the over descriptive nature and with so much to accomplish the repetitiveness of his characters thoughts and descriptions of the landscapes and death was really something he could have avoided. Still, the series does close with quite a few question resolved even though there are still many open ones. Character deaths are pretty much par for the course for Steven so not many surprises there. All in all a nice series if a bit tough to read continuously. Recommended reading for sure!
March 3, 2015
This was a goodreads first read.
I want to say I loved it, I've read alot of rubbish lately which on many levels this is most definitely not - it was well written, characters I really wanted to be rooting for, and clearly the series has a strong following.
But not having read any of the previous books I had absolutely no idea what was going on until the last quarter of the book at which point I knew what was going on then and some of the first 3/4 started to make some sense but there was still far too much that I simply didn't understand which is a real shame.
Recommend only if you've read other books in the series.
I want to say I loved it, I've read alot of rubbish lately which on many levels this is most definitely not - it was well written, characters I really wanted to be rooting for, and clearly the series has a strong following.
But not having read any of the previous books I had absolutely no idea what was going on until the last quarter of the book at which point I knew what was going on then and some of the first 3/4 started to make some sense but there was still far too much that I simply didn't understand which is a real shame.
Recommend only if you've read other books in the series.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews