The Lament of the Vampire Bride

The Vampire Bride Dark Rebirth #3

by Rhiannon Frater

In the great city of Buda, Hungary, I have sought to establish myself as a member of the new vampire court, and create a family with my love, Ignatius, and my fledgling vampire daughter, Laura. Yet, I am constantly menaced by unknown forces, and the threat of my blood union to Vlad Dracula looms over me. Though I am no longer his prisoner, Vlad Dracula’s voice echoes in the recesses of my mind. His blood binds us together in a twisted matrimony in spite of the deep hatred for him that burns within my soul. I yearn to be free from this darkest of magic for I fear that he will return one night, and I will not be able to resist the call of his blood.

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

492 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 21, 2016

About the author

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

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

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

Reviews

[Yodamom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audiobook, excellent narrator
I listened to this during the worldwide quarantine of 2020. It was a lifesaver, taking my mind off the world and into Glynis's journal and her amazing vampiric tale. It was a roller coaster ride of emotions for all.
I have to start this with the character that just blew me away, Vlad. Prepare to be haunted by the evil that is Vlad ! He is truly a demon in this series, done right. I love to hate him, just when I thought he couldn't get worse, he does. It's wicked fun !
The book follow Glynis, through her journal filled memories. her new life away from her "husband" Vlad. She must strengthen her own house and become a leader. She is betrayed, beloved, battered and nearly.... oh my !
I just love this authors twists and character developments. She knows how to bring her readers into a story. Bravo !

[Bruna Bellini · Rating 3 out of 5]

Of all the three books, this one was the weakest.
I was always waiting for Vlad to appear, but he does only almost at the end of the book.
Ok, his appearance, as always, very evil!
We always can expect for the worst of him! He is pure evil!
But I think the writer got sooo into it, in Vlad's cruelty, that I think the resolution of Glynis' freedom, was very poor.
Glynis prefer to die than live with him, and that was the only point to make him leave her, finally! A very disappointing conclusion.
But, at least, she finally got a happy ending.

[Juliew. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spooky, haunting, menacing, atmospheric with a touch of romance this gave me Interview with a Vampire vibes.Not nearly as clever of course but I still have enjoyed following Lady Glynis's story every step of the way.I continue to pick up her story every Halloween season and so this year it has been no different.My only issue is the endings of the books seem a bit drawn out which can be a bit annoying especially just when you think they have wrapped it all up its another ten pages which in my opinion weren't particularly necessary.Leave them wanting more I always say.

[VampireNovelFan]

I want I want I want!

[Art Lueder · Rating 5 out of 5]

The end of the Vampire Bride saga and Glennis gets her happily ever after. The series is great gothic horror and Glennis truly goes through hell at the hands of the most famous vampire. Dracula is very much the monster and while torturing her repeatedly mouths the words of all abusers. You are making me do this to you.
The only down side of the audiobook is the breakneck pacing of the narrator. The entire book, heck the entire series, is narrated at a continuous breakneck speed. There is no nuance or slowing to heighten suspense. Still, I liked the story and conclusion so I won't knock the rating just for that.

[David J. Breeden · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the conclusion of the series. It was a great journey to follow Glynis and Ignatius through the streets of Buda in the early 1800s. It’s full of supernatural romance. You can never know who to trust as everyone has their own agenda. Some scenes are dark, but there hopefully is light at the end of the tunnel. Ms. Frater spins a tale that a reader doesn’t want to miss. It is even better listening to the story. If you haven’t experienced Vampire Bride, start at book one, you won’t regret it.

[Jai Rahim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. What a bastard!

[Michele02 · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,5

[bunn3h · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had a lengthy review typed out and submitted but for whatever reason it didn't go through and I didn't think to copy/paste. BLAH. This version of the review is a little bit more snarky than I previously had done but I'm letting my feelings, a glass or two of wine, and my irritation with Goodreads influence me :(


First 70% of the book felt more like filler/fluff and was relatively predictable. Honestly, the majority of the book was predictable but I read too much of this stuff to be surprised anymore :(. When the actual confrontation/struggle with Dracula occurs is where this series really shines (ie: Book 1 was incredibly dark and intense 90% of the time, book 2 was not as good until the end and now book 3 suffered the same fate as the second).

I think what bothered me most about this book was having to wade through everything else when I half expected it to take up where the second left off. Even the darn release date was the same day as the end of book 2!!! I felt the whole situation with the Baroness could have been a separate novella instead of in the third and regrettably final book.

I was glad that Glynis got her relatively and somewhat obligatory happy ending with her "twice" new family (*SLAPS Laura*) but the end still left me wanting to know WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?! She's suppose to add new vampires to the House of Wright and that could be all kinds of excitement for more books! Dracula walking away because of her attempted suicide just felt empty and then to be off with some Austrian Princess doing... we don't know what... just left me feeling more unsatisfied. Maybe he could have relented to give her space so that he could try to claim her again in another hundred years or so? What if he pretended to release the bond so that he could still follow her to England? Any number of things would have been better than "awww you tried to kill yourself to get away from me so you are like my former wife who did kill herself so go away!"

I don't love the series because it is lovey dovey but because it is dark, gritty and full of emotional and physical struggle. When Glynis is at the mercy of Dracula the author really makes you feel that struggle, that intense and passionate hate but when she is surrounded by the other characters I just feel annoyed and I really want to slap her every time she "stomps her foot" like a toddler with a tantrum.

Maybe Rhiannon can be convinced to write the series from Dracula's perspective next or possibly an alternate ending where he wins, or ends up in England, maybe goes after another wife, something! Probably barking up the wrong tree on that since she said it was the final book in the series/saga :(

Sigh.

In short: It could have been better but it was still a good read.

[Christoffer Lernö · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to confess I love this series, and I find it even great to re-read. Lament of the Vampire Bride brings Glynis' story arc to an end in as satisfying manner. Recommended to anyone who liked the series.

BUT in all honesty I must admit that the book has a (surprising) flaw. About 80% of the book is evenly paced. – It's similar to the previous book in the series, but might even be a bit slower (but this is good!). But then the story suddenly feels like it's on fast-forward and drops you off at to the end of the story. You almost feel like "Nooo! I'm missing about 200 pages of goodness here!"

That said - if you enjoy the series you can't afford to miss it.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book and think it was a good ending. So far I've enjoyed pretty much everything Frater has put out because she has complex storylines, rich characters and believable dialogue. The book was a doozy and really showed some of the psychological trauma you can have from leaving an abusive relationship however Glynis is a feisty character with family around her. I would love to know more about Dracula's first wife and then what happens next for Glynis

[Todd · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was very reluctant to start this series; Dracula, vampires, been there.... However, as I progressed through the books, I became engrossed, and perhaps more important, invested in Glynis and her story. I was almost getting bored during "Lament" until unrealized that it was actually a psychological form of claustrophobia inexperienced along with the cast as they suffered that miserable winter snowed in the mansion. Well done. Zombies, vampires, and now where to next!?

[Kelli W · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent finale book for this series! I was half way through and thinking about when Vlad would become more involved, and then Hello! It was very intense and often brutal to go through those scenes with her having to endure Vlad. But it made the book and it's story even more powerful to the reader. What a wonderful female heroine!

[Melissa Gouveia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've waited a long time for the release of this book. And it was worth every second of the wait. She truly brought this story full circle. It created an intense roller coaster of emotions from start to finish. Never a dull moment!

[Laverne C. Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thrilling trilogy

I love this series! Although I was grossed out by the brutality rendered on Glyndis, I was cheering her battles with Vladimir Dracula. All hail, the strong vampire bride.

[Lynda Ross · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok for vamp lovers only

A lot of this series used a very free hand in what vampires can and can not do according to, well, all other vampire books. Was a previous read but too much happy, sappy for me.

[Chelsea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! It was all that I wanted to happen. A great way to finish the trilogy. I've waited for this last book for 2 years. Very well written and rounded with connections. I need a movie now.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

The 3rd book of the series. I was getting a little bored with it but finally around Chapter 16 or so things started happening. A good series to read.

[Kris43]

WANT THIS!!!!!!!!!
RELEASE IT!