The Ancient Ones

The Ancient Ones Trilogy #1

by Cassandra L. Thompson

When David stumbles upon a tragic young woman in a sordid Limehouse pub, he has no idea she’d recognize him as the last vampyre alive, nor that she’d be the one to pull out his story. Yet as he recalls his life from the sweltering vineyards of Ancient Rome to the cold horrors of Medieval Romania - as well as his tumultuous past with the mad and mysterious Lucius - he realizes she is much more than what she seems.

Gothic horror and mythological fantasy blend seamlessly together in this thrilling adventure, breathing new life into vampire lore as it reveals its true origins. The Ancient Ones is a tale of myth, mayhem, and magic … with a dash of romance that bites.

Genres: Vampires, Fantasy, Horror, Gothic, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Urban Fantasy

400 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 31, 2020

About the author

Gothic horror lover Cassandra L. Thompson has been creating stories since she got her grubby little hands around a pen. When she is not busy managing a house full of feral children (human and canine) with her beloved husband, you can find her wandering around cemeteries, taking pictures of abandoned things, or in the library researching her latest obsession. She has a B.A. in History and an MLIS, but she ignores her degrees to focus on writing and running Quill & Crow Publishing House, both of which require copious amounts of coffee and Crows.

Reviews

[Eva Alton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has two characteristics which make it unique. First of all, the writing is fantastic. Lyrical, dark and beautiful, it just flows perfectly. I simply love Thompson's style. And second, the historical settings are so realistic you can lose yourself in them, almost see everything around you. The way the author uses ancient gods and goddesses to tell a story of lovers who find each other throughout the centuries, in different incarnations, is very interesting. I must say the first half was perhaps a bit easier to read than the second, which became slightly more obscure, but still this might become one of the best books I've read this year. It reminds me vaguely of Interview with the Vampire, because of the way the main character, David, tells his story to a dying woman, and the vampire-guilt trope (both very nicely executed in my opinion). But David's past dates back to Ancient Egypt and Rome, making this novel quite especial and much deeper.
Veredict: read it if you enjoy vampires, historical novels and well-written books.

[Terry · Rating 5 out of 5]

The blurb from the Goodreads description for this pretty much hits the nail right on the head: 'Gothic horror and mythological fantasy blend seamlessly together in this thrilling adventure, breathing new life into vampire lore as it reveals its true origins. The Ancient Ones is a tale of myth, mayhem, and magic … with a dash of romance that bites.' That's it exactly. I was very impressed with the depth of this tale, with lots of layers of complexity, both in the story and the characters. Very glad I gave it a shot, and I've already preordered the second book, which is supposed to be released at the end of this month.

4.5/5.0 stars that I'm rounding up to 5. 😁

[Justine · Rating 5 out of 5]

The bond between the Daghda and the Morrigan transcends all time. I will always find you.

A tale of a love weaved into the very fabric of existence, The Ancient Ones is the captivating and eerie Dark Fantasy debut from author Cassandra L. Thompson. With flavors of Gothic Horror and Historical Fiction, the battle between dark and light rests at the heart of this story, while memories traverse eons upon the sands of time. As the account of an immortal life unfurls, readers are swept along an emotional journey roaming our beautiful world across generations. Immersive worldbuilding, perfectly crafted tragic characters, and enough lore and myth to keep even the learned satiated, The Ancient Ones is a sensational beginning to a promising series.

Thompson delivers us into the atmospheric depths of our own history in a completely absorbing way. The narrative takes place in the drab and smog-choked mid-nineteenth century city of London, as the last immortal chronicles his long life at the behest of a dying woman. Soon we’re utterly consumed by the details of the life of an ancient druid’s son turned Roman slave turned blood-thirsty immortal hunter. We find ourselves in awe under the magical evergreen canopy in Gaul, lost within the humid, clogged avenues of Roman marketplaces, and nestled deep in the Romanian snow-capped mountains, each environment portrayed in radiant detail. Shimmering stars glisten overhead, gentle winds carry the shrieking cries of crows, paths illuminated by the light of the full moon reveal timeworn secrets; the world is filled with the seen and unseen, each page drenched in the beauty of the past.

In addition to its striking settings, this book is populated by some of the most wonderfully complex and tragic characters I’ve had the pleasure of becoming acquainted with. The main focus of the tale is on David and his emotional accounts of the bonds he formed throughout his lengthy lifetime. Both during his short years as a human and his sprawling existence as an immortal there lies a common denominator – Lucius, his savior, his brother, his downfall. As darkness consumes his life, he survives the onslaught of an isolated reality, but there’s ancient magic calling in his blood. I wish I could go into thorough detail about his companions, because the revelations that come to light are done so in extraordinary ways, but doing so would be a disservice to you, dear reader. Thompson lays hints throughout the story, so be sure to pay attention!

I suppose all of us are capable of evil from time to time.

While the plot spans millennia, Thompson smartly pinpoints several moments in David’s life that have defined him. When I first experienced a time jump, I thought she may have been a bit too ambitious, but she easily proved me wrong, smoothly weaving the threads of his epoch into a compact retelling. We witness his growth in the face of jarring change, his brutal metamorphosis fueled by vengeance, his loss of humanity as a result of the poison in his veins, and his arduous path of absolution. There wasn’t a single passage added to this book that felt out of place or unnecessary – each serving a specific purpose to immerse us further into the story.

The romance Thompson tells of is exquisite and heartrending in equal measure. The preface introduces a love so profound that even death cannot keep those under its spell apart. It’s a love written in the stars, an aching yearning that transcends time and the planes of existence. It’s a cruel love that shifts the balance, where two souls wander an eternity in search of each other again and again. This is the backbone upon which rests the entirety of the story, the catalyst for all transformation. And it’s remarkably poignant.

One of my favorite aspects of this novel is the seamless infusion of myth, magic, and fate. The main narrative is spliced with the histories and customs from many pagan cultures, namely Egyptian, Celtic, Greek, and Roman, all with apparent common roots. These mythological portions play a large role in the story, and the author reveals her knowledge of humanity’s historical beliefs with beautiful, and at times savage, detail. The inclusion of the supernatural gives this Gothic Fantasy a modern flair, but still carries an air of old. I was completely enraptured right from the start, and I just didn’t want this mystifying adventure to end.

As soon as I read the blurb for The Ancient Ones, I knew this was a story I’d thoroughly enjoy, but it gave me so much more than what I was expecting. I read through this book far too quickly and fell in love with the story Thompson has crafted – I’ll be waiting with bated breath for the next installment. If you’re looking for a dark and charming tale of love, steeped in myth and the supernatural, then this may just be the book for you. I cannot recommend it enough.

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My Rating: 4.5, but we'll round up!

Note: A huge thank you to the author for providing me with a complementary advance copy of this book via BookSirens in exchange for an honest review.

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Check out this review and more at Whispers & Wonder

[Michele Quirke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic book!

My favorite thing about The Ancient Ones was by far the eloquent and descriptive writing style. Thompson's use of prose is flat out beautiful and an absolute joy to read.

I'll admit, it took me a little while to get into the story, but the author's voice kept me going. I'm glad I stuck with it though because before long, I was sucked into a world with a fantastic spin on monsters, myth, ancient gods, and tales of old.

The story line was a bit darker than I tend to lean towards, but I loved it regardless and highly recommend The Ancient Ones to anyone who enjoys dark tales and complex characters. This isn't a light read, but it's a marvelous one!


I look forward to reading more by this talented writer.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is definitely my favorite book of the year. I'm rereading it because I loved it, and I'm going to read the next two books. Liminality is book 2, and Revelations is book 3, coming out on Halloween. This was a brief review I wrote after reading the book in January:

I hadn't heard anything about The Ancient Ones, but I got it for Christmas, so I gave it a shot. This book is amazing! It's a retelling of the vampire origin story, but it takes you on a delightful stroll through the history of some of the great civilizations before us, and their gods and goddesses. I ordered the second book as soon as I finished it lol.

[Wendy Bayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cassandra Thompson has crafted a seamless tale of the origin of the first vampires blending myth and ancient religious mythologies. She has a talent for creating rich environments and well developed characters as you watch them evolve, fighting their natural instincts in order to retain their emotional connections to those that inhabit this world and the realms of the Gods.
Pathos and brutality walk hand in hand with lust, love and compassion. Take a walk through the past from Ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome, to the soaring Carpathian mountains and visions of Vlad the Impaler to 19th century England.
This is a journey you won't want to miss.

[Stacy Erbes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this book in 2 days! Completely held my attention and I couldn’t wait to find out what was going to happen!
Can’t wait to read the second one!!

[Laken Honeycutt · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Ancient Ones by author Cassandra Thompson is the story of a vampire who journeys from the ancient world to mid-nineteenth century London. Thompson, who is also a historian, takes us from the opium dens of gothic London to the Druids of the ancient world: Rome, Greece, Egypt, Wallachia and then back to a Victorian English manor. At first I worried that the scope would be too large, but Thompson pulls it off with subtle details that transport you to these time periods.

The Ancient Ones is the story of lovers reborn throughout time, and it is a vampire origin story that intermingles ancient lore into vampire mythos in a way that is fascinating and brilliant. The clever manner in which Thompson interweaves vampires into ancient lore made my dark heart swell. It was so good. We meet the Morrigan and, also, Isis. There are, of course, Osiris and Set. Also, the Tuatha de Danann, Christianity, Norse mythology, and ancient Egyptian mythos all play a role in the story of vampires. We meet them through a character named Davius/David.

The characters of The Ancient Ones and their journey stayed with me long after finishing the book. Especially David and Morrigan. Thompson crafted them in a way that they are approachable and vulnerable despite their significant power as gods/immortals. David remains consistent despite the great changes in time periods, geographical locations, and cultural surroundings. And I think that is part of the reason the great scope of this book works- he is a consistent thread that holds them together. I felt like I connected with both the David and Morrigan characters throughout the story. The third main character is Lucius who is an ancient vampire and also, we get the feeling throughout, that he is something more. Thompson crafted well this shadow of mystery around Lucius. However, the sacrifice seems to be that I did not feel the same connection with Lucius. But oh, did I want to. And I think it would have been possible to craft his character in a way that the reader could connect with him more, write him with more vulnerability, more depth, and yet still maintain the intrigue and mystery around him. Despite being somewhat two-dimensional, Lucius is still a memorable character.

The world-building of The Ancient Ones is brilliant. Thompson delves into the doors that Anne Rice opened for us in the Vampire world. The Ancient Ones gloriously moves us into a deeper understanding of Vampires and that they not only desire, but they also permeate the very origins of world religion, of modern society. And at the root of all the depth of Thompson’s world is something so simple, so beautiful. One might think this is a story about vampires, so it must be death. But it is not. Yes, death is all over the pages in this story. But ultimately the root of this story is love; never-ending, undying love. It’s beautiful. And I appreciated this endearing message.


The critique I have to offer is minor. I found that dialogue often moved the plot. And this was difficult for me, because it felt like there was a lot of telling rather than showing which divorced me from connecting with the story at certain parts. Again, this is a matter of personal preference. There are many successful dialogue-driven stories. I’m thinking of one of my favorites, The Savage Detectives by Roberto Bolaño. These works are usually highly stylized, and the dialogue is really engaging with a lot of action. Although I found the dialogue in The Ancient Ones to be good overall, it did seem to fumble a bit in the beginning. And I’m not sure if a dialogue-driven plot suits this style of story. So, my personal preference for a story like this is to have more showing of the story through the characters than their telling of it. The parts of the story where Thompson did this, where she showed us rather than told us, were excellent and I hope to see more of that in her future works. For example, when Morrigan arrived on the docks or the final battle were both instances where I thought the author did a fantastic job of showing.

Lastly, I appreciated the way the author ended the story. I don’t want to give anything away, but the reveals were thrilling, well-written, and paced really well. I personally don’t like an ending that drags on and this one doesn’t. It moves along nicely and the imagery is absolutely beautiful while delivering everything I needed to feel content and wanting more.

If you are a fan of Anne Rice or the realm of gothic fantasy or just appreciate a great story, this is a good book for you. I highly recommend it. I’m giving it four stars instead of five only because of the stylistic things I mentioned earlier. But ultimately, this is an enjoyable, dark, beautiful story of lore, vampires, and love. And it is a journey I look forward to making again with this author.

[Sophie Brookes · Rating 5 out of 5]

It has been so long since I've read a book as beautifully written as The Ancient Ones. It reads effortless and flawless, yet is also intricate with its detailing and imagery.

A stunning blend of mythology and dark fantasy, the world-building is just breathtaking, so eloquent and effortless (yes I know I've already used that word, but it's truly the dominating testimony here!)

Vampires, gods, an eternal bond of love that transcends all realms and time, The Ancient Ones is, at the heart of it, a love story. A chronicle of the perpetual "I will find you again" between two ancient gods, destined to always unite once more, one way or another.

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

I usually love vampire stories but I didn’t love this- I think it had too many different elements to it.

[L.V. Russell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vampires, Gods, a story that spans the ages, all dripping in gorgeous prose? Oh, yes please!

I will be snatching up book two ASAP! 🖤

[Chelsea Callahan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my new favorites.

This story is so rich. It's got history, gothic romance, a dark and dangerous mythos. It's got such a vibe to it, I can't get enough. Anne Rice is one of my all time favorite writers, and for me, Thompson's skill when it comes to creating characters, and crafting her story is on par with Rice.

Can't wait to see what happens in book 2!

[E.P. Stavs · Rating 5 out of 5]

What happens when you turn the reincarnation of one of the oldest gods into a bloodsucker? David tells his story to a dying woman, weaving a fascinating tale that spans over a thousand years, harking all the way back to ancient Rome. The author's eye for detail and eloquent writing style set a beautiful stage, one that remains so even as the darkness begins to creep in. David's tale is bloody and tragic and dark, and I wouldn't recommend it to those looking for a light, breezy read to pass the time. But for those readers who crave something darker and enjoy intricately winding stories filled with imaginative storytelling, this beautifully written book is most definitely for you.

[Vivenya · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Ancient Ones: A.R.C." is a retelling of the origins of vampires. The story interweaves historical events with the fantastic world of blood drinkers and gods. The protagonist is David, one of the oldest vampires. We accompany him as he tells his life story to a new and mysterious acquaintance. And it becomes clear that there is more to the myth of the vampires than expected.
Overall, I found the book very good. The characters were well-written and the world has some interesting twists and turns. The broad span of the story contains the most exciting passages, but also one of my criticisms of the book. Experiencing David's path was something that the author implemented very well, but the many leaps in time meant that it sometimes felt more like things had to be told afterwards than they had to be seen firsthand. This also had the consequence that character developments sometimes took place outside the pages. I often had the feeling that I had to get a connection again to David and the situation, before I could really concentrate on what was happening. And that had a rather negative impact on my emotional bond with the characters. Perhaps it would have been better to tell David's story through two books.
Another point of criticism is that the ending felt very rushed.

Why do I give four stars despite the criticism?
Because I found the passages that you witnessed to be really well written. And basically my review also says that I would have liked to read more about the characters and their changing relationships over the decades, because I liked it.
I admit that if it were possible I would have given it a 3.5, but on this scale the book is definitely more of a 4 than a 3. I'm looking forward to the continuation.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Jonathan Nevair · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid debut! The Ancient Ones stands out from the “crowd” with its combination of gothic horror/fantasy set in well-grounded historical contexts AND the author's writing. Thompson’s literary style is delicious – vivid sensory descriptions and well-crafted passages add a literary touch to a tale of blood struggle, lust and horror. The characters and settings sucked me in and the style and POV made me think of fantasy favorites from the 80s-90s. The dynamic between love story and action accelerates as the plot resolves, pretty quickly. Anchoring the events and actions of the characters in historically-derived religion, ritual and mythology really made this book interesting.(4 stars - Very Good)

[Miller Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Ancient Ones offers a unique reimagining of the vampire story. Instead of a diseased undead, the Vampire is the manifestation of a dark god in physical form. I found this an enjoyable read, with well crafted historical locations and interesting characters. The take on mythology through time and across different cultures with central themes tying them together was done well and kept the story fresh.

My only reason for a 4 rather than a 5 star is there are a couple historical inaccuracies and some places where the story was more dialog (telling) rather than descriptive (showing.) These, however, are minor and I highly recommend this book to any fan of gothic horror/dark romance.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Todd Merrifield]

I've not read a book that combined so many wonderfully rich myths in such a seamless and beautiful manner! This book is for anyone who loves the light and the dark ... the uplifting and the macabre! As a historian, Cassandra has really done her homework to throw the reader right into the middle of several time periods, lush with descriptions and environments that are realistic and fantastic at the same time!
Bravo!!
I'll read this one again, for sure, and will recommend it to my wife and her book club! Great writing!

[Caitlin Adolph · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I started the book I was thinking "yup, basic vampire story" but its not!! I love the beautiful descriptions the author uses. Great descriptions are one of the things that always hook me. Without giving away spoilers I love the way she uses ancient deities. I'm very picky about how authors use ancient mythology and she has clearly done her research and added a little artistic license in ways that I really enjoyed! Great read! I've already started recommending it to friends!

[Westveil Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was granted complimentary access to The Ancient Ones as part of my participation in a blog tour for this title with Storytellers on Tour. Thank you to all involved in affording me this opportunity! My thoughts are my own and my review is honest.

This one caught my eye because I've discovered in the last year or so that I absolutely love gothic horror, and I was not disappointed! (Now, if only I'd been scheduled to review it a week later and it could have counted for Spooktober.) The Ancient Ones has that satisfying, beautiful "historical but darker" feel I've come to expect from well-written, adult audience vampire fiction.

Set in London in the middle of the 19th Century, The Ancient Ones balances intriguing romance with compelling action and demands that you stay right where you are and keep turning those pages. On top of that, the descriptions and prose in this book are beautiful!

Be prepared going into this book that it's dark. Sometimes the plot gets quite heavy. Although it was a great read after the first chapter or so (not the fastest start,) this is not an easy-breasy light read.

The Ancient Ones is a promising start to what I hope is going to be an amazing series!

[Sahreth Bowden · Rating 5 out of 5]

When an author is so adept in crafting lore that you begin doubting your own beliefs/knowledge in favor of their story, you know you've discovered a profoundly expert creator. And that is exactly what happened to me with 'The Ancient Ones.' The story begins simply enough, not unlike your traditional run-in introduction to a creature of the night. However as the book progresses, the reader soon realizes it is like no other.

The author has brought various mythological and religious beings from the world we know together with her own ideas in an entirely unique exposition. I've read stories (including those of fantasy) that have felt so utterly real that I wouldn't be shocked to learn they were, at least in some universe, but Cassandra L. Thompson has been the first to actually make me second-guess what I believe regarding the supernatural. Her melding of known lore with new lore, of true history with possibility was that advanced.

The setup is mildly reminiscent of Anne Rice's 'Interview with a Vampire' as it is told largely through flashbacks from a 'vampire' who is indulging the curiosities of a human (not in modern day, but not terribly far from it). It includes his story prior to becoming the creature he is, his days with the one who created him, and so on into the present. Nevertheless, that is as far as the similarity goes. I don't like demoting authors, but in my opinion, the depth of 'The Ancient Ones' greatly surpasses 'Interview.'

The author's version of vampires brings into account a hundred aspects that generally goes unanswered or vague in most renditions of the creatures. The original creation of the species, their soul, their place in not only the world, but the universe and most devastatingly, their future... There is just too much going on for me to properly sum it up. It's one of those things you must read yourself. Trust me though, you won't regret it.

Creative prowess aside, the book is extremely well-written in aspects of grammar, character development, and emotion. It's most definitely a 'page-turner' and I cannot wait to see what more is to be learned about the characters, including how they will struggle through their darkness to (hopefully) accomplish their existential dilemmas thousands of tumultuous years in the making.

[Sabrina Voerman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating fantasy that spans over centuries.
The Ancient Ones focuses on David/Davius over the years of his life, weaving supernatural and fantasy throughout our history.
I found the research and dedication to the history so well done, it was a story that reminded me just how long humans have been around, how long our stories have been spread and changed over time.
The Ancient Ones is not a book you blitz through, but rather, take your time savouring each word and each nuance throughout. There is a lot to take in with this book, at times it feels as though it's difficult to absorb everything, but Thompson does an excellent job reeling it in and keeping the reader grounded in the story.
There was a chapter where I nearly cried, which is rare for me!

[Jessika Glover · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Ancient Ones was a well rounded take on a gothic vampire tale. In it, we follow a young boy from Gaul, sold on a slave ship to Rome, where he eventually is rebirthed as an original blood drinker. The story both tip toes & storms through time, weaving mythologies from most corners of the world, bringing us from the Druidic shores of Gaul to Victorian England. I was captivated by the writing and language, and looked forward to reading my way from Rome to Greece to Wallachia. Also, the last line may have made me fist pump. Looking forward to book two.

[M.G. Mason · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was fun, a carefully intertwined tale of the ancient world mixed with the gothic. Vampires and other ghoulish beings all brought together in a tale spanning centuries.

While this took a while to grow on me, once the story really got going it intrigued me with the carefully woven narrative. A great start to the series!

[A.L. Garcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is beautifully woven as it takes us along with the main character David/Davius though the various realms, centuries, and lives he has lived. We partake in his agony, his suffering, love, loss, death, rebirth, etc. as he artfully recounts an eternity full of magic, horror, revenge, and divinity, to a dying stranger. The author is masterful in building worlds and characters you can lose yourself in as the story unfolds. From it’s most horrifying aspects to its most ethereal ones, The Ancient Ones captivates you with a richness of language and design that is reminiscent of classical romanticism. I cried many times, which is always a sign to me in literature, that I have met a favorite. This story is one of them.

[H. Ferry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of the best books I've read in a while. David, the main character, takes you on a journey through history, giving new meaning to everything you knew about mythology and ancient dieties. Thompson takes a beautiful message, that love is timeless, and through her eloquent and immersive style of writing and her brilliant character-building, she weaves a bittersweet story that will stick with you. If you like vampires, you don't want to miss this book. If you don't like vampires, you don't want to miss this book.

[Jonathan Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book leaves me very conflicted in a very intriguing way. I only found out it was supposed to be a trilogy after I finished it, which in hindsight does color my impressions of it, and I would lie if I said I wasn't curious for what could come next for the characters. The side characters do well enough, given their role, and a lot of them are quite memorable even if many of them have limited or brief appearances. The main characters, however, are definitely the highlight of the roster. You're not exactly constantly in their heads, but you do always understand what their positions and opinions and attitudes are, and the things about them that are meant to be kept secret or revealed later work well enough in context. Also, the relationship between them and how it changes was one of the best parts of the narrative, and the way these changes were brought through the story never ceased to capture my attention. What intrigues me the most about the book, however, is the worldbuilding, more specifically the aspects and figures that created the world and how they interact with it as well as each other. I get the impression the author wasn't always sure what should come next or how to justify certain twists and turns the plot went through. Oh well, she has two more books to get it right, I'm sure she'll manage.

For this book to be a five-star-rated book I would've loved to see the plot and worldbuilding aspects to be better integrated, as well as a better managed disparity concerning the forces at play. I still enjoyed it well enough, though

[Ollie Ander · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disclaimer DNF @ 20%

Tldr; All aesthetic and no substance.

As much as I could respect the prose collection by Thompson for being unapologetically on-brand in its gothic revelry, I couldn’t handle it in a book. There was a great focus on incorporating different myths and settings, but it hopped around too much for a reader to gain any weight or investment in them. Lots of name dropping rather than genuine development. The pacing was very rushed which left the power given to the protagonist laughably undeserved.

The choice on presentation for this story did not hit. It wants to mimic an epic recounting of events but it just comes off disjointed. There’s a lot of storytelling which is exposition/info dump. Rather than progress through the events considered relevant to shaping the main character (David) in a natural way, we’re instead given it in a massive ongoing 3rd person flashback?

The book was readable, but at a certain point I just expected better. Yes, I understand the writing was a stylistic choice, but even in that there was a lot of minor issues with the presentation that added up. Sorry, but it needed more editing. The writing awkwardly refuses to use the simpler version of a words. Repeated phrases/descriptions and excessive adverbs.

1.5/5 Stars

[Spyder Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every so often a voice comes along that puts a genre on notice. Cassandra L. Thompson eloquently holds such a voice. Fans of Anne Rice’s world-building, the fascination of Neil Gaiman, and/or the poetic voice of Edgar Allan Poe are in for a treat. The author of The Ancient Ones captures pieces of fascination, dread, and prose that drips from the tip of the tongue.

The Ancient Ones follows the story of David (Davius) the last of the ancient ones. He is befriended by a lady of the evening who draws his story from him. From Ancient Rome to the Victorian Age, the tale of David is a beguiling one. Walk the path of a Vampyre from his creation to his love, to his troubled relationship with his brother Lucius. The author paints a portrait of a Vampyre uniquely and intriguingly. Holding true to lore and accuracy to history the descriptive voice, passion, and legend is well played throughout the storyline. Solid pace, great characters (Lucius is my favorite), and a wonderfully penned origins story - The Ancient Ones.

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a lover of vampires from an early age, I have always been fascinated with a well-crafted vampire story. Cassandra Thompson’s The Ancient Ones brought me back to my love of gothic novels, reminding me of many hours spent devouring Anne Rice and Bram Stoker. Thompson’s passion for history and her knowledge of mythology are center stage here, demonstrating her love for those subjects alongside her great skill within the gothic genre. David’s journey is fascinating from beginning to end, enthralling me from the opening words of the book and keeping me moving quickly through the novel (and up well past my bedtime on several nights). The conflicts are realistic and create fantastic urgency between the characters. Thompson’s clever use of The Morrigan creates a character who is both genuine and divine. Strong female characters are very important to me, and I was thrilled to see such an incredible character represented within Thompson’s book. The Ancient Ones is a true work of art that deserves a read or two, or five. Do yourself a favor and get a copy of this book!

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ah! I love vampire stories, and lately I feel like a lot of the YA just aren’t in my mindset anymore... (sorry twilight). I enjoyed “A Discovery of Witches” so much and really wished there was more “adult” but not... “smutty adult” *eye roll* out there for people who love fiction/fantasy/mythology. Holy Jackpot with The Ancient Ones. I was sucked into this book with the intro and finished it in 3 evenings (what a way to spend a rainy weekend off!) It’s bitter sweet being done with this book because I HAVE TO WAIT for the release of the other two! Yes... it’s a Trilogy! I can’t recommend this book enough. I’m re-starting it this evening because the depth of obvious historical knowledge, small details, and imagery makes this one of those books you can find something new every time you pick it up!