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The Gardella Vampire Hunters #3
Blutrote Dämmerung
Die letzte Auseinandersetzung mit der Vampirkönigin Lilith hat Victoria aufs Äußerste gefordert, doch es scheint, als wäre das Schlimmste noch nicht überstanden. Denn jetzt haben sich Vampire und Dämonen verbündet, um unsere Welt zu vernichten – und während Rom sich dem erotischen Treiben des Karneval hingibt, tobt hinter den Kulissen ein schrecklicher Kampf …
448 pages, Paperback
First published February 5, 2008
207 people are currently reading
1721 people want to read
About the author
Colleen Gleason
106 books1,680 followersAward-winning, NEW YORK TIMES and USA Today bestselling author Colleen Gleason (who also writes as Colleen Cambridge) has written more than fifty novels in a variety of genres…but always feature smart, strong women determined to right wrongs and get shit done.
Colleen lives in the Midwest United States where she is fortunate enough to be working on her next book.
She loves to hear from readers via her website, Facebook, or GoodReads.
Colleen lives in the Midwest United States where she is fortunate enough to be working on her next book.
She loves to hear from readers via her website, Facebook, or GoodReads.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 169 reviews
July 6, 2018
This review can also be found at Carole's Random Life in Books.
I loved this book! This is the third book in The Gardella Vampire Hunters series and my favorite installment so far. This is a series that does need to be read in order since so much of the story builds on events from previous books. I have had this book sitting on my Kindle for several years and I do have to say that I am a little mad at myself for neglecting for so long because it was excellent. I didn't want to put it down for a single moment and was kind of mad that I had to do responsible things, like go to work, instead of read once I started with the book. I had a fantastic time with this story.
This book picks up right after the events of the previous book. Victoria has had a lot to deal with since becoming a vampire hunter. She is now Summa Gardella which means she is now the leader of the group of vampire hunters. Rome is very busy with Carnivale not to mention vampires and demons. Dead bodies are piling up and Victoria and the other vampire hunters are doing their best to keep the city safe.
I have really had a great time watching the characters in this series grow over the course of the series. Victoria is so much stronger than she was at the start of the series. She has been through a lot that has changed her outlook on the world. She cares less about what society thinks of her and feels responsible for the safety of others. When her mother and her mother's friends show up in Rome, she does conform to society's standards but only to make them happy. Max is not in a good place at this point and there are some pretty pivotal changes for him in this installment. Sebastian plays a very important role in this book and some pretty surprising developments with his character that I did not expect.
This was a very exciting book. There were a lot of different things going on and plenty of action to keep things interesting. I was really nervous for the characters several times and I wasn't quite sure how things would work out. I thought that there was a perfect balance between action filled scenes and scenes more focused on the characters.
I would highly recommend this series to others. I love that the series is set in the Victorian period and believe that adds an interesting element to the story. Everything seemed to come together in this book and some really important developments were revealed. I had such a good time with this book that I bought the next book in the series right away because I couldn't wait to find out what would happen to Victoria and the other characters next!
I received a review copy of this book from Avid Press via Edelweiss.
Initial Thoughts
I loved this! Why I have neglected this series for so long? This is my favorite one in the series so far. I love how much Victoria, Max, and Sebastian have changed over the course of the series. The excitement level in this book was high. I can't wait to get started on the next book!
I loved this book! This is the third book in The Gardella Vampire Hunters series and my favorite installment so far. This is a series that does need to be read in order since so much of the story builds on events from previous books. I have had this book sitting on my Kindle for several years and I do have to say that I am a little mad at myself for neglecting for so long because it was excellent. I didn't want to put it down for a single moment and was kind of mad that I had to do responsible things, like go to work, instead of read once I started with the book. I had a fantastic time with this story.
This book picks up right after the events of the previous book. Victoria has had a lot to deal with since becoming a vampire hunter. She is now Summa Gardella which means she is now the leader of the group of vampire hunters. Rome is very busy with Carnivale not to mention vampires and demons. Dead bodies are piling up and Victoria and the other vampire hunters are doing their best to keep the city safe.
I have really had a great time watching the characters in this series grow over the course of the series. Victoria is so much stronger than she was at the start of the series. She has been through a lot that has changed her outlook on the world. She cares less about what society thinks of her and feels responsible for the safety of others. When her mother and her mother's friends show up in Rome, she does conform to society's standards but only to make them happy. Max is not in a good place at this point and there are some pretty pivotal changes for him in this installment. Sebastian plays a very important role in this book and some pretty surprising developments with his character that I did not expect.
This was a very exciting book. There were a lot of different things going on and plenty of action to keep things interesting. I was really nervous for the characters several times and I wasn't quite sure how things would work out. I thought that there was a perfect balance between action filled scenes and scenes more focused on the characters.
I would highly recommend this series to others. I love that the series is set in the Victorian period and believe that adds an interesting element to the story. Everything seemed to come together in this book and some really important developments were revealed. I had such a good time with this book that I bought the next book in the series right away because I couldn't wait to find out what would happen to Victoria and the other characters next!
I received a review copy of this book from Avid Press via Edelweiss.
Initial Thoughts
I loved this! Why I have neglected this series for so long? This is my favorite one in the series so far. I love how much Victoria, Max, and Sebastian have changed over the course of the series. The excitement level in this book was high. I can't wait to get started on the next book!
February 15, 2021
***Questa lettera può contenere SPOILER, maneggiatela con prudenza***
Cara signorina Gardella,
mi permetto di inviare questa lettera per spiegarti alcuni fatti importanti, anzi oserei dire fondamentali per il prosieguo della nostra frequentazione.
Prima di illuminarti su alcuni aspetti che sembrano sfuggirti, però, consentimi di manifestare il mio disappunto su un fatto increscioso: non c'eravamo liberate, nello scorso libro, della tua signora madre e delle sue inutili amiche? Ero riuscita a respirare magnificamente per un intero volume, e già pensavo che il loro fosse solo un lontano ricordo, ed ecco che me le ritrovo qui, a riempire le pagine di noiose stupidaggini! Fatta eccezione per la vecchina che si fa mordere per consegnarti il messaggio di quello s*****o di Beauregard senior (che, detto tra noi, sono certa che avrebbe saputo trovare mille altri modi alternativi per farlo), non ho trovato in loro alcuna utilità. Solo fastidio. Ma andiamo oltre.
Mia gentile signorina Gardella, mi duole comunicarti che il mondo si muove, ma tu non riesci a muoverti con lui. Pensi che il titolo di Illa Gardella sia sufficiente per fare di te una donna forte e risolta? Pensi che basti lottare come un'eroina improponibile di un wuxia per essere speciale? Delle arti marziali ne avevamo già parlato prima, e vabbe', sono una persona comprensiva, ho già deciso di passarci su, ragazza mia, ma quanto al resto? Ti chiedi più e più volte perché tutti intorno a te continuino a trattarti "come una ragazza ingenua". Bene, sono qui per aiutarti a risolvere il tuo dramma: perché lo sei! E non sei nemmeno ragazza, ma proprio bambina, ché ragazza sarebbe già un passo avanti. E se a trattarti da ragazza ingenua, come dici tu, non sono solo gli "adulti" (e con adulti intendo praticamente tutti, da Wayren a Max), ma perfino Sebastian, che per alcuni aspetti è più ragazzino di te, ritengo che dovresti cominciare a farti qualche domanda seria. Una tra tante, giusto un suggerimento: non ti rendi conto che in teoria sei il capo della baracca, ma che lì nessuno ti dice niente? Prendono decisioni, pianificano e agiscono, e tu sai sempre la "mezza messa", a volte nemmeno quella. E mentre loro (ovvero Max, nella maggior parte dei casi) salvano il mondo, tu dove sei? Cosa fai? Questa è già la seconda volta in cui è qualcun altro a decidere le sorti della storia, mentre tu resti spettatrice (nello scorso libro) o addirittura vittima (nel presente).
Mia deliziosa Victoria (ormai me lo posso permettere, vero?), vado al punto di questa mia. Vorrei che, arrivati a metà della storia, tu ti arrendessi di fronte all'evidente realtà: sono qui solo perché in questa dannata serie ci sono Sebastian e Max, e per nessun altro motivo al mondo.
Sai già che giurerei amore eterno a Sebastian, se solo esistesse davvero, e d'altra parte non credo che la cosa rappresenti un problema per te, visto che in questo libro baci con disinvoltura (dico così per non ferire i tuoi delicati sentimenti) quattro uomini diversi, uno dei quali appena un'ora dopo aver lasciato il letto del succitato Sebastian. Con questo non voglio assolutamente giudicare la tua condotta, dico solo che tu l'amore non sai neanche che aspetto abbia, ma nemmeno vagamente, eh!
Max, invece, non lo amo ma, a differenza di te, in questi tre libri ho imparato a stimarlo, ad apprezzarlo davvero. Ammiro la sua forza, la sua determinazione e il suo spirito di sacrificio. E mi dispiace vedere che tu pensi ancora di essere migliore di lui, quando invece...
Quanto a Seby, stavolta dovrei tirare un po' le orecchie anche lui perché... dannazione, non si può essere sempre così teneri, l'amore non può sempre ridurti all'impotenza! Ma almeno alla fine... be', alla fine è stato magnifico. Il mio cuore si è lacerato assieme al suo, ha conosciuto tutte le sfumature dell'ira, della vendetta e della speranza, per cui è più che perdonato per qualche "momento" di ignavia.
Ecco, mia dolce Victoria, credo che sia questo l'unico motivo che ho di ringraziarti in questo libro. Perché attraverso di te (e non grazie a te, attenzione! Il "grazie", eventualmente, va riservato al vecchio volpone Beauregard), assistiamo finalmente alla crescita del piccolo Sebastian. Naturalmente era inevitabile che andasse così: il figlio deve uccidere il padre per diventare adulto e prendere il suo posto nel mondo. In questo caso il nonno, o quel che è. Vorrei poter esclamare "Lunga vita al nuovo Cacciatore!", ma sai già come la penso... lo farai a pezzi nel prossimo o, se sono fortunata, nell'ultimo libro, quindi ritiro il "lunga vita" e per adesso mi accontento così.
Ci vediamo nel prossimo libro, Victoria, sperando che tu possa fare tesoro dei miei consigli.
Con affetto e sole 3 stelle.
Cara signorina Gardella,
mi permetto di inviare questa lettera per spiegarti alcuni fatti importanti, anzi oserei dire fondamentali per il prosieguo della nostra frequentazione.
Prima di illuminarti su alcuni aspetti che sembrano sfuggirti, però, consentimi di manifestare il mio disappunto su un fatto increscioso: non c'eravamo liberate, nello scorso libro, della tua signora madre e delle sue inutili amiche? Ero riuscita a respirare magnificamente per un intero volume, e già pensavo che il loro fosse solo un lontano ricordo, ed ecco che me le ritrovo qui, a riempire le pagine di noiose stupidaggini! Fatta eccezione per la vecchina che si fa mordere per consegnarti il messaggio di quello s*****o di Beauregard senior (che, detto tra noi, sono certa che avrebbe saputo trovare mille altri modi alternativi per farlo), non ho trovato in loro alcuna utilità. Solo fastidio. Ma andiamo oltre.
Mia gentile signorina Gardella, mi duole comunicarti che il mondo si muove, ma tu non riesci a muoverti con lui. Pensi che il titolo di Illa Gardella sia sufficiente per fare di te una donna forte e risolta? Pensi che basti lottare come un'eroina improponibile di un wuxia per essere speciale? Delle arti marziali ne avevamo già parlato prima, e vabbe', sono una persona comprensiva, ho già deciso di passarci su, ragazza mia, ma quanto al resto? Ti chiedi più e più volte perché tutti intorno a te continuino a trattarti "come una ragazza ingenua". Bene, sono qui per aiutarti a risolvere il tuo dramma: perché lo sei! E non sei nemmeno ragazza, ma proprio bambina, ché ragazza sarebbe già un passo avanti. E se a trattarti da ragazza ingenua, come dici tu, non sono solo gli "adulti" (e con adulti intendo praticamente tutti, da Wayren a Max), ma perfino Sebastian, che per alcuni aspetti è più ragazzino di te, ritengo che dovresti cominciare a farti qualche domanda seria. Una tra tante, giusto un suggerimento: non ti rendi conto che in teoria sei il capo della baracca, ma che lì nessuno ti dice niente? Prendono decisioni, pianificano e agiscono, e tu sai sempre la "mezza messa", a volte nemmeno quella. E mentre loro (ovvero Max, nella maggior parte dei casi) salvano il mondo, tu dove sei? Cosa fai? Questa è già la seconda volta in cui è qualcun altro a decidere le sorti della storia, mentre tu resti spettatrice (nello scorso libro) o addirittura vittima (nel presente).
Mia deliziosa Victoria (ormai me lo posso permettere, vero?), vado al punto di questa mia. Vorrei che, arrivati a metà della storia, tu ti arrendessi di fronte all'evidente realtà: sono qui solo perché in questa dannata serie ci sono Sebastian e Max, e per nessun altro motivo al mondo.
Sai già che giurerei amore eterno a Sebastian, se solo esistesse davvero, e d'altra parte non credo che la cosa rappresenti un problema per te, visto che in questo libro baci con disinvoltura (dico così per non ferire i tuoi delicati sentimenti) quattro uomini diversi, uno dei quali appena un'ora dopo aver lasciato il letto del succitato Sebastian. Con questo non voglio assolutamente giudicare la tua condotta, dico solo che tu l'amore non sai neanche che aspetto abbia, ma nemmeno vagamente, eh!
Max, invece, non lo amo ma, a differenza di te, in questi tre libri ho imparato a stimarlo, ad apprezzarlo davvero. Ammiro la sua forza, la sua determinazione e il suo spirito di sacrificio. E mi dispiace vedere che tu pensi ancora di essere migliore di lui, quando invece...
Quanto a Seby, stavolta dovrei tirare un po' le orecchie anche lui perché... dannazione, non si può essere sempre così teneri, l'amore non può sempre ridurti all'impotenza! Ma almeno alla fine... be', alla fine è stato magnifico. Il mio cuore si è lacerato assieme al suo, ha conosciuto tutte le sfumature dell'ira, della vendetta e della speranza, per cui è più che perdonato per qualche "momento" di ignavia.
Ecco, mia dolce Victoria, credo che sia questo l'unico motivo che ho di ringraziarti in questo libro. Perché attraverso di te (e non grazie a te, attenzione! Il "grazie", eventualmente, va riservato al vecchio volpone Beauregard), assistiamo finalmente alla crescita del piccolo Sebastian. Naturalmente era inevitabile che andasse così: il figlio deve uccidere il padre per diventare adulto e prendere il suo posto nel mondo. In questo caso il nonno, o quel che è. Vorrei poter esclamare "Lunga vita al nuovo Cacciatore!", ma sai già come la penso... lo farai a pezzi nel prossimo o, se sono fortunata, nell'ultimo libro, quindi ritiro il "lunga vita" e per adesso mi accontento così.
Ci vediamo nel prossimo libro, Victoria, sperando che tu possa fare tesoro dei miei consigli.
Con affetto e sole 3 stelle.
February 4, 2017
*flails*
Love. I ship everyone. I need these in paperback. /review
Love. I ship everyone. I need these in paperback. /review
September 9, 2017
The Bleeding Dusk was… exactly what I expected and yet I am still disappointed. I truly sense a real potential in this series to rise above the cliched historical romance - with a dash of vampire-hunting - it has classified itself. Gleason does not have the most gorgeous writing style ever but like most adult UF writers, she has mastered the skill of making her stories oddly addictive. No matter how often I may roll my eyes or scoff at the theatrics while I read this series, I still find it hard to put down. I tend to get genuinely engaged in the story... which is why I am still here after three books and the list of complaints I am about to rant about.
For one, the romance in this serious is horrendous. Victoria has had four - and a half - love interests in the span of three books. There is no shame in that necessarily but the way that these relationships are written is where the problem lies. I would honestly go as far as to say that the romance in this book was blatantly problematic. There is never explicit consent between Victoria and her love interests. You can imagine that there were more than a few scenes that made me feel deeply uncomfortable. We had at least one scene where this lack of consent was obvious - someone forced her to kiss them in exchange for information - but there were multiple occasions when the LIs would touch/kiss her - even when she said no - where she would be hesitant at first but then “sink into it”. If someone tells you no, you stop what you are doing. You do not wait for them to get into it. You do not assume they feel the same way but are just shy/hesitant etc. and go ahead with it, assuming they just, what, need some forced motivation to get into it? I just… it made me so uncomfortable and the fact that it is never addressed in the story - although it happens repeatedly - made it worse.
The plot as a whole was also disheartening. It was messy and disjointed. I did like the Italian setting but Victoria’s decisions just pissed me off. She is so impulsive and dramatic! She gets in everyone’s way and then blames them, over and over again. It drives me insane. Should people clue her into their plans? Probably, but you can understand why they don’t: Victoria would just ignore them and do whatever she wanted anyway, compromising their mission. If she just did what was asked of her every now and again, it would be okay. Or at least take a breath and think things through.
The vampire lore is interesting, though. Like I said before, the fact that it sticks to traditional mythology while drawing in Italian and religious influences is clever. Authors often go out of their way to make their vampires unique but I think the simplicity and familiarly of these sorts of vampires work, particularly with the historical setting. However, the nuance needed to make this lore standout is still lacking. Gleason’s vampires do not have the personality or grit that is needed to make them truly shine. Again, I did enjoy the discussion about the humanity of vampires which is introduced by Sebastian’s character, especially in this sequel. I wish that was more of an overall focus of the series.
Overall?
This was the last book in the series that I owned so I can technically count this series as read for my need-read-before-the-end-of-the-year challenge… but that ending! It left the story hanging on such a crazy cliffhanger and I will hesitantly admit my curiosity has been tickled. I am intrigued to see where the story will head now, especially how Gleason plans on ending the series. If my library gets copies of the sequels in, I think I’ll probably talk myself into giving them a chance… but we shall see.
Trigger warning for sexual assault.
For one, the romance in this serious is horrendous. Victoria has had four - and a half - love interests in the span of three books. There is no shame in that necessarily but the way that these relationships are written is where the problem lies. I would honestly go as far as to say that the romance in this book was blatantly problematic. There is never explicit consent between Victoria and her love interests. You can imagine that there were more than a few scenes that made me feel deeply uncomfortable. We had at least one scene where this lack of consent was obvious - someone forced her to kiss them in exchange for information - but there were multiple occasions when the LIs would touch/kiss her - even when she said no - where she would be hesitant at first but then “sink into it”. If someone tells you no, you stop what you are doing. You do not wait for them to get into it. You do not assume they feel the same way but are just shy/hesitant etc. and go ahead with it, assuming they just, what, need some forced motivation to get into it? I just… it made me so uncomfortable and the fact that it is never addressed in the story - although it happens repeatedly - made it worse.
The plot as a whole was also disheartening. It was messy and disjointed. I did like the Italian setting but Victoria’s decisions just pissed me off. She is so impulsive and dramatic! She gets in everyone’s way and then blames them, over and over again. It drives me insane. Should people clue her into their plans? Probably, but you can understand why they don’t: Victoria would just ignore them and do whatever she wanted anyway, compromising their mission. If she just did what was asked of her every now and again, it would be okay. Or at least take a breath and think things through.
The vampire lore is interesting, though. Like I said before, the fact that it sticks to traditional mythology while drawing in Italian and religious influences is clever. Authors often go out of their way to make their vampires unique but I think the simplicity and familiarly of these sorts of vampires work, particularly with the historical setting. However, the nuance needed to make this lore standout is still lacking. Gleason’s vampires do not have the personality or grit that is needed to make them truly shine. Again, I did enjoy the discussion about the humanity of vampires which is introduced by Sebastian’s character, especially in this sequel. I wish that was more of an overall focus of the series.
Overall?
This was the last book in the series that I owned so I can technically count this series as read for my need-read-before-the-end-of-the-year challenge… but that ending! It left the story hanging on such a crazy cliffhanger and I will hesitantly admit my curiosity has been tickled. I am intrigued to see where the story will head now, especially how Gleason plans on ending the series. If my library gets copies of the sequels in, I think I’ll probably talk myself into giving them a chance… but we shall see.
Trigger warning for sexual assault.
June 11, 2022
Eine spannende Fortsetzung um die Vampirjägerin Victoria! Wie bereits in den Vorgängerbänden, scheint die Geschichte nahtlos weiterzugehen. Bereits der Prolog hat mich leicht sprachlos zurück gelassen und mich das halbe Buch lang warten lassen und immer wieder auf die Folter gespannt. Max ist halt geheimnisvoll bis zum Ende und die Wendung, die die Autorin dahingehend eingesponnen hat, habe ich so nicht kommen sehen. Generell finde ich die Ideen fantastisch und wahnsinnig gut umgesetzt, habe ich doch in Teil eins noch sehr viel bemängelt.
Nicht nur die Story, auch die Charaktere haben es mir mittlerweile richtig angetan. Victoria geht mir nicht mehr auf die Nerven, sondern hat sich realistisch und gut entwickelt. Ihre Gedanken und Handlungen sind für mich nun sehr viel besser nachvollziehbar. Sie ist erwachsener und durchdenkt mehr, was wohl bei den vergangenen Schicksalsschlägen auch sein musste. Auch ihre Hingerissenheit oder besser Zerrissenheit bezüglich Sebastian ist mehr als verständlich. Was ihn angeht, so kann ich immernoch nur schmunzeln oder den Kopfschütteln. Ein durch und durch vielfältiger Charakter, der mir erst zum Ende hin wirklich sympathisch wurde. Weshalb ich kleine Minuspunkte geben muss...
Der Schreibstil hat mir wie auch im Vorgängerband richtig gut gefallen! Ab der ersten Seite wurde ich eingesogen und erst auf der letzten Seite ausgespuckt. Ich bedauere es sehr, dass ich die Nachfolgebände nicht habe 🙈
Nicht nur die Story, auch die Charaktere haben es mir mittlerweile richtig angetan. Victoria geht mir nicht mehr auf die Nerven, sondern hat sich realistisch und gut entwickelt. Ihre Gedanken und Handlungen sind für mich nun sehr viel besser nachvollziehbar. Sie ist erwachsener und durchdenkt mehr, was wohl bei den vergangenen Schicksalsschlägen auch sein musste. Auch ihre Hingerissenheit oder besser Zerrissenheit bezüglich Sebastian ist mehr als verständlich. Was ihn angeht, so kann ich immernoch nur schmunzeln oder den Kopfschütteln. Ein durch und durch vielfältiger Charakter, der mir erst zum Ende hin wirklich sympathisch wurde. Weshalb ich kleine Minuspunkte geben muss...
Der Schreibstil hat mir wie auch im Vorgängerband richtig gut gefallen! Ab der ersten Seite wurde ich eingesogen und erst auf der letzten Seite ausgespuckt. Ich bedauere es sehr, dass ich die Nachfolgebände nicht habe 🙈
March 28, 2017
4 Stars
Full Review:
*I received an ecopy of this book via Edelweiss. This has not influenced my review.*
Another fantastic book! This is definitely becoming one of my favorite series. The writing style, the way that Colleen Gleason has with words, the realistic characters and relationships, the juiciness, the subtle humor, and the sexual tension were all great, yet again. I think those things are kind of just a given in this series, and I love knowing that that’s what I’m going to get every time I open one of these books.
But there were also some things about this book specifically that had me excited. For one, *SPOILER* *END SPOILER* but I still have no idea if she’ll actually end up with him. And that’s yet another thing I love, the way the romance always keeps me guessing, and that Victoria has had numerous suitors she’s been interested in but is still taking her time and not rushing into things. But also, *SPOILER* *END SPOILER* I was squealing on the inside the entire time I was reading the book for that reason.
Another great thing is that these books continue to surprise me. There were more twists this time that I definitely had not figured out, but they made sense.
The only thing I really disliked was the prophecy aspect. I just don’t care for prophecies in books. And the climax ended up being somewhat anti-climactic, especially compared to Book 2. But I suppose, even though that’s what the plot was technically about, the story itself was about Victoria, her character development, and her romantic relationships, and those things were great, so the climax scene wasn’t all that important to me anyway.
Overall, this was another gripping and wonderfully written book in the series, and I’m very much looking forward to continuing!
Recommended For:
Fans of Books 1 and 2 in Colleen Gleason's Gardella Vampire Hunters series. Anyone who likes historical fantasy with complex characters, complicated relationships, lots of sexual tension, and a kickass female protagonist.
Original Review @ Metaphors and Moonlight
Full Review:
*I received an ecopy of this book via Edelweiss. This has not influenced my review.*
Another fantastic book! This is definitely becoming one of my favorite series. The writing style, the way that Colleen Gleason has with words, the realistic characters and relationships, the juiciness, the subtle humor, and the sexual tension were all great, yet again. I think those things are kind of just a given in this series, and I love knowing that that’s what I’m going to get every time I open one of these books.
But there were also some things about this book specifically that had me excited. For one, *SPOILER* *END SPOILER* but I still have no idea if she’ll actually end up with him. And that’s yet another thing I love, the way the romance always keeps me guessing, and that Victoria has had numerous suitors she’s been interested in but is still taking her time and not rushing into things. But also, *SPOILER* *END SPOILER* I was squealing on the inside the entire time I was reading the book for that reason.
Another great thing is that these books continue to surprise me. There were more twists this time that I definitely had not figured out, but they made sense.
The only thing I really disliked was the prophecy aspect. I just don’t care for prophecies in books. And the climax ended up being somewhat anti-climactic, especially compared to Book 2. But I suppose, even though that’s what the plot was technically about, the story itself was about Victoria, her character development, and her romantic relationships, and those things were great, so the climax scene wasn’t all that important to me anyway.
Overall, this was another gripping and wonderfully written book in the series, and I’m very much looking forward to continuing!
Recommended For:
Fans of Books 1 and 2 in Colleen Gleason's Gardella Vampire Hunters series. Anyone who likes historical fantasy with complex characters, complicated relationships, lots of sexual tension, and a kickass female protagonist.
Original Review @ Metaphors and Moonlight
April 13, 2010
Continuing just months after the final climactic battle of Rises the Night in which Victoria, heir to the Venator title- or vampire slayer/chosen one to you and me- loses her beloved Aunt Eustascia, The Bleeding Dusk- the third novel in Gleason's Gardella Vampire Chronicles series- finds Victoria ready and willing to take the reins of leadership over her fellow slayers as Illa Gardella- THE Gardella. She has the renewed strength to do the job- and is no longer the innocent we were introduced to in The Rest Falls Away.
In TBD, Victoria is once again thrust into a new and dangerous plot, the demon Akvan- arisen from the events of Rises the Night- is hoping to open the Door of the Alchemists. A door that will lead him to the very thing he needs to be restored to full power. Victoria along with her fellow Venators cannot allow this and it is she who has the key to defeating him. Literally.
But other circumstances are swirling around Victoria, and Sebastian is back- along with his Grandfather, the ancient Vampire Beauregard and they have their own plans for Victoria.
Per usual, Gleason spins a web of a story that slowly drew me in until I became so absorbed I didn't realize I was almost at the end. Especially when it became obvious the enigmatic Max, venator by choice rather than birth, was about to do the thing I thought he had set aside at the very beginning of the book. (Yes Max lovers, this one's for us!)
Gleason throws in a bit of a twist at the end of this one that made the pages fly, and I have to give props to the plotting! How all the threads tied together was just marvelous and I thoroughly enjoyed the ride.
Of course, once again, we are treated to the love triangle of Max, Sebastian, and Vicki Venator. Much like in the tv show Lost, I have my idea of who our heroine should find her happily ever after with, though I'm sure others would disagree. But that's the fun of triangles, isn't it? Will they? Won't they? Who will she choose?
And that's not the only Will She? Won't She? In this book. Guess you'll have to read to find out!
Yep, it's a great little hook- and I'm falling for it.
In TBD, Victoria is once again thrust into a new and dangerous plot, the demon Akvan- arisen from the events of Rises the Night- is hoping to open the Door of the Alchemists. A door that will lead him to the very thing he needs to be restored to full power. Victoria along with her fellow Venators cannot allow this and it is she who has the key to defeating him. Literally.
But other circumstances are swirling around Victoria, and Sebastian is back- along with his Grandfather, the ancient Vampire Beauregard and they have their own plans for Victoria.
Per usual, Gleason spins a web of a story that slowly drew me in until I became so absorbed I didn't realize I was almost at the end. Especially when it became obvious the enigmatic Max, venator by choice rather than birth, was about to do the thing I thought he had set aside at the very beginning of the book. (Yes Max lovers, this one's for us!)
Gleason throws in a bit of a twist at the end of this one that made the pages fly, and I have to give props to the plotting! How all the threads tied together was just marvelous and I thoroughly enjoyed the ride.
Of course, once again, we are treated to the love triangle of Max, Sebastian, and Vicki Venator. Much like in the tv show Lost, I have my idea of who our heroine should find her happily ever after with, though I'm sure others would disagree. But that's the fun of triangles, isn't it? Will they? Won't they? Who will she choose?
And that's not the only Will She? Won't She? In this book. Guess you'll have to read to find out!
Yep, it's a great little hook- and I'm falling for it.
July 9, 2016
After the death of her aunt, Lady Victoria Gardella Grantworth de Lacy is now leading the fight to eradicate vampires. But some of the vampires have teamed with the demon, Akvan, who is looking for three keys to open the Door of the Alchemists. Whoever opens the door will gain infinite power. Max Pesaro has returned to the group, but keeps distancing himself from the action. Sebastian Voiget is offering his help, but Victoria doesn't know if he can be trusted.
This is the third book in the Gardella Vampire Chronicles. I thought the first part of the book was slow. I was hoping to jump right into the story. But the second half was very fast moving and interesting. Colleen Gleason has done a good job at bringing her characters to life. We learn more about them in this book and see what makes them tick. My rating: 4 Stars.
This is the third book in the Gardella Vampire Chronicles. I thought the first part of the book was slow. I was hoping to jump right into the story. But the second half was very fast moving and interesting. Colleen Gleason has done a good job at bringing her characters to life. We learn more about them in this book and see what makes them tick. My rating: 4 Stars.
January 1, 2010
Once again, I am so pleased at where this author is willing to take this series. She seems to not be afraid the way so many authors are...
Take the chapter title for chapter 22: "Wherein the Worst Possible Happening Occurs". Without spoiling -- the worst possible happening does in fact occur. hehehe
How many authors are willing to do that in their book? Not many that I've read.
I love this series. I'm eager to continue reading the remaining two books today ;)
Take the chapter title for chapter 22: "Wherein the Worst Possible Happening Occurs". Without spoiling -- the worst possible happening does in fact occur. hehehe
How many authors are willing to do that in their book? Not many that I've read.
I love this series. I'm eager to continue reading the remaining two books today ;)
April 4, 2011
The Bleeding Dusk is the third novel in the Gardella Vampire Chronicles featuring Lady Victoria Gardella Grantworth de Lacy, now, the new Illa Gardella, or leader of the Venators (vampire slayers.) Victoria’s troubles are just getting started. She has to take the reigns as the youngest leader, as well as the only female remaining in the group. She is also the object of obsession for three male characters which includes Sebastian, Max, and Zavier.
She has to resolve the heart ache she feels at her great-aunt Eustacia’s death by one of her own trusted friends, and the fact that she askes Max to do it. Victoria never told anyone that Max was responsible. That she has kept all to herself much to the amazement of Max. Victoria chooses to wear two Vis bullas, something that ends up saving her life in the end. Victoria’s game with Sebastian continues as well. Victoria knows he can’t be trusted, especially when she knows he is a born Venator like herself, but who refuses to fight the vampires. Victoria’s body fails her time and time again when it comes to his treachery, and desire for her.
For Victoria, life hasn’t exactly been easy in the 2 years since she was called into becoming a Venator, taking the place of her mother who refused the honor, and ended up having her memories erased of the vampire world itself. (Something that is quite aggravating truth be told.) She married Phillip of Rockley pretty much at the insistence of her pestering and nagging mother, who later was turned into a vampire and slayed by her own stake before he drank human blood. After quitting being a Venator for a year, she soon realizes that she has a calling and needs to get her head out of her patooey. She finds herself in Italy and battling a group of vampires, and humans that belong to an organization called Tutela. She finds out that Max was a member (more later!), and ends up killing Lilith’s son Nedas to stop him from releasing a demon named Akvan from coming forth.
This time around, she finds herself the center of a kidnapping attempt by Sarafina Regalado, and members of Tutela who want to bring her to their master Akvan who has somehow found his way into the mortal world. Her mother is nearly turned into a vampire, but for the grace and interruption of her two mother’s friends and Victoria’s actions, she survives….unfortunately. I truly despise her mother’s character, and wish she would just go away. I think Victoria feels the same way at times. She also has to figure a way to prevent the combined dark forces of demons and vampires from opening La Porta Alchemica or the Door of Alchemy.
Victoria is still being used, and she has no clue that it is happening until it’s much too late to do anything about it. Sebastian uses her for sex, and to steal from her when it suits his needs. When she ends up battling with Beauregard, a 600 year old vampire, and Sebastian’s grandfather, she loses, and ends up nearly becoming a vampire after drinking his blood. Beauregard also intended to use Victoria in order to kill Lilith. He believed that with his blood and her strengths, she can’t be stopped. In any other series, drinking the blood of a vampire starts the transformation process. Not in this one.
In other related story news; Max finds himself back with Lilith in her mountains of Romania, asking her to release her from her thrall as she promised in response to stopping Nedas. She, refuses, but gives him an option she truly doesn’t believe he will take. She gives him a salve, which if he uses it, will erase her marks on his body. But, it will also make him normal, and he won’t be a Venator any longer. Max finds himself back in Roma and bumps into Victoria who doesn’t harbor any hatred towards him. We learn more about what happened to Max to make him become a venator, including giving up his own father and sister to the vampires. He has been working for the last 17 years towards penance and forgiveness for his moment of weakness and betrayal. He also ends up as part of the romance linkage between Sebastian, Zavier, and Victoria. Max’s decision to use the salve makes him the ideal candidate to kill the demon Akvan, as the prophecy stated.
Sebastian’s only redeeming quality in this book was the fact that he kills Beauregard after he forced Victoria to drink his blood, and attempts to turn her into a vampire. Sebastian can’t be trusted and yet people like Wayren remain confident that he will become a full time Venator. He wears the Vis Bulla, but until this story, remained pensively neutral, although at times he gets in the way of Victoria and her attempts to kill vampires, including Beauregard. I’m not a fan of his, no matter how hot and steamy their sex scenes are portrayed. He is a snake in the grass, and it’s too bad Max gave up his powers.
I enjoy stories like this that are written in the Victoria age, and especially the last two set in Italy. Ms Gleason can spin a story, and world build to the readers enjoyment. Sometimes her characters are a bit irritating, but that can be expected when you write a time piece story like this.
Next up: When Twilight Burns (2008)
She has to resolve the heart ache she feels at her great-aunt Eustacia’s death by one of her own trusted friends, and the fact that she askes Max to do it. Victoria never told anyone that Max was responsible. That she has kept all to herself much to the amazement of Max. Victoria chooses to wear two Vis bullas, something that ends up saving her life in the end. Victoria’s game with Sebastian continues as well. Victoria knows he can’t be trusted, especially when she knows he is a born Venator like herself, but who refuses to fight the vampires. Victoria’s body fails her time and time again when it comes to his treachery, and desire for her.
For Victoria, life hasn’t exactly been easy in the 2 years since she was called into becoming a Venator, taking the place of her mother who refused the honor, and ended up having her memories erased of the vampire world itself. (Something that is quite aggravating truth be told.) She married Phillip of Rockley pretty much at the insistence of her pestering and nagging mother, who later was turned into a vampire and slayed by her own stake before he drank human blood. After quitting being a Venator for a year, she soon realizes that she has a calling and needs to get her head out of her patooey. She finds herself in Italy and battling a group of vampires, and humans that belong to an organization called Tutela. She finds out that Max was a member (more later!), and ends up killing Lilith’s son Nedas to stop him from releasing a demon named Akvan from coming forth.
This time around, she finds herself the center of a kidnapping attempt by Sarafina Regalado, and members of Tutela who want to bring her to their master Akvan who has somehow found his way into the mortal world. Her mother is nearly turned into a vampire, but for the grace and interruption of her two mother’s friends and Victoria’s actions, she survives….unfortunately. I truly despise her mother’s character, and wish she would just go away. I think Victoria feels the same way at times. She also has to figure a way to prevent the combined dark forces of demons and vampires from opening La Porta Alchemica or the Door of Alchemy.
Victoria is still being used, and she has no clue that it is happening until it’s much too late to do anything about it. Sebastian uses her for sex, and to steal from her when it suits his needs. When she ends up battling with Beauregard, a 600 year old vampire, and Sebastian’s grandfather, she loses, and ends up nearly becoming a vampire after drinking his blood. Beauregard also intended to use Victoria in order to kill Lilith. He believed that with his blood and her strengths, she can’t be stopped. In any other series, drinking the blood of a vampire starts the transformation process. Not in this one.
In other related story news; Max finds himself back with Lilith in her mountains of Romania, asking her to release her from her thrall as she promised in response to stopping Nedas. She, refuses, but gives him an option she truly doesn’t believe he will take. She gives him a salve, which if he uses it, will erase her marks on his body. But, it will also make him normal, and he won’t be a Venator any longer. Max finds himself back in Roma and bumps into Victoria who doesn’t harbor any hatred towards him. We learn more about what happened to Max to make him become a venator, including giving up his own father and sister to the vampires. He has been working for the last 17 years towards penance and forgiveness for his moment of weakness and betrayal. He also ends up as part of the romance linkage between Sebastian, Zavier, and Victoria. Max’s decision to use the salve makes him the ideal candidate to kill the demon Akvan, as the prophecy stated.
Sebastian’s only redeeming quality in this book was the fact that he kills Beauregard after he forced Victoria to drink his blood, and attempts to turn her into a vampire. Sebastian can’t be trusted and yet people like Wayren remain confident that he will become a full time Venator. He wears the Vis Bulla, but until this story, remained pensively neutral, although at times he gets in the way of Victoria and her attempts to kill vampires, including Beauregard. I’m not a fan of his, no matter how hot and steamy their sex scenes are portrayed. He is a snake in the grass, and it’s too bad Max gave up his powers.
I enjoy stories like this that are written in the Victoria age, and especially the last two set in Italy. Ms Gleason can spin a story, and world build to the readers enjoyment. Sometimes her characters are a bit irritating, but that can be expected when you write a time piece story like this.
Next up: When Twilight Burns (2008)
May 23, 2019
3.5 stars
August 13, 2023
Loved reading this book, it was a fantastic sequel, and I can't wait to read more!
January 16, 2015
Third in the Gardella Vampire Hunters Series, The Bleeding Dusk, continues to tell the story of a young woman with a destiny that no one would have ever expected. Victoria is a Venator, otherwise known as a vampire hunter, and a member of the only family who has the bloodline with the calling to the profession. There are also other human's that are called, but it is very rare. She only learns of this after she starts to have the dreams that foretell the ability. Now three books in, she has lost her beloved husband to a vampire bite, and after her aunt is killed, she is now the leader of all the Venators.
The story takes place in Rome during the early 19th century-I think. Victoria is a rich widow with a title, and as such, can do pretty much what she wants-as long as her mother and her best friends stay in England. She spends her time with other Venators at the Consilium, the headquarters for the Venators. At night she hunts and stakes vampires. The demon that was called to earth by vampire queen, Lilith's son in the previous book is back. He is trying to find all the pieces of the obelisk that was destroyed previously and would have allowed the dead to rise and kill off the human race. The Venators, the demon, and the vampires, are also trying to find the three keys that will open the door to a long abandoned laboratory that just might hold the secrets of immortality. Victoria is right in the middle of it all, and when her unsuspecting mother and friends show up unexpectedly, things go from bad to worse.
Characters in this book, are written so well that they almost seem to leap off the page. Victoria is wonderful as a once coddled debutante, one that has had her world turned upside down, and now is living an unexpected life to say the least. Along the way, Sebastian has entered her world, and has become her sometime lover, but one that is totally untrustworthy. He is handsome, charming, and oh yes, his beloved great-grandfather(many greats)is one of the strongest vampires that exists in Rome, and therein lies a lot of the trust issues for Victoria. Max, the enigmatic Venator, is back as well. His relationship with Victoria is as usual volatile, with a sort of uneasy working relationship, one that has much more trust-usually. I am on the Max for Victoria's next great love bandwagon for sure. Victoria's mother, and her busybody friends, bring some levity to the story, and because they have no real knowledge of vampires, bring some danger as well, because of some of their unwittingly stupid actions.
If you can't tell, I absolutely am in love with this series. It's just so very different than the same vampire story that I have read a hundred times. I enjoy the characters, both good and villainous, the story line that is always fresh and unique, and the writing that is excellently executed. And to top it all off, the setting in the early 19th century just takes it all to a higher level of different for me.
If you enjoy a creatively unusual, adult urban fantasy/paranormal romance(heavier on the UF side), this could just fit the bill for you.
FYI-This was originally published in 2008 and the entire series is available. (I bought the next one, the minute I finished this one)(RabidReads.com)
The story takes place in Rome during the early 19th century-I think. Victoria is a rich widow with a title, and as such, can do pretty much what she wants-as long as her mother and her best friends stay in England. She spends her time with other Venators at the Consilium, the headquarters for the Venators. At night she hunts and stakes vampires. The demon that was called to earth by vampire queen, Lilith's son in the previous book is back. He is trying to find all the pieces of the obelisk that was destroyed previously and would have allowed the dead to rise and kill off the human race. The Venators, the demon, and the vampires, are also trying to find the three keys that will open the door to a long abandoned laboratory that just might hold the secrets of immortality. Victoria is right in the middle of it all, and when her unsuspecting mother and friends show up unexpectedly, things go from bad to worse.
Characters in this book, are written so well that they almost seem to leap off the page. Victoria is wonderful as a once coddled debutante, one that has had her world turned upside down, and now is living an unexpected life to say the least. Along the way, Sebastian has entered her world, and has become her sometime lover, but one that is totally untrustworthy. He is handsome, charming, and oh yes, his beloved great-grandfather(many greats)is one of the strongest vampires that exists in Rome, and therein lies a lot of the trust issues for Victoria. Max, the enigmatic Venator, is back as well. His relationship with Victoria is as usual volatile, with a sort of uneasy working relationship, one that has much more trust-usually. I am on the Max for Victoria's next great love bandwagon for sure. Victoria's mother, and her busybody friends, bring some levity to the story, and because they have no real knowledge of vampires, bring some danger as well, because of some of their unwittingly stupid actions.
If you can't tell, I absolutely am in love with this series. It's just so very different than the same vampire story that I have read a hundred times. I enjoy the characters, both good and villainous, the story line that is always fresh and unique, and the writing that is excellently executed. And to top it all off, the setting in the early 19th century just takes it all to a higher level of different for me.
If you enjoy a creatively unusual, adult urban fantasy/paranormal romance(heavier on the UF side), this could just fit the bill for you.
FYI-This was originally published in 2008 and the entire series is available. (I bought the next one, the minute I finished this one)(RabidReads.com)
July 21, 2014
แมกซ์เดินทางไปหาลิลลิธเพื่อเจรจาเรื่องข้อแลกเปลี่ยนเกี่ยวกับรอยกัดที่ลิลลิธฝากไว้บนคอของเขา ลิลลิธมอบขี้ผึ้งที่เมื่อแมกซ์ทาแล้วรอยแผลเป็นนี้จะหายไปและเขาจะไม่ผูกพันธ์อยู่กับลิลลิธอีก เพียงแต่ว่าราคาที่ต้องจ่ายนั้นแพงเหลือเกินเพราะเขาต้องสูญเสียความทรงจำของวีเนเตอร์ไปทั้งหมดรวมถึงความสามารถในการล่าแวมไพร์ไปด้วยถ้าหากเขายอมใช้ขี้ผึ้ง
วิกตอเรียเป็นหัวหน้าของเหล่าวีเนเตอร์หลังจากที่หล่อนสูญเสียคุณยายยูสเตเซียไปแล้ว หล่อนออกตามล่าแวมไพร์และได้ค้นพบปริศนาเกี่ยวกับกุญแจทั้งสามดอกของปาลอมบารา อันเป็นที่มาของนักเล่นแร่แปรธาตุ วิกตอเรียไปที่วิลลาปาลอมบารา ที่นั่นเธอและแมกซ์ถูกซาราคู่หมั้นของเขาจับตัวไป และได้พบกับเซบาสติยง วิกตอเรียหาทางหนีออกมาจนได้และทำให้เธอรู้ว่าอัควาน จอมปีศาจได้กลับมาแล้วหลังจากโอเบลิสก์ถูกทำลาย
เซบาสติยงไปโผล่ที่สถานที่ลับของเหล่าวีเนเตอร์ใต้วิหารศักดิ์สิทธิ์ที่ถูกปิดซ่อนเอาไว้มาได้หลายสหัสวรรษ วิกตอเรียได้รู้ในท้ายที่สุดว่าแท้จริงแล้วเซบาสติยงเป็นวีเนเตอร์เช่นเดียวกับหล่อนเพียงแต่เขาปิดบังความสามารถมาตลอด ชั่วขณะนั้นเหล่าปีศาจและแวมไพร์บุกทำลายและเกือบจะหาทางเข้าสถานที่ลับพบ แต่เหล่าวีเนเตอร์รวมถึงวิกตอเรียสกัดพวกมันเอาไว้ได้ทัน
วิกตอเรียคลางแคลงว่าเซบาสติยงพาพวกมันมาที่นี่หรือไม่ แต่เขายอมรับว่าเขาไม่มีส่วนในเรื่องที่เกิดขึ้นนี้ เซบาสติยงต้องการปกป้องวิกตอเรียมาโดยตลอด และหลังจากนั้นทั้งคู่ก็มีความสัมพันธ์ล้ำลึกกันอีกครั้งก่อนเซบาสติยงจะผละไป ทิ้งให้วิกตอเรียเดินหน้าทำตามแผนการณ์ของหล่อนในการซ่อนโอเบลิสก์
แมกซ์ตัดสินใจยอมรับการเป็นอิสระจากลิลลิธโดยใช้ยาขี้ผึ้ง เขาสูญเสียความสามารถของวีเนเตอร์จนหมด และลงมือสังหารอัควานตามคำนายได้สำเร็จ วิกตอเรียติดตามเซบาสติยงเนื่องจากเซเวียร์ถูกเขาทำร้าย และหล่อนถูกเลือดแวมไพร์ปนเปื้อนในกระแสเลือดเนื่องจากถูกปู่ทวดของเซบาสติยงครอบงำในท้ายที่สุด เซบาสติยงสังหารปู่ทวดของเขาและพาวิกตอเรียกลับมายังสถานที่ลับของวีเนเตอร์เพื่อตัดสินใจว่ามีทางเลือกใดสำหรับวิกตอเรียบ้าง
เล่มนี้อ่านเหนื่อยมาก คงเป็นเพราะว่าเราไม่ค่อยสนใจแนวทางการดำเนินเรื่องของหนังสือชุดนี้ด้วยอ่ะ มันน่าเบื่อตั้งแต่เล่มสองแล้วด้วยซ้ำตรงที่เนื่อเรื่องเหมือนพายเรือวนไปวนมาในอ่าง ไม่ได้ออกนอกกรอบที่ตีเอาไว้เลย พอเราคุ้นเคยกับประวัติและที่มาของเหล่าตัวละครรวมถึงแนวทางการเล่าเรื่องในเล่มแรกแล้ว พออ่านต่อไปเรื่อยๆมันเหมือนกับว่าเราไม่ได้ค้นพบอะไรใหม่ๆ รวมถึงความสัมพันธ์ของตัวละครที่ไม่เคลียร์สักอย่าง อ่านแล้วรู้สึกหงุดหงิด แถมการบรรยายอารมณ์ความรู้สึกของตัวละครก็ไม่ค่อยละเอียด เน้นไปทางสถานที่เสียมากกว่า เวลา Colleen อธิบายถึงสถานที่และรายละเอียดนะ เนื้อหายาวเหยียดยาวไปครึ่งๆหน้าเลย อ่านแล้วรู้สึกเพลียนะบางครั้ง
โดยเฉพาะเซบาสติยง-วิกตอเรีย-แมกซ์ สามคนนี้เหมือนจะรักสามเศร้าก็ไม่ใช่นะ ในเมื่อวิกตอเรียกับเซบาสติยงปราถนาในตัวกันละกันและมีอะไรกันบ่อย แต่ทั้งคู่ไม่ได้เอ่ยปากว่ารักกัน ส่วนแมกซ์บางครั้งก็ดูเหมือนพยายามจะซ่อนความรู้สึกที่มีต่อวิกตอเรียเอาไว้ บางครั้งก็ดูคล้ายๆกับว่าเขาไม่ได้สนใจอะไรในตัวของหล่อนเลย ยิ่งอ่านยิ่งสับสน
วิกตอเรียเป็นหัวหน้าของเหล่าวีเนเตอร์หลังจากที่หล่อนสูญเสียคุณยายยูสเตเซียไปแล้ว หล่อนออกตามล่าแวมไพร์และได้ค้นพบปริศนาเกี่ยวกับกุญแจทั้งสามดอกของปาลอมบารา อันเป็นที่มาของนักเล่นแร่แปรธาตุ วิกตอเรียไปที่วิลลาปาลอมบารา ที่นั่นเธอและแมกซ์ถูกซาราคู่หมั้นของเขาจับตัวไป และได้พบกับเซบาสติยง วิกตอเรียหาทางหนีออกมาจนได้และทำให้เธอรู้ว่าอัควาน จอมปีศาจได้กลับมาแล้วหลังจากโอเบลิสก์ถูกทำลาย
เซบาสติยงไปโผล่ที่สถานที่ลับของเหล่าวีเนเตอร์ใต้วิหารศักดิ์สิทธิ์ที่ถูกปิดซ่อนเอาไว้มาได้หลายสหัสวรรษ วิกตอเรียได้รู้ในท้ายที่สุดว่าแท้จริงแล้วเซบาสติยงเป็นวีเนเตอร์เช่นเดียวกับหล่อนเพียงแต่เขาปิดบังความสามารถมาตลอด ชั่วขณะนั้นเหล่าปีศาจและแวมไพร์บุกทำลายและเกือบจะหาทางเข้าสถานที่ลับพบ แต่เหล่าวีเนเตอร์รวมถึงวิกตอเรียสกัดพวกมันเอาไว้ได้ทัน
วิกตอเรียคลางแคลงว่าเซบาสติยงพาพวกมันมาที่นี่หรือไม่ แต่เขายอมรับว่าเขาไม่มีส่วนในเรื่องที่เกิดขึ้นนี้ เซบาสติยงต้องการปกป้องวิกตอเรียมาโดยตลอด และหลังจากนั้นทั้งคู่ก็มีความสัมพันธ์ล้ำลึกกันอีกครั้งก่อนเซบาสติยงจะผละไป ทิ้งให้วิกตอเรียเดินหน้าทำตามแผนการณ์ของหล่อนในการซ่อนโอเบลิสก์
แมกซ์ตัดสินใจยอมรับการเป็นอิสระจากลิลลิธโดยใช้ยาขี้ผึ้ง เขาสูญเสียความสามารถของวีเนเตอร์จนหมด และลงมือสังหารอัควานตามคำนายได้สำเร็จ วิกตอเรียติดตามเซบาสติยงเนื่องจากเซเวียร์ถูกเขาทำร้าย และหล่อนถูกเลือดแวมไพร์ปนเปื้อนในกระแสเลือดเนื่องจากถูกปู่ทวดของเซบาสติยงครอบงำในท้ายที่สุด เซบาสติยงสังหารปู่ทวดของเขาและพาวิกตอเรียกลับมายังสถานที่ลับของวีเนเตอร์เพื่อตัดสินใจว่ามีทางเลือกใดสำหรับวิกตอเรียบ้าง
เล่มนี้อ่านเหนื่อยมาก คงเป็นเพราะว่าเราไม่ค่อยสนใจแนวทางการดำเนินเรื่องของหนังสือชุดนี้ด้วยอ่ะ มันน่าเบื่อตั้งแต่เล่มสองแล้วด้วยซ้ำตรงที่เนื่อเรื่องเหมือนพายเรือวนไปวนมาในอ่าง ไม่ได้ออกนอกกรอบที่ตีเอาไว้เลย พอเราคุ้นเคยกับประวัติและที่มาของเหล่าตัวละครรวมถึงแนวทางการเล่าเรื่องในเล่มแรกแล้ว พออ่านต่อไปเรื่อยๆมันเหมือนกับว่าเราไม่ได้ค้นพบอะไรใหม่ๆ รวมถึงความสัมพันธ์ของตัวละครที่ไม่เคลียร์สักอย่าง อ่านแล้วรู้สึกหงุดหงิด แถมการบรรยายอารมณ์ความรู้สึกของตัวละครก็ไม่ค่อยละเอียด เน้นไปทางสถานที่เสียมากกว่า เวลา Colleen อธิบายถึงสถานที่และรายละเอียดนะ เนื้อหายาวเหยียดยาวไปครึ่งๆหน้าเลย อ่านแล้วรู้สึกเพลียนะบางครั้ง
โดยเฉพาะเซบาสติยง-วิกตอเรีย-แมกซ์ สามคนนี้เหมือนจะรักสามเศร้าก็ไม่ใช่นะ ในเมื่อวิกตอเรียกับเซบาสติยงปราถนาในตัวกันละกันและมีอะไรกันบ่อย แต่ทั้งคู่ไม่ได้เอ่ยปากว่ารักกัน ส่วนแมกซ์บางครั้งก็ดูเหมือนพยายามจะซ่อนความรู้สึกที่มีต่อวิกตอเรียเอาไว้ บางครั้งก็ดูคล้ายๆกับว่าเขาไม่ได้สนใจอะไรในตัวของหล่อนเลย ยิ่งอ่านยิ่งสับสน
January 14, 2010
Colleen Gleason continues to prove to her editors and readers that she is a cut above other mass-market romance fiction novelists. In her latest installment of the Gardella Vampire Chronicles, Gleason has once again shown that she can lay a complex buffet for her readers to feast on. Who else could have come up with the premise of a Regency heroine vampire slayer that is originally and legitimately well done?
The Bleeding Dusk takes us to Rome this time, where Victoria must find a way beyond the trauma and chaos of the past year, and delve into her strength to become the new Illa Gardella. Armed with two vis bullae, she, Max, Sebastian and her Venators must prevent the combined dark forces of demons and vampires from opening La Porta Alchemica or the Door of Alchemy. It is path fraught with sacrifice. Gleason is not into pacification. She is not going to give us an easy read where we have the end game in our sights.
Gleason deliberately toys with us with regard to Victoria's love interests and more, stops on a dime, and reverses in another direction. In many ways it works.
Throughout this entire series, I was strongly reminded of Ken Russell's movie "Gothic" intermeshed with Buffy. And I haven't seen such painstaking attention to detail since Chelsea Quinn Yarbro.
Gleason tamps down the romantic element-this series reads stronger as sci-fi/fantasy, not romance (even though its marketed as romance), though there are elements of it-but that won't detract readers by any means. This is how the genre is evolving. Romance seems to be an area of growth for Gleason, and I eagerly anticipate seeing it flourish. Particularly in balancing the romance aspects with suspense. The current conundrum of Sebastian and Max is a bittersweet torment-especially with the sacrifice that Max has to make. The finale...well... it's quite a finale. Grossly enrapturing.
Those watching should bear careful consideration: Gleason can only go up from here.
Unbelievable that this is a Signet Eclipse...which is a gentle warning to her editors....at this skill level you might not have her for long...Copyright(c)Nicola Mattos
The Bleeding Dusk takes us to Rome this time, where Victoria must find a way beyond the trauma and chaos of the past year, and delve into her strength to become the new Illa Gardella. Armed with two vis bullae, she, Max, Sebastian and her Venators must prevent the combined dark forces of demons and vampires from opening La Porta Alchemica or the Door of Alchemy. It is path fraught with sacrifice. Gleason is not into pacification. She is not going to give us an easy read where we have the end game in our sights.
Gleason deliberately toys with us with regard to Victoria's love interests and more, stops on a dime, and reverses in another direction. In many ways it works.
Throughout this entire series, I was strongly reminded of Ken Russell's movie "Gothic" intermeshed with Buffy. And I haven't seen such painstaking attention to detail since Chelsea Quinn Yarbro.
Gleason tamps down the romantic element-this series reads stronger as sci-fi/fantasy, not romance (even though its marketed as romance), though there are elements of it-but that won't detract readers by any means. This is how the genre is evolving. Romance seems to be an area of growth for Gleason, and I eagerly anticipate seeing it flourish. Particularly in balancing the romance aspects with suspense. The current conundrum of Sebastian and Max is a bittersweet torment-especially with the sacrifice that Max has to make. The finale...well... it's quite a finale. Grossly enrapturing.
Those watching should bear careful consideration: Gleason can only go up from here.
Unbelievable that this is a Signet Eclipse...which is a gentle warning to her editors....at this skill level you might not have her for long...Copyright(c)Nicola Mattos
March 22, 2018
The Bleeding Dusk, book 3, starts off with Max seeking out none other than the evil queen herself, Lilith. She offers him a choice, remain under her thrall, or remove her marks forever, taking with them his Venator powers and all his memories of the paranormal world. He would be a mere mortal free to live out the rest of his life in ignorance.
What choice will he make, and how will it effect the rest of the Venators after recently loosing their leader?
Victoria, still struggling with the loss of her aunt, is also learning how to be Illa Gardella, leader of the Venators. She is the youngest of the bunch, but her blood calls her to the top. To make matters worse, she once again has to juggle her duel lifestyle when she is surprised with a visit from her mother and friends. How will she keep her family safe from the vampires?
Add to all the stress she's already feeling with her passionate, yet confusing feelings for Sebastian. He's been leading his own duel life, balancing his loyalties between Victoria and his vampire grandfather, Beauregard. He will eventually have to make a choice... which side will he choose?
This book is an absolute page turner. It will keep you up into the early morning hours. This is not my first time reading the series and I was still pulled into the plot and struck by the brilliance that is Colleen Gleason's writing!
What choice will he make, and how will it effect the rest of the Venators after recently loosing their leader?
Victoria, still struggling with the loss of her aunt, is also learning how to be Illa Gardella, leader of the Venators. She is the youngest of the bunch, but her blood calls her to the top. To make matters worse, she once again has to juggle her duel lifestyle when she is surprised with a visit from her mother and friends. How will she keep her family safe from the vampires?
Add to all the stress she's already feeling with her passionate, yet confusing feelings for Sebastian. He's been leading his own duel life, balancing his loyalties between Victoria and his vampire grandfather, Beauregard. He will eventually have to make a choice... which side will he choose?
This book is an absolute page turner. It will keep you up into the early morning hours. This is not my first time reading the series and I was still pulled into the plot and struck by the brilliance that is Colleen Gleason's writing!
July 16, 2008
For all my LDS friends, these 'Gardella Vampire Chronicles' books tend to have some "romance" in them. While it's easy enough to skip over those parts, if scenes like that in any way make you uncomfortable, I recommend you skip these books (although they're really good!) I first read about these books on the book blogs of some other LDS people, so I wasn't really sure what to expect. Like I said, though, skip them if you're uncomfortable with love scenes.
July 19, 2016
Great world-building and strong character development make for a brilliant read that kept me interested from the very first page. I loved Victoria and Max and all the characters that surround them; interactions between characters are always fun with extra elements of intrigue.
The mythos that Gleason created is so well rounded and logical that I had no problem following the action even though I started the series with book 2.
Definitely a series that I look forward to following.
The mythos that Gleason created is so well rounded and logical that I had no problem following the action even though I started the series with book 2.
Definitely a series that I look forward to following.
December 21, 2009
Although Victoria often annoyed the crap out of me with her stubbornness and the game of cat and mouse, this installment was so fraught with tension and heartbreak that I'm still holding my breath! What next! What next!
June 5, 2015
This series is getting better with each book! I don't like the protagonist, Victoria, but I like how the story is developing.
June 17, 2018
4.0 - Voto
"Le loro bocche si abbandonarono e si divorarono come fossero state improvvisamente liberate, dopo essere state a lungo costrette. Le prese i fianchi per tirarli bruscamente contro i suoi; poi le accarezzò la schiena, sfiorandole il viso con le labbra e sussurrando il suo nome mentre la baciava. Victoria sentì la sua camicia bagnata sotto le mani, il calore del lino che si modellava sul suo petto mentre lo accarezzava, e poi finalmente la sua pelle sotto la camicia."
In La rivolta dei vampiri, terzo capitolo della saga L’eredità dei Gardella ci troviamo davanti all’epilogo più triste a cui un Cacciatore debba andare incontro: l’uccisione della sua Guida per dimostrare la fedeltà al nemico, al fine di poterne sconfiggere uno più grande.
Il demone Akvan è risorto, ma per avere la forza necessaria a compiere le sue nefande azioni ha bisogno di nutrirsi di cadaveri, ed è deciso ad aprire la Porta Alchemica situata a Roma.
Lady Victoria è sempre invischiata nell’ardua scelta del suo amante, e in questo terzo capitolo della serie non ho proprio saputo per chi fare il tifo. La colpa è probabilmente da attribuire al fatto che tutti e due i personaggi, anzi tre, (Sebastian, Max e Zavier) sono ricchi di risvolti positivi e negativi, che fanno della loro personalità una caratterizzazione unica per gli uomini di quell’epoca.
Sono stata molto combattuta sul voto da dare a questa lettura, credo che, per ora, sia stato il libro della saga che ho più faticato a leggere, per via di un inizio un po’ lento e ricco di descrizioni. Poi, giunti alla metà del volume, troviamo un’impennata decisiva nella storia e un susseguirsi di colpi di scena. Vediamo alternarsi sensualità e azione tra i personaggi principali ed è questo il motivo per cui alla fine ho optato per un quattro. La scrittura è sempre molto fluida, i personaggi e le ambientazioni sempre ben caratterizzati.
Quello che ho amato di più in assoluto è che, in questi primi tre romanzi della serie, i cattivi sono davvero cattivi e, anche se Sebastian non sa bene da che parte stare a causa della sua parentela con il non morto più importante della specie, ha un ruolo fondamentale nella costruzione della storia e nelle partite di cuore con Victoria.
È sicuramente una serie che consiglio agli amanti del genere.
Maljka - per RFS
"Le loro bocche si abbandonarono e si divorarono come fossero state improvvisamente liberate, dopo essere state a lungo costrette. Le prese i fianchi per tirarli bruscamente contro i suoi; poi le accarezzò la schiena, sfiorandole il viso con le labbra e sussurrando il suo nome mentre la baciava. Victoria sentì la sua camicia bagnata sotto le mani, il calore del lino che si modellava sul suo petto mentre lo accarezzava, e poi finalmente la sua pelle sotto la camicia."
In La rivolta dei vampiri, terzo capitolo della saga L’eredità dei Gardella ci troviamo davanti all’epilogo più triste a cui un Cacciatore debba andare incontro: l’uccisione della sua Guida per dimostrare la fedeltà al nemico, al fine di poterne sconfiggere uno più grande.
Il demone Akvan è risorto, ma per avere la forza necessaria a compiere le sue nefande azioni ha bisogno di nutrirsi di cadaveri, ed è deciso ad aprire la Porta Alchemica situata a Roma.
Lady Victoria è sempre invischiata nell’ardua scelta del suo amante, e in questo terzo capitolo della serie non ho proprio saputo per chi fare il tifo. La colpa è probabilmente da attribuire al fatto che tutti e due i personaggi, anzi tre, (Sebastian, Max e Zavier) sono ricchi di risvolti positivi e negativi, che fanno della loro personalità una caratterizzazione unica per gli uomini di quell’epoca.
Sono stata molto combattuta sul voto da dare a questa lettura, credo che, per ora, sia stato il libro della saga che ho più faticato a leggere, per via di un inizio un po’ lento e ricco di descrizioni. Poi, giunti alla metà del volume, troviamo un’impennata decisiva nella storia e un susseguirsi di colpi di scena. Vediamo alternarsi sensualità e azione tra i personaggi principali ed è questo il motivo per cui alla fine ho optato per un quattro. La scrittura è sempre molto fluida, i personaggi e le ambientazioni sempre ben caratterizzati.
Quello che ho amato di più in assoluto è che, in questi primi tre romanzi della serie, i cattivi sono davvero cattivi e, anche se Sebastian non sa bene da che parte stare a causa della sua parentela con il non morto più importante della specie, ha un ruolo fondamentale nella costruzione della storia e nelle partite di cuore con Victoria.
È sicuramente una serie che consiglio agli amanti del genere.
Maljka - per RFS
August 1, 2019
Welp, I am officially bowing out of reading this series, with this book being the proverbial nail in the coffin. It was bad enough that Victoria's lack of consent in all her relationships only got worse this book—seriously, it's NOT SEXY to read about a protagonist constantly saying no and telling the love interest not to do something, only to have him do it anyway and her to magically enjoy it. Make the consent clearer! And stop having the love interest tie her up and kiss her against her will! It's not sexy!
Anyway, as if that wasn't bad enough, we got to the rape scene. And yes, I'm going to call it that. Not only did we have the lack of consent issue here, but we literally lost Victoria's perspective. The book inexplicably switches to the perspective of her two male love interests in the end chapters, so that instead of happening to Victoria, it's as if her rape/assault is happening to the MEN who allegedly care about her. Victoria has literally no voice in any of this right up until the end. It's Sebastian and Max's trauma, not hers. Well, fuck that noise lol. I'm out.
The only reason this gets 2 stars instead of 1 is because I hate giving 1 star and the book isn't awful outside of these issues. Unfortunately these issues are just too much and overwhelm the book. The author wants to simultaneously portray Victoria as a strong, powerful vampire huntress who is an in-control leader, but give her absolutely no control most of the time, and it just doesn't work.
Anyway, as if that wasn't bad enough, we got to the rape scene. And yes, I'm going to call it that. Not only did we have the lack of consent issue here, but we literally lost Victoria's perspective. The book inexplicably switches to the perspective of her two male love interests in the end chapters, so that instead of happening to Victoria, it's as if her rape/assault is happening to the MEN who allegedly care about her. Victoria has literally no voice in any of this right up until the end. It's Sebastian and Max's trauma, not hers. Well, fuck that noise lol. I'm out.
The only reason this gets 2 stars instead of 1 is because I hate giving 1 star and the book isn't awful outside of these issues. Unfortunately these issues are just too much and overwhelm the book. The author wants to simultaneously portray Victoria as a strong, powerful vampire huntress who is an in-control leader, but give her absolutely no control most of the time, and it just doesn't work.
July 16, 2020
Questa serie era partita incerta e poi ha ingranato la marcia a più non posso con il pregio della diminuzione dei tempi di pubblicazione tra un volume e l'altro...e visto che questo si è concluso con un bel 4*** pari a un 9- allora aspetto ottobre per continuare la mia tiritera da lettrice.
In questo volume se ne vedono di tutti i colori, dalle lacrime alle risate, dai tormenti e patimenti agli altarini semi svelati e maggior schieramento dei personaggi e della loro caratterizzazione.
Partiamo da Sebastian che da un completo infischiamento per i miei interessi ha acquistato un certo charme nelle ultime battute dando un po' di midollo a quella sua spina dorsale cosi' poco convincente...ma non mi toccate Max che ormai mi ha totalmente stregato con quel suo carattere iroso ma che nasconde MOLTO soprattutto nei riguardi di Victoria come ormai sospetto sempre più. Victoria poi, matura e cresce libro dopo libro, diventando la Cacciatrice che deve essere la Illa e che ora temo non sarà solo tale ma qualcosa in più se manterrà salda la pelle anche nel prossimo volume.
Parti comiche il trio delle ciarlieri nobili inglesine, dette anche (da me) il trio di Winnie the pooh che se le va a cercare tutte con le situazioni vampiresche tanto da riuscire a conquistare, capitare, o qual che si vuole nell'azione per poi lasciarsi scivolare il tutto languidamente!
Bello, bello e bello..ed ora che le cose si fanno appetitose aspetto il 4° e pace all'anima mia.
In questo volume se ne vedono di tutti i colori, dalle lacrime alle risate, dai tormenti e patimenti agli altarini semi svelati e maggior schieramento dei personaggi e della loro caratterizzazione.
Partiamo da Sebastian che da un completo infischiamento per i miei interessi ha acquistato un certo charme nelle ultime battute dando un po' di midollo a quella sua spina dorsale cosi' poco convincente...ma non mi toccate Max che ormai mi ha totalmente stregato con quel suo carattere iroso ma che nasconde MOLTO soprattutto nei riguardi di Victoria come ormai sospetto sempre più. Victoria poi, matura e cresce libro dopo libro, diventando la Cacciatrice che deve essere la Illa e che ora temo non sarà solo tale ma qualcosa in più se manterrà salda la pelle anche nel prossimo volume.
Parti comiche il trio delle ciarlieri nobili inglesine, dette anche (da me) il trio di Winnie the pooh che se le va a cercare tutte con le situazioni vampiresche tanto da riuscire a conquistare, capitare, o qual che si vuole nell'azione per poi lasciarsi scivolare il tutto languidamente!
Bello, bello e bello..ed ora che le cose si fanno appetitose aspetto il 4° e pace all'anima mia.
November 18, 2020
2.5 Stars
After Rises The Night this one was a disappointment. The way things ended in the second book I expected the author to show more maturity at handling the plot. This series had so much potential, in my opinion but it's the character development that has let it down.
After her aunt's death Victoria is now Illa Gardella. Instead of showing her as a true and powerful Gardella heir and the leader of the the Venators she comes through as weak with no control over any aspect of her life. She makes bad decisions and blame the outcome on other people. Victoria has two and a half love interests and they all are cold and manipulative. In fact, the romance is the worst part of the series. I like the vampire lore and the setting (Italy) however the plot felt a bit disjointed. The way it ended piqued my interest a bit so I might try the next book.
After Rises The Night this one was a disappointment. The way things ended in the second book I expected the author to show more maturity at handling the plot. This series had so much potential, in my opinion but it's the character development that has let it down.
After her aunt's death Victoria is now Illa Gardella. Instead of showing her as a true and powerful Gardella heir and the leader of the the Venators she comes through as weak with no control over any aspect of her life. She makes bad decisions and blame the outcome on other people. Victoria has two and a half love interests and they all are cold and manipulative. In fact, the romance is the worst part of the series. I like the vampire lore and the setting (Italy) however the plot felt a bit disjointed. The way it ended piqued my interest a bit so I might try the next book.
June 11, 2017
That it took me this long to finish the book had, in this case, nothing to do with the story and the way it was written, but all to do with my lack of time in the last weeks.
So Colleen Gleason gets better and better with each book so far. While the ones before had some parts that stretched a bit, this book was like a speed ride where everything as happening sooo fast and at the same time, that I wish I could've read it in one or two sittings...
There are sooo many turns, when I thought I had something figured out I didn't and I loved that!
I just wish I would've bought the next 2 books right away, cause I just need to know how the story continues! But well, at least I have now made the order! ;)
So Colleen Gleason gets better and better with each book so far. While the ones before had some parts that stretched a bit, this book was like a speed ride where everything as happening sooo fast and at the same time, that I wish I could've read it in one or two sittings...
There are sooo many turns, when I thought I had something figured out I didn't and I loved that!
I just wish I would've bought the next 2 books right away, cause I just need to know how the story continues! But well, at least I have now made the order! ;)
November 28, 2018
Terzo capitolo delle avventure di Victoria Gardella, decisamente poco riuscito. Non che manchi l'azione, e devo dire che tra tutti i libri che ho letto su cacciatori di vampiri, questi sono decisamente i migliori per quanto riguarda il metodo, il mondo che c'è dietro Illa Gardella e la mitologia dei vampiri.
La Gleason per fortuna ci fornisce ancora vampiri belli ma cattivi, refrattari alla luce del sole ma sensuali.
Il problema è il triangolo amoroso tra Victoria, Max e Sebastian, e tutte le scene d'amore tra lei e Sebastian. Che barba sinceramente, alcune sembrano piazzate lì giusto per mettere una scena osè, e Victoria in questo volume si fa baciare da chiunque. Non mi è piaciuto questo aspetto.
La Gleason per fortuna ci fornisce ancora vampiri belli ma cattivi, refrattari alla luce del sole ma sensuali.
Il problema è il triangolo amoroso tra Victoria, Max e Sebastian, e tutte le scene d'amore tra lei e Sebastian. Che barba sinceramente, alcune sembrano piazzate lì giusto per mettere una scena osè, e Victoria in questo volume si fa baciare da chiunque. Non mi è piaciuto questo aspetto.
April 29, 2024
Newly minted Summa Gardella, Lady Victoria Gardella Grantworth de Lacy descends on Rome in time for Carnivale, to lead the hunters under her to stop as many vampires as possible before they indulge or certainly over-indulge. Victoria could use Sebastian Vioget’s help and learns he only returned half her aunt’s belongings to her as his grandfather, legendary vampire, Beauregard would like to introduce Victoria to his version of life. Also, Sebastian has a secret that only gets him so far. Meanwhile, Max Pesaro has to decide if he wants to pay the very high cost of being released from Lilith’s thrall. Nope, still don’t care. I’m over historical Buffy.
Rating: 3.25stars
Rating: 3.25stars
August 18, 2019
I’m so invested in this series right now. I love where it’s going and this by far I think is my favorite. It’s probably an unpopular opinion but I absolutely love Sebastian ( since the first book)😍 and poor Max... every time he thinks he’s finally done with the Venators and his life.... nope. Poor guy always getting dragged back in to the fray. He seriously needs a vacation.
If you haven’t read this series I highly recommend it. Do not let the covers fool you. There is some wonderful storytelling here!
If you haven’t read this series I highly recommend it. Do not let the covers fool you. There is some wonderful storytelling here!
August 22, 2017
A RARE BOOK, WELL DONE
It whetted my appetite for more.
Characters are growing with each book of this series. In this book, Victoria is forced to take on her own destiny, to begin to grow into the woman she will be. An abundance of characters, good and evil, are killed off, and Sebastian makes dramatic decisions that will influence everyone.
The book has some violence, a bit of gore, and implied sex. Wonderful for anyone.
It whetted my appetite for more.
Characters are growing with each book of this series. In this book, Victoria is forced to take on her own destiny, to begin to grow into the woman she will be. An abundance of characters, good and evil, are killed off, and Sebastian makes dramatic decisions that will influence everyone.
The book has some violence, a bit of gore, and implied sex. Wonderful for anyone.
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