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The Draculia Vampire trilogy #3
The Vampire Narcise
Skilled in the seduction of men, both mortal and immortal, Narcise Moldavi is the greatest weapon in her twisted brother's war among the Dracule. Until she falls for Giordan Cale.
Her first searing encounter with Giordan seals their fierce connection. But Giordan's vow to help Narcise escape her brother's rule is followed by a betrayal more agonizing than sunlight.
Wounded but determined, Narcise ensnares vampire hunter Chas Woodmore in her quest for revenge and to reclaim her life. He wants her, worships her, will kill for her. And the Dracule never forget a wrong--nor do they forgive.
378 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 24, 2011
35 people are currently reading
966 people want to read
About the author
Colleen Gleason
105 books1,677 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 91 reviews
April 27, 2011
It's a rare thing for me to find a book that truly surprises me. I read a lot of books from the same genre and they tend to follow patterns. And though I enjoy many of them thoroughly and may find a minor surprise here or there, I'm rarely as wrong about a book as I was about this one.
I had lukewarm feelings for The Vampire Voss , but I forged on and found I really liked The Vampire Dimitri . The two books were similar in tone and seemed to set up a pattern I just expected the third installment to follow. But it didn't. I wasn't even right about who the love interest was, much less how the story would progress. Much to my surprise, this was the love story of Narcise and GIORDAN, not Narcise and Woodmore. Beyond that, it was not a rehash of the events of the first two books, but rather was set mostly before and after those events.
I usually detail at least a set-up on the plot of the books I review, but I really have already said too much. For those totally unfamiliar with the series, Narcise is a vampire held captive by her twisted brother. Giordan is the man who falls for her and risks everything to free her. (...I will not spoil... I will not spoil... I will not spoil...)
I am so glad I didn't stop after the first book. Or the second. This book blew me away. And I think part of it was the bait and switch from the first two installments. Brava, Colleen Gleason! I would definitely recommend the series. Just be prepared, this last book is far from sunshine and roses. There are some very low points for our characters here, some which include rape. It's a story about sacrifice, perseverance, and love. And definitely worth reading. 5 stars.
*ARC Provided by NetGalley
I had lukewarm feelings for The Vampire Voss , but I forged on and found I really liked The Vampire Dimitri . The two books were similar in tone and seemed to set up a pattern I just expected the third installment to follow. But it didn't. I wasn't even right about who the love interest was, much less how the story would progress. Much to my surprise, this was the love story of Narcise and GIORDAN, not Narcise and Woodmore. Beyond that, it was not a rehash of the events of the first two books, but rather was set mostly before and after those events.
I usually detail at least a set-up on the plot of the books I review, but I really have already said too much. For those totally unfamiliar with the series, Narcise is a vampire held captive by her twisted brother. Giordan is the man who falls for her and risks everything to free her. (...I will not spoil... I will not spoil... I will not spoil...)
I am so glad I didn't stop after the first book. Or the second. This book blew me away. And I think part of it was the bait and switch from the first two installments. Brava, Colleen Gleason! I would definitely recommend the series. Just be prepared, this last book is far from sunshine and roses. There are some very low points for our characters here, some which include rape. It's a story about sacrifice, perseverance, and love. And definitely worth reading. 5 stars.
*ARC Provided by NetGalley
December 19, 2014
Ok, I'm not sure if I did a good thing by finishing this book or I should have put it in my DNF shelf and completely forget about it. What started as a slow, disappointing book, only managed to turn in a frustrating one and it's a pity because this was a series I loved:(
Vampire Narcise, the heroine, is the sister of Cesar Moldavi, the vilain of the trilogy. In the previous books we saw her as a couple with the vampir hunter Chas Woodmore but surprisingly in the second book, we learned that there's a background story and much tension between her and Giordan Cale, another vampir. So, we had to wait anxiously to find out who the real hero would be in this final book.
The book starts by telling us Narcise's story and the abuse she's suffered in her brother's hands until she meets Giordan Cale. Narcise is so beautiful that every man -or vampire- who sees her lusts for her, and Giordan is no exception. But Giordan can also see the strong, proud woman underneath and it doesn't take him long to fall in love with her. However, freeing her from her brother's clatches, proves to be a very difficult task. Equally difficult, is the task of gaining Narcise's trust. Narcise who knows her effect on men, has been abused all her life and has trouble seeing that one of them could want something more from her than to simply bed her, even if she's tempted by the handsome Giordan. But Giordan swears that he wants to set her free and she wants so much to believe that...
What follows is a series of meetings -either clandestine or public- between Narcise and Giordan where he tries to entice her and gain her trust while trying to convince her brother that he doesn't care about her. What made me so angry that I dropped the book at that point, is that Giordan, a man who's described as dangerous, was too cautious and refused to actually take the risk of trying to save Narcise despite the opportunities that appeared, but tried to come up with a foulproof plan. It made him seem like a man of too many words and little action and frankly, I gave up on him as a hero after that.
Due to a huge misunderstanding, and despite his doing everything he could to save her, Narcise thinks Giordan left her to fend of for heself and starts to hate him. This is the point where the heroine as well was ruined for me. It didn't help that soon after that and for a very long while, the hero and heroine are apart, while the heroine starts a romantic relationship with another man. If the previous scenes hadn't killed my romantic mood, the following chapters thoroughly did.
Finally, she and the hero(?) meet again, there's dislike and tension between them and each hasn't forgotten the other. The heroine however still feels betrayed by him, and can't forgive Giordan. I could say I felt angry at her blindness, but I think that at that point I didn't much care except how they'd catch the bad guy. And how do they catch the bad guy? It was by sheer luck that they managed to vanquish him and if I didn't hate him so much, I'd laugh at their stupidness.
A most disappointing ending to a most interesting series. I had come to expect so much more from Ms Gleason:(
ARC provided by NetGalley
Vampire Narcise, the heroine, is the sister of Cesar Moldavi, the vilain of the trilogy. In the previous books we saw her as a couple with the vampir hunter Chas Woodmore but surprisingly in the second book, we learned that there's a background story and much tension between her and Giordan Cale, another vampir. So, we had to wait anxiously to find out who the real hero would be in this final book.
The book starts by telling us Narcise's story and the abuse she's suffered in her brother's hands until she meets Giordan Cale. Narcise is so beautiful that every man -or vampire- who sees her lusts for her, and Giordan is no exception. But Giordan can also see the strong, proud woman underneath and it doesn't take him long to fall in love with her. However, freeing her from her brother's clatches, proves to be a very difficult task. Equally difficult, is the task of gaining Narcise's trust. Narcise who knows her effect on men, has been abused all her life and has trouble seeing that one of them could want something more from her than to simply bed her, even if she's tempted by the handsome Giordan. But Giordan swears that he wants to set her free and she wants so much to believe that...
What follows is a series of meetings -either clandestine or public- between Narcise and Giordan where he tries to entice her and gain her trust while trying to convince her brother that he doesn't care about her. What made me so angry that I dropped the book at that point, is that Giordan, a man who's described as dangerous, was too cautious and refused to actually take the risk of trying to save Narcise despite the opportunities that appeared, but tried to come up with a foulproof plan. It made him seem like a man of too many words and little action and frankly, I gave up on him as a hero after that.
Due to a huge misunderstanding, and despite his doing everything he could to save her, Narcise thinks Giordan left her to fend of for heself and starts to hate him. This is the point where the heroine as well was ruined for me. It didn't help that soon after that and for a very long while, the hero and heroine are apart, while the heroine starts a romantic relationship with another man. If the previous scenes hadn't killed my romantic mood, the following chapters thoroughly did.
Finally, she and the hero(?) meet again, there's dislike and tension between them and each hasn't forgotten the other. The heroine however still feels betrayed by him, and can't forgive Giordan. I could say I felt angry at her blindness, but I think that at that point I didn't much care except how they'd catch the bad guy. And how do they catch the bad guy? It was by sheer luck that they managed to vanquish him and if I didn't hate him so much, I'd laugh at their stupidness.
A most disappointing ending to a most interesting series. I had come to expect so much more from Ms Gleason:(
ARC provided by NetGalley
June 18, 2011
Coleen Gleason’s Vampire Narcise is one of the rare romance novels that left me emotionally and physically exhausted. Ms. Gleason is bold in her plot development and angst. The primary characters – Narcise Moldavi, Giordan Cale, and Chas Woodmore are set on a collision course filled with peril and tragedy. This is the 3rd book in the Regency Draculia series. It could be read as a standalone but I would not recommend it. The story fills elements of the plot and timeline from the previous books. The three provide a complete story and the combined perspectives of each character.
Narcise Maldovi is a Dracule. She lives in a gilded cage provided compliments of her brother Cezar’s. This book explains the relationship between the siblings and the events that led up to her being on the run or a hostage. Cezar Moldavi is the protagonist in all three books. Chas Woodmore is built as the righteous vampire hunter who has either rescued or abducted Narcise Giordan is a friend of the vampires from the previous books – Voss and Demetri. Although involved in the plots of the previous books, he was not on the front burner. In Vampire Narcise, I wondered more than once why the book wasn’t named Vampire Giordan. He was that crucial.
As with the previous books, the dissaperance of Narcise and the mystery of the relationship between the Moldovi siblings is the launching point of all the drama. Each Dracule is at a specific place in his existence and mindset as it relates to his/her curse. Each book tells us what caused the character to make the horrific pack with the Devil for immortality. It’s a unique perspective and clearly shows that Ms. Gleason took the time to develop the persona of each character. The regency period in which the story takes place, gives us a decent sense of the peril of living in Europe during Napoleon’s rise to power. The articles of clothing, once again, were the best part for me. It’s amazing how much people wore. These details were fitting for the genre of historical romance and also gives us a taste of what Ms. Gleason could do if she moved to straight fantasy. I can't even imagine but it would be good...very good.
This is a adult tale -- point blank. The situations are raw and graphic. As a reader, I appreciated this and was shocked by it. I am not easy to shock. Let that be warning enough. This is a very intelligent work with many uneasy truths about human nature. Do we really know what we would do in situations of survival and desperation? Ms. Gleason will make you ask yourself that over and over again. I still don’t know but am glad for fact that Vampire Narcise made me think about it.
I hope Ms. Gleason has more books planned for this series and the characters. I am sold on this series.
I thank Netgalley for providing a copy of this book for my review.
Narcise Maldovi is a Dracule. She lives in a gilded cage provided compliments of her brother Cezar’s. This book explains the relationship between the siblings and the events that led up to her being on the run or a hostage. Cezar Moldavi is the protagonist in all three books. Chas Woodmore is built as the righteous vampire hunter who has either rescued or abducted Narcise Giordan is a friend of the vampires from the previous books – Voss and Demetri. Although involved in the plots of the previous books, he was not on the front burner. In Vampire Narcise, I wondered more than once why the book wasn’t named Vampire Giordan. He was that crucial.
As with the previous books, the dissaperance of Narcise and the mystery of the relationship between the Moldovi siblings is the launching point of all the drama. Each Dracule is at a specific place in his existence and mindset as it relates to his/her curse. Each book tells us what caused the character to make the horrific pack with the Devil for immortality. It’s a unique perspective and clearly shows that Ms. Gleason took the time to develop the persona of each character. The regency period in which the story takes place, gives us a decent sense of the peril of living in Europe during Napoleon’s rise to power. The articles of clothing, once again, were the best part for me. It’s amazing how much people wore. These details were fitting for the genre of historical romance and also gives us a taste of what Ms. Gleason could do if she moved to straight fantasy. I can't even imagine but it would be good...very good.
This is a adult tale -- point blank. The situations are raw and graphic. As a reader, I appreciated this and was shocked by it. I am not easy to shock. Let that be warning enough. This is a very intelligent work with many uneasy truths about human nature. Do we really know what we would do in situations of survival and desperation? Ms. Gleason will make you ask yourself that over and over again. I still don’t know but am glad for fact that Vampire Narcise made me think about it.
I hope Ms. Gleason has more books planned for this series and the characters. I am sold on this series.
I thank Netgalley for providing a copy of this book for my review.
June 9, 2011
I was blown away by the third installment of the Regency Draculia series by Colleen Gleason. The Vampire Narcise was an emotional roller coaster through hell for both the characters and reader alike.
Even though this is the third novel in a series I think it could be read as a stand-alone. With the first two novels; The Vampire Voss, I was so-so with. The Vampire Dimitri was better but the way the story was set up there for book three, and the pattern that those novels followed, I thought The Vampire Narcise would be more of the same. Boy was I ever wrong and I am so glad that I stuck through the series! I loved Goirdan when he first graced the pages in the previous novels and was rooting for him, but I thought The Vampire Narcise was going to go in a very different direction and to say that I was pleasantly surprised by it’s dramatic turn would be an understatement; I was ecstatic! The plot was new and fresh centering on Narcise’s captivity by her evil brother, Cezar Moldavi, and meeting Goirdan Cale. There is an instant attraction between the two and they carry on a budding relationship in secret that is so lovely in such a dark atmosphere. Here is one quote from Goirdan to give you a bit of a tease; “It’s only you, Narcise. Sometimes a man just knows.” Eventually though, Cezar becomes aware of his sisters actions and puts Goirdan in a terrible position that ultimately leads to a horrible misunderstanding causing a decade of heartache.
I wanted to hate Narcise in some instances, for her quick accusations and her lack of understanding and listening but I could also see how she could of mistook the situation. There was no way I could hate such a strong character that survived so much. Instead of cowering down to her brother and the atrocities he set upon her she learns to defend herself making her almost invincible. Both main characters were exceptionally strong though, in strength and spirit, despite the horrible abuse wrought on them. And Goirdan Cale, well, we could only hope to find a man as good as him to spend eternity with. These characters will stick with you long after you’ve turned the last page, I promise you that.
Gleason has developed a unique world with the Draculia, steeped in major historical events that were weaved into the storyline masterfully. The plot was deep, intense and dark with the possibility of love, although in no way promised, being the only light.
The Vampire Narcise is a story of love, sacrifice, trust, action, determination, hope and forgiveness and I would recommend it to all. Even if you don’t read the rest of the series, you must read this book!
http://paranormalromanceaddict.blogsp...
Even though this is the third novel in a series I think it could be read as a stand-alone. With the first two novels; The Vampire Voss, I was so-so with. The Vampire Dimitri was better but the way the story was set up there for book three, and the pattern that those novels followed, I thought The Vampire Narcise would be more of the same. Boy was I ever wrong and I am so glad that I stuck through the series! I loved Goirdan when he first graced the pages in the previous novels and was rooting for him, but I thought The Vampire Narcise was going to go in a very different direction and to say that I was pleasantly surprised by it’s dramatic turn would be an understatement; I was ecstatic! The plot was new and fresh centering on Narcise’s captivity by her evil brother, Cezar Moldavi, and meeting Goirdan Cale. There is an instant attraction between the two and they carry on a budding relationship in secret that is so lovely in such a dark atmosphere. Here is one quote from Goirdan to give you a bit of a tease; “It’s only you, Narcise. Sometimes a man just knows.” Eventually though, Cezar becomes aware of his sisters actions and puts Goirdan in a terrible position that ultimately leads to a horrible misunderstanding causing a decade of heartache.
I wanted to hate Narcise in some instances, for her quick accusations and her lack of understanding and listening but I could also see how she could of mistook the situation. There was no way I could hate such a strong character that survived so much. Instead of cowering down to her brother and the atrocities he set upon her she learns to defend herself making her almost invincible. Both main characters were exceptionally strong though, in strength and spirit, despite the horrible abuse wrought on them. And Goirdan Cale, well, we could only hope to find a man as good as him to spend eternity with. These characters will stick with you long after you’ve turned the last page, I promise you that.
Gleason has developed a unique world with the Draculia, steeped in major historical events that were weaved into the storyline masterfully. The plot was deep, intense and dark with the possibility of love, although in no way promised, being the only light.
The Vampire Narcise is a story of love, sacrifice, trust, action, determination, hope and forgiveness and I would recommend it to all. Even if you don’t read the rest of the series, you must read this book!
http://paranormalromanceaddict.blogsp...
June 11, 2011
This, the third in Gleason's Regency Draculia series, has "vampirs" both "turned" by Lucifer and "made" by other vampirs who are thus much weaker than the "turned" vampirs. And this is not all that is different with Gleason's vampires - each has an individual weakness will paralyze them with fear, making them helpless. A very nice variation to the vampire lore - as are Gleason's other inventive differences.
This paranormal romance, featuring as the central female character Narcise, is filled with family betrayal, a heartbreakingly huge sacrifice for love that is misconstrued as betrayal, a truly depraved and malevolent villan, love lost and found, excellent swordplay, wasted time and reunited love.
This story is unique in that it features two heros (no, not a three-some); Giordan, a turned vampir and Chas a vampir hunter - both possess a masculine beauty.
On a sensual scale of 1-4, I rate it a 3. Giordan talks very sexy - would have been excellent at phone sex. There is a very hot scene involving him handcuffed to a wall allowing Narcise to have her way with him. And it is always hot on the rug in front of a fireplace fire. However there is also attempted rape and mention of past rapes. Also occasional m/m action that is very tastefully portrayed without getting into the mechanics - not enough to push this into the erotica genre.
This series and author are new to me but the summary had me very interested in reading this book even though I had not read the other books in the series. Which, it turned out, is not an issue. This is a completely self contained story. There are characters in it I'm sure appear and/or were introduced in earlier books but they were just here as secondary characters seamlessly weaved into the story.
I enjoyed the story giving it a content rating of 4 out of 5 stars, even though much was heartbreaking (but that makes for a good story, no?), and I think fans of the paranormal romance, urban fantasy and vampire genres will like this as well.
Warning - Spoiler Alert!!!!
This does have a HEA ending in case fans of happy endings are turned off by those books without one.
This paranormal romance, featuring as the central female character Narcise, is filled with family betrayal, a heartbreakingly huge sacrifice for love that is misconstrued as betrayal, a truly depraved and malevolent villan, love lost and found, excellent swordplay, wasted time and reunited love.
This story is unique in that it features two heros (no, not a three-some); Giordan, a turned vampir and Chas a vampir hunter - both possess a masculine beauty.
On a sensual scale of 1-4, I rate it a 3. Giordan talks very sexy - would have been excellent at phone sex. There is a very hot scene involving him handcuffed to a wall allowing Narcise to have her way with him. And it is always hot on the rug in front of a fireplace fire. However there is also attempted rape and mention of past rapes. Also occasional m/m action that is very tastefully portrayed without getting into the mechanics - not enough to push this into the erotica genre.
This series and author are new to me but the summary had me very interested in reading this book even though I had not read the other books in the series. Which, it turned out, is not an issue. This is a completely self contained story. There are characters in it I'm sure appear and/or were introduced in earlier books but they were just here as secondary characters seamlessly weaved into the story.
I enjoyed the story giving it a content rating of 4 out of 5 stars, even though much was heartbreaking (but that makes for a good story, no?), and I think fans of the paranormal romance, urban fantasy and vampire genres will like this as well.
Warning - Spoiler Alert!!!!
This does have a HEA ending in case fans of happy endings are turned off by those books without one.
April 25, 2011
I'm calling this a strong 3.269435
Maybe I should have waited longer between Dimitri and Narcise. Because Dimitri, oh Dimitri. It was by far the strongest book.
Maybe I would have preferred this more form Giordans POV. I have no idea. I liked Narcise. I understood her. I think the transitions were too jarring for me, the jumpy timeline was intrusive. it seemed every break was one week later. two weeks later, ten years later, etc. It just seemed choppy and was really a bit annoying to me. I really felt like all these scenes were tossed in a blender and spit back out. Beyond that. I didn't understand what was happening. I *think* something was said about Giordan being special in the Voss book, but don't remember, whereas all other aspects that transcend the novels are repeated throughout.
Reading this one it seems that it was the last and most difficult to piece together from the existing timeline. I liked the interaction with the whatever it is that speaks to each of them, Voss' woman, Dimitri's bookseller. We were really left wondering with the cat and what was happening with Giordan and I would have liked more about that. I still feel very confused about what happened differently there and why. Sure sometimes there is no why, but the why was answered in that respect with the other two, this one is just. Missing. We don't have the Giordan story, it is just thrown in, like so many facts that we just have to accept. But the story was in the search and we missed that. I really didn't like that whole thing. The difference between them and Voss and Dimitri intrigues me, but the backstory really was lacking for me, the vintage and her dude came out of nowhere, and it really didn't sit well in my eyes.
I am frustrated. I guess that much is obvious. Dimitri was so well done, the build from the previous book was perfect, the tension in his book was palpable and spot on. It just really unravelled for me in this one. There was too much story for the book. So much that wasn't told, or was just glossed over. Suddenly they are back from Scotland. What? NO. sigh.
I received this book from Netgalley for review
Plus, why can't they go in through the armpit? Just saying.
I was stuck in this book from the beginning, waiting for it to get pulled together like the other two. I didn't throw my iPad across the room, but I did toss it on my pillow at the end because it was over, and I was all confused. WFTckry abounds in this one, my eyeballs are dizzy from rolling.
I want to say... something else. I don't know what. I love Gleason's writing, and her characters. I desperately wish the book was different, but for every one of me there will be a hundred of me who love it dearly without a doubt and that makes me smile. There was a beutiful story in there somewhere, I just couldn't get past the befuddlery to get to it.
As for the cover, it is just kinda meh. Dimitri should have the red cover. Aside from that, the dude is asleep on the cover. That is NOT hot.
Color me frustrated.
Maybe I should have waited longer between Dimitri and Narcise. Because Dimitri, oh Dimitri. It was by far the strongest book.
Maybe I would have preferred this more form Giordans POV. I have no idea. I liked Narcise. I understood her. I think the transitions were too jarring for me, the jumpy timeline was intrusive. it seemed every break was one week later. two weeks later, ten years later, etc. It just seemed choppy and was really a bit annoying to me. I really felt like all these scenes were tossed in a blender and spit back out. Beyond that. I didn't understand what was happening. I *think* something was said about Giordan being special in the Voss book, but don't remember, whereas all other aspects that transcend the novels are repeated throughout.
Reading this one it seems that it was the last and most difficult to piece together from the existing timeline. I liked the interaction with the whatever it is that speaks to each of them, Voss' woman, Dimitri's bookseller. We were really left wondering with the cat and what was happening with Giordan and I would have liked more about that. I still feel very confused about what happened differently there and why. Sure sometimes there is no why, but the why was answered in that respect with the other two, this one is just. Missing. We don't have the Giordan story, it is just thrown in, like so many facts that we just have to accept. But the story was in the search and we missed that. I really didn't like that whole thing. The difference between them and Voss and Dimitri intrigues me, but the backstory really was lacking for me, the vintage and her dude came out of nowhere, and it really didn't sit well in my eyes.
I am frustrated. I guess that much is obvious. Dimitri was so well done, the build from the previous book was perfect, the tension in his book was palpable and spot on. It just really unravelled for me in this one. There was too much story for the book. So much that wasn't told, or was just glossed over. Suddenly they are back from Scotland. What? NO. sigh.
I received this book from Netgalley for review
Plus, why can't they go in through the armpit? Just saying.
I was stuck in this book from the beginning, waiting for it to get pulled together like the other two. I didn't throw my iPad across the room, but I did toss it on my pillow at the end because it was over, and I was all confused. WFTckry abounds in this one, my eyeballs are dizzy from rolling.
I want to say... something else. I don't know what. I love Gleason's writing, and her characters. I desperately wish the book was different, but for every one of me there will be a hundred of me who love it dearly without a doubt and that makes me smile. There was a beutiful story in there somewhere, I just couldn't get past the befuddlery to get to it.
As for the cover, it is just kinda meh. Dimitri should have the red cover. Aside from that, the dude is asleep on the cover. That is NOT hot.
Color me frustrated.
May 13, 2012
Terzo volume della serie Regency Draculia. Basato stavolta su di una donna,Narcise Moldavi,conosciuta in precedenza. Lei è la sorella di Cesar Moldavi,un altro Draculiano feroce e privo di scrupoli. Una sorta di vero e proprio mostro. Lei è una giovane donna, bellissima e spregiudicata. Sembra nata per affascinare tutti e proprio per questa sua capacità è sempre stata un'arma letale nelle mani del fratello. Finché si innamora di Giordan Cale. Ma questi,dopo averle giurato amore eterno, la tradisce nel più crudele dei modi(lo sorprenderà insieme al fratello Cesar). Da quel momento Narcise vivrà solo per la vendetta. Così, quando incontra Chas Woodmore(fratello di Maia e Angelica), un cacciatore di vampiri, capisce che lui è lo strumento indispensabile per saziare la sua sete: quell'uomo la vuole, l'adora, sarebbe disposto a uccidere per lei. E Narcise non è una donna che dimentica o che perdona. Ma è una trappola in cui finirà lei stessa perché alla passione(quella vera) non c’è scampo,non ci si può sottrarre. Come il precedente è un buon libro. Devo ammettere che la Gleason ci propone un Ottocento con tutti i crismi. Sono rimasta sorpresa dalla competenza con cui descrive le varie parti dei vestiti dell’epoca e dalla perfetta ed efficace ambientazione. Soprattutto i classici balli in maschera e le usanze tipiche del tempo. Narcise è un personaggio ambizioso da rappresentare. Forte e al tempo stesso debole,sfacciata ed ingenua. Una miscela esplosiva che unita ad un altro Draculiano crea una storia davvero intrigante. Obbligata alla promiscuità,tuttavia Narcise ha rispetto per se stessa e cede ad un Jordan solo per sentimento. Il romanzo è diviso in tre parti:
1- Troviamo la descrizione della vita a cui Narcise è sottoposta dal fratello,i combattimenti che è costretta ad affrontare(solo vincendo non dovrà prostituirsi per dilettare Cesar grande voyer),la nascita del sentimento fra Jordan e Narcise e il tradimento(in realtà è un sacrificio) dell’uomo che sembra averle cambiato la vita e concesso un po’ di rispetto.
2- Nella seconda parte c’è la fuga di Narcise ad opera di Chas Woodmore e il rapporto ambiguo che si crea fra di loro. Una sorta di amore da parte di lui e condiscendenza da parte di lei. Irrompe di nuovo sulla scena Jordan dopo dieci anni di lontananza.
3- Narcise realizza cosa significa essere liberi e per amore della propria terra torna da Cesar per impedire un attacco di Napoleone. Si scopre cosa ha fatto in realtà Jordan e ovviamente c’è un finale diverso ancora dai precedenti.
La cattiveria insita nel personaggio di Cesar è fuori dal comune,non solo si nutre di bambini e li uccide,ma obbliga la sorella a prostituirsi distruggendone l’esistenza. Jordan invece è forse ciò che di meglio Narcise possa incontrare,malgrado una vita passata di dolore e crudeltà. È un personaggio fin troppo buono che pur ferito da Narcise,saprà perdonarla. Come per il precedente direi tre stelline.
1- Troviamo la descrizione della vita a cui Narcise è sottoposta dal fratello,i combattimenti che è costretta ad affrontare(solo vincendo non dovrà prostituirsi per dilettare Cesar grande voyer),la nascita del sentimento fra Jordan e Narcise e il tradimento(in realtà è un sacrificio) dell’uomo che sembra averle cambiato la vita e concesso un po’ di rispetto.
2- Nella seconda parte c’è la fuga di Narcise ad opera di Chas Woodmore e il rapporto ambiguo che si crea fra di loro. Una sorta di amore da parte di lui e condiscendenza da parte di lei. Irrompe di nuovo sulla scena Jordan dopo dieci anni di lontananza.
3- Narcise realizza cosa significa essere liberi e per amore della propria terra torna da Cesar per impedire un attacco di Napoleone. Si scopre cosa ha fatto in realtà Jordan e ovviamente c’è un finale diverso ancora dai precedenti.
La cattiveria insita nel personaggio di Cesar è fuori dal comune,non solo si nutre di bambini e li uccide,ma obbliga la sorella a prostituirsi distruggendone l’esistenza. Jordan invece è forse ciò che di meglio Narcise possa incontrare,malgrado una vita passata di dolore e crudeltà. È un personaggio fin troppo buono che pur ferito da Narcise,saprà perdonarla. Come per il precedente direi tre stelline.
April 30, 2011
This is a Quickie Review. For the full review, please visit The Romanceaholic.
Expected Release Date: May 31, 2011
Publisher: Harlequin
Imprint: Mira
Author’s Website: http://www.colleengleason.com/
My Source for This Book: Netgalley
Part of a Series: Yes, Book 3, The Regency Draculia
Series Best Read In Order: Yes
Steam Level: Hot
I am very, very torn on my rating for this novel.
Narcise never appealed to me as a character in the first novel, The Vampire Voss. She seemed spoiled, arrogant, and quite frankly, unintriguing. It was only during the second novel, The Vampire Dimitri, that I began to warm up to her as a possible heroine of her own story. So admittedly, I began this novel with mixed feelings, and those feelings only became more and more confused as my reading progressed.
Narcise is horribly abused during her captivity with her brother. She’s repeatedly raped, abused, used for entertainment, and a pawn in her sick brother’s many machinations. While she is endowed with a great deal of strength, both mentally and physically, she is both cosseted and detested, and lives in a strange combination of torturous abuse and a gilded cage.
Giordian, on the other hand, has intrigued me from the beginning. Learning of his tortured past only made me feel much more strongly towards him, and the mutual feeling of betrayal between the two captured my attention at the start.
My mixed feelings, however, come through on how the plot has progressed.
On one hand, I love both the world of the Dracule and Colleen Gleason’s writing style. She has a way of giving such a fresh view on even the darkest of subjects, and of beautifully illustrating the struggles of those who long-ago made the wrong bargain with Lucifer. On the other hand, there comes a point in a romance novel when the strife and angst begin to take center stage over the actual relationship, and I believe . Both Cale and Naricse are so abused in life that even at the end, I didn’t feel that overwhelming sense of contentment that I look for when finishing a romance. The resolution, while refreshingly different from the resolutions of the previous novels in the series, still left me feeling rather empty, and quite frankly I didn’t care for the fact that .
Had the confrontation with Caesar been handled differently when Narcise first returned to France, I likely would’ve gone higher. As it is, I am going to have to go with a middle of the road, 3.5/5 Stars.
Expected Release Date: May 31, 2011
Publisher: Harlequin
Imprint: Mira
Author’s Website: http://www.colleengleason.com/
My Source for This Book: Netgalley
Part of a Series: Yes, Book 3, The Regency Draculia
Series Best Read In Order: Yes
Steam Level: Hot
I am very, very torn on my rating for this novel.
Narcise never appealed to me as a character in the first novel, The Vampire Voss. She seemed spoiled, arrogant, and quite frankly, unintriguing. It was only during the second novel, The Vampire Dimitri, that I began to warm up to her as a possible heroine of her own story. So admittedly, I began this novel with mixed feelings, and those feelings only became more and more confused as my reading progressed.
Narcise is horribly abused during her captivity with her brother. She’s repeatedly raped, abused, used for entertainment, and a pawn in her sick brother’s many machinations. While she is endowed with a great deal of strength, both mentally and physically, she is both cosseted and detested, and lives in a strange combination of torturous abuse and a gilded cage.
Giordian, on the other hand, has intrigued me from the beginning. Learning of his tortured past only made me feel much more strongly towards him, and the mutual feeling of betrayal between the two captured my attention at the start.
My mixed feelings, however, come through on how the plot has progressed.
On one hand, I love both the world of the Dracule and Colleen Gleason’s writing style. She has a way of giving such a fresh view on even the darkest of subjects, and of beautifully illustrating the struggles of those who long-ago made the wrong bargain with Lucifer. On the other hand, there comes a point in a romance novel when the strife and angst begin to take center stage over the actual relationship, and I believe . Both Cale and Naricse are so abused in life that even at the end, I didn’t feel that overwhelming sense of contentment that I look for when finishing a romance. The resolution, while refreshingly different from the resolutions of the previous novels in the series, still left me feeling rather empty, and quite frankly I didn’t care for the fact that .
Had the confrontation with Caesar been handled differently when Narcise first returned to France, I likely would’ve gone higher. As it is, I am going to have to go with a middle of the road, 3.5/5 Stars.
April 16, 2014
«Ho fatto tutto per te, Narcise. Posso affrontare qualsiasi cosa sapendo che dall'altra parte ci sei tu.»
Nei volumi precedenti il personaggio di Narcise aveva brillato per la sua antipatia (pur facendomi anche pena, perché è chiaro che nelle mani del malvagio fratello vive una vita di abusi e violenza, nel suo libro ancora più descritta), perciò dire che non ero entusiasta all'idea di leggere la sua storia sarebbe un'eufemismo XD Visto che però è l'ultimo della trilogia mi son fatta coraggio e l'ho letto e devo dire che rispetto agli altri due sicuramente presenta più originalità (sopratutto nel finale, non c'è la "solita" redenzione) e più crudeltà, del resto siamo nel covo del "super-cattivo" u.u Pur essendo l'ultimo della trilogia, si svolge temporalmente prima degli altri due, incrociandosi con gli eventi di Voss e Dimitri solo verso la fine. Finalmente scopriamo i rapporti tra la bella vampira e Giordan Cale, come si sono incontrati, come si sono innamorati e come il fratello di lei sia riuscito a separarli, facendo passare il sacrificio di Cale per un tradimento (il fatto che Narcise ci sia cascata così facilmente però è assurdo! O.o). Questa è senza dubbio la parte che ho preferito, pur essendo piuttosto cupa, perchè dopo un salto di una decina d'anni entra in gioco il cacciatore di vampiri Chas che da il via al solito, odiato triangolo. Sappiamo tutti qual'è il vero amore di Narcise, ma l'autrice non si fa problemi ad "utilizzare" il povero (ma un po' bigotto) Chas come burattino della bella vampira, che non si fa problemi a farne il suo amante (si, va a letto con entrambi D:) prima per scappare poi per ripicca/tiepido affetto/conforto. Alla fin fine l'happy ending trionfa (certo la botta di bontà finale ce la potevamo risparmiare, a me piace che i cattivi abbiano quello che si meritano! >.<) ma mi è dispiaciuto che Chas sia rimasto solo soletto, con il suo cuoricino spezzato e circondato da coppiette felici XD Ma che cattiveria Colleen!! XD
Nei volumi precedenti il personaggio di Narcise aveva brillato per la sua antipatia (pur facendomi anche pena, perché è chiaro che nelle mani del malvagio fratello vive una vita di abusi e violenza, nel suo libro ancora più descritta), perciò dire che non ero entusiasta all'idea di leggere la sua storia sarebbe un'eufemismo XD Visto che però è l'ultimo della trilogia mi son fatta coraggio e l'ho letto e devo dire che rispetto agli altri due sicuramente presenta più originalità (sopratutto nel finale, non c'è la "solita" redenzione) e più crudeltà, del resto siamo nel covo del "super-cattivo" u.u Pur essendo l'ultimo della trilogia, si svolge temporalmente prima degli altri due, incrociandosi con gli eventi di Voss e Dimitri solo verso la fine. Finalmente scopriamo i rapporti tra la bella vampira e Giordan Cale, come si sono incontrati, come si sono innamorati e come il fratello di lei sia riuscito a separarli, facendo passare il sacrificio di Cale per un tradimento (il fatto che Narcise ci sia cascata così facilmente però è assurdo! O.o). Questa è senza dubbio la parte che ho preferito, pur essendo piuttosto cupa, perchè dopo un salto di una decina d'anni entra in gioco il cacciatore di vampiri Chas che da il via al solito, odiato triangolo. Sappiamo tutti qual'è il vero amore di Narcise, ma l'autrice non si fa problemi ad "utilizzare" il povero (ma un po' bigotto) Chas come burattino della bella vampira, che non si fa problemi a farne il suo amante (si, va a letto con entrambi D:) prima per scappare poi per ripicca/tiepido affetto/conforto. Alla fin fine l'happy ending trionfa (certo la botta di bontà finale ce la potevamo risparmiare, a me piace che i cattivi abbiano quello che si meritano! >.<) ma mi è dispiaciuto che Chas sia rimasto solo soletto, con il suo cuoricino spezzato e circondato da coppiette felici XD Ma che cattiveria Colleen!! XD
May 19, 2011
I think this series has been getting progressively better with each of the books. And that's saying something because I've enjoyed all of them in different ways. However, this one was the most emotionally charged of the bunch and the things that our main characters had to go through to end up where they did were equal parts hard to read about and completely captivating.
Giordan and Narcise's relationship was fraught with difficulties from the first. I loved how Giordan saw what he wanted and found a way to go after it despite all the roadblocks that were thrown up to keep he and Narcise apart. He was strong and when life threw him a terrible curveball he stood up and managed to keep moving forward.
From the glimpses we were given of Narcise in previous books, I wasn't sure if she would be a character I could like. She loves one man but she willingly gives herself to another in her bid for freedom. Honestly, she could have turned out to be a unredeemable woman who didn't deserve Giordan. Yet Colleen Gleason gave her such depth and such pain that I couldn't help but feel for her.
In my opinion, this is the strongest book in the series and both Giordan and Narcise will stick with you long after you finish their story.
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
Giordan and Narcise's relationship was fraught with difficulties from the first. I loved how Giordan saw what he wanted and found a way to go after it despite all the roadblocks that were thrown up to keep he and Narcise apart. He was strong and when life threw him a terrible curveball he stood up and managed to keep moving forward.
From the glimpses we were given of Narcise in previous books, I wasn't sure if she would be a character I could like. She loves one man but she willingly gives herself to another in her bid for freedom. Honestly, she could have turned out to be a unredeemable woman who didn't deserve Giordan. Yet Colleen Gleason gave her such depth and such pain that I couldn't help but feel for her.
In my opinion, this is the strongest book in the series and both Giordan and Narcise will stick with you long after you finish their story.
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
June 29, 2013
The Vampire Narcise was such a disappointment and it was real struggle to finish it. I liked Giordan in the other previous books in the Draculia series, but he just seemed off in his own book.
Narcise was just bad through and through. What an unlikeable heroine. I get that she suffered over a century at the hands of her brother, but she was to dumb when she needed to be smart, and too proud and she should be more humble.
Besides that, the story kept jumping in time, it was hard to keep up or to connect with the characters. The plot was weak and the ending had my eyes rolling.
Narcise was just bad through and through. What an unlikeable heroine. I get that she suffered over a century at the hands of her brother, but she was to dumb when she needed to be smart, and too proud and she should be more humble.
Besides that, the story kept jumping in time, it was hard to keep up or to connect with the characters. The plot was weak and the ending had my eyes rolling.
September 28, 2018
Voto - 3.5
.
La loro bellezza è incantevole.
Il loro potere senza limiti.
Per secoli la solitudine ha dato loro la caccia, ma all’improvviso un raggio di luce illumina le tenebre della loro esistenza con la promessa di un amore destinato a durare per l’eternità.
Niente. Non c’è proprio niente da fare. Questa serie della Gleason non mi è piaciuta affatto. O meglio, ci sono sicuramente parti che si fanno leggere, la scrittura è sempre scorrevole, come in tutti i suoi precedenti romanzi, i personaggi ben delineati così come l’ambientazione ma la storia, le storie in se mi hanno un po’ delusa. Le ho trovate lente e ripetitive.
Il titolo originario di questo romanzo è “The vampire Narcise” proprio perché è incentrato su questa protagonista.
Lei è vivace, terribilmente bella e sexy, la donna che ogni uomo o non morto sogna, eterea e tremendamente crudele con i suoi nemici o con chi le si mette contro.
Lui è Cesar Moldavi, il fratello maggiore di Narcise, il più cattivo dei cattivi, temuto ma non rispettato, sdegnato e disprezzato da uomini e donne in egual misura, il Voivoda della Moldavia ovvero il governatore di tutto il regno.
Fondamentalmente il racconto è suddiviso in tre parti: la prima dove la protagonista è sottomessa e sfruttata, anche sessualmente dal fratello, per l’intrattenimento dei suoi ospiti e dove durante un incontro conosce Giordan Cale, socio d’affari del fratello; la seconda dove incontra Chas Woodmore, il sexy e temerario cacciatore di vampiri (cosa già accennata nei due libri precedenti ma approfondita solo in quest’ultimo) e il finale… che lascia alquanto a desiderare perché, a parer mio, abbastanza scontato.
Quello che è certo è che è stato tutto tremendamente estremizzato: amori, emozioni, gelosie e depravazioni, forse anche troppo per certi versi.
Credo che la Gleason abbia fatto un flop con questa serie. Ma è solo un mio modesto parere.
.
Maljka - per RFS
.
La loro bellezza è incantevole.
Il loro potere senza limiti.
Per secoli la solitudine ha dato loro la caccia, ma all’improvviso un raggio di luce illumina le tenebre della loro esistenza con la promessa di un amore destinato a durare per l’eternità.
Niente. Non c’è proprio niente da fare. Questa serie della Gleason non mi è piaciuta affatto. O meglio, ci sono sicuramente parti che si fanno leggere, la scrittura è sempre scorrevole, come in tutti i suoi precedenti romanzi, i personaggi ben delineati così come l’ambientazione ma la storia, le storie in se mi hanno un po’ delusa. Le ho trovate lente e ripetitive.
Il titolo originario di questo romanzo è “The vampire Narcise” proprio perché è incentrato su questa protagonista.
Lei è vivace, terribilmente bella e sexy, la donna che ogni uomo o non morto sogna, eterea e tremendamente crudele con i suoi nemici o con chi le si mette contro.
Lui è Cesar Moldavi, il fratello maggiore di Narcise, il più cattivo dei cattivi, temuto ma non rispettato, sdegnato e disprezzato da uomini e donne in egual misura, il Voivoda della Moldavia ovvero il governatore di tutto il regno.
Fondamentalmente il racconto è suddiviso in tre parti: la prima dove la protagonista è sottomessa e sfruttata, anche sessualmente dal fratello, per l’intrattenimento dei suoi ospiti e dove durante un incontro conosce Giordan Cale, socio d’affari del fratello; la seconda dove incontra Chas Woodmore, il sexy e temerario cacciatore di vampiri (cosa già accennata nei due libri precedenti ma approfondita solo in quest’ultimo) e il finale… che lascia alquanto a desiderare perché, a parer mio, abbastanza scontato.
Quello che è certo è che è stato tutto tremendamente estremizzato: amori, emozioni, gelosie e depravazioni, forse anche troppo per certi versi.
Credo che la Gleason abbia fatto un flop con questa serie. Ma è solo un mio modesto parere.
.
Maljka - per RFS
December 18, 2018
Gosh, what a disappointing end to one of the most interesting series I have read this year. I loved the previous two books of the Regency Draculia and was looking forward to an epic conclusion. I guess my expectations were too high. Whereas the other books were fast paced with a good plot, this was slow to start and the jumping timeline made it confusing. The plot was lame and the main characters were too bland. Narcise character was a big let down. I found her to be selfish, and egotistical. And her two love interests, Giordan Cale and Chas Woodmore, were equally dull and stupid to be in love with Narcise. She really didn't have any redeeming quality. I felt the same about Voss but he was a very interesting and entertaining character even with all his flaws. Narcise, on the other hand, I couldn't care about. The ending was anti climatic. The infamous Cesar Moldavi, who had caused so much trouble in the previous books was defeated due to sheer luck and left to live the rest of his life in captivity. I was most unsatisfied with how it all ended. Alas, this could have been so much better. It had the potential, but was completely wasted.
May 7, 2012
A blogger friend, Jennifer, from “Abundance of Books” book blog, did a review of the Vampire Voss a few months ago, and after reading her review and chatting with her about the book, I was intrigued. I liked the idea of it being a Regency Romance (until I fell in love with UF/PNR, Regency was my favorite Genre), and a Vampire story. Just the mash-up of those two genre’s made my heart go pitty-pat. Gleason had written a series set in Regency London that was about Vampire Hunters and now had started a series set in the same time/world from the Vampire’s side of things which I thought was brilliant.
I read, reviewed and loved both VAMPIRE VOSS and VAMPIRE DMITRI, and I’ve been waiting for the third and final book in the series, VAMPIRE NARCISSE for some time. When I read it, I was stunned. Gleason is a master story teller and she threw a twist in book three I didn’t even come close to see coming. She wrote all the books to be almost exactly concurrent with each other, events overlapping over the trilogy, some of the same scenes told from a different person’s point of view in each book.
It reminds me a little of that Japanese movie ‘Rashomon’ by Akira Kurasawa, which has the same event told from three different people’s perspectives. It is also a darker book then the other two, the characterizations are more intense, the stakes are even higher. Parts of the book are frankly difficult to read.
In Voss and Dmitri we briefly met and were told about Narcise and her lover Chas Woodmore, who we logically believe is going to be the protagonist of this book, but wow did Gleason throw us a curve ball. It turns out the Hero in this book isn’t Chas, the Vampire Hunter and brother of the heroines of VAMPIRE VOSS and VAMPIRE DMITRI, Angelica and Maia Woodmore. It is instead Voss and Dmitri’s friend Giordan Cale. (I don’t think I’m doing anything too spoilerish here since this is obvious if you read the book description).
In the first two books we are led to believe that Giordan has done something so unforgivable that Naricise despises him, and frankly, I thought it likely he was going to be a villain and a traitor to his friends. Instead it turns out he sacrificed so much for Narcise and she tragically and predictably, misunderstood everything. Don’t get me wrong, I still don’t really believe there was no other option, I wasn’t comfortable with the belief that Giordan could do nothing other than what he has to do to try to free Narcise from her despicable and evil brother Cezar. However that is how the book is written and we have to take it on those terms.
Villain of the trilogy, Vampire Cezar Moldavi made a deal with the devil, and then tricked his sister into making the deal too, so he wouldn’t be alone, so they live their lives as Vampires. As children they were quite close but as adults it became clear to Narcise that Cezar was jealous of her beauty (Cezar is a weedy little guy with a deformed jaw that causes him to lisp) and more than a little crazy. He uses her beauty to entrap his enemies. Cezar tells these men if they beat Narcise in a fencing match, they get to sleep with her. Narcise is so gorgeous (think the bust of Nefertiti), and the men’s egos so large, they believe they can beat her and win the prize of a night in bed with her. And at first that did happen to some, however Narcise is highly motivated to win and has become one of the best fencer’s in the world. Many men die at the tip of her sword.
Giordan Cale hates Cezar and what he is doing to his sister. She is a prisoner, made to fight by large thuggish servants of Cezar’s who watch her like a hawk and drag her around to where ever her brother wants her to appear. If she isn’t being forced into sex with men she hates or forced to fight for her virtue, she is dressed like up like a doll and has to make appearances to make Cezar look good. Cezar goes so far as to weave her asenthia (each Vampire basically has their own Kryptonite) into some of her clothes so she is weakened to almost the point of death. Cezar isn’t going to win the Brother of the year award any time soon.
Giordan of course decides to try to fight her. Luckily he is one of the few to beat her and he wins a night with her, but instead of making her have sex with him, he talks to her and tries to help her escape. It takes time but eventually over several meetings Narcise falls in love with him and learns to trust him. Despite the fact that these two crazy kids are sneaking around, Cezar figures out what they are up to and puts into play one of the most disgusting and Machiavellian tricks I’ve ever read. Narcisse sees something that evil Cezar has set up that breaks her heart and turns her completely against Giordan.
Years later, Chas Woodmore comes to Kill Cezar and is captured. Narcise helps him escape on the condition he take her with him. Chas agrees and the two are on the lam, and become lovers but Chas can never get over the fact that she is a hated Vampire and she isn’t really over Giordan. Eventually their paths cross with Dmitri, Voss and Giordan Cales and this is where things really get interesting.
I’ll admit VAMPIRE NARCISE wasn’t my favorite of the series. I just loved VAMPIRE VOSS so much, he was such a scoundrel, so funny and sweet and such a jerk, it was fun watching him drive Dmitri crazy. Also it was my first introduction to this world. Compared to Narcise, Voss was a lighthearted party boy. This book is so dark. Cezar’s evil machinations were almost difficult to stomach. It was however, in my opinion the best written of the series. The twists and turns, the heartache and ultimately the salvation were more intense and so at times, more difficult to bear. Read the books in order and read the VAMPIRE NARCISE, just be prepared to feel a little beat up by the time you put the book down. It can wreck you.
*warning, this book has rape scenes (both female and male) and references child abuse. The topics are handled with discretion, however
I read, reviewed and loved both VAMPIRE VOSS and VAMPIRE DMITRI, and I’ve been waiting for the third and final book in the series, VAMPIRE NARCISSE for some time. When I read it, I was stunned. Gleason is a master story teller and she threw a twist in book three I didn’t even come close to see coming. She wrote all the books to be almost exactly concurrent with each other, events overlapping over the trilogy, some of the same scenes told from a different person’s point of view in each book.
It reminds me a little of that Japanese movie ‘Rashomon’ by Akira Kurasawa, which has the same event told from three different people’s perspectives. It is also a darker book then the other two, the characterizations are more intense, the stakes are even higher. Parts of the book are frankly difficult to read.
In Voss and Dmitri we briefly met and were told about Narcise and her lover Chas Woodmore, who we logically believe is going to be the protagonist of this book, but wow did Gleason throw us a curve ball. It turns out the Hero in this book isn’t Chas, the Vampire Hunter and brother of the heroines of VAMPIRE VOSS and VAMPIRE DMITRI, Angelica and Maia Woodmore. It is instead Voss and Dmitri’s friend Giordan Cale. (I don’t think I’m doing anything too spoilerish here since this is obvious if you read the book description).
In the first two books we are led to believe that Giordan has done something so unforgivable that Naricise despises him, and frankly, I thought it likely he was going to be a villain and a traitor to his friends. Instead it turns out he sacrificed so much for Narcise and she tragically and predictably, misunderstood everything. Don’t get me wrong, I still don’t really believe there was no other option, I wasn’t comfortable with the belief that Giordan could do nothing other than what he has to do to try to free Narcise from her despicable and evil brother Cezar. However that is how the book is written and we have to take it on those terms.
Villain of the trilogy, Vampire Cezar Moldavi made a deal with the devil, and then tricked his sister into making the deal too, so he wouldn’t be alone, so they live their lives as Vampires. As children they were quite close but as adults it became clear to Narcise that Cezar was jealous of her beauty (Cezar is a weedy little guy with a deformed jaw that causes him to lisp) and more than a little crazy. He uses her beauty to entrap his enemies. Cezar tells these men if they beat Narcise in a fencing match, they get to sleep with her. Narcise is so gorgeous (think the bust of Nefertiti), and the men’s egos so large, they believe they can beat her and win the prize of a night in bed with her. And at first that did happen to some, however Narcise is highly motivated to win and has become one of the best fencer’s in the world. Many men die at the tip of her sword.
Giordan Cale hates Cezar and what he is doing to his sister. She is a prisoner, made to fight by large thuggish servants of Cezar’s who watch her like a hawk and drag her around to where ever her brother wants her to appear. If she isn’t being forced into sex with men she hates or forced to fight for her virtue, she is dressed like up like a doll and has to make appearances to make Cezar look good. Cezar goes so far as to weave her asenthia (each Vampire basically has their own Kryptonite) into some of her clothes so she is weakened to almost the point of death. Cezar isn’t going to win the Brother of the year award any time soon.
Giordan of course decides to try to fight her. Luckily he is one of the few to beat her and he wins a night with her, but instead of making her have sex with him, he talks to her and tries to help her escape. It takes time but eventually over several meetings Narcise falls in love with him and learns to trust him. Despite the fact that these two crazy kids are sneaking around, Cezar figures out what they are up to and puts into play one of the most disgusting and Machiavellian tricks I’ve ever read. Narcisse sees something that evil Cezar has set up that breaks her heart and turns her completely against Giordan.
Years later, Chas Woodmore comes to Kill Cezar and is captured. Narcise helps him escape on the condition he take her with him. Chas agrees and the two are on the lam, and become lovers but Chas can never get over the fact that she is a hated Vampire and she isn’t really over Giordan. Eventually their paths cross with Dmitri, Voss and Giordan Cales and this is where things really get interesting.
I’ll admit VAMPIRE NARCISE wasn’t my favorite of the series. I just loved VAMPIRE VOSS so much, he was such a scoundrel, so funny and sweet and such a jerk, it was fun watching him drive Dmitri crazy. Also it was my first introduction to this world. Compared to Narcise, Voss was a lighthearted party boy. This book is so dark. Cezar’s evil machinations were almost difficult to stomach. It was however, in my opinion the best written of the series. The twists and turns, the heartache and ultimately the salvation were more intense and so at times, more difficult to bear. Read the books in order and read the VAMPIRE NARCISE, just be prepared to feel a little beat up by the time you put the book down. It can wreck you.
*warning, this book has rape scenes (both female and male) and references child abuse. The topics are handled with discretion, however
March 24, 2024
Good story!
This is Narcise Moldavi's story and how she was able to escape her brother's abusive control and redeem herself.
Narcise is Cezar's younger sister. He made Lucifer pay her a visit after he caused permanent damage to her face when she was only 20 years old. In exchange, Cezar makes her fight for her freedom by swords with vampires who think that they can best her. If she loses a fight, the vampire basically rapes her until dawn. If she wins, she kills them or humiliates them in front of a crowd.
When she meets Cale, he wins her trust slowly; he falls in love with her at first sight. She eventually does the same until a misunderstanding separates them, making them hate each other for a decade. Chas, a vampire hunter, saves her while hunting her brother. But Chas is at war with himself, he in love with her and she's the very species that he's supposed to kill.
A must read series!
This is Narcise Moldavi's story and how she was able to escape her brother's abusive control and redeem herself.
Narcise is Cezar's younger sister. He made Lucifer pay her a visit after he caused permanent damage to her face when she was only 20 years old. In exchange, Cezar makes her fight for her freedom by swords with vampires who think that they can best her. If she loses a fight, the vampire basically rapes her until dawn. If she wins, she kills them or humiliates them in front of a crowd.
When she meets Cale, he wins her trust slowly; he falls in love with her at first sight. She eventually does the same until a misunderstanding separates them, making them hate each other for a decade. Chas, a vampire hunter, saves her while hunting her brother. But Chas is at war with himself, he in love with her and she's the very species that he's supposed to kill.
A must read series!
September 29, 2024
This book was a Book Outlet deal I scooped up... probably a decade ago? And it's another that I let hang on my shelf. I'd look at it and go... No, not yet. Finally, I was like... Why am I waiting? So I bit the bullet. And I should have dodged the bullet.
Honestly, I didn't like this one. I don't know if it's because I started with book 3 (yes, shame me, I know...) or if it's just the book. It felt very slow and not as romantic as I anticipated it to be. I used to binge romantic fantasy adult novels like crazy. Vampire romances were my THING as a teenager, and yes, I was reading from the adult aisle too. I was a rebel, what can I say?
I guess what I'm saying is I just didn't connect with this book. I didn't connect with the writing styles or the characters. But, I won't let that hold me back. I've heard great things about Colleen Gleason so I'll find another book by her to enjoy. This one was just a miss for me.
One out of five stars.
Honestly, I didn't like this one. I don't know if it's because I started with book 3 (yes, shame me, I know...) or if it's just the book. It felt very slow and not as romantic as I anticipated it to be. I used to binge romantic fantasy adult novels like crazy. Vampire romances were my THING as a teenager, and yes, I was reading from the adult aisle too. I was a rebel, what can I say?
I guess what I'm saying is I just didn't connect with this book. I didn't connect with the writing styles or the characters. But, I won't let that hold me back. I've heard great things about Colleen Gleason so I'll find another book by her to enjoy. This one was just a miss for me.
One out of five stars.
November 9, 2019
First half was interesting - the second half was dragged out and slow.
October 3, 2021
Good
This was a different take on vampires and how they were started. I found it very good and loved the what I believe is a vampires true nature.
This was a different take on vampires and how they were started. I found it very good and loved the what I believe is a vampires true nature.
October 7, 2022
DNF at 15%. 2 out of 5 stars.
May 17, 2022
Praticamente un romanzo erotico con vampiri.
L'ho vinto anni fa in una challenge ed è di una autrice che ammiro, quindi ho voluto dargli un'opportunità anche se non è il mio genere.
Ma appunto perchè non è il mio genere non l'ho apprezzato.
L'ho vinto anni fa in una challenge ed è di una autrice che ammiro, quindi ho voluto dargli un'opportunità anche se non è il mio genere.
Ma appunto perchè non è il mio genere non l'ho apprezzato.
July 4, 2011
Review provided by Black Lagoon Reviews:
The Vampire Narcise is the third installment in the Regency Draculia series by Colleen Gleason, a series that has had some very notable up and downs for me. While this left me hesitant to actually read this novel, I felt that after coming so far with the characters and the author I needed to see how this final chapter ended. Thankfully, I was glad that I did as this novel steps away slightly from the lives of the familiar Voss and Dimitri from the previous novels. Once again, Gleason created a novel that was fresh with interesting characters and great insight into the lives of vampires we had seen but gotten to know very little about in the past. A great novel that once more made me love this interesting world of the Draculia.
To begin with, I especially loved the fact that this novel focused on characters that we hadn't gotten to know before. In past novels we were inundated with information, often the same information, over and over again, as well as being revisited time and again by the same story lines. This novel, however, was once more fresh and interesting making Narcise more three dimensional. In truth, in the past I honestly thought that I would rather detest Narcise. She seemed, well, I don't know how to describe it other then by saying I didn't think that I would be interested in her or her life in the slightest. And yet, I decided to persist simply because once I start a series, it seems like such a waste to not continue. In the end, I rather liked Narcise coming to sympathize with her captivity by her vile and often creepy brother, Cezar Moldavi. Honestly, if you didn't think he was icky in the previous novels, you will in this one. But, I was most surprised that this novel picked up with Narcise and Giordian, a character that I had loved in previous novels, and not Chas Woodmore. I was actually expecting it to begin there, but I have to say I'm thrilled that it didn't because frankly, I am so not a fan. While there is a bit of rehashing, it was in no way as detailed as previous novels and I found myself loving the relationship between these two. It was more dramatic with a darker atmosphere that I rather enjoyed. Of course, it is in this aspect that I found myself wanting to hate Narcise again as Giordian goes to extraordinary lengths for her offering up unexpected sacrifices and she...well, lets just say there was a lot of misunderstandings and misconceptions.
The romance is intense and often times surprising, far surpassing the other novels. This aspect was instantly alluring as the connection between Narcise and Giordian is set up from the start. It was interesting seeing this relationship develop, however, I feel that I must warn readers that this is one of those novels that is best not to get too involved with or else it will definitely be a bit of a sucker punch. That's not to say that the ride isn't a complete roller coaster that is fun as hell. But, there is definitely a sting that needs to be recognized to readers easily engrossed in the relationships that characters develop. Of course this leads to something of a triangle as Chas comes in to the picture utterly enamored of Narcise creating some even more deadly intensity to the plot line.
The story itself was well written and interesting bringing to life a new facet of the historical world of the Draculia. The lore is once again wonderful, I completely adore this take on vampirism, and was nicely explored with a story that takes place before and after The Vampire Dimitri. There was plenty of gripping action and suspense throughout to keep you on your toes which is paired nicely with the romantic aspect of the novel often leading to some great and some not so great surprises. Without a doubt, this novel will keep you on your toes eagerly turning pages to know what happens next.
In the end, this novel provided a lot wider range of emotions for me, mostly of the darker variety. And while the characterization was wonderful, I often found myself torn between liking and hating the characters, something you would expect to be annoying, but in truth I rather enjoyed the ambiguity of my feelings toward them. It was, different. In truth, this novel really surpassed my expectations and once again showcased what it was that I loved about the first installment. A great read that will have you gritting your teeth in both frustration and anticipation!
The Vampire Narcise is the third installment in the Regency Draculia series by Colleen Gleason, a series that has had some very notable up and downs for me. While this left me hesitant to actually read this novel, I felt that after coming so far with the characters and the author I needed to see how this final chapter ended. Thankfully, I was glad that I did as this novel steps away slightly from the lives of the familiar Voss and Dimitri from the previous novels. Once again, Gleason created a novel that was fresh with interesting characters and great insight into the lives of vampires we had seen but gotten to know very little about in the past. A great novel that once more made me love this interesting world of the Draculia.
To begin with, I especially loved the fact that this novel focused on characters that we hadn't gotten to know before. In past novels we were inundated with information, often the same information, over and over again, as well as being revisited time and again by the same story lines. This novel, however, was once more fresh and interesting making Narcise more three dimensional. In truth, in the past I honestly thought that I would rather detest Narcise. She seemed, well, I don't know how to describe it other then by saying I didn't think that I would be interested in her or her life in the slightest. And yet, I decided to persist simply because once I start a series, it seems like such a waste to not continue. In the end, I rather liked Narcise coming to sympathize with her captivity by her vile and often creepy brother, Cezar Moldavi. Honestly, if you didn't think he was icky in the previous novels, you will in this one. But, I was most surprised that this novel picked up with Narcise and Giordian, a character that I had loved in previous novels, and not Chas Woodmore. I was actually expecting it to begin there, but I have to say I'm thrilled that it didn't because frankly, I am so not a fan. While there is a bit of rehashing, it was in no way as detailed as previous novels and I found myself loving the relationship between these two. It was more dramatic with a darker atmosphere that I rather enjoyed. Of course, it is in this aspect that I found myself wanting to hate Narcise again as Giordian goes to extraordinary lengths for her offering up unexpected sacrifices and she...well, lets just say there was a lot of misunderstandings and misconceptions.
The romance is intense and often times surprising, far surpassing the other novels. This aspect was instantly alluring as the connection between Narcise and Giordian is set up from the start. It was interesting seeing this relationship develop, however, I feel that I must warn readers that this is one of those novels that is best not to get too involved with or else it will definitely be a bit of a sucker punch. That's not to say that the ride isn't a complete roller coaster that is fun as hell. But, there is definitely a sting that needs to be recognized to readers easily engrossed in the relationships that characters develop. Of course this leads to something of a triangle as Chas comes in to the picture utterly enamored of Narcise creating some even more deadly intensity to the plot line.
The story itself was well written and interesting bringing to life a new facet of the historical world of the Draculia. The lore is once again wonderful, I completely adore this take on vampirism, and was nicely explored with a story that takes place before and after The Vampire Dimitri. There was plenty of gripping action and suspense throughout to keep you on your toes which is paired nicely with the romantic aspect of the novel often leading to some great and some not so great surprises. Without a doubt, this novel will keep you on your toes eagerly turning pages to know what happens next.
In the end, this novel provided a lot wider range of emotions for me, mostly of the darker variety. And while the characterization was wonderful, I often found myself torn between liking and hating the characters, something you would expect to be annoying, but in truth I rather enjoyed the ambiguity of my feelings toward them. It was, different. In truth, this novel really surpassed my expectations and once again showcased what it was that I loved about the first installment. A great read that will have you gritting your teeth in both frustration and anticipation!
May 5, 2011
I feel like I should stand up and give this series a standing ovation! Reading the last book in the Regency Draculia leaves me feeling slightly conflicted. On the one hand the book was so good and I thoroughly enjoyed every second, and on the other hand I feel so bereft now that the series is finished.
SUMMARY
Another pre-release review so all you are unforuntately getting is the Goodreads summary: Regency England stands defiant against Napoleon. But battles among men mean little to those who live forever – especially when the Dracule are waging their own war. Skilled in the seduction of men, both mortal and immortal, Narcise Moldavi is the greatest weapon in her twisted brother's war among the Dracule. Until she falls for Giordan Cale. Her first searing encounter with Giordan brands them with a passionate love. But Giordan's vow to help Narcise escape her brother's rule is followed by a betrayal more agonizing than sunlight. Wounded but determined, Narcise ensnares vampire hunter Chas Woodmore in her quest for revenge and to reclaim her life. He wants her, worships her, will kill for her. And the Dracule never forget a wrong – nor do they forgive.
WHAT I LIKED
I cannot say that there is anything that I did not like about this book, but I will try and regale you with some of my favourite aspects of this book. The story is dark and compelling and some points I could not believe the depth of depravity of the person whom was supposed to love Narcise best, especially when contrasted with the depth of emotion between Chas and his sisters. Narcise, whom was painted in the first two books as hard and cold and not very likeable, soon became one of my favourite characters of all time and her strength and resilience in the face of what was done to her is beyond anything I could imagine a person in her circumstances could possess. The book is once again well written and just descriptive enough to draw the reader in and make you feel the emotion of the characters but not to irritate and seem overworked. I found myself at some stages during the book tearing up and crying and then urging the characters on at other times. In my eyes this series is a great success and certainly will find a honorary spot on my bookshelf!
WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE
Despite the story once again overlapping at some points to the extent that you were reading certain parts of the overall story three times, I cannot say that there was anything that I did not like! Oh wait! I don't like the fact that there isn't more!
SO WHAT’S THE VERDICT?
I suppose I could say again that I LOVED this book, but I am sure that is apparent from my comments above. Go out! Buy it! And read it yourself! And then come and tell me whether you loved it just as much as I did.
WHAT’S NEXT?
As far as I am aware, The Vampire Narcise is the last instalment to the Regency Draculia series, but I will be picking up some more books from Colleen Gleason to keep me happy. Amongst others I have heard very good things about the Gardella Vampire Chronicles series by the same author and I am adding it to my "to read" list as I write this review! So look out for more reviews of Colleen Gleason's work in the near future.
Thank you once again to Harlequin Publishers through Netgalley for allowing me the opportunity to review this book!
SUMMARY
Another pre-release review so all you are unforuntately getting is the Goodreads summary: Regency England stands defiant against Napoleon. But battles among men mean little to those who live forever – especially when the Dracule are waging their own war. Skilled in the seduction of men, both mortal and immortal, Narcise Moldavi is the greatest weapon in her twisted brother's war among the Dracule. Until she falls for Giordan Cale. Her first searing encounter with Giordan brands them with a passionate love. But Giordan's vow to help Narcise escape her brother's rule is followed by a betrayal more agonizing than sunlight. Wounded but determined, Narcise ensnares vampire hunter Chas Woodmore in her quest for revenge and to reclaim her life. He wants her, worships her, will kill for her. And the Dracule never forget a wrong – nor do they forgive.
WHAT I LIKED
I cannot say that there is anything that I did not like about this book, but I will try and regale you with some of my favourite aspects of this book. The story is dark and compelling and some points I could not believe the depth of depravity of the person whom was supposed to love Narcise best, especially when contrasted with the depth of emotion between Chas and his sisters. Narcise, whom was painted in the first two books as hard and cold and not very likeable, soon became one of my favourite characters of all time and her strength and resilience in the face of what was done to her is beyond anything I could imagine a person in her circumstances could possess. The book is once again well written and just descriptive enough to draw the reader in and make you feel the emotion of the characters but not to irritate and seem overworked. I found myself at some stages during the book tearing up and crying and then urging the characters on at other times. In my eyes this series is a great success and certainly will find a honorary spot on my bookshelf!
WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE
Despite the story once again overlapping at some points to the extent that you were reading certain parts of the overall story three times, I cannot say that there was anything that I did not like! Oh wait! I don't like the fact that there isn't more!
SO WHAT’S THE VERDICT?
I suppose I could say again that I LOVED this book, but I am sure that is apparent from my comments above. Go out! Buy it! And read it yourself! And then come and tell me whether you loved it just as much as I did.
WHAT’S NEXT?
As far as I am aware, The Vampire Narcise is the last instalment to the Regency Draculia series, but I will be picking up some more books from Colleen Gleason to keep me happy. Amongst others I have heard very good things about the Gardella Vampire Chronicles series by the same author and I am adding it to my "to read" list as I write this review! So look out for more reviews of Colleen Gleason's work in the near future.
Thank you once again to Harlequin Publishers through Netgalley for allowing me the opportunity to review this book!
June 2, 2011
This review will be a first for me because I usually go out of my way to avoid spoilers, and in this case I absolutely cannot help myself, but it's all in a good way. I certainly won't reveal the main plot twists or ruin the book for anyone but I wanted to give fair warning that I might discuss areas that I usually avoid. If you want to avoid these details in any way then I will now provide a quick and to the point review: The Vampire Narcise is by far the best of the Regency Draculia and I'm including this book on my best of list for 2011!
To start, I want to let readers know that each book always contains just enough information to be read as a stand alone, although reading Dimitri's book might be confusing for those that read out of order. I'm not recommending that you try that because I have liked each book more and more, and each is worthy of your time. And while each book repeats the basic lore it's more like a quick refresher course and doesn't come across like a waste of time.
Giordan and Narcise have been slowly building since they were introduced in book 1 so at times I felt like this was a series of puzzle pieces coming together as we were finally being given the entire story about their shared past. They have kept my interest on overdrive from he very beginning, but at one point in this story they absolutely broke my heart. Here's a brief SPOILERY snippet (one that made me sad just to type):
"By the Devil, you can't truly believe-"
"I don't have to believe. I saw. You." Her voice broke and she felt herself falling back into that chasm of desolation ad grief, a whirlwind of blackness. Disbelief and pain. Such pain. She had to get away from him. A roaring filled her ears, the deep, dark roar of hatred and agony. "Get away from me."
He stepped toward her, grabbing her arm. "Do you have any idea what I've done for you?" His voice raw, his face, terrible, was close to hers. She hardly heard the words, for they were lost in the horrible swirling scent of blood on his breath, the smells of depravity and sweat and other darkness. She talked over him, the roaring in her mind and heart blocking his words as she spewed her pain onto him. "You've completely destroyed me. Something even my brother wasn't able to do, in decades."
I won't give away the details but in this one pivotal scene everything changes and lives are forever changed. Gleason carefully and meticulously sets this up so that you have no choice but to weep for the depth of love that Giordan gives and Narcise throws away. And the shocking part is that I never saw it coming. That sense of foreboding was there and I was waiting for the other shoe to drop, but when it did I was... shellshocked. I haven't cared about characters like this in awhile so it was refreshing to have that emotional connection stretch over multiple books, always feeling genuine and real, and not feel cheated at the end. Do my kids think I'm strange for being weepy over a vampire book? Yep. Do I regret the tears? Nope.
This is a must read for summer and I actually like The Regency Draculia more than I liked the Gardella series...and that's saying a lot because Venators rock! In fact, Gleason is a must read author for me, even under her pen name, Joss Ware.
To start, I want to let readers know that each book always contains just enough information to be read as a stand alone, although reading Dimitri's book might be confusing for those that read out of order. I'm not recommending that you try that because I have liked each book more and more, and each is worthy of your time. And while each book repeats the basic lore it's more like a quick refresher course and doesn't come across like a waste of time.
Giordan and Narcise have been slowly building since they were introduced in book 1 so at times I felt like this was a series of puzzle pieces coming together as we were finally being given the entire story about their shared past. They have kept my interest on overdrive from he very beginning, but at one point in this story they absolutely broke my heart. Here's a brief SPOILERY snippet (one that made me sad just to type):
"By the Devil, you can't truly believe-"
"I don't have to believe. I saw. You." Her voice broke and she felt herself falling back into that chasm of desolation ad grief, a whirlwind of blackness. Disbelief and pain. Such pain. She had to get away from him. A roaring filled her ears, the deep, dark roar of hatred and agony. "Get away from me."
He stepped toward her, grabbing her arm. "Do you have any idea what I've done for you?" His voice raw, his face, terrible, was close to hers. She hardly heard the words, for they were lost in the horrible swirling scent of blood on his breath, the smells of depravity and sweat and other darkness. She talked over him, the roaring in her mind and heart blocking his words as she spewed her pain onto him. "You've completely destroyed me. Something even my brother wasn't able to do, in decades."
I won't give away the details but in this one pivotal scene everything changes and lives are forever changed. Gleason carefully and meticulously sets this up so that you have no choice but to weep for the depth of love that Giordan gives and Narcise throws away. And the shocking part is that I never saw it coming. That sense of foreboding was there and I was waiting for the other shoe to drop, but when it did I was... shellshocked. I haven't cared about characters like this in awhile so it was refreshing to have that emotional connection stretch over multiple books, always feeling genuine and real, and not feel cheated at the end. Do my kids think I'm strange for being weepy over a vampire book? Yep. Do I regret the tears? Nope.
This is a must read for summer and I actually like The Regency Draculia more than I liked the Gardella series...and that's saying a lot because Venators rock! In fact, Gleason is a must read author for me, even under her pen name, Joss Ware.
October 3, 2016
Wasn't a lover of this one. Maybe just don't like the Vampire ones. Took me awhile to get through it but I always finish a book when I start one.
July 21, 2018
Since the moment she became Dracule, Narcise Moldavi has been imprisoned, used, and traded by her brother, Cezar. For years, she simply existed, forced to fight for the right to remain unmolested. Then Narcise met Giordan Cale, a Dracule unlike any other she met before. Yet, just as Narcise felt herself coming to life once more, Giordan betrayed her in the worst manner possible.
Ten years later, freedom is in Narcise’s grasp. When vampire hunter Chas Woodmore sneaks into Cezar’s place to kill the vampire, Narcise convinces him to help her escape. Chas hates most vampires, but he can’t seem to resist his attraction to her. And, to her surprise, Narcise desires Chas in return.
But nothing in life is ever simple. Cezar will stop at nothing to reclaim Narcise and Chas’s mission to slay her brother will bring Giordan back into Narcise’s life. Chas wants her. Giordan hates her. And Narcise will be forced to confront the worst horrors of her life if she hopes to truly live for the first time in her immortal life.
In a trio of wonderful books, The Vampire Narcise stands out. Colleen Gleason’s third Regency Draculia book is the one I’ve been waiting on and it’s fantastic. I admit, I normally loathe love triangles with a distaste generally reserved for spiders and computer viruses. In the case of the Regency Draculia books, I was on the edge of my seat, eager to see if Narcise would end up with the man I so wanted her to be with, for I couldn’t imagine any other pairing. To my immense relief, Ms. Gleason hadn’t steered me wrong with the hints she laid out in The Vampire Voss and The Vampire Dimitri; the romance in The Vampire Narcise is exquisite.
Narcise is everything I’d hoped she would be: she’s a survivor, one who has suffered numerous horrors and still retains a core strength that impressed me. The pain she’s gone through broke my heart and I practically devoured The Vampire Narcise because I so wanted her to get the happily ever after she deserved. As for Narcise’s hero…sorry, I won’t spoil the book by revealing who he is. Unfortunately, because I don’t want to provide spoilers, I can’t say much about him. I will say that I absolutely loved him. The sacrifices he makes for Narcise made me want to cry and truly, he earns every minute of happiness he can find. I loved them together, and because I did, I was thrilled by The Vampire Narcise.
For readers who haven’t yet enjoyed the first two Regency Draculia books (The Vampire Voss and The Vampire Dimitri), The Vampire Narcise can be read as a standalone, though there are some spoilers for the first two books. The Vampire Narcise is even faster-paced than its predecessors, which is generally a good thing. The only problem I had was that the climax of the book felt a bit rushed and choppy, which was a pity because, with a bit of expansion, it could have been perfect. Still, I can definitely say I finished The Vampire Narcise a jubilant reader and I can safely say that if you enjoyed the first two Regency Draculia books, you’re going to adore The Vampire Narcise!
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed.
Ten years later, freedom is in Narcise’s grasp. When vampire hunter Chas Woodmore sneaks into Cezar’s place to kill the vampire, Narcise convinces him to help her escape. Chas hates most vampires, but he can’t seem to resist his attraction to her. And, to her surprise, Narcise desires Chas in return.
But nothing in life is ever simple. Cezar will stop at nothing to reclaim Narcise and Chas’s mission to slay her brother will bring Giordan back into Narcise’s life. Chas wants her. Giordan hates her. And Narcise will be forced to confront the worst horrors of her life if she hopes to truly live for the first time in her immortal life.
In a trio of wonderful books, The Vampire Narcise stands out. Colleen Gleason’s third Regency Draculia book is the one I’ve been waiting on and it’s fantastic. I admit, I normally loathe love triangles with a distaste generally reserved for spiders and computer viruses. In the case of the Regency Draculia books, I was on the edge of my seat, eager to see if Narcise would end up with the man I so wanted her to be with, for I couldn’t imagine any other pairing. To my immense relief, Ms. Gleason hadn’t steered me wrong with the hints she laid out in The Vampire Voss and The Vampire Dimitri; the romance in The Vampire Narcise is exquisite.
Narcise is everything I’d hoped she would be: she’s a survivor, one who has suffered numerous horrors and still retains a core strength that impressed me. The pain she’s gone through broke my heart and I practically devoured The Vampire Narcise because I so wanted her to get the happily ever after she deserved. As for Narcise’s hero…sorry, I won’t spoil the book by revealing who he is. Unfortunately, because I don’t want to provide spoilers, I can’t say much about him. I will say that I absolutely loved him. The sacrifices he makes for Narcise made me want to cry and truly, he earns every minute of happiness he can find. I loved them together, and because I did, I was thrilled by The Vampire Narcise.
For readers who haven’t yet enjoyed the first two Regency Draculia books (The Vampire Voss and The Vampire Dimitri), The Vampire Narcise can be read as a standalone, though there are some spoilers for the first two books. The Vampire Narcise is even faster-paced than its predecessors, which is generally a good thing. The only problem I had was that the climax of the book felt a bit rushed and choppy, which was a pity because, with a bit of expansion, it could have been perfect. Still, I can definitely say I finished The Vampire Narcise a jubilant reader and I can safely say that if you enjoyed the first two Regency Draculia books, you’re going to adore The Vampire Narcise!
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed.
May 5, 2011
Narcise has been captive since her brother tricked her into turning Dracule. She's been subjected to horrors and constantly has to win sword battles for the right to sleep free of the men who force themselves on her. She's kept her heart in an impenetrable fortress, but all that changes when Giordan Cale wins her over. He vows to save her from her fate, but complications ensue causing a heart breaking betrayal that leaves Narcise in shambles. When Chas Woodmore falls into her lap, she knows she must convince him to help as he is her only hope at escape. He falls quickly for Narcise, but her heart has turned black and she'll never be able to let anyone in again. Or so she thinks.
I'll be honest that I wasn't sure about how I felt about Narcise in the last books. From the outside perspective, she just seemed to be using Chas rather than actually caring for him. However, even if that were the case, I couldn't really fault her for it when I took her past into account. I probably would have used anyone I could in that situation just to escape. Her inner strength is amazing, simply due to the fact that she kept her sanity all those years. The things she lived through were nothing short of horrific and it just proved how twisted her brother actually was. I couldn't wait for that slime ball to finally get his, even if I knew that may just never happen.
Like The Vampire Dimitri, this book is also set back in past events, with this one starting back well before Chas first went "missing." However, The Vampire Narcise was a completely different perspective, so there was a lot of things going on that we didn't know about. I was completely surprised to learn what the horrible betrayal was that Giordan had committed. The whole thing was one giant misunderstanding that caused things to go wrong. This instantly changed my opinion of Giordan, taking him from a man I thought was uncaring to someone willing to sacrifice a whole lot, yet still ended up with the short end of the stick.
The Vampire Narcise really wasn't what I was expecting. I had thought it would be mostly about Narcise and Chas and how they fell in love as well as their happy ever after. Instead, it was just as much about her history (and present) with Giordan as it was her relationship with Chas. It wasn't a love triangle in the strictest sense, but there definitely was some tension between the three. This book was also much steamier than the first two books, but in no way was it overdone. I'm still not sure how I feel about the ending. There was a happy ever after, but it was much different than the ones that Dimitri and Voss had. I guess I'm just a little confused as to what the "change" means, as it wasn't really clear cut what the future would hold. Regardless of that fact, it did leave me satisfied with a smile on my face. The Vampire Narcise was another impressive installment in The Regency Draculia series that is sure not to disappoint.
I'll be honest that I wasn't sure about how I felt about Narcise in the last books. From the outside perspective, she just seemed to be using Chas rather than actually caring for him. However, even if that were the case, I couldn't really fault her for it when I took her past into account. I probably would have used anyone I could in that situation just to escape. Her inner strength is amazing, simply due to the fact that she kept her sanity all those years. The things she lived through were nothing short of horrific and it just proved how twisted her brother actually was. I couldn't wait for that slime ball to finally get his, even if I knew that may just never happen.
Like The Vampire Dimitri, this book is also set back in past events, with this one starting back well before Chas first went "missing." However, The Vampire Narcise was a completely different perspective, so there was a lot of things going on that we didn't know about. I was completely surprised to learn what the horrible betrayal was that Giordan had committed. The whole thing was one giant misunderstanding that caused things to go wrong. This instantly changed my opinion of Giordan, taking him from a man I thought was uncaring to someone willing to sacrifice a whole lot, yet still ended up with the short end of the stick.
The Vampire Narcise really wasn't what I was expecting. I had thought it would be mostly about Narcise and Chas and how they fell in love as well as their happy ever after. Instead, it was just as much about her history (and present) with Giordan as it was her relationship with Chas. It wasn't a love triangle in the strictest sense, but there definitely was some tension between the three. This book was also much steamier than the first two books, but in no way was it overdone. I'm still not sure how I feel about the ending. There was a happy ever after, but it was much different than the ones that Dimitri and Voss had. I guess I'm just a little confused as to what the "change" means, as it wasn't really clear cut what the future would hold. Regardless of that fact, it did leave me satisfied with a smile on my face. The Vampire Narcise was another impressive installment in The Regency Draculia series that is sure not to disappoint.
May 24, 2011
Lucifer offered some men or woman a curse/gift in a dream, what they didn’t realizing is what they were signing up for until they woke up the next morning with a mark on their back, the need for blood and a personal Asthenia “an Achilles heel or vulnerability”.
From the moment Narcise has been tricked into turning Draculia, she has been under her brother’s Cezar control and held captive to serve her brother’s needs. In order to be free from the men around her brother who force themselves on her, she has to win the sword fights. Luckily for Narcise she’s been thought well and only lost the battle once or twice in the last couple of decades. She has promise herself to never let a man capture her heart and take control over her, but that all change when Giordan Cale walks into her life.
Giordan Cale has had a rough life on the street when he was young, but luck was on his side and growing up fast made him a very wealthy man. Then Lucifer appears in his dream and he accepts his fate as a vampire, a draculia. During a meeting with evil Cezar Moldavi, he meets his sister Narcise and knows his life will never be the same again. He soon discovers that she’s being held by her brother and he vows to save her, but not everything goes according plan.
The Vampire Narcise by Colleen Gleason is the third novel in the Regency Draculia Series and a total surprise. I think I have the same opinion as many others have, about not being sure how I feel about Narcise.
We meet Narcise briefly in the previous two books, where she just escape her brother’s prison and is travelling with Chas Woodmore, the brother of Angelica and Maia. We see the tension between Giordan and Narcise when they meet at Dimitri’s house, but cannot figure out why. I’m glad that the whole situation is cleared in this book.
This book is set back into the past, so that you can read about the meeting between Giordan and Narcise, how they fall for each other, the way Giordan is trying to save her from her brother and how she sees it as a betrayal. I really thought this book would be about Narcise and her relationship with Chas Woodwore, well I was in for a surprise, a very pleasant surprise when it turned out to be Giordan.
I have to admire Narcise for her strength, because she was still standing, not matter what her twisted brother had in mind for her. There was a time I could smack her in the head for not seeing the truth about Giordan, but she catch up for that in the end. I already knew that Giordan was a strong man, but reading what he went through only made him more like a man in my eyes.
This book was definitely different if you compare it with the previous novel, but definitely a great addition to this series. The ending was clearly different then with Voss and Dimitri, but I can live with the solution.
Miss Colleen Gleason has written a fabulous new vampire series and I hope to see more of her books in the near future.
From the moment Narcise has been tricked into turning Draculia, she has been under her brother’s Cezar control and held captive to serve her brother’s needs. In order to be free from the men around her brother who force themselves on her, she has to win the sword fights. Luckily for Narcise she’s been thought well and only lost the battle once or twice in the last couple of decades. She has promise herself to never let a man capture her heart and take control over her, but that all change when Giordan Cale walks into her life.
Giordan Cale has had a rough life on the street when he was young, but luck was on his side and growing up fast made him a very wealthy man. Then Lucifer appears in his dream and he accepts his fate as a vampire, a draculia. During a meeting with evil Cezar Moldavi, he meets his sister Narcise and knows his life will never be the same again. He soon discovers that she’s being held by her brother and he vows to save her, but not everything goes according plan.
The Vampire Narcise by Colleen Gleason is the third novel in the Regency Draculia Series and a total surprise. I think I have the same opinion as many others have, about not being sure how I feel about Narcise.
We meet Narcise briefly in the previous two books, where she just escape her brother’s prison and is travelling with Chas Woodmore, the brother of Angelica and Maia. We see the tension between Giordan and Narcise when they meet at Dimitri’s house, but cannot figure out why. I’m glad that the whole situation is cleared in this book.
This book is set back into the past, so that you can read about the meeting between Giordan and Narcise, how they fall for each other, the way Giordan is trying to save her from her brother and how she sees it as a betrayal. I really thought this book would be about Narcise and her relationship with Chas Woodwore, well I was in for a surprise, a very pleasant surprise when it turned out to be Giordan.
I have to admire Narcise for her strength, because she was still standing, not matter what her twisted brother had in mind for her. There was a time I could smack her in the head for not seeing the truth about Giordan, but she catch up for that in the end. I already knew that Giordan was a strong man, but reading what he went through only made him more like a man in my eyes.
This book was definitely different if you compare it with the previous novel, but definitely a great addition to this series. The ending was clearly different then with Voss and Dimitri, but I can live with the solution.
Miss Colleen Gleason has written a fabulous new vampire series and I hope to see more of her books in the near future.
September 1, 2016
Originally reviewed on Romancing the Darkside:
http://romancingthedarkside.com/2011/...
Colleen Gleason saved the best for last in this series! Being the only female Dracule in the series, Narcise's character had me intrigued from the moment she was mentioned so I knew her story was going to be exciting and emotional and as usual, Colleen Gleason delivers!
Turned vampire because of her brother Cezar's obsession with her, Narcise has since lived as a prisoner and as "entertainment" to his vile friends. She must fight to keep what little privacy she has while constantly mistreated, and dreams of nothing but finding a way out of Cezar's home and being away from his power over her. When she meets fellow vampire, Giordan Cale, Narcise believes her prayers have been answered. Giordan isn't the usual company Cezar Moldavi keeps, he becomes enamoured with Narcise and vows to rescue her from her evil brother. To save her, Giordan will have to succumb to Cezar's vile games which could cost him the very thing he intends to rescue, Narcise.
In my opinion, this is the strongest book in the series with The Vampire Dimitri coming in as a close second. Narcise, although tortured is a very strong heroine. I love her determination to persevere after her captivity and betrayal, her ability to open her heart again after such heartache is admirable. I thought the romance was clearly defined in the first two books and was not expecting the passionate love triangle that ensues between Giordan, Narcise and Chas, two vampires and a vampire hunter, but enjoyed it immensely nonetheless. Any woman would be lucky to have these two chivalrous and sexy men for their choosing! Chas is charming and a protector but often struggles with his affections towards Narcise, but it's Giordan's passion and love for Narcise that won me over, he accepts and loves her unconditionally.
I found Colleen Gleason did a magnificent job with the development of the characters and story in The Vampire Narcise. The first two books have a few story lines and different perspectives which is not the case here, the main focus is on the main characters with a few mentions of secondary characters. The pacing was faster and easier to follow in this book but it's probably because the other two stories have already been told. The world of the Dracule is fascinating and unlike any other vampire myth you've read, this, along with a Victorian setting works perfectly.
I can't say more to praise this book for fear of giving anything away. The characters are profound, the romance is sultry and the action is intense. There's a great balance of action and romance throughout and the ending is exceptional! The Vampire Narcise is a splendid pairing of paranormal and historical romance whose impression will stay with you far beyond the last page!
{Received by NetGalley for review}
http://romancingthedarkside.com/2011/...
Colleen Gleason saved the best for last in this series! Being the only female Dracule in the series, Narcise's character had me intrigued from the moment she was mentioned so I knew her story was going to be exciting and emotional and as usual, Colleen Gleason delivers!
Turned vampire because of her brother Cezar's obsession with her, Narcise has since lived as a prisoner and as "entertainment" to his vile friends. She must fight to keep what little privacy she has while constantly mistreated, and dreams of nothing but finding a way out of Cezar's home and being away from his power over her. When she meets fellow vampire, Giordan Cale, Narcise believes her prayers have been answered. Giordan isn't the usual company Cezar Moldavi keeps, he becomes enamoured with Narcise and vows to rescue her from her evil brother. To save her, Giordan will have to succumb to Cezar's vile games which could cost him the very thing he intends to rescue, Narcise.
In my opinion, this is the strongest book in the series with The Vampire Dimitri coming in as a close second. Narcise, although tortured is a very strong heroine. I love her determination to persevere after her captivity and betrayal, her ability to open her heart again after such heartache is admirable. I thought the romance was clearly defined in the first two books and was not expecting the passionate love triangle that ensues between Giordan, Narcise and Chas, two vampires and a vampire hunter, but enjoyed it immensely nonetheless. Any woman would be lucky to have these two chivalrous and sexy men for their choosing! Chas is charming and a protector but often struggles with his affections towards Narcise, but it's Giordan's passion and love for Narcise that won me over, he accepts and loves her unconditionally.
I found Colleen Gleason did a magnificent job with the development of the characters and story in The Vampire Narcise. The first two books have a few story lines and different perspectives which is not the case here, the main focus is on the main characters with a few mentions of secondary characters. The pacing was faster and easier to follow in this book but it's probably because the other two stories have already been told. The world of the Dracule is fascinating and unlike any other vampire myth you've read, this, along with a Victorian setting works perfectly.
I can't say more to praise this book for fear of giving anything away. The characters are profound, the romance is sultry and the action is intense. There's a great balance of action and romance throughout and the ending is exceptional! The Vampire Narcise is a splendid pairing of paranormal and historical romance whose impression will stay with you far beyond the last page!
{Received by NetGalley for review}
May 26, 2011
This book was so different in tone and narrative from Voss and Dimitri, it kind of threw me for a bit. But I soon got into the flow and time line of the story.
Probably my only complaint is the book stays exclusively in Narcis POV, which is correct, the book is titled with her name. I prefer the hero POV I admit, and was dying to know more of Giordan Cale's thoughts. Or of Chas, the vampire hunter.
Talk about your tragic hero, my gut clenched for Cale. It is hard to review without giving away too much of the plot, only Giordan sacrifices all, debases himself, all in the name of love. Tragic on so many levels.
This is not a light-hearted read, dark and disturbing in a lot of respects. Narcise is kept captive by the villain of this trilogy, her vampire brother Cezar Moldavi. a skinny, lisping, dangerous vampire who both loathes and adores his sister. He fights her in sword duels against opponents for his entertainment, if she loses, she is dragged off and sexually abused. Some heavy stuff in this. No wonder Narcise is damaged, closed off. She is also very dangerous.
Enter Giordan Cale. Handsome, passionate, and he falls for Narcise immediately, as she is quite beautiful. The way he approaches and ultimately woos this broken woman is wonderful. Narcise lets down her guard, and begins to feel. She has fallen in love with Cale. Now, how to get her away from the iron grip of her sick brother?
Cale enters into a bargain, and the whole thing blows apart. Narcise rejects Cale, misunderstandings abound, so much for love.
Ten years pass, and we find out how she met Chas Woodmore the dark, desirous human vampire hunter who ultimately rescues her from her brother. They enter into a physical relationship as shown in the previous books. The heat level was certainly ramped up in this book from the previous ones, fine with me! Chas is appealing on a lot of levels as well.
Cale and Narcise meet up again, and it is not pretty. She still carries her loathing over his supposed betrayal. A lot of tensions in this love triangle with a lot of messed up people.
An ultimate showdown is brewing between the Dracule and Moldavi, and it takes some twists you can't even imagine.
I am still scratching my head over the ending, I found it muddled, either that or I am thick. But ultimately this is about the sacrifice one makes for the one they love, and forgiveness. A searing, emotionally raw conclusion to this trilogy, I recommend all three books heartily!
3.5 out of 4 stars for the book
Probably my only complaint is the book stays exclusively in Narcis POV, which is correct, the book is titled with her name. I prefer the hero POV I admit, and was dying to know more of Giordan Cale's thoughts. Or of Chas, the vampire hunter.
Talk about your tragic hero, my gut clenched for Cale. It is hard to review without giving away too much of the plot, only Giordan sacrifices all, debases himself, all in the name of love. Tragic on so many levels.
This is not a light-hearted read, dark and disturbing in a lot of respects. Narcise is kept captive by the villain of this trilogy, her vampire brother Cezar Moldavi. a skinny, lisping, dangerous vampire who both loathes and adores his sister. He fights her in sword duels against opponents for his entertainment, if she loses, she is dragged off and sexually abused. Some heavy stuff in this. No wonder Narcise is damaged, closed off. She is also very dangerous.
Enter Giordan Cale. Handsome, passionate, and he falls for Narcise immediately, as she is quite beautiful. The way he approaches and ultimately woos this broken woman is wonderful. Narcise lets down her guard, and begins to feel. She has fallen in love with Cale. Now, how to get her away from the iron grip of her sick brother?
Cale enters into a bargain, and the whole thing blows apart. Narcise rejects Cale, misunderstandings abound, so much for love.
Ten years pass, and we find out how she met Chas Woodmore the dark, desirous human vampire hunter who ultimately rescues her from her brother. They enter into a physical relationship as shown in the previous books. The heat level was certainly ramped up in this book from the previous ones, fine with me! Chas is appealing on a lot of levels as well.
Cale and Narcise meet up again, and it is not pretty. She still carries her loathing over his supposed betrayal. A lot of tensions in this love triangle with a lot of messed up people.
An ultimate showdown is brewing between the Dracule and Moldavi, and it takes some twists you can't even imagine.
I am still scratching my head over the ending, I found it muddled, either that or I am thick. But ultimately this is about the sacrifice one makes for the one they love, and forgiveness. A searing, emotionally raw conclusion to this trilogy, I recommend all three books heartily!
3.5 out of 4 stars for the book
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