Date published February 2008
ISBN 978-0451223265
Paranormal Regency Romance/Vampire
Paperback
Reviewed by Lil
A month earlier, Lady Victoria Gardella Grantworth de Lacy became Illa Gardella, upon the death of her aunt who had held the title. The burden of responsibility is heavy and lonely for the new leader of the Venators or vampire hunters. This latest loss comes a mere year after losing her husband, thanks to the enemy.
There is not time to mourn for long. The battle against their foe has grown even more complicated with split factions fighting for control, a demon lending strength to one side and Beauregard, an ancient Vampire, on the other. They also seem to have an unhealthy interest in opening the door to the lab of a long disappeared alchemist. Of three missing keys, Victoria’s aunt had been the owner of one.
On a personal front, Sebastian Vioget continues with his marked interest, ambiguous loyalties, and dangerous attraction. He is the grandson of that very powerful vampire vying for command. On the other hand, mysterious fellow Venator Maximilian Pesaro continues to vary between icy aloofness, apparent disdain and unexpected regard.
THE BLEEDING DUSK is the third book in the Gardella Vampire Chronicles and the most impressive of the installments yet. One recommends that readers begin with The Rest Falls Away followed by Rises the Night. The second and third book begin fairly soon after the previous one ends. Though there are romantic elements, there has not been the classic happily ever after;it has been more of a continuing storyline.
Rome and the celebration of Carnivale is the setting for this story. The author uses the colorful background to good effect incorporating the confusion, the crowds and the customs. We learn more about the Consilium, vampire hunter headquarters and those who are attached to it as Venator, researcher, healer, etc. In fact, there are so many such characters introduced that one has a bit of difficulty keeping track of name and function.
Normal vampire hunting duties are interrupted by Victoria’s concerned mother and said mama’s two friends. They add a touch of comic relief to the mayhem even as they cause Illa Gardella consternation.
Those who have been following Ms Gleason’s books will be thrilled to learn more about the two men who capture Victoria’s interest. They are light and dark, frivolously self-serving and broodingly altruistic. Sebastian’s insistence upon walking between family loyalty and those battling for the human cause is both understandable and exasperating. His inability to commit to the side of the good has made the heroine’s interest in him a terrible conflict for her to bear. Alternatively, Max is a solidly tortured hero who has had to endure much and continues to make sacrifice after tragic sacrifice for the side of the good. Both are intriguing in their own right and though others may have chosen a favorite, the love triangle is still such that many will remain undecided.
The heroine has certainly matured in the time that we have known her. Something that hasn’t changed,however, is her impromptu planning and ill advised actions. There are times when one gets frustrated with this aspect of her character, but for the most part the story is interesting enough that we happily follow along.
The book starts off in a somewhat slow pace that builds to quite the crescendo at the end. Unexpected twists and revelations of character revealed keep the reader riveted. Give the tale time to lull you and you will be well rewarded.
No comments:
Post a Comment