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Summary: It made a Ravenloft fan out of me!!!
Review: First off I would like to say to the "critic" who didn't like this book, If you can't spell - don't judge other peoples writing!! With that out of the way I can tell you how absolutely enthralling this book was!! I am a loyal fan of the D&D and Forgotten Realms books, so when my husband gave me this book I was sure it wouldn't be something I wanted to read. I have played Ravenloft campaigns and found them to be too dark and evil and I thought the book would prove to be the same. It wasn't!! Wonderfully deep and lovable characters(especially the tortured Jander) ,an exciting story-line and an almost sympathetic villan. I couldn't put the book down and when I was finished I searched the web for more of Mrs.Goldens' books!!
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Summary: Amazing book
Review: I absolutely loved this book. Easily one of the best books I've ever read. It's hard to believe that Golden's a first time author. The character development was remarkable, particularly with Jander. Unlike the contrived endings of so many works of fantasy, this left a lot to the imagination with its open-endedness. When I finished, I couldn't wait to learn more about Barovia and the world of Ravenloft. I'm trying to read all the books sequentially. Too bad so many are out of print and hard to find...
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Summary: Even After Eight Years...
Review: I suspect that this book's detractors were either (a) looking for something else entirely or (b) smoking large amounts of crack. This book is a gem, something I ran into at a used book-shop, something more a rarity these days than it was eight years ago, what with the advent of online purchasing. It was tucked away in a dark corner with a glut of other vampire literature, and as I sat perusing these books and their contents, I came to know Jander Sunstar. Jander, next to Louis in Rice's "Interview With the Vampire" (and ONLY this book), really struck me as a powerful metaphor on so many levels. The metaphor of a self-loathing vampire has only been explored successfully in these two books and in the Batman graphic novel trilogy (Red Rain, Bloodstorm, and Crimson Mist).We have a metaphor here for depression: vampirism. They wander alone, they hate themselves for their needs, yet cannot escape them. I have lived a very similar life, though nothing nearly so fantastical. Jander really broke my heart, the way he spoke with one girl that Strahd had left for him: "You know that I will hurt you as little as possible, and take only the minimal amount I need, right?" And even after calming her, he hates himself for taking what he needs. Jander and Batman were taken by treachery amidst noble deeds, Louis seduced at his point of greatest sorrow: the point is, they hate what they are, yet see no way out. They do what good they can amidst evil they know they will have to pay for. Whenever I get good and depressed, not leaving my room for days at a time or speaking to another living soul, I find myself thinking of Louis, the transformed Batman ...and of Jander Sunstar. Jander, who loved music and light, and all growing things. Jander, who haunted the night and the ruined castle like a sorrowful ghost given substance. Jander, who loved deeply, who felt deeply, yet could only be harmed by this conscience he took with him everywhere. Yet, perhaps his sorrow could be his penance for the horror that he had become... Like "Interview," this book shows what time means to a vampire, how swiftly it can pass. Yet it also shows how a single day can decide the tempo and color of decades to come, as well. I prefer Golden's depiction of Strahd, feeling that later books seek to make him less of a monster, but at least in my opinion, failing miserably. No amount of explanation can make Strahd even an anti-hero, let alone account for the horrors he has perpetrated. And I am not entirely certain that the personal hell he lives in is sufficient to make up for the things he has done....
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Summary: The heart of a golden elf..
Review: I have simply lost count of how many times I have read this book. As an introduction to the world of Ravenloft, this book was perfect, and in my opinion very hard to follow. Jander Sunstar is by far my favorite character, in all the hundred's of books that I have read. He is the perfect example of a lost soul in search of redemption and salvation. I wish that he had been carried on into other books, but I have yet to find one that he is in. This is a story for those who love vampires as there is no lack of the 'evil vampires', but also just a very well written book and one that flows so smoothly even though it covers such a long span of time. If you come across this book, buy it. Hopefully you will enjoy it as much as I have.
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Summary: Vampire of the Mists, a triumph!
Review: I knew from the first sentance that I would love the book, and I was not disappointed.
A unique spin on the otherwise overdone tormented vampire theme, Jander Sunstar is a light and nature loving elf, now cursed to eternal darkness. And how much more terrible is his agony when, in the confines of Ravenloft, he finds his touch now kills the very plants he loves so well? He has lost everything now, every semblence of the mortal life he yearns for. All he has left is the memory of a woman he loved, and soon Ravenloft warps even that.
The main villain is a memorable one as well. Strahd Von Zarovich is a classic vampire, but he is no one-dimensional evil. He has a personality, albeit a chilling and disturbing one, and even a touch of nobility. By the end of the book I had been captured in his spell -- I ended up a bigger fan of Strahd's than Jander's! His evil is tangible, as is his tragedy. As his story unfolds, one is drawn deeper and deeper into his web, and by the end, there is no escaping.
I highly reccommend this book to all fans of vampires or gothic fantasy in general. It is the best take on the classic vampire I've seen, and one of the best books I've ever read
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Summary: Amazing book. A *must* read.
Review: This was the first Ravenloft book I read and I absolutely loved it. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys fantasy reading and especially if you enjoy reading about Vampires. The main character is extremely entertaining and the "bad guy" (Strahd) is equally interesting. This book set the "bar" very high for all the Ravenloft books that were to follow. Buy it if you can find it. I've read it 3 times.
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Summary: Vampires and Elves, a Neat Idea!
Review: This is the first Ravenloft novel I've read and so is my first encounter with Jander Sunstar and Strahd. I must say that I'm impressed by the novel that Christie Golden has written. Jander is an extremely well-developed character that I was able to sympathize with. I could feel his anguish as being a Gold Elf that could never feel the kiss of golden sunlight and must feed himself on the lifeblood of others. The conflict between his elven nature and vampire existence made for a great character. The one thing that hampered this book for me was the feeling that the Ravenloft world was too confined. I realize that this is the first novel in the series, but the land just seemed too small. Castle Ravenloft, two towns, and the land between seemed to be all there was. Somehow this setting just left me wanting more. Overall this is a great first work for Christie Golden and a great start to the Ravenloft series. I would recommend this book to any fan of fantasy, vampires, or adventure fiction.
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Summary: A different kind of vampire
Review: Jander Sunstar is a unique Vampire. Not only is he a gold elf, he is also a vampire the reader can get emotionaly envolved with. He has a love of beauty, music, nature, and has feelings for others. His numerous adventures will keep you turning pages. There are many twist and turns in the story as well as a few surprises. I enjoyed the book very much and found it hard to put down. I like Jander so much that I hope to see him in another novel soon.
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Summary: The Ending Nearly Broke my Heart...
Review: I hunted this book down after reading the Jandar short stories in the "Infamy" series. Ms. Golden writes far better than many of the supposed veteran writers I've run across. She does an excellant job of developing all of the characters, not just Jandar. She builds the story very slowly, allowing pieces of the mystery to fall into place and keep drawing us along. While the villian is obvious, just what his crime was, and how horribly it's twisted the lives (and unlives) of the cast isn't learned until close to the story's end. And the last few pages are real tear jerkers. I really like the Drizzt books, but I never have been as emotionally attached to Mr. Salvator's noble dark elf as I am to Ms. Goldens' tragic sun elf.
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Summary: Leaving Anne Rice in the dust.
Review: I adore Jander Sunstar, I loved this book. It is one of the best vampire novels I have read. I enjoyed this more than anything Anne Rice has written. The storyline and plot made it hard for me to put this book down, Golden did a great job. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys dark fantasy, vampires, or AD&D. I just wish Golden would write more books with Jander.
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