Rating: 
Summary: Excellent historical fiction
Review: I am a Saint-Germain junkie.So perhaps I am not as objective as I could be. Nevertheless, I loved this book. In Blood Roses, CQY recaptures the style that made me like her older works -- the Palace, Blood Games, and Tempting Fate. The interplay between Our Favorite Count and Roger is back up to speed in this book. Ms Yarbro managed to avoid the pitfalls of her recent works -- relying too heavily on Saint-Germain's insider jokes about "my ...life" and "those of my blood". Instead, this is a fresh book, with sparkling women characters and a long historical perspective. Her research is excellent. If only we could get those fabulous oldies back into print -- I would pay for at least two hardcover editions of Tempting Fate -- one to keep, one to lend. And Hotel Transylvania... well, I was able to stumble across that in a used bookstore, and it is certainly good enough for re-release. And how about the Palace -- oh, what a story! Thanks, CQY, for keeping us in Saint-Germain novels. I can't wait for the next one.
Rating:
Summary: BRAVO !
Review: I am astonished that CQY makes me crave the recreation of historical events that have changed the course of mankind while satisfying my need for a great vampire novel. She allows you to travel with Saint-Germain through devastation, death, and the turmoil of Europe during the 1300's when religion and politics were intertwined.
Rating: 
Summary: great addition to the St. Germain saga
Review: I enjoyed this book. I have read all the St. Germain books I've been able to get my hands on, and wonder why the older ones have not been reprinted. Another wonderful evocation of this cultured, ethical and sympathetic vampire, as opposed to the many ravening revenants seen elsewhere. I recommend it highly.
Rating: 
Summary: Might be better on the second reading...
Review: I feel sorry for all those readers who discovered St. Germain after 1990. While I liked this book as well as any of the more recent chronicles, I feel like Yarbro is short-changing her audience. Her earlier novels were much more complex and politically savvy than these recent, plodding stories. Unfortunately, Blood Roses is no exception to this new rule. In this tale, we have yet another story which contrasts our immortal Count's vast compassion and humanity with the vapid, ignorant and unappreciative masses who persecute him despite (or because of) his service to them. This is an old story from Yarbro, one we've heard many times before (Darker Jewels, Mansions of Darkness, Writ in Blood...is there any difference?) It seems to me that lately, Yarbro has only point (history is ugly, people are ignorant and savage), and it is one we've seen before. Further, Blood Roses lacks the "strong and exceptional" woman who mitigates Yarbro's brutal attention to detail. We've come to expect these women from Yarbro, yet when compared to Oliva or T'en Chi-Yu, Blood Roses' plague-era women are two dimensional and dull. I'm ready for some new Oliva books; I miss her wit and determination, especially when compared to St. Germain's unchanging compassion. While I'm totally hooked and always will be, I can only hope that this chapter will grow on me with time (as Better in the Dark has done). In the meantime, I'll remember the 80's fondly and return to Yarbro and the Count in those books when I'm looking for real adventure, political commentary, and love...
Rating:
Summary: Impossible to review
Review: I would love to be able to review any book by CQY but as I have only two, very old, battered much loaned and loved books of hers it proves an impossibilty. I cannot buy any books of hers here in England either new or used. Booksellers cannot even find details of Tor Pubishers in their catalogues. Blood Games, one of my favourites, was actually in our Public Library, but (surprise surprise,) it was actually stolen! They cannot replace it and cannot get hold of any more of her books. It seems I will have to go back to Canada to get any new books, not that I mind but it does put the price up!! So please add my name to the list of readers who say - REPRINT!!
Rating:
Summary: Great historical horror
Review: In 1345, Count Saint-Germain settles in the small town of Orgon, which is near Avignon. In light of the unending war between England and France, the townsfolk are normally leery of strangers, but the generous Saint-Germain shares his wealth and his medical skill with his neighbors. As such, he has begrudgingly earned the respect of most of the locals. However, Saint-Germain's idyll days end when the bubonic plague attacks the county of Provence, including Orgon. Saint-Germain previously appreciated healing ability becomes suspect as the townsfolk wonder if this foreigner has brought with him the black plague that is ravishing the countryside. Saint-Germain realizes that he must flee before his true identity as a vampire surfaces even though it means disguising himself as a troubadour and heading even deeper into the center of the widening dead zone. It seems that readers have been following the tales of Saint-Germain even longer than the three-thousand years that the vampire has lived. One would expect that after a dozen-plus novels centered on one character that the series would turn stale. However, in the hands of the talented Chelsea Quinn Yarbro, the latest book, BLOOD ROSES, remains as invigorating as the first novel. Late fourteenth century France and the effect of the plague are the stars of this authentic and vivid work of fiction that brilliantly blends historical facts within a supernatural tale. Series fans and other readers will be elated by this entry and want at least a dozen more novels starring the ever popular vampire. Harriet Klausner
Rating:
Summary: Impossible to review
Review: Let this be a note to Tor: I read everything I can get my hands on by Chelsea Quinn Yarbro, in particular the Saint Germain novels. However, I usually end up borrowing them from the library and buying them used or remaindered because I can't afford a series of $15 trade paperbacks. Please, please print these in mass media paper! I read the Saint Germain novels because I love his loooong view of history, not because it's horror. If you like to read historical fiction, you will be thrilled to find any of these books!
Rating:
Summary: Yarbro writes great historical fiction!!!
Review: Let this be a note to Tor: I read everything I can get my hands on by Chelsea Quinn Yarbro, in particular the Saint Germain novels. However, I usually end up borrowing them from the library and buying them used or remaindered because I can't afford a series of $15 trade paperbacks. Please, please print these in mass media paper! I read the Saint Germain novels because I love his loooong view of history, not because it's horror. If you like to read historical fiction, you will be thrilled to find any of these books!
Rating:
Summary: The setting of -Blood Roses- is the best part of the book.
Review: Likes: The focus on Saint-Germain's and Roger's friendship. Seeing Saint-Germain in slightly less elegant surroundings. Seeing Saint-Germain placed in a Catch-22 situation. Hugenot Dislikes: Jenfra: she was a brat, and she almost got Saint-Germain killed. Strengths: The historical setting, the feeling of hopelessness, the sheer scope of the plague. Weakness: Even though it's historically accurate, it's difficult to believe (from a 1990's pov) that any culture could be so suicidally stupid.
Rating:
Summary: Another winner!
Review: Ms. Yarbro's research and attention to historical detail alone would make me read her books. Add to that the fact I'm a Saint-Germain junkie from way back (and am lucky enough to have all the Saint-Germain books, some even autographed) and I'm likely not an unbiased reviewer. Another excellent addition to the series. The basic premise does not really change from book to book. It is Ms. Yarbro's treatment of that premise and her abilities to create an interesting story and engaging characters that make this book and all her other Saint-Germain stories worth reading. It also seems that this story flows more naturally, as though Ms. Yarbro had rediscovered an enjoyment of writing the Count's adventures. As usual, her language and style are impeccable, almost lyrical. She's the only author I read who still makes me grab my dictionary to check out definitions. Thank the Goddess there's at least one author who isn't afraid to use 50 cent words. I will say that Tor's copy editors do not do a very good job of catching typos, particularly those that would not be caught using a spellchecker. Unfortunately, this is a growing problem with most publishers (a very broad hint). Overall it's a marvelous book. Probably more engaging for those who are familiar with Saint-Germain, however.
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