Rating: 
Summary: Saint Germain Novels always a winner
Review: "Better in the Dark" does not have the fast pace that many of the early Saint Germain novels have. However, as any true fan of the deliciously mesmerizing count, I could not put it down. Many will be put off by the historical content and details, but I found that it is those attributes that make Yarbo's books so compelling and realistic. It is a welcome change from the over-done kill/maim, I-want-to-drink-your-blood and oh-do-I-have-a-soul? vampires. Like many Saint Germain fans, I will read any book containing the count that I can get my hands on, and I have never been disappointed. This is no exception.V. Canfield
Rating: 
Summary: Grabs you by the throat before you know what's happened
Review: Don't let the title, or the awful cover (Who *are* these people? They certainly aren't the characters in the book!), nor the fact that it's a "vampire" novel put you off. This is, quite simply, one of the most enjoyable books I've read this year. Well drawn characters, atmosphere you could cut with a knife, a richly detailed plot, coupled with one of the strongest female leads I've ever encountered in a novel make this for a fantastic read. Add to that a plot which builds to a truly shattering climax and I suspect no purveyor of fine fiction could ever put this book down unsatisfied. While none of Yarbro's Saint-Germain novels are bad, this one stands up and grabs you by the throat, but not in a way so's you'd notice until it's too late. Oh yeah - has one of the most satisfying "just desserts" scenes I've encountered in recent memory.
Rating:
Summary: Grabs you by the throat before you know what's happened
Review: Don't let the title, or the awful cover (Who *are* these people? They certainly aren't the characters in the book!), nor the fact that it's a "vampire" novel put you off. This is, quite simply, one of the most enjoyable books I've read this year. Well drawn characters, atmosphere you could cut with a knife, a richly detailed plot, coupled with one of the strongest female leads I've ever encountered in a novel make this for a fantastic read. Add to that a plot which builds to a truly shattering climax and I suspect no purveyor of fine fiction could ever put this book down unsatisfied. While none of Yarbro's Saint-Germain novels are bad, this one stands up and grabs you by the throat, but not in a way so's you'd notice until it's too late. Oh yeah - has one of the most satisfying "just desserts" scenes I've encountered in recent memory.
Rating:
Summary: Yet another wonderful book in the Yarbro collection.
Review: How best to put the reader in the mind and feelings of the characters? That is the question most authors struggle with, and it is this question that Yarbro has answered. Letters fill this book, ones written by the Comte himself, others by his enemies, allies, even neutral observers. The command of the many and varied languages present is simply amazing, words from people all over the world dotting the pages with hints and clues into the cultures that have long since died away. Saxony is seen with more than a simple hint of believability in this novel, the harsh forests and coast, the stark cold of a monastary, the rabid struggle to survive in a hard land, all brought to the fore. Once again, as in Yarbro's other novels, religion is at the head of the antagonists' side, always fighting against Saint-Germain and his attempts at happiness. It is a book with a heavy emphasis on imagery, and it succeeds in portraying its scenery with vivid life. Unfortunately, less than perfection has been achieved. Despite, or perhaps because of, the high level of content, the book is more than a little slow to read. One has to know the author, and trust that her writing is worth the trouble, to get past the crawling speed. A note of illtiding for those who do not want to take their time with a book, but it still remains a novel well worth that cost
Rating:
Summary: Every novel of Saint-Germain is a treat-this is better
Review: I began reading the Saint-Germain novels in the 1970's. Better in the Dark is one of my favorites. Not a typical vampire novel, not a typical horror novel, Yarbro's treatment of the the dead but undying Count is romance in the tradition of Tristan and Isolde, I Claudius and the Lord of the Rings.
Rating:
Summary: Favorite Firsts
Review: I had the pleasure of being introduced to le Comte de Saint Germain and Chelsea Quinn Yarbro when I was a sophomore in high school. "Better in the Dark" was the first of Yarbro's novels that I read, and I loved it. I had just recently become deeply interested in all aspects of vampire lore and literature, and was already something of a hobbyist when it came to history. "Better in the Dark" is an excellent novel, both as an introduction to Yarbro's rich style and dynamic characters, and as an entertaining and educational piece of historical fiction. It will always be one of my favorite "firsts," having kindled in me a lasting love for the writing of Yarbro, and I highly recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: Favorite Firsts
Review: I had the pleasure of being introduced to le Comte de Saint Germain and Chelsea Quinn Yarbro when I was a sophomore in high school. "Better in the Dark" was the first of Yarbro's novels that I read, and I loved it. I had just recently become deeply interested in all aspects of vampire lore and literature, and was already something of a hobbyist when it came to history. "Better in the Dark" is an excellent novel, both as an introduction to Yarbro's rich style and dynamic characters, and as an entertaining and educational piece of historical fiction. It will always be one of my favorite "firsts," having kindled in me a lasting love for the writing of Yarbro, and I highly recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: Favorite Firsts
Review: I had the pleasure of being introduced to le Comte de Saint Germain and Chelsea Quinn Yarbro when I was a sophomore in high school. "Better in the Dark" was the first of Yarbro's novels that I read, and I loved it. I had just recently become deeply interested in all aspects of vampire lore and literature, and was already something of a hobbyist when it came to history. "Better in the Dark" is an excellent novel, both as an introduction to Yarbro's rich style and dynamic characters, and as an entertaining and educational piece of historical fiction. It will always be one of my favorite "firsts," having kindled in me a lasting love for the writing of Yarbro, and I highly recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: Better, Indeed
Review: I'm fairly new to Saint-Germain, and the book that had gotten the most hoopla was Out of the House of Life (which is good, fills in some background on him), but this is better than that, in my opinion. It opens with mere mortals, then introduces the Count, with such perfect physical descriptions that you are truly transported to the flesh of the woman who meets him. The mysteries and sadness that seem to pervade this series are of course present; there is sadness in the ending that one might have liked to see otherwise, but it was still excellent. Plot and descriptions are both strong throughout, not always a trait of historicals or romance. And as a bonus, the reader learns about ergotism (called "blighted grain," I believe, in the book). Fascinating!
Rating: 
Summary: Bored stiff
Review: If you want an original doorstopper, or need something to prop up a table... this is ideal. I found it tedious, a history lesson I didn't want, and never made it beyond the first 200 pages. One of the worst books I have ever picked up.Thumbs down.
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