Rating: Summary: Is -Writ in Blood- an apology for -Mansions of Darkness-? Review: -Writ in Blood- is by far the lightest of the Saint-Germain novels. Particularly when compared to -Mansions of Darkness-. It was fun to see Saint-Germain trying to out-politic Germany and England. It was also a nice change to see Saint-Germain able to relax with a lover. Both of his women were likeable. The only bad thing about this book is that "Tempting Fate" is only a couple of years in WiB's future. So I read the entire book with the feeling that something awful was about to happen. BTW, if anyone knows what the Opus number of Chopin's "Winter Wind" is, email me. Please.
Rating: Summary: Is -Writ in Blood- an apology for -Mansions of Darkness-? Review: -Writ in Blood- is by far the lightest of the Saint-Germain novels. Particularly when compared to -Mansions of Darkness-. It was fun to see Saint-Germain trying to out-politic Germany and England. It was also a nice change to see Saint-Germain able to relax with a lover. Both of his women were likeable. The only bad thing about this book is that "Tempting Fate" is only a couple of years in WiB's future. So I read the entire book with the feeling that something awful was about to happen. BTW, if anyone knows what the Opus number of Chopin's "Winter Wind" is, email me. Please.
Rating: Summary: Chelsea Quinn Yarbro writes another must-read. Review: Chelsea Quinn Yarbro once again delivers a powerful novel featuring the vampire Count Saint Germain. This time the setting is from 1910-1912 in Russia, England, and Germany. Saint-Germain is on a mission for Czar Nicholas II to help persuade Edward VII and Kaiser Wilhelm to sign a proposal to prevent the outbreak war. St. Germain finds himself surrounded by spies and enemies, while at the same time finding love with a headstrong artist who is determined not to give in to the demands of society. As St. Germain's love for Rowena Saxon strengthens, both his life and her own are threatened when the violent Baron Von Wolgast feels St. Germain's peace mission is a danger to his plans.
As usual, Chelsea Quinn Yarbro uses her impressive abiltity to weave fact with fantasy, and a number of historical persons are characters in this novel. These elements make the book an even more rewarding read, and Writ in Blood should satisfy all readers of vampire and historical fiction.
Rating: Summary: Another triumph! For Vampire legend, Yarbro is the best Review: For fans of Yarbro's "Count Germaine" series, this one is the best effort yet. Once again, Chelsea's exhaustive research pays off. Unlike other writers of her genre, Yarbro gives her Count a human quality, more in the spirit of the real man of history Germain is based on, giving him a sense of reality that leaves the reading saying,hmmm.
Rating: Summary: Another triumph! For Vampire legend, Yarbro is the best Review: For fans of Yarbro's "Count Germaine" series, this one is the best effort yet. Once again, Chelsea's exhaustive research pays off. Unlike other writers of her genre, Yarbro gives her Count a human quality, more in the spirit of the real man of history Germain is based on, giving him a sense of reality that leaves the reading saying,hmmm.
Rating: Summary: Another triumph! For Vampire legend, Yarbro is the best Review: For fans of Yarbro's "Count Germaine" series, this one is the best effort yet. Once again, Chelsea's exhaustive research pays off. Unlike other writers of her genre, Yarbro gives her Count a human quality, more in the spirit of the real man of history Germain is based on, giving him a sense of reality that leaves the reading saying,hmmm.
Rating: Summary: Not her best effort Review: I am a real Saint-Germain junkie, but this book was rather a let-down. Usually Ms. Yarbro's books are exceptionally well-researched, but this one fell flat. I thought the repeated use of certain Saint-Germain sayings (such as "my...life" and "I give you my Word on it" was a little cheesy and distracting.) The most interesting part of the book for me was the poliyical intrigue surrounding the sale of arms, and I wish it had been better developed.
I miss the very detailed background nature that were in books like "Tempting Fate" and "Blood Games."
All in all, an interesting book, and worth reading, but not an exceptional book.
Rating: Summary: Argh! Review: I might've given this book four stars if not for one incredibly grating mistake in Yarbro's research: Tsar Nicholas was not descended from Queen Victoria. His mother was the twin sister of Vicky's daughter-in-law, and his wife was Vicky's granddaughter, but there was no direct blood link between Nicholas and Victoria.Other than that, I found the story pleasant, but not as gripping as some of Saint-Germain's other adventures. The tales of spy and counterspy were especially confusing. And what happened to SG's vaunted low profile for the sake of self-preservation if he's hob-nobbing with the crowned heads of Europe, even if they are about to roll? Oh well.
Rating: Summary: Another great SG book! Review: I sat down and read this one in a single sitting. Not as dark and tragic an outing as her last (Mansions of Darkness), Quinn delivers a great story set in Europe / Russia just prior to the first world war. As usual, she drops lots of hints about SG's past, including names of lady loves we have not met yet
Rating: Summary: Tired and slow Review: I'm a big fan of vampire fiction in ganeral, and Saint-Germain in particular. However, I returned this book to the library after 2 weeks with only 30 pages read. Yarbro's latest few SG novels have had a tendency to become ever-more long, boring, and laboriously slow. None of the sense of action and excitement present in Blood Games or Tempting Fate.
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