Roman Dusk: A Novel of the Count Saint-Germain

I have been reading Yarbro's Saint-Germain stories since Hotel Transylvania first came out - and I have loved them all, including the Olivia and Madalaine novels. I have them all and I will never give them away. Whenever I'm tired of today's news, and politics and other daily things that might bring me down, I pick up one of the Saint-Germain's and I travel back in time - CQY's descriptions of the places and times and the historical figures are impressive and immerse me mentally to a point where I can "forget" about today for a least a little while - and Saint-Germain is always so strong, intelligent and compassionate - I've often wished that I could have met him. I don't want to spoil the plot for CQY's fans - but "Roman Dusk" will be a favorite of any Saint-Germain fan - or for those who like to read about times and places in the past.

Roman Dusk was everything one can want in a St. Germain novel. There is scrumptuous historical detail. There are the usual erotic sex scenes (with the Count's perculiar kind of love making/feeding.) There are villins, ranging from the over officious tax man to the fanatical Christian who is pretty sure that St. Germain is the spawn of Satan. The Christians in this novel are not the nice people from Sunday School who are always having beautific smiles on their faces while the lions approach and Peter Ustinov (aka Nero) looks on bemused from the Imperial Box. These Christians are nasty people, somewhere between Al Qaeda and over zealous frat boys. Roman Dawn is set in the third century, when the Roman Empire was starting to go to hell in a hand basket, but doing it with lots of parties, games, and other entertainments. A must read for St. Germain fans.

Chelsea Quinn Yarbro's Saint Germain is entertainment blended with history. With `Roman Dusk' readers experience Rome with insight and reasons for its fall by following the Count, a most unusual vampire, through compelling events. The Count lives at Olivia Clemen's estate and is a foreigner in Rome. She has been his friend for two centuries and doesn't currently reside there. The time is 160 AD and is called the Decadence. This is a time when bureaucracy grows in corruption, the nobles have become overindulgent, public entertainment is violent, the gap between rich and poor widens, the standards of education erodes, and maintenance of society law gives way to political and commercial influence. Somehow this sounds vaguely familiar. Count Saint-Germain, otherwise known as Sanct-Franciscus, attempts to go about his business in an orderly and professional manner, but spies watch his every move, those in his employ steal from him, and Roman politicians look for ways to make him an example. Sanct-Franciscus attempts to find companionship to ease his loneliness, and to provide him nourishment. This isn't easy. While tending as a physician to the severely ailing well-to-do Domina Adicia, he grows ever closer to her daughter. He soon realizes she can provide him that rare and satisfying closeness. Domina's brother, a fanatical convert to the new religion of Christianity, will not have it though. Not only does he openly work to keep them apart, but seeks to destroy Sanct-Franciscus. Will being a vampire be enough to save Sanct-Franciscus when peril comes from all directions? His very life is threatened by the true death. Only amazing abilities and careful thought will save him, if he can manage it. As a lover, the Sanct Franciscus is unordinary here too, and not at all like mortal men. Women in the Roman time period are far from being treated as equal to men. Many are trained at a very young age, such as fifteen, for men's pleasure. Women may not own property either, and have little say in most matters. In exchange for nourishment, Sanct Franciscus provides ecstasy for chosen female companions. He concerns himself only with her pleasure saying, "Your pleasure is my pleasure; I have no other. What you achieve, I achieve, and only what you achieve." This is amazing to these women. Most lovers care only about their own pleasures, especially in Rome. "You don't fall on me like a ravening wolf, as so many do," says Melidulci, Sanct Franciscus's latest companion. As with all of Chelsea Quinn Yarbro's Saint-Germain series, readers find themselves learning history and being entertained. Each book points out the ways of the time period, including politics and social graces. Sanct Franciscus lives through these periods, and is unlike any other vampire I've read about, or viewed in a movie. His business sense, manners, and concern for humans is better than most humans themselves. This book, and the others in the series, would make

Like the many fans of St. Germain, I await the latest installment in the history of his long un-life with anticipation. Roman Dusk is no disappointment. The author seems particularly at home in ancient Rome and the story is well paced and fascinating. One new element in this chapter of St. Germain's story is the glossary that clarifies certain terms and city names used in the book. It's an excellent addition. Reading some earlier novels I puzzled over some of the terms used, though my enjoyment was little diminished. Now the wait begins for the next story of St. Germain.

It is the beginning of the end for the once mighty Roman Empire. Barbarians are at the gates with the outposts falling to the enemies. Legions are not getting paid while ethics no longer go as far they once did leading to widespread hardship and fear. Officials are corrupt using their positions of power for personal gain with extortion being the norm. Vampire Ragoczy Germainus Sanct' Fransicus (AKA Count St. Germain) has bad luck when he crosses path with Batsho the decuriae, who collects tax money. Initially, the vampire remains ignorant to Batsho's animosity towards him as he is preoccupied with healing a suffering widow suffering with his special medicines. He gets his nourishment from a call girl that lacks the emotional intensity he craves when he dines. Inquiries about the vampire's goods that need to be taxed call his attention to Batsho's corruption and animosity to him personally because he is a rich foreigner. When Ragoczy learns that one of his servants spies for Batsho, he starts to arrange his departure from Rome, but the Christians have other plans for him. Every time one reads a St. Germain thriller, one obtains an astute history lesson that is cleverly wrapped inside a delightful vampire tale. The story line in ROMAN DUSK occurs around 160 AD, which focuses on the corruption of the Rome's powerful at the cost of long term security. Thus the beginning cracks that ultimately lead to the fall of the City-State are occurring as the affluent get wealthier and everyone poorer. This time the vampire is caught in the middle of a power struggle between the current dishonest leaders and the intolerant Christians pushing to eradicate all the sinners and demon offspring by dispatching them to hell. Harriet Klausner