The Golden

This wonderfully entertaining novel was my first exposure to Shepard's writing, and it most definitely won't be the last. Some readers may complain about Shepard's verbose style, but I thought that the prose was pitch-perfect: The novel appears almost as if it were written in the mid-nineteenth century, which is appropriate (and convincing) considering the setting. Shepard only falters once or twice. For example, I don't recall too many nineteenth-century novels containing the f-word. (I have nothing against profanity, but its use here jarred me out of the tale.) Nevertheless, I give the book five stars, because it is 1) tremendously entertaining and 2) a great introduction to Lucius Shepard. I cannot wait to read more of his works.

I can't believe there hasn't been a 2nd book published after The Golden's ending!! It begs for a sequel...I need to know what happens in the East! Anyway, I loved everything about this book, from the prose to the setting to the characters to the story. It was a gritty, dark, gothic, sensual, harrowing, creative journey that pulled me in from the beginning. From "the Mystery" to the Patriarch, from the dark castle to Alexandra, it was a great vampire read. I loved how Mr. Shepard hinted at various powers the vampires had, showing us some but only imagining others. A great read that I recommend to any fans of vampire novels, the supernatural, the gothic setting and overall dark fantasy/horror.

I have to agree with the sentiments of a reviewer that can't believe this thorougly entertaining novel is not in print. What a shame. If you enjoyed Anne Rice's vampire novels or "Tap Tap" or "The Book of Common Dread"; you'll enjoy this. Shepard's prose is very lush & rich. His characters are suitably creepy and dark. Without giving too much away-this not only a superb murder mystery; but a frightening vampire love story. I would recommend this book to any fan of vampire novels.

I can't believe this book is out of print--or maybe I should not be surprised. Lucius Shepard is a giant, one of our best living writers. This book is a masterpiece. Forget the fact that it is about vampires. Track down a copy of this, and check out "Life During Wartime", "Green Eyes", and "The Ends of the Earth" while you're at it. Lucius, where are you? We need some new books!

The product of generations of breeding, a young woman exists to provide blood best described as "The Golden," an elixir that can get the most jaded vampire drunk as a skunk from just a taste. For years the creme de la creme of vampire society has been waiting for just a sip of her. She's just been found murdered and drained. And so, in a castle full of grumpy, snobby, ancient vampires, a young-blood with a police background is charged with finding the murderer. Granted, his suspects could easily tear him to pieces, but Michel is eager to bring the murderer to justice because our young detective was one of the few who sampled The Golden before she died. Shepard manages to use elegant writing to evoke a mood and period without creating a 500-plus page exercise in listening to himself talk. The book and the world it shows feels lush and decadent. I find this book unique in that it has the single best description of the sun as an enemy that I have ever read. I recommend this book for people interested in 80's and 90's vampire novels that have a historical feel to them.