When Twilight Burns

I love that this series, which is already an original combination of genres - a regency urban fantasy as oxymoronic as that sounds - keeps evolving. The last book left us hanging. Is Victoria on her way to becoming the very thing that she's been hunting? She's not a vampire but the other Venator's sense her as such, so what is she? Will she be lost? Will Max be able to avoid Lilith's wrath now that he is no longer a Venator? And Sebastian, now that we know his secret and the ties that bound him away from his destiny have been cut, what will he become? All the answers are here and they are revealed amidst much action and emotion, in a very satisfying manner. Victoria's relationships with Max and Sebastian evolve, with both some steamy moments and some poignant ones. I can hardly wait to see where Gleason takes Victoria next. For those of you that aren't regency fans, don't let that put you off from giving this series a try. Start with the first book and don't let its initial light and frivolous tone put you off, because Victoria's transition from hopeful debutante whose future is gowns and marriage, growing through tragedy and loss, to becoming the powerful woman willing to sacrifice to accept the responsibility of the legacy that is hers to fulfil, makes for some really great reading.

I've been following Gleason's Gardella Chronicles from its inception. A mix of sub-genre's- is it historical romance? PNR? Fantasy? who can say, either way I love the hook of a Venator, (that's vampire slayer to you and me), from Jane Austen's world. Like many of you following this series as well, the love triangle between Victoria- head Vamp Slayer and Illa Gardella in Gleason's world- and her two men, Max and Sebastian, keeps me coming back as well! Continuing where Book 3- The Bleeding Dusk- left off, Victoria awakens with those she cares about most hovering over her. Concern over the fact she drank the Vampire Beauregard's blood at the end of the last novel, has left them on pins and needles as to whether Victoria will turn Vamp. It has kept them by her bedside since she slew Beauregard and saved the day once again. But because of the presence of not one, but TWO vis bulla- piercings that give added power to Venators in Gleason world- she was able to hold off the turning that would have happened to anyone else if they had not been she ... at least for now. Immediately upon her return to London, Victoria is reluctantly thrust back into the world of the ton with her oblivious mother scheming once again to get her married off. But Illa Gardella is not the only one to return to London. The dreaded Lilith- Queen of the Vamps- is back too and she has a plan. A plan that Victoria, Max and Sebastian must uncover and thwart before all of London falls prey to Lilith and her evil horde. I loved, LOVED, the way this book came together. The beginning started off kind of slow for me, but by the time Victoria- and thereby us- understood why she must remain within London's elite society, I was with her all the way! It was very cool how the author played with history in WTB and I liked that aspect of the plot immensely. (Love alternate history story lines and this one has an edge of it!) I also liked the internal tug of war for Victoria's soul that played out throughout the novel ... and it's eventual resolution. (Because, like the character Wayren, I happen to believe that selfish actions are the seed of all evil as well!) There were several threads coming together in WTB from the previous novels and I liked how Gleason tied them up- especially the love triangle aspect! Of course the door is always open, and everything in that regard is probably not tied up, but I hope- PRAY- she keeps on with where I think the author is going!

This is the 4th book in the series and I wasn't disappointed at all. Victoria has recovered from being bitten by a seductive vampire and worst of her she bit him back and was almost turned. She is back home in London and there are vampire attacks taking place in the daytime, Victoria is attempting to solve this mystery along with Sebastian. Max is back and it seems her heart is still divided between the two men. Lilith the Vampire Queen is back in this book and Victoria comes face to face with her again and Lilith is still after Max, the Vampire Slayer, who she held in her thrall for many years. I found at the end of the book, that I am looking forward to the next book in the series.

Following a vicious attack by the dangerous vampire Beauregard, Venator leader widow Victoria Gardella Grantworth de Lacy comes home to recuperate. However, before she can determine whether the odious Beuregard tainted her, she learns of the impossible; a vampire attacked a woman in daylight. Apparently someone has discovered a remedy that enables vampires to walk in sunlight. This frightens Victoria as these are deadly foes at night; to fight them when they go undetected in the sun is an abomination with odious consequences especially with the Prince Regent's coronation coming shortly. Victoria accompanied by friends and occasionally lovers Sebastian and Max investigate; to their chagrin all clues confirm Victoria as the prime suspect although others exist such as her deceased husband's heir, a royal, an opera singer and her lover. The latest Gardella Vampire Chronicle continues the level of excellence set by its predecessors (see THE REST FALLS AWAY, THE BLEEDING DUSK and RISES THE NIGHT). The story line remains fresh partly because of its Regency setting, but mostly due to the heroine who not that long ago dreamed of her debut season delayed for the last two years due to the deaths of her grandfather and father as she went from galas to tyro vampire slayer to veteran Venator leader. WHEN TWILIGHT BURNS is fast-paced from the opening vampire assault until the powerful finish, but as always in this excellent vampire wars saga Victoria turns the thriller into a victory for sub-genre fans. Harriet Klausner

I really liked the first book in this series "The Rest Falls Away" but it didn't really draw me in until the second book. By the third book, I was hooked and madly in love. With this 4th installment in the Gardella Vampire series, it has been cemented that this is my favorite series in the supernatural romance catagory. This story picks up with Victoria returning to London after her traumatic experiences in Rome, the latest being almost being turned into a vampire by Sebastian's grandfather Beauregarde. Besides the vampires, the mysteries and the guilty pleasure of getting to read what feels like a regency romance combined with Buffy the vampire slayer, it is Victoria's turbulent relationships with Sebastian and Max that really draws the reader in. They are both so different in temperment and attitudes. Max has never really been a serious player for Victoria's affections I believe until the 2nd book. Even then, his actions towards her seem to stem mostly from animosity. Sebastian on the other hand has always made no secret of wanting to be with her. I don't want to post any spoilers so I'll just say that I had been rooting for one of them and finally in this book, my expecations has been satisfactorily met. I can't wait for the next book and I know it'll be just as good.