An Embarrassment of Riches by Chelsea Quinn Yarbro - Vampire Book Review

An Embarrassment of Riches
by Chelsea Quinn Yarbro
Tor Books; First Edition edition (March 1, 2011)

(Reviewed by Sandy Rainey)

This twenty-fourth outing for the Count Saint-Germain is set in Bohemia in the thirteenth century. As per usual, our favorite vampire exile finds himself embroiled in the sort of political intrigue that always seems to dog him, try as he might to avoid it. Just before the book opens, Saint-Germain for once is living peacefully on his ancestral lands in Hungary when the Hungarian King Bela forces him into exile at the court of Konig (King) Otakar in Bohemia, ostensibly to supply Bela’s granddaughter and Otakar’s wife, Konige (Queen) Kunigunde, with gemstones, and to watch over the expatriate queen and help ease her homesickness.

Saint-Germain has no desire to join the other noble Hungarians at court, but Bela threatens harm against Saint-Germain’s fief and vassals if he does not comply. Saint-Germain’s position is precarious from the start: King Bela does not seem to trust him, and the Bohemians suspect that Bela has sent Saint-Germain to spy on them. Seeing little choice, Saint-Germain and his steadfast manservant, Hruther, take up residence in a rotting Bohemian manse, giving it a medieval-style This Old House refurbishing as the plot progresses. Saint-Germain is under virtual house arrest: He may appear at court or tool around Otakar’s capital city, Praha (Prague), but efforts to venture any further will result in swift retribution against his fiefdom.

The political situation is puzzling, to say the least. One would expect that the Hungarian Kunigunde’s marriage to the Bohemian Otakar would secure some sort of peace between the two nations. Not so: Bela and Otakar are actually at war throughout the book. Otakar aspires to be the next Holy Roman Emperor and figures that his growing list of conquests will help make his case; he would like nothing better than to add Hungary to that list. No wonder Kunigunde is so glum in this impossible circumstance of divided loyalties. As babies begin to come (girls, lamentably), Kunigunde also suffers from a severe case of what we would call postpartum depression. Even Saint-Germain’s songs (as always, he functions as a sort of vagabond troubadour) and the shower of jewels he bestows upon Kunigunde and her offspring cannot alleviate her sadness.

From this description, the reader acquainted with the Saint-Germain series might presume that Kunigunde becomes Saint-Germain’s paramour; she is the sort of victim of entrenched sexism that he often attempts to assist. But he is far too circumspect to become involved with the Konige, however much he might pity her. Besides, he has his hands full with three other ladies of the court. Gentleman readers of the Saint-Germain cycle might sometimes envy his effortless success with the ladies. This time, though, Saint-Germain manages to reel in three of the least appealing and most demanding women he has ever become entangled with. All of them pose a threat, and are unafraid to wield what power they have; one of them is particularly unscrupulous and will stop at nothing to eliminate her rivals and get her way.

As time passes, Saint-Germain’s position goes from difficult to untenable. For once, he practices alchemy openly, churning out precious gems as never before (hence the book’s title). The presence of the generous jewel-maker is thus tolerated at court, but nevertheless intrigues and enemies multiply as the novel progresses. Saint-Germain and Hruther are all too aware of the net tightening around them, but no means of escape is evident. Still, the most pressing danger turns out to be one neither Saint-Germain nor the reader anticipates, leaving to Hruther (has there ever been a more loyal and resourceful sidekick?) the task of putting all to rights.

An Embarrassment of Riches is a worthy addition to the Saint-Germain canon, offering all the familiar touches that readers have come to expect while keeping them guessing with unaccustomed developments. Yarbro continues to entertain reliably with this vampire series that will surely never be equaled; may it ever be so.

Reviewed by Sandy Rainey

Hell Can Wait - Fantasy Book Review

Hell Can Wait 
by Theodore Judson
EDGE Science Fiction and Fantasy; 1st edition (October 15, 2010)

Have you ever wondered what happened to Maternus, a Roman soldier who led a failed rebellion against the Emperor Commodus in 186 AD? (Russel Crowe comes later) Well, neither have I, but fortunately for readers Theodore Judson did  and has written a brilliant, humorous fantasy about the bonds of friendship and the eternal nature of love.

 Maternus has literally gone through Hell. A bureaucratic screw up kept him in this most undesirable place for close to 2,000 years. Eventually the mistake was caught, and Matt finds himself in the 21st Century where Mr Worthy, an angel, has decided that even though Matt was a thuggish, brutal Roman soldier he had also shown qualities of decency - like sparing the innocent and feeling a special love for a saucy young lady. It's therefore possible, says Mr. Worthy that Matt can earn redemption. The demon adversary Mr Banewell, not wishing to lose a resident, challenges this assumption. With some acrimony the two finally agree that Matt must pass three tests before entering the pearly gates.

As for locale these are the parameters:
"He has to be among the unfamiliar, in some nation that could not have existed in his lifetime. There have to be independent women who are able to stand up to him, and lots of bothersome children to distress him. Put him in an affluent place, somewhere that would not know or pardon his type of violence.”

Mr Banewell suggests Aurora, Colorado, just outside Denver. Mr Worthy agrees.

To help Maternus (now known as Matthew August) make his way in this new world he is given the gift of literacy, however, his references are still to the 2nd century. Thus Mr. Worthy shows him a building with a cross on it and Matt assumes it must be a place of execution. While applying for a job as janitor at a middle school he is asked about previous employment. Matt answers honestly that he was in the army.  His numerous scars attest to combat. Where did he fight?. Mesopotamia he answers and his educated audience nod in understanding. Matt is surprised to discover that war still rages in the area.

Because of his strange mannerisms and odd way of speaking Mr Worthy advices him, if asked, to say he is from Montana. This works.

It's tough going at times but Matt, with the help of a library card, educates himself, by reading all the great books. He even makes friends which is a new concept for him. These friends unwittingly help him with the difficult tasks assigned by his supernatural watchers.

This was a thoroughly delightful book that believably portrays Matt's fish-out-of-water experience in a modern day American suburb. Judson gets everything exactly right. I can't recommend this book highly enough.

[This book was sent to me by the publisher. Thank you!]

Yarbro's latest Saint Germain Novel - Contest Today Only!

PVN is thrilled to participate in the launch of An Embarrassment of Riches by popular author Chelsea Quinn Yarbro featuring Saint-Germain probably the most honorable vampire in the literature of this genre.

*Today only, MARCH 3, 2011, you will have a chance to win a copy of  An Embarrassment of Riches. Two winners will be selected.

*The contest is restricted to residents of the US and Canada.

*Leave a comment and be sure to include contact information. Good luck!


 An Embarrassment of Riches (Tor Books; hardcover; on-sale March 1st):

"More than two decades strong, the Saint-Germain cycle is one of the most compelling works of dark fantasy and horror of our age. Historically accurate, often involving key events or figures from throughout world history, these deeply emotional novels have a devoted readership. Each novel is written as a stand-alone and they are not chronologically consecutive, so readers may enter the saga with any book and move backward or forward in time as they choose, from Pharaonic Egypt to Paris in the 1700s, from the fall of the Roman Empire to World War II Europe.

"In  An Embarrassment of Riches, the vampire Count finds himself a virtual prisoner in the Court of Kunigunde in Bohemia in the 1200s. Rakoczy Ferncsi, as Saint-Germain is known, passes his days making jewels to delight Queen Kunigunde and trying not to become involved in the Court's intrigues. In this, the vampire fails. Handsome, apparently wealthy, and obviously unmarried, he soon finds himself being sexually blackmailed by Rozsa, an ambitious lady-in-waiting. If he does not satisfy her, she will denounce him to the priests and he'll be burned at the stake, resulting in his True Death. Despite his care, the vampire makes more than one enemy at the Bohemian Court, and by the end of  An Embarrassment of Riches, the Count can see only one road to freedom...through death."

* * *

Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter - Vampire Book Review

Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter
by Seth Grahame-Smith
Grand Central Publishing, April, 2010

From the publisher: While Abraham Lincoln is widely lauded for saving a Union and freeing millions of slaves, his valiant fight against the forces of the undead has remained in the shadows for hundreds of years. That is, until Seth Grahame-Smith stumbled upon The Secret Journal of Abraham Lincoln, and became the first living person to lay eyes on it in more than 140 years.

Using the journal as his guide and writing in the grand biographical style of Doris Kearns Goodwin and David McCullough, Seth has reconstructed the true life story of our greatest president for the first time-all while revealing the hidden history behind the Civil War and uncovering the role vampires played in the birth, growth, and near-death of our nation.


PVN: The author of  Pride and Prejudice and Zombies  has now decided to tackle a fantasy biography of Abraham Lincoln a secret vampire hunter. Although the title might signify humor there is none in this book at least intentionally.

A mysterious man has handed over some old, worn journals to Seth, a would-be writer. Seth must promise to read the journals and incorporate them into a book. The journalist is Abraham Lincoln and it is his secret account of his encounters with vampires. The story begins promisingly with Abe's growing-up years. At this point Grahame-Smith shows that he does know how to write a nicely paced believable story. Unfortunately once Abraham becomes a true hunter of the undead, by allying himself with one of the "good" vampires Henry Sturges, the tale becomes less credible.

Lincoln lived a very public life, long before becoming president, yet, without any problem, he always manages to sneak away and destroy undead enemies from the list of names given to him by Henry. Not until late in the book is it clear why these particular vampires must be destroyed. It is never understandable to me how any of the many bizarre events could have been kept secret, since by the end of the Civil War and Lincoln's assassination hundreds of people know about the existence of vampires.

In this fantasy world most vampires are churlish, messy, throat tearing, vein slurping beings, who go after any innocent incapable of fighting back, making slaves a favorite target.  Whereas the virtuous undead, like Henry,  control their appetites and only sup from "the old, sick and the treacherous.... and they kill only when hunger becomes unbearable." That's fine as long as you're not old or sick or happen to be around a noble, ravenous vampire.

Grahame-Smith has said about his book, "Lincoln's war on vampires is supposed to parallel his fight to end slavery". This is truly a worthwhile goal. Too bad the author couldn't pull it off.

Do you agree or disagree? I would like to hear your comments.

[Dear FTC, I received this book courtesy of Library Journal]
 

Blood Royal - Vampire Novel Review

Royal Blood
by Rona Sharon
Kensington (April 1, 2009)

[Reviewed by Patricia]

In the year 1518 Tudor King Henry VIII sits on the throne of England and Catherine of Aragon is still his beloved queen. Knights from across the realm gather for the annual Order of the Garter celebration with its exciting and dangerous jousting tournaments. From Ireland comes the devastatingly handsome Michael Devereaux representing the house of Tyrone to which he is heir. Unfortunately only a few weeks before he leaves for court he falls severely ill with a sweating sickness from which he never completely recovers. Only the draught made for him by the castle healer gives him the energy he needs to face each day.

From France comes the smart, willful, and beautiful Princess Renee. She has been sent to Henry's court on a mission to find the whereabouts of the mysterious "Ancient". Renee and Michael eventually meet. In Tudor England there is plenty of intrigue. Our hero and heroine become involved with one another as well as with the many dangerous conspiracies.

Renee and Michael feel an immediate attraction, but Renee is never sure whom she can trust and thus keeps Michael at a distance, for awhile anyway. Tensions for everyone increase when two women - one a harlot and one a lady-in-waiting to the queen - are murdered, each drained of blood. Michael is asked by Cardinal Wolsey to find the perpetrator. During this investigation Michael begins to discover his own true origins.

Author Rona Sharon atmospheric description rings true, even down to the Tudor style language. The pace is languid but never boring and when necessary the pace does pick up. The two main characters are engaging and the minor ones, often true historical persons, are quite believable. I won't give away the ending but there could definitely be a sequel. It's one I would be happy to read.

This compelling historical romance subtly reveals its paranormal element. For this reason I believe that those who usually shun anything to do with the paranormal, or in this case vampires, might want to give Royal Blood a try.

Vampire Plagues: Mexico, 1850 - Review

I am not familiar with this particular book, but I thought the reviewer had an interesting perspective. I also liked the reason why the review was written. In fact I think it's a great idea! WARNING - SPOILERS!


Vampire Plagues (book 3) Mexico, 1850

(by Sebastian Rooke. Scholastic Paperbacks, 2005)

The following is a review from Igor, who read this title and wrote the review for us in order to reduce his fines at the library. In some instances we allow teens to work off their fines at a rate of $5.00 per hour. Please contact the Teen staff at the Carnegie Library in Oakland if you are interested!

I haven’t read the first book or the second book, but after reading this book I wanted to read all 3 books, the book is about three children who have this “mission” to stop this vampire lord (camazots) and he wants to rule the world with his vampire demons, as I had discovered he is a Mayan god and eventually was sealed for one thousand years, that was a thousand years ego, and now he has a small army of minions to do his bidding, he wants a amulet that will grant him power beyond all others so he must collect the 4 parts to it: the bat, the eye, the crown, and the moon, the bat is the form he takes, the crown is his rule over earth, the eye is to make him all seeing and the moon is to turn the world into full darkness, so after getting that understood the book is not bad but I got to admit I did not like the ending for there was not a battle but a trick, the vampire lord was tricked into assembling the amulet the wrong way and so he and his followers died by lightning…

good or bad? The book was good for it had me interested, but the plot was not good and the ending was a turnoff so I would say the book has a 4 star review from me.

-Igor (teen reviewer)

Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Main
CLPTeensburgh: Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Teen Services

August 13, 2008 by andertonh

History of the Vampire

I recently came across quite an interesting blog called Magia Posthuma

Owner Niels K Petersen describes its mission. "On several occasions, particularly on the periphery of the Habsburg Empire during the 17th and 18th centuries, dead people were suspected of being revenants or vampires, and consequently dug up and destroyed. Contemporary authors named this phenomenon Magia Posthuma. This blog is dedicated to understanding what happened and why."

In a sidebar her writes," Magia Posthuma is the title of a book written by the Catholic lawyer Karl Ferdinand von Schertz in 1704. In the book von Schertz examines the case of a spectre that roamed about and harmed the living. Several of these cases were known in Moravia where von Schertz published his book, as well as in neighbouring areas. Only two decades later, a similar case was investigated by Austrian officials in North Eastern Serbia. The local people called the spectre a vampire...."

The Danish Mr. Petersen writes in a very elegant English. Love it! Check out his blog!