Today’s friend is Carole from Carole’s Random Life in Books. I’ve gotten to know her a bit after reading Sunday posts the last few months. She always is reading something I feel like I want to go read now; her reviews are that good. She also helped steer me in the right direction when we went gluten-free this spring.
As Shadows Fade by Colleen Gleason Series: Gardella Vampire Hunters #5
Published by Indie on March 3, 2009
Genres: Urban Fantasy
Pages: 294
Format: eBook
Source: Purchased
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Vampires have met their match with Victoria Gardella, but now the huntress faces an even greater evil as London is besieged by malevolent entities no mortal was ever meant to encounter...
Directly descended from the very first vampire hunter in the Gardella family, Victoria knows she must continue the lineage so humanity will have protectors against the undead. While Sebastian Vioget appears to both the perfect warrior and lover to ensure the Gardella Legacy, Victoria cannot forget Max Pesaro--the former slayer still haunted by the vampire queen Lilith's obsession with him.
But it is Lilith's obsession that may save all of humanity. Demons, enemies of both mortals and the undead, have found their way to earth. To defeat them, vampires and slayers must fight side by side. But Lilith wants Max in return for her cooperation--a small price for the world, but too high a price for Victoria. (l
I ended up liking this book quite a lot. I have really had a great time with this vampire hunter series set in the Regency period. I was eager to see how everything would wrap up in this final installment. I had some ideas about where things might go in this book and I wasn’t completely wrong but there were more than a few surprises worked in along the way as well. I am pretty satisfied with how everything came to an end.
Demons are making their way into the world. Demons are a danger not only to humans but vampires also have a lot to lose with their increased presence. Demons are hard to fight and even harder to overcome. There are a few special items that could help in defeating this enemy but in order to use them, Victoria and the other vampire hunters must enlist the help of one of their greatest enemies, Lilith, the vampire queen. I couldn’t wait to see how things would finally wrap up with this master vampire and seeing the members of the group working with her was intense. She has had such a unique hold over Max throughout the series and I knew things would get exciting when the vampire hunters were finally able to deal with her.
The characters in this series are really well done. The group of vampire hunters were on the road for much of this book so there were not quite so many characters throughout the book as some of the other books. Victoria has become such a strong leader and is willing to sacrifice if that is what is required of her. I do like the fact she does still want things for herself and actively works to make those things happen. Max has been through a lot over the course of the story and he takes on another huge obstacle in this installment. He has proven he will do whatever it takes to help make the world a safer place. Sebastian has also changed throughout the series. He isn’t as afraid to show how much he cares and actively pursues what he wants in this installment. He is also a very brave man who can be very honorable when given the opportunity.
My one complaint about this book was the love triangle that took center stage at the start of the book. I really wish this element to the story would have just been left out. One love interest was more than enough in my opinion. The love triangle was really set up in the previous installment in the series but this was where things were really dealt with. Victoria knows what she wants and doesn’t waver in that decision which I really appreciated. I was pretty sure how the romantic element of the story would pan out before I ever started reading this book and I was right for the most part. The way that story worked out in the end made the whole triangle make a lot more sense to me and I was really satisfied with how everything turned out.
I would recommend this series to others. This is the fifth and final installment in a series which really does have to be read in order since each book builds on the last. I have had such a great time watching this group of characters change and learn to work as a team to make the world a safer place. I definitely plan to read more from Gleason very soon.
About Carole at Carole’s Random Life in Books
My name is Carole and as you may have guessed I love to read. If I have any free time, there is a really good chance that I will have a book in my hand. I read a little bit of everything and will probably fall in love with any book that makes me feel something or surprises me. I just love a surprise! I tend to mostly read anything fiction including YA novels, romance, urban fantasy, mysteries, and whatever else looks good at the moment.
When I am not reading, I enjoy spending time with my family. I am happily married and have two daughters. My oldest is working and out on her own while my youngest is in college. I love to laugh, have fun, and try to keep things light. I am a homebody and can stay home for weeks at time if my schedule would allow it (too bad I work full time). I don’t watch a lot of TV but do try to follow a few favorite shows. But really, who needs a lot of hobbies when you have a gigantic pile of books to read?
About Colleen Gleason
Award-winning, NEW YORK TIMES and USA Today bestselling author Colleen Gleason has written more than twenty books for major publishers such as Penguin Group, Harlequin Enterprises, Chronicle Books, and HarperCollins (as Joss Ware). Her books have been translated into seven different languages.
Colleen lives in the Midwest United States where she is fortunate enough to be working on her next book.
I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
Friend or follow me at Goodreads.
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I’m a bit late I confess. I only tried book1 a while ago
No one can read everything. I’m later than you in this case.
All of the books in the series were pretty solid reads for me. I hope you get the chance to revisit the series, Melliane!
I’ve been meaning to try her books. I’ve got one on the pile. Neat seeing you here visiting at Anne’s, Carole. 🙂
I can’t be surprised you have one on TBR Sophia; you are very well read. You can visit here too if you like!
Happy to! I like visiting about. Just say the word and I’ll whip up a review for you. 🙂
I sent you an email with the deets Sophia. Thank you !
I have a feeling that you would really enjoy this series, Sophia Rose!
Carole, Thanks so much for being my friend. I haven’t read this author YET but if you like it, I probably will. Hey everyone, go over and visit Carole on her blog, too! Anne
Thank you so much for having me on the blog today, Anne! I really do appreciate your friendship and our shared tastes in books 🙂
Love triangles aside, I do have this series on my wishlist, thanks to Carole!
I absolutely loved this whole series. I don’t think I went below 5 stars when I reviewed them for Rabid Reads. Before it closed up, one if my last reviews was the Roaring Twenties spinoff with her granddaughter finally taking her place. I enjoyed that one too.
Another recommendation for this one. I hadn’t heard of it, but I’ll have to check it out.