Nocturnal Book Reviews

Egalley thanks to Hachette Book Group


Synopsis from Goodreads
Centuries ago, Raphael was a blasphemous knight who fought in the Crusades purely for his own mercenary benefit, and to satisfy his taste for killing. Now, condemned for his evil passions and hypocrisy, he wanders the earth a vampire, cursed with first-hand knowledge of the supernatural world he once denied existed. The powerful relic he still possesses from his days as a Crusader has been stolen by a rival vampire who has recruited an army of soulless underlings to aid him in spreading evil. At the time he learns this, Raphael has been hunting this vampire for nearly a century, and it seems the final battle is destined to take place in Prague.br For help in this quest, Raphael must enlist the aid of two humans, David and Susan, who suddenly find themselves immersed in a world they never imagined, entangled with supernatural forces they can't control. Susan, in particular, finds herself conflicted as she struggles with her inexplicable attraction to Raphael. In the end, both Susan and Raphael will be called upon to exercise courage and faith, and in the process, the question, "What would happen if a vampire truly accepted God?" is answered.

Publication date: 7/10/2011

Seriously? Such a great idea but very awkward execution.


First of all, I was lured by the cover. That man looks wicked, the clothes are yummy and the font is delicious.


The idea behind the book is wonderful. Vampirism is a curse bestowed upon those who were monsters and didn't have a chance to redeem themselves in the eyes of God during their life. When they are turned to vampires they have centuries to change and become good men.


Raphael is one of them. Turned during Crusades he was a true monster, killing for the sake of killing, - men, women, children, friends or enemies, he wouldn't stop. Fast forward to present, we get flashbacks of his past. Now he fights a war against those vampires who didn't change their wicked ways and who plan to rule the world.


Susan is an American girl who comes to Prague for her granny's funeral. She belongs to the old bloodlines of Bryas, sensitive to vampires and strong in her faith which is her weapon. Although she doesn't know that vampires exist until one of them preys upon her younger cousin Wendy.


David is another American, who comes to Prague for business and gets mixed up in Susan and Wendy's affairs being unfortunate enough to live next door to the girls in the hotel.


Somehow Raphael stalks Susan because he believes that she possesses an artifact which can help him to win the war. Between weird vampire attacks, mysterious Paul, who is a monk and a vampire(!), also a lawyer with his own agenda, Susan and Raphael start to work together to unravel the mystery of the artifact, and David ends up training to be a vampire killer.


This book was AWKWARD. Not enough explanation and background. Although Paul was particularly interesting. 

There is an unnecessary attraction between Raphael and Susan. Sorry, I just couldn't believe it. One moment she is terrified of him, next they are passionately kissing each other and admitting their love. There is not enough story to their enemies. Too many things left unsaid for the sequel. 

Wendy going back and forth between US and Prague, or Susan flying to France on a whim. No mention of such pesky things like visas or huge amount of money for the tickets across the Atlantic... Locals all speaking perfect English, David deciding not to work but kill vampires... Again, how would he support himself without doing his job?


I know it's all make believe, but make it a bit more real, more difficult for the characters. Again, we have 900 year-old vampire, who just seems... incompetent. Everyone helps him and even saves his butt.


Apart from all this, the book strongly reminded me of The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova which I love.
Запала на книгу исключительно из-за обложки, и впечатления, честно скажу, двойственные. С одной стороны, классная идея, напомнившая мне стиль The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova.

ПО идее, вампиризм - это проклятье, которое возлагается на самых страшных и чудовищных убийств, чтобы за столетия они изменились, раскаялись и вернулись к богу. Но иногда метод не срабатывает и чудовища становятся ещё чудовищнее.

Рафаэль, 900-летний вампир, пытается остановить приближающуюся войну между вампирами за господство над человечеством. Его немезида - это бывший кардинал Ришелье, а теперь вампир, пытающийся воплотить в жизнь свой план по управлению миром. Действие происходит в Праге, и немного во Франции, в поместье Бриас. Рафаэлю помогает Сюзан - девушка из старинной семьи Бриас, которые обладают сверхестественной способностью чувствовать паранормальное и их вера в Бога настолько сильна, что в их руках символы веры становятся грозным оружием.

Сюзан обладает древним крестом, который таит в себе некую тайну. Что за тайна, скорее всего, откроется в книге номер два.

Вот исполнение идеи книги как раз-таки вызвало мое недоумение. Линии и персонажи недоработаны, практически нет предыстории, всё скачет галопом по европам и нет возможности из-за этого погрузится в историю. Какие-то люди, охотящиеся за вампирами, перебор злодеев, местные говорят на превосходном английском и т.д. и т.п. Как-то всё сыро. А жаль! Идея хороша, но стиль автора мне совершенно не пришёлся по вкусу.