When Twilight Burns by Colleen GleasonCopyright 2008
Signet Eclipse Paranormal Romance
354 pages
[Max] must have understood her desire, for he glanced at Kritanu. "Would you care to surrender the blade to Victoria? I do believe she wishes to stab me." His smile was nothing more than a flash of teeth.
Kritanu relinquished his weapon and stepped back as Victoria hefted it in her hand. She was used to the shorter khadara knives, or a long slender epee. But this was a much more serious blade. Heavier, and it would move differently.
"Perhaps you'd best don some protection," she returned, slicing the blade experimentally in front of her, from shoulder to floor. She adjusted the angle of her wrist and felt the weapon balance more comfortably.
Max snorted. He riposted back at her with a deep swipe that stirred the air. "I look forward to fighting unfettered--for I have no reason to hold myself in check matched against you." He moved neatly to the side when she brought her blade up again, and the metal weapons smashed together.
All right! That's the kind of scene I gobble up. I can't help it; I'm a total fan of Colleen Gleason's writing. When Twilight Burns contains absolutely everything I love about The Gardella Vampire Chronicles -- the action, adventure, romance, swordplay, two hunky heroes and the feisty heroine. Regardless of how many times I say, "Vampires are not my thing," there doesn't seem to be anything Colleen can do to turn me off. There's violence, yes. And, there are a couple of graphic sex scenes. But, I adore the characters. I admire Victoria's strength and appreciate the way she shows her human side, worrying about whether she's made the right choices but willing to sacrifice her innermost desires to aid humanity. My heart thumps wildly over the dangerously moody Max and I drool at the thought of the always-slick Sebastian.
In the fourth installment of the series, the romantic aspect takes a turn that I'd hoped it would eventually take. Colleen has opened a separate site for discussion (apart from her regular blog entries) and I don't want to give anything away, but the danger from Victoria's experience at the end of The Bleeding Dusk has not passed completely and there is a new threat: vampires with access to a formula that allows them to stalk people in the full light of day. Enough said. You must read the series to appreciate it.
Thumbs, fingers and toes up. I cannot wait for the 5th book.
Other reviews (If you've written a review, let me know and I'll provide a link):
Carl's mini review and interview at Stainless Steel Droppings
Argh... I'm still so behind on the series but I just love the bit you quoted. Sounds exciting! :)
ReplyDeleteMust read the second one soon...
It's definitely exciting, Iliana. You'll catch up! I'm not usually a series reader, but I do find Colleen's books addictive. :)
ReplyDeleteYay! I'm so glad to hear this is just as good as the others. I sold a copy of the first to a customer at work yesterday. She was so excited to get another vampire book having just finished all in the Twilight series - twice!
ReplyDeleteThis just sounds too good to pass up. Swordplay can compensate that this is yet another vampire novel. *sigh* Hah! Goodness. Great review!
ReplyDeleteOoooh. I have this one in my stack---must get to it! Haven't read any of the other books in the series yet.
ReplyDeleteLes,
ReplyDeleteThat's funny! I still don't consider myself a vampire reader, but I did enjoy the first Stephanie Meyer book and I love Colleen's. Some people are kind of addicted to vampire stories, I think! I'm going to be so sad when this series ends.
Daydream,
So true. I could do without the neck-bitings, but I love the adventure. Swordplay is always fun, escapist reading. :)
Heather,
You definitely need to read the series in order because Victoria grows and changes -- and kind of waffles between the two men in her life, much like Stephanie Plum. Please drop by and tell me when you've read the first! I want to see what you think!!!
It was great, wasn't it? I just couldn't put it down. This kind of series isn't necessarily my first, or second, or third...choice when I head into the bookstore but I am so glad I 'met' Colleen online and gave her first book a try as I have been hooked ever since. Each has gotten better and each one has become more of a page-turner-must-not-stop-reading book than the last.
ReplyDeleteoh I cant wait! I have to start from the beginning though. I have a thing about starting in the middle.
ReplyDeleteCarl,
ReplyDeleteIt certainly was! I feel exactly the same -- the books keep improving and I'm so glad I met Colleen. If not for the fact that I'd met her through blogging, I probably never would have picked up The Rest Falls Away and flipped through it. It's going to be hard waiting for the next book!!!
Jessica,
I have a tendency to read series books out of order, but I think in this case it's a good idea to start at the beginning so you can understand where Victoria is coming from, how she ended up fighting vampires, and where her source of power comes from. Let me know when you get to the first one!! Of course, I think you should rush right out and get them right now, but I'm addicted. :)
As a Buffy the Vampire Slayer fan I might have to try this one...
ReplyDeleteYou should definitely give the first one a try, Pat. And, then I need to visit you in Hawaii and we can talk about vampires and Perry, cats and boats . . . preferably over something with alcohol in it. :)
ReplyDeleteOh, my. Your quote gave me goose bumps all over again!
ReplyDeleteI loved it, from start to finish, and I've been trying to figure out how to write up a review without giving too much away. You did a good job.
And Colleen was brillant!
cjh
CJ,
ReplyDeleteIsn't that a fun quote? I'm particularly fond of scenes with Victoria and Max because there's always that vibe of romantic tension, but you're left thinking, "Are they going to get together or is Sebastian . . . ?" Love that!
It is really difficult to write a review without giving too much away. I tried to keep it general and just post a quote I love that didn't reveal anything. Oh, argh, I completely forgot to link up to other reviews. Gotta do that.
Colleen is definitely brilliant. I can't wait for the next installment and am kind of dying to know what she'll come up with after the series ends!!!
My wife and a friend of ours and I are traveling to St. Louis this weekend, tomorrow, to meet Colleen at a book signing and have dinner with her. I cannot wait, it will be very fun!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like she's got something up her sleeve - probably something great!
ReplyDeletecjh
Carl,
ReplyDeleteI met Colleen in Ann Arbor, last year. Please tell her hello from Bookfool! You'll love her. She's an absolute doll. And, eating with her is an experience (just wait -- think "Meg Ryan" in When Harry Met Sally). Have fun!!!
CJ,
Whatever she's got up her sleeve is going to be fun, I'm sure. :)
Have a wonderful time, Carl!!!
ReplyDeleteWasn't this fun? I can't wait to read the fifth one too!
ReplyDeleteBTW, happy belated anniversary! :)
Nat,
ReplyDeleteIt was another great roller-coaster ride. :)
Thank you!
I feel terrible because I haven't even found time to buy this book yet! I thought I preordered it but I thought wrong. One of these days I will make it to the bookstore!
ReplyDeleteKailana,
ReplyDeleteYou must be caught up on the series otherwise, then, yes? It's great. They just get better every time. Colleen is an amazing writer. I can't wait till the 5th book, but I'm also anxious to see what she's going to do when we're done with Victoria, Max and Sebastian. :)