Roman Dusk: A Novel of the Count Saint-Germain (St. Germain)

Book Description

Rome is crumbling. The child-emperor, Heliogabalus, diverts the Roman populace with parties, circuses, and celebrations, while his mother and grandmother jockey for power behind the scenes. The government is riddled with scandal and no business is conducted without bribes which grow ever larger. Religions joust for prominence, with factions of Christians seeking to overthrow the ancient Roman pantheon. Courtesans, once honored for their skills and protected by special guards, have become targets of opprobrium. The vampire Ragoczy Germanius Sanct' Franciscus, already subject to extra taxes and regulations because he is a foreigner, falls under the maleficent eye of Telemachus Batsho, a minor functionary who dreams of power and wealth. When Franciscus thwarts his attempts to extort ever-increasing sums from a young Roman of good birth, Batsho swears revenge. Franciscus finds his activities closely monitored and is accused of treason and conspiracy. His friends, threatened with similar scrutiny, abandon him to Batsho's mercies or urge him to leave the Eternal City.But Franciscus has many ties to Rome. He has taken under his protection a beautiful courtesan who was brutally beaten by the very men who should have been protecting her. She has been the vampire's sustenance for many months. Franciscus is also held in the city by the plight of the family Laelius. The Domina's health is failing despite the vampire's great medical skills; her son has converted to Christianity and rails against his mother's beliefs; her daughter Ignatia, who has sacrified her own life to care for her mother, realizes that when her mother dies, her fate will rest in the hands of her increasingly fanatical brother. Determined to claim pleasure for herself, Ignatia invites Franciscus's attentions, inflaming him with the power of her untapped sexuality. Unfortunately, they are not unobserved, and their simple yet powerful act of love sparks a conflagration that destroys Ignatia's family and nearly brings about the vampire's True Death.

Customer Reviews:

Verbose, Boring, Stilted.......2007-08-04

I have read and enjoyed previous St. Germain stories but after a while - Jeez Louise, can't he's do something besides emoted, smile, wear snappy outfits, help, spend and, oh yeah, have semi-erotic sex. I am a voracious reader and consider myself fairly intelligent but the pletora of unusual terms (definitions in the back) and mile-long jaw breaking names makes for tough sledding. In Rome at this time, no one says "Claude" or "Paul or "Bene" - EVERYONE (except forgettable servants) have grandiose names that almost call for a chorus of trumpets. All conversations seem as if they were drawn from an English drawing room - stiltied and formal.

The real problem was the action - or should I say lack of it. As a historical piece detailing Roman times, customs and personages it is somewhat successful. It fails as a novel due to the documentary nature of the story - we need more besides a history lesson. Believe me when I say nothing happens. Our gentle hero lives outside the gates of Rome and for some reason (never explained) he devotes considerable time, energy and money to the treatment of who must be one of the most unlikeable characters in literature. The sick elderly lady screams and berates the one daughter who cares for her, curses other family members, orders servants to be beaten because SHE doesn't feel good and is an all round totally despicable creature. Yet for some reason unknown to god(s) or man, the daughter returns for more abuse and Mr Vampire rushes to treat her maladies at all hours of the day or night.

Along the way is an interminable (book-length) encounter with a tax collector (BORING), the Count's prostitute gal pal, various friends and slaves (WAY too many characters for such a short novel) and the author's interpretation of early Christianity before orthodoxy was established. Long, detailed letters between various characters appear throughout but they do little to drive what tiny plot exists. The Count has sex (well, sorta) with the browbeaten daughter only to be caught by her evil Christian brother. **** SPOILER Here it is - Brother is infuriated at the couple's carnality, burns down house killing mean old mom, Count is badly charred but escapes to return and seek vengeance on Christian brother, life continues placidly as the Empire dissolves. Chelsea, let's rev it up a notch please.

Suffocating dialogues.......2007-04-02

After plodding through the book's first sixty pages I became exhausted by the interminable fussy dialogues. Never mind the exciting historical setting, never mind the amount of interesting information - as much I wanted to know more about this period of Roman history, I could not stomach the author's bloating verbosity. I'm new to the series and I keep wondering how this kind of indigestible writing could have produced twenty apparently successful books. Ms. Yabro, I will return when you acquire an editor.

Great Cover, Okay Story, Historically-Precise, Nothing All That New To The Series.......2007-02-19

My title sums up Roman Dusk, a novel set in the corruption-plagued Eternal City, circa 220 CE. Rome during this time was beset by the arson fires of Christian terrorists, hamstrung by venal civil servants, and ruled by a sybaritic Imperial court headed by a pampered, wasteful boy. Into this brew Saint-Germain returns to Rome in the role of a prosperous ship-owner, and soon runs into trouble.

After having read a half-dozen volumes in this series, I think maybe I've reached the point where I see these books as "Saint-Germain-by-the-numbers." In every instance Yarbro's stories run through certain invariable themes: Germain is living in exile somewhere, Germain meets a woman in peril, Germain runs afoul of the authorities, Germain overcomes obstacles at great cost. This novel fits into that pattern. (Although at least Quinn left out that "sea smelling" line she constantly uses...if you know the reference I mean here.) Chelsea Quinn Yarbro knows history and always lets her readers in on the "feel" of a past age. That's her primary talent. I do wish she'd go out on a limb and find a new storyline for her characters, because it's gotten predictable. I know it could be said that these recurring circumstances about which she writes are exactly what an immortal being living as a perpetual exile among ephemeral people might encounter, but...couldn't she shake the mix up a bit?

Roman Dusk does impart a lot of nice information about everyday life in a Roman civilization inwardly unraveling and teetering toward decline (as many suspect our own nation might presently be doing) but I bet I could have sat down before I read the novel and made a list of predictions about it, and been correct more often than I was wrong. If I've been a little hard on Ms. Yarbro in this review, consider this: I'll read her next novel when it comes out, and actually look forward to it, so perhaps my criticism should be taken with a grain of salt.

Morose, Verbose, St. Germain Trudges On.......2007-02-10

The structure of the series is so well-established that a spoiler would be impossible, so no warnings here. Yarbro has returned to Rome, and that's fine with me -- I enjoy any history, anywhere, through her eyes, though I confess to preferring the novels set in less well-known times and places, such as early colonial South America. I can never fault her research, but I'm ready to start faulting her writing.

"Roman Dusk" contains several of her well-worn plot elements: an ungrateful recipient (or two, or more) of undeserved but unflagging charity; a woman repressed, intimidated, exploited by a sexually-peculiar man whom she cannot avoid, escape, or contest; St. Germain's own chronic depression; futility in the face of official corruption; no good deed going unpunished; and a herd of angry male adolescent religious zealots getting their ya-yas by abusing people who have lives more (carnally) satisfying than their own (as in the St. Germain book set in the reign of Lorenzo de Medici).

I'm ready to forgive her all of that but I have finally had it with her killjoy sex scenes. In book after book, scene after scene, she labors mightily to achieve erotic escalation and then CANNOT resist throwing a cinderblock into the bubblebath by flaunting a term so arcane, so rare, so strange, that the thread of tension snaps. Though the reader can be certain that the characters will find satisfaction sometime in the next five sentences, the hapless observer is no longer along for the ride, being forced to go look up... let's see, what is it this time? "Amplectant" on page 105 (which brought up the decidedly non-erotic image of the tropical toads I used to raise forming amplexus, which is erotic to the toads, I'm sure, but not so much to the average human observer) and here, on 248, a pair of lovers are "savoring the inscience of their flesh." That translates to "lack of knowledge of their flesh." "Amplectant" means clinging to, as with the tendrils of a vine. (Points off also for misuse of "insouciant torment" on the same page in the same scene; however pleasant erotic suspense may be, it hardly qualifies as "nonchalant torture.")

A few books back, "apolaustic" was the big ol' word-brick tossed into the heated bed; more than once, if I recall correctly. There's always something. Ms. Yarbro, knock it off. Put down the antique thesaurus and write a sex scene with some flow to it. We know where you're going, and we're willing to go there with you, so quit being such a spoilsport by intrusively displaying arcane erudition instead of doing something to gently elevate the eroticism. It's ANNOYING. And it's obvious that you're doing it on purpose; the vocabulary lessons are never as obnoxious elsewhere in your books.

Speaking of which, many rather obscure deities of the Greco-Roman pantheon get a mention in "Roman Dusk," and are kindly identified in a glossary at the conclusion of the book -- Carna, Copia, Fraus, Phobus, Mania, Somnus, the Parcae, Verplaca and Vertumnus, et al. And that's part of what makes the series so good -- the reader always learns something while being allowed to revel in sensuous descriptions of spectacular jewels, glorious fabrics, the height of period style (and let's give her props for keeping descriptions of garments that are invariably red, black, and silver fresh after all this time). It is the consistently velvety texture of Yarbro's prose that makes the crude interruptions of the more passionate passages so conspicuous, suggesting an inner Puritan in this author that is entirely dissonant with the rest of her presentation.

Excellent period novel.......2007-01-29

I enjoy the St. Germain novles not just for the vampire element, which is actually quite small, or the romance, which is there but understated. The one thing that draws me again and again to this series is the level of historical detail and color that Yarbro brings to the table. Roman Dusk is no exception.

Yarbro brings the declining phase of the Roman Empire to life in this book, showing how waste and bureaucratic excess has drained the blood of the Empire more than anything St. Germain would ever do. It is fascinating how St. Germain is actually the most human subject in the book, and the living are the true vampires. This novel is a great read for those who enjoy history and would like to vicariously feel what life in Rome would have been like as it started its slow decline into chaos.

Borne in Blood: A Novel of the Count Saint-Germain (St. Germain)

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Borne in Blood: A Novel of the Count Saint-Germain (St. Germain)
Chelsea Quinn Yarbro
Manufacturer: Tor Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0765317133
Release Date: 2007-12-10

Book Description

The year is 1817.In Switzerland, the Count Saint-Germain leads a comfortable life with his paramour Hero whose husband died fighting Napoleon. Saint-Germain's loving kindness cannot keep Hero from missing her children who are being raised by their hard-hearted grandfather.The Count has become intrigued by the work of an Austrian noble investigating the properties of blood, a subject always of key interest to a vampire.But when the noble's beautiful ward fixates sexually on the Count, the vampire fears for himself and his gentle lover. With Borne in Blood, Chelsea Quinn Yarbro's saga of Count Saint-Germain, reaches a milestone-the twentieth volume of the vampire's adventures.The Saint-Germain cycle is one of our age's most compelling bodies of work of dark fantasy and horror, and the longest running series of vampire novels.Historically accurate, these deeply emotional novels have a devoted readership. Recognizing her impact on the genre, the International Horror Guild named Chelsea Quinn Yarbro a Living Legend at the World Fantasy Convention in 2006.

Mansions of Darkness: A Novel of the Count Saint-Germain (St. Germain)

Average customer rating:

Germain
Great Storytelling
Ninth in the Saint-Germain series.
Chelsea Quinn Yarbro
A well-paced must-read with something to please everyone!

Mansions of Darkness: A Novel of the Count Saint-Germain (St. Germain)
Chelsea Quinn Yarbro
Manufacturer: Tor Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0312863829

Book Description

Ambitious in its scope and provocative in its content, the saga of Count Saint-Germain is a monumental feat of the imagination. Chelsea Quinn Yarbro's powerful and evocative novels have captured Saint-Germain throughout his long existence, from the temples of ancient Eygpt to our present century.Now the count's endless travels bring him to seventeenth-century Peru, where he finds solace for his loneliness in the arms of an Incan priestess. But mighty Spain has conquered the Incan people--and brought the dreaded attention of the Holy Inquisition to the New World.

Customer Reviews:

Germain.......2007-09-06

Why would anyone want to read this garbage?
Do the world a favour and stick copies on the bonfire this Autumn.

Great Storytelling.......2004-12-20

My exposure to Chelsea Quinn Yarbro was accidental. I saw one of her books and was attracted by the title, enough to open the cover and read more. I was intrugued by the main character, le Comte de St. Germain, as he is sometimes known. A mercurial figure indeed. I was also familiar with a certain sect devoted to St. Germain who believe he has lived in many different eras. This is not something Ms. Yarbro made up. The books can be still found in "esoteric" book stores (as few as there are) and are usually green paperbacks with purple ink and the text is, well, boring.

Not so Ms. Yarbro. This novel, and I have not read very many, set in 17th Century Peru during the conquista, is alive and fresh. The historical perspective she gives is fantastic and I feel myself transported back in time. Yje characters are unique and develop well with the story, even the Conte de St. Germain, who even though endowed with some awesome supernatural powers, does not serve as an excute to cop out on the plot. It was a satisfying experience for me.

Ninth in the Saint-Germain series........2003-02-22

Or tenth, if you count "Out of the House of Life", which is primarily a spinoff novel about Madeline de Montalia, but which does include some of Saint-Germain's early history.

Or thirteenth, if you count "A Flame In Byzantium", "Crusader's Torch", and "A Candle for d'Artagnan", the spinoff series about Olivia Atta Clemens.

This book, set in 17th century Peru and Mexico, details what was happening to Saint-Germain while Olivia was experiencing the events in "A Candle for d'Artagnan". It is one of the best of a very good series; as usual, Yarbro's historical research is excellent, and her characters (with the exception of Roger, who seems somewhat lacking in the personality department; what does this guy do for fun? Thirteen books and counting, and I have no idea) come alive, even if I did find Saint-Germain's willingness to turn the other cheek after Dona Azul had Oaxetli poisoned somewhat out of character.

For those unfamiliar with the series, the Saint-Germain series is a series of historical horror novels in which the hero (and he IS a hero, not a villain or even an antihero as is so common in vampire fiction) is a 4000 year old vampire. The vampiric aspects are very subdued; he needs blood to maintain his strength, which is formidable, and is susceptible to running water and sunlight, but both of these weaknesses are significantly less pronounced than in much vampiric fiction. As long as he is wearing shoes with some of his native earth in the heels and soles, he can mostly ignore them; even without, he hardly bursts into flame when exposed to sunlight; in this book, he is crucified for two days in the Mexican summer, and while seriously injured, he survives (no spoiler, considering that several of the previously written books are set in later time periods). Basically, without his protective shoes, he sunburns extremely easily and extremely severely. The books are well-written, and even the worst of them so far have been well worth the read.

Chelsea Quinn Yarbro.......2001-07-01

I have read just about all of of Ms.Yarbro's books and especially love the St. Germaine character. She peaks your interest in his advertures and love life. The book was slow in starting but immediately became a cannot stop reading one. I have been reading Ms.Yarbro's books for years and had lost a contact in purchasing them. Thank Goodness for Amazon and the internet. I have now completed my set of the St. Germaine chronicles as you will.I think anyone who starts reading her books will become a fan as I am.

Sincerely,

Norma

A well-paced must-read with something to please everyone!.......1997-01-08

Alright, I have to admit it, if a vampire is in a book, I simply must read the book. I've read all sorts of vampire-literature -- from books with grammatical errors and no plot to speak of to, well, Yarbro's novels. Yarbro's novels are top-notch and although classified as "horror," the horror actually stems from our realization that a vampire could have more humanity within him than most "mortals" do. Yarbro's novels include something to satisfy everyone: a well-researched historical setting (I learned more history from Yarbro's novels than I ever learned in school -- sorry Mrs. O'Keefe!), a heart-wrenching romance, plenty of action between a hero and lots of of nasty folks, and, my personal favorite, a passionate and dashingly handsome vampire! Yarbro's writing style is intelligent and, in just the perfect spots, very suspenseful (and, hey, no grammatical errors)! A word of warning is in order: once you've read one of Yarbro's books you'll be eagerly awaiting her future releases (thank goodness Amazon.com Books has electronic notification of new releases, huh?). A novel that you will keep you thinking long after you finish the book!

Out of the House of Life: A Novel of the Count Saint-Germain (St. Germain)

Average customer rating:

awesome!
In the shadow of the pyramids...suspense-filled historical fiction with the supernatural thrown in for good measure!
Tenth in the Saint Germain series.
Historically Fascinating, Yarbro Shines With This Book!
My favorite St. Germaine novel...

Out of the House of Life: A Novel of the Count Saint-Germain (St. Germain)
Chelsea Quinn Yarbro
Manufacturer: Orb Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0312890265

Book Description

More than a third of Saint-Germain's long, long life was spent in the shadow of the Pyramids, in service to the temples of Egypt--but the tale of those years has never been told before.In Out of the House of Life, readers of Yarbro's series can at last discover how a bloodthirsty demon, captured and enslaved by the high priests of the temple of Imhotep, was transformed into priest and physician and then, finally, into an immortal being of great power and greater wisdom.

Customer Reviews:

awesome!.......2007-07-12

I've been a fan of the Saint-Germain series for quite a few years now. I have always been curious as to the earlier years of the Count's life, and this book illustrated those years beautifully. I loved gaining more insight as to the Count's personality. Madelaine has also been a favorite character [if it's possible to be jealous of a fictional character, then i'm completely jealous! she has the complete love of the Count, AND she gets to travel all over the place]. I've also had a huge interest in Egyptology, so in truth, this book combines two of my favorite subjects, Egypt and vampires.

All in all, I thought it was a well-written novel, as always. Although, I don't think this would necessarily be the best starting novel for this series. If anything, read Hotel Transylvannia before this one, so that you at least get the backstory of Saint-Germain and Madelaine. I have a couple biases to this story, so I think it's probably going to be towards the top of my favorites list.

In the shadow of the pyramids...suspense-filled historical fiction with the supernatural thrown in for good measure!.......2006-01-15

Chelsea Quinn Yarbro's extremely civilized, debonair vampire protagonist, the immortal Comte de Saint-Germain, spent more than one-third of his considerable lifetime in the land of the Pharaohs, in the very shadows of the pyramids. Although I have adventured with Saint-Germain in Renaissance Florence, where he was known as Francesco Ragoczy da San Germano, ("The Palace"); as Prinz Ragoczy of Transylvania in Paris, 1743, at the court of King Louis XV, ("Hotel Transylvania"); and as Ragoczy Sanct' Germain Franciscus, an import/shipping magnate living in the Rome of Emperor Nero, ("Blood Games"), I have learned little of the millennia he spent in Egypt - until now! With "Out of the House of Life," Ms. Yarbro takes the reader back to the time of our hero's origins - a period when man was much newer to the earth - over 6000 years ago.

He was thought to be a demon and chained in an underground dungeon in Ninevah and Babylon. He was sold to the High Priest of Judea and then given, as tribute, to the Pharaoh Hatshepsut. Shipped with other slaves to Egypt - once called the Black Land - he was sent to serve the god at the Temple of Imhotep in Memphis, the House of Life, a sanctuary for the dying. It is here that the vampire, (now known as Saint-Germain), rises over the centuries from a despised slave to a learned physician and then becomes "Sanh Zhrman," the wise high priest of Imhotep.

Sanh Zhrman's tale is interwoven with that of his beloved Madelaine de Montalia's, whom he met in eighteenth century France. There they loved passionately and when her life was endangered to the point of death, he made her immortal. Madelaine has joined an archeological expedition to fulfill a lifelong dream to explore Egyptian ruins, and hopefully to discover the ancient site of the House of Life. She finds, along with treasures and secrets long buried beneath the desert sands, danger from grave robbers, serpents, scorpions, and most of all from her expedition leader and his cohorts. Mlle. Montalia also discovers temporary love, and a means to quench her thirst, with the handsome mortal Dr. Falke.

The correspondence between Saint-Germain and Montalia is the device through which the narrative unfolds.

I'm hooked on Chelsea Quinn Yarbro's Comte de Saint-Germain series. The emphasis in these novels is on well written historical fiction rather than on the usual vampire fare. If you envision Saint Germain as a being like those who people Anne Rice's or Laurell Hamilton's novels you will have a surprise coming. Just an aside here...I love many of Ms Rice's and Ms. Hamilton's books and characters. Ms. Yarbro's hero is simply different. He IS a hero, not an anti-hero. You won't find fangs, gore, horror and supernatural violence here. He does need blood to survive, as does Madelaine - but the human donor must be willing to give a pint or two or these vampires won't drink. And true emotional attachments nourish Saint-Germain and Madelaine as much as the blood they take. So the concept of "love" and affection figure strongly in their eternal lives.

"Out of the House of Life" is rich in characters, historical detail, storyline and suspense. I highly recommend it.
JANA

Tenth in the Saint Germain series........2002-12-28

Or seventh, if you discount the three books that focused on Olivia. Or first (and as of this writing, only) in the Madeline series. Depends on how you look at it.

About a fifth of this book, I would estimate, is about Saint Germain himself, in the days of ancient Egypt, and some of his most formative moments. The rest of it centers on Madeline de Montalia, his former lover and vampiric "daughter", in the early ninteenth century, on an archeological dig in Egypt. The plot and characterization are excellent as usual for Ms. Yarbro; the pattern begun in the previous book (A Candle For d' Artgnan) of the editing being somewhat sloppier than in previous books is continued here; these were the first two books of the series to come out in "quality" or trade paperback editions, rather than mass-market, and frankly the editing in the previous books was better. Apparently, someone considers "quality" to be defined by the size of the book and the type of binding, rather than by efficient editing. There are about a dozen places in the book where there is a wrong word used, or a word missing, or an extra word inserted, or similar sloppinesses. Still, the book is well worth the read, and comes highly recommended.

Historically Fascinating, Yarbro Shines With This Book!.......2002-12-21

Ever since the publication of the first Saint-Germain book, I have been hooked on Chelsea Quinn Yarbro's books. I have often wondered how she remained a relatively obscure author, given the popularity that Anne Rice has enjoyed with her vampire series. While Rice is a great author, she lacks the historical research that goes into Yarbro's books... perhaps that's a liability for some romance readers who want instant gratification, without savoring a well crafted book, for this is what Out Of The House Of Life truly is! As another reviewer remarked, I, too,have learned more of history through this remarkable lady than anywhere else, College education included! This book goes back 6,000 years, and traces the roots of St. Germaine's history- the ignoble savage, slowly, over centuries, becoming the strong, sexy, and secure vampire with a heart of gold. I especially liked learning so much about Egyptian history in this novel, and found it refreshing. Unlike her earliest novels, I recently found that Yarbro's later books have become all too predictable-- poor misunderstood vampire stands up for the underdog, and becomes persecuted once again. Same scenes, same predicable outcomes. This novel shines out from the most recent, in that, it has more to say than that. The action doesn't get bogged down for lack of a plot this time. Too bad Yarbro didn't learn from this one, and stay on this track.. I can't say the same for books about St. Germaine published right after this one, and certainly not for the ones just before it, either.

My favorite St. Germaine novel..........1999-12-18

I have read all the St. Germaine ( and Olivia) novels (well, not the brand new _Communion Blood_)and the collection of short stories too. This is my favorite for St. Germaine's recollections in the form of long letters to Madeline about when he first lived in Egypt. It is in this book that we find out details about what made him become a *good* vampire who values life.

This is contrasted with Madeline's struggle to be accepted as an Egyptologist.

Book Description

This erotic and historical vampire novel is set in America in the years before and during the Civil War and features Madelaine de Montalia, sometime lover of Count St. Germain; General William Tecumseh Sherman; and, in a supporting role, St. Germain himself. Madelaine lives with and studies the native tribes of America, trying to document their culture and knowledge before they are changed unalterably by contact with the settlers new to North America, only to find herself in the middle of some of the most horrifying events of the war. The stubborn and highly disciplined Tecumseh wrestles with his conscience as he falls in love with Madelaine, while the strong-willed Madelaine is torn between her love for Tecumseh and the demands of her nature.

Download Description

Vampire historical horror erotic romance novel. Madelaine de Montalia, beloved of the Count Saint-Germain, comes to America to study the Indian nations, and survives the Civil War in the South, sustained by her decades-long affair with William Tecumseh Sherman. All the color and historical detail, all the wild romantic adventure you expect from a Yarbro novel.

Customer Reviews:

Gratutious and Sketchy.......2006-07-10

I found this book to be one of the weakest in the series, if not the weakest of them all. Madelaine just doesn't have what it takes to be a strong character, or at least we haven't seen it yet.

The style of this book seems like Ms. Yarbo had a lot of information but no way to bring it all into a story. Research on the native American Indian tribes before their ways were lost - mentioned as the reason for Madelaine to come to America but then nothing. Journal entries to cover months and months of time - literary device for plot exposition. Staying in America during the Civil War - just not good common sense.

I don't look for great literature in this series. I like her attention to details and her ability to give the flavor and feeling for the times. But this one was just .. boring. At least Olivia had spirit - Madelaine has ennui.

Something About General Sherman We Didn't Know About.......2005-09-24

Madelaine de Montalia, the former lover of Comte de St. Germain, returns to San Francisco of the 19th Century and finds herself involved with a young army officer named William T. Sherman. They are seperated and, after many adventures in the American West, Madelaine encounters her beau again, in Georgia of all places. I'm somewhat unconvinced that Sherman would have taken a French vampire lady into his bed, but the book is a good read nevertheless.

GREAT HISTORY.......2005-08-13

This chronicles Madelaine de Montalia's life during the Civil War. She has an affaire de cour with William Tecumseh Sherman and is present during Shermans' March to the sea. She is writing about American Indian culture, which necessitates her spending time with various tribes. This is a great book with lots of American history. There are some vivid descriptions about San Francisco and California during the era preceding the Civil War. Sherman visits Europe and reunites with Madelaine at the end. A great historical read spanning many years.

Madelaine returns...........2005-03-21

It is such a pleasure to see Madelaine de Montalia again, and solo this time rather than in counterpoint with le Comte.
She emerges as a unique and complex character all her own, neither Saint-Germain (S-G) in drag, nor Olivia re-born.
Unlike S-G, who appears as a melancholy ex-warrior physician/philosopher/chemist, or feisty Olivia, who would have been in her element running a stud farm (take it as you will), Madelaine is a scholar/anthropologist/archeologist with a burning curiousity about How Things And People Work. This seems to have given her a flexibility and resilience that her seniors either don't quite have, or have lost along the way.
But I did not mean to analyze Madelaine, I meant to review the book.
It reads very quickly, the plot moving along via many entries from Madelaine's journals, differing somewhat from the format of the S-G/Olivia novels. The viewpoint switches between 1st person and 3rd, but the person is always Madelaine. While the story is not quite as deep, dark and heavy as some of the S-G chronicles it is by no means light. The painful and equivocal position of the various tribes, who had their own problems with the United States government, not to mention between their own nations is a factor that most people don't consider. The pathetic bloody aftermath of battle is not lovingly dwelt upon, but it is dealt with unflinchingly. The pain of separation from her beloved and respected friend and lover Tecumsah, all the time knowing there will be the final loss, is a sad note, a quiet undercurrent throughout the entire story.
Ms Yarbro has made her usual good effort at making people real and not dividing them into Good and Evil. An Underground Railroad conductor has a Bad Attitude when it comes to women-any woman. A dedicated, hard-working, abolitionist army nurse has some serious Issues when it comes to skin color, parentage and legitamacy. A Confederate soldier who hates Yankees (and with good reason) is Madelaine's best and most compassionate assistant at French Mill- where ANY wounded soldiers are treated. Even Madelaine is not perfect. She herself makes mistakes, becoming attracted, or 'drawn' as she says, to handsome guys who turn out to be a jerks and or possibly dangerous to her. Madelaine, unlike S-G, however, is more easily able to admit to herself that she was wrong and wonder what was she thinking. She also has the sense to take advice and to get outta Dodge BEFORE the shooting starts...at least some of the time. You can't do that TOO often (or where's the conflict in the story?) but it IS nice to have a heroine who is not stupid.
I like her. I hope there are more books about her.
I read that Ms. Yarbro's publisher thought this book wasn't going to sell as a bound book and she should just sell it via the net. Next time she should just tell her publisher where to get off and to publish the damn book. This lady knows what she is doing.

Not her best work, but readable.......2005-01-12

This is a perfectly readable novel, if you weren't expecting anything extraordinary. If you've been following the entire St. Germain series, you'll want this for the sake of completeness. And if you are already a fan of historical vampire romance, then this is a pleasant book of that kind. Particularly if you are a fan of the American Civil War, the historical aspects of this will interest you. But if you are looking for *very* vampire, this isn't it. It isn't as clever or as detailed as the St. Germain books.

This one features Madelaine de Montalia, whom we first met in Hotel Transylvania, and who has appeared in a few of the other St. Germain books.

Let's look at it from the several different genres it might fit into. It's weakest as a vampire novel, only middling as a romance, interesting as a historical. From the vampire aspect, it follows the St. Germain pattern, of course: vampires are long-lived, can be killed by severing the spinal cord or by fire, are stronger than normal but don't have "supernatural" powers as such - no fading into smoke, turning invisible, etc. For the most part, vampires are (a) rare, and (b) good guys, in Yarbro's universe. They don't necessarily drink blood itself; they absorb a life essence from shared sexual passion, although they *can* drink blood when necessary. So Yarbro's books in general, and this one in particular, do not fall into the evil, brooding blood-sucker vampire pattern. In this book in particular, one might almost not even notice that Madelaine is a vampire - the only aspect of her vampirism that's important to the story is her age. Even when she and Sherman are making love, it's not really important that she's a vampire.

From the romance side of things, certainly an affair with William T. Sherman is a fairly novel idea. Sherman is not, however, as well drawn as we might like - we don't get nearly enough of an idea of him as a person. What we do get a lot of, more than I personally needed, is his agonizing "I can't leave my wife, but I can't resist you; woe is me!" stuff - over, and over, year in and year out. Conflicted is a character trait that can be interesting, but it isn't, particularly, here. Your tastes may vary, however.

As a historical, that's where we get some of Yarbro's best efforts in this book. Not as good as her best, but that may just be because I am less interested in recent history than in ancient history; in the novels that take place before the industrial revolution, more of the cultural aspects are strange to me, and there's more new detail to find interesting. In the 19th century USA, there's not as much new to learn. But again, your opinion may vary, particularly if you like the era. Apart from our glimpses of Sherman's maneuvering, the most important things happening here are the lives of the Native Americans, and nursing/medical practice during the war, including a lot of herbal medicine. I don't know enough about Native American history to judge the accuracy of some of these things; we don't get too much of a look in depth at any one particular culture. Madelaine bounces from tribe to tribe, and I personally would have liked to see more detail about some of them. Oh, and we do get an awful lot of details about Madelaine's clothing, which I wasn't very interested in - but some people are fans of historical costume, and certainly the romance readers should enjoy the descriptions of the gowns.

Most readers will know already how the war ends, no surprises there. That, it seems to me, is also a result of it being from a period that most of us already know something about. Novels set in 10th century Poland or other exotic locales can hold many more surprises for us; we don't know ahead of time how they end.

Overall? Lighter weight than we've come to expect from the St. Germain series, but an OK read if you set your expectations down at "ordinary 300-page historical romance."

States of Grace: A Novel of the Count Saint-Germain (St. Germain)

Average customer rating:

not her best
Twenty-third in the Saint Germain series.
Filling in the blank spaces in St. Germain's life
Great Historical Novel Set in Unusual Era - the Reformation!
*Yawn*

States of Grace: A Novel of the Count Saint-Germain (St. Germain)
Chelsea Quinn Yarbro
Manufacturer: Tor Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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A Feast In Exile

ASIN: 0765313901
Release Date: 2005-08-25

Book Description

Writer Erneste van Amsteljaxter, whose goodness inspires Santo-Germano, is threatened with the Inquisition. Pier-Ariana Salier, a musician who has been Santo-Germanos lover, loses her home and livelihood to an unscrupulous spymaster. Santo-Germano wishes to save and provide for both, but someone has embezzled much of his fortune and he has been accused of kidnapping a nobleman. To make matters worse, a spy has discovered the vampires true nature and intends to kill him. Stretched to his limits, Santo-Germano must make most unpleasant choices in this powerful and passionate novel of religion and politics.

Customer Reviews:

not her best.......2006-08-10

For some reason, this is the first of the series that just failed to click with me altogether. It seemed to lack soul and depth. I couldn't engage with the secondary characters, and St. Germain seemed rather dim. Sorry, i love most of the other books, even ones i didn't like so much I at least did have to struggle to finish. Having said that, i do look forward to the next one!

Twenty-third in the Saint Germain series........2006-04-20

Or eighteenth, if you don't count the spinoff series centering on Olivia and Madeline, two secondary characters introduced in the Saint Germain series proper.

This book, overall, falls somewhere in the middle of a generally very good series; it is nowhere near the best, but also nowhere near the worst. It is a bit slow to start, and a bit lower in action than most books in the series, with the conflict in the plot primarily stemming from treacherous political machinations and financial wrongdoing, although there is a bit of action near the end. Further, the ending seems a bit contrived; without spoiling any of the plot, I can only say that I thought it was not plausible for Saint Germain to have come out of the situation as well as he did, given the events that we've seen transpire. Still, the book was generally well-written, and if there were a few minor typos and errors of continuity with previous books which I assume to also be unintentional (the one that comes immediately to mind is a passage in which Saint-Germain's unnatural lifespan is referred to as "over twelve thousand decades" (pg 213) which would, by my math, amount to 120,000 years, when we've always previously been told a much more plausible birth in the vicinity of 2000 BCE, or at the time in which this book is set, 3500 years) there were not so many of them as there were in some other books of the series, such as "Communion Blood" and "A Candle For D'Artagnan".

For those new to the series, the brief, basic gist of the concept is this: Saint Germain is a vampire, born (as mentioned earlier) around 2000 BCE, and becoming a vampire at about the age of 35-40. At first, he was a typical, traditional vampire, but by the time we see him in this series, he has outgrown such silliness and become a true hero, probably too much so for some fans of the typical vampire genre. He is elegant, urbane, generous to a fault, loyal, honorable, kind, and a marvellous lover; in every way of unimpeachable character. He CAN survive on blood alone, even animal blood, but to do so is the equivalent of a human surviving on bread and water. What he needs to be truly satisfied is an emotional connection with the blood, and love is more fulfilling than fear or hatred. He does not require enough blood to do any injury to his "victim". As he has lived for so much of recorded history, each novel is a historical novel set in a different time and place; this one is set in 16th century Venice. This novel might be of passaable interest to someone who hasn't read other books in the series, but I would recommend reading "Better In The Dark", "Dark Of The Sun", or "Blood Roses" first, if not going all the way back to the original "Hotel Transylvania".

Filling in the blank spaces in St. Germain's life.......2005-12-22

This book in the St. Germain series fills in a spot between the time periods of two other books, being set not that long after St. Germain's time with the Medicis in Fiorenza. Set at the middle of the beginning of the Protestant Revolution, the story deeply involves religion, yet I felt it was somewhat less anti-religious than some of the other volumes have been. In some respects the book resembles others that have had clergymen as active characters: there are both good and bad clergy, but the scheming and greedy ones seem to outnumber the good ones, and to win more of the struggles within the church. On the other hand, they don't win ALL the struggles, and there are some of the clergy who appear to be men who are just men who are ambitious within the constraints allowed by the times, a mixture of good and bad.

For those not familiar with the series, I would say that parts of the book would be difficult to follow if you have not read any of the other books. At the very least, you'd want to read "The Palace" before reading this one - and even those who have read other books in the series might want to re-read "The Palace."

One might also want to brush up on one's history in order to get the book in context; if you have no recollection whatsoever of when the printing press and movable type burst on the scene, and what the issues surrounding Gutenberg's press were, and don't remember a thing about Martin Luther and the 95 Theses, you might want to find a history-notes web site and refresh yourself on these issues. (I had, as it happens, the fun of seeing one of the Gutenberg Bibles, the one in the Library of Congress in Washington DC, only a week or so after reading this book.)

Because of the printing press, and because this is high Renaissance, literacy is far more widespread than it was even a century prior to the setting of this novel; in a review of another recent volume, I noted that I really didn't think it realistic, even within the constraints of this historical fantasy, that ship's captains, for example, would have been that literate, that wordy, and that wasteful of paper.

And the expansion of St. Germain's shipping business makes a lot of sense too - the last decade of the 1400's had seen the inventions of double-entry bookkeeping and marine insurance and the first half of the 16th century was a golden age of expansion for shipping as a result.

There are some parts of the plot that are slow. Perhaps some people will be more interested in the the itemized tailor's bill than I am; historic costuming is not really my thing, but if it's yours, there's some fine opportunities for visualization and imagination here!

A couple of small peeves: at one point Yarbro describes St. Germain as going up stairs that are both steep and shallow. It took me a few minutes to figure that out, which interrupted the narrative flow. I think that a few more words expended on that description would actually have saved me time. And that St. Germain still starts out each book ignoring Roger's premonitions of trouble - it's almost a cliche, like ominous music in the movies immediately followed by a girl going alone into a dark basement. Roger feels uneasy; St. Germain reassures him; trouble starts up shortly thereafter. One would think that after a few centuries of this, St. Germain might pay more immediate attention to Roger's hunches. Oh well.

Some of the things I particularly liked: Roger and St. Germain discussion how the various religious sects came to be referred to as factions, after the Roman racing corporations. The competent spy explaining the craft to the incompetent one - a timeless craft, very funny reading the exchanges and thinking that they could as easily be 1932 as 1532. A quick throw to the "I do not drink... wine" vampire cliche; I like such almost-not-there references to the rest of the genre.

A short epilogue takes care of a detail that would otherwise leave some continuity errors for volumes previously written but set in later historical periods; I suspect we'll see more of that as Yarbro fills in time slots in between the eras we already know. It's difficult to make canon and continuity perfect in a series that runs as long as this one has (in both senses) and generally Yarbro does it well, but occasionally it requires a bit of gratuitous plot twist.

Great Historical Novel Set in Unusual Era - the Reformation!.......2005-12-19

This Saint-Germain novel was a little less dark than most of the recent ones, although with the frequent political intrigue, and a little less romance/sex than usual. It was fascinating to learn how unstable life was during the religious reformation. And Venice and Amsterdam, with their ubiquitous canals and bridges, are inconvenient and uncomfortable cities for a water-sensitive vampire. A great read, and I can't wait for the next one!

*Yawn*.......2005-12-08

I have been reading these books from the very first when I picked up "Hotel Translvania" off the shelf in first edition. So believe me when I say:
In this book nothing happens. Well, there are two love scenes at either end and a bit of excitement at the very end of the last chapter... but otherwise, he travels and worries about money, so nothing new.
Big yawn.
Come on, Chelsea, do something new. Bring the count into the 21st century so we can see how he copes with cameras and cell phones everywhere.

Darker Jewels: A Novel of the Count Saint-Germain (St. Germain)

Average customer rating:

Boring
Saint-Germain at his Finest
Seventh in the Saint-Germain series.
surprise new author!
one of the best in the series; exotic and mysterious

Darker Jewels: A Novel of the Count Saint-Germain (St. Germain)
Chelsea Quinn Yarbro
Manufacturer: Orb Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0312890311

Book Description

Chelsea Quinn Yarbro's immortal vampire, the Comte de Saint-Germain, is one of the most popular characters of his kind ever created. Publishers Weekly has called him a "veritable Prince Charming of the darker arts."In Darker Jewels the Count is sent by the King Of Poland to the court of Russia's Ivan IV, to use his alchemical skills to craft unearthly gems for the mad emperor. there he finds not only dark intrigue and heart-stopping danger, but a breathtakingly beautiful woman to whom he loses his heart.

Customer Reviews:

Boring.......2006-08-01

Let's see, how's this one go? In the company of some fanatical Jesuits, Saint-Germain goes on a state mission from Poland to Russia, abandons the mission, gets the dying madman Ivan the Terrible (guilt-stricken over slaying his own son and heir) fixated on his collection of gemstones, and then gets wrapped up in marriage (hey, after 3,500 years the man was bound to tie the knot sooner or later) with a traumatized Russian noblewoman whose relatives seek to take over the throne of Muscovy. Not a bad job on Yarbro's part as far as getting the terminology and xenophobic outlook of the era right but not much really happens in this slooooow 350 page novel.

Saint-Germain at his Finest.......2003-07-05

This is one remarkable book delving in and around the times of Ivan IV of Russia in the late 1500's. Ferenc Rakoczy, (the Count Saint-Germain) is sent with an embassy of priests representing King King Istvan Bathory of Poland. Their mission is to ally the two countries for future attempts of invasion of the Turks. The Russian Czar is feared to have become mentally unstable after the death of his son and both the Russians and Poles fear the potential dangers this could create.

If you are familiar with Chelsea Quinn Yarbro's Saint Germain books, then you will once again marvel at the historical setting of this tale. One can't help but get absorbed into the life, the struggles, and sorrow of the times.

Ferenc Rakoczy, the close to 4,000 year old Vampire, blends in very well into the development of the story as he is not like Vampires that you'll find in other books. As he is described in this book: "All that death had given him was durability and strength far beyond that of the truly living, a degree of control over animals, superior night vision, and one specific thirst. The rest - the skills, the learning, the music, the compassion - he had acquired for himself in many long years and painful lessons".

This book does an excellent job at depicting the political and religious unrest of the times, the influence of the various European countries, the Orthodox and Roman Catholics, and the Turks. It's easy to get mesmerized with the story as it unfolds. Not only do you get an exceptional novel with a compassionate Vampire, but you are left with a history lesson you may never had the opportunity to discover.

Seventh in the Saint-Germain series........2003-02-08

Or eighth, if you count "Out of the House of Life", which is primarily a book about Madeline de Montalia, but includes some of Saint-Germain's history. Or eleventh, if you also include "A Flame In Byzantium", "Crusader's Torch", and "A Candle For d'Artagnan", which are almost entirely about Olivia Atta Clemens, and therefore properly a spinoff series of their own.

The series to date (the date of the writing of this book, not the writing of this review) is: "Hotel Transylvania", set in the mid seventeen hundreds in France; "The Palace", set in Florentine Italy in the time of Botticelli; "Blood Games", set in the imperial Rome of Nero (and slightly beyond); "Path of the Eclipse", set around 1200, in China, India, and the middle east; "Tempting Fate", set in Germany between the twentieth century's world wars; "The Saint-Germain Chronicles", a collection of short stories set from 1880-1981; the aforementioned "Olivia" trilogy (Olivia was Saint-Germain's love interest in the book "Blood Games") set respectively in 6th century Byzantium, late 12th century Europe, and 17th century France; the aforementioned "Out of the House of Life", which features Madeline (the love-interest from "Hotel Transylvania") in early 19th century Egypt, with occasional flashbacks to Saint-Germain's days in ancient Egypt, circa 1000 B.C.E.; and this book, in many ways the best of the lot.

This book is set in late 16th century Russia, during the reign of Ivan IV (The Terrible) and that of his son, Feodor. As usual, Yarbro's historical research is impressive; I'm not sufficiently educated on the subject to vouch for any of her books' history, but it certainly feels right, and meshes with what little I DO know from other sources. Also as usual, her plot is excellent and her main characters are a delight. What sets this book apart from most of her previous entries in this series is that her villains are much less cardboard; usually, her villains have been simply blatantly evil, from diabolists in Paris to insane worshippers of Kali the death-goddess in Persia to Nazis in Germany. Now granted, all of these sorts of people existed, but their motives generally weren't as one-dimensional as these stories have generally made them. They were generally more like the villains in this book: a hypocritical Jesuit who resents Saint-Germain for his successes and talents, and for being independant of his authority, and various ambitious nobles looking to improve their own situation at anyone and everyone else's expense.

For those new to the series, Saint-Germain is a vampire who has lived for something on the order of 3500-4000 years, and so each book gives us a look into another period in the life of an immortal. The series is probably more interesting to fans of historical fiction that traditional vampire fans, as the vampiric aspects are much reduced from what one usually sees. The writing is very good, and the main character is a delight.

surprise new author!.......2001-04-19

I first picked up this book because it was set in pre-revolutionary Russia (which I love). It looked mildly interesting, and I was facing a long ferry ride. Did I ever get the surprise of my life! I have never been a big fan of vampire fiction, but after I read this book I couldn't get enough of it! The Count is a fascinating character, the historical plot is real, something readers can relate to and understand, and I cried my eyes out at the end. I have since read every single Chelsea Quinn Yarbro book in my library (hint: try 'False Dawn,' it's amazing)and have branched out into other authors like P. N. Elrod, L. J. Smith and Anne Rice....but the Count remains an old favorite.

one of the best in the series; exotic and mysterious.......2001-01-10

Darker Jewels is a historical novel featuring a vampire. It's one of the more recently written in a series about this character; there are earlier novels in the series that you might want to read first. Those who already know that they like vampire novels, anything at all that features a vampire, can skip this review, and likewise, those who hate the whole idea of vampires can skip it. But for those trying to decide whether or not to read more of this genre, or whether the one vampire novel you've already read was a fluke, it may help if we have some ways to categorize these novels. Thus: BunRab's Standard Vampire Elements. First, most authors of vampire novels approach from one of the main genres of genre fiction; thus their background may be primarily in romance, or in science fiction/fantasy, or in murder mysteries, or in horror. Second, many vampire novels come in series; knowing whether this is one of a series, and where in the series it falls, may be helpful. Then we have some particular characteristics: - Is the vampire character (or characters) a "good guy" or a "bad guy"? Or are there some of each? - Are there continuing characters besides the vampire, through the series? - Are there other types of supernatural beings besides vampires? - Can the vampire stand daylight under some circumstances, or not stand daylight at all? - Does the vampire have a few other supernatural characteristics, many other supernatural characteristics, or none other than just being a vampire? (E.g., super strength, change into an animal, turn invisible) - Does the vampire have a regular job and place in society, or is being a vampire his or her entire raison d'etre? - Does the vampire literally drink blood, or is there some other (perhaps metaphorical) method of feeding? - Is sex a major plot element, a minor plot element, or nonexistent? - Is the entire vampire feeding act a metaphor for sex, part of a standard sex act, or unrelated to sex? - Is the story set in one historical period, more than one historical period, or entirely in the present day? - Does the story have elements of humor, or is it strictly serious? - Is the writing style good, or is the writing just there to manage to hold together the plot and characters?

Chelsea Quinn Yarbro's series about the vampire St. Germain starts from the historical romance genre (although Yarbro is equally well known as a science fiction writer), and is a continuing series. St. Germain is definitely a good guy, using the knowledge he's gained in several thousand years of living to help others. There are a few characters that continue from book to book besides him: the women he turns into vampires, and his "servant," Roger, who is a ghoul. Ghouls are the only other supernatural characters who appear in these books. St. Germain can stand daylight with the right preparations. He has unusual strength, but not limitless; unusual wisdom; and is an "alchemist" but there are no overt "magic" powers. In most of the series, he has an occupation of being an aristocrat, insofar as that was a full-time occupation through most of history; in some books he has another "job" as well. St. Germain does not literally drink blood; he feeds on emotions, usually during erotic experiences, but sex is nonetheless only a minor plot element, rare and very discreet. The series covers 3000 years, from ancient Egypt to the modern day; each book is set in a span of a particular period, usually 20-30 years. The writing is serious, but not self-important; the writing quality is excellent, and Yarbro's abilities as an author qualify these books as literature rather than "merely" genre fiction.

Darker Jewels is set in the Russia of Ivan the Awe-Inspiring (or Terrible). Ivan is insane, his son Feodor is retarded, and all the other noble families of Russia are jockeying for power and hoping to take over ruling the country. Into this, St. Germain is sent as an ambassador from Poland. As an alchemist, St. Germain makes jewels in his athanor; since Ivan is obsessed with jewels, St. Germain can make him gifts to win favor for the Polish king. As is usual in this series, the Roman Catholic church provides some villains, in the form of a group of Jesuits, ambitious, narrow-minded, and arrogant (with the obligatory one exception who is flexible, kind, and despised by the rest of the priests). The Eastern Orthodox Church also plays a strong role; the descriptions of Russian Orthodox churches and rituals are fascinating. Another nice touch is the English delegation to Russian, from the court of Elizabeth I. Some nice characters there, and a connection with Olivia Clemens through one of them. (Olivia is a vampire also; you may want to read some of the earlier novels in the series to become familiar with the cast of characters.)

Dark of the Sun: A Novel of the Count Saint-Germain (St. Germain)
Average customer rating:

Not the best Saint Germain story

And A Darkness Covered The Earth

The Really Dark Ages

Count St Germain remains one of the best vampires in fiction

How a Vampire Survives after a World Cataclysm

Dark of the Sun: A Novel of the Count Saint-Germain (St. Germain)
Chelsea Quinn Yarbro
Manufacturer: Tor Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Communion Blood: A Novel of Saint-Germain

ASIN: 076531102X
Release Date: 2004-10-21

Book Description

It is the 6th century of the common era. The vampire Saint-Germain, known in this time as Sangi-Ragozh, is peacefully doing business in Asia when, unknown to him-or anyone else in most of the world-Krakatoa explodes in a massive volcanic eruption. The island is nearly completely destroyed; tidal waves swamp harbors hundreds of miles away, ravaging trade ships and their cargoes; tons of ash and dirt are flung into the air. In the months to come, the world grows colder and darker as the massive cloud of dust and ash spreads across the globe, blocking sunlight. Sea trade is ravaged. Crops fail. Livestock, and then people, begin to starve. Disease spreads. Panic rises. What has caused the sun to go dark? With his scientific bent, Sangi-Ragozh suspects a natural cause, but most people assume a supernatural explanation-and begin to seek supernatural remedies. As always in times of trouble, foreigners-and the vampire is always a foreigner, wherever he travels-become targets. Fleeing toward the West, where he hopes to find safety and sanity, the vampire travels with a nomadic tribe led by Dukkai, a female shaman who soon becomes Sangi-Ragozh's lover-and main source of sustenance. But Sangi-Ragozh's problems are far from over. His vampire nature is discovered by an enemy; he is separated from Dukkai and begins to starve; he has lost everything, including his last sack of his native soil. With death no longer a distant possibility, Sangi-Ragozh desperately tries to reach sanctuary in the one place he truly belongs-his homeland, the country he first left centuries earlier. A land we now call Transylvania.

Customer Reviews:

Not the best Saint Germain story.......2007-10-09

The historical part of this book is interesting because it's global history that I didn't know anything about. The details of how the eruption of Krakatoa affected crops, herds, and populations all over the world is an interesting read but the story of Saint Germain's journey from China back to his native land is painfully slow. The detailed conversations are dull and long and (I'm sorry) boring. Much like the Olivia Clemens novel "Crusader's Torch", "Dark of the Sun" is just a plodding account of the characters going from point A to point B. There are no rich relationships, no one foe, and it seemed to me that the Count just wasn't as likable a guy as in other Saint Germain books I've read.

Unlike those others, this will be one I do not read again and again.

And A Darkness Covered The Earth.......2006-09-10

The violent mega-eruption of Krakatoa in AD 535 threw enough volcanic matter into the earth's atmosphere to blot out a huge portion of the sun's rays, and this was the start of several years of almost ice-age-like conditions. Written records and other tangible evidence exists from China to the Americas of the tragic effects this event had on humans everywhere. Crops failed, famine came to pass, stillbirths increased, disease became rampant, trade slowed, and internecine wars were waged for food and also out of a paranoid sense of horror. Most of all humans became reactionary and turned to their gods for answers and for comfort. From Byzantium to India, Saxon England to Coptic Ethiopia, xenophobia reigned, foreigners were persecuted as possible offenders of the gods, and order disintegrated on a frighteningly vast scale. Life across the globe was disrupted as by the tens of millions people wondered if they were truly witnessing the end of the world.

This is the scene of Yarbro's seventeenth Saint-Germain novel. In the pages of Dark of the Sun, the perpetually-exiled Carpathian nobleman goes from a prosperous life as a merchant in Liang-era China to the life-threatening undertaking of traversing the Silk Road, a journey of three-years' duration, in order to return to the west. With Saint-Germain, as always, is his faithful companion Rogers, and along the path of the dauntingly perilous expedition west, Germain witnesses a world gone mad in the wake of unimaginable cataclysm.

Chelsea Quinn Yarbro revives a global catastrophe we had somehow forgotten, and uses it as a backdrop for a slow but detailed novel that takes her readers on a trip across nearly the whole of east and central Asia, from China to the Carpathians, sparing no detail or sociological observation along the way.

The Really Dark Ages.......2005-09-21

One of the most recent in the St. Germain series and also one of the most satisfying to read. Set in the early Sixth century (can you name one thing that happened in the Sixth Century?) with the cataclysmic eruption of Krakatoa, blotting out the sun for nearly two years. The effects on the entire world were profound, since nothing was able to grow. Like other books by Yarbro, I feel as though I had slipped through a small window into this world and could experience what was actually happening. Also, this was historically I period I had no knowledge of whatsoever, which added to the mysterious quality of the novel.

For me, the St. Germain series has always been a guilty pleasure, with an emphasis on the pleasure. There is something slightly old fashioned about the writing, but not stilted. It is true that much of the book is dialogue between St. Germain and his (eternal) companion. But I did not find that to be a problem. All in all, Dar of the Sun is a far better book than some of the other "historical" novels coming off the factory lines recently (you know what I mean).

Count St Germain remains one of the best vampires in fiction.......2005-06-06

After more than a dozen novels of the life and times of Count Saint Germain, Chelsea Quinn Yarbro still manages to make his story both relevant and spellbinding. Her beautifully written stories are masterpieces of historical fiction -- being meticulously researched and finely told -- and I never fail to learn something new about the world, and about St. Germain.
In this newest adventure, the Count is a trader in Yang-Chau (Shanghai) China in 535 A.D., a year known as the Year of the Dark Sun. It was named this due to the eruption of Krakatoa -- a rare, once in a millenium scale event that blocked the sun to varying degrees around the world, and caused starvation and panic where ever the clouds of ash prevailed. A fine novel, full of energized plotlines and well rounded characters. Highly recommended.

How a Vampire Survives after a World Cataclysm.......2005-03-23

This is the first "vampire" genre book I read and it nearly became my last. I was fascinated by the cover, the title and the praise on the cover jacket for the "Saint-Germain" novels. I was open to a new reading experience. Being captivated by the music of the Silk Road countries, the most recent of which is Yol Bolsin (CD), I was ready to read some fiction and 'escape' to this exotic locale. My anticipation was further fueled by the "author's introduction" where she describes the research which went into describing "Year of the Yellow Snow" approximately AD 535-6 when the volcano, Krakatoa, erupted and caused worldwide famine. The maps of China and Southeast Asia further whetted my appetite for this novel ... so I looked forward to an adventurous vicarious reading experience.

The book begins via a letter to Zangi-Ragozh, whom we learn is a foreign merchant in China, who owns many ships and a trading company. The captain of one of his ships reports a catastrophe which could have disastrous effects on trade and shipping in Kuang-Chou (Canton). He describes men dying due to a yellow powder in the air ever since the volcano on an island erupted and caused tidal waves and rough seas. Zangi-Ragozh notices the sun is less bright ... There is fear in the air. The local Chinese magistrate is expected to take strong measures against foreigners in the region. The decision by Zangi-Ragozh is to inventory his merchandise, close his home, leave his servants to run the established trading company and return to his homeland ... the Carpa-Ti (Carpathian Mountains). Much of the book chronicles the journey of this vampire and his traveling companion as they go across China, traversing the Silk Road back to Romania, the ancestral home of Saint-Germain, who in this life is named "Zangi-Ragozh".

The main creative device the author uses in this novel is letter-writing, she alternates chapters chronicling Zangi-Ragozh's travels-adventures with detailed letters (some sent to him) by captains of his ships, servants who run his trading house, or a love interest, others are letters written by local magistrates sent to government officials describing the difficulties of the times, unfortunately this technique becomes rather tiresome. Additionally, too much of the book consists of conversations between the vampire and his traveling companion, it becomes a real chore to continue reading. I nearly gave up. Had the author interspersed descriptions of action packed 'man-against-nature' adventures on the ships or had she connected some past life experiences of Saint-Germain with Atta Olivia Clemens (a past love interest), the novel would have been more interesting. This book has all the trappings of a wonderful sizzling 'unable-to-put-it-down' novel but it *nearly* fizzles out. Luckily three-quarters of the way through, the novel *finally* comes to life, is successfully rescusitated. The book is worth reading to discover how the author salvages a dull beginning and middle with an unexpected explosive dramatic event.

In all honesty I can not give the book rave reviews (I really wanted to). The author should have described the natural scenery along the Silk Road, the storms at sea, and the life of that era much better, even the many letters written to Zangi-Ragozh some of which never reach him, seem like a substitute for what is seriously lacking in the plot: creative design (which arrives *almost* too late). The essential story-line is simple and straightforward therefore it needs something exciting to hook the reader's imagination *throughout* the novel, not just at the end. Despite the often flat affect of the supporting characters, the star, Zangi-Ragozh shines very brightly. He has fully developed personality and is very likeable - there is much depth to his actions and behavior. Another huge plus is the book could be made into a film with breath-taking natural beauty and unforgettable action-packed scenes because on film the contents of the letters become *visual*. The suspense and drama would be magnified on film. My prediction is, as a movie it would be a multimillion dollar winner. Erika Borsos (erikab93)

Blood Games 3rd in Count De Saint-Germain Series

Average customer rating:

Blood Games 3rd in Count De Saint-Germain Series

Manufacturer: St. Martin's Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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Darker Jewels: A Novel of the Count Saint-Germain (St. Germain)
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ASIN: B000GSVKVE

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A remake or update of her original book
Was the Count of Saint Germain ageless or a charlatan?

Count of Saint-Germain
Isabel Cooper-Oakley
Manufacturer: Kessinger Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Similar Items:

Most Holy Trinosophia
The Resurrected Dead, Now Immortal, Live Among Us: A Manual for Immortality
Life and Teaching of the Masters of the Far East (5 Vol. Set)
Unveiled Mysteries

ASIN: 0766101010

Book Description

The life and activities of an important mystic and philosopher who influenced the 18th century. Overshadowing all is the figure of Christian Rosenkreutz and the work of the Rosicrucians, Alchemists and Masons during this period.

Customer Reviews:

A remake or update of her original book.......2003-12-08

This book is essentially the same as her original work- The Comte de St.Germain, The Secret of Kings. The older book was a spiral bound book done by Mrs. Oakley. This newer book was picked up by Kessinger Publishing. This is an excellent book for those who are interested in studying the historical evidence of the great Immortal, St. Germain known as The Wonderman of Europe. He was ageless and deathless and held the secret to the philosopher's stone. This book gives the reader details about St. Germain's interaction with the great Royal houses of Europe from their own diaires. Packed with plenty of intrigue, drama, and secret meetings you will enjoy reading the memoirs and diaries of those who met and interacted with this great man. If you wish further study of St. Germain I suggest buying these two books: Unveiled Mysteries and The Magic Presence by Godfre Ray King. I have personally met St. Germain as well as many other Immortals and I can assure you they are very real.

Was the Count of Saint Germain ageless or a charlatan?.......2002-01-01

From what I gathered from this very fine research into a very mysterious person of history, who was a born Count Ragoczy of Siebenbuergen=Transylvania, approx. 1712, who suffered much intrigue by the Austrian Royal Court. He was in Russia when Catarina the Great, a German Princess, ascended the Russian Throne in St. Petersburg. He was in Paris closely associating with Madame de Pompadour in Versailles, later warning the Queen of France, Marie Antoinette, daughter of the Austrian Emperess Maria Theresia, of the approaching danger of the revolution. It is astounding how careless and fete-loving this Royal, Marie Antoinette was. After the French Revolution of 1789, she and Louis XIV were executed at the scaffold 1792. There appear to be eye witnesses, who saw the Count still alive and looking well in 1822. The book deals with so many details, historically founded, that it is a jewel when it comes to a big part of European history during this era and the mysterious involvement of Count Saint Germain. Gerborg
gerborguta@hotmail.com

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