Overview
Two decades strong, the Saint-Germain cycle is one of the most compelling works of dark fantasy and horror of our age. Historically accurate, these deeply emotional novels have a devoted readership.
In Burning Shadows, Yarbro looks at the legendary Huns from the perspective of the people who faced the brunt of their attacks. The vampire Saint-Germain seeks sanctuary at an isolated monastery, unwilling to abandon the hundreds of terrified villagers he has led in flight from the Huns. A few Roman soldiers and some village Watchmen are the monastery’s defense force—and they are undermined by the religious fervor of some of the monks, who argue that since everyone’s fate is in God’s hands, it is foolish to defend themselves. In the hothouse atmosphere of the high-walled monastery, Saint-Germain must take special care when slaking his vampire thirst, for discovery of his True Nature will result in his True Death.
Synopsis
Two decades strong, the Saint-Germain cycle is one of the most compelling works of dark fantasy and horror of our age. Historically accurate, these deeply emotional novels have a devoted readership.
In Burning Shadows, Yarbro looks at the legendary Huns from the perspective of the people who faced the brunt of their attacks. The vampire Saint-Germain seeks sanctuary at an isolated monastery, unwilling to abandon the hundreds of terrified villagers he has led in flight from the Huns. A few Roman soldiers and some village Watchmen are the monastery’s defense force—and they are undermined by the religious fervor of some of the monks, who argue that since everyone’s fate is in God’s hands, it is foolish to defend themselves. In the hothouse atmosphere of the high-walled monastery, Saint-Germain must take special care when slaking his vampire thirst, for discovery of his True Nature will result in his True Death.
Publishers Weekly
A passionate wartime love affair haunts Yarbro’s 21st Saint-Germain novel (after 2008’s A Dangerous Climate). Yarbro returns to her heroic vampire in 438 C.E., when he was known as Dom Feranescus Rakoczy Sanctu-Germainios, Regional Guard of Apulum Inferior. Series fans will welcome the reappearance of Atta Olivia Clemens, the count’s former lover, but she soon departs the Carpathians for Constantinople. More compelling is Nicoris, an attractive refugee whom Rakoczy meets en route to Sanctu-Eustachios, a hermit monastery where slaves, soldiers and refugees hope to survive the impending Hun attack. Nicoris quickly falls under Rakoczy’s spell, fascinated by the revelation of his true nature, but she has a dangerous secret that may spell doom for their future. Yarbro’s impeccable research enhances but doesn’t distract from the romance, which is diminished only by the sad, too-brief epilogue. (Dec.)