Book Review... Vampire Empire - Book One: The Greyfriar

Vampire Empire

Book One:  The Greyfriar

By:  Clay & Susan Griffith

Series:   Vampire Empire Book One

Published By:   PYR

Published Date:  November 2010

Pages:   Paperback 301

Tags: Steampunkery, Adult, Paranormal, Vampires, Alternate History

First Line - eARC:  Lance tapped the beat of A Chorus Line's "What I Did for Love" on Allie's bedroom door.

Why the Mad Scientist read this book:  Not only did I need a Steampunkery fix but I was looking for something different to read.  This book fit the bill and it works for several challenges.  The Morbid Romantica Challenge - Steampunkery Romantica.  The Reading Bucket List Challenge - Time: Future.  111 in '11.  Vampire Challenge 2011.

Concoction of a review:

This was a great ride – not your average ordinary bland bandwagon vampire novel.  I wanted to read it fast because it was so good and slow because I didn’t want it to end.  When Greyfrair finally did come to an end I was full of emotion for this book that once I read the last word I literally hugged the book.  For the Mad Scientist this book was that good.  No, it was an amazing string of words that needs to be put on a silver platter!

Vampire Empire: The Greyfriar is quite a book that is made by twisting and welding together Steampunkery, a dash of horror, whipped with major action and adventure, if that were not enough lets top it off with slight romance with a side of politics and of course some bloody war.  Really, what in the world is this book missing.  Not a thing! 

However, this book was not good just because it was the ultimate at combining genres.  Clay & Susan Griffith have a gift for providing the most wonderful words together to bring you right into the book.  The images that were tossing about in my head were bold and full which had me thinking I was really along for the ride.  Not only did the imagery of the world blow me away but the fight scenes had me all up in a huff of excitement!  I wanted to grab a sword and a hero and jump into the fight! 

The Northern Hemisphere was attacked in 1870, nearly killing and destroying what we know to be the Western Civilization.  The Great Killing.

Princess Adele, the heir of Equatoria is due to wed a renowned vampire killer, Senator Clark, and united her Empire with America.  This arrangement now poses a threat to the vampires that live in the northern areas of the world.  Adele and her younger brother Simon are on their way to northern territories for political matters in Marseilles when their dirigible is intercepted by a larger than normal ban of vampires lead by Flay.  She is warrior vampress that follows orders from her master, Cesare the youngest son of King Dimitry.  He is known for mass killing of humans.  Now the heir of Equatoria, Adele, is running from… Flay.  These vampires are parasitic with very powerful physical characteristics whom roam freely in the colder areas, feedlot humans for dinner, and terrorize others so they are afraid of being enslaved by them. 

*Damsel in distress announces the entrance of said hero.* 

The Greyfriar swoops in to save her.  I fell in love with him as soon as he pulled out all of these weapons and started hacking up the vampires on top of him in a gory morbid way.  *sigh*  It is also quite a shock because The Greyfriar is a man whose stories of heroism and acts of battle are all thought to be fables.  He ended up being this strong yet mysterious man who drew in not only me but our lovely Adele as well.  (I should mention that she is crafty with a weapon as well!)  Ultimately is kidnapped… ah, heiress-napped albeit her best efforts of flight and the efforts of her masked mystery fighter, by Flay who brings her to England for Cesare.

Enter… Gareth, the oldest son and heir to the Vampire Empire once King Dimitry leaves this world.  He lives in Scotland away from his role of heir to the supposed throne.  He pulls the heir card and takes Adele away from Cesare’s hand.  He starts to learn more about “human” culture through Adele.  I found myself chuckling when he was learning to write. 

There is one huge shocking twist to this tale that had me and probably most of the readers a bit shocked when it was revealed.  It is something that makes this story just that more incredible.  I urge you to read this one because if you don’t you are missing out, *wink*.

The growth and development between Adele and Greyfriar was utterly touching, it had me dabbing a small tear away.  Their emotions gradual grew to make it all that more believable.  She was strong and held herself up to her values.  He showed her that not all things you are taught are always right.  She learned to trust another.  The tender relationship between these two was very pleasing.

Overall, Loved Loved Loved Vampire Empire: The Greyfriar .  Tis was truly a grand tale of vampires and humans that was packed full of action right from chapter 1!  I am going to be waiting for Book Two... Wait!  I am already waiting for Book Two, from the minute this book ended!

*This book was so good that I had to make up an Ultimate Rating!!  -- Mad Love!!!*

Ultimate Rating!!  -- Mad Love!!!

More then 5 Blasts!  This book is a Mad Scientist Favorite!!!

If you don't trust the Mad Mad thoughts of the this Mad Scientist...

Please do check out chapter one two & three here!

*Thanks to the wonderful people behind PYR who thought of the Mad Scientist.  I received a copy of this fabulous Steampunkery novel, however, this had no affect on my actions, feelings, or review of this book in anyway.*

You can find this utterly wonderful tale at these web locations:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository | Borders

Challenges: