July 1, 2008

The Rest Falls Away


The Rest Falls Away by Colleen Gleason
#1 in the Gardella Vampire Chronicles
Romance
2007 Signet
Finished on 6/19/08
Rating: 4/5 (Very Good)




Product Description

In every generation, a Gardella is called to accept the family legacy of vampire slaying, and this time, Victoria Gardella Grantworth is chosen, on the eve of her debut, to carry the stake. But as she moves between the crush of ballrooms and dangerous, moonlit streets, Victoria's heart is torn between London's most eligible bachelor, the Marquess of Rockley, and her enigmatic ally, Sebastian Vioget. And when she comes face to face with the most powerful vampire in history, Victoria must ultimately make the choice between duty and love.

I'm probably one of the last in my circle of blogger friends to read this series, but I finally picked up The Rest Falls Away last month and was immediately sucked in! (So to speak.) I had to set it aside for a little while so I could read The Sparrow for book club, but the short break didn't upset the rhythm of the narrative and I was quickly immersed back in Victoria's world of high-society balls and vampire slayings.

It's been years since I read Ann Rice's Interview With the Vampire (which I loved), and although I've enjoyed Stephanie Meyer's Twilight Saga, I'm not chomping at the bit to read Eclipse. However, after reading a couple of vampire books, I realized how much I enjoy the genre. I rarely ever read romances, though, so I have to admit that I was a little nervous about reading Gleason's debut novel (albeit, one of a paranormal nature), in spite of all the great reviews that I've read here and here and here. I won a copy of the second in Gleason's Gardella Vampire Chronicle series, Rises the Night, a few months ago from Booklogged and decided to buy The Rest Falls Away with a birthday gift card. (Thanks, Jen!)

I'm not sure what I was expecting, but I was very pleasantly surprised with The Rest Falls Away! This book has a greater level of sophisticated writing than the handful of romances I've read over the years. The pacing is even, maintaining the tension from start to finish, the dialogue is entertaining and believable, and I love the subtle humor. I'm anxious to see where the developing relationships lead and am eager to read more in the series to see who Victoria winds up with! I plan to read Rises the Night later this month, but I think I'll save The Bleeding Dusk (and When Twilight Burns, which comes out on August 5th!) for my trip to Virginia next month. I prefer trade paperbacks to mass markets, but now that the airlines are charging for luggage, smaller books are looking better. Hmmm, maybe it's time to buy a Kindle!

12 comments:

  1. I'm really looking forward to When Twilight Burns and then the fifth and last book next year to see how everything ends up. I never imagined I'd like vampire books this much either. :)

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  2. I'm so glad you liked it!!! Like Nat, I'm really looking forward to the next in the series and the last. Although, I do hate to see it end. Colleen's books are such fun!

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  3. Yay - I'm glad to hear you enjoyed this one! I was afraid I wasn't going to like it as there had been so much hoopla about it - you know how that goes sometimes. But, it was a fun read. I keep meaning to start the second book but just haven't gotten to it. I also want to know whoshe ends up with :)

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  4. About time, lady! Isn't Colleen's writing wonderful?

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  5. I was doing some blog surfing and found myself here, and I must say you've got great taste in books! (I adore Julie Zickefoose, as well as many other authors on your list.)

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  6. L:ke you, I normally don't read Romance so this series was a step outside of the box for me. But, I liked them, and I found each book to be better than the last. I'm awaiting the fourth one as well, this August. It helps to have blogging friends point us in a direction we wouldn't normally go, doesn't it?

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  7. I have never head of these books, but based on your review I will be checking them out! I really liked Twilight and had never read a vampire book before.

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  8. Nat - I'm glad to hear that you've enjoyed the series. My current reads aren't holding my attention and I keep glancing over at Rises the Night, thinking maybe I should jump into it now!

    Heather - As much as I'm looking forward to the remaining books in this series, there is something to be said for a short series. Some drag on and on and lose their magic. I think Colleen is wise to keep this to a handful. I'm sure she won't disappoint her fans when it's time to move on to something else.

    Iliana - I felt the same way, especially since Colleen is such a big part of this blogging world. I was so glad that I enjoyed the book as well as I did and I'm getting impatient to start the next one in the series.

    Nancy - I know, I know! ;) And, yes, it is! I'm dying to read Rises the Night. My current books are just ho-hum at this point. Sigh.

    Jess - Thanks for stopping by. I'm off to check out your blog.

    Bellezza - Oooh, I'm glad to know that the series gets better and better with each book. I'm in for such a treat! I love strong female characters and just love Victoria. Yep, nothin' like a bunch of blog-mates to help me stockpile my house with good reads.

    Laura - If you really liked Twilight, I think you'll love Colleen's series. Let me know!

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  9. I think you'll enjoy the rest as well. I feel that her writing and the story has gotten better with each novel in the series. I'll be reviewing her 4th shortly in anticipation for its August release.

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  10. Carl - Well, if her writing and the story has improved with each novel, I'm really in for a treat, aren't I? I'll be sure to check out your review for When Twilight Burns. Thanks for bringing Colleen's books to my attention. You've done a fabulous job with all her PR. :)

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  11. It has been really fun doing so. I can't wait to meet her when she comes to the St. Louis area in August. Will be worth the trip over there to say 'hello' in person.

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  12. Carl - What a treat to meet Colleen in person! Have a fun visit with her.

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