When the Twisted Kingdom ladies let me know that we scored an interview with Colleen Gleason, the author of The Rest Falls Away, I just had to read it. It had been languishing in my TBR pile the day I bought it (way back in January). It wasn't forgotten though, because I did include it on my list of 50 books to read by June (in an effort to reduce said TBR pile).
All I can say is...delicious.
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 devoured this book. I just couldn't put it down, which made me late to work. Haha. Kudos, Colleen!
The Rest Falls Away harkens back to the day when vampires were villains. Remember when vampires were seen as evil creatures? And people hunted them? So Victoria Grantworth is one such executioner. And it was really great to read about such a strong heroine. Shh...they're my weakness. She's not infallible mind you, she does fall in love and has some hard decisions to make, especially when executing vampires gets in the way of falling in love. That's some hard stuff to deal with! I love that Colleen handled Victoria's need to have some light and joie de vivre in her life in a way that did not make Victoria look silly. She took her duties as a Venator (vampire killer extraordinaire!) very seriously, but something needed to balance out the evil and the death. And Colleen made this need for balance a way in the which the reader could sympathize with Victoria, not judge her.
The other thing I loved about this book were the men. There's the oh-so-human Phillip, Marquess of Rockley, Max Pesaro, the most highly skilled Venator and Sebastian Vioget, the mysterious stranger whom we can't determine if he's friend or foe. These sexy men all have a role to play in Victoria's life, but the one I'm most interested in is Sebastian. Talk about the dangerous stranger we can't resist. (And Victoria has a real hard time resisting him!)
Colleen Gleason's writing style is also enjoyable. Each chapter title had me cracking up and trying to figure out what it meant. This was an interesting technique in that I had to pause and reconsider what I just read at the end of the chapter. Usually I just go through a novel and the only thing that stays with me is how I feel at the end. Not so with the Rest Falls Away. I was deeply engrossed from start to end.
I can't wait for Rises the Night (which thankfully comes out June 2007-which is barely tolerable *sigh*).
13 comments:
Looks good! I'll pick it up if I see it at the bookstore.
Great review!
Thanks Chantal. :P
Ames, I'm so glad you enjoyed the book! Thanks for the great review.
I have a great time coming up with the chapter headings. My favorites in The Rest Falls Away are:
In Which Miss Grantworth's Bedchamber Sees Much Activity
and
In Which Maximilian Encounters Dust Bunnies.
Did you have faves?
Those were definitely two of them! LOL
Is this something you're going to continue with Rises the Night?
Yes indeed, and through The Bleeding Dusk.
Here's a preview from Rises the Night, with a few of my favorite chapter titles:
Of Smashed Toes, Chatty Drivers, & Inflation
In Which Lady Rockley Acquires an Acute Dislike of Lavender
In Which Maximilian Considers Gardening
:-)
Great!!
I have a weakness for Max too.
I loved Colleen's book, and the chapter titles were hilarious. I enjoyed them as well. Can't wait for the next one!
Ok, I'm at home now, and can find the chapter titles I really enjoyed (aside from the ones mentioned earlier).
Our Heroes Commence with Much Poofing and Slicing
A Most Fortuitous Length of Rope - this one brings to mind a scene from the Two Towers, when Frodo and Sam are climbing rocks. I know, I'm strange, I make the weirdest connections. LOL
I'm with you on that one Chris. :P
Oh yeah, the Much Poofing and Staking was another of my favorite ones!
And the fortuitous length of rope....LOL. I love your connections, Ames.
Yeah, I'm a nut. LOL
I read this one! I loved it and I can't wait for Rises the Night. I also liked the names of the chapters. I felt so sad with Philip and Victoria. It was like Buffy and Angel all over again. *sniff*
It sounds really interesting.
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