Vampire Empire: The Greyfriar Review

Monday, November 15, 2010


Vampire predators run wild in this exciting steampunk adventure, the first in an alternate history trilogy that is already attracting attention. In 1870, monsters rise up and conquer the northern lands, As great cities are swallowed up by carnage and disease, landowners and other elite flee south to escape their blood-thirsty wrath.

One hundred fifty years later, the great divide still exists; fangs on one side of the border, worried defenders on the other. This fragile equilibrium is threatened, then crumbles after a single young princess becomes almost hopelessly lost in the hostile territory. At first, she has only one defender: a mysterious Greyfriar who roams freely in dangerous vampire regions.

Taken from GoodReads.

Vampire Empire: The Greyfriar is the story of an alternate world history for humans here on Earth. Vampires roam freely, mercilessly killing, maiming, torturing, and taking hold of every inch of land available. Those few humans that did survive are either enslaved or have fled to the relative safety of the South. Now, in a world dominated by various cunning and intense Vampire Empires, the world conquests are fought between vampires, rather than men, and Adele, heir to Equatoria, is about to meet the mysterious and complex Greyfriar.

Wow! Ok, when I received The Greyfriar for review, I wasn't expecting too much because, frankly, I've never heard anything about it before, and vampires usually bore the crap heck out of me. Finally! It was so nice to read about non-glittering vampires who stay true to their nature! Using rich prose, an incredibly steampunk atmosphere and a blooming and contagious romance, husband and wife author duo, Susan and Clay Griffith have created an incredible masterpiece of a story that is intense, exhilarating, and completely delicious.

There are too many high points in The Greyfriar for me to name them all, so I'll be general. The characterization was enthralling. Adele and the Greyfriar were so clearly defined, their actions and motives so well-pronounced, that it is impossible not to fall in love with their story as their relationship blooms. The amazing mythology that creeps its way into every aspect of the story heightens the sinister nature of the vampires and makes the story all that more gripping and enticing. Honestly, I'm surprised this book was as slim as it was because the story was well-rounded and truly captivating to read.

I give The Greyfriar a 5 out of 5, hands down. In fact, I'd probably give it more if I could. I recommend that everyone buy this book as soon as it releases (I believe on November 18th) because it is a definite must-read. I would recommend this book to fans of YA and adult fiction, particularly those who enjoy steampunk, vampires, fantasy, and mythology. Due to the violence, I do think an upper YA audience is probably best.

I received this book free of charge for review from the publisher, PYR, in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my review or opinion of this book.

24 comments:

  1. These vampires sound so bad ass and evil. Definitely going on my wishlist!

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  2. ohhhhhh Melissa this one sounds good. And since you are not always a huge fan of the vampires, a 5/5 means I need to get to the bookstore and pick this one up immediately! So excited now, thanks so much for this review:)

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  3. Alright, you've convinced me. Lol I'm easy to convince when it comes to adding books to my TBR pile, but if I wasn't your review definitely would have swayed me. It's been awhile since I have read a book about EVIL vampires. They've all been good and helpful. This book is definitely being added today :)

    Thanks for the amazing review!

    (You did a movie review feature?? Awesome! I can't wait to see it. I've never seen/done one so I wasn't sure what to do. I just gave a mini-post on what my main thoughts were.)

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  4. ..so is it YA or adult? Cos it sounds so freaking good :D but ya books with vamps always let me down

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  5. Great review! I’ve had this one on my list for a while, but was dealing with vampire burnout. I love that these vamps stay true to their nature. I’ll definitely read this one when I can.

    Also so cool about the husband/wife writing team.

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  6. Guess I'll have to add that one to my wishlist. Sounds great!! Thanks for the review without sparkles. ;)

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  7. Sounds really great and although I am really sick and tired with all these perfectly beautiful vampires (cough*Twilight*cough - yes, call it a burnout) you did make me interesting! Thanks for your review!

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  8. Steampunk and vamps? NICE! Vv needs to see this!

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  9. This is a book the Mad Scientist must get her hands on. It is the perfect sort of book I would like to review for my blog!

    Great review... I love the sparkly vamp crap, LOL!

    Zombies are hot is not really my thing as well. I just thought it would be fun to read something for All Hallows Eve. Again epic fail on posting the review on that day. I Kissed a Zombie was one of the meh books. Good for fun but not sure you would read it again.

    Take care,
    Mad Scientist
    http://madsteampunkery.blogspot.com

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  10. the on it kind of looks like Spike(from Buffy)! it definitely looks like an interesting steampunk read.I'll check it out.

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  11. This sounds like fun. It's funny - I'm the opposite - the more vampire and other paranormal books I read, the more I realize that vamps are my fav. I do love the sparkly kind, but dark vamps are fun.

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  12. Oh, what a glowing review! I have been wondering about this one. You've convinced me! It's going on the list. ;) It sounds like it's got the best of everything in it! :D

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  13. Sweet! You're feeding my Steampunk obsession. I appreciate that.
    I'm heading over to wishlist it now.

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  14. Vampires AND steampunk? I don't know if I could handle this one...;)

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  15. Steampunk and vamps with a 5 rating for you, going on amazon right now and getting this. Fabulous review, cannot wait to read it.

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  16. Great review- I'm going to look for this one!

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  17. OMG, five stars? Really? I have not heard of this book before. Like seriousley! I love that it got vampires and steampunk in it, a killer combination. Awesome!

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  18. I was intrigued when I saw this book on your IMM Vlog and I added it to my TBR pile right there and then..but this review has just moved it up in the list =)

    Can't wait to get my hands on this book!!

    Naomi aka Supernatural Bookworm

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  19. I won't say it is rare that a review compels me to buy the book, but with so many books on my TBR, I'm trying to be more restrained. However, after reading this review, I placed my order!

    I'm so ready for something new with vampires. I'm excited about this one now. Thanks

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  20. It's good to know you liked it so much..i won it in a contest and i'm expecting my copy to arrive:)

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  21. I didn't know I liked steampunk, but I do. I'm putting this on my TBR list now. Thanks Melissa! I can always come to your blog to find books that are new to me---I love that you read books that not everyone else is reading.

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  22. I've heard good things about this book online. Can't wait to get my hands on it. Brilliant review, cheers!

    Noah - The Victorian Punk
    Mad Steampunkery

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