Infinite Days (Vampire Queen, #1)

Aug 19, 2010 Janina rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: young-adult-fiction, given-away, annoyed-me, paranormal, beware-love-triangle, ridiculously-bad, the-rich-and-the-famous, series-lost-interest

Contains small spoilers for the first half of the book.

I have to admit that I was lured into wanting to read this book by its very pretty cover. Unfortunately, it didn’t deliver.

Lenah Beaudonte, the 500-year old Queen of a powerful vampire coven, is human again; given back her life by her lover Rhode, who has sacrificed himself for her.
Now, after 100 years of sleep, she has to face her new reality: as a 16-year old girl at an expensive boarding school. While she tries to adjust to the 21st centu...more

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Dec 30, 2012 Stacia ~ Mistress of Mediocrity rated it 3 of 5 stars

Recommended to Stacia ~ Mistress of Mediocrity by: Carina

Shelves: young-adult

Otherwise known as : Stacia is forced to do math...again. I "think" my final rating is 2.75 stars. I enjoyed the book for entertainment purposes, but a few massively cliche details triggered my eye twitches.

PART I : The historical story featuring Vicken and Rhode - 3.5 stars

This is where the book rocked it out. I was captivated with all of the 'past' scenes. There was a very romantic and gothic feel to the setting and details. The imagery might have felt overdrawn to some, but this author's at...more Photobucket

Otherwise known as : Stacia is forced to do math...again. I "think" my final rating is 2.75 stars. I enjoyed the book for entertainment purposes, but a few massively cliche details triggered my eye twitches.

PART I : The historical story featuring Vicken and Rhode - 3.5 stars

This is where the book rocked it out. I was captivated with all of the 'past' scenes. There was a very romantic and gothic feel to the setting and details. The imagery might have felt overdrawn to some, but this author's attention to detail worked for me in this book. I felt like I was in the past along with Lenah, Rhode and Vicken. It was easy to find interest in a world where vampires were ruthless killers, having no remorse for the lives they had taken. We had dueling personality types with the anti-hero Rhode and the suave, yet disturbed Vicken. Each man had a reason to make you want to read more about them.

PART II : The present day story featuring Justin and Tony - 2 stars

This is where the book floundered. It was easier for me to gravitate toward Rhode and Vicken bonding with Lenah in their parts of the story because of the primal need that a vampire would have to want to possess (through death or bonding) another person. I had a harder time with the insta-love scenarios that Tony and Justin brought to the story. This isn't really a spoiler imo, because you find out pretty much right off that both of these guys are crazy about Lenah, even when they know nothing about her. Tony's feelings were sweet in a way because he was the "nice" best friend type. Justin, however, was another perfect man-whore who never showed any personality other than just showing up and being attractive. Perhaps this is realistic for a girl to be drawn to the attractive guy even when not knowing much about him, but it doesn't make for an interesting hook when you see nothing to a character (for a good portion of the book) other than his outwardly perfection.

I wish that I'd read this book a couple of years ago because I would have felt less twitchy about the "fast fall" issues back when it was the norm for the genre. We literally had 4 men from various time periods who were ALL instantly drawn to Lenah, whether she was in human or vampire form (so we can't use the charm/glamour excuse). And each of those men were declaring extreme feelings within a short period of time (some did it instantly, others waited at least a few weeks, haha). And then by the end of the book, we had people willing to pretty much risk everything for other people, to the point where I'd have thought we were on book 2 or 3 in the series at least, with such a rapid progression of extreme emotion.

...but here's why I think the story has a unique PoV for the genre...

Regardless of the throwaway cliches, there was enough in Infinite Days for me to enjoy.

If I can shut out the issues and focus on the story itself, I can honestly say that this is a halfway decent series starter. The characters have tripped a few wires which might set off some explosives in the books to come. I'm sure that there will be plenty of danger ahead for Lenah and the people she chooses to associate with. Book 2 looks like it might turn out to be very promising indeed. (less)

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Aug 19, 2010 Kim rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: bookclub, ya, read-in-2010, did-not-like-it, unfinished

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I should know better than to judge a book by it's cover. Because if that logic was true, this would have been a very good book. The cover even sparkles a little bit, probably a ref to Rhode ~~or Twilight~~, who sacrifices himself by turning in a little pile of glitter so Lenah, the love of his life, could turn human.

Lenah was 'one of the oldest female vampires ever known' or something like that. You'd think a person would be interesting if they lived that long. Lenah, on the other hand, was so caugh...more I should know better than to judge a book by it's cover. Because if that logic was true, this would have been a very good book. The cover even sparkles a little bit, probably a ref to Rhode ~~or Twilight~~, who sacrifices himself by turning in a little pile of glitter so Lenah, the love of his life, could turn human.

Lenah was 'one of the oldest female vampires ever known' or something like that. You'd think a person would be interesting if they lived that long. Lenah, on the other hand, was so caught up in her own beauty, that she forgot to evolve past the emotional age of a 16-year old. And that's exactly what Rhode makes of her: an average, plain, typical, annoying little girl. I know brick walls with more personality.

I don't get why she was buried for 100 years so Rhode could prepare everything to make her human again. I honestly can't imagine what he did with all that time.

Lenah is supposed to keep a low profile, because she has to remain hidden for her coven. So she makes the most obvious choices: Pose for somebody who will probably win something that will draw a lot of attention. Immediately fall in love with the hottest, richest and most well known boy in a 50-mile radius. Let everybody know you speak 25 languages. Show off your tattoo (which I find to be stupid and meaningless). Giving something close to a royal burying to a frog that's been dead for weeks, and show off some more languages by saying stuff like 'ignosce mihi'.

Tony is inches away from becoming a sick stalker. Lenah walks in on him while he is looking at the 200 pictures he took of her and she doesn't even think it's a little bit odd. (no because it's normal for people to obsess over her)

I don't understand what her relationship with Justin Enos (who is only called Justin Enos and never just plain Justin because the author must think I'm confusing him with Justin Timberlake or something if she just says Justin) is based on, aside from the part where they are both so beautiful it hurts. One minute she's feeding him flowers and the next she is meeting his parents. They have nothing in common, their relationship doesn't develop, it's just there, suddenly. "Hi there, you look hot. I look hot. Let's hook up in the greenhouse?" *eyeroll* Please.

The Three Piece girls are quite possibly the lamest girls I've ever seen. I would rather kill myself than walk around in matching outfits.

I liked the parts where they mention Lenah's past and the other vampires in her coven. Those stories were actually interesting and fun.

I didn't finish this. After a while I just couldn't bear it anymore. It goes against my religion to harm a book, but I'm positive I'll be using this book to keep me warm some day.

There is a lot more that annoyed and/or frustrated me but I'm going to give it a rest now. I know all of this sounds pretty bitter but I wanted to like this. At first I even did like it. But this just wasn't my kind of book I guess...(less)

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Mar 30, 2012 Emily May rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: ya-na, vampires, pnr, paranormal-uf, 2011, love-triangle

I actually won a hardback copy of this quite a while ago and I have to admit that, as much as it is nice to win anything, I was a little disappointed that I didn't get one of the other available books. This book has never appealed to me, I've passed it so many times in my local book stores and never felt any inclination to pick it up. So I was definitely surprised when I found the book to be enjoyable on the whole and I spent a lot of the novel thinking I might give it a four star rating. What...more

I actually won a hardback copy of this quite a while ago and I have to admit that, as much as it is nice to win anything, I was a little disappointed that I didn't get one of the other available books. This book has never appealed to me, I've passed it so many times in my local book stores and never felt any inclination to pick it up. So I was definitely surprised when I found the book to be enjoyable on the whole and I spent a lot of the novel thinking I might give it a four star rating. What stopped me was countless annoying little things that gradually built up and resulted in me having to knock a star off the rating, one or two I could have easily disregarded but eventually there were just too many to ignore.

The positives are plentiful and the story really interested me; Lenah has spent five hundred years as a vampire (part of which was spent as queen of a coven) but now she longs to finally become human again, to have the chance to feel alive and experience the world with human senses and emotions. This requires a sacrifice from her maker - Rhode - and the story opens up where the ritual is being completed. Lenah's past as a vampire is told in flashbacks, whilst at the same time she tries to fit into a modern day boarding school, come to terms with technology and slang terms (part of the ritual involved her spending the last hundred years underground) and generally convince everyone that she is your average sixteen year old girl.

Because she was previously a vampire queen leading a coven of male vampires, Lenah is not like many of today's young adult paranormal heroines. When they are studying Kate Chopin's The Awakening in class, she states that she "doesn't like to be controlled" and it's true that she never lets herself be. Yes, she has a crush on the school stud, but when he appears to insult her she tells him where to get off. At last! I liked Lenah, I liked the historical references and I liked Lenah's friend Tony. I also liked how the ending left me with excitement for book two without being overly cliffhanger-ish.

Now for what I didn't like. Rhode was meant to be the love of Lenah's life for hundreds of years and yet she seemed to get over him very quickly. In fact, she didn't really seem to care that much at all. And on the subject of love interests... well, there were so many in this book you could drown in them. Forget love triangles, this is at least a love pentagon. Was it really necessary? In fact, I can tell you the answer to that one: no, it wasn't. But I think worst of all was the horrible mean girl stereotyping. You know the kind... she's pretty, she's blonde, dates the hottest guy who our heroine has a crush on... and, naturally, she's a complete bitch. Apparently, she has to be a complete bitch in order for it to be okay for Mr Hotness to leave her for Lenah. At one point while they are still going out, sexy guy - Justin - openly ignores her to flirt very obviously with Lenah. When Lenah points out that she is watching, Justin says "I don't care"! Really? Because, you know, those pretty blonde girls obviously don't have feelings so what's the point in wondering whether you might hurt them or not? This pissed me off.

BUT... I like the story and I like the protagonist. And for that I am still going to check out Stolen Nights and see where the author takes us next.
(less)

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Aug 06, 2010 Kristi (The Story Siren) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: own-arc, books-i-own, signed-arcs

I loved this story! Especially loved the flashbacks to Lenah’s life throughout her existence.... it was fascinating... I think I need a prequel of Lenah in her earlier vampire years!

I have to say I was pleasantly surprised by Infinite Days... I was a little skeptical, with the worldly, elderly vampire queen passing as a teenager. I mean, knowing what I know now, there is no way if I went 'back' to being teen.... that I'd be able to pull it off. But I think it worked incredibly well for Lenah. S...more I loved this story! Especially loved the flashbacks to Lenah’s life throughout her existence.... it was fascinating... I think I need a prequel of Lenah in her earlier vampire years!

I have to say I was pleasantly surprised by Infinite Days... I was a little skeptical, with the worldly, elderly vampire queen passing as a teenager. I mean, knowing what I know now, there is no way if I went 'back' to being teen.... that I'd be able to pull it off. But I think it worked incredibly well for Lenah. She was worldly... she was smart, aknowledgeable, she knows several languages, had read books throughout her existence, yet she hadn't matured since the day she was changed!.... BUT... it worked. Because of the vampire that she was, she had no reason to mature beyond the age she was when she was turned. She was spoiled, she was mean, she was for lack of a better word, a bitch! Why in the world would she ever need to grow beyond that, she was the freaggin' vampire queen, she had no need. So, Lenah may have been almost five hundred years old, but she passed for a teenager.... well besides the whole technology lapse. But she picked that up rather fast.

After I felt comfortable with Lenah as a character and saw that Maizel was actually going to be able to pull this off, I was absolutely sucked (no pun intended) into the story. I could NOT put it down. I loved everything about it, the characters, the flashbacks, the plot line... there was something incredibly addicting about the whole thing. The writing was awesome, so easy to read, and those flashbacks... so beautifully descriptive.... I found it hard coming back to the 'present' day chapters.

I only have a few small complaints .... minor things really.. One would be Justin and Lenah's relationship. I liked it.... but something about it felt a little off. Maybe because I was instantly Team Rhode, but I thought the relationship between Justin and Leenah moved a little bit to fast. Sure Justin was cute.... but what else did Lenah like about him..... and perhaps it bothered me just a little bit when he sort of dropped his girlfriend like an old dirty hat. Who knows, maybe I would have felt differently had he been hanging solo before his big soiree with Lenah.

The climax of the story was a little fast for me.... it just seemed like we were building up to this moment for most of the novel, but then when it came down to facing it.... it was over before it began. The ending of the story... wow... I think it might have made up for that though.

Overall... there were a few things that kept it from being perfect, but I loved the story nonetheless! I can't wait for book two!(less)

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Nov 03, 2011 Nicola rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: young-adult, vampires, given-up-on-series

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I usually feel bad giving terrible reviews, because I realise a lot of effort goes into writing the book, and a lot of the time it's just not my kind of book. This, however, should have been my kind of book and I still thought it was terrible. There's a lot of competition on the market right now with regards to YA vampire novels, and I have enjoyed a lot of what's out there. This book had a very clever base idea, and certainly had potential. It turned out to be a disaster, though.

The characters...more

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Jul 30, 2010 Jenny rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: first-reads

I received an ARC of this book through Goodreads First Reads. Being a little over the whole mass of YA vampire books that seem to have spewed forth recently, especially since a lot of them could have been written by an eleven year old, I was skeptical about what this one would be like and did not have high expectations or hopes.

I was pleasantly surprised once I started reading it. I like Lenah. She isn't the standard frail, naive female protagonist that has been showing up in paranormal. She has...more

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Jan 12, 2013 E. Chainey rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

3,5 yıldız. Ergen olmasaydı 4 yıldız verecektim. Vampir olan kızın tekrar insan olması ilginçti. Hele onun için kendini feda eden Rhode için ciddi üzüldüm. Bir geçmişte bir günümüzde geçiyordu. Lenah'nın yeni insan sevgilisini sevmedim. Bence en yakın arkadaşı Tony daha sempatik. Ama Rhode bir başkaydı ya:( Okunası bir kitap. Devamını merak ediyorum:)

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Jul 21, 2012 Jahlia ((thing 10 Evil 1)) rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: left-with-an-empty-feeling

Edited! I now know his name! Thank you friend!

This book.......gave me very conflicting emotions.

Let me explain.

I got this book as a last minute grab at wallmart, i wasn't expecting much from it but it surprised me. It had actual vampires in it, not this

but this

And if you want to kiss that then you have serious issues.
Regardless, that's how the vampires in this book were. They were evil, they were gory and they were bloodthristy. They didn't drive around in volvos or sparkle in the sun, and whi...more

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Oct 14, 2011 Morgan Renae rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: paranormal, young-adult

Wow. Just... wow. Best vampire book I've ever read. I was extremely doubtful that I would like Infinite Days. It just seemed like the idea of it was too big and complicated for it to work. But, Rebecca Maizel turned those doubts right around- because the story was amazing! I couldn't believe it was a debut.

Lenah has been a vampire queen for the past 500 years. But with help from her closest friend, and an ancient ritual, Lenah wakes up one day as a human. A 16 year old human girl. But after Rhod...more

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Sep 03, 2012 Wicked Walker rated it 5 of 5 stars

The Quick and the Dirty...a fresh and exciting view of vampires, friends and choices in life...and regrets.

Why I was tempted to read this...it sounded romantic and vampire-ish, what's not to love?

Cover thoughts...loved it..makes more sense when you read the book, ha ha

Romance Meter...oh yeah...there are long-time loves that would give their life for you and fresh new romances to keep you interested.

Character and Plot...I really loved this book! This isn't your average sweet vampire book...no the...more

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Aug 23, 2010 Arlene rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: paranormal, read-2010, vampires, street-corner-pick, ya-paranormal, young-adult

Rating Clarification: 3.5 Stars

Infinite Days by Rebecca Maizel presents an interesting and enticing perspective on the vampire lore, and quite frankly I rather enjoyed it.

Most of the vampire books out there tend to paint the picture that these creatures are alluring characters living an appealing existence. But in this book, you get a chance to read a whole different take, which comes across as more honest and palatable IMO. The vampires in Infinite Days are evil and have no redeeming qualities...more Rating Clarification: 3.5 Stars

Infinite Days by Rebecca Maizel presents an interesting and enticing perspective on the vampire lore, and quite frankly I rather enjoyed it.

Most of the vampire books out there tend to paint the picture that these creatures are alluring characters living an appealing existence. But in this book, you get a chance to read a whole different take, which comes across as more honest and palatable IMO. The vampires in Infinite Days are evil and have no redeeming qualities. They lose their humanity, ability to feel emotionally and physically and are consumed with bitterness, hatred and sadness with no possible outlet. Overall, they are downright scary, unappealing and emotionally broken, so much so that one of the strongest, most gifted vampires wants to regain her humanity. I like that...

In this story, Lenah Beaudonte was once a vampire of the worst order, a leader of her coven of night wanderers. As the centuries go by and she destroys life after life with little regard, her sanity began to wane and her maker, Rhode, starts to regret his decision in changing her. Then one night in her attempt to hunt the purest of blood, she k!lls a child and Rhode abandons Lenah for over 175 years in a quest to discover the magic that will restore her soul and sanity.

I liked the contrast between Vampire Queen Lenah and the sixteen year old, human Lenah. Her memories from her vampire life are creatively juxtaposed to her human life in such an intriguing way that it makes the story original and appealing. I feel Maizel did a great job of describing Lenah's restoration of feeling, eating, breathing, tasting and loving again as a human; that I found myself sympathizing for her character early on. It was refreshing to read that even though she survived her transformation from vampire back to human, her mind still bordered on destructive/vampiric tendencies especially when she came across people that didn't treat her right. It was entertaining in a sick sort of way to read how she'd check someone's pulse, emotions and reactions to her to determine their weaknesses and her musing over how easily she could have k!lled some of these characters if she were still a vampire.

Rhode was my fave character probably because of his ultimate sacrifice for Lenah. He actually gave up his existence to save her… very swoon worthy IMO and will earn a spot on my shelf of literary crushes. I'm shallow… I know. I loved reading his flashback moments and his quest to find the magic that would restore Lenah's humanity even when it meant abandoning her for so long and ultimately sacrificing himself. The guilt and torment he felt was moving.

I'm removing one and a half stars for a couple of reasons. First, Justin ~~Enos~~ could have used a little more character development, and that goes for the relationship between he and Lenah as well. I didn't quite understand how all of a sudden they fell so deeply in love. That was rather abrupt, but not a huge head shaker because Lenah's relationship with Rhode and the members of her coven more than made up for it. Also, there were one too many shallow characters in this story and the whole Three Piece was just stupid and unnecessary, but no biggie. Second, Tony was not a hit for me. Yes he's artistic, quirky and funny, but let's face it... he has stalker tendencies that border on c.r.e.e.p.y!! Laying out over 200 pictures of the girl you love and obsessing over a portrait of her is not healthy, don't care how cute you try to spin it. Ewww!!! And no thanks!!

But overall, I enjoyed this enticing story and felt the plot and style was rather unique. There were opportunities for better character development, but hopefully the sequel will correct that and I look forward to revisiting this vampire world that Maizel has created.(less)

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Jul 22, 2010 All Things Urban Fantasy rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: reviewed-by-abigail

Review courtesy of AllThingsUrbanFantasy.blogspot.com

INFINITE DAYS is a grab you by the throat, ignore the world around you, fall completely in love with kind of book, the kind I haven’t really read since Twilight. Yep. I just used the T-word.

The mythology of vampires in INFINITE DAYS is refreshingly unique in that it removes all the romanticism from vampires without reducing them to feral monsters. Yes, they are pale super beings who crave human blood, but they are truly cursed in a way that a...more
Review courtesy of AllThingsUrbanFantasy.blogspot.com

INFINITE DAYS is a grab you by the throat, ignore the world around you, fall completely in love with kind of book, the kind I haven’t really read since Twilight. Yep. I just used the T-word.

The mythology of vampires in INFINITE DAYS is refreshingly unique in that it removes all the romanticism from vampires without reducing them to feral monsters. Yes, they are pale super beings who crave human blood, but they are truly cursed in a way that a mere nocturnal immortality can not begin to rival. Their senses are as dead as they are. They have no sense of touch or taste (apart from blood). Lenah is explains it this way:

My existence as a vampire meant that all my nerve endings were dead. Only by remembering what things felt like as a human would my vampire mind understand whether I was touching something soft or hard. The only senses a vampire retained were those that heightened her ability to kill; the sense of smell was linked to flesh and blood, sight was super sight, detailed down to the minutiae, its sole purpose to find prey within an instant. – INFINITE DAYS

Of course, that complete deadness as a vampire contrasts beautifully with Lenah’s first human weeks infusing the simplest experiences with a childlike wonder: the achingly beautiful sound of music, the mouthwatering smell of pizza, the intoxication of attraction felt for the first time, the heady thrill of a human kiss. And author Rebecca Maizel captures each moment so beautifully.

But what stuck with me the most is how Lenah, when she becomes human, doesn’t spend the whole book in self-imposed agony over the thousands of lives she ended as a vampire. She clearly distinguishes between her two lives and doesn’t drown herself in guilt for having acting in accordance with her vampire nature. Her humanity was hard won, and she doesn’t waste the gift she was given mourning a past she cannot change. As a human, she chooses to live, and feel, and love in a way that is completely alien to her previous vampire existence.

I honestly wasn’t expecting great things from INFINITE DAYS. The blurb didn’t intrigue me and the cover didn’t grab me, but the story itself left me reeling by how good it was. I completely fell for this story of a vampire’s taste of humanity, her myriad of firsts as a human, the dangers from her past, and the love that brought her to life. Beautiful from beginning to end.

Sexual Content: References to sex. A scene of mild sensuality. Kissing.(less)

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May 02, 2013 Patrícia rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

(I loved this one so, so much!)

I’ve been delaying this review because I’m not really sure how to put in words how much I truly loved this book. I’m so passionate for anything that involves vampires that, sometimes when I find a really good story with strong characters and ideas – like this one –, I can’t seem to find the right words to express all the feelings and emotions that I experienced while reading the book. And when that happens, I give myself some time to think, to actually try and und...more (I loved this one so, so much!)

I’ve been delaying this review because I’m not really sure how to put in words how much I truly loved this book. I’m so passionate for anything that involves vampires that, sometimes when I find a really good story with strong characters and ideas – like this one –, I can’t seem to find the right words to express all the feelings and emotions that I experienced while reading the book. And when that happens, I give myself some time to think, to actually try and understand why or what made me care so much for a specific book on a topic that has been explored and written about so solidly.

I believe the first thing that really caught my attention and curiosity was the fact that a vampire queen, who has been living for over 500 years, having all source of experiences and knowing all type of History details and people and places, wanting to go back and become a human again. That’s something I never read before. All “girlish” vamp books I own – except maybe for Anne Rice’s – are divided in to two categories: the first one is about fragile girls who fall deeply in love for that dangerous and gorgeous guy who happens to be a vampire and, due to that, they also crave immortality… but for the sake of love. And the other category of vamp book’s I’ve read, instead of a teenage outcast girl, we have a soon-to-be kick-ass heroin that was transformed into a bloodsucker creature by being in the wrong place at the wrong time. So, to actually have a protagonist who already had gone through all those changes and conflicts and “I’m a vampire now” issues, and who essentially wants to be able to feel again, to be outdoors during the day, to relive what was taken away from her so early in life, was something so new and fascinating to me that all I was able to do was turning page after page after page. There was no more “oh, I’m so hungry!” and “oh no, should I just throw myself at the sun or wait for the stake?” drama and all that was left to read and discover was an awesome female character figuring out how to be a human again. No more coven, no more sleeping during the daylight, no more killing, no more feeding on blood, no more loneliness. Now everything is new once again, and fresh, and bright. And modern.

It was so funny to read about a girl who speaks a zillion different languages but has no social skills and still possesses that kind of ancient, classy, elegant speech. Who has no idea what a car is or how to drive one, who doesn’t know how or where to use money and who still believes that boats (or ships) are moved by the power of human strength. But at the same time, it was so emotional to see how much she lost in order to gain what she most wanted. The sacrifice that gave her mortality was, by far, the hardest thing she had to endure way beyond physical manner. And, to be honest, it was one of the best and worst moments of the entire book to me.
I loved Rhode, and I loved Tony. So much caring and artistic beauty that got lost in a battle that was never suppose to happen. As for Justin, I wasn’t able to connect. Yes, he’s appealing and attractive and popular but he was the first one to doubt – and drop! – Lenah in a relationship that was build way to fast. But hey, my opinion might still change.
Plus, I found the flashbacks to Lenah’s past/early life as a human/vampire to be very engaging. It kind of gave a new atmosphere to the entire book, letting the reader know a bit more about the girl who Lenah was before her bloody life and the queen she became once transformed.

In overall, this is an awesome book! The writing is simple and charming. The plot’s pace is surprising and very intense in a way that you just can’t put the book down. Lenah’s voice is strong and clear, her thoughts are touching and her feelings are so overwhelming that no reader will be able to feel indifferent to her for long. And the ending… oh, that ending almost killed me! I can’t wait for Stolen Night to arrive for me to simply devour it! And finally, I’m a sucker for writers who have no problem on killing their characters, despite me liking or hating them. I think it requires a lot of courage to just say: okay, no more book time for you!(less)

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Feb 20, 2012 Rose rated it 3 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Vampire romance with a bit of a twist

Recommended to Rose by: Goodreads, Library

Shelves: az-challenge-2012, young-adult, paranormal, romance, audiobooks, rrrc-audiobook-challenge-2012

Rebecca Maizel has such an evocative writing style, one that does detail down to the fine print. I'll admit that I wasn't expecting such an eye inside a young adult vampiric novel with an interesting twist: a princess who becomes human again. Lenah is a 500 some year old vampire in a 16-year old body, and when her lover (Rhode) sacrifices himself to make her human again, she has to learn to blend into contemporary society. Lenah makes a fine comparison of her life as a ruthless princess of a vam...more Rebecca Maizel has such an evocative writing style, one that does detail down to the fine print. I'll admit that I wasn't expecting such an eye inside a young adult vampiric novel with an interesting twist: a princess who becomes human again. Lenah is a 500 some year old vampire in a 16-year old body, and when her lover (Rhode) sacrifices himself to make her human again, she has to learn to blend into contemporary society. Lenah makes a fine comparison of her life as a ruthless princess of a vampire coven to her contemporary life at a boarding school, surrounded by mean girls and caught by the affections of two boys drawn to her odd presence. But while at the school, Lenah knows it's only a matter of time before her coven comes looking for her, and it threatens to upset the balance of her newfound life, threatening those that she's come to know and love as well as the life she's longed for some time.

I really liked this story - I think in part for the strong writing and eye for detail, but I'll admit that it does take a stereotypical coat in a few places, and the novel does flip between the present and past in flashback comparisons. I think the love interest is kind of one-sided, as I knew who she was going to end up with as the novel went on. But I did like the characterizations of both Tony (the cute Japanese boy with a passion for portraits) and Jason (the popular daredevil the girls fawn over). There's a bit of the usual backhanded comments from the mean clique at the school, but I like how readily Lenah was able to stand up for herself, and there were realistic moments of vulnerability that draw the reader into her experiences as a human, versus her emotional states as a vampire. It's decidedly atmospheric in places, but when the action/confrontational scenes hit, they hit very well, and it kept me engrossed from beginning to end. The ending surprised me in how well it ties things together, with some heavy hits as far as what happens to the characters and the losses they experience. I didn't think it would lead into a sequel since it seems to have its own definitive punches, but I would certainly read the next book since I enjoyed reading the first novel in its entirety.

Wonderful narration by Justine Eyre in the audiobook format.

Overall score: 3/5(less)

2 likes · like · see review

Aug 12, 2011 Jodie (Books for Company) rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

4.5/5
www.booksforcompany.com
When I started Infinite Days I really didn’t know what to expect and admit that I thought it would be an average book that I would enjoy but not love. Well I am please to say that Infinite Days was a book which I loved and thoroughly enjoyed. It’s a great feeling to love a book you weren’t expecting to love as much as you did.
The main thing which made me love this book was just how unique it was. I haven’t read a lot of vampire books but do feel like they seem to gene...more 4.5/5
www.booksforcompany.com
When I started Infinite Days I really didn’t know what to expect and admit that I thought it would be an average book that I would enjoy but not love. Well I am please to say that Infinite Days was a book which I loved and thoroughly enjoyed. It’s a great feeling to love a book you weren’t expecting to love as much as you did.
The main thing which made me love this book was just how unique it was. I haven’t read a lot of vampire books but do feel like they seem to generally be about the same thing so it was really refreshing when I read the blurb and read it was about a vampire who wanted to be human.
The book was written in a great way where I was able to get to know Lehan’s past while also keeping up with what was going on in her life at that moment. At some points going back and forth in time really added to the tension as it would flip back in time at a crucial time so I was therefore left waiting to find out what was going to happen.
I liked all the characters in Infinite Days and felt Rebecca made them all unique with a lot of depth. Lenah was a great character to have and I loved being able to compare the vampire Lenah to the human one, it was something I haven’t ever seen in a book before. The males in this book (The blurb doesn’t mention names so I won’t!) were all very different and I actually disliked all of them at one point or so. I found this to actually be a very positive thing that Rebecca could make me feel mixed things about characters as I tend to find in 'real life' you are often left with mixed feelings about people. Towards the end of the book I liked every character in this book for different reasons but mainly because Rebecca had made them feel so real that it felt like I knew them all personally.
Overall Infinite Days is a vampire book you do not want to miss out on, Rebecca’s writing flowed really well and her ability to leave her own mark in the world of vampire world was more than impressive. While reading this book I saw a totally different side of vampires from what I have before, I really enjoyed reading about how Rebecca saw vampires. (less)

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Jun 16, 2011 Kathryn rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: first-in-a-serie, books-i-own, read-2011, young-adult-fiction

Hmmm... where do I start ?!

I was ready for another vampire romance series.
Believe me guys when I say that I've tried to launch myself into them after "Twilight".
I've tried to read the "House of Night" series and "Blue Bloods" series but nothing took.
Since my favorite vampire series "Vampire Academy" has come to it's end, (yes fellas, I like this more than "Twilight") I have to say that I was so ready for another heart wrenching, blood filled romance !

This book has a fresh idea of some sort, i...more

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Jul 25, 2010 Anna rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: reviews, young-adult

Lenah Beaudonte is almost 600 years old. A vampire queen that reigns terror everywhere she goes. But some how she got her one wish- to be human again. At 16 she doesn't have much to worry about except for learning the ways of the 21st century. That is until her former coven comes looking for her.

This was a beautiful story. Heroine Lenah Beaudonte is an exciting character, I liked her a lot. While Lenah was once a vicious killer- she is now just a girl. Between trying to learn the ways of the new...more

4 likes · like · see review

Feb 02, 2011 Tracy rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: first-reads

Ok this book was intriguing from snipit I read when searching first-read books. I love that I entered to win this book in the giveaway section of goodreads. I was thrilled win!! I was reading this the second I found it in my mailbox!

Review. What a concept. That an all powerful, beautiful vampire woman who is surrounded by hot, powerful, loyal vampire men wouldn't be happy. We all want what we can not have right? Well after 592 years of living that life all that Lenah Beaudonte wants is to be hum...more

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Sep 20, 2010 Ashley rated it 5 of 5 stars

Infinite Days by Rebecca Maizel was the kind of read where you find yourself a week later still thinking about the world, characters and possible outcomes for book #2. When I first began reading, I found myself upset - sad even, to the point of tears. By page 30ish I was tearing up in the lunch room at work because of the consequence of Lenah (the main characters) becoming human. Rhode is forever held deep within my heart and I treasured every moment he spoke or Lenah flashed back to him. His se...more Infinite Days by Rebecca Maizel was the kind of read where you find yourself a week later still thinking about the world, characters and possible outcomes for book #2. When I first began reading, I found myself upset - sad even, to the point of tears. By page 30ish I was tearing up in the lunch room at work because of the consequence of Lenah (the main characters) becoming human. Rhode is forever held deep within my heart and I treasured every moment he spoke or Lenah flashed back to him. His self sacrifice was immensely touching.

So Lenah is a Vampire Queen, turned by Rhode (her soul mate) and she lived a life of carnage and reckless behaviour for over 500 years. The one thing she yearns for seems impossible but she is unwilling to except that there is a possibility to become human again. What she doesn’t realize upon Rhode vowing to make her mortal, is that this magic runs deep and the person who performs the ritual must have the proper intent. As we find out in the opening pages, Rhode loves Lenah and has never loved anyone as deeply and true as he does her. He willingly sacrifices himself for her happiness.

Lenah finally gets to live the life she has wanted for so long - to be a 16 year old girl at school. What I loved about Lenah’s adventure as a reborn mortal and a girl far beyond her years - her appearance says sixteen but her mind says over 500 years old- is the way everything is described. She has the same sense as a vampire and she still perceives things with a vampire mind set. The description of her being able to read people and how she can tell certain things by staring at their veins was exceedingly well done.It was eerie but at the same time a token of who she was and what she left behind. She meets Tony who quickly becomes her best friend and a character whom you cherish and feel sorry for as the story unravels.

Then there is Justin. Justin is your typical surfing looking, athletic school hottie that all the girls want and all of the guys want to be. Lenah tries to stay away from Justin, but there is something different and alluring about his presence that forces her to fall for him. At first, I found their relationship rushed and the way Justin was able to part with Tracy -his then girlfriend- was a bit disturbing. No one wants to think of a relationship as that disposable and of no consequence. Plus, if you find yourself team Rhode from the beginning, you end up being mad and Lenah for falling so easily. As the novel progressed however, I began to love Justin. The reasons for loving him were completely different from how I felt about Rhode but the love was there none the less.

When the novel hits its climax you are quickly thrown back in time but things for Lenah are drastically different. The end leaves you hanging but if you have the copy with the prologue and teaser chapter of Stolen Nights, then you know the outcome right away. However, do not approach this teaser lightly. There is a HUGE possible revelation that leaves you angry with the 2011 publication date. I can’t stop thinking about the events that may unfold and Rebecca is very sneaky. I need to talk to someone about this, so please feel free to e-mail me with any theories or anything you want to say about those few pages.

I highly recommend this book. You are given everything - romance, history, and the lengths one is willing to go to forever change the outcomes of the ones they love. I loved this book and found it easily placed amongst my favourites. (less)

5 likes · like · see review

Jul 18, 2012 Dani rated it 4 of 5 stars

Recommended to Dani by: JPR™

You shall never say I don't give paranormal a chance.

4 likes · like · see review

Mar 02, 2013 TheBookCrazyPurpleCheeta rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: she-s-dead, awesome, frikking-amazing, i-was-stuck-to-this-book, umm-what-s-wrong-with-the-ending

That was totally better than what I expected it to be

Infinite Days is about a vampire who has been turned back into a human because her boyfriend/beau (soulmate?) sacrificed himself for her. She then falls in love with a human. But there are complications.

I actually expected a whiney little girl who was full of herself and demanded everyone and their cat to pay attention to her because she has no idea what a tv is.

But she doesn't whine. Instead she goes on with life and gradually falls in love w...more

1 like · like · see review

Feb 01, 2011 Joan rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: first-rule-of-book-club, can-t-be-unread

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I wanted to like it, and at the outset I believed that I genuinely would. After all, there was a supernatural ritual; a mysterious vampire willing to give his (un)life for the heroine; a (true) love lost! But I didn't like it and part of the fault is probably mine for being over twenty-five and reading a young adult novel. I have several problems with the young adult genre, all of which were (unfortunately) contained in this novel.

First, Lenah. There is absolutely nothing to like about her. I gu...more

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Jul 17, 2010 Alex added it

Shelves: already-bought

My Review For "Infinite Days" Is on my blog: http://morethanjustabook.blogspot.com/ Check it out please!

I have mix feelings about this book. So you might not agree with me when you read the book, if you decide to. I was fortunate enough to win this book on a Goodreads giveaway. Thank You Eileen!I realize that I shouldn't take feeling warmth in my skin and tears in my eyes for granted. That's what Lenah Beaudonte had to live without for about 500 years. That's why she yearned to be human again so...more

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Mar 08, 2011 Chelle (crazytrinket) rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: books-i-own, favorites

Freakingly Awesome!!! It's beyond words, I can't quite explain the excitement and joy and contentment upon reading Infinite Days. It's just so wonderful! It's not your typical vampire book. A different twist yes and created excellently! Rebecca Maizel delivers us a new world of vampire that goes beyond our expectations. You're going to love Lenah because of her intentions. You're sure going to love Justin because of his love for Lenah. And who could ever forget Tony??? He may not be conventional...more

1 like · like · see review

Aug 25, 2012 Lex rated it 4 of 5 stars

Recommended to Lex by: JPR™

Shelves: vampires, pnr, recommended, favorites, owned-paperback-hardcover

This was something new in my eyes, mind and well, everything. LOL! New because Lenah, an old vampire, like 592 years old, wanted to be HUMAN once again. And that is NEW cause most vampire stories have humans who wanted to be turned as a vampire. But this is, uh, the other way around.

I liked this book with all the new things but I was kinda bored. Because I was waiting for actions. But I know that'll happened just at the end of the book. Why? Let me enumerate what happened in this book.

I did ment...more

1 like · like · see review

Jul 21, 2012 Judith (Judith'sChoiceReads) rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: must-haves, a-victorian-story, a-regency-ordeal, books-i-want-to-own, classics, crazy-romantic, crazy-phenomenal, favorites, good-reads, heroines-with-spunk, hunks-of-the-world, men-i-want-to-steal, paranormal-perfection, read-again, really-crazy-villains, series-i-love, steamy-it-is, unpredictable

Goodreads Summary

"Throughout all my histories, I found no one I loved more than you...no one."

Those were some of Rhode's last words to me. The last time he would pronounce his love. The last time I would see his face.

It was the first time in 592 years I could take a breath. Lie in the sun. Taste.

Rhode sacrificed himself so I, Lenah Beaudonte, could be human again. So I could stop the blood lust.

I never expected to fall in love with someone else that wasn't Rhode.

But Justin was...daring. Excitin

...more

Goodreads Summary

"Throughout all my histories, I found no one I loved more than you...no one."

Those were some of Rhode's last words to me. The last time he would pronounce his love. The last time I would see his face.

It was the first time in 592 years I could take a breath. Lie in the sun. Taste.

Rhode sacrificed himself so I, Lenah Beaudonte, could be human again. So I could stop the blood lust.

I never expected to fall in love with someone else that wasn't Rhode.

But Justin was...daring. Exciting. More beautiful than I could dream.

I never expected to be sixteen again...then again, I never expected my past to come back and haunt me...

My Thoughts

Rating: 5 1/2 stars. Oh yes, I did just go over the rating rubric.

Characters: 5 stars

Setting: 5 stars

Plot: 5 stars

H.M.(honorable mention): Tony, because everyone needs a best friend like him.

----------------------The Review-----------------------------

Let me start off by first pointing out just how severely underrated this book is; I never would have stumbled upon it had a friend not given a glowing review on her experience with Infinite Days, and even then I was a little skeptical.

Because friends, I am admittedly cover-shallow. There, I said it! I like nice covers okay! Shiny covers, hot-men covers, the stellar ones with fantastic quality...I am such a cover hog in the respect that I could possibly pick up at least ten books solely for the sake of their cover art~~and brief summary.~~ It's just the way I roll.

But the thing is, this cover is not that fantastic. Or great, even. Actuality it kind of sucks, I mean the tear doesn't even look like a legit drop. It looks like some crazy dangerous chemical streaming from that poor girl's body and immediately I think, "I bet she's writhing in pain right now. Why is the photographer taking the freaking picture and not helping her."

I think too much.

Obviously that girl is not in pain and the liquid was an over-sight. It happens sometimes. Obviously.

So back to the review of the book, not the cover~~sadly~~. Infinite Days is probably the best piece of literature I have read in the past two months. No joke, it is absolutely horrendous what happens when a person is forced to endure crap reading and truly I was. I mean, Last Sacrifice from Mead was a disappointment and then, the Hourglass? Don't get me started.

This was the cleanse to my pallet, the wonderful abandon of all things McEntire and suck; I am incredibly grateful to have come across it when I did. My brain begged long and hard for something that would not cost it more brain cells, Infinite Days did no such thing and may have even added to my intellect.

What I liked: Everything. I loved Lenah and the transformation she went about by the final chapter; the fact that Maizel chooses to include snippets of her past is possibly the absolute best idea ever (for this book). Otherwise I would never properly relate with her nor understand this world Lenah desperately wanted to leave behind.

The writing is incredibly engaging and, dare I say it? Beeautiful. Too long has it been since I was last thoroughly romanticized by a novel and I need to think hard in order to conjure up names of books that have stuck close to my heart over the past few months.

Some writers try much too hard and others do not try at all, but writing is a balancing act requiring perfect distribution. You cannot invest wholly into your characters and then set the story in the dull waste-land of That-Place-I-Care-Not-to-Remember, similarly can you not have this glorious place laid out and articulately described only to bring forth the dullest heroine/characters on the face of the planet.

Justin and Lenah were so perfect in their characters I have no words to properly describe at the moment my pleasure. In the beginning I was a hard core Rhode fan, I mean he sacrificed himself for Lenah, but Justin truly grew on me. He's different in that his short-comings kind of helped make him such a believable, well rounded character. Jenah is a star couple in my books(and yes I just coined that!)When they were together it was magic because there was none of that star-crossed lovers business, there was just a connection that transcends the patheticness of YA 'romance'.

And let me point out now that this isn't even restricted only to teenagers! Anyone can pick up a copy and be mesmerized just like I was. Don't believe me? I'll let my Asian Boy Band convince you, hit it guys!

There was nothing I did not like and sincerely I would read this again-In a heart-beat. The setting was perfect, the minor characters were phenomenal. (view spoiler) The whole Idea was so thoroughly researched and ingenue, I could not find a single flaw at all. I look forward to reading more of Maizel's work and I pray that the release date for Stolen Nights will be finalized soon, there isn't much patience within me, I want that book! All in all it was an excellent journey from start to finish and I cannot believe I have been so thoroughly pleased. Listen to the Boy Band, get it!

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Sep 03, 2011 Janus Vielle (The Blair Book Project) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: owned-paperback

After reading the Twilight Saga, I have turned away from vampire books. C’mon, am I the only one who felt that whenever I’m in a bookstore, every corner I turn there’s a vampire/werewolf-themed book? It’s nice to have options but seriously, the vampire-hype’s getting on my nerves. No offense meant, but they all sounded the same to me, so I decided to take a break from those books.

However, when I read the synopsis of Infinite Days, I was amazed: a vampire dreaming of becoming human again? Well, t...more

1 like · like · see review

Mar 17, 2011 Donna {Book Passion for Life} rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites, ya-paranormal-romance

Posted on: http://bookpassionforlife.blogspot.com/

Infinite Days is the first book in the Vampire Queen series by author Rebecca Maizel, and oh boy, was it a great book.

The story follows Lenah who has been a vampire queen for over 500 years. She so desperatly wants to be human and therefore she begs her former lover Rhode to perform a rutial that asks for a massive sacrifice. Once Lenah is finally human, she must try to live out her life getting to know how the world works again and also how to...more Posted on: http://bookpassionforlife.blogspot.com/

Infinite Days is the first book in the Vampire Queen series by author Rebecca Maizel, and oh boy, was it a great book.

The story follows Lenah who has been a vampire queen for over 500 years. She so desperatly wants to be human and therefore she begs her former lover Rhode to perform a rutial that asks for a massive sacrifice. Once Lenah is finally human, she must try to live out her life getting to know how the world works again and also how to act like a normal 16 year old girl. When she enrolls in Wickham Boarding school, only then does her human life began to take turns that she never saw coming. And the biggest shock of all is Justin Enos - who Lenah in completely falling for. However, her happiness it short lived, when her former coven try to track her down, to return her to her right full place as their queen.

I can't say how much I loved this story. It's one of them books that has been sitting on my shelf for quiet sometime and now i've read it, I'm kicking myself for not reading it sooner.

Lenah for me, was one of the best female characters i've read about. She was such a likable person that you couldn't fault her. You see her change in ways a vampire could only dream of. As the story develops she begins to love again, laugh again and feel things she never thought of, and, reading how she finally discovers what a stereo is & snorkling is, I found it so much fun. You do see quiet a few different sides to Lenah during the story, her vampire & her human side and I love reading about both.

What I enjoyed as well, was the secondary characters like Tony and especially Justin. I was quiet glad the author didn't focus to much on the other girls in the story. She didn't do a typical, we hate you story. Eventually they accepted Lenah and become her friends and I did enjoyed how their friendship develops.

Overall, this is a unquie new vampire series. And I am eagerly waiting for the release of the next book - Well, with that cliffhanger, what more could you expect. :)
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Oct 04, 2010 Esther rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: favourites

I absolutely adore this book and whilst you may be thinking, more vampires? I can honestly say it was so incredibly worth reading. I did pick it because of the pretty front cover and the intriguing blurb but the story inside was simply magical.

I felt as if I was adjusting to the world with Lenah(a 500+ year old vampire turned back human) and going through everything she was facing. Waking up in the year 2010 is not going to be an easy thing when you've been hibernating for 100 years. She doesn't...more

1 like · like · see review

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Infinite Days (Vampire Queen #1)

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