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Mozart's Blood

by Louise Marley (Goodreads Author)

3.43 of 5 stars 3.43 · rating details · 228 ratings · 71 reviews

As a young soprano in the eighteenth century, Octavia Voss was bitten by a vampire patroness during a sexual tryst with Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and was imbued with the essence of his astonishing musical gifts. Since then, Octavia has enjoyed several careers as a celebrated soprano, taking on new identities to disguise her ageless beauty, and acquiring an assistant and com...more

Paperback, 400 pages

Published July 1st 2010 by Kensington (first published June 23rd 2010)

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Aug 14, 2011 Erin rated it 3 of 5 stars

Follow all my reviews at: http://flashlightcommentary.blogspot....

Beautiful is an odd way to describe a lurid tale but there it is. Marley’s deep appreciation for her art converts elegantly to the page. The imagery she creates is intensely moving. Her characters are a stimulating departure from the sexualized conscious burdened creatures that seem to be coming out of the woodwork on the tails of Stephenie Meyer. Marley’s story suffers pacing issues but on the whole it is intriguing and distincti...more Follow all my reviews at: http://flashlightcommentary.blogspot....

Beautiful is an odd way to describe a lurid tale but there it is. Marley’s deep appreciation for her art converts elegantly to the page. The imagery she creates is intensely moving. Her characters are a stimulating departure from the sexualized conscious burdened creatures that seem to be coming out of the woodwork on the tails of Stephenie Meyer. Marley’s story suffers pacing issues but on the whole it is intriguing and distinctively unique. In a genre that has been flooded with knockoffs and cheap publications this is truly something to be proud of.

Sadly, I felt one of the elements that made Mozart’s Blood such unique experience is also one of its flaws. The Italian phrasing and operatic lingo made the text difficult to navigate. Being a pompous American, my brain can only hold one language at a time. I could make out the occasional phrase but for the most part, the foreign vocabulary was lost on me. Come to think of it this is probably why I found Helen’s remarks so amusing. When she visits the compound she comments that Americans have no appreciation for opera. The reference was made in regards to the United States of 1907 but it seems even the characters are aware of our general lack of culture.

Another weakness rests in the formatting of the story. Marley seems to have taken a lesson or two from Jeffrey Lieber, J. J. Abrams and Damon Lindelof. Much like the television show LOST, the novel employs the use of flashbacks for difference characters. Often these instances do not appear chronologically and the reader is left to piece together the plot. Occasionally the author includes a chapter on the devious Domenico, something that like the hit ABC series, leaves the audience with more questions than answers. The whole idea is wonderfully addictive on the screen but doesn’t translate well to paper. In black and white, the story seems horribly vague and disjointed.

I’m not a huge fan of classical music but I do know a thing or two about Mozart. Generally, I liked Marley’s depiction but I have a few minor criticisms. First, the author went to a great deal of trouble to describe the composer’s family at the time of his death but she never mentions his children. Though only two sons survived to adulthood, Constanze bore him a total of six babes. I can’t help but wonder if the omission was a mere slip-up or a convenient way to avoid the subject of vampiric procreation. I also had issue with the following statement: “She didn’t attend the funeral, nor was she invited.” At this time it wasn’t common practice for the bereaved to attend the actual funeral thus there would have been no invitation to extend. There is more than enough detail about the performances, I felt Marley should have dedicated a little more effort in regards to the history.

I know I am thinking far too much about this book but plot holes bug me. In Marley’s universe, an individual who is bitten by a vampire but does not die a) becomes a vampire, b) inherits all the memories of their attacker up to that point and c) transfers their own memories to their aggressor. For example, after Octavia bites Massimo he can recall her entire past and every one of her victims. He doesn’t know the fate of the Countess because that occurs while he is recovering from “the tooth.” Anyone Octavia bit after this would also have Massimo’s memories as he was one of her victims. So where is the plot hole? Both Teresa and Wolfgang are bitten by the Countess and inherit her memories. Depending on who was bitten first, the latter would also hold the former's memories but the same could not be said in reverse. Teresa is meant to be the “vessel” of Mozart’s gift so we have to assume she was bitten second. Since Teresa and Mozart do not share a bite until shortly before his death there is no reason he should be able to recall Teresa’s memories in the days following his transformation. I like cohesion in books, even if they are paranormal urban fantasies. Taking my overblown explanation into account there is a rather poignant scene between Teresa and Wolfgang that doesn’t make any sense.

Ignoring the cover, which really doesn’t depict Octavia so much as it does Scarlett Johansson, Mozart’s Blood is an interesting read if you are into the genre and can overcome the text. Not ground-breaking but noteworthy in its way.
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Oct 19, 2011 Jeannie Mancini rated it 5 of 5 stars

She is over 200 years old. Her name is Octavia Voss, and she is an Opera Diva renowned around the world. Her voice is that of an angel, sweet, yet powerful. Her resonance comes from the very blood that flows through her delicate veins, the blood of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The maestro's music, his memories, his every thought and stroke of genius, has poured through Octavia's heart forever since the day they were both bitten in Prague by a Czechoslovakian Countess. Centuries old, the beautiful Oc...more She is over 200 years old. Her name is Octavia Voss, and she is an Opera Diva renowned around the world. Her voice is that of an angel, sweet, yet powerful. Her resonance comes from the very blood that flows through her delicate veins, the blood of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The maestro's music, his memories, his every thought and stroke of genius, has poured through Octavia's heart forever since the day they were both bitten in Prague by a Czechoslovakian Countess. Centuries old, the beautiful Octavia has transformed her life time and again, aspiring as one shining Opera star after another, under many names in many places.

She was born Teresa Saporiti in a small Italian village and ran away from home to seek a life of song. Landing in Milan she begins a promising career as her singing talent soon gains for her the life she had always dreamed of. Traveling the world on the opera stage, she finally meets the famous composer Wolfgang Mozart and is entranced by the emotion he weaves into his music. One evening after the curtain falls, sitting next to Mozart and a stunning Countess on his piano bench, Teresa's world soon turns upside down as she feels a sudden bite, and frantically whisks away blood on her throat. With horror she learns she is now a vampire. Mozart was bitten first, followed by Teresa, so now she has shared his blood and will forever have his memories and music pounding her heart and rushing her life blood towards a life of music and living by the thirst. Agelessly moving through time she is Teresa of Milan, America's Helene Singher, Vivian Anderson in Melbourne, and currently Octavia Voss, world's most loved opera queen.

In 1906 while doing her tour in San Francisco, she meets a man who will become her constant companion and protector. His name is Ughetto. Octavia meets this enigmatic handsome man on the docks of the Ferry Building as he emerges out of the fog to tell her he was sent there to watch her by a secret society called La Societa. They are the elders of the vampiric world who watch over their fledglings to ensure that their kind is protected, and that their numbers are kept to a minimum. But as the two new friends endure the tragedy of the 1906 earthquake, Octavia learns that Ughetto also has the gift of voice, and that he too has a hideous secret of his own. In 18th century Tripani Italy, Ughetto was born lupo mannaro, a werewolf.

For this dynamic couple, who although are not lovers, enduring the struggle to survive year after year protecting each other's secrets and sins as they are forced to hunt, drink, and yet shine in the limelight of Opera's most memorable performances, life is precarious. Constantly fleeing from one city to the next, from one century to another as they never grow old, vigilantly keeping themselves from letting loose the demons within them, Ughetto and Octavia cling to their innocence and hide in the shadows when the beasts overcome them and they are forced to drink. Villains chase them wanting immortality, turning their battles into scenes of blood soaked carnage as they are kidnapped, tortured, and forced against their will to transform others into the very dark creatures they have become.

This novel is no chic-lit paranormal romance. This is serious vampire literature and one of the best I've come across in years. Marley's writing is outstanding and very polished. The story bursts with breathtaking passionate scenes of emotional torment, the operatic voices vibrate off the page, her characters are crafted with depth and humanity, and the plot is very inventive. This is a story with soul, one that is a cut above all the rest of the vampire fiction out there now that is being mass produced like paper dolls. Dripping with 18th century history, Mozart's Blood is a sensational read not to be missed for any fans of vampire novels and I personally am hoping for a sequel. Bravo! I stand up and applaud!!!!(less)

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Dec 06, 2010 Rick rated it 5 of 5 stars

Just when you think you’ve read everyone in horror who matters, along comes Louise Marley with her amazing and lyrical vampire tale, Mozart’s Blood. Gripping, artful, tellingly detailed, and impossible to put down, Mozart’s Blood is that rare kind of horror novel that works on more than one level. It’s visceral. It’s evocative. It’s scary. It envelops you in atmosphere and delivers on its promise to tell a compelling story.

Read the rest of my review at Dark Scribe magazine.

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Sep 16, 2011 Amy Lignor rated it 4 of 5 stars

Now THIS is a vampire book! If you’re expecting a slow-paced, gooey-romance you will be disappointed, because this author has offered a fantastically rich, dramatic story of the undead that will grab you by the throat from the very first page…and not let go. A wonderful fact about this novel is that the story’s actual inspiration was the life of Teresa Saporiti, who was an Italian soprano back in the 1700’s who is most famous for creating the role of Donna Anna in Mozart’s famous opera, Don Giov...more Now THIS is a vampire book! If you’re expecting a slow-paced, gooey-romance you will be disappointed, because this author has offered a fantastically rich, dramatic story of the undead that will grab you by the throat from the very first page…and not let go. A wonderful fact about this novel is that the story’s actual inspiration was the life of Teresa Saporiti, who was an Italian soprano back in the 1700’s who is most famous for creating the role of Donna Anna in Mozart’s famous opera, Don Giovanni.

Octavia Voss is our ingénue in this powerful story. Octavia was turned into a night stalker by a Czechoslovakian aristocrat and has fended for herself for quite a while. Of course the young girl wanted nothing to do with the taking of lives but has tried to come to terms with the fact that for eternal life she does need the hideous human nectar.

During Octavia’s “rise” to the top, as she was trying to explain to others why she looked so young yet had the voice of a mature singer with hundreds of years behind her, she floated into Mozart’s life…and took his away from him, leaving the master to finally leave the earth in hideous pain because of the fact that he could never bring himself to harm another living soul.

In 1906, in San Francisco, Octavia meets up with a frightening man named Ugo who is basically a Sicilian werewolf who wants nothing more than to protect the young opera singer. Life gets better and better for Octavia; the power, intelligence, and artistic genius of Mozart is part of her blood, and she rides the wave of brilliance through each and every generation. The ageless, graceful, beautiful singer seems to have all she could possibly want between the amazing artist living in her soul, to the strange and somewhat terrifying Ugo who haunts the streets to bring back the elixir that his beloved muse needs.

When Octavia’s secret is seemingly uncovered by a snooty ego-driven baritone in the twenty-first century, Octavia’s perfect “lives” begin to unravel. Not only is her secret compromised, but her mighty guard Ugo disappears – kidnapped in order to break Octavia once and for all.

Again, this is one of those dramatic, fantastical stories that come along once in a blue moon. The shifts between past and present – from century to century – are intriguing, but absolutely seamlessly written so that there is no confusion whatsoever. The locations are drawn so magically that readers will almost feel the pure genius of Mozart flooding their own veins as the orchestra comes to life for the duration of this haunting novel(less)

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Aug 08, 2011 Jaime rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical, paranormal

I’ve been a fan of Louise Marley for many years; she is a gifted storyteller who, as a former opera singer, weaves a theme of music through all her books. This time she gives us immortal vampires, whose only solace in a never ending existence is music. It’s tough to make vampires fresh or original because they have been done ad infinitum. Marley managed to do so by combining some common ideas (burned by holy water) with some not so common (the curse of memory), and above all – the music.

Our pro...more I’ve been a fan of Louise Marley for many years; she is a gifted storyteller who, as a former opera singer, weaves a theme of music through all her books. This time she gives us immortal vampires, whose only solace in a never ending existence is music. It’s tough to make vampires fresh or original because they have been done ad infinitum. Marley managed to do so by combining some common ideas (burned by holy water) with some not so common (the curse of memory), and above all – the music.

Our protagonists are Octavia Voss, a gifted soprano, and her assistant Ugo, gifted in other ways. Together they travel the world and time, reinventing her as an up and coming singer for each generation – careful to retire and avoid anyone who would notice she doesn’t age. Ugo is kidnapped early on, and readers learn that the true target is Octavia because she once “shared the tooth” with Mozart and it changed her forever.

The setting and world-building are exceptional. The novel alternates between the present time, where Octavia is preparing for an opera and Ugo has been captured, and the past showing us how these two came to be who and what they are. The transitions are virtually seamless, as memory is a key feature of Marley’s vampires. The concept of memory is clever and innovative as used here, and really drew me in. The story is rich in details about locations, time and especially the world of opera. I can’t read music, or carry a tune in a bucket, but I felt the world come alive none-the-less. I imagine readers with knowledge of music would get even more. Also strong is the character development of the two protagonists. Octavia and Ugo come vividly to life – so much so that I worried for Ugo each time we returned to him and his captors! Secondary characters are less developed, but since the story focuses almost exclusively on Octavia and Ugo it does not hinder the novel at all. A fantastic blend of historical fiction, contemporary ideas and vampires.

I do have one criticism of the book – the over use of italics, mostly for Italian words. Unfortunately, much of the book takes place in Italy so many, many words were italicized throughout. At one point it actually distracted me enough that I counted - 11 instances on a single page! I think this was a failure on the editor’s part for not reining it in. Overall, this was a gripping story that I highly recommend (and I loved the cover art – very fitting).(less)

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Aug 24, 2010 Crazycatladyslibrary rated it 4 of 5 stars

Imagine sharing the memories and emotions of the great Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart through a blood bond that spans centuries. That is the premise upon which this book gets its title, but the story line of this novel is much more complicated and intriguing than that.

Aspiring opera singer Teresa Saporiti leaves her family and her small hometown in 18th century Italy behind to pursue her dream. Landing a position at the opera house La Scala in Milan with the help of a gentle benefactor, Teresa’s caree...more Imagine sharing the memories and emotions of the great Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart through a blood bond that spans centuries. That is the premise upon which this book gets its title, but the story line of this novel is much more complicated and intriguing than that.

Aspiring opera singer Teresa Saporiti leaves her family and her small hometown in 18th century Italy behind to pursue her dream. Landing a position at the opera house La Scala in Milan with the help of a gentle benefactor, Teresa’s career quickly becomes more and more successful, and she eventually finds herself working with the great Mozart himself, becoming infatuated with him despite his married state. After one exceptionally successful performance in Prague, Teresa finds herself sharing a bed with Mozart and a wealthy and powerful Countess, Zdenka Milosch. By the end of the evening, she has shared much more, and having “shared the tooth” with the brilliant composer, her life becomes irrevocably changed.

Young Ughetto was the only son of a poor innkeeper, born after seven sisters. As he nears puberty, he realizes his mother and grandmother are becoming unusually wary around him. Then one day he is sent on a ficticious errand by his mother and grandmother and his life changes forever. Abducted and drugged, Ughetto finds himself in a terrifying situation which eventually lands him in a small school for a unique group of boys. His own association with the world of opera eventually leads him also into a relationship with the enigmatic Countess Milosch.

Ughetto and Teresa meet each other in San Francisco during the 1906 earthquake, and after learning more about each other’s existences form a lasting bond. Although their relationship is a platonic one, they soon become inseparable, taking on various personas as the years pass to continue their existence without raising suspicions. Then one day, as Teresa (now called Octavia) prepares to take the stage once again at La Scala, Ughetto (now called Ugo) disappears. The unfolding events following Ugo’s disappearance are intertwined expertly and lyrically with flashbacks of their pasts. As the present story unfolds, the past is filled in for the reader, detail by detail, weaving an impressive and captivating story.

I really enjoyed this novel, and although I previously had very
little interest in opera, I still found the settings spellbinding and actually enjoyed learning about the milieu, both in the spotlight and backstage. The way author Louise Marley adroitly knits together the past and the present made transitioning back and forth easy for me to follow and kept the flow of the story smooth. All in all, this was an entertaining and enthralling tale. I give this book 4 stars.
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Aug 17, 2010 April rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Free Kindle download. BEAUTIFUL book! The writing is poetic, lyrical, and evocative, and it made me feel as though I were listening to a piece of classical music, or better yet, an opera. It's about vampires and a werewolf, but it's so unlike all the other vampire and werewolf stories out there, the others seem like cartoons after reading this. This book seems more realistic because it's so rich in detail, in history, in music, and in emotion. It's like an oil painting with layers and layers of...more

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Jan 18, 2011 Shahd Mt. rated it 4 of 5 stars

Octavia Voss is an ethereal singer whose talent belies her young age. In truth she's a centuries old vampire who once "Shared the tooth" with Mozart himself. Ugo, her ancient friend and protector stalks the streets to find the elixir that feeds his muse's soul. When he inexplicably disappears, Octavia is left to fend for herself, unprotected. When she learns the truth behind his disappearance she realizes too late, that the life hanging most in the balance is her own.

Personal Take.

Beautifully cr...more

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Jan 14, 2011 Deborah Ross rated it 5 of 5 stars

I have loved Louise Marley's writing since I opened the pages of THE TERRORISTS OF IRUSTAN. I also love opera, and anything composed by Mozart, so MOZART'S BLOOD promised many elements to please me. It delivered beyond my expectations. Marley writes from her own experiences as a musician and professional opera singer (Seattle Opera, Seattle Symphony). Her deep understanding and love for music sings through the book and brings richness to the plot. While other writers have approached the vampire...more

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Jul 08, 2010 Jacqie rated it 3 of 5 stars

I have really enjoyed some of Louise Marley's books, notably "Terrorists of Irustan." I was willing to give this one a try to see what she thinks of the vampire and werewolf phenomenon. There's a lot of opera history in this book as well- I guess she's probably been dying for the right vehicle to write about opera, since she used to be a performer of that art. The music history is interesting, and the vampires and werewolves all remarkably civilized. About a hundred pages in, though, I was still...more

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Oct 12, 2010 Sue Smith rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: books-read-in-2010

I decided to pick this book up because of a review by someone on Goodreads - a random check - and I'm rather glad that I did. Don't judge the cover - it's somewhat goofy and doesn't portray the sofistication of the story at all. It was a great twist on the vampire story theme, without the usual sexuality the modern versions are so keen on. I thought it kept closer to the original horror of the idea and did a good job of explaining things that makes you wonder if they really could be around in ou...more

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Jul 20, 2010 Lola4 rated it 4 of 5 stars

A dark, old style vampire tale (e.g. more concerned with their next feeding than their next romance) as if Ann Rice re-wrote Amadeus. I am not a great fan of vampire novels, but as they go, this would rate as a good one. The story was neither as cheesy as the book cover nor as sappy as a contemporary paranormal romance and contained some rich and engaging characters dealing with tense, high-risk situations. The narrative goes back and forth among several different storylines and time periods. Th...more

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Nov 09, 2011 Kathy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction

This story follows a vampire from the time she is "made" through several centuries to her present life. She has had to reinvent her mortal persona several times and has kept up an operatic career throughout all her lives. It deals with the issues of an immortal not being able to age, but having to "retire" and disappear for a time between lives so her secret isn't detected. The story is told in the present tense with flashbacks to previous lives and historical settings. I found it very interesti...more

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Jun 24, 2011 Ryan rated it 5 of 5 stars

One of those books that nobody's heard of and yet is awesome! Very different twist on the vampire trend that's ever so popular right now.

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May 28, 2011 Anna Rebecca rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: fiction, home-library, historical-fiction, paranormal

I can only say this book was OK. It wasn't great, but neither was it the worst book I've ever read. To be honest, I was disappointed. I read the first few pages in the bookstore and thought the book would probably be very good. Unfortunately it wasn't. I read the first 3rd of the book and then just skimmed the rest of it. The plot was fine with some rather original plot twists. Unfortunately the writing left much to be desired. The author failed to pull me in and make me want to read. I did mark...more

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Sep 12, 2011 Kathyred rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy

Vampires and a werewolf, but NOT a romance, unless you count love of music. Teresa was an ambitious singer in an opera being directed by Mozart, when she and Mozart are both bitten by a vampire. The hook is that sharing blood means sharing memories, so her musicianship is enhanced tremendously by her acquired memories from Mozart. In the current day the renamed Octavia has a werewolf companion who is her blood procurer (very much like an addict) so she doesn't have to bite anyone. But someone al...more

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Sep 14, 2011 Kristy rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: paranormal-smiles

I really enjoyed this book. It combines two of my favorite things. Mozart and Vampires. It was a different read for me and I enjoyed the different representation of vampires. It was not all seduction or all blood. I think the one thing that made this book fascinating to me is that I was very fortunate to see Don Giovanni performed and that helped me understand the book more and relate the book to the play. This was a good read that combines opera, vampires, and surviving life.

I would definitely...more

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Jan 02, 2013 Jamie Zalot rated it 5 of 5 stars

I read three books by the same author, Louise Marley. I feel the need to write a singular review for all three. The plots are not the same, nor are they dealing with the same genres(one is more of a romance, one more science fiction, one more mystery/adventure). They are however drawn together with a singular plot device, classical music, and how it connects people throughout the ages.
The first book I read was The Braham’s Deception. This was the more science fiction based book. It dealt with...more I read three books by the same author, Louise Marley. I feel the need to write a singular review for all three. The plots are not the same, nor are they dealing with the same genres(one is more of a romance, one more science fiction, one more mystery/adventure). They are however drawn together with a singular plot device, classical music, and how it connects people throughout the ages.
The first book I read was The Braham’s Deception. This was the more science fiction based book. It dealt with time travel and actually going back to see Braham himself. Anything more then that on the plot would reveal to more of the plot but a wonderful book!
The second book I read was Mozart’s Blood. This one I had trouble with. Not an issue with the book itself but I personally just am NOT a fan of Mozart. This is written more as a romance, even to the point of following the opera of Don Giovanni. That was another point that made the book harder for me to deal with as I have never seen, heard or read the opera.
The third book I read was The Glass Butterfly. This book is more of a mystery/ adventure book. The music in this book doesn’t seem as obvious until later in the book and when it does it deals with Puccini a more modern composer. There are elements of science fiction in this book but they are secondary to the main mystery plot. This is a good mystery as is keep me guessing fairly far into the book as opposed to most mysteries where I understand immediately what is happening.
Overall these are great books. At times, I found I had trouble with some of the language(parts are written in Latin, German, French and Italian to give a authentic feel). I also struggled with the music references as I am not a fan of classical music. I like most music though and can understand how music can be a driving force in our lives which is the point the author is trying to convey. I have previous read her Singers of Nevya series which I immensely enjoyed so I expected nothing less of this great author. I just wish she had picked a different genre of music on which to demonstrate her point. I did read the authors notes and understand her choice of opera. Louise Marley is a classically trained opera singer. However not everyone is. I still liked the books and would recommend them to everyone, especially those who had a vested interest in classical music.(less)

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Jul 19, 2012 Tony rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Vorrei, e non vorrei.

Indeed, I wanted to like this book, but could not. First of all, my favorite composer is Mozart. Then, I also love vampire stories. Marley’s vampires differ from the legendary vampires we have come to know and love, probably because they are Italian? (Just kidding! Amo l’Italia.) Anyway this line of vampires don’t have the legendary strength we have grown to take for granted, and then there is the absence of photophobia. You don’t need a wooden stake through the heart to kil...more Vorrei, e non vorrei.

Indeed, I wanted to like this book, but could not. First of all, my favorite composer is Mozart. Then, I also love vampire stories. Marley’s vampires differ from the legendary vampires we have come to know and love, probably because they are Italian? (Just kidding! Amo l’Italia.) Anyway this line of vampires don’t have the legendary strength we have grown to take for granted, and then there is the absence of photophobia. You don’t need a wooden stake through the heart to kill them, and Marley’s “lupo mannaro” does not seem to age either.

But all this is fine. Different authors introduce their own take on “supes” (as Charlaine Harris put it). From Kim Harrison’s distinction between living and undead vampires, to Richelle Mead’s Moroi and Strigoi vamps, it is not hard to accept these deviations within the context of the story. I had no problem with that whatsoever. What I had difficulty dealing with was the excessive amount of time and space devoted to details—from the rudiments of opera to an almost Google Map-like detail of city streets. Trivial details can sometimes add a “familiar” touch to a story, but to go on and on like this throughout the book was way too much. Hello! If I wanted to learn about opera, I would have picked up a manual on the subject, not a vampire novel. And a few clicks on my computer will show me in detail the topography of any place on the planet. Furthermore, the frequent use of Italian had me turning to my dizionario again and again. Oftentimes, it was easy to garner the meaning from the context, but it still proved to be a distraction. Capite?

At times, I felt like the author was flaunting her knowledge of opera in my face. No wonder some readers found it boring. My taste in music should have intrigued me, but, in the end, it still proved to be too much. There were also several glaring flaws in the plot—I don’t wish to detail them here lest they serve as spoilers. Suffice it to say that the book fell short of my expectations. I appreciate how the author tried to weave fiction with history and geography, but enough is enough. Abbastanza! As was said in that famous movie, “Too many notes!”(less)

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Nov 09, 2011 Jessica rated it 3 of 5 stars

This story is about a singer named Teresa who played the first Donna Anna from Mozarts play. It follows of how they were turned to vampires. You meet Ugo who is a werewolf and some ancient vampires who're older than anyone can imagine.

This story was dicey and abrupt. You start into Teresas story and then it cuts to Ugo's. This transition is fine, but when it gets more complicated and you don't know whether you're reading about the present or past. By the middle of the book, I was feeling like I...more

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Jun 29, 2012 Megan rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: vampires, history, music, werewolves

(re-posted from http://theturnedbrain.blogspot.com.au/)

I never knew a book could be really interesting and not at all exciting at the same time until I read Mozart’s Blood. A year ago I would have made a joke along the lines of the book being too much like the classical music it revolves around; technically good but safe and a little boring. Except that in the past year I’ve actually put some effort into listening to classical music and now I know there’s nothing safe or boring about it, so the...more (re-posted from http://theturnedbrain.blogspot.com.au/)

I never knew a book could be really interesting and not at all exciting at the same time until I read Mozart’s Blood. A year ago I would have made a joke along the lines of the book being too much like the classical music it revolves around; technically good but safe and a little boring. Except that in the past year I’ve actually put some effort into listening to classical music and now I know there’s nothing safe or boring about it, so the metaphor kind of falls flat.

In any case, I’m fairly sure this new found appreciation for classical music is the reason that I found Mozart’s Blood to be such an interesting read, despite its faults. Octavia is a two hundred year old vampire who has devoted her life to opera (she performs as one singer for a natural lifespan, and then painstakingly builds up another identity when that ones “dies.”) The book shifts between her first (mostly human) performance, the first ever staging of Mozart’s ‘Don Giovanni’ and a current performance of the same.

I found all the backstage opera stuff to be really fascinating. The hierarchies and the vocal warm ups and the blocking, all of it. The author clearly knows what she’s talking about, her knowledge and confidence with the topic really shines through. I also liked that the other viewpoint character, the werewolf Ugo, explored another interesting world I knew nothing about; that of the castrati.

I think Marley did a really good job the characterization of both Octavia and Ugo. (Ugo especially was a delight, with a dry wit that appealed to me very much). There’s a real dearth of platonic relationships in fiction, so I’m always happy to see one done well. Their deep friendship is believable and established really quickly, considering the two only have a few brief scenes together before they are separated. And that’s the main plot of the book, Ugo and Octavia get separated, will they meet up before bad things happen?

The bad thing in question is Octavia feeding on a human. Ugo supplies blood for her intravenously, and all the suspense of the book is supposed to come from Octavia’s mounting hunger and wondering if Ugo will get back to her in time to feed her.

Except the suspense never really kicks in. For a start, why can’t Octavia just go out with a syringe and get her own blood? She acts as though it’s very difficult to do and she wouldn’t a clue where to start, as though only a very special type of blood can fill a syringe… And the issue is, even without this, there are too many vampire books out there for the reader to care if she feeds on a human. Vampires feed on humans, it’s the natural way of things, and Octavia’s angst about it rings hollow. I don’t want to tip into spoiler territory, so I’ll just say that a lot of her reasons behind feeding on humans (or not) are illogical.

Marley’s lack of skill in crafting exciting scenes becomes painfully clear as the book builds to it’s “exciting” climax. The reveal of a twist is handled poorly, and the pacing is completely off. The “big bad” that Octavia and Ugo must ultimately face down is laughable, and even they act like really it’s little more than a minor annoyance that needs taking care of. They don’t even disrupt their schedule to do it.

But despite all of these faults I really did enjoy this book. It was, as I said, very interesting although it’s a safe bet that your opinion on that will vary by how boring you think opera/Mozart is. If you go into this book for the vampire/werewolf angle you’ll be disappointed, but if you go into it expecting a slightly supernatural historical novel I think you’ll have a much better time. (less)

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May 13, 2012 Ryan rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, horror

Mozart's Blood is a story very much in the vein (if you'll pardon the pun) of Rice's Vampire Chronicles series - it presents a vampire, Octavia Voss, who is a tortured soul that ponders the morality of the taking of human life, and who is introspective and reflective of the long, preternatural life that she's lived.

The twist to this that makes Mozart's Blood worth checking out is that Octavia is a soprano, as is author Louise Marley. This adds a certain level of complication for Octavia, given t...more

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Mar 20, 2012 Eleanor rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: books-read-from-2011-onward

I did not really enjoy this book.

The book was written well, and there was a lot of detail however there was too much information about the castration of the young boys. The castration seemed to be a major part in the book but it did not have to go so in-depth. I also didn't like how she ficked between the different Octavias and Ugo's life, it got very confusing to work out when he changed. Also, there was too much information about the opera and not being a fan of opera, i hated it and got bored...more

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Jun 29, 2012 Rachel Gold rated it 5 of 5 stars

Mozart's Blood was a great break from the run of the mill vampire novels. The historical detail is amazing and seeing into the inner workings of opera actually made me smarter. I found I wanted to listen to opera after reading this book. The characters were multi-dimensional. If you're looking for a vampire book that breaks from the pack and educates as well as entertained, you'll enjoy Mozart's Blood.

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Aug 27, 2010 Sue rated it 4 of 5 stars

Free Kindle download--thank you, Amazon!

Very creative, origina, and well written. Dances back and forth through time, but it's easy to follow and clearly done. If you're not an opera fan before you read it, you may well be by the time you're finished. The author obviously cares about the beauty of the art, and that care comes across loud and clear.

Would recommend this to anyone who enjoys a well-crafted story.

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Mar 25, 2011 Kelly rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: adult-fiction

This story was weirdly twisted and heavy on the opera details. The flashbacks in time and changes in the character perspectives at times left me wondering who was doing what when. The mystery of the character Domenico was not really a mystery and I found his weird little ending just but it left me wanting. All in all I think the opera heavy focus got in the way too much for me to really get wrapped up in the characters.

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Sep 21, 2010 Cupcakencorset rated it 3 of 5 stars

If you’re interested in opera, history, Mozart and vampires, plus the odd werewolf, you should find a copy of this book and give it a whirl. Marley’s knowledge of opera and the performance thereof is obviously personal and intimate. And her writing is solid. I liked this book, but didn’t love it. I don’t blame Marley; it just wasn’t my thing.

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Dec 30, 2010 Martha rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: kindle

A mostly clean vampire story. If you are not familiar with opera and/or musical terms and Italian/Latin, you will not enjoy this book nearly as much as if you did. Even for one well-versed in all of the above will find that the story leans heavily on terms not in the norm. The swear words and sex scenes are easily skipped over, and are infrequent.

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Dec 20, 2011 Eleanor rated it 5 of 5 stars

This is an EXCELLENT book! I loved how the stories were entwined with each other! It gives details of life in the opera while a production of Don Giovanni is going. It has a little bit of sci-fi in it, but it is mainly based in a music setting in contemporary times with a hint of historical fiction. It was a hard to put it down!

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Dec 21, 2012 Charleen rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: year-2010, 3-stars

To be honest, I liked this book for the setting more than the story. I thought it was an interesting premise, but mostly I just loved being immersed in this world of music. Jumping back and forth through all the character's various lifetimes could get overwhelming, but not so much that it took away from my enjoyment.

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About Louise Marley

Louise Marley, a former concert and opera singer, writes stories of the fantastic. Sometimes set in the past, sometimes in the future, and often in a curious present, her novels tend to be feminist, often musical, occasionally dark, but always with compelling, colorful, and complex characters. Louise is in demand as a teacher of writing workshops for adults and young adults.

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