** spoiler alert ** First of all, this series is worth reading for the chapter titles alone, such as "In which we observe Venators in their natural habitat." Don't ask me why, but I about started to cry due to laughter at this title.

Secondly, Gleason uses such wonderful imagery throughout this entire series. You can picture practically every aspect of every scene. While many authors achieve this through a wordiness that can sometimes be extremely tedious, Gleason does it in such a way that is precise and quick, yet effective.

The plot of every book in this series is well thought out, and incredibly gripping. The action scenes are intense and always make you wish you could read just a bit faster so as to be able to keep up. The sensitive scenes can be enough to bring tears to your eyes, if you don't start crying straight out. While it is possible to fathom a guess as to what will happen next, the twists and turns tend to leave you floored, but in a delightfully surprised way.

The cast of characters is entirely lovable, from the leading lady Victoria to the ever-so-fun-to-hate Lilith. But what is truly amazing is that the characters are so completely rounded. I often found myself wanting to reach into their universe and slap several of the characters around. One of the dangers of knowing more than the individual character does, I suppose.

And let's not forget the question of who to love that would leave members of "Team Jacob and Edward" forgetting who the hell Jacob and Edward are(I can't believe I just mentioned them in this review, but serious, same kind of mentality, but eight bajillion times better, I swear).

And the end of this book, which is also the end of the series.... GAHHHHHHHHHH is all I really have to say. So wonderful, yet it was a bittersweet experience at the same time. Victoria can only be with one of the men, Sebastian or Max, and it makes sense, but you can't help but feel completely horrible for the one who loses. I'd gladly take him. Or the other. That's the problem with these books: you can't feel completely comfortable choosing one over the other, as they are both so fabulous.


Over all, As Shadows Fade is a wonderful and terrific end to the Gardella Vampire Chronicles. A real page turner, tear jerker, and feel good ending that befits a series a could not put down. I will always wish that there were more books, but I'm not sure how it could have ended any other way and I heartily thank Gleason for not allowing this series to jump the shark. Thank heavens I picked it up after the final book was released, or I would have been a very anxious and impatient fan in between release dates. This is definitely a series I can picture myself picking up again and again (hint hint if anyone wants to buy it for me for Christmas, I would love you forever).

So, READ IT!