No vampire story has ever captured my imagination as completely and utterly as this one has. What a series!
A gripping, dark fantasy, that with a simple twist of the pen, the author has taken from standardhood into a vampire story to remember. It is truly exceptional.
With gut twisting graphic descriptions of the battles between Serina; wielder of dark magic, and a necromancer; the vampire Queen with her undead minions/army; and her mortal enemies, the most promenant of whom is Lady Danika Dain, who happens to know Serina's only vulnerable point. Serina's plan is to conquer the Kingdom of Conarke and put it under her control, for her master, the god Ator, known as the Dark Shark, as none will speak his name for fear of attracting his attention.
This story has life; verve; and a real intensity to it that is not common in most vampire stories. In fact, this is the most surprising vampire story I have ever read. Right from the first book it differs from other vampire stories. This creepy dark story; which spans the three books in the boxset; is gruesome and blood thirsty. It absolutely does not pull its punches. It actually reminds me a bit of Game of Thrones in that respect.
I thought that by the time I reached the last book in the series, that I might find the plot a bit dull perhaps, or maybe the action might start to be a bit repetitive, but nothing could be further from the truth! It just kept on delivering harrowing battles in bloodcurdling, horrifying detail. The twists and turns in this story are deliciously fluid, gripping you; your focus tight fixed on the book. Keeping things nice, fresh, and interesting, right up to the final pages.
I don't think I could have imagined that this series would be so utterly compelling and have such amazing tension and drama, but it really has.
I wish it would continue, but all good things must come to end, sadly
I think William Stacey has penned a really exceptional series and I look forward to reading more of his works in the future.