What do you think?
Rate this book
Blood Wine #1
A Taste Of Blood Wine
Karl von Wultendorf, though a vampire himself, is completely under the power of his maker, Kristian, who demands total servitude. Karl is determined to kill him. But vampires, as Karl well knows, are almost indestructible. Charlotte Neville is the daughter of a Cambridge professor. She has grown up questioning all that she sees and because of this, is seen as a wall flower by British society. She lives with her father and assists him with his experiments at his laboratory. When Karl meets, and falls in love with, Charlotte, he realizes that he must find a way to kill Kristian. For Kristian has decided to teach Karl a lesson in power, by devouring Charlotte.
520 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1992
87 people are currently reading
2363 people want to read
About the author
Freda Warrington
52 books325 followersFreda Warrington is an award-winning British author, known for her epic fantasy, vampire and supernatural novels.
“The Blood Wine books are addictive, thrilling reads that are impossible to put down and they definitely deserve more attention” – Worldhopping.net
Her earliest novels, the Blackbird series, were written and published in the 1980s. In the intervening years she has seen numerous novels of epic fantasy, supernatural and contemporary fantasy, vampires, dark romance, horror and alternative history published.
Her novel ELFLAND won the Romantic Times BEST FANTASY NOVEL Award in 2009, while her 1997 Dracula sequel DRACULA THE UNDEAD won the Dracula Society's BEST GOTHIC NOVEL Award.
Four of her novels (Dark Cathedral, Pagan Moon, Dracula the Undead, and The Amber Citadel) have been nominated or shortlisted for the British Fantasy Society's Best Novel award. The American Library Association placed MIDSUMMER NIGHT in its Top Ten for 2010.
Recently Titan Book reissued her popular romantic-gothic Blood Wine vampire series set in the 1920s - A Taste of Blood Wine, A Dance in Blood Velvet and The Dark Blood of Poppies - along with a brand new novel, The Dark Arts of Blood. In 2017, Telos Publishing will publish her first short story collection, NIGHTS OF BLOOD WINE, featuring fifteen lush dark tales - ten set in her Blood Wine world, and five others of gothic weirdness.
In 2003, Simon & Schuster published The Court of the Midnight King, an alternative history/ fantasy retelling of the story of King Richard III. To celebrate all the events surrounding the discovery of Richard III's remains in Leicester, The Court of the Midnight King is now available on Kindle and in paperback format. Most of her backlist titles, including the Blackbird series, Dracula the Undead, Dark Cathedral and Pagan Moon, can already be found on Kindle or will be available in the next few months.
Warrington has also seen numerous short stories published in anthologies and magazines. For further information, visit her website Freda Warrington
Born in Leicester, Warrington grew up in the Charnwood Forest area of Leicestershire. After completing high school, she trained at Loughborough College of Art and Design and worked in medical illustration and graphic design for some years. She eventually moved to full-time writing, and also still enjoys design, photography, art, jewellery-making and other crafts, travelling and conventions.
Series:
* Jewelfire
* Dark Cathedral
* Aetherial Tales
* Blackbird
“The Blood Wine books are addictive, thrilling reads that are impossible to put down and they definitely deserve more attention” – Worldhopping.net
Her earliest novels, the Blackbird series, were written and published in the 1980s. In the intervening years she has seen numerous novels of epic fantasy, supernatural and contemporary fantasy, vampires, dark romance, horror and alternative history published.
Her novel ELFLAND won the Romantic Times BEST FANTASY NOVEL Award in 2009, while her 1997 Dracula sequel DRACULA THE UNDEAD won the Dracula Society's BEST GOTHIC NOVEL Award.
Four of her novels (Dark Cathedral, Pagan Moon, Dracula the Undead, and The Amber Citadel) have been nominated or shortlisted for the British Fantasy Society's Best Novel award. The American Library Association placed MIDSUMMER NIGHT in its Top Ten for 2010.
Recently Titan Book reissued her popular romantic-gothic Blood Wine vampire series set in the 1920s - A Taste of Blood Wine, A Dance in Blood Velvet and The Dark Blood of Poppies - along with a brand new novel, The Dark Arts of Blood. In 2017, Telos Publishing will publish her first short story collection, NIGHTS OF BLOOD WINE, featuring fifteen lush dark tales - ten set in her Blood Wine world, and five others of gothic weirdness.
In 2003, Simon & Schuster published The Court of the Midnight King, an alternative history/ fantasy retelling of the story of King Richard III. To celebrate all the events surrounding the discovery of Richard III's remains in Leicester, The Court of the Midnight King is now available on Kindle and in paperback format. Most of her backlist titles, including the Blackbird series, Dracula the Undead, Dark Cathedral and Pagan Moon, can already be found on Kindle or will be available in the next few months.
Warrington has also seen numerous short stories published in anthologies and magazines. For further information, visit her website Freda Warrington
Born in Leicester, Warrington grew up in the Charnwood Forest area of Leicestershire. After completing high school, she trained at Loughborough College of Art and Design and worked in medical illustration and graphic design for some years. She eventually moved to full-time writing, and also still enjoys design, photography, art, jewellery-making and other crafts, travelling and conventions.
Series:
* Jewelfire
* Dark Cathedral
* Aetherial Tales
* Blackbird
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 173 reviews
October 3, 2016
Freda Warrington writes so well. I love her books. I think she captures the parties, intellectual pursuits and decadence of the twenties perfectly. I felt like I walked into an Agatha Christie novel, only this world is populated with vampires. Freda also adds other themes and ideas that encompass the time period, like the horror of the Great War and the stultifying life that was expected of a woman.
I liked the shy, intellectual protagonist, Charlotte. I could see why Karl falls for her. I thought the love affair built up beautifully between them. Charlotte is scared of Karl at first, uncomfortable in his presence, and Karl barely notices her. He's just trying to be nice so he can gain information from her father. Charlotte is truly shocked to find she’s so passionate.
Karl is a thoughtful vampire, trying to understand his world. He feels like he’s being suffocated too, by obsessive Kristen, who’s totally a control freak and a great villain.
This story has a slow, rich feel to it, yet surprisingly I couldn’t set it down. Freda comes up with some new and interesting ideas about vampires that make you think. Her vampires are dangerous too, true killers, and Charlotte has a hard time justifying her affair with Karl, when he is so thoroughly dangerous. It makes their love story edgy and uncomfortable. In fact, I wasn’t quite sure how everything was going to work out.
Anyway, I highly recommend this book. :D
On an end note, I’m highly annoyed that the series is out of print, and I can’t get a hold of the second book without paying big bucks for it. Grrrr
Freda doesn’t leave you hanging though with an open end. You could read this book and be satisfied. I just enjoyed it so much I wanted to continue, but I don’t feel like paying $70 for the second book.
I liked the shy, intellectual protagonist, Charlotte. I could see why Karl falls for her. I thought the love affair built up beautifully between them. Charlotte is scared of Karl at first, uncomfortable in his presence, and Karl barely notices her. He's just trying to be nice so he can gain information from her father. Charlotte is truly shocked to find she’s so passionate.
Karl is a thoughtful vampire, trying to understand his world. He feels like he’s being suffocated too, by obsessive Kristen, who’s totally a control freak and a great villain.
This story has a slow, rich feel to it, yet surprisingly I couldn’t set it down. Freda comes up with some new and interesting ideas about vampires that make you think. Her vampires are dangerous too, true killers, and Charlotte has a hard time justifying her affair with Karl, when he is so thoroughly dangerous. It makes their love story edgy and uncomfortable. In fact, I wasn’t quite sure how everything was going to work out.
Anyway, I highly recommend this book. :D
On an end note, I’m highly annoyed that the series is out of print, and I can’t get a hold of the second book without paying big bucks for it. Grrrr
Freda doesn’t leave you hanging though with an open end. You could read this book and be satisfied. I just enjoyed it so much I wanted to continue, but I don’t feel like paying $70 for the second book.
January 17, 2019
OMFG THAT WAS TERRIBLE. WHO WANTS A REVIEW?
October 24, 2014
Have you ever wondered why women top the charts on being the vampire-fiction writers around the world? Well, to answer that, I'd love to share this Josh Hutcherson quote, who is the "Hunger Games" trilogy actor:
"I think girls like vampires because they are mysterious and they really don't know what they are about. I think a lot of girls are attracted to that."
Equivalently, a British author, named, Freda Warrington, has penned down the novel called, A Taste of Blood Wine which is the first book in the Blood Wine series, and it is strictly about "Vampires", "vampires", and only "vampires", and to make it more edgy, accounts of First World War is included for some treat. A historical Vampire love-story sounds already so cool. I always find such Vampire books as really cool and enthralling to read but Stephanie Meyer's vampire stories are way too cheesy. Please Note: The book was first published in the year 1992, long before, Stephanie Meyer's Twilight series.
Disclaimer: I didn't intend to enrage the Stephanie Meyer's fans.
Many many thanks to the author, Freda Warrington, for giving this opportunity to read and review her book.
Blurb given at the back of the book:
1918. A First World War battlefield becomes the cosmic battleground for two vampires, as Karl von Wultendorf struggles to free himself from his domineering maker, Kristian.
1923. Charlotte Neville watches as her father, a Cambridge professor, fills Parkland Hall with guests for her sister Madeleine's 18th birthday party. Among them is his handsome new research assistant Karl - the man Madeleine has instantly decided will be her husband. Charlotte, shy and retiring, is happy to devote her life to her father and her dull fiancé Henry - until she sees Karl ...
For Charlotte, it is the beginning of a deadly obsession that sunders her from her sisters, her father and even her dearest friend. As their feverish passion grows, Karl faces the dilemma he fears the most. Only by deserting Charlotte can his passion for her blood be conquered. Only by betraying her can he protect her from the terrifying attentions of Kristian - for Kristian has decided to teach Karl a lesson in power, by devouring Charlotte.
Oh! no, after reading this blurb, that's what I felt, A Taste of Blood Wine sounds so similar to Stephanie Meyer's Twilight, when Edward distances himself from Isabella to conquer his thirst of blood. Only difference is that Freda Warrington has written it before Stephanie Meyer.
The best thing I observed about Freda Warrington's book is that her book's back-drop and settings are really quite distinct and unusual. I would like to applause for the author, for time-traveling us to the twenties and to the period which was dominated largely by the Great War, and very strikingly, the author has filled the world with full of vampires during that time and made quite a mark by blending the war and the world of vampires.
Moreover, the author has turned this simple tale into an intellectual and literary novel with the use of her exquisite words and her eloquence. And hence, I fell for the book.
Charlotte was quite an unusual protagonist, being all shy and sweet, who in the beginning feels scared towards Karl, who is a really astute vampire and doesn't respond to Charlotte, although he falls for Charlotte quite badly. Karl becomes distant towards Charlotte only to protect her and himself simultaneously from the evil-minds of the powerful and dark vampire villain, Kristian.
Note for The Vampire Diaries Fans: Karl and Kristian's relationship may sound similar to Taylor and Klaus's relationship, only thing is that Karl is not sired by Kristian!
But as the book progressed with Karl's tries from getting away from Kristian and Charlotte, the characters evolve more with evil-agendas, twists and turns and flaws in them. And maybe that’s what makes the book more captivating and will keep us gripped to the very core of the plot. Yes, mind you! There are some brain-twisting mysteries to uncover. All the characters crafted by the author are psychologically flawed and achingly vulnerable, and this what makes the book and the plot more intriguing.
Do read this unusual Vampire love-story which will take you back in time to the twenties and is a complete period tale!!
"I think girls like vampires because they are mysterious and they really don't know what they are about. I think a lot of girls are attracted to that."
Equivalently, a British author, named, Freda Warrington, has penned down the novel called, A Taste of Blood Wine which is the first book in the Blood Wine series, and it is strictly about "Vampires", "vampires", and only "vampires", and to make it more edgy, accounts of First World War is included for some treat. A historical Vampire love-story sounds already so cool. I always find such Vampire books as really cool and enthralling to read but Stephanie Meyer's vampire stories are way too cheesy. Please Note: The book was first published in the year 1992, long before, Stephanie Meyer's Twilight series.
Disclaimer: I didn't intend to enrage the Stephanie Meyer's fans.
Many many thanks to the author, Freda Warrington, for giving this opportunity to read and review her book.
Blurb given at the back of the book:
1918. A First World War battlefield becomes the cosmic battleground for two vampires, as Karl von Wultendorf struggles to free himself from his domineering maker, Kristian.
1923. Charlotte Neville watches as her father, a Cambridge professor, fills Parkland Hall with guests for her sister Madeleine's 18th birthday party. Among them is his handsome new research assistant Karl - the man Madeleine has instantly decided will be her husband. Charlotte, shy and retiring, is happy to devote her life to her father and her dull fiancé Henry - until she sees Karl ...
For Charlotte, it is the beginning of a deadly obsession that sunders her from her sisters, her father and even her dearest friend. As their feverish passion grows, Karl faces the dilemma he fears the most. Only by deserting Charlotte can his passion for her blood be conquered. Only by betraying her can he protect her from the terrifying attentions of Kristian - for Kristian has decided to teach Karl a lesson in power, by devouring Charlotte.
Oh! no, after reading this blurb, that's what I felt, A Taste of Blood Wine sounds so similar to Stephanie Meyer's Twilight, when Edward distances himself from Isabella to conquer his thirst of blood. Only difference is that Freda Warrington has written it before Stephanie Meyer.
The best thing I observed about Freda Warrington's book is that her book's back-drop and settings are really quite distinct and unusual. I would like to applause for the author, for time-traveling us to the twenties and to the period which was dominated largely by the Great War, and very strikingly, the author has filled the world with full of vampires during that time and made quite a mark by blending the war and the world of vampires.
Moreover, the author has turned this simple tale into an intellectual and literary novel with the use of her exquisite words and her eloquence. And hence, I fell for the book.
Charlotte was quite an unusual protagonist, being all shy and sweet, who in the beginning feels scared towards Karl, who is a really astute vampire and doesn't respond to Charlotte, although he falls for Charlotte quite badly. Karl becomes distant towards Charlotte only to protect her and himself simultaneously from the evil-minds of the powerful and dark vampire villain, Kristian.
Note for The Vampire Diaries Fans: Karl and Kristian's relationship may sound similar to Taylor and Klaus's relationship, only thing is that Karl is not sired by Kristian!
But as the book progressed with Karl's tries from getting away from Kristian and Charlotte, the characters evolve more with evil-agendas, twists and turns and flaws in them. And maybe that’s what makes the book more captivating and will keep us gripped to the very core of the plot. Yes, mind you! There are some brain-twisting mysteries to uncover. All the characters crafted by the author are psychologically flawed and achingly vulnerable, and this what makes the book and the plot more intriguing.
Do read this unusual Vampire love-story which will take you back in time to the twenties and is a complete period tale!!
October 17, 2013
So what exactly is it about A Taste of Blood Wine that readers might not like? Well, it’s a vampire story, and the world has been overrun with vampire stories. Warrington’s book is well worth the read, but the story elements aren’t new anymore. Other than the characters and the time period, it’s not incredibly unique. That’s unfortunate, because if the marketplace weren’t so saturated with the shiny vampires with cut abs that ooze sex, A Taste of Blood Wine would get all of the credit it fully deserves. As it is, I think a lot of people will pass over this fantastic book because they will see “vampire” and run. Please don’t. Warrington is a fantastic author, and this book is a call back to the roots of a saturated, watered down market. She shows what the vampire books can be, and it’s Freda-Freaking-Warrington. Her writing is nothing short of incredible.
Read my full review here:
http://www.bookwormblues.net/2013/10/...
Read my full review here:
http://www.bookwormblues.net/2013/10/...
January 13, 2020
Technically, I read up to pg 320, then skimmed/skipped to the last chapter, but I'm counting it as finished. I just couldn't take it anymore & got tired of wasting quality reading time.
TBH I'm baffled by the high ratings for this book. The writing is sloppy & pedestrian; for the most part it's a mire of slow-moving emo mediocrity, with only occasional passages or scenes that rise above the hum-drum blah (& those brief good bits are the reason I gave 2 stars instead of 1). And why is everyone's name used all the time?? There's literally 25 proper names on every page, like the author thought nobody could follow her scenes if she used generic pronouns in a simple conversation or memory. It felt like a bad translation of an exchange student's high school vampire scribblings.
The inhabitants, meanwhile, are flat & uninteresting; there are a few minor characters who show some personality, or at least the potential for it (Maddy, Anne, Pierre, Ilona), but overall this cast could be nicknamed The Forgettables. The MCs are even duller than the secondaries -- Karl has to be one of the most boring vampires I've ever read (he makes Twilight's Edward & Rice's Louis look like dynamos of can-do attitude), while Charlotte, though initially sympathetic, rapidly spirals into a flatline bore with some serious (& seriously uninteresting) mental issues. And the '20s setting -- which should be full of flamboyant interest & vivid technicolor -- serves no purpose at all. The post-war issues make no nevermind to this book aside from Charlotte's brother & his traumatized trenchmate, who are disposable side characters at best. So far as this story goes, it could be set in 1850, 1920, or 1950...aside from a couple refs to ladies' dresses & vintage cars, there's no historical feel whatsoever.
I like the idea of the vamps being angels, or whatever Kristian was getting at with his psycho religious bent, but I dislike the nebulous Crystal Ring alternaworld, which gave me traumatic flashbacks to this author's boring slog ELFLAND. And the pace is positively glacial. I enjoy lush gothic-heavy books that set a scene & move at their own pace (I like Anne Rice, ffs) but this took forever to go nowhere. At one point the MCs have a 50-page conversation about backstory & vampire infodumps, & the book nearly sailed across my kitchen. FIFTY FUCKING PAGES, y'all.
Anyway. I guess Warrington just isn't for me. This is greatly disappointing; I wanted so much to like this series, but I won't bother continuing. I *might* still make one last effort & try her Dracula sequel at some point. Maybe. I haven't decided yet. >___>
TBH I'm baffled by the high ratings for this book. The writing is sloppy & pedestrian; for the most part it's a mire of slow-moving emo mediocrity, with only occasional passages or scenes that rise above the hum-drum blah (& those brief good bits are the reason I gave 2 stars instead of 1). And why is everyone's name used all the time?? There's literally 25 proper names on every page, like the author thought nobody could follow her scenes if she used generic pronouns in a simple conversation or memory. It felt like a bad translation of an exchange student's high school vampire scribblings.
The inhabitants, meanwhile, are flat & uninteresting; there are a few minor characters who show some personality, or at least the potential for it (Maddy, Anne, Pierre, Ilona), but overall this cast could be nicknamed The Forgettables. The MCs are even duller than the secondaries -- Karl has to be one of the most boring vampires I've ever read (he makes Twilight's Edward & Rice's Louis look like dynamos of can-do attitude), while Charlotte, though initially sympathetic, rapidly spirals into a flatline bore with some serious (& seriously uninteresting) mental issues. And the '20s setting -- which should be full of flamboyant interest & vivid technicolor -- serves no purpose at all. The post-war issues make no nevermind to this book aside from Charlotte's brother & his traumatized trenchmate, who are disposable side characters at best. So far as this story goes, it could be set in 1850, 1920, or 1950...aside from a couple refs to ladies' dresses & vintage cars, there's no historical feel whatsoever.
I like the idea of the vamps being angels, or whatever Kristian was getting at with his psycho religious bent, but I dislike the nebulous Crystal Ring alternaworld, which gave me traumatic flashbacks to this author's boring slog ELFLAND. And the pace is positively glacial. I enjoy lush gothic-heavy books that set a scene & move at their own pace (I like Anne Rice, ffs) but this took forever to go nowhere. At one point the MCs have a 50-page conversation about backstory & vampire infodumps, & the book nearly sailed across my kitchen. FIFTY FUCKING PAGES, y'all.
Anyway. I guess Warrington just isn't for me. This is greatly disappointing; I wanted so much to like this series, but I won't bother continuing. I *might* still make one last effort & try her Dracula sequel at some point. Maybe. I haven't decided yet. >___>
November 29, 2013
A Taste of Blood Wine was a strangely literary heavy vampire novel. I found Freda Warrington's take on vampire mythology to be an interesting shift from the standard seen in paranormal romance (and the cover is bloody gorgeous!). Initially I was completely hooked. I loved the writing, and Charlotte seemed to be a very different character type from typical romance and vampire books. However, I quickly found myself annoyed with both her, and her vampire love interest. Karl and Charlotte were both ridiculously passive, both letting others make decisions for them until it was far too late, and barely mattered anymore. Charlotte wrestled with her "dark nature" which really seemed to just be her sudden obsession with Karl. The characters I was most interested in were sadly relegated to side characters. I also had problems reminding myself that the time period for the book was post World War I, rather than sometime in the Victorian age, as that was how most of the dialogue appeared. The pacing was increasingly erratic as the story went on, dragging horribly slow in places. Overall, I found the book interesting, and thankfully different from the most recent rush of vampire romance novels, but not terribly special.
December 29, 2019
#1 Blood Wine series - Vampires
First Read: 2016, 5 stars
Second Read: 2019, 5 stars, same review. Deleted a bit for brevity
O
Originally published in 1992, before the tsunami of vampire/urban fantasy books, A Taste of Blood Wine is exactly the kind of vampire book I was yearning for 20 years ago, and could not find. What a joy to finally read! Thanks to my Good Reads friend for the loaner.
Vampires in this book are "real" vampires -- dark, ruthless and remorseless. Feeding from humans, and/or stealing their life force with no guilt, humans' deaths and/or leaving the human with severe mental collapse means nothing to them.
A++:
World Building; Characters, Depth, Development, Big Surprises, Emotional Depth, Complex Multi-Layered Threads, Intrigue, Exploration of "Good" and "Evil", Uber Dangerous Vampire Villain, Jaw-Dropping Twists & A++ in any other category not listed.
Author Freda Warrington opens the book as the First World War is ending. Vampire Karl von Wultendorf, though old and powerful, is completely under the power of his maker, Kristian, a dangerous vampire who demands total servitude. Karl will not bend to Kristian's plans for him, leaving Kristian's domain and very carefully placating the ruthless and possessive Kristian.
Karl arrives in Cambridge, England in 1923, seeking knowledge, answers to vampirism and immortality. He joins scientist George Neville in his experiments, though not revealing his vampirism. Charlotte Neville, George's daughter, assists her father. Charlotte is plagued by extreme shyness, to the degree that she cannot tolerate society outside her own family. She is regarded as a social wallflower; however, her intelligence and questioning mind intrigue Karl.
This to me has a literary quality. Explorations of life, family loyalties, the facets of love, death, religion, and philosophy add depth to an already excellent read.
I'm thrilled to discover this is actually Book 1 in a series:
#2 A Dance In Blood Velvet
#3 The Dark Blood of Poppies
#4 The Dark Arts of Blood
Asking G/R Librarians to add series info to book listings and add series to other Warrington series
First Read: 2016, 5 stars
Second Read: 2019, 5 stars, same review. Deleted a bit for brevity
O
Originally published in 1992, before the tsunami of vampire/urban fantasy books, A Taste of Blood Wine is exactly the kind of vampire book I was yearning for 20 years ago, and could not find. What a joy to finally read! Thanks to my Good Reads friend for the loaner.
Vampires in this book are "real" vampires -- dark, ruthless and remorseless. Feeding from humans, and/or stealing their life force with no guilt, humans' deaths and/or leaving the human with severe mental collapse means nothing to them.
A++:
World Building; Characters, Depth, Development, Big Surprises, Emotional Depth, Complex Multi-Layered Threads, Intrigue, Exploration of "Good" and "Evil", Uber Dangerous Vampire Villain, Jaw-Dropping Twists & A++ in any other category not listed.
Author Freda Warrington opens the book as the First World War is ending. Vampire Karl von Wultendorf, though old and powerful, is completely under the power of his maker, Kristian, a dangerous vampire who demands total servitude. Karl will not bend to Kristian's plans for him, leaving Kristian's domain and very carefully placating the ruthless and possessive Kristian.
Karl arrives in Cambridge, England in 1923, seeking knowledge, answers to vampirism and immortality. He joins scientist George Neville in his experiments, though not revealing his vampirism. Charlotte Neville, George's daughter, assists her father. Charlotte is plagued by extreme shyness, to the degree that she cannot tolerate society outside her own family. She is regarded as a social wallflower; however, her intelligence and questioning mind intrigue Karl.
This to me has a literary quality. Explorations of life, family loyalties, the facets of love, death, religion, and philosophy add depth to an already excellent read.
I'm thrilled to discover this is actually Book 1 in a series:
#2 A Dance In Blood Velvet
#3 The Dark Blood of Poppies
#4 The Dark Arts of Blood
Asking G/R Librarians to add series info to book listings and add series to other Warrington series
May 13, 2015
The copy on the front definitely captures a lot about this book. ‘Throbs with lush romanticism,’ says The Times. That’s a perfect description right there. It’s lush, gothic, romantic, and I’m not entirely sure what to make of it. I found it a compulsive read, and I found the way it treats the morality of vampirism very interesting. It doesn’t shy away from the implications of evil, parasitism, etc, but it doesn’t wholly embrace them, either: Warrington’s vampires have feelings, doubts, difficulties, according to the kind of people they are. The female lead worries about her amorality, and the book doesn’t disguise that there’s something monstrous about a love which demands this kind of sacrifice.
I found the relationships between the characters very well done: Charlotte’s relationships with her family, Karl’s with Ilona and Kristian, the ambivalent side-switching of the others. Kristian’s power over them all feels real, as does their equal and opposite desire to be free of him that locks them in a holding pattern around him. Warrington resists the urge to make things too easy: Charlotte’s family can’t cope with her eventual transformation, with the way her true self is revealed to them through what she chooses.
I liked the background of science, too: the search for understanding of what Karl and the other vampires are, of how it relates to what we know of matter, how they might relate to a GUT (grand unified theory of everything). I liked that Charlotte is a part of that search, with a scientific drive and understanding, and that it’s not just to please her father or anyone else that she thinks that way, despite the fact that her entire life is bounded by what she thinks others want of her.
And yet. I’m not sure what, at the end, makes me ambivalent. In part, it’s the amorality of it all, I think: I can appreciate the exploration of it, even the impulses behind it, but I can’t view it as a triumph of love over all. Or, I suppose it is — a triumph of love over morality, over humanity. I can’t sympathise with that central choice to become immortal and immortalise love at the price that has to be paid here — a price that’s not even paid by Karl and Charlotte, but by the people they will drive mad or kill to sustain their lives. It makes that price so very clear, makes Charlotte’s choice so clear-eyed and knowing, that it’s both better and worse than other Vampire-For-Love transformations. Better, because it acknowledges it; worst, because we’re still meant to sympathise with that destructive love.
I’m not sure if I want to read A Dance in Blood Velvet, etc. I did find this very compelling to read, and yet.
Originally posted here.
I found the relationships between the characters very well done: Charlotte’s relationships with her family, Karl’s with Ilona and Kristian, the ambivalent side-switching of the others. Kristian’s power over them all feels real, as does their equal and opposite desire to be free of him that locks them in a holding pattern around him. Warrington resists the urge to make things too easy: Charlotte’s family can’t cope with her eventual transformation, with the way her true self is revealed to them through what she chooses.
I liked the background of science, too: the search for understanding of what Karl and the other vampires are, of how it relates to what we know of matter, how they might relate to a GUT (grand unified theory of everything). I liked that Charlotte is a part of that search, with a scientific drive and understanding, and that it’s not just to please her father or anyone else that she thinks that way, despite the fact that her entire life is bounded by what she thinks others want of her.
And yet. I’m not sure what, at the end, makes me ambivalent. In part, it’s the amorality of it all, I think: I can appreciate the exploration of it, even the impulses behind it, but I can’t view it as a triumph of love over all. Or, I suppose it is — a triumph of love over morality, over humanity. I can’t sympathise with that central choice to become immortal and immortalise love at the price that has to be paid here — a price that’s not even paid by Karl and Charlotte, but by the people they will drive mad or kill to sustain their lives. It makes that price so very clear, makes Charlotte’s choice so clear-eyed and knowing, that it’s both better and worse than other Vampire-For-Love transformations. Better, because it acknowledges it; worst, because we’re still meant to sympathise with that destructive love.
I’m not sure if I want to read A Dance in Blood Velvet, etc. I did find this very compelling to read, and yet.
Originally posted here.
October 8, 2017
A Taste of Blood Wine is quite unlike anything else I've read in the paranormal sub-genre of speculative fiction. This one is historical fiction as well as fantasy, and has the length and breadth that I enjoy - no swift pacing or too-sketchy character building here! The story is odd, though, a mix of quite riveting and 80s kitsch. There are moments of Dracula and others of conventional paranormal romance, which actually worked quite well. A vampire villain who is almost impossible to defeat brings it all together and drives the story forward. And the violence and darkness that strike when you least expect it give it the weight of history, that same quality that books about World War I or II have.
I should mention what it's about, shouldn't I. Charlotte Neville is the middle of three sisters; she is the quiet one, the one who has dedicated herself to helping her father, a scientist, in his research. And she's good at it, too: it's 1923 and she isn't allowed to go to university herself (or maybe her father won't let her go). She's upset when he gets a new assistant, Karl, who both disturbs her and obsesses her. Karl is a vampire, an immortal, looking for a way to kill a vampire, but instead he falls in love with Charlotte and the two embark on a secret love affair. There's more to it than that, of course. This is gothic horror - and gothic romance - of a kind that blurs genres, making it both more interesting and somewhat unsatisfying. Hard to put my finger on it.
I should mention what it's about, shouldn't I. Charlotte Neville is the middle of three sisters; she is the quiet one, the one who has dedicated herself to helping her father, a scientist, in his research. And she's good at it, too: it's 1923 and she isn't allowed to go to university herself (or maybe her father won't let her go). She's upset when he gets a new assistant, Karl, who both disturbs her and obsesses her. Karl is a vampire, an immortal, looking for a way to kill a vampire, but instead he falls in love with Charlotte and the two embark on a secret love affair. There's more to it than that, of course. This is gothic horror - and gothic romance - of a kind that blurs genres, making it both more interesting and somewhat unsatisfying. Hard to put my finger on it.
October 19, 2016
This book has a Gothic tone which started out as entertaining but quickly began to grate on the nerves. It was endlessly dark and depressing - no bright colors, sunny days, or really any happiness of any kind. Karl has to be one of the more boring vampires I've ever met. He generally doesn't show any facial expressions or any emotion. Honestly, it's quite difficult to understand why Charlotte is attracted to him in the first place.
Charlotte has her own set of problems. At first, I felt her intense shyness was an interesting feature of a female main character, but after awhile, it too, became depressing. Not only that, but we later discover that she's not really just shy, but actually doesn't understand other people's emotions. (This obviously makes her perfect for the emotionless Karl). She also has no moral conscience, which is how she explains some of her later decisions. Basically, Charlotte's not a shy, socially awkward girl, but a sociopath.
Unfortunately, the plot focuses entirely on the relationship between these two gems, with very little else. I won't be continuing this series.
Charlotte has her own set of problems. At first, I felt her intense shyness was an interesting feature of a female main character, but after awhile, it too, became depressing. Not only that, but we later discover that she's not really just shy, but actually doesn't understand other people's emotions. (This obviously makes her perfect for the emotionless Karl). She also has no moral conscience, which is how she explains some of her later decisions. Basically, Charlotte's not a shy, socially awkward girl, but a sociopath.
Unfortunately, the plot focuses entirely on the relationship between these two gems, with very little else. I won't be continuing this series.
October 6, 2021
I first read this book back in the 1990s, in its original published form with the cheesy Dracula-wannabe cover. It was a case of 'nice book, shame about the cover'. Then I discovered it was the first of a trilogy and as the series went out of print the second volume became difficult to find and far too expensive. Thankfully Titan Publishing have re-released the books, including a new fourth volume, in much better covers.
The story: after a prologue about two vampires haunting a battlefield during the Great War (WWI) the story fast forwards to 1923 and we meet our main character, Charlotte Neville. The second of three daughters, Charlotte is a painfully shy young woman who's happiest working in the laboratory with her scientist father. She finds attending a 'season' in the hopes of finding a husband a painful chore, but feels it's her duty to accompany her younger sister Fleur. Fleur mets Karl, a faintly mysterious Austrian who is interested in science and becomes part of the family circle, including working in the lab. Naturally, Karl is the 'good' vampire we met in the prologue; equally naturally, he and Charlotte meet and become attracted to each other.
As with the author's other work, Dark Cathedral, which I've previously read, I find it hard to categorize this novel. It's not horror, it's not urban fantasy; I'll label it as paranormal. The storyline has two threads: one is Karl trying to escape his vampire creator/master, the other is the standard girl-meets-vampire romance between the main characters. Put like that, it may not seem like an engaging read. There are other minor plot threads intertwined with those, and the whole book reads very well simply because Ms. Warrington is a very good author; the whole story has a gothic atmosphere, partly thanks to its setting, partly thanks to the prose - this is simply an honest to goodness well written book, and that makes it a real pleasure to read.
If you like vampire books that are based more towards the paranormal romance end of the genre but don't mind the occasional bit of gore and can appreciate beautiful prose, you might like this book. If you like your vampires purely as monsters, you probably won't.
The story: after a prologue about two vampires haunting a battlefield during the Great War (WWI) the story fast forwards to 1923 and we meet our main character, Charlotte Neville. The second of three daughters, Charlotte is a painfully shy young woman who's happiest working in the laboratory with her scientist father. She finds attending a 'season' in the hopes of finding a husband a painful chore, but feels it's her duty to accompany her younger sister Fleur. Fleur mets Karl, a faintly mysterious Austrian who is interested in science and becomes part of the family circle, including working in the lab. Naturally, Karl is the 'good' vampire we met in the prologue; equally naturally, he and Charlotte meet and become attracted to each other.
As with the author's other work, Dark Cathedral, which I've previously read, I find it hard to categorize this novel. It's not horror, it's not urban fantasy; I'll label it as paranormal. The storyline has two threads: one is Karl trying to escape his vampire creator/master, the other is the standard girl-meets-vampire romance between the main characters. Put like that, it may not seem like an engaging read. There are other minor plot threads intertwined with those, and the whole book reads very well simply because Ms. Warrington is a very good author; the whole story has a gothic atmosphere, partly thanks to its setting, partly thanks to the prose - this is simply an honest to goodness well written book, and that makes it a real pleasure to read.
If you like vampire books that are based more towards the paranormal romance end of the genre but don't mind the occasional bit of gore and can appreciate beautiful prose, you might like this book. If you like your vampires purely as monsters, you probably won't.
July 17, 2014
First, let me ‘splain about this book.
When I was in my ‘20s, I went through a vampire-obsessed phase (as girls of that age are wont to do). Fortunately, I had Anne Rice and not the sparkle chic with the initials S.M. (ahem). I read a lot of vampire fiction and a bookseller acquainted with my reading habits mentioned a series by a British author that he thought I might like. Unfortunately, this was back in the stone ages of computer technology so you couldn’t just log onto the internet and order a book from across the pond. You had to hope it got released internationally or you probably weren’t ever going to get a copy.
Well, I never did get those books and I mostly forgot about them…until one day a year or so ago. I somehow came across information that a series of vampire books (Blood Wine) by a British author (Freda Warrington) was being reissued and as I read the synopsis I realized,
“Oh! It’s those books! The ones I’ve been waiting, like, 20 years to read.”
O my stars!!!
And so, book one of the trilogy. A Taste of Blood Wine. First published 1992. Reissued October 2013 (with much better cover art).
England, 1920s. Charlotte is an intellectual young woman who would rather spend her time in a science laboratory than at a party. She is often perceived as timid and reserved but when she meets the vampire Karl, her true personality, someone who is strong-willed and passionate, emerges. Charlotte and Karl fall in love but their romance is complicated by many factors, including the interference of Karl’s maker and master, Kristian, who is determined to control Karl by whatever diabolical means necessary.
A Taste of Blood Wine captures all the elements of Victorian fin de siècle Gothic literature - romance, melodrama, supernatural activity, moral dilemmas, dreary weather, decrepit mansions, insanity, scientific curiosity. The writing style is similar to this type of literature as well - horrifying but not grotesque, erotic but not explicit.
It is a remarkable work with much more in common with Interview with the Vampire than Twilight. This a strongly crafted literary book with intelligent vocabulary, excellent character development, and a well-balanced mixture of philosophical musing and dramatic action. Perhaps what impressed me most is that the author created an entirely new vampire mythos. Because none of the familiar vampiric rules apply, the reader is unable to conjecture how the story will unfold and is therefore kept in a constant state of heightened anticipation.
A Taste of Blood Wine enthralled and enchanted me and I look forward to reading the rest of the series - A Dance In Blood Velvet (reissued October 2013) and The Dark Blood Of Poppies (expected to be reissued May 2014). The author is also writing a new book in the series - The Dark Arts of Blood - which is scheduled to be published October 2014.
When I was in my ‘20s, I went through a vampire-obsessed phase (as girls of that age are wont to do). Fortunately, I had Anne Rice and not the sparkle chic with the initials S.M. (ahem). I read a lot of vampire fiction and a bookseller acquainted with my reading habits mentioned a series by a British author that he thought I might like. Unfortunately, this was back in the stone ages of computer technology so you couldn’t just log onto the internet and order a book from across the pond. You had to hope it got released internationally or you probably weren’t ever going to get a copy.
Well, I never did get those books and I mostly forgot about them…until one day a year or so ago. I somehow came across information that a series of vampire books (Blood Wine) by a British author (Freda Warrington) was being reissued and as I read the synopsis I realized,
“Oh! It’s those books! The ones I’ve been waiting, like, 20 years to read.”
O my stars!!!
And so, book one of the trilogy. A Taste of Blood Wine. First published 1992. Reissued October 2013 (with much better cover art).
England, 1920s. Charlotte is an intellectual young woman who would rather spend her time in a science laboratory than at a party. She is often perceived as timid and reserved but when she meets the vampire Karl, her true personality, someone who is strong-willed and passionate, emerges. Charlotte and Karl fall in love but their romance is complicated by many factors, including the interference of Karl’s maker and master, Kristian, who is determined to control Karl by whatever diabolical means necessary.
A Taste of Blood Wine captures all the elements of Victorian fin de siècle Gothic literature - romance, melodrama, supernatural activity, moral dilemmas, dreary weather, decrepit mansions, insanity, scientific curiosity. The writing style is similar to this type of literature as well - horrifying but not grotesque, erotic but not explicit.
It is a remarkable work with much more in common with Interview with the Vampire than Twilight. This a strongly crafted literary book with intelligent vocabulary, excellent character development, and a well-balanced mixture of philosophical musing and dramatic action. Perhaps what impressed me most is that the author created an entirely new vampire mythos. Because none of the familiar vampiric rules apply, the reader is unable to conjecture how the story will unfold and is therefore kept in a constant state of heightened anticipation.
A Taste of Blood Wine enthralled and enchanted me and I look forward to reading the rest of the series - A Dance In Blood Velvet (reissued October 2013) and The Dark Blood Of Poppies (expected to be reissued May 2014). The author is also writing a new book in the series - The Dark Arts of Blood - which is scheduled to be published October 2014.
May 16, 2018
2.5 Stars
Some spoilage - read at own risk.
It’s a rare occasion these days to let myself walk into a book store and buy without going in for something specific. This book was the result of one of those buys. Let me just say it was hard to resist all those amazing YA book covers!! I haven’t really ventured down the YA genre but I might just for the book covers.
Anywho, I snagged this book out of the sci-fi section, would I classify it as sci-fi? No, but the blurb intrigued me nonetheless.
I really enjoyed the beginning of the book.
Charlotte - the odd ball, socially awkward, prefers working in the lab to the London society.
Karl - (btw I think Karl is an awful vampire name... just saying) he���s also the odd ball in his society, pushing his limits, yearning for answers, we meet him in the beginning traversing through war looking for those who are still alive and just to put an end to their life.. With a start like that I had hope for a lot of horror and romance.
From the beginning Charlotte knows there is something not right about him and wants nothing to do with him. In turn that’s what makes Karl drawn to her, she is a woman who is not automatically attracted to his vamp glamour like everyone else. After awhile they fall in love short while later everything goes to hell.
Now is the part where you think everything turns into a horror story, I mean we half way through the book at this point, but in truth there is little horror and a shit ton of “oh but Karl I can’t live with out you, you must take with you or just kill me for life without you would be nothing!! Nothing I say!!” Blah... the melodramatics are a huge turn off for me, there was also a lot of dialogue before this that was a total bore.
Next we get a little excitement and then it’s Karl’s turn for melodramatics... “I can’t return to charlotte I will just ruin her life... oh but I just can’t stay away...”
And then back to Charlotte... “yes I know the consequences, yes I am prepared, no I won’t push you away or hate you....” days later... “oh my god what have I done!!! No Karl, please leave me alone for a little while”....
Omg.... I couldn’t handle it!!
Some spoilage - read at own risk.
It’s a rare occasion these days to let myself walk into a book store and buy without going in for something specific. This book was the result of one of those buys. Let me just say it was hard to resist all those amazing YA book covers!! I haven’t really ventured down the YA genre but I might just for the book covers.
Anywho, I snagged this book out of the sci-fi section, would I classify it as sci-fi? No, but the blurb intrigued me nonetheless.
I really enjoyed the beginning of the book.
Charlotte - the odd ball, socially awkward, prefers working in the lab to the London society.
Karl - (btw I think Karl is an awful vampire name... just saying) he���s also the odd ball in his society, pushing his limits, yearning for answers, we meet him in the beginning traversing through war looking for those who are still alive and just to put an end to their life.. With a start like that I had hope for a lot of horror and romance.
From the beginning Charlotte knows there is something not right about him and wants nothing to do with him. In turn that’s what makes Karl drawn to her, she is a woman who is not automatically attracted to his vamp glamour like everyone else. After awhile they fall in love short while later everything goes to hell.
Now is the part where you think everything turns into a horror story, I mean we half way through the book at this point, but in truth there is little horror and a shit ton of “oh but Karl I can’t live with out you, you must take with you or just kill me for life without you would be nothing!! Nothing I say!!” Blah... the melodramatics are a huge turn off for me, there was also a lot of dialogue before this that was a total bore.
Next we get a little excitement and then it’s Karl’s turn for melodramatics... “I can’t return to charlotte I will just ruin her life... oh but I just can’t stay away...”
And then back to Charlotte... “yes I know the consequences, yes I am prepared, no I won’t push you away or hate you....” days later... “oh my god what have I done!!! No Karl, please leave me alone for a little while”....
Omg.... I couldn’t handle it!!
April 1, 2011
I first read this book in my mid-teens and I have long recalled it as a book that held me completely mesmerised. I have finally read it again, more than ten years later. Would I love it as much as I did the first time? I really did.
'A Taste of Blood Wine' is a complex, detailed portrait of a human family, the Nevilles, and a ring of vampires; the two become dangerously tangled over the course of this book. George Neville is a scientist, with one son (a veteran of the first world war), and three daughters. The middle daughter, Charlotte, is his assistant in his scientific research - and his substitute for his dead wife, her perfect mother. This role has always smothered her, left her unable to express her true self; until she meets Karl, a vampire who is still quite able to feel all the human emotions he ought to have left behind.
Karl intends no harm at all to the Neville family; he only wants to study science. But his presence draws other vampires after him. And besides, he cannot resist Charlotte's mixture of passion and vulnerability... Their love threatens to destroy both Charlotte and her family; and none of them can escape Karl's eternal enemy, Kristian.
This beautiful book is extremely well plotted, and offers a glittering feast of complex, believable characters. But it's not only that: Freda Warrington's prose is stunning. She presents the story in sumptuous, graceful language that's as seductive as the vampires she portrays. This author is one of the greatest we have in fantasy and horror; she deserves much greater acclaim.
'A Taste of Blood Wine' is a complex, detailed portrait of a human family, the Nevilles, and a ring of vampires; the two become dangerously tangled over the course of this book. George Neville is a scientist, with one son (a veteran of the first world war), and three daughters. The middle daughter, Charlotte, is his assistant in his scientific research - and his substitute for his dead wife, her perfect mother. This role has always smothered her, left her unable to express her true self; until she meets Karl, a vampire who is still quite able to feel all the human emotions he ought to have left behind.
Karl intends no harm at all to the Neville family; he only wants to study science. But his presence draws other vampires after him. And besides, he cannot resist Charlotte's mixture of passion and vulnerability... Their love threatens to destroy both Charlotte and her family; and none of them can escape Karl's eternal enemy, Kristian.
This beautiful book is extremely well plotted, and offers a glittering feast of complex, believable characters. But it's not only that: Freda Warrington's prose is stunning. She presents the story in sumptuous, graceful language that's as seductive as the vampires she portrays. This author is one of the greatest we have in fantasy and horror; she deserves much greater acclaim.
Read
December 18, 2021DNF: Did Not Finish (July 2021)
Made it through the first 1/3 but gave up. Drags on and on. All the characters are shallow and completely unlikeable. An Interview with the Vampire-style story set in heavily Gothic post-WWI English high society. The author is excellent at creating and maintaing a chilly, gloomy atmosphere but it becomes unrelenting and bleak. The central human/Vampire romance is little more than Instalove - or Instabloodlust, rather. SO MUCH ANGST AND BROODING. Blah.
Made it through the first 1/3 but gave up. Drags on and on. All the characters are shallow and completely unlikeable. An Interview with the Vampire-style story set in heavily Gothic post-WWI English high society. The author is excellent at creating and maintaing a chilly, gloomy atmosphere but it becomes unrelenting and bleak. The central human/Vampire romance is little more than Instalove - or Instabloodlust, rather. SO MUCH ANGST AND BROODING. Blah.
September 4, 2021
This is a strange book. I love Warrington's take on vampires. It's a different one. Yet, the central couple have the feeling of being the most weakly developed characters of the book. The minor characters seem to be more "real' in terms of how and why they act. I also don't quite buy the reasons for the relationship. The development of love between them seems to just happen, and I honesty can't really give you a reason for the relationship outside of plot. Karl falls in love because Charlotte is what? Kind? Charlotte one can understand a bit more, at least in terms of wanting more.
Part of this is because Charlotte on more than one occasion says that her meekness supposedly hides her amorality, but we never see that amorality until she becomes a vampire.
Yet, the book does read like a really good historical read, and it is fun to see how the other characters react to the central characters. I did enjoy it.
Read for Supernatural Square in bingo
Part of this is because Charlotte on more than one occasion says that her meekness supposedly hides her amorality, but we never see that amorality until she becomes a vampire.
Yet, the book does read like a really good historical read, and it is fun to see how the other characters react to the central characters. I did enjoy it.
Read for Supernatural Square in bingo
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 11, 2017
2.5 stars.
Started out really strong but I felt like the story and dialogue started getting really predictable and cliche in the second half.
Started out really strong but I felt like the story and dialogue started getting really predictable and cliche in the second half.
July 15, 2016
I wanted to like this a lot more than I actually did.
It started off very well. I think setting vampires into World War 1 (particularly having one feast on the bodies in the trenches) is a neat and new take on this old mythology. I also love the idea of a vampire trying to use science to further his understanding of his own condition. I also love the idea of bohemian artists being vampire victims in order to fuel their creativity. So many clever small details, with one gaping problem -- the overarching love story relied on every single tired trope it could find.
If you are someone who loves that kind of plot, then you'll probably like this book a lot more than I do. I have my tropes that I love to death despite being overdone -- but brooding dude who insists that he must stay away from the protagonist for her own good is simply not one of them.
EDITED TO ADD -- I just noticed that this book is older. So it was written before a lot of the other things that used the same tropes (Buffy, Twilight) came about. My response is still the same, but I'd like to be more fair to the author and note this.
It started off very well. I think setting vampires into World War 1 (particularly having one feast on the bodies in the trenches) is a neat and new take on this old mythology. I also love the idea of a vampire trying to use science to further his understanding of his own condition. I also love the idea of bohemian artists being vampire victims in order to fuel their creativity. So many clever small details, with one gaping problem -- the overarching love story relied on every single tired trope it could find.
If you are someone who loves that kind of plot, then you'll probably like this book a lot more than I do. I have my tropes that I love to death despite being overdone -- but brooding dude who insists that he must stay away from the protagonist for her own good is simply not one of them.
EDITED TO ADD -- I just noticed that this book is older. So it was written before a lot of the other things that used the same tropes (Buffy, Twilight) came about. My response is still the same, but I'd like to be more fair to the author and note this.
July 17, 2012
I read this in the 90's, I was a teenager and extremely into vampires at that time. Most of the books I read at that time were kinda disposable, but I still remember really really enjoying this book!!
Read
June 12, 20234.5
I haven't read a good vampire book in a while. although slow at first, as soon at it picked up I was sold. a mixture of science and religious themes, questioning the vampire existence. this was a good, suspenseful, vampire romance novel.
I haven't read a good vampire book in a while. although slow at first, as soon at it picked up I was sold. a mixture of science and religious themes, questioning the vampire existence. this was a good, suspenseful, vampire romance novel.
September 11, 2017
This novel unnecessarily long.
November 18, 2018
Charlotte Neville is stuck within a life where she simply watches from the sidelines, too afraid to do anything more. Her sisters are nothing like her, they know how to enjoy what's to offer and actually make themselves noticed. Charlotte's sense of safety crumbles however, when a stranger enters her life and befriends her family. They seem to adore him, but there's something about him that just feels wrong and Charlotte is doomed to find out the truth...
(WARNING: This review contains minor spoilers.)
It's always extremely pleasant to be drawn into a book from the very first pages and find yourself surprised. With A Taste of Blood Wine, the gothic tone and engaging story, not to mention the writing, went beyond what I imagined. It was beautiful and something totally unexpected, so I'm very glad I picked this up on one of my rare bookstore visits. I admit, I had never heard of this series before, so it I was shocked to learn the actual date of publication (originally 1992, though apparently it went out of print for a time). How does something like this have such little acknowledgement? I daresay it should be more appreciated than certain other vampire-related books that somehow skyrocketed in popularity all of a sudden. It definitely deserves more.
How can I possibly describe the writing? It was pure talent and had what many works today lack; imagination within the storytelling itself. Poetic, elegant, darkly atmospheric and just incredible, it wasn't the typical paranormal romance with instant love at first sight and pages filled with sex. Rather, it was a connection that built over time and offered intelligence and lush settings with descriptions that captured your mind and pulled you in. The way Warrington entwines the words together, I felt inspired. It's quite obvious I'm a fan of this style; "literary heavy", "flowery", call it what you will. The historic element also interested me as I don't exactly read much like it. The way women were treated, no wonder how Charlotte acted out.
I actually related a lot to Charlotte, in that she felt discomfort and fear in social situations, to the point she would distance herself from family and friends. Such severe anxiety can be misunderstood by many and drastically affect ones life, so yes, I became quickly attached to her, even though her actions were at times questionable. She progressed so much over the length of the book, from a mouse ruled by fear, to a woman whom knew what she wanted and how to get it, even if it meant willingly destroying herself. Of course family and life shouldn't be sacrificed in the name of love, but it's always up to the individual, and love is powerful enough to change absolutely everything. I believe she really was a great character, but she wasn't the only one.
The Neville family as a whole, all of them had a certain charm, from the spoiled Madeleine, to Anne, the dear friend who tried to keep the group together. I mostly enjoyed the trouble that ensued between them, even if it were a little reminiscent of a soap opera, but as we all know, most families are nothing but dysfunctional. Sometimes however, I did roll my eyes when the melodrama became a little silly, especially in the dialogue. The scientific aspects in conjunction with religion and the queries that were therefore raised, I liked quite a lot; another thing that's not present in most vampire novels to date, the questioning of their very existence. Back to the characters; the only one I purely disliked was Kristian, but closely followed was Ilona. The love interest himself, Karl von Wultendorf, I thought he was okay, but nothing extraordinary. Sure, he sounded pretty, but he didn't exactly burst my ovaries.
The take on vampires, for the most part, certainly wasn't anything new, but I still found it appealing. One thing I favoured a lot was the Crystal Ring; a "realm" wherein vampires could rest and travel long distances in mere minutes, if not seconds. I don't think I've ever came across something like that before and it's stuck in my mind since. To me, it was uniquely creative and something that'd be a treat to see on screen. I loved it.
In conclusion: I'll definitely be continuing with this series and taking a peek into Warrington's other works! She fascinated me with her beautiful writing and take on vampiric romance.
Notable Quote & Scene:
"Ask yourself what would happen if we stayed together! Putting aside the guilt you've suffered since I gave you the choice of leaving the manor - it would be far worse for both of us. I described the anguish of watching my family growing older, suffering every wound that mortality can inflict. It was one of the main reasons I distanced myself from mortals, deluded myself that I could not fall victim to love. I could not bear to go through that pain again, watching you grow old and die. Don't think I would cease to care for you. Unlike humans my nature is not fickle, my emotions not dulled by time. To lose you, however slowly, would be the pain..."
***
"Science predicts that the universe itself can only have one end," she said. "Disorder will increase until all matter is at the same temperature and all energy is easily distributed as radiation."
"The dissolution of the universe... that's a prospect infinitely more bleak and hard to imagine even than our own deaths," said Karl.
© Red Lace 2015
Wordpress ~ Twitter
(WARNING: This review contains minor spoilers.)
It's always extremely pleasant to be drawn into a book from the very first pages and find yourself surprised. With A Taste of Blood Wine, the gothic tone and engaging story, not to mention the writing, went beyond what I imagined. It was beautiful and something totally unexpected, so I'm very glad I picked this up on one of my rare bookstore visits. I admit, I had never heard of this series before, so it I was shocked to learn the actual date of publication (originally 1992, though apparently it went out of print for a time). How does something like this have such little acknowledgement? I daresay it should be more appreciated than certain other vampire-related books that somehow skyrocketed in popularity all of a sudden. It definitely deserves more.
How can I possibly describe the writing? It was pure talent and had what many works today lack; imagination within the storytelling itself. Poetic, elegant, darkly atmospheric and just incredible, it wasn't the typical paranormal romance with instant love at first sight and pages filled with sex. Rather, it was a connection that built over time and offered intelligence and lush settings with descriptions that captured your mind and pulled you in. The way Warrington entwines the words together, I felt inspired. It's quite obvious I'm a fan of this style; "literary heavy", "flowery", call it what you will. The historic element also interested me as I don't exactly read much like it. The way women were treated, no wonder how Charlotte acted out.
I actually related a lot to Charlotte, in that she felt discomfort and fear in social situations, to the point she would distance herself from family and friends. Such severe anxiety can be misunderstood by many and drastically affect ones life, so yes, I became quickly attached to her, even though her actions were at times questionable. She progressed so much over the length of the book, from a mouse ruled by fear, to a woman whom knew what she wanted and how to get it, even if it meant willingly destroying herself. Of course family and life shouldn't be sacrificed in the name of love, but it's always up to the individual, and love is powerful enough to change absolutely everything. I believe she really was a great character, but she wasn't the only one.
The Neville family as a whole, all of them had a certain charm, from the spoiled Madeleine, to Anne, the dear friend who tried to keep the group together. I mostly enjoyed the trouble that ensued between them, even if it were a little reminiscent of a soap opera, but as we all know, most families are nothing but dysfunctional. Sometimes however, I did roll my eyes when the melodrama became a little silly, especially in the dialogue. The scientific aspects in conjunction with religion and the queries that were therefore raised, I liked quite a lot; another thing that's not present in most vampire novels to date, the questioning of their very existence. Back to the characters; the only one I purely disliked was Kristian, but closely followed was Ilona. The love interest himself, Karl von Wultendorf, I thought he was okay, but nothing extraordinary. Sure, he sounded pretty, but he didn't exactly burst my ovaries.
The take on vampires, for the most part, certainly wasn't anything new, but I still found it appealing. One thing I favoured a lot was the Crystal Ring; a "realm" wherein vampires could rest and travel long distances in mere minutes, if not seconds. I don't think I've ever came across something like that before and it's stuck in my mind since. To me, it was uniquely creative and something that'd be a treat to see on screen. I loved it.
In conclusion: I'll definitely be continuing with this series and taking a peek into Warrington's other works! She fascinated me with her beautiful writing and take on vampiric romance.
Notable Quote & Scene:
"Ask yourself what would happen if we stayed together! Putting aside the guilt you've suffered since I gave you the choice of leaving the manor - it would be far worse for both of us. I described the anguish of watching my family growing older, suffering every wound that mortality can inflict. It was one of the main reasons I distanced myself from mortals, deluded myself that I could not fall victim to love. I could not bear to go through that pain again, watching you grow old and die. Don't think I would cease to care for you. Unlike humans my nature is not fickle, my emotions not dulled by time. To lose you, however slowly, would be the pain..."
***
"Science predicts that the universe itself can only have one end," she said. "Disorder will increase until all matter is at the same temperature and all energy is easily distributed as radiation."
"The dissolution of the universe... that's a prospect infinitely more bleak and hard to imagine even than our own deaths," said Karl.
© Red Lace 2015
Wordpress ~ Twitter
December 22, 2023
I actually don't know what to say about this.
December 17, 2024
I really enjoyed this book. It is a vampire novel but the plot was different than I have read before. Though the book is large, it was fast read for me.
March 29, 2014
This book was first published in 1992, long before the current UF/PNR craze kicked off. I understand it was out of print for a while, but was recently reissued. And hurrah for the gorgeous new cover with the woman in the red dress. The default GR cover is a monstrosity.
I bought the book on a whim after reading a comment about it somewhere. I wasn't quite sure what to expect, but I really enjoyed it. I'm not a big fan of PNR usually, but this story had an entirely different feel from most vampire romances, and it was so much the better for it. It's set in England in the 1920s and attitudes are quite different from the modern, assertive characters I usually read in vampire novels. I did find Charlotte a little passive sometimes, but I think you have to take the era into account.
Vampire Karl was a delight. He was sensual and hypnotic, like every good vampire should be, but the author never failed to remind us how clinically cold and dangerous vampires can be too. Karl had many problems of his own, including a crazy master with a god complex. The relationship between Karl and Charlotte felt believable, though often doomed, and the obstacles they faced felt natural and not contrived. So many times when I read romance, the author writes a fake problem just so the couple can fight and create tension. Karl and Charlotte's issues felt all too real, and much of that was because of Karl's vampiric nature and the fact that he was not, and would never be, a 'nice' person.
If you enjoy vampire books with a dash of historical fiction, this book is well worth a look. It's streets ahead of the average PNR story.
I bought the book on a whim after reading a comment about it somewhere. I wasn't quite sure what to expect, but I really enjoyed it. I'm not a big fan of PNR usually, but this story had an entirely different feel from most vampire romances, and it was so much the better for it. It's set in England in the 1920s and attitudes are quite different from the modern, assertive characters I usually read in vampire novels. I did find Charlotte a little passive sometimes, but I think you have to take the era into account.
Vampire Karl was a delight. He was sensual and hypnotic, like every good vampire should be, but the author never failed to remind us how clinically cold and dangerous vampires can be too. Karl had many problems of his own, including a crazy master with a god complex. The relationship between Karl and Charlotte felt believable, though often doomed, and the obstacles they faced felt natural and not contrived. So many times when I read romance, the author writes a fake problem just so the couple can fight and create tension. Karl and Charlotte's issues felt all too real, and much of that was because of Karl's vampiric nature and the fact that he was not, and would never be, a 'nice' person.
If you enjoy vampire books with a dash of historical fiction, this book is well worth a look. It's streets ahead of the average PNR story.
August 16, 2020
This was one of the worse books I've read in a while and I'm really surprised I actually finished it.
First of all, the plotline itself was pretty interesting. I like how the author attempts to put her own spin on vampires and how they live in her world. Sadly, though, this makes the book confusing as there is not a lot of explanation when it comes to certain aspects of the novel that readers would not normally know. I am specifically talking about the Crystal Ring, which Charlotte eventually decides is created by humans and their belief in vampires. Because of this, she seems to think that vampires occur because of this as well. But why does that even really make sense? Vampires drink blood and she seems to try to show them as horrific creatures, but I don't feel like they come off that way. They come off a bit odd and barely understandable. I still don't know if I understood everything that occurred in this novel or at least why everything occurred. And I really did not like either main character. And I feel like Charlotte herself really ruins the book. She spends so much time complaining and basically dedicating her life to some vampire that she didn't like in the first place. It's stupid and her going back and forth with him was really dumb. The characters had no growth and made the plotline worse. Without Charlotte and Karl (her vampire love interest), this storyline might have been interesting. Now I just feel like I wasted a month trying to finish this novel. I should not have finished it.
First of all, the plotline itself was pretty interesting. I like how the author attempts to put her own spin on vampires and how they live in her world. Sadly, though, this makes the book confusing as there is not a lot of explanation when it comes to certain aspects of the novel that readers would not normally know. I am specifically talking about the Crystal Ring, which Charlotte eventually decides is created by humans and their belief in vampires. Because of this, she seems to think that vampires occur because of this as well. But why does that even really make sense? Vampires drink blood and she seems to try to show them as horrific creatures, but I don't feel like they come off that way. They come off a bit odd and barely understandable. I still don't know if I understood everything that occurred in this novel or at least why everything occurred. And I really did not like either main character. And I feel like Charlotte herself really ruins the book. She spends so much time complaining and basically dedicating her life to some vampire that she didn't like in the first place. It's stupid and her going back and forth with him was really dumb. The characters had no growth and made the plotline worse. Without Charlotte and Karl (her vampire love interest), this storyline might have been interesting. Now I just feel like I wasted a month trying to finish this novel. I should not have finished it.
August 4, 2019
Freda Warrington has done here what she does best: created a stunningly lush world with beautiful description and characters filled with life. The '20s is the perfect setting for this book and I could almost believe I was there. I quite happily lost myself in it for a few days.
To match the setting the story is dark and aimed firmly at adults - this might be a vampire romance but it isn't soppy vampires written for shy teenagers, it has enough bite in it to keep adults happy. The vampires are scary and strangely attractive at the same time and the heroine Charlotte is strong-willed but not in a Buffy sort of way. She's a thoroughly normal woman even if she has had an unusual upbringing for the time and she doesn't always take the sensible course. She's not daft but tends to follow her emotions rather than her head especially when it comes to her feelings for Karl. I was scared for her a few times and on the edge of my seat to see what she would do.
I love Freda Warrington's writing anyway, I haven't read anything of hers yet that I've disliked or thought was just average, and this one is an absolute treat. It's like sitting down with a big box of chocolates and a giant mug of tea - it has the same feeling of indulgence and satisfaction. One of the best vampire books I've read.
To match the setting the story is dark and aimed firmly at adults - this might be a vampire romance but it isn't soppy vampires written for shy teenagers, it has enough bite in it to keep adults happy. The vampires are scary and strangely attractive at the same time and the heroine Charlotte is strong-willed but not in a Buffy sort of way. She's a thoroughly normal woman even if she has had an unusual upbringing for the time and she doesn't always take the sensible course. She's not daft but tends to follow her emotions rather than her head especially when it comes to her feelings for Karl. I was scared for her a few times and on the edge of my seat to see what she would do.
I love Freda Warrington's writing anyway, I haven't read anything of hers yet that I've disliked or thought was just average, and this one is an absolute treat. It's like sitting down with a big box of chocolates and a giant mug of tea - it has the same feeling of indulgence and satisfaction. One of the best vampire books I've read.
July 1, 2014
This really is my favourite vampire series by quite some way. The characters are so richly drawn and I adore Freda's vivid descriptions. I first read these years ago and after the recent rash of vampire novels that are being churned out I just had to re-read them. They are every bit as wonderful as I remember, and so much better written than most vampire fiction. They were out of print for a while, but fortunately they're available again so you shouldn't have trouble tracking them down.
August 21, 2015
If you've even a passing interest in vampires, you should read this book. I don't, generally, but supernatural goings on in the decadent 1920s piqued my interest and I was soon hooked. The writing manages to be both straightforward and sumptuous, the characters complex and believable in a way not often found in gothic/urban fantasy, and the background was as delicious a combination of light and dark as I'd hoped. Lovely stuff.
February 9, 2013
I'm not a Twilight fan but this was my Twilight before Twilight existed. I love this book and read it over and over again before sharing it with my friends who all fell in love with it. I see it's being re-released in April and I would love to get my hands on a new copy as my one is dog-eared. If you want vampire romance this book is it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 173 reviews