Reviewed by Gannon Carr
4 stars
Debut romance author, Mina Hepsen, creates a unique spin on the vampire myth in a fascinating novel set in Victorian England. Princess Angelica Shelton Belanov has the ability to hear other people’s thoughts, which she views as a curse rather than a gift. Due to an unforeseen change in her family’s financial status, Angelica is forced to find a husband without delay. During one of the galas she must attend, she meets an enigmatic, fascinating stranger who will change her life in ways she cannot begin to understand.
Prince Alexander Kourakin is the leader of the Eastern clan of vampires, who has come to London to find the rogue vampire, Sergey, and the human vampire slayer who are hunting and destroying his fellow vampires. Despite his need to focus on the enemy at hand, he is distracted by the beautiful Angelica and her telepathic ability; an ability that Alexander shares. No matter how hard he tries, he is powerless to resist the desire that ensnares them. But he must learn to love and trust his heart for the sake of their lives and their souls.
When Angelica is able to hear Alexander’s thoughts, and he hers, she thinks that he is a telepath, like her. He teaches her to block the thoughts of others, and for the first time in years she has peace and quiet, instead of the constant barrage of unwanted thoughts. She is so grateful to Alexander and wants to know more about him and any other ‘mind readers’. Alexander tries to keep her at arm’s length, but she will not be brushed aside so easily. One night, she sneaks into Alexander’s house to talk to him, and stumbles upon a ceremony that Alexander and several other vampires are performing. Because of all that she witnessed, Angelica is not allowed to leave. Alexander agrees to take responsibility for her and protect her until Sergey and the slayer are apprehended. Now that they will be together almost constantly, Alexander fears he will no longer be able to deny his growing feelings for Angelica.
Angelica is a heroine I could picture being friends with. Her love of books is what brings her comfort. In fact, she has a penchant for spouting quotes constantly. She quotes Cicero early in the book, “A room without books is like a body without a soul.” I couldn’t agree more. Angelica would like nothing better than to live in her country house, surrounded by her books, enjoying a quiet life. She does not wish to find a husband, and yet she desires love. She and Alexander are talking about love and what she says shows her true feelings:
“Love, to my way of thinking, is the emotion one feels when they meet someone who makes them be what they want to be. We feel love toward someone who shows us the light, who pushes us to become what we have always wanted to become by may never have realized. We love the person who makes us love ourselves.”
Alexander is bound by duty as leader of his clan of vampires to protect them, lead them, and find a vampire mate to sire another generation. His passion for Angelica consumes him, but he won’t let himself commit to her, because she is a human and cannot be his mate. He puts his feelings last, behind his duty to his vampire kin. Finally he realizes that he loves Angelica, no matter who or what she is:
“I cannot think straight when the woman is beside me, but I cannot think at all when she is gone. My first duty to my clan, ahead of producing offspring, is to be a good leader. Without her, I cannot be.”
Hepsen’s vampire world is unlike any other I have read about. Her vampires are never to harm a human or drink human blood. Both of these offenses are punishable by death. They may also walk around in the daylight, eat garlic, touch a crucifix without harm. In fact, they created the rumors and myths about vampires, so they might walk among humans without notice. Pretty clever.
I really enjoyed Hepsen’s book. After all, it combines two of my favorite sub-genres: paranormal and historical. I’m hoping that this is the beginning of a series. Don’t miss this one!
Under the Blood Red Moon releases on September 30, 2008.
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Maria Lokken
on Sep 23rd, 2008
@ 2:25 pm:
Wow Gannon – you really make me want to read this book. First, I love stories about telepathy. I don’t know why, I guess I’m always wondering what people are thinking. The vampire world she’s created sounds very interesting and something I’d like to get to know more about. And, if you say it’s a potential series… well then I’m in all the way!
PJ
on Sep 23rd, 2008
@ 3:10 pm:
Great review, Gannon!
MK/Kati
on Sep 23rd, 2008
@ 3:23 pm:
Oooh! Intriguing review, Gannon. You know I love the historical para, and even more when they have vamps in them. Tell me, did this evoke the Gardellas at all? Because I might find that distracting.
Also, how would you rate the steaminess factor? Is it hot? Or medium? What?
Buffie
on Sep 23rd, 2008
@ 3:25 pm:
Wonderful review, Gannon! The art department did a fabulous job on that cover!
heidenkind
on Sep 23rd, 2008
@ 3:29 pm:
Buffie–I agree, that cover is fabulous! This book sounds a little too serious for me, though.
Gannon
on Sep 23rd, 2008
@ 3:47 pm:
I loved the cover, too.
Kati, it did not remind me of the Gardellas at all, so I don’t think that would be an issue for you. There are not scads of love scenes, but the ones that there are, I would rate hot, but not super graphic. Similar to most romance novels for steaminess factor.
Buffie, my niece is reading it now, but if you want to borrow it I’ll bring it to Atlanta. Same goes for anyone else. I told Marisa I would loan it to her, too. Hmmm, maybe I should start a lending library.
MK/Kati
on Sep 23rd, 2008
@ 4:02 pm:
Wait, so Gannon, you said, “Similar to most romance novels…” does this mean that this book has more of a fantasy feel or some other genre to you? Did it not feel like romance?
That totally doesn’t matter to me, I just want to be prepared…
SallyR.
on Sep 23rd, 2008
@ 4:06 pm:
I’m always looking for a new author and Gannon you have me wanting to try this one. Her world building sounds very unique and I’m interested. Is this going to be a series?
Gannon
on Sep 23rd, 2008
@ 4:14 pm:
Kati, I mean the hotness factor is similar. It’s definitely a romance with a paranormal element. I just meant that the sex wouldn’t be like erotica. Given your love of paranormal, I’ll think you’ll like it. If you’d like to put your name on my “lending list”, I’ll be happy to send it to you.
SallyR, I think the intention of the author is to have a series, but I don’t think there is another book scheduled to be published as of yet. I’m hoping…
Andrea
on Sep 23rd, 2008
@ 4:38 pm:
Great review, Gannon! And ITA, that cover is beautiful!
Marisa
on Sep 23rd, 2008
@ 6:03 pm:
Gannon – after reading your review I’m so interested in this book, her mythology sounds very intriguing – no drinking of blood, walking around in daylight; I’m liking that. And any hero who says “I cannot think straight when the woman is beside me, but I cannot think at all when she is gone”, well I want to know more about him for sure.
Gannon
on Sep 23rd, 2008
@ 10:28 pm:
Marisa, I love that line, too. *sigh*
Cynthia
on Sep 24th, 2008
@ 1:01 pm:
Awesome review! I’m definitely going to check out this book when it’s released
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