[Saint-Germain 23] • Burning Shadows

Two decades strong, the Saint-Germain cycle is one of the most compelling works of dark fantasy and horror of our age.  Historically accurate, these deeply emotional novels have a devoted readership. 

In Burning Shadows, Yarbro looks at the legendary Huns from the perspective of the people who faced the brunt of their attacks.  The vampire Saint-Germain seeks sanctuary at an isolated monastery, unwilling to abandon the hundreds of terrified villagers he has led in flight from the Huns.  A few Roman soldiers and some village Watchmen are the monastery’s defense force—and they are undermined by the religious fervor of some of the monks, who argue that since everyone’s fate is in God’s hands, it is foolish to defend themselves.  In the hothouse atmosphere of the high-walled monastery, Saint-Germain must take special care when slaking his vampire thirst, for discovery of his True Nature will result in his True Death.

From Publishers WeeklyA passionate wartime love affair haunts Yarbro's 21st Saint-Germain novel (after 2008's A Dangerous Climate). Yarbro returns to her heroic vampire in 438 C.E., when he was known as Dom Feranescus Rakoczy Sanctu-Germainios, Regional Guard of Apulum Inferior. Series fans will welcome the reappearance of Atta Olivia Clemens, the count's former lover, but she soon departs the Carpathians for Constantinople. More compelling is Nicoris, an attractive refugee whom Rakoczy meets en route to Sanctu-Eustachios, a hermit monastery where slaves, soldiers and refugees hope to survive the impending Hun attack. Nicoris quickly falls under Rakoczy's spell, fascinated by the revelation of his true nature, but she has a dangerous secret that may spell doom for their future. Yarbro's impeccable research enhances but doesn't distract from the romance, which is diminished only by the sad, too-brief epilogue. (Dec.) Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From BooklistThe latest Saint-Germain novel plays out in Dacia during the rise of Attila (c. 435). All Europe was in sad shape, and a stopgap for maintaining order at the time was the appointment of non-Romans to positions of authority. Dom Sanctu-Germainios is one such, leading refugees fleeing the Huns to shelter in an isolated monastery defended by a few soldiers and the refugees’ watchmen. Saint-Germain must deal with successive headaches and exercise more discretion than usual in satisfying his vampire’s thirst. Meanwhile, Atta Olivia Clemens, near Rome, reports the difficulties there. Between the count and the lady, Yarbro gives a well-defined, impeccably researched picture of the fifth-century Roman empire. The characters impress as real people of their time and place. Truly, Saint-Germain is as enjoyable for his adventures through history as for his adventures as a vampire; happily enough, Yarbro intends to continue both. --Frieda Murray