Life in Regency England could be a trial for a young debutante. As soon as a lady made her debut she was on the market like a side of beef. Mothers clamored to make the best matches possible for their daughters while the daughters fought to rise to the top. As Victoria Gardella Grantworth prepares to leap into the fray her Aunt Eustacia comes to her and reveals the family's true nature and heritage. Now not only will Victoria have to play the polite society lady looking for a husband but she will have to hunt vampires while doing it. Will she be able to mesh the differing parts of her life and personality or will she succumb to the need to deny the heritage, or worse, will she fall prey to the creatures she stalks through London's bright ballrooms?

Victoria is for all intents and purposes a normal young woman of London society. Though her debut is two years late due to mourning she makes a grand entrance and catches the eye of many eligible bachelors, including that of Philip, Marquess of Rockley. At the same time however Victoria has begun training in her family heritage, that of Venator, or vampire slayer. Though stunned when her aunt reveals this information Victoria takes to the path with determination and resolve. She is convinced she can live both lives with happiness. When she falls for Rockley however, her priorities become muddled. How will she explain the bruising, bite marks, and stakes that she keeps on herself at all times? As she ventures further into the London underworld, chasing the ancient vampire Lilith, Victoria will have to come face-to-face with her path and her life as well as her undeniable attraction for Sebastian Vioget, a mysterious stranger who can help or hinder, depending on the price. As Lilith moves closer to her goal, the Book of Antwartha, Victoria will be forced to make decisions and sacrifices she never dreamed existed. The end will be a choice between love and destiny and she isn't sure she can make that choice but she may have to do it to survive.

This was a truly excellent piece of fiction. I love good vampire novels and this was a really good take on the story. I hate making comparisons like this but it was very "Buffy meets Jane Austen". It's nice to see a Regency female that isn't a wilting violet with nothing in her head but marriage and babies. Victoria is a good character and has the makings of being truly great. This is the first book in the series and I'm looking forward to watching her progress and grow.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Paperback: 368 pages
Publisher: Signet (January 2, 2007)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0451220072
ISBN-13: 978-0451220073
Buy This Book