Ghosts of Memories by Barb Hendee
Series: The Vampire Memories
Publisher: Roc, 2012
Genre: Horror
Sub-genre: Paranormal, Urban fantasy
Rating: 4 pints of blood
The cover art's been pretty consistent in this series, and this one fits right in with all the fancy lighting and the smoky effects. I think this is the first time we've had two characters featured, but otherwise we have pretty blonde looking over her shoulder with a cityscape behind her. It suits the series and her pose is humanly possible, so I'm happy.
It's October, and while I haven't done an official theme this month, I've been trying to drop in reviews of books that feature critters who go bump in the night. Ghosts of Memories seems to fit right in on that theme, and it was just released a couple of weeks ago, so the timing seems right.
That, and I've reviewed all the other books in this series, so it seems silly to leave off book 5, especially since this is the final installment. Which yes, means if you've not delved into this series yet, the review will likely contain spoilers for the other books. You may want to take a look at those reviews:
Book 1: Blood Memories
Book 2: Hunting Memories
Book 3: Memories of Envy
Book 4: In Memories We Fear
Since their last adventure, life has gone back to normal for Eleisha and her cohorts, or at least as normal as it can get with a house full of vampires and ghosts. When they get wind of an eerily accurate spiritualist who makes a living contacting the dead friends and relatives of the wealthy, there's enough evidence to suggest this Christian might be a vampire using his gifts to ply his trade, so Eleisha takes her gentlemen to Seattle for further investigation. Having been burned in the past, she's a bit more wary about extending invitations to join them in their vampire refuge, but she still feels all vampires should be given the opportunity to learn to feed without killing and to know they aren't alone.
Christian is much older and more powerful than expected, however, and he has a few goals of his own. He's definitely not above using his gifts to manipulate people into giving him what he wants, and this includes Eleisha and her friends.
Meanwhile, Julian is still out there, using Eleisha to track down the remaining elder vampires so he can eliminate the threat they present to him. He's particularly interested in Christian and the mysteries surrounding this vampire, and when Julian's interested, everyone's in danger.
Every time I review one of these books I talk about how much I like what Hendee's done with Eleisha, and this is no exception. So many urban fantasy novels rely on physical strength above everything else when it comes to the main female character, where it seems being able to swing a sword or handle a gun is far more important than being able to count to ten. In this way, Eleisha is very different from your typical urban fantasy heroine. She's sweet and gentle, and this becomes her strength. She couldn't beat anyone up, at least not physically, but there's an inner steel there, especially when someone is threatening her friends. Her entire mission is one based on a genuine kindness, wanting to find "lost" vampires and help them, but she's by no means a pushover. The complex combination of strength and fragility makes for a fabulous character, and one more relatable than most of the urban fantasy heroines lining the shelves.
Hendee's plots are complex, nuanced things, but they never feel forced or difficult to follow. The plot always seems to spawn from the characters and their personalities and their decisions rather than trying to force them along a pre-determined route, which makes for a more natural feeling story. There's a lot going on, and a lot of characters acting on their own interests, but they're both vivid and distinctive enough there's no effort to keeping them all straight.
And the all-important question: how is it as the series finale? Well, it helps that wrapping the series up with book 5 was the author's idea, so the loose ends are tied up rather than leaving holes for a sequel that never comes. Both the plot points from this particular book and the bigger arcs that span the series are handled with finality. They're not tied up improbably tight, though; you can believe the characters will continue happily, but they'll keep busy.
Final verdict? Satisfying and enjoyable ending to a series I've been delighted to return to with each installment. I'd be hard pressed to find another series to compare The Vampire Memories to, and in the overcrowded urban fantasy market, something with that kind of originality is a gift.
Ghosts of Memories is available in mass market paperback
.
Publisher: Roc, 2012
Genre: Horror
Sub-genre: Paranormal, Urban fantasy
Rating: 4 pints of blood
The cover art's been pretty consistent in this series, and this one fits right in with all the fancy lighting and the smoky effects. I think this is the first time we've had two characters featured, but otherwise we have pretty blonde looking over her shoulder with a cityscape behind her. It suits the series and her pose is humanly possible, so I'm happy.
It's October, and while I haven't done an official theme this month, I've been trying to drop in reviews of books that feature critters who go bump in the night. Ghosts of Memories seems to fit right in on that theme, and it was just released a couple of weeks ago, so the timing seems right.
That, and I've reviewed all the other books in this series, so it seems silly to leave off book 5, especially since this is the final installment. Which yes, means if you've not delved into this series yet, the review will likely contain spoilers for the other books. You may want to take a look at those reviews:
Book 1: Blood Memories
Book 2: Hunting Memories
Book 3: Memories of Envy
Book 4: In Memories We Fear
Since their last adventure, life has gone back to normal for Eleisha and her cohorts, or at least as normal as it can get with a house full of vampires and ghosts. When they get wind of an eerily accurate spiritualist who makes a living contacting the dead friends and relatives of the wealthy, there's enough evidence to suggest this Christian might be a vampire using his gifts to ply his trade, so Eleisha takes her gentlemen to Seattle for further investigation. Having been burned in the past, she's a bit more wary about extending invitations to join them in their vampire refuge, but she still feels all vampires should be given the opportunity to learn to feed without killing and to know they aren't alone.
Christian is much older and more powerful than expected, however, and he has a few goals of his own. He's definitely not above using his gifts to manipulate people into giving him what he wants, and this includes Eleisha and her friends.
Meanwhile, Julian is still out there, using Eleisha to track down the remaining elder vampires so he can eliminate the threat they present to him. He's particularly interested in Christian and the mysteries surrounding this vampire, and when Julian's interested, everyone's in danger.
Every time I review one of these books I talk about how much I like what Hendee's done with Eleisha, and this is no exception. So many urban fantasy novels rely on physical strength above everything else when it comes to the main female character, where it seems being able to swing a sword or handle a gun is far more important than being able to count to ten. In this way, Eleisha is very different from your typical urban fantasy heroine. She's sweet and gentle, and this becomes her strength. She couldn't beat anyone up, at least not physically, but there's an inner steel there, especially when someone is threatening her friends. Her entire mission is one based on a genuine kindness, wanting to find "lost" vampires and help them, but she's by no means a pushover. The complex combination of strength and fragility makes for a fabulous character, and one more relatable than most of the urban fantasy heroines lining the shelves.
Hendee's plots are complex, nuanced things, but they never feel forced or difficult to follow. The plot always seems to spawn from the characters and their personalities and their decisions rather than trying to force them along a pre-determined route, which makes for a more natural feeling story. There's a lot going on, and a lot of characters acting on their own interests, but they're both vivid and distinctive enough there's no effort to keeping them all straight.
And the all-important question: how is it as the series finale? Well, it helps that wrapping the series up with book 5 was the author's idea, so the loose ends are tied up rather than leaving holes for a sequel that never comes. Both the plot points from this particular book and the bigger arcs that span the series are handled with finality. They're not tied up improbably tight, though; you can believe the characters will continue happily, but they'll keep busy.
Final verdict? Satisfying and enjoyable ending to a series I've been delighted to return to with each installment. I'd be hard pressed to find another series to compare The Vampire Memories to, and in the overcrowded urban fantasy market, something with that kind of originality is a gift.
Ghosts of Memories is available in mass market paperback
.