Amazon.com: Better in the Dark (9780615005386): Chelsea Quinn Yarbro: Books

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Customer Reviews

15 Reviews

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

Average Customer Review

4.1 out of 5 stars (15 customer reviews)

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12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Saint Germain Novels always a winner, November 20, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Better in the Dark: A Novel of Count Saint-Germain (Paperback)

"Better in the Dark" does not have the fast pace that many of the early Saint Germain novels have. However, as any true fan of the deliciously mesmerizing count, I could not put it down. Many will be put off by the historical content and details, but I found that it is those attributes that make Yarbo's books so compelling and realistic. It is a welcome change from the over-done kill/maim, I-want-to-drink-your-blood and oh-do-I-have-a-soul? vampires. Like many Saint Germain fans, I will read any book containing the count that I can get my hands on, and I have never been disappointed. This is no exception.

V. Canfield

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12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Grabs you by the throat before you know what's happened, July 30, 2001

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R. Snare (Williamsburg, VA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)

This review is from: Better in the Dark: A Novel of Count Saint-Germain (Paperback)

Don't let the title, or the awful cover (Who *are* these people? They certainly aren't the characters in the book!), nor the fact that it's a "vampire" novel put you off. This is, quite simply, one of the most enjoyable books I've read this year. Well drawn characters, atmosphere you could cut with a knife, a richly detailed plot, coupled with one of the strongest female leads I've ever encountered in a novel make this for a fantastic read. Add to that a plot which builds to a truly shattering climax and I suspect no purveyor of fine fiction could ever put this book down unsatisfied. While none of Yarbro's Saint-Germain novels are bad, this one stands up and grabs you by the throat, but not in a way so's you'd notice until it's too late. Oh yeah - has one of the most satisfying "just desserts" scenes I've encountered in recent memory.

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12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent demonstration of religion forced, May 27, 2000

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Tibor Kun - See all my reviews

This review is from: Better in the Dark: A Novel of Count Saint-Germain (Paperback)

Though I was originally drawn to Yarbro's books by my love of vampire lore, I was swept away by her history instead. I love the way she chooses not to show the Christian church in that time as the superstitious religion it then was. Her brutal objectiveness through Saint Germain's character is always refreshing and intelligent, and this book led me to read many more of her novels.

Those who are looking for a quick vampire horror story won't likely appreciate this novel, but those looking for a novel with depth and historical accuracy will no doubt gobble it up and cry out for more! -tk

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

1.0 out of 5 stars Books about Count Saint-Germain no longer hold my interest
Have read most of these CSG novels, but after ordering two recently and trying to work my way through the historical details, I find that the novels no longer hold my interest.

Published 12 months ago by C. Courbois

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Historical Writing
Good story with a well-crafted plot which I found more impacting as a representative of the historical genre than as a preternatural tale. Read more

Published on May 21, 2006 by Notnadia

5.0 out of 5 stars Better, Indeed
I'm fairly new to Saint-Germain, and the book that had gotten the most hoopla was Out of the House of Life (which is good, fills in some background on him), but this is better... Read more

Published on June 26, 2004 by Elizabeth A Triano

5.0 out of 5 stars Saint-Germain in the 10th Century
This is one of the finer novels of Saint-Germain that I've read to date. The immortal Count Saint-Germain washes ashore at the Saxon fortress of Leosan after a shipwreck in 937... Read more

Published on July 27, 2003 by Jon Weber

5.0 out of 5 stars Eighth in the Saint-Germain series.
Or ninth, if you include "Out Of The House Of Life", which is primarily a spinoff novel about Madeline de Montalia, a former lover and vampiric "childe" of Saint-Germain, but does... Read more

Published on April 27, 2003 by James Yanni

5.0 out of 5 stars One of my favorites in the series; look for the title song!
The title of the book comes from a song that St. Germain sings, during an evening of entertainment. The song is from an earlier period in his life - 800 years earlier, in fact -... Read more

Published on December 31, 2000 by R. Kelly Wagner

5.0 out of 5 stars Favorite Firsts
I had the pleasure of being introduced to le Comte de Saint Germain and Chelsea Quinn Yarbro when I was a sophomore in high school. Read more

Published on November 29, 2000 by quijenjinn

5.0 out of 5 stars Every novel of Saint-Germain is a treat-this is better
I began reading the Saint-Germain novels in the 1970's. Better in the Dark is one of my favorites. Not a typical vampire novel, not a typical horror novel, Yarbro's treatment of... Read more

Published on July 7, 1999

5.0 out of 5 stars Better in the Dark a work of art.
My first experience with Chelsea Quin Yarbro's work has me drueling for more. Better in the Dark was a true joy. Read more

Published on June 17, 1999

2.0 out of 5 stars Boring, no interesting characters, no vampire stuff, dull!
You call this a Horror novel, a novel about a vampires, what a joke! This book is probably the worst book I have ever read. Read more

Published on May 20, 1999

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First Sentence:
Text of a dispatch carried by a messenger of the Holy See to the king of Germania, Otto. Read the first page

Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
White Christ, Brother Erchboge, Captain Amalric, Margerefa Oelrih, Brother Giselberht, King Otto, Leosan Fortress, Brother Olafr, Captain Jouarre, Brother Andoche, Marshaling Court, Pranz Balduin, Brother Gailharht, Dux Pol, Captain Meyrih, Comites Saint-Germanius, Brother Avalir, Brother Curtise, Brother Dionnys, Brother Haganrih, Franzin Ragoczy, Gerefa Giselberht, Brother Desidir, Great Pox, None Choir

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