Burning Shadows: A Novel of the Count Saint-Germain (St. Germain) [Hardcover]

Chelsea Quinn Yarbro (Author)

Book Description

Series: St. Germain | Publication Date: December 8, 2009

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.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

A 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.)
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From Booklist

The 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

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 352 pages
• Publisher: Tor Books; First Edition edition (December 8, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0765319829
• ISBN-13: 978-0765319821
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 6.8 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #299,851 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Spectacular Look at the Huns, December 23, 2009

By 

Tim Lasiuta "Comic Fan 42" (Red Deer, Alberta) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Burning Shadows: A Novel of the Count Saint-Germain (St. Germain) (Hardcover)

Chelsea Quinn Yarbro has scored another triumph with "Burning Shadows".

Sanctu-Germainios, now a Roman official in charge of Appulum Inferior, in the Dacia Superior, faces the deadly threat of Attila and his Huns head on. Retreating to the monastery of Sanctu-Eustacios, the Hermit, he and several hundred citizens and soldiers eke out an existence while waiting for the Huns to appear. Once they do, a deadly onslaught begins that leaves hundreds dead, and Germain fearing for his undead life.

Taking in refugees from the Huns is both charitable, and dangerous. Amidst a group from Tsapoulos is a silver haired young woman who takes Germains' heart and with her own secret, endangers him.

Between the Hun-Gaul-Goth threat, the interpersonal relationships between monks, soldiers, citizens, and Germain is difficult. I highly enjoyed a 'real' look at what a Hun invasion might look like and how it affected the brave, and not quite so. This is terror, from a 439AD perspective.

Would you choose death? Or switch allegiances to save your life? Would you take your own life to save your soul, or pledge allegiance to a bloodthirsty leader?

Yarbro gives us another masterful look at a time period we are not familiar with. You either walk away going 'wow', or wish you could write as well as she can. She clearly is deserving of all of her creditations and awards. I am in awe of her skill.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars terrific entry, December 9, 2009

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Burning Shadows: A Novel of the Count Saint-Germain (St. Germain) (Hardcover)

In 438 C.E., Dom Feranescus Rakoczy Sanctu-Germainios is part of the Regional Guard of Apulum Inferior as the Huns flood Europe. His lover Atta Olivia Clemens flees the Carpathians for the relative safety of Constantinople, but though she begged him to accompany her, he felt an obligation to lead the fleeing villagers to a safer place.

On the way to the isolated Sanctu-Eustachios monastery that prefers no visitors, Rakoczy meets Nicoris, who is also on the run from the Huns' horde too. They are attracted to one another from the onset. As the pair and hundreds of frightened peasants take refuge at the monastery, Rakoczy conceals his vampiric nature, but his lover learns of his True Nature. With the Huns closing in on them, Rakoczy fails to realize the biggest danger may come from within as she too has a dark secret might lead to his True Death inside these holy walls.

This is a terrific entry that works on two fronts: a strong insightful look at those fearing the Huns horde and a romance between Saint Germain and his true love Nicoris. The story line brings to life villagers and Roman legionnaires who expect death and worse once the invincible army arrives. Adding to that profound look at the fifth century are the reclusive monks who believe god's predetermination means life and death has been doggedly resolved by the Maker so why worry about defense. Although the ending could have used more flesh on it so as to fully bring out the blood and guts of the final twist, fans will relish Saint Germain's latest bittersweet historical adventure.

Harriet Klausner

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Classic Vampire Romance Set During Hun Invasion, April 10, 2010

By 

Lee Marshall "Lee" (San Diego, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Burning Shadows: A Novel of the Count Saint-Germain (St. Germain) (Hardcover)

This Count Saint Germaine novel finds the Count helping refugees at a monastery preparing for the Hun invasion. I was a bit put off at first by the large amount of history and geography the author dumps on your head in the Author's Note, and by the unfamiliar Roman names. After I was into the book, however, I realized ...the depth of history and geography presented are not that pertinent to the story, and tried not to worry about the names.

This would be a good Count St. Germain novel to start with, as it covers a bit of his history and the vampire mythology. It's not overly tragic, and is filled with characters doing their best in a difficult time, instead of some of the really venal and cruel villains you find in the other novels.