Customer Reviews

Eternal Vigilance

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I am ashamed to admit it, but like the great Martin Miller books it took me a while to pick up Eternal Vigilance. Why? I have no idea considering the amazing writing and gothic characters, but it did. Now I feel obligated to review it so that you won't make the same mistake. Gabrielle Faust has written a book that is not at all like the vampire romance genre out there. Yes they have their good aspects too. Faust writes as if Tynan (main character) was alive, not in the glorified undead life that we have come to associate with vampires now days, but the mad, paranoid, looking for certainties and resolution kind of undead. Tynan might be a savior, he might be a martyr or the back bone of his own vampire religion, but he is still dirty, still slightly insane and still unsure of who to trust and who to ally with.

The story opens with one of Tynan's dreams. Ice, dragons, death, wind, all of these batter at him and he wonders why he's here and alive? Turns out years ago Tynan, unlike other vampires, felt too much, each drink, each death, he felt acutely and painfully. The only solution he could see was to spell himself to eternal sleep. One where he will never wake up and worry of humanity's pain and destruction. Until something went wrong and he wakes up a hundred years later in what I can only call a wasteland apocalypse. This is no ordinary human wipe out. There are factions out there who want control of the waste that is left of humanity, there are factions who know about Immortals, and those that currently rule want Immortality for themselves. There is still technology, only it has evolved into a form of organic code, one that constantly and sporadically evolves on it's own into something new and not always good. Tynan realizes just what he left behind, and those that are still alive feel like they are owed answers, after all he was their prophet, their messiah, their father. (started his own vampire religion) Tynan's paranoia kicks in to high gear and voices whisper to him that his maker and his friend aren't what they seem. That those he considered Elders are now all dead, and the vampire god is about to be summoned.

This book is the first in the trilogy and I was sucked in fang and nail in the first page. This story isn't like Rice's vampires because Faust's are fighting for something, not just survival. There are backstories and backstories, there are ancients and evils, grey magic and black. I was appalled at myself when I finished this book that I hadn't picked it up sooner. I am now opening the second book and hope for more from Tynan and humanity.

Vampire fiction usually doesn't interest me at all, and I picked this up hesitantly at the recommendation of a mutual friend. Needless to say (based on the five-star rating) I was pleasantly surprised.

The first in what I hope will be a successful series, "Eternal Vigilance" avoids the typical vampire cliches and sets up characters and plot well for future installments.

It starts off somewhat slowly, but the pace continues to build rapidly throughout, drawing you in and leaving you wanting more.

If you're already a fan of the vampire sub-genre, I can only assume you'll be wishing there was a six-star option

When I know a book is going to be part of a series, it has to be pretty darn good for me to consider forking out for future instalments. Unfortunately, this book doesn't work so well as a stand-alone novel, and that was disappointing.

Basically, Eternal Vigilance is a vampire Fantasy novel set in 2111. Tynan, a vampire who created and led his own religion, has been asleep for a hundred years. After letting down the vampires who followed him, when his belief in his own faith crumbled, he cast a spell that should have sent him to sleep forever. It didn't. He wakes to find the world he once knew ravaged by a fierce war, and technology literally evolving on its own.

Tynan is different from other vampires--every time he kills and feeds he absorbs the pasts of his victims into his own memory. It is this unusual characteristic, as well as the human traits he can't shake off, which led to his hatred of the world and a battle in which he disgraced himself by killing another vampire.

The first half of Eternal Vigilance deals mainly with backstory, which is necessary but a little tedious. However, when you get through that part, things start to get more interesting. Some of the immortals are not exactly pleased by Tynan's return, and he fears their reactions. It's obvious Tynan is special, as well as an outcast in the immortal council. The story builds up slowly and delicately, as we gradually learn more about the Phuree, a rebel uprising that believes in ancient magic rather than the new technology favoured by the all-powerful Tyst Empire.

I absolutely loved the cover art, with a moment of "Ooo, shiny!" when I first picked the book up. Very appealing to my goth side. It took me a while to get into the story, and I wasn't really sure if I was going to like it at first. It's a bit hit and miss in places, but it's obvious the author has a lot of good ideas, which I'm really hoping will come through later on.

Tynan is quirky and likeable. The relationship he has with his pet cat Dune is a particularly nice touch. I would have liked all the main characters to be drawn with a little more depth, but as this is only the first part of a series I would expect their story arcs to be pursued later on. I found it a little hard to follow the story in places as some of the characters weren't distinguished well enough from others. Although Eternal Vigilance can be tough going at times, I still think it's a pretty good read.

Eternal Vigilance is interesting and poetically written, although the poetic language can get a bit purple in places. I am intrigued to see what will happen in the second instalment--hopefully after such a long build-up there will be a lot more violence and action, and also more explanation of the exciting technology and magic which has appeared only in brief glimpses so far.

Good fun, and slightly camp. A worthy addition to any collection of vampire fiction.

[Reviewed by Jess Nash]

I have to say that the only similarity with other vampire books is that it has vampires in it, past that it's different than anything else I've ever read. I've heard rumors that the author would love to see it made into a movie which would please me to no end since one of her choices would use a favorite actor of mine, Kyle Schmid, as the main character of her book. It truly does take you places that other vampire books don't with interesting twists and turns and it was hard to put down. I've only read the first book but I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series.

A century ago, the vampire Tynan Llywelyn grew so weary of his existence that he sealed himself in a crypt deep underground and cast a spell that he thought would allow him to sleep forever. But he was denied eternal slumber. He awoke after only one hundred years and was shocked to find that the world had spiraled to even lower depths than he could have imagined.

He found that humans around the globe were ruled by a technologically advanced group called the Tyst. They control every aspect of people's lives, turning humanity into helpless sheep, terrified of the torture and death that would follow if they attract the Tyst's attention.

The Tyst is opposed by a faction of rebels called the Phuree. These independent, nomadic people had turned their backs on modern technology, understanding that it is all controlled by their enemy. Their one source of power against the Tyst lies in ancient magic.

Against his will, Tynan finds himself dragged into this struggle between the Tyst and the Phuree. While in the past, vampires had tried to avoid involvement in human wars, Tynan and the other Immortals realize that now things are different, and the survival of their own kind is interwoven with that of humanity.

ETERNAL VIGILANCE: FROM DEEP WITHIN THE EARTH is an interesting combination of a vampire story mixed with post-apocalyptic science fiction, and a bit of magical fantasy thrown in for good measure. In other words, there's something for everyone. Tynan even has a girlfriend (of sorts), and there's a pretty racy love scene near the end of the book. Speaking of the end, it clearly tells readers that this is the first book in a series. This first installment serves largely to introduce the characters, their relationships, and the need for action in the face of terrifying evil.

As a centuries-old vampire with quite a bit of history behind him, Tynan has an intriguing back story that gradually reveals itself as he meets up with old friends and enemies. He is a reluctant, flawed hero, and he is surrounded by characters who are equally imperfect. He has his good points, though, including a nice relationship with a black cat.

While I enjoyed the story itself, I did have some complaints. First of all, it spent a tremendous amount of time explaining Tynan's thoughts, feelings, and movements. Entire pages were devoted to description with limited action or dialogue. I was nearly to the end of the first chapter before any words were spoken at all, and then it was merely a sentence. This is a matter of style and taste, however, and I'm sure there are others who prefer this technique over a heavily dialogue-weighted tale.

My other complaint is probably more universal. As mentioned above, this book introduces the characters and the situation, but then it simply ends there. Little is resolved in this book, and it seems that one must wait for Book 2 for the "real" action to commence. I found that disappointing. Even in a series, each book should stand alone as a complete tale in and of itself.

Overall, this is an interesting addition to the worlds of both vampires and science fiction. Fans of either genre should find something to enjoy here. And those who like finding a new series to explore should be especially pleased.

Reviewed by: K. Osborn Sullivan

I just finished Eternal Vigilance this morning. It kept me up the entire night. I am now anxiously awaiting book two of this series :/ I'm not a big Vampire fan, though I read Vampire Lestat after seeing "Interview"...I'm more of a sci-fi reader, but this book has something for everyone in it. It's an engaging story with some of the most beautiful, poetic writing I've seen in a long time. The book is getting good reviews too, so don't just take my word for it: http://www.fearzone.com/blog/eternal-faust.

I love the book and I'm sure you will too! Enjoy!

Gabrielle Faust's Eternal Vigilance breaks new ground in the vampire genre with a host of questions still remaining. Enter the mind of Tynan Llyweln who awakes to find a world he once new shattered by a brutal war. And an ancient vampire race seizes its own dark magic to help an ancient vampire God. In a futuristic world,taking place in Scotland, part Blade Runner, part Thirty Days of Night, Gabrielle brings something fresh to the table to drink. Her descriptions are poetic, beautiful and frightening. Not since Interview with a Vampire has there been an original tale of the undead such as this one. I recommend it for a Stoker.

" Voices swarmed around me like hungry spirits eager to visit the flesh again. A million caustic sounds burned a twisted path to where I stood at the edge of mayhem"-

Poetic, enchanting. This book has all the artful and horrifying prose of Clive Barker, yet delivers non-stop story. Faust is fleshing out brilliant characters. I can only look forward to an immortality such as her story. And it will continue in a sequel.

Well, what to say.

Having been to the reading and book signing for Gabrielle's book down in Austin only alil while ago. I arrived early to aquire My copy of the book and a few others I was looking for. Making My way upstairs to the signing area, the band who opend for her BlackMolly was setting up, So being early I found a comphy spot an began to read. Getting into it was alil hard, but then again every book I read is like this for Me. I was pleased to see the book open up further and I dived right in... I enjoy the fact that Gabrielle told a vampire story in an untraditional way. Most books I've read that leaven an opening for it to be come a series are not done so well. I was pleased to see she left that door open just perfectly...

I really do not have any negative comments about her book what so ever... chuckles ok maby alil longer... as I'm trying to patiently wait till April for the 2nd half... but as they say. " all good things come to those who wait" sooo I wait.

Gabrielle.. you did a lovely job dear!!!! I love the book

and again Was a delight to meet you.


With Respect


Chris

A BOOK YOU CANNOT PUT DOWN!!!

THIS BOOK LETS YOUR IMAGINATION SEE THINGS YOU WOULD NEVER ENVISION, WITH HEIGHTS OF BRUTAL HATRED AMONGST THE VAMPIRE FAMILY. TYNAN, THE VAMPIRE AWAKENS FROM HIS ETERNAL REST TO FIND THAT THE WORLD HE SO DESPISED HAS NOW BEEN TAKEN OVER BY TECHNOLOGY.

YOU MUST READ THIS BOOK TO FIND OUT HOW THE IMMORTALS FAIR AGAINST TECHNOLOGY.

GABRIELLE S. FAUST IS A "SIN"-SATIONAL WRITER. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND ANY VAMPIRE FANATIC TO BURY ONESELF INTO THE PAGES OF "ETERNAL VIGILANCE".

~MARY E. WOLFE