The Rest Falls Away: The Gardella Vampire Chronicles (Mass Market Paperback)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

A promising, enthusiastic beginning to a new paranormal historical series, Gleason's major label debut follows the adventures of a conflicted young vampire hunter in Regency England. Victoria Gardella is a young upper-class lady on the verge of her debut; however, just before her society introduction, she learns that she is the last in a long line of vampire hunters—Venators—and must soon choose whether to embrace her destiny. Her decision is complicated by a reunion with her preadolescent love, Phillip, now marquess of Rockley; her desire for romance doesn't mesh well with her new training schedule, much less with her moonlight patrol duties. Matters are made more difficult by the arrival of the queen of the vampires, Lilith, who seeks a mystical tome that will put a demonic army at her disposal. Though it might seem familiar to fans of Teresa Medeiros's Regency vamp series, Gleason quickly establishes an alluring world all her own. Her Buffyesque lead (Gleason has acknowledged the inspiration) is similarly afflicted, but the change of setting makes an intriguing, witty and addictive twist. (Jan.)
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Product Description

In every generation, a Gardella is called to accept the family legacy of vampire slaying, and this time, Victoria Gardella Grantworth is chosen, on the eve of her debut, to carry the stake. But as she moves between the crush of ballrooms and dangerous, moonlit streets, Victoria's heart is torn between London's most eligible bachelor, the Marquess of Rockley, and her enigmatic ally, Sebastian Vioget. And when she comes face to face with the most powerful vampire in history, Victoria must ultimately make the choice between duty and love.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Signet (January 2, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0451220072
• ISBN-13: 978-0451220073
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.2 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (60 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #47,101 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

• This is item 1 in The Gardella Vampire Chronicles Series.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I've been bitten by this new series and it is oh, so good (No spoilers), January 3, 2007

By	Carl V. Anderson (Blue Springs, MO United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

It has been a long time since I have stayed up past the witching hour to finish a book, but what better time to be reading about vampires? Within the first few chapters this book had grabbed ahold of me and would not let go.

Let me start by saying that it has been a long time since I have read any book that would be shelved in the romance section, 15 years or more. Initially, as the first chapter sets the scene and introduces the characters, I struggled a bit with the romance underpinnings of the story. By the time the chapter ended...with a very nice twist...I was immersed in the world and in Colleen's language. Chapter Three was the point of no return. By that time I was lost in the story and understood well why my wife tore through this book so quickly. By the end I could practically feel my own blood coursing through my veins, my heart beating with the anxiety of the final pages.

Let me add that guys should not shy away from this book because it is classified as a `romance'. There is a reason that this book is being and will continue to be compared to Buffy the Vampire Slayer. If you enjoyed that series, or at the very least the idea behind it, you will enjoy The Rest Falls Away.

If Jane Austen were alive today and rewrote Pride and Prejudice with visits from the undead, the result, in part, would be The Rest Falls Away. I enjoyed the conventions of historical romance juxtaposed against Buffy-esque vampire hunting. While mostly serious throughout, Colleen inserts some very entertaining societal humour reminiscent of Austen's work. Victoria Grantworth is a worthy heroine whose struggles against the demands of society and her vampire hunting legacy are skillfully wrought by Gleason's hand. Whether dancing at a ball or staking vampires, there is never a dull moment in this entertaining tale.

The Rest Falls Away is truly an amalgam of genres: historical romance, horror, mystery, adventure, suspense, comedy...all are present and yet they flow together so well that it feels natural, not forced. And while there are homages to tales both classic and modern it never feels as if Colleen Gleason is copying anyone. Her style and voice are uniquely her own. There is something in this book for everyone and reading it one realizes that shelving it in only one section of the bookstore would be a huge mistake.

And while I respect everyone's opinion and right to their opinion I disagree with the other reviewer's remarks on there being too many characters. There are really only a handful of characters in the book, the majority of which are given enough time for the reader to form a picture and opinion about them. I personally did not find the book meandering. Is it non-stop action. Thankfully no! The Rest Falls Away achieves a nice balance of action with dialogue and more contemplative moments that help establish the various characters and their relationships, allowing the reader to both take a breath and to get to know who these people are who inhabit Colleen Gleason's world.

After having the pleasure of staying up late, anxiously turning page after page, caught up in the suspense as The Rest Falls Away reaches its climactic end, I highly recommend this book. Once finished you, like me, will be anxiously awaiting the release of Rises the Night this June.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An Interesting Start, February 21, 2007

By	Lauren Dane (Pacific Northwest) - See all my reviews

I'd just read several paranormal contemporaries in a row and it was hard to get into the historical set language. But, IMO, that's a good thing because Gleason did it right.

Anyway, after my initial stumble in the first fifty or so pages, I fell into the story. This is a historical, yes, but it's got a decidedly modern feel - and it's done well. Gleason treads the line between historical accuracy and modern vampire hunter novel with skill. I liked Victoria a great deal even though I often have a hard time identifying with characters in regency romances who are so very young. But Victoria, while wanting a normal life, didn't storm off and cry about her fate, although she did challenge it and yes, with some tragic results.

The meta story of the Venators was really well done and interesting and I want to know more. I loved the backstory about Victoria's great aunt and I hope to hear more in the next book. The vampires are baddies, which was delicious and most of the characters were not so much virtuous or evil but flawed, as humans can be. The secondary characters were memorable and not so many you lost count.

I loved this book. I loved the spin Gleason gave the vampire genre, keeping it alive and interesting. I will definitely be back for more!

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stellar Debut Novel by Up and Coming Author, January 3, 2007

By	Jana DeLeon (Dallas) - See all my reviews

Let me start this review by saying, I don't read historicals OR vampire books, but I got the opportunity to read this book and it blew me away! What a fantastic concept - a woman on the eve of her debut into society finds out she's part of a birthline of vampire slayers. In an era where women couldn't even wear pants or go out unescorted, Victoria's presented with quite a challenge in order to live her double life.

The author does a fabulous job of bringing this story to life on the page. The plot is full of action and the characters are fully developed and very interesting. I can't wait for the next in this series - and to see which man is the keeper for Victoria.