Customer Reviews

Twilight Phantasies (Silhouette Shadows) (Silhouette Intrigue)

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

 

 

Maggie Shayne's _Twilight Phantasies_ is the first in her Wings in the Night series. Eric Marquand, a 200-something year old vampire, saved Tamara Dey's life when she was a child, and left soon after. Twenty years later, Tamara's strange nightmares summon Eric to her once again, entangling them both with the dangerous on-going investigation of the DPI(Department of Paranormal Investigations), who suspects that Eric is a vampire. This is the first vampire romance that I've ever read, but I've read romance and vampire novels, and I think Ms. Shayne does a nice job combining the two.

Twilight Phantasies was my first breath-taking leap into the world of vampire romances, and it was beyond my wildest expectations. I plunged into the world of Eric, Tamara, and the DPI, and haven't looked back since. The story weaves its magic around the reader until they feel they are a part of the story. You laugh, cry, and rage right along with the characters and love every minute of it. The characters become fast friends and work their way firmly into the hearts of Maggie Shayne's loyal readers. You are left, on the edge of your seat, fufilled by the ending but wishing there was still one more page, one more chapter. And then, Miss Shayne fufills your wish with several books filled with the lives of all Eric and Tamila's companions. A must read, Trust Me!

I enjoyed Shayne's fresh treatment of the vampire legend. She had great new explanations for vampirism and the romance between the leads worked. They made a great pair. Surprisingly, it was not an especially dark telling of a vampire story and perhaps that made it all the more enjoyable.

I began the Maggie Shayne Twilight series with "Born in Twilight" and still have not found all of the other books. 'Twilight Phantasies" was the second book in the series that I could get my hands on. I now know it is the one that started it all. Eric's loneliness is compelling. His lifelong attachment and compassion for Tamara, what ultimately leads to their true love affair, lends a fascinating element to the book. You feel for him as much as you feel for the confused young woman. I ached for Tamara when she unraveled the lies told to her throughout her life and found the truth. It was also interesting to see Jamie's beginnings and though "Born in Twilight" is still my own personal favorite of the two, I rate "Twilight Phantasies" as a keeper. Forever and always, to read over and over again, a keeper is definitely a treasure.

This is the book that started it all. Maggie Shayne starts the vampire series that involves the DPS. Eric and Tamera are destined lovers. They have to fight for their love against the horrors of the DPS. It makes you want to be them and find a love that lasts for all time. Her characters are believable, heartwarming and intriging. Her whole Twilight series is the BEST. I have read MANY vampire romances and Maggie Shayne beats them all hands down.

Looking around for a new series. Saw that this one had a ton of books so I figured I would give it a try.

It is a little odd. **spoiler alert**
The female lead is a little strange. She simply allows herself to drift along in her own life. What 26 year old woman lives with a guardian at that age? She has a job that is never clearly explained. It is not clear why she does that job other than it is the same place her guardian works and seems central to the story. She went to college...for what? She seems weak and ineffective just sort of drifting from one male lead characture thoughts or suggestions to another male lead's thoughts or suggestions. she is not a real person at all.

There is very little attempt to explain the world within which these charactures operate. How do they live? How are they connected? Where do they get their money? How do they remain safe? Are they alone? How do they travel? What is the DPI? How does it exist? Why does it exist? Who is her guardian? What is his motivation?

Author provides a little shading, clearly wanting some of the issues to remain murkey for suspense reasons, but it makes it difficult to make judgements or understand motivations.

Then there are simply some common sense issues. Female lead goes to male leads home. He is a vampire. Dead to the world during the day. She manages to stumble across his fence and then use a nail file...yeah, a nail file, to pick the lock (?) of his front door. That is just stupid.

First she went there to see if he was awake during the day. If she is still laboring under the idea that he is just a guy being harrassed by her guardian, then why on earth would she hope the fence and break into his house? There is no discussion of ringing a bell or some kind of intercom. Just odd. Who does that?

Additionally, why does he not have staff? How does he stay safe during the day?

Second, why kind of "infalliable" security system allows an intruder to pick the lock with a nail file? Dumb.

Finally, as usual..after being caught in his home, she just drifts through the encounter.

The whole thing is messy, full of plot holes and annoying charactures. I am still reading, but not sure I will continue on with any of the other books.

This book has a new twist in romance between a vampire, Eric, and a human Tamera. It was a book I wasn't able to put down, the book was complete on it's own but it left me wanting to read more both more about Eric & Tam, but also more books written by Maggie Shayne. She has diffinatley been added to my must read author list.

If you like Anita Blake, don't bother with this book. The so-called vampire only drinks blood stolen from a blood bank. Refrigerated and out of a glass, no less. I suppose this is to make him a better, more civilized person. As if stealing blood from people who have serious injuries and might benefit from the blood is better than biting healthy people on the street. If you want your vampire to be a guy who happens to subsist on human blood and who sleeps all day, but is otherwise a really nice guy then maybe this is the story for you. If you want him to be a bit scary and darkly sensual, he ain't here. Aside from that, there's not much in the way of story line or characterization.