30 of 30 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Enjoyable vampire romance series, July 1, 2002
Maggie Shayne introduced me to vampire romances: one of her Twilight novellas was in an anthology of darker love stories, and I was intrigued by the idea, never having come across vampires outside horror (which I don't read) before. This collection houses the first three of her Twilight series: Phantasies, Memories and Illusions. Brief reviews of each first.
Twilight Phantasies: This story introduces Eric Marquand, transformed into a vampire just before his date with Madame Guillotine during the French Revolution. He's something of a scientist, and loves working on things to make the life of a vampire easier. He also understands all about the Belladonna anitgen, which the Chosen carry. He has, for years, been linked mentally to Tamara, one of the Chosen, who has been brought up by a DPI operative (DPI being a branch of the FBI set up to hunt down and kill vampires). But Tamara and Eric are irrestibly drawn to each other, despite all the reasons why they shouldn't be together... Can Tamara accept what Eric is? Can she escape the clutches of the DPI to be with him? A gripping and at times heartwrenching story.
In Twilight Memories the story focuses on Roland, Eric's friend, and another vampire, Rhiannon - who is, in fact, the vampire who transformed Roland. Rhiannon has been in love with Roland for centuries, but he never seems to return her interest. He disapproves of her wild, uncontrollable behaviour, which frequently puts her in danger. Rhiannon believes that Roland disapproves of *her*, and her behaviour is mainly aimed at making him notice her. But Roland has sworn never to love again, because of a tragedy in his past. Can Rhiannon get through to him? Can he see the pain his attitude is causing her? Eric and Tamara reappear in this story, along with a familiar DPI agent.
Finally, there is Twilight Illusions, my favourite of the trilogy. Damien, the oldest known vampire, has not made a habit of associating with others of his kind, and as a result he knows nothing of the Chosen. He performs as an illusionist, using his powers to entertain and to select women from whom he can feed - he hypnotises them into believing that they were only dreaming. However, someone is killing off women he's been with... and Shannon is on his trail. What she doesn't realise is that she's one of the Chosen, and Damien is her mentor. Eric Marquand makes a welcome reappearance in this book, helping Damien to come to terms with himself and what he is. Shannon, however, is seriously ill, and before she's even come to terms with her discovery that Damien is a vampire, she has another attack and is close to death. Can Damien save her? And is the price he - and she - would have to pay if he did so worth it?
I enjoyed the trilogy very much, although I have to say that the DPI does get old very fast; it's a major part of the plot in all three stories, and I understand in Shayne's other Twilight books. I'm far more interested in the romances than in seeing the characters have to fend off quasi-FBI agents. That aside, Shayne's writing is good and her plots and characterisation very enjoyable. She's written characters which stayed in my mind for some time after I finished the book, and it's on my 'to read again' shelf.
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30 of 31 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent, well-written vampire stories!, December 23, 2001
I was first introduced to Maggie Shayne when I was treated to a short novella in a Intimate Moments vampire anthology. I usually hate series romance so it was a big suprise that I enjoyed the story and it stuck out in my mind for years.
I was delighted when Sillhouette decided to reprint her first three vampire stories, none of which I had read before. In Wings of in the Night I got not one, but three vampire stories that make other authors pale in comparison.
In Twilight Phantasies you are introduced to Eric Marquand, a scientist vampire. Eric has been watching over Tamara Dey, one of the Chosen (rare humans who can become vampires), for most of her life. Tamara believes she's going crazy because of strange dreams and her inability to sleep at night. She feels like she knows Eric from somewhere. What's worse is that she's a member of the DPI, a government organization interested in vampires.
In Twilight Memories the troublesome DPI is harrassing our heroes again. Roland has sworn himself to protect a young boy who is one of the Chosen. If it wasn't enough that federal agents weren't crawling around the French countryside, but the reckless Rhiannon has come to town. She's come to lend a helping hand and seduce Roland.
In Twilight Illusions we meet Damien, an old powerful Summerian vampire. He is a magician. One night, he has an encounter with one of the Chosen named Shannon. Shannon accuses him of murdering her best friend. Damien can only think that he did it and doesn't remember, or another vampire is stalking the streets. Regardless, Shannon is next...
These stories are excellent. I can't wait until the next volume comes out. Shayne stays close to the traditional vampire powers and weaknesses that we've all heard of but isn't afraid to add a few of her own creations.
The most original is the Belladonna antigen, which acts like a magnet between vampires and the Chosen. It brings them together and helps start the relationship but doesn't cause the instant love that many vampire authors rely on.
Maggie Shayne the queen of the vampire story.
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10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Vampire Romance at it's Finest!!!!, May 6, 2002
Maggie Shayne did a first-rate job in all three stories. Each had its own plot. What really made this book unique is the superior way the characters link together from story to story. So many times when I read books that are in a series I find that the previous characters may be mentioned but there is no real connection between them and the new characters. I realize authors do not want to take away from the main characters in the new story however this series is a fantastic example of how to bring them together without down playing the plot of the new story.
I first discovered this author in the anthology "Out of This World" and enjoyed her story so much that I immediately began searching for more. I'm currently reading "Twilight Hunger" and look forward to reading many more stories by this author.
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