August 17, 2011

Review: Vampire Empire: The Rift Walker by Clay & Susan Griffith



Vampire Empire: The Rift Walker by Clay & Susan Griffith

Paperback300 pages
Expected publication: September 20th 2011 
Prometheus Books

Princess Adele struggles with a life of marriage and obligation as her Equatorian Empire and their American Republic allies stand on the brink of war against the vampire clans of the north. However, the alliance's horrific strategy for total victory drives Adele to abandon her duty and embark on a desperate quest to keep her nation from staining its hands with genocide. Reunited with her great love, the mysterious adventurer known to the world as the Greyfriar, Adele is pursued by her own people as well as her vengeful husband, senator Clark. With the human alliance in disarrray, Prince Cesare, lord of the British vampire clan, seizes the initiative and strikes at the very heart of Equatoria.
As Adele labors to bring order to her world, she learns more about the strange powers she exhibited in the north. Her teacher, Mamoru, leads a secret cabal of geomancers who believe Adele is the one who can touch the vast power of the Earth that surges through ley lines and wells up at the rifts where the lines meet. These energies are the key to defeating the enemy of mankind, and if Princess Adele could ever bring this power under her command, she could be death to vampires. But such a victory will also cost the life of Adele's beloved Greyfriar.
The Rift Walkeris the second book in a trilogy of high adventure and alternative history. Combining rousing pulp action with steampunk style, the Vampire Empire series brings epic politcal themes to life within a story of heartbreaking romance, sacrifice, and heroism.

The Rift Walker was everything I expected it to be and more! I don't even know where to begin to put into words just how much I truly love this series. Clay & Susan Griffith are one heck of a team. They have created a world and story that you will be talking about for weeks. The first in the series took me by surprise, especially since I am not a huge Sci/fi fan, and now The Rift Walker has done it again. I am killing my brain here trying to figure out exactly what to say.

More than half of this book left me with my mouth open and with butterflies in my stomach. One minute you are  lost in a world of war & politics, and the next you are sucked into an epic romance. The way Greyfair loves Adele will touch your heart in ways you never thought possible. He would give up everything he is and everything he has ever known just to be with her, and Adele the same for him. Together, they are an amazing team. They felt that as long as they have each other they could conquer it all.  I was easily pulled into their story and while reading it, I felt like I was standing on the sidelines just watching everything play out.

Adele is such a powerful and smart character you can't help but love her. She has a strong mind and thinks of others first. She isn't selfish and knows what is best for her people. And even when facing the worse situation ever, she never backed down. She knew what was expected of her and wasn't afraid to do what needed to be done. You will just have to read the story to understand what I mean.

I love this series and I HIGHLY recommend it. Even if you aren't into Sci/Fi, I promise you will love it. There isn't one person I know who read the first in the series, Vampire Empire: The Greyfair, and did not love it. It's unpredictable with moments that will leave you with your mouth hanging wide open. There wasn't a moment for me to take a break because so much was happening in each chapter that I just did not want to stop reading.

I am going to end this review with one of my favorite moments in the book, I normally don't do teasers in reviews, but I just love, love, love Greyfair and Adele! Here is a sneak peek...

"We have weathered crisis after crisis and we're still together. If all we have are these brief moments together, I would be content."
Adele embraced him. "I would too."
"We will find a way to make you empress and return you to your home," he said quietly.
She caressed his face with her hand and turned him to look at her, to see her steadfast conviction matched his own. "I am home."

5 out of 5 stars!!!!!!!!!!





14 comments:

  1. I agree, loved The Rift Walker. This has become one of my favorite series and I'm not a huge epic story fan. Nice review!

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  2. Not reading your review, yet, but I just wanted to see how many stars you gave it. And yay! 5/5! I would expect nothing less from the fabulous Griffith duo. Hoping to start this one today!

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  3. I'm not a huge sci-fi fan for books either, but this is a series that I really want to read!

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  4. Book Sake, I will admit that the first book was a little hard to get through the first couple of chapters, but once GReyfrair enters the picture its just ... Sigh... pure love! I love this series so much! And the second one is a lot more love involved.

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  5. I've been really interested in this series for some time now. It sounds absolutely fantastic and right up my ally. On my TBR shelf!

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  6. sigh..I can't wait. I love the Greyfriar. I agree with you about not really into sci-fi. I had never read steampunk before either but this is a great series. I'm so so glad that I decided to read the first book. It was absolutely wonderful. I'm dying to read more about them two. Thanks for sharing your review.

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  7. Your review was great, I can't wait to read this series, it sounds so fantastic.

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  8. This series sounds so good! Thanks so much for your review, which made me want to read it even more!!
    jwitt33 at live dot com

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  9. Sounds like a great series... will definitely have to add to the wishlist! Great review too!

    yadkny@hotmail.com

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  10. I wanted to hug the book when I was done reading it. I can't wait for The Rift Walker.

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  11. Haven't read this yet, but sounds like a great series. Love the premise. Ty for sharing the great review!

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  12. Ooh this is so exciting to hear. Loved the first one and can't wait for this one!

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  13. I'm new to the series. Sounds amazing though. I love sci-fi and steampunk, so I'm already intrigued lol. Loved the teaser!!

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  14. Oh man, yes- now I'm dying to read it! The teaser definitely has me more excited too. I'm so glad that I don't have to wait through the whole book for them to just be together in the very end or something.
    Can't wait to read it!

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