slowlauris's review against another edition
Anyway I'm going to vibrate through the wall now
fizzy_lizard's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
kentcryptid's review against another edition
5.0
Oh God, I'm an emotional wreck. YSIDRO!!! Yes, I know he's a killer thousands of times over, but I have a Don Simon-shaped problem.
Spoiler
I wanted to yell at James and Lydia, GO DOWN THE FUCKING MINE IN DAYLIGHT. GET HIM OUT!.annasirius's review against another edition
4.0
3.5
A well crafted adventure set in early 20th century Peking. I just wish I felt that over the course of the series I got to know the main characters more intimately or that their relationship made more of a development. Ms. Hambly seemed to make an attempt at that here, but it fell short for me.
A well crafted adventure set in early 20th century Peking. I just wish I felt that over the course of the series I got to know the main characters more intimately or that their relationship made more of a development. Ms. Hambly seemed to make an attempt at that here, but it fell short for me.
jeansbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
lottpoet's review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
lkeipp's review against another edition
1.0
Normally, I like Barbara Hambly's work, so I picked it up on author's credentials alone. While the history is sound, this book is just too contrived for me - stiff characters, unhappy prose - just had to put it down. Sorry, Ms. Hambly, but I'm going to have to skip this one.
tsbowman1124's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
wealhtheow's review against another edition
3.0
After decades of spycraft, Asher chose to leave the clandestine war behind in favor of a history professorship. But he and his scientist wife Lydia stumbled upon a terrible truth--the existence of vampires living among us, hidden by glamours and humans' disbelief in the supernatural. Over the years they became troublingly close with a particularly old and chivalrous vampire, one Don Ysidro. Each of the three is drawn to the others, but Asher and Lydia are also repelled by Ysidro's murderous nature, and are conflicted about their friendship with him. Nevertheless, their goals are entangled, and when the vampire Masters of Europe hear rumors of a growing ghoul population in China, all three characters travel to Peking.
This is set in 1912, and Hambly does a masterful job of describing both colonial China and the political mindsets that will lead to the first world war. The characters are equally well described and memorable. And the action veers between a mysterious murder, petty social manueverings, and an intensely creepy series of battles with the ghouls.
This is set in 1912, and Hambly does a masterful job of describing both colonial China and the political mindsets that will lead to the first world war. The characters are equally well described and memorable. And the action veers between a mysterious murder, petty social manueverings, and an intensely creepy series of battles with the ghouls.
lsneal's review against another edition
4.0
Another deliciously creepy and atmospheric entry in this series. James and Lydia travel to China, post Boxer Rebellion, at the insistence of Jame's former professor and mentor, who has heard rumors of disturbing vampiric developments. It's beautifully written as always, giving a real sense of time and place. Also, the Chinese vampires will scare your socks off.