pbanditp's review
4.0
“it was still twilight outside, that space of time where light fights with night.”-Beverley Lee -Purity of Crimson
The final book in the Gabriel Davenport trilogy brings with it more deception and half-truths than the first two books combined. New elements are introduced and new friends (or potential enemies) are made. Who can Gabriel, Moth and Teal trust when their lives hang in the balance? Can they even trust each other?
Can Gabriel ever find peace without bringing death on those close to him?
Beverley Lee has a very gothic writing style. Her language is dark and beautiful and it makes you forget that you are in the twenty first century. You are swept back to the feel of horse drawn carriages and oil lanterns flickering on the table, even though the story has mobile phones and modern technology.
There are so many side stories that you want to know more about and Beverley takes all the moving pieces, artfully arranging them into a story that flows like fresh blood. This book comes full circle with a connection that occurs at the end of all the chaos to the beginning where the nightmare began. This simple loop tying everything together is just one example of how details matter.
There were many times that I had lyrics playing on repeat in my head while reading this book.
False illusions and lies
Draw us into
a losing game
That you can not win
•Outspoken -Outside My Window
The final book in the Gabriel Davenport trilogy brings with it more deception and half-truths than the first two books combined. New elements are introduced and new friends (or potential enemies) are made. Who can Gabriel, Moth and Teal trust when their lives hang in the balance? Can they even trust each other?
Can Gabriel ever find peace without bringing death on those close to him?
Beverley Lee has a very gothic writing style. Her language is dark and beautiful and it makes you forget that you are in the twenty first century. You are swept back to the feel of horse drawn carriages and oil lanterns flickering on the table, even though the story has mobile phones and modern technology.
There are so many side stories that you want to know more about and Beverley takes all the moving pieces, artfully arranging them into a story that flows like fresh blood. This book comes full circle with a connection that occurs at the end of all the chaos to the beginning where the nightmare began. This simple loop tying everything together is just one example of how details matter.
There were many times that I had lyrics playing on repeat in my head while reading this book.
False illusions and lies
Draw us into
a losing game
That you can not win
•Outspoken -Outside My Window
booksies_booksies's review
5.0
Incredible conclusion!
Beverley Lee is a rare author. She is able to spin magic with her words, putting the reader directly in the center of the story. She writes lyrically, like a poet, without compromising the excitement and suspense of the book. Not since The Night Circus has a book captivated me. All three in this trilogy are amazing! I'm sad that the story has come to and end, however, extremely satisfied with the way she brought it all together so completely. If you read this Beverley, please write another saga!
Beverley Lee is a rare author. She is able to spin magic with her words, putting the reader directly in the center of the story. She writes lyrically, like a poet, without compromising the excitement and suspense of the book. Not since The Night Circus has a book captivated me. All three in this trilogy are amazing! I'm sad that the story has come to and end, however, extremely satisfied with the way she brought it all together so completely. If you read this Beverley, please write another saga!
morticia_59's review
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.0
motherhorror's review
5.0
Review originally posted in SCREAM MAGAZINE
Title: The Purity of Crimson
Publisher: Amazon Digital Services
Release Date: October 9th, 2018
The Purity of Crimson is book three in the Gabriel Davenport Series by Beverley Lee. It would be difficult to review this epic conclusionary tale without first recommending book one, The Making of Gabriel Davenport and it’s follow up book, A Shining in the Shadows.
Book one is one, the Making of Gabriel Davenport, is one of the best debut stories I’ve ever read. Lee’s masterful storytelling style is expected from seasoned authors who have published several books and have finally hit their stride by book three or four.
"She dreamed in grey, the color of misery."
The very first line is a reader’s clue that they are in for atmospheric, descriptive prose. Once the plot begins to really unravel, it moves at an unrelenting pace that demands a “one sitting” read through. An ancient demon is unleashed on an unsuspecting couple raising their first child, Gabriel. While it seems to the reader that perhaps a crisis was averted, Lee moves the story forward to Gabriel’s teenage years and begins to build an unsettling tension that quickly mounts into a frenetic spiral to a dark ending.
The second book, A Shining in the Shadows, breaks all the “middle book” stereotypes. Not only did it manage to live up to the success and popularity of book one, but it far surpassed all of my expectations. Lee brought in some new characters to love (and love to hate). More backstory is given about our beloved Clove, a vampire who befriends Gabriel in book one and Gabriel is given a new family that can truly accept him. It’s difficult to say too much for fear of spoilers, but this second book plunges the reader into dark, new territory with all the elaborate Vampire Lore and it is just delicious. The ending is a bit of a cliffhanger but I knew that Lee would deliver in book three.
Lastly, The Purity of Crimson is everything a series needs in a conclusion. Lee expertly kept track of all her mysteries and loose ends and brought them them full circle. Immediately when you begin reading, it’s like you never left the world you were so involved in with book two.
While it was bittersweet to see this vibrant series come to its climactic close, I was sad, yes but mostly I was just impressed by Lee’s ability to weave such a rich and decadent Vampire story. I loved that Emron D’Grey was back and more wicked than ever as he hunted our beautiful vampire trio of Gabriel, Teal and Moth. D’ Grey’s evil knows no bounds. I was utterly aghast at his acts of cruelty throughout the book. I loved the new character, The Necromancer-scenes where this being was on the prowl was bone chilling-some of the scariest parts! I loved it! Also I was so curious as to its identity. And what would a book in this series be without more Clove? My favorite character. My emotions were all over the place for the last one hundred pages but I won’t spoil it! I just want to say that if you’ve been looking for a horror series to jump into and become totally enraptured-this is the one for you. It’s compelling, heart racing, sexy, terrifying, brutal and entertaining. Pick up all three!
5 out of 5 skulls
Title: The Purity of Crimson
Publisher: Amazon Digital Services
Release Date: October 9th, 2018
The Purity of Crimson is book three in the Gabriel Davenport Series by Beverley Lee. It would be difficult to review this epic conclusionary tale without first recommending book one, The Making of Gabriel Davenport and it’s follow up book, A Shining in the Shadows.
Book one is one, the Making of Gabriel Davenport, is one of the best debut stories I’ve ever read. Lee’s masterful storytelling style is expected from seasoned authors who have published several books and have finally hit their stride by book three or four.
"She dreamed in grey, the color of misery."
The very first line is a reader’s clue that they are in for atmospheric, descriptive prose. Once the plot begins to really unravel, it moves at an unrelenting pace that demands a “one sitting” read through. An ancient demon is unleashed on an unsuspecting couple raising their first child, Gabriel. While it seems to the reader that perhaps a crisis was averted, Lee moves the story forward to Gabriel’s teenage years and begins to build an unsettling tension that quickly mounts into a frenetic spiral to a dark ending.
The second book, A Shining in the Shadows, breaks all the “middle book” stereotypes. Not only did it manage to live up to the success and popularity of book one, but it far surpassed all of my expectations. Lee brought in some new characters to love (and love to hate). More backstory is given about our beloved Clove, a vampire who befriends Gabriel in book one and Gabriel is given a new family that can truly accept him. It’s difficult to say too much for fear of spoilers, but this second book plunges the reader into dark, new territory with all the elaborate Vampire Lore and it is just delicious. The ending is a bit of a cliffhanger but I knew that Lee would deliver in book three.
Lastly, The Purity of Crimson is everything a series needs in a conclusion. Lee expertly kept track of all her mysteries and loose ends and brought them them full circle. Immediately when you begin reading, it’s like you never left the world you were so involved in with book two.
While it was bittersweet to see this vibrant series come to its climactic close, I was sad, yes but mostly I was just impressed by Lee’s ability to weave such a rich and decadent Vampire story. I loved that Emron D’Grey was back and more wicked than ever as he hunted our beautiful vampire trio of Gabriel, Teal and Moth. D’ Grey’s evil knows no bounds. I was utterly aghast at his acts of cruelty throughout the book. I loved the new character, The Necromancer-scenes where this being was on the prowl was bone chilling-some of the scariest parts! I loved it! Also I was so curious as to its identity. And what would a book in this series be without more Clove? My favorite character. My emotions were all over the place for the last one hundred pages but I won’t spoil it! I just want to say that if you’ve been looking for a horror series to jump into and become totally enraptured-this is the one for you. It’s compelling, heart racing, sexy, terrifying, brutal and entertaining. Pick up all three!
5 out of 5 skulls
findingmontauk1's review
5.0
I loved reading this book even though I knew it was going to be the last in the Gabriel Davenport series. Beverley Lee's ability to tell a story surpasses so many authors that I have read and she does not disappoint with The Purity of Crimson. With short chapters and a riveting plot this book seemed to fly by while I was reading it - and I am not complaining! I could get lost in Lee's prose and the minds of all her intricately developed characters. And we get some new ones in this book which is another bonus!
I love how this book just seems to begin so seamlessly where Book 2 ended. We get right back into our story with Gabriel, Moth, Teal, and all the others so quickly and it felt so good to be back in their world. I am definitely sad that this series has ended, but I know Lee will be back with something just as fresh and exciting for us next! Make sure you check this book and series out! 5 EASY AMAZING STARS!
I love how this book just seems to begin so seamlessly where Book 2 ended. We get right back into our story with Gabriel, Moth, Teal, and all the others so quickly and it felt so good to be back in their world. I am definitely sad that this series has ended, but I know Lee will be back with something just as fresh and exciting for us next! Make sure you check this book and series out! 5 EASY AMAZING STARS!
exorcismofemilyreed's review
4.0
"We live on the edge of wild and bloody midnights, clothed in ceaseless cold and driven by perpetual hunger."
The Purity of Crimson is the third and final book in the Gabriel Davenport series. I was late getting into this series, and only read the first two books a month ago. I am so glad that I found it! Beverley Lee is a skilled storyteller with an amazing ability to write detailed characters. This a fantastic vampire series, and I was thoroughly invested throughout all three books.
Each book picks up where the previous one left off, and I appreciate that. You're immediately thrown into the story, and Beverley's writing is so easy to get invested in. The chapters are short, and it's fun to hear from different characters.
The Purity of Crimson focuses mainly on the vampires, and significantly less on the Manor. It's perfectly understandable since this is a series & things need to move and change. I really loved the Manor storyline & was a little sad that there wasn't much focus on it. It makes sense with the direction the story headed in, but it's just my personal preference.
There are new characters introduced in this book, and I found it a little hard to keep track of everyone at times. Since they were introduced in the final book, I didn't really get a chance to know them like I did with the previous characters, so I didn't really feel anything toward them.
Although the chapters were short, at times it felt like there was a lot of waiting and planning going on. This makes sense because of what was happening in the story, but I found myself wishing that the lead-up to the ending would have been a little shorter.
I loved this series! I had so much fun getting to be back with these characters for another book, and if more books happened to appear later on, I would be so excited to read them. Everything wrapped up really well - Beverley did a great job completing the Gabriel Davenport series, and I was completely satisfied with this being the ending. I highly recommend picking up this series - it was so entertaining and well-written. I can't wait to see what Beverley does next!
The Purity of Crimson is the third and final book in the Gabriel Davenport series. I was late getting into this series, and only read the first two books a month ago. I am so glad that I found it! Beverley Lee is a skilled storyteller with an amazing ability to write detailed characters. This a fantastic vampire series, and I was thoroughly invested throughout all three books.
Each book picks up where the previous one left off, and I appreciate that. You're immediately thrown into the story, and Beverley's writing is so easy to get invested in. The chapters are short, and it's fun to hear from different characters.
The Purity of Crimson focuses mainly on the vampires, and significantly less on the Manor. It's perfectly understandable since this is a series & things need to move and change. I really loved the Manor storyline & was a little sad that there wasn't much focus on it. It makes sense with the direction the story headed in, but it's just my personal preference.
There are new characters introduced in this book, and I found it a little hard to keep track of everyone at times. Since they were introduced in the final book, I didn't really get a chance to know them like I did with the previous characters, so I didn't really feel anything toward them.
Although the chapters were short, at times it felt like there was a lot of waiting and planning going on. This makes sense because of what was happening in the story, but I found myself wishing that the lead-up to the ending would have been a little shorter.
I loved this series! I had so much fun getting to be back with these characters for another book, and if more books happened to appear later on, I would be so excited to read them. Everything wrapped up really well - Beverley did a great job completing the Gabriel Davenport series, and I was completely satisfied with this being the ending. I highly recommend picking up this series - it was so entertaining and well-written. I can't wait to see what Beverley does next!
squaresofliving's review
5.0
The third and last installment in the Gabriel Davenport series did not disappoint. It is jam packed with passion and action, and things get tied together.
I was putting the book down so many times in the last part of the book because I couldn’t stand the tension of not knowing how it would end!
I do love the way these books are written. I’m a big fan of different POVs and I like when a lot of characters are involved in a story. My only thing with the book is that I wish there had been a bit more Olivia in this one, she’s one of my favorites ☺️
I was putting the book down so many times in the last part of the book because I couldn’t stand the tension of not knowing how it would end!
I do love the way these books are written. I’m a big fan of different POVs and I like when a lot of characters are involved in a story. My only thing with the book is that I wish there had been a bit more Olivia in this one, she’s one of my favorites ☺️
anunande's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
I read A Shining in the Shadows and The Purity of Crimson for @thepagecrawlers readalong and I'm so glad I did!
I like supernatural stuff in general, but I wouldn't call myself a keen reader of horror, so there may have been tropes or things I missed out on, and there were definitely some things I was initially confused about which I'm putting down to this lack of experience.
In the first book, I had loved the balance between the darkness and adventure and the personal narratives. This only gets better in Shining and Purity. These are characters with complicated pasts and there are no easy decisions. This complexity of emotion and the choices they must make (and live with) adds to the already high stakes they face. And the fact that the characters are well-developed makes us care about what happens to them.
That was my favourite part. Watching these characters struggle - against the world, against each other, against themselves - and finally find their way, and their well-earned peace. I loved the bond that forms between Gabe, Moth, and Teal and how they source their strength from it, how that makes them different, other, in the vampire world. This isn't just a fight to protect the good, it's a fight to protect the right of those who are different to be who they are without persecution, of the right of the weaker to not be bullied by those with more power.
Not to say that the plot wasn't exciting. Bev is brilliant at creating atmosphere. I enjoyed the deliberate way it unfolded throughout the books, secrets slowly revealed, all the disparate threads tightening to form the heart of the larger tapestry. I loved the discussions it brought up of choice, evil, sin, good, faith, and hope.
Gabriel is the protagonist of this story and the only first-person narrator. The rest are in third-person. This can be a tricky balance but for the most part it feels very smooth here. The only quibbles I have are the repetition and cliches in some descriptions and the tendency to sometimes overexplain or slow down the action by the characters' inner dialogues.
I like supernatural stuff in general, but I wouldn't call myself a keen reader of horror, so there may have been tropes or things I missed out on, and there were definitely some things I was initially confused about which I'm putting down to this lack of experience.
In the first book, I had loved the balance between the darkness and adventure and the personal narratives. This only gets better in Shining and Purity. These are characters with complicated pasts and there are no easy decisions. This complexity of emotion and the choices they must make (and live with) adds to the already high stakes they face. And the fact that the characters are well-developed makes us care about what happens to them.
That was my favourite part. Watching these characters struggle - against the world, against each other, against themselves - and finally find their way, and their well-earned peace. I loved the bond that forms between Gabe, Moth, and Teal and how they source their strength from it, how that makes them different, other, in the vampire world. This isn't just a fight to protect the good, it's a fight to protect the right of those who are different to be who they are without persecution, of the right of the weaker to not be bullied by those with more power.
Not to say that the plot wasn't exciting. Bev is brilliant at creating atmosphere. I enjoyed the deliberate way it unfolded throughout the books, secrets slowly revealed, all the disparate threads tightening to form the heart of the larger tapestry. I loved the discussions it brought up of choice, evil, sin, good, faith, and hope.
Gabriel is the protagonist of this story and the only first-person narrator. The rest are in third-person. This can be a tricky balance but for the most part it feels very smooth here. The only quibbles I have are the repetition and cliches in some descriptions and the tendency to sometimes overexplain or slow down the action by the characters' inner dialogues.
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