kimily's review against another edition
5.0
I am not normally a fan of vampire fiction, but in Petra, Cheri Lasota has introduced a new kind of vampire and an intriguing vampire origin story. I was drawn in from page one by the interaction between Petra and Aurelia, and my feelings about the story only grew more and more positive as I read. The origin story, the love between Petra and Lucius, and the absolutely (but not quite absolutely) irredeemable Clarius, along with so many other aspects, made this a book that I feel like I absolutely must follow-up on. It may be a little while until there is a sequel, but I will await it with anticipation.
I would recommend Petra to anyone who enjoys romance and vampire stories in a historical setting.
I would recommend Petra to anyone who enjoys romance and vampire stories in a historical setting.
johnstaintedfantasy's review against another edition
5.0
"PETRA: The Immortal Codex”
“I am the Prima Vita, the only true immortal. But the darker the gift, the higher the blood price—and I have paid it all.
At the moment of my making, at the turn of the first millennium amid the glories and horrors of Ancient Rome, two men died with me. Both reborn in my immortal blood, one became my lover and the other my enemy.
I promised the unspeakable to save Lucius from Clarius. The bargain, once struck, was simple: die with Clarius once a year to keep Lucius safe for an eternity.”
I should probably start out by saying that one of my favorite quotes from this book was “Let go of the life I take and embrace the immortal you will become”. With that said, on we go!
We start our eternal adventures with Petra retelling her past next to her, what I can only call her, dearest friend Aurelia a she transcribes the tales to what Petra called “The Immortal Codex”. As Petra takes a trip down memory lane, while she plots her way to end a lifelong eternal bargain, we visit ancient Rome, Sicily and other amazing places. Once you get in the mood and ambience of this book you will not be able to put it down. Trust me, I tried to do it and get a decent night’s sleep and I couldn’t. Petra, who’s forever 18 years of age and a true depiction of beauty, is a slave. As she’s forced to help deliver her masters unborn child, she decides to take justice in her own hands (her mother was brutally murdered by her master). She takes a phial of poison and gives it to the woman in pain. The woman dies and her master, Clarius decides to deliver his unborn child himself. We see that the scene is gruesome and sad at the same time. I cried while he was looking up as his dead child. Clarius then takes Petra away and goes on to avenge his wife and child. What happens next is truly a masterpiece. I’m sorry I don’t want to give too much away *wink wink*
This book is enticing. Exquisite in detail. We see beautiful gowns, estates & vineyards. As soon as I began to submerge this amazing read, it gave me some major “Interview with the vampire” feels. We get to meet some interesting characters along the way, one of them being Cassian, a man who feels no pain. And Aurelia, a woman ahead of her times. We also learn the different houses for the “Eternae”. While this book has an amazing potential to be one the best reads of the year, I must admit it does have one flaw, that ending left me hungry for more. I cannot tell you how good and full of emotions this book was. As we move along the centuries in this trip, we get an inside, and I do mean INSIDE, look at what seems like infamous “plague”.
I truly hope that book 2 is as captivating and mesmerizing as this one! I cannot wait for these to come out! The excitement is real!
“I am the Prima Vita, the only true immortal. But the darker the gift, the higher the blood price—and I have paid it all.
At the moment of my making, at the turn of the first millennium amid the glories and horrors of Ancient Rome, two men died with me. Both reborn in my immortal blood, one became my lover and the other my enemy.
I promised the unspeakable to save Lucius from Clarius. The bargain, once struck, was simple: die with Clarius once a year to keep Lucius safe for an eternity.”
I should probably start out by saying that one of my favorite quotes from this book was “Let go of the life I take and embrace the immortal you will become”. With that said, on we go!
We start our eternal adventures with Petra retelling her past next to her, what I can only call her, dearest friend Aurelia a she transcribes the tales to what Petra called “The Immortal Codex”. As Petra takes a trip down memory lane, while she plots her way to end a lifelong eternal bargain, we visit ancient Rome, Sicily and other amazing places. Once you get in the mood and ambience of this book you will not be able to put it down. Trust me, I tried to do it and get a decent night’s sleep and I couldn’t. Petra, who’s forever 18 years of age and a true depiction of beauty, is a slave. As she’s forced to help deliver her masters unborn child, she decides to take justice in her own hands (her mother was brutally murdered by her master). She takes a phial of poison and gives it to the woman in pain. The woman dies and her master, Clarius decides to deliver his unborn child himself. We see that the scene is gruesome and sad at the same time. I cried while he was looking up as his dead child. Clarius then takes Petra away and goes on to avenge his wife and child. What happens next is truly a masterpiece. I’m sorry I don’t want to give too much away *wink wink*
This book is enticing. Exquisite in detail. We see beautiful gowns, estates & vineyards. As soon as I began to submerge this amazing read, it gave me some major “Interview with the vampire” feels. We get to meet some interesting characters along the way, one of them being Cassian, a man who feels no pain. And Aurelia, a woman ahead of her times. We also learn the different houses for the “Eternae”. While this book has an amazing potential to be one the best reads of the year, I must admit it does have one flaw, that ending left me hungry for more. I cannot tell you how good and full of emotions this book was. As we move along the centuries in this trip, we get an inside, and I do mean INSIDE, look at what seems like infamous “plague”.
I truly hope that book 2 is as captivating and mesmerizing as this one! I cannot wait for these to come out! The excitement is real!
inlibrisveritas's review
4.0
We are two for two this week on reading some of my favorite sub-genres. I’ve been reading vampire novels since middle school, and they have remained one of my favorite things to read about even despite the saturation that happened after Twilight hit the shelves, because when they are done right it’s completely worth it. Petra is one such novel.
Petra is a book that spans several centuries and focuses on the origins of the Essentiae (the immortals) but mostly follows our title character from her humble and sad beginnings to a woman capable of withstanding the test of time and opposition. This novel offers something a bit different in the way of vampiric origins and powers and focuses on the ‘human’ aspect of the story instead of turning it into some generic fight against a generic force of evil. We get a love story, a power struggle, and even a coming of age story all packed into one. The Essentiae don’t come about in a usual fashion, and much of the ‘why’ is still a mystery to both the reader and the characters but we do get see them struggle to learn the measure of their powers. I love that while the ‘them vs. us’ aspect seems fairly cut and dry to begin with, there is a lot going on under the surface. Not all of those who follow the ruthless Clarius do so blindly, and not all that follow Petra do so easily. One thing I really loved was the focus on Petra and Lucius’ relationship, and the way immortality and power struggles have shaped it. So often we see these immortal couples as invincible to petty things like jealousy, but Petra and Lucius are not like that. They feel deeply and just because something must be done doesn’t mean it comes without a fight. The well placed time jumps in the narrative (for that’s exactly what it is overall) proved glimpses into historical time periods and provide rather vivid backdrops, like one of my favorite chapters which take place in the old city of Kaffa (Theodosia). And let me tell you, I can tell some serious research went into this. It’s obvious not only in the setting but the way the characters speak to one another. In fact, it comes with a glossary (hyperlinked words!) filled with definitions of any words that might trip you up.
I’m super pleased with how this story turned out! I can’t wait to see where this series will go (10 books!) and how each book will develop the story of the Essentaie especially in regards to Petra.
Petra is a book that spans several centuries and focuses on the origins of the Essentiae (the immortals) but mostly follows our title character from her humble and sad beginnings to a woman capable of withstanding the test of time and opposition. This novel offers something a bit different in the way of vampiric origins and powers and focuses on the ‘human’ aspect of the story instead of turning it into some generic fight against a generic force of evil. We get a love story, a power struggle, and even a coming of age story all packed into one. The Essentiae don’t come about in a usual fashion, and much of the ‘why’ is still a mystery to both the reader and the characters but we do get see them struggle to learn the measure of their powers. I love that while the ‘them vs. us’ aspect seems fairly cut and dry to begin with, there is a lot going on under the surface. Not all of those who follow the ruthless Clarius do so blindly, and not all that follow Petra do so easily. One thing I really loved was the focus on Petra and Lucius’ relationship, and the way immortality and power struggles have shaped it. So often we see these immortal couples as invincible to petty things like jealousy, but Petra and Lucius are not like that. They feel deeply and just because something must be done doesn’t mean it comes without a fight. The well placed time jumps in the narrative (for that’s exactly what it is overall) proved glimpses into historical time periods and provide rather vivid backdrops, like one of my favorite chapters which take place in the old city of Kaffa (Theodosia). And let me tell you, I can tell some serious research went into this. It’s obvious not only in the setting but the way the characters speak to one another. In fact, it comes with a glossary (hyperlinked words!) filled with definitions of any words that might trip you up.
I’m super pleased with how this story turned out! I can’t wait to see where this series will go (10 books!) and how each book will develop the story of the Essentaie especially in regards to Petra.
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