With each new vampire novel comes a new set of rules and regulations to take on board. Some can do sunlight, others can cope with holy water, and a fortunate few can regenerate even after a stake through the heart. Christopher Golden’s vampire creations are a totally mixed bag.
There are those dedicated, yet vulnerable to their own ancient legend; there are the Shadows, who are desperately trying to behave sensibly in order for them to be allowed to coexist with humanity, and then there are the villainous rogue vampires who are a law unto themselves.
Sorcerer Peter Octavian is in a massive strop, but understandably so as his beloved girlfriend has been taken from him by the rogue vampire, Cortez. Consumed with the need for revenge, Octavian ignores the horrific creatures that have suddenly begun to spout from cracks in the grounds of basilicas across Europe, leaving the United Nations and specialist demon department Task Force Victor to defend the world.
If Octavian had an alter ego it would have to be Clark Kent from Superman II – imagine letting a girl come between you and the survival of mankind!
The Graves Of Saints is the sixth novel in The Shadow Saga, yet thanks to Goldman’s thoughtful, concise recaps, the back story is easy to pick up even if you haven’t read the previous five. Octavian is an enigmatic, central character, who we learn has lived through many centuries in various different supernatural forms. Even a holiday in hell didn’t finish him off, yet this tale is not always told from his point of view.
An assortment of strange, supernatural sidekicks join forces with a small army of humans, and Golden rapidly switches from one gruesome viewpoint to another, which keeps you frustratingly and nauseatingly addicted.
