Great start to an excellent series. Very enjoyable blend of paranormal romance and historical/regency romance. The heroine shows room for growth, which is evident in subsequent books, but is still interesting enough to make this book enjoyable in it's own rank. In a market filled with stories that are all alike, just with different character names, this was a refreshing, beautifully done story...with an actual plot! Gasp! As a reader of paranormal and historical romance, I absolutely adored this series.

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I had found this book in my local book store a few times, but I always put it down and grabbed something else. When I joined the site, it was one of the first books I found in my search and I decided to get it. Let me tell you, I am disappointed that I didn't get it sooner. I absolutely loved this book. Everything about it sucked me in -- the characters, the story, the setting. It was everything I wanted in this sort of book. It was my two favorite things rolled into one: historical romance and vampires. I cannot wait to read the next one!

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Reviewer: Deborah Wiley (Winter Haven, FL) -

Victoria Gardella Grantworth should be focusing on her debut into London society but instead she's just discovered she's descended from a family of vampire hunters. And she's not from just any vampire hunters either, but one of the revered Venators whose mission is to protect humanity and destroy their ultimate enemy, Lilith. Only a descendant of the Gardella family can destroy Lilith. Unfortunately, Lilith wants possession of The Book of Antworth which would give her unheralded powers. Victoria will find herself torn between two worlds... the world of the vampire slayer and the parties of the London ton.

THE REST FALLS AWAY is an interesting mixture of a vampire hunter tale and historical romance. When the book first opened with the fussy conversation between Winnie, Nilly, and Melly, I seriously thought I'd picked up the wrong book for my tastes. The book quickly segue ways into Victoria's entrance into the world of the Venator. From that point on, I was hooked as the book flashes back and forth between these two vastly different worlds. The combination works exceptionally well as the silly conversations between Winnie, Nilly, and Melly perfectly counterbalance the dark elements of the vampire underworld.

THE REST FALLS AWAY takes readers on a very wild and unique. The tensions between Victoria, Lord Phillip de Lacy, Maximilian Pesaro, and Sebastian Vioget provide for some rather interesting moments, including one particularly heart wrenching scene. With just a tiny bit of tightening up of the plotline, THE REST FALLS AWAY could be the start of one of the best vampire series out there. This reviewer will be anxiously awaiting the second book to see where Colleen Gleason takes us next.

COURTESY OF CK2S KWIPS AND KRITIQUES

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After reading the reviews I had to read it myself..and let me tell you..this book was so boring. Just nothing there to hold my interest. I couldnt even finish it. Good luck to the next person reading this.

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Has many different triangles you think are going to start... but then just a really sad ending...

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This is the first book in the Gardella Vampire Chronicles. There are five books in this series. I have had these five books on my bookshelf to read forever and was excited to finally start reading this series. It is a fun series that is pretty much just pure entertainment.

Victoria Gardella finds out it is time to take up the vampire hunter mantel of her ancestors, but she must also still debut in polite society. She ends up finding herself torn between the handsome Marquess she meets at her debut, the stern Maximilian who helps her out in training, and the mysteriously alluring Sebastian who she runs into when she ventures into the seedier parts of London. She deals with all of this while trying to help solve a mysterious murder case and prevent the vampire Lilith from stealing an ancient and dangerous book.

Think Buffy meets Pride and Prejudice and thats a pretty good description of this book. Victoria channels a lot of Buffy here, she is a pretty girly girl who just happens to also have vampire hunting capabilities. She is determined to succeed both as a vampire hunter and as a society girl.

The book is set in London in Victorian times, I love reading about London and enjoy the intricacy of Victorian times.

There is a love...square of sorts as mentioned above. When Victoria ends up falling in love with the Marquess her stealthy night time activities become even more difficult to maintain.

This was a fun read, purely a light fun read and not much more than that. The characters were likable and interesting, but I never got super attached to them. The banter between characters is witty and fun and I enjoyed it alot.

Overall I enjoyed the book and will definitely read the next one. This is a great series to read for a little vampire hunting fun, some romance, and a bit of escapism. Recommended to fans of humorous paranormal romance who enjoy historical settings.

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First book of the Gardella Vampire Chronicles and I am hooked! Colleen Gleason writes in such a way she pulls you in just as the vampire lures its victim. I was held and read the book in a half day. Easy read, a page turner!

The book is set in the nineteenth century London society and between the balls, the carriage rides, the romance and the vampire hunting it captures you.

Looking forward to "Rises the Night" book II as soon as I post this review!

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A fun read. Think Buffy the Vampire Slayer in Victorian England. It is quite entertaining to see the heroine try and walk the fine line between proper lady of society and ass kicking vampire hunter. I found myself cheering for her.

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This book starts out a little slow, the romance is heart warming and several twist drive this book home. Not sure if I loved or hated it due to the ultimate choice Victoria has to make. I love the characters, the story, and how well the book flows. It is a great read and well worth the time, but be ready for the ending, it will make you... well, read it for yourself! However, this book is so good that I will be buying the next installment in the series that is due out in June!

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