Thierry d’Arjou has but one escape from the daily misery of his work at a medieval abattoir — Etienne de Balthas. But keeping their love a secret triggers a bloody chain of events that condemns Thierry to a monstrous immortality. Thierry quickly learns that to survive his timeless exile, he must hide his sensitive heart from the man who both eases and ensures his loneliness...his twin brother.
Shaped by the fists of a brutal father, Olivier d’Arjou cares for only two things: his own pleasure and his twin. But their sadistic path through centuries is littered with old rivals and new foes, and Olivier must fight for what is rightfully his – Thierry, made immortal just for him.
The d'Arjou twins...vampire twins, gruesome, twisted and quite a tale they weave.
Any True Blood or Vampire Diaries fans out there? I'm a fan of both. And surprise, surprise, I gravitate to the twisted ones. The anti-hero/villains are way better the good guys. There's just something about the depraved ones, the less morals, the better!
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| Think of having Damon Salvatore times two and one is without a conscience! :D |
Warning for the easily squicked: There is rape, brief mention of sexual abuse, incest overtones -no actual incest happens on page and blood play. Oh and the bloody warning in the blurb isn't an exaggeration. This book has tons of blood and gore.
Twins Thierry and Olivier were human identical twins in Carcassonne, France in 1390. Sons of a mean butcher with a secretive little sister, the brothers were used to a harsh and abusive live. But Thierry had a secret lover named Etienne that he hid from his twin...even though the twins have a psychic bond. Thierry hid his lover well...or so he thought. Olivier is changed into a vampire by accident by an obsessed vampire, mistaken for Theirry. But once Olivier learns of his brother's lover and that Olivier is not number one in Thierry's life, let's just say it gets bloody.
The story spans from 1390 France to 1792 Saxony until present day Australia. during this time the twins cause mayhem and havoc. But Thierry was always the softer of the two, looking for a love to claim for his own. He's charged to keep an eye on his brother but not a leash.The trouble they cause. Whew boy! That incest line is never crossed between the brothers so if twincest isn't your thing, have no fear. (I'm still pouting about it)
Thierry is the damaged protagonist who misses his dead love Etienne so much. And he gets to meets his reincarnated love more than once in his very long undead vampire life...but Olivier. Oh Olivier is the debauched vampire hostess with the most-est.
Dayum...depraved, vile, revolting, murderer, wicked...delicious.
Olivier is a sociopath with a sick obsession for his twin. He lets nothing come in the way of having his brother in his life. And we're talking some sick shit, to be honest. Two thumbs for Olivier. I'm sure Thierry will garner sympathy but Olivier is alright with me. Finally, vampires that enjoy being a vampire. No whiny 'I want to be a human' or 'I'm drinking animal's blood to prove I'm tame and lame'.
There are issues such as the parts where it didn't fully drag but had a lull of sorts. It was not a lot of times but I felt some filler could have been dropped. Another issue is not enough description into what happened with the brothers when their relationship strained during the years. There was a period briefly mentioned where they were separated. Why? What happened? Olivier is the sick, obsessive type to not be separated from his brother without good reason for so long. also for all the centuries between them and the annoyance Thierry felt for his brother...why was he so unmotivated to pull away? He might have been the timid brother, the lover, the dreamer and romantic but he came off so resigned. And then Olivier lacks morals and is psychotic...why didn't he take what he really wanted from Thierry? And what is the purpose of the magic and the twin bond?
You see the plot lines are laced into the appropriate holes (it's why it's getting 4 Hearts from me) but it's not fully tightened. This author has room to grow. This book I enjoyed with the love of a good story. I'll ignore technical things if the story is good.
And it's good.
If the author plans to continue with more from this world, a little more description into a vampire's full extent of powers, a little more development of the important bonds between characters and (me being greedy) maybe a a little bro-on-bro action? Yes? No? It's alright. Get back to me. ;P
The story ends with a HEA but there are unresolved questions - Aurelia? Oberon? The Duke? This magic cycle?
Recommended for vampire lovers. Not the fans of the glitter-in-the-sun-woe-is-me vampires, I talking about the ones the enjoy a vampire that revels in being a bloodsucker.
I'm a proud fangbanger and I definitely will be reading more from this author.
A copy provided for an honest review.
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