Before Quinlan can make his move, four additional Strigoi S. He takes several hits but is able to fire back and kill one attacker. Setrakian and Fet then arrive on the scene and disperse silver grenades at the S. Ls and The Master. The silver incapacitates The Master long enough for Quinlan to behead him with his remaining strength, he then collapses due to his wounds. Later that night, Eph removes the bullets from a slumbering Quinlan and sews his wounds together allowing Quinlan to regenerate. During the procedure, Eph expresses his dismay towards Quinlan, as he didn't get his son back.
When he awakens Setrakian is there and he asks if Quinlan could have been wrong about the Master's death bringing the demise of his strain as it had not happened yet. Quinlan is not certain and both of them are unconvinced so they decide to ask the Ancients. Once at the Ancients, Quinlan informs them that he has slain the master but they tell him that the master is simply formless and will eventually take a new host. Setrakian tells the Ancients that he saw a crimson worm and the Ancients reveal that since the crimson worm was not killed the master is not dead.
A distressed Quinlan then asks what the Crimson worm is and the Ancients explain that the worm is the essence of the Master's being. The realization that the Master still lives because the Ancients had withheld the existence of the crimson worm, enrages Quinlan. It causes him to sever ties with the Ancients and promise that they will never see him again. A week after severing ties with the Ancients, Quinlan and Setrakian are reading through copied pages of the Occido Lumen. Quinlan takes note of a chapter about Strigoi hunters and tells Setrakian of the similarities between the hunters.
Namely, they have a tendency to act alone and seem to be gripped by madness. The two express that it's good that the madness does not apply to them. Quinlan later informs The Professor of an Egyptian hunter who buried a plague. Setrakian is then reminded of a reference to the seven plagues and it becomes clear that the plague is a reference to the Ancients.
The Professor wonders how the Egyptian buried the plague and Quinlan explains that it does not say how. Setrakian says that there must be some hidden meaning and fetches the Occido Lumen to discern from the real article. They are still unable to decipher the article and Setrakian begins to speculate that elaborate steps were taken to prevent strigoi from reading the book. Setrakian then realizes something and has Quinlan follow him to the roof. On the roof, Setrakian directs the article against the sun and more text begins to show. The Lumen could only be read under sunlight to prevent a strigoi from reading it.
For some reason Quinlan is reluctant to stand directly under the sun though sunlight is not fatal to him The new text reveals that the Egyptian hunter trapped the Ancient inside a box lined with silver and lead, thus trapping the Crimson worm inside. Quinlan later asks Setrakian if he believes the Egyptian hunter really trapped an Ancient and Setrakian reply that he does as he had done something similar with a sentient strigoi when he was closest to mad.
Quinlan then appreciates the madness as they now know that the answer to defeating the master is imprisonment. Quinlan accompanies Ephraim and Dutch on their mission to obtain the Master's voice from the flight black box at JFK international airport. On their way there they drive through a neighborhood where people are armed, looting stores and threatening people for food and money.
They come across a family being robbed at gunpoint, Eph, and Dutch stop to help the family despite Quinlan's protests. The pair is at first outgunned but is saved when Quinlan kills three of the robbers. Once at the airport Quinlan acts as crowd control for Strigoi, while Eph and Dutch retrieve the black box.
If you like the style of imaginative and articulate backdrops w This isn't the run of the mill vampire story, a very unique and entertaining read. Okay, maybe a really good blow job. Jul 17, Beckie rated it it was amazing Shelves: Keep your eyes open, and stay alive! The relationships between Scarlet and her family members seemed natural although she was 1 of a set of quads and her wavering between boys she liked seemed real. It's hinted that some can be bred and some are made by vampires, but this may be a misreading on my part.
While investigating if any of the Old World Ancients had come over to join the Master, Quinlan is tasked by Setrakian and Fet to meet with the New World Ancients to determine the suspicion. Quinlan is at first hesitant to do so but in convinced when Setrakian points out that he is the only one that can speak to them. Once Quinlan is at the Ancients, he tells them that he is there to ask them a question and perhaps to warn them.
He informs them of the recent developments and asks them if it's possible that the Master could have transported one of the Ancients to New York. The Ancients confirm that it's possible. Quinlan then points out if the Master has formed an alliance with one of their kind but not them it must mean that the Master intends to kill them. He then proceeds to inform the Ancients that Setrakian has a plan to defeat the master without slaying him.
The Ancients are at first not interested but soon change their minds and say that they are ready to listen. Quinlan leaves to return with further instructions. Upon his return to the Ancients Quinlan begins to converse with them but is interrupted by the arrival of Eichorst and hundreds of Strigoi.
The Master speaks to Quinlan through Eichhorst and says it is fitting that he is there to lay witness. The Master has Eichhorst arm a briefcase containing a nuclear weapon and then has his Strigoi swarm the Ancients, meanwhile, Eichhorst made his departure. Quinlan proceeded to cut and shoot his way through dozens of Strigoi while escaping.
The Sun Hunters fall quickly to the hordes but the Ancients kill many with ease, however. Quinlan speeds away just as Eichorst detonated the nuclear weapon that releases a blast that kills the Ancients. Quinlan survived the blast and he returned to the club sometime later and informed the group of the Ancients death. The plan to imprison the master succeeds. The radio wave signal Eph and Dutch worked on successfully paralyzed the master who surprises attacks Eph, Dutch and the rest, by ambushing Palmer's envoy, killing all of his guards and skipping bodies from the last member of the Seal team whom he took after being forced to leave Bolivar's body.
Just as Palmer is about to use his proboscis the paralyzing effect of the radio waves sets in, the group use silver chains to imprison the master in his silver and lead coffin. The master as Palmer was in a weak state as it takes time to adjust and re-energize when changing host. Nevertheless, he was too strong for the human fighters but not for Quinlan, who overpowered him.
An enraged Zach unwittingly detonates the bomb by pushing a trigger just as Eichhorst instructed him to do. The detonation destroys many things and hurls the coffin through the air, enabling the master to escape once more. Season four opens with a nine-month time skip. The group is in disarray and Quinlan keeps company with Vasily Fet. Quinlan is weary of Fet's efforts to find a nuke weapon. They're still hostile and taunt one another, while Fet display's his dark humor to shrug off his unlikely ally's ever-present serious demeanor.
Quinlan, still in an infinite calm, but laments the lack of progress. Quinlan continues to be the muscle of the group as his speed is rendering guns useless against him. He waits in hiding when Fet's attempts to convince a group of Caucasian, rural Americans to join his efforts in fighting the Strigoi. Due to his perceived Russian accent and the group's unhinged morale, they hint that they will rape the woman ostensibly Vasily's new girlfriend in his company.
Quinlan seems to be emotionally moved by Fet kissing Charlotte hinting that Quinlan might have experienced love in the millennia of his existence before he became jaded.
Fet and Charlotte are later captured by a group of women. Quinlan tracks them to the barn where Fet is being held. When he arrives Fet and Charlotte are in control and accompanied by a fellow prisoner named Roman. Roman works at a missile installation in the area and is willing to lead them there. The group is sitting by a campfire and debating how far humanity has fallen.
Fet says the master has truly knocked them down the food chain. Quinlan then points out that it was not the master that brought upon the night eternal. It was humanity with their weapons of mass destruction. The next day they arrive at the secret military base containing the missile silo. They find the place surrounded by corpses, human, and strigoi both. Fet throws silver grenades down the silo to make sure there is no strigoi.
There was no strigoi, So Quinlan approached and took a look down the hole and found a warhead in place. Just as he commented on the good news he was shot by a sniper called Dukali and fell right into the silo. He survived the fall but broke his leg, Quinlan used silver from the grenades to seal the wound and used his sword as a splint. All meanwhile avoiding bullets from Dukali. Fet climbed down the silo and warned Dukali that Quinlan would harm him if he did not surrender. Quinlan confirmed this and offered the sniper a chance to surrender, saying he would not kill him.
The sniper refused so Quinlan said, "so be it. Quinlan then used the rifle to kill Dukali, keeping his word in the process. After having retrieved the nuke, Roman discovers that the warheads pit assembly is missing, making the weapon useless. Fet and Quinlan, deduce that the pit must be inside the convoy that they had previously spotted and decide they must find it.
The group has been scooping out nuclear silos in pursuit of a pit assembly, however, the Strigoi convoy has been ahead of them. At on such silo, they scoop and watch as the convoy removes a pit assembly. They spot a strange type of vampire, Quinlan explains that it is a mongrel. The group decides to hijack the convoy but they are met with refusal from the scavengers as Quinlan has not yet fully recovered from his injuries. Charlotte convinces the band of otherwise by lying about there being silver in the truck. Quinlan who in position to intercept the convoy takes out the SUV by slicing its tires.
He then places himself in the middle of the road allowing him to pass safely under the truck and get to the top of the trailer. The mongrel then gets on top of the trailer as well and Quinlan fights it with some difficulty. However, he lures it into a zip line set up by the scavengers that cut the mongrel in half. Quinlan makes his way inside the truck and throws out the driver, assuming control of the truck himself.
Later, Quinlan comes in at the right time to save Fet from a second mongrel by throwing his sword into its heart. When they open the trailer the scavengers are not happy to learn that they were lied to about the silver and plan to give them up to the partnership. Their plans are however cut short as a strigoi emerges and feeds on one of them forcing the rest to flee. The group then unload the pit assembly before reinforcements arrive. Quinlan and the gang are planning to go to an airfield run by Dully a guy Roman knows to obtain a plane that they can take to New York.
During a conversation with Roman, it's brought up that Dully may not be reasonable but Quinlan is confident that he can make him reasonable. Quinlan approaches Fet and Charlotte and asks to speak to Fet alone. Quinlan tells Fet that Charlotte can't come with them as she is no longer of use and Fet disagrees.
It is hinted that Quinlan does not want her to accompany them as he wants her to remain alive. On their way to the airfield, the group receives a broadcast from the scavenger Ben warning them that Eichhorst is after them. Once at the airfield, the group receives fire from Dully but Roman disarms the situation by explaining over the radio that they are there to trade. After some heat, they are able to trade their supplies for a plane.
Fet then lets Charlotte go and Quinlan assures him that it was for the best and compliments Fet that she will not find a better man. When they are taking off Eichhorst arrives and he starts shouting at the plane with a machine gun mounted on Ben's truck. They are saved by Charlotte's intervention when she snipes Eichhorst allowing them to escape. Fet is then happy to say that Charlotte proved Quinlan wrong by saving them but Quinlan is adamant that Fet saved them by leaving her behind. In the series finale, Quinlan and the Master finally get the confrontation they have been waiting centuries for.
Quinlan is able to tackle the Master into an elevator, along with Zach, which drops them meters below ground. Quinlan and the Master battle it out, with the Master proving to be far superior and stronger, however before the Master can land the killing blow against Quilan, he manages to pull out the Master's stinger, severely injuring him. When the Master questions what he has done, Quinlan states, with a smile on his face that "I've won.
The Master is killed moments later, after taking over the body of Ephraim Goodweather, when Eph's son Zach detonates the Nuke, killing himself, the Master and finally freeing the world from him and his Strain. Quintus Sertorius is the 5th member of the Born, and, as of the 21st century, is the only one that remains in existence. In his nearly two thousand years of life, he has primarily been a gladiator, defeating every human and every beast that was pitted against him. As a hybrid, his body is free of bloodworms and so he is incapable of infecting other humans.
He shares most other traits of the Strigoi, including the need to drink blood to survive but retains independent thought and human emotions, such as love. His stinger is also much shorter than common strigoi. Quinlan also retains a human nose, unlike other Strigoi, all of whom lost theirs as they matured. In comparison to other strigoi, sunlight does not burn Quinlan but his skin and eyes are still sensitive to it.
To operate in sunlight, he covers his skin with hooded clothing and has previously covered himself in some sand. As his eyes are also vulnerable, he requires goggles to see properly in daylight. He is not immune to the effects of silver, however, and his skin will burn like any strigoi upon contact with it. Quinlan dons hooded attire to also conceal his less than human features, such as his pointed ears. His physiology further mirrors the Strigoi as he is shown to bleed the same.
This was shown in the flashback to Quinlan as a gladiator in the ancient Rome. He calmly participates and parry's the thrust of another gladiator, easily wounding him. He does not show any relish, but, instead, shows disgust when he complies with the wish of the audience to slay the defeated gladiator by slicing his throat.
His true age is unknown, but he is speculated to be around 2, years old. In season 4 he mentions being "handling weapons safely for 2, years," which explains his calm demeanor and lack of emotional response to the human tragedy he has been witnessing. His participation in the Gladiator games was recorded so that even Setrakian was able to identify him since Quinlan did not bother to introduce himself in the proper sense.
Quinlan's calm demeanor is his most striking feature. He has no need to be aggressive towards other people, for most of his opponents have not been a match for his speed and strength. A human with an automatic gun is no match for Quinlan, since his speed allows him to dodge the bullets, and his physiology can withstand multiple gun wounds. It is unclear what it would take to kill Quinlan but decapitation probably will kill him just like any other human or Strigoi, except the Ancients.
Despite his calmness, Quinlan displays anger and is about to engage the master in a melee when the Master gloats about Quinlan mother's murder the scene in the TV series implied the Master committed the kill, but it is later revealed that it was not Quinlan's true biological human mother but a woman who took care of him and who possessed knowledge about the Strigoi and the Master. It is very well written and did remind me very much of Anne Rice's "Interview with a Vampire". I felt the novel had just enough of every aspect; love, betrayal, vengeance, and of course action.
I eagerly await the coming books. Jul 22, Isis rated it really liked it Shelves: And imagine my surprise when a package arrived that contained not only the book with a personal autograph on the title page no less! But on to the meat of this review - the story. Aleron is a well written first book assuming Kane isn't a pen name for an already published author. This book has it all - the paranormal, romance, violence, sex, betrayal, love. And all told from various points of view, so that you get to follow the progression from human to immortal over a period of time.
It is nice to have it woven throughout the story, as opposed to being mentioned once and then forgotten, as if there are no lingering questions. Since this is a planned series of five books it moves at a decent pace. Kane has taken fact and fiction and blended the two into a fascinating story that has a fresh feel to it. It doesn't read like a bunch of recycled vampire stories.
Granted in a genre that has some much written about it there will always be some things that are repeated, but this author does an excellent job of remaking this into his own vision of this world that has always held such a strong allure and fascination for so many. His characters quickly develop and show their own distinct personalities, some of which are rather surprising and not what you might expect in a vampire story.
The historical research that Kane has done comes across loud and clear in this story, so that fact blends fairly seamlessly with fiction, creating a fantasy world that reels the reader in. Rather similar to the notoriously famous hypnotic allure vampires themselves exercise at will. Could it be the author taken on aspects of his subjects, or is this story autobiographical?
So much so that I find myself eagerly awaiting the release of the next book in the series, even knowing how hard it will be to read, knowing I will have months and months to wait for the next installment to arrive. So it seems clear to me, since I am already anticipating the rest of the series, that this one is a winner. There is only thing that stands out for me as possibly a novice error, as I find myself with only one question that stuck out from rather early on in the story - a question that I can make assumptions about the answer to, but was rather surprised that it was never directly addressed at least not to my satisfaction.
But then it could be that Kane feels the answer was given father in, and is apparent in and of itself. Even knowing that this is to be a five-book series, in my mind this is a question that would have arisen early and been addressed as soon as it arose. Yet it is only really alluded to toward the end of this installment of the story - and even then it seemed to be more of a vehicle for the plot than anything else. However I'll not tell you what the question is -- but do let me know if you have any questions after you finish reading the book and we can compare notes!
So, we're right in the heart of vampire lore which would seem obvious since Vlad's involved. But you never really feel like you're in the past throughout this novel. We're just in a world of vampirism set from a male perspective which I don't get to see a whole lot of. Mynea is a mysterious queen. And she creates an interesting male vampire called Aleron. I thought the dynamic between the two at the beginning of the book was kind of slow. But when another vampire, Pandora, comes into play, the book suddenly becomes more interesting. Because she explains Vlad's past as well as her own.
What was really interesting was seeing the transformation from human to vampire. Apparently, all non-essential organs leave the body in a disgusting scene. But this is just a side note. What starts off as love and passion for vampires quickly turns into deceit, betrayal, and vengeance.
I liked seeing hearts break in this book while seeing lots of blood feasting. Vampires aren't meant for the faint of heart and neither is this book. It's kind of like Anne Rice's Interview with the Vampire but different. I enjoyed this world and the vampires in it, however the ending wasn't a really good ending. It's definitely set up to continue the story in the next book. I wish Goodreads would let you do half stars. This one was more like 2. Aleron is the debut novel by Kane. The book reads like a history novel. You definitely get a sense of the time and region in which the book takes place.
It is the story of Aleron and his journey as he adapts to being turned into a vampire. Throughout his journey, he shares his innermost thoughts with the reader. We see his struggle to leave his mortal life and family behind.
He becomes a powerful vampire, but retain I wish Goodreads would let you do half stars. He becomes a powerful vampire, but retains his conscience. In the beginning, he only feeds from and kills the lowest of society, enacting his own form of justice. He struggles with the loss of his creator and finds a new home within the coven he creates.
I did find Aleron pretty interesting in regards to the history of vampires, but I thought it was a bit tedious at times. It dragged in places and i kept waiting for something to happen. The real action doesn't happen until the last quarter of the book and then it ends pretty abruptly in a cliffhanger. I understand this is the first in a series of 5 books, so I suspect the that the author is using this first one to set the background.
I do look forward to see what happens to Alreon and his coven in the next book. I only hope that there is more happening between the vampires and less history about them. Jan 24, Dennis De Rose rated it it was amazing. Aleron must cope with a timeless existence, seeing those he loves suffer the fate of mortality, while he remains cursed with eternal life. What if your immortal origin, as well as others of your kind, were hidden from you by the one you loved most; the one who gave you a life of darkness and a lust for the sweetest nectar?
These dilemmas and more face Aleron, but he must first learn to live, to survive, and, most of all, to feed. Seduced by the alluring vampire, Mynea, Aleron learns what it trul Aleron must cope with a timeless existence, seeing those he loves suffer the fate of mortality, while he remains cursed with eternal life.
Seduced by the alluring vampire, Mynea, Aleron learns what it truly means to be immortal as he adapts to his new life and insatiable lust. She is teaching him to give her what her maker never could. She desires a new king and a new coven. Hearts, minds, and vampire souls intertwine as long kept secrets crawl out from the grave, refusing to remain buried beneath the earth and ageless lies. A blood kiss between them reveals a darker and even deadlier soul that has learned of Aleron's blasphemous existence. Vlad is the beginning, the father of them all.
Mynea must not let her young prince learn of her ancient king. Can a vampire truly love and trust another of his kind when their very lives depend on skillful deceit? Walking a thin line between life and death, Aleron is certain of one thing, if love is, then blood is. Edited and reviewed by Dennis Moneysaver Editing Aug 27, Misty rated it did not like it.
Flat, disenchanting, one-dimensional, dry, somewhat like an Olde English Lit professor thoroughly in love with the sound of their own voice That's the most polite way to put it. The author is very pleased with himself, trying to weave an elaborate silken tapestry of verbiage, drunk on his own word count. However, what should be an elegant foray into what is means to be vampire, excuse me, Vampyre , only ends up being a long trek over needlessly convoluted descriptions of ev Flat, disenchanting, one-dimensional, dry, somewhat like an Olde English Lit professor thoroughly in love with the sound of their own voice However, what should be an elegant foray into what is means to be vampire, excuse me, Vampyre , only ends up being a long trek over needlessly convoluted descriptions of every I don't need to know my character bent at the waist, moved sideways to swing their legs to the side, placed their feet on the floor travertine marble quarried 14 May, , pulled themselves to the edge of the bed, and then finally finally!
The above is a simplified sample of what is actually in the book. The author may have a plan of where he wants this series to go. I found it hard to care, because by three quarters of the way in, we still hadn't reached a plot point yet. If long, onerous, droning prattle is your bag, then welcome.
If you like a plot with your bloodletting, move along. Jun 28, Pixie added it Shelves: DNF pages out of Didn't work out for me. Will post a short review at a later date. The cover is what originally pulled me in on this one. And the fact it's called "Strigoi" series. If you didn't know, I'm a huge Vampire Academy fan, and this is where I first learned of the Strigoi legend.
A lot of people might mistakingly say that the author is trying to 'steal' Richelle Mead's mythos, but the fact of the matter is Richelle Me DNF pages out of A lot of people might mistakingly say that the author is trying to 'steal' Richelle Mead's mythos, but the fact of the matter is Richelle Mead actually used a real legend. The Strigoi come from Romanian mythology.
I'm rather fascinated in various vampire legends from across the world through the centuries. But it started slow and it stayed slow. The characters felt so flat and one dimensional. Sometimes it was confusing. About halfway through, I still just didn't get it.. I'm sad this one couldn't do that. I didn't quite know what to make of this story when I met the author at the Decatuer Book Fair. He was high energy and telling of the travel and research he put into this book. He was marketing the book that vampires are real. I wanted to know more details. But, he only told enough to get you hooked.
I read it and, it was hard to put down. I hope the rest of the series goes into the history he researched in vivid detail. He is a great story teller. It is well written and I got lost in the story. I really felt the emotions of the main character and the sadness, loss, love, and longing he goes through. It is definitely for adults only. Not even teens due to the very adult content, storyline, and the great possibility of attaching oneself to Aleron, who afterall, is a vampire who kills people.
I think this is a great escapism read for those who like things a little on the dark side. Aug 11, Douglas Boren rated it it was amazing. It is always nice to come across a book that exceeds your expectations. Aleron is a vampire story that all other vampire stories should try to emulate. Beautifully written, always engaging, appropriately gruesome,colorful in exquisite description, and thrilling to the last page. Never have I seen such detail and enormity of an entire culture Despite the foulness of their existance, you can't help but be drawn in to their dark world.
With a cliff hanger ending that only It is always nice to come across a book that exceeds your expectations. With a cliff hanger ending that only promises the rest of the Strigoi Series will be as magnificent as this, I can scarcely wait for their release. This, then, is the new standard by which all future vampire stories will be compared!
Aug 06, Maria Ray rated it really liked it Shelves: I was fortunate enough to receive this book in a giveaway. The tale of Aleron is both poignant and intriguing. As with most new authors, the story was a bit awkward in the beginning - but once we moved past the beginning I couldn't put it down. This book reminds me of Anne Rice's vampire chronicles. This is not a typical romance filled vampy story - it's aptly labeled in the Horror genre and for good reason.
Look forward to reading the next books in the Strigio Series. If you're loo I was fortunate enough to receive this book in a giveaway. I'm only into Chapter 9 right now in the book, and I'm really liking "Aleron" so far. There's a great sense of passion between Aleron and is creator and queen, Mynea. She love him but, Mynea is keeping things from Aleron too. Despite what she's taught him about picking who he wants to feed on, you can see that Aleron, while a monster, is one with a good heart So what do I think of the book at this point.
ALthough I am not a big fan of this type of writing I thoroughly enjoyed Aleron.
I love paranormal mysteries and that's why i enjoyed reading Strigoi: The Blood Bond by Ron D. Voigts. The story opens up with a funeral and then leads us to. In Romanian mythology, strigoi (English: striga, poltergeist) are the troubled spirits of the dead In his book In Search of Dracula, The History of Dracula and Vampires, Radu Florescu mentions an event in in the city of Căpăţâneni, where.
Very well written I must admit, this novel kept my attention and continued to give me that desire for more of the story. When I found myself saying "I wonder what Mynea is up to" I know this book had my attention. I have recomended this read to several friends. It almost puts you in the mindframe of Tananarive Due and her wonderful work.
I was very impressed with the storyline and the writers ability to approach a v ALthough I am not a big fan of this type of writing I thoroughly enjoyed Aleron. Hats off to you Kane! Being a big fan of vampires, I was anxious to read Kane's debut novel and I wasn't disappointed. The book reminds me of Anne Rice's Vampire Chronicles, but the author has his own stunning and unique take on the world of the vampire. Aleron's story begins in with his mortal life.
The pace is a bit slow at the start but soon picks up and I was enthralled. Kane brings the undead to life with his characterization. And his historical detail sets the scene perfectly. The writing style was not for me at all. It felt awkward and forced. I did not finish this book, so who knows, it might have gotten better, but to me it wasn't worth finishing if I couldn't stand the writing style. There was only a little dialogue, the rest was recapping this guy's life up until be became a vampire. Oct 01, Linda rated it really liked it Shelves: I won this book so I didn't know what to expect but I was pleasantly surprised how good it was.
It was easy to read and it got you hooked in straight away.