As Shadows Fade [Mass Market Paperback]

"As Shadows Fade," the fifth and final installment of the Gardella series featuring Victoria and Max is a fitting end to a great paranormal series.

The action opens about two weeks after the end of "When Twilight Burns". Victoria is finally clear about whom she loves and wants in her life. Unfortunately for her, she isn't sure she can persuade him to follow his heart and commit to a relationship with her. There is also the complication of a past lover who still wants her and isn't accepting her decision with grace. In addition to all that emotional angst, a new and powerful threat has emerged that threatens both humans and vampires.

Colleen Gleason has always managed to draw readers into this world of the Regency era vampire slayer and her numerous beaus with ease. Victoria isn't perfect as a character; in fact she has always made mistakes along the way. The beauty of this series is that there is a natural progression from "know it all" debutante to mature, strong woman in charge of herself and the other Venators.

***************SPOILER ALERT! (as suggested by another reader)******************

I could write a book about why I love Max, the smart, sexy, honorable and intense hero that would melt any girl's heart. I have always preferred the enigmatic Max to any other suitor. In fact, he was the only character that I consistently loved throughout the series. Initially, I wanted Victoria to end up with Max, because Max wanted Victoria, not necessarily because she was "worthy" of him. Boy was I wrong. Victoria is a perfect match for him. She understands, respects and loves the kind of man that he is, just as he respects and loves her.

And when the two lovers finally get together, it was worth the wait. The supposedly cold and clinical Max is anything but. That man couldn't walk in the frozen food section of the supermarket, because everything would melt.

Sebastian is there as well to stir up trouble and ultimately find his own destiny. I was surprised at the twists and turns involving his character, but it oddly worked. Don't worry, Team Sebastian. We will probably be seeing him again.

Although everything about this book was perfect, it is still bittersweet to know I won't be visiting these characters in new adventures again. However, I must commend Ms. Gleason for ending this series before it became too long.

As a long time lover of paranormal fiction, I have noticed that a few other paranormal series have be plowed to death just for the money. Highly anticipated novels become filler books, characters do not evolve and readers lose interest because we can tell when the writer's creativity has dried up and the money making machine has kicked in. That isn't the case here.

This book was filled with twists and turns that surprised and delighted me. I had a smile on my face long after I finished it. I recommend it wholeheartedly. I would suggest that if you are just beginning to read this series, start at the beginning. It makes the payoff that much sweeter.

As Shadows Fade picks up two weeks after the last book When Twilight Burns. An ever-growing presence of demons is discovered and so Victoria and her Venators set off to go about closing the portal from wince they come. Their mission does not come easy though, they must first obtain 5 ancient rings and an orb spelled within a pool and will need the help from Lilith, the vampire queen, to do so. Her help does not come without a heavy price. This book is face paced and will bring the reader through a roller coaster of emotions by the time it's finished. Many sacrifices will be made, love will be found and new beginnings. There is redemption and a bitter-sweet closure for a certain character--I'm sure most readers will have their Kleenexes handy for that one. I don't want to give too much of the plot away as it's best to experience this book not knowing what's coming next.

If you've read book 4 of this series I'm sure you have an idea of how the Max/Victoria/Sebastian love triangle ends. I was definitely surprised when and how these two came together. My most favorite line in this book will always be, "I've changed my mind..." ;) If you love the romance aspect of this series you won't be disappointed in this final book.

I'm saddened the series has came to an end but all the books will remain on my keeper shelf to revisit again. I highly recommend reading these books--each one is a wild ride with more than a few twists and likable characters.

For those who have not read this series the reading order is:
1. The Rest Falls Away
2. Rises the Night
3. The Bleeding Dusk
4. When Twilight Burns
5. As Shadows Fade

So sad to see this series end, but rest assured that it ends with a bang in the most thrilling way possible. Some will be happy, some may be disappointed depending on which "team" you're on. But we do get our answer. We get the answer to who Victoria chooses and to many other questions, like who exactly is Wayren?

Two years ago, I cracked open the pages of The Rest Falls Away completely unsure of what awaited me and whether or not I'd like it. I knew that I loved vampire books, but romance?! Never been there before. After reading the first few pages, I knew that I had nothing to fear. The reader is safe in Colleen Gleason's hands, though she makes no promises to keep your heart rate at a reasonable pace. I instantly fell in love with Colleen's wonderful characters, the amazing setting of her books, and the love story/horror story that she so expertly weaved. You'd never guess that it was her first book.

Five books and two years later, she closes the series with the biggest bang there is. This book is truly fantastic from cover to cover. Victoria has made her decision as to which person she wants to spend her life with, a life that will always be filled of thrills and danger. But there are others who would have it differently. Demons have awoken from a chasm in the earth and plague her well being and the well being of her companions. We've seen demons before in the Gardella Vampire Chronicles, but never in these amounts and with this type of hostility. There's only one way to rid the world of the demons and that is by paying another visit to our dear friend Lilith, queen of the vampires. Would we have it any other way?

I'm quite upset that the series is over and there are no more adventures with this amazing crew, but it ended in such a way that I'm satisfied as well. I can breathe easily (as soon as I catch my breath from this book) and know that somewhere out there, more amazing tales are yet to come from Colleen and more wonderful characters await the pages. Well done Mrs. Gleason, well done.

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