Gabrielle Faust

Reviewed by K. Osborn Sullivan for TeensReadToo.com

The vampire Tynan Llywelyn has been called upon to save not only his own race of vampires, but also humanity. After a century of sleep in an underground crypt, he awoke to find the world at war with itself. The humans were divided into two groups. The Tyst is completely in control of all technology and rules the earth with an iron fist. They are opposed by rebels called the Phuree who manage to survive by their command of ancient magic.

The Phuree learn that the Tyst have resorted to an unheard-of way to increase their power. They impregnated a woman with the spirit of the Chaos god, called the Vicinus. The Tyst incorrectly believe that they can control the Vicinus when it is born. The Phuree understand the folly of such a belief, and they fear the god will wipe out everyone on earth when it comes into the world.

In desperation, the Phuree ask the vampire Tynan to destroy the god before it can be born. They believe that his unique knowledge and abilities might allow him to succeed at an almost hopeless task. Despite the Phuree's belief in him, Tynan is wracked with doubt about both his ability to complete the task and whether he is doing the right thing. He finds he has no choice, however, because the survival of the vampire race is dependent upon the survival of humanity. He must infiltrate the Tyst stronghold and reach their Queen, who is carrying the growing god.

ETERNAL VIGILANCE: THE DEATH OF ILLUSIONS is the second book in a series that began with ETERNAL VIGILANCE: FROM DEEP WITHIN THE EARTH. This series combines vampires with post-apocalyptic science fiction, and magical fantasy. The first book in the series introduced the reader to the main characters and the dangerous situation they found themselves facing. This second installment picks up as Tynan embarks on his perilous quest to destroy the Vicinus.

The book has a number of interesting characters in it, including Tynan as a flawed hero who is filled with self-doubt. As Tynan heads to Tyst headquarters, he picks up the eclectic members of a team who will help him gain access to his destination. He has some history with most of these people, and there is a lack of trust among them. This adds to the challenge of their task, while increasing the story's conflict.

While the first book primarily set the scene for action, ETERNAL VIGILANCE: THE DEATH OF ILLUSIONS is more focused on actual action and resolving conflicts. Of course, the book's back cover mentions that this is part of a trilogy, so it is no surprise that some conflicts have been left unresolved. There remains plenty for Book #3 to cover.

Unlike some books that are part of a series but can be read separately, the books of the ETERNAL VIGILANCE series seem designed to be read together. ETERNAL VIGILANCE: THE DEATH OF ILLUSIONS relies heavily upon information that has been presented in the first book. Readers who did not pick up the first installment would doubtless find themselves confused by the people, situations, and motivations that are presented here.

As with ETERNAL VIGILANCE: FROM DEEP WITHIN THE EARTH, I enjoyed the story itself, but I have some complaints. The biggest one is the same problem I had with the first book. It spends a great deal of time detailing Tynan's thoughts and feelings, as well as descriptions of physical surroundings and the movements of characters. There are pages that contain little or no action or dialogue, because they are focused on description. As mentioned in my review for the first title, this is a matter of style, and there are doubtless many readers who prefer description over dialogue. Those readers would probably enjoy the author's poetic, descriptive style.

ETERNAL VIGILANCE: THE DEATH OF ILLUSIONS is a unique approach to science fiction and vampire fantasy literature and offers something to those who read either genre. Younger readers should be aware that it contains a little adult language, as well as descriptions of some deaths, but it is not excessive or particularly gory. Most of all, fans of the first book will be thrilled that the second installment of Tynan's adventures has finally arrived.… (plus d'informations)

Reviewed by K. Osborn Sullivan for TeensReadToo.com

A century ago, the vampire Tynan Llywelyn grew so weary of his existence that he sealed himself in a crypt deep underground and cast a spell that he thought would allow him to sleep forever. But he was denied eternal slumber. He awoke after only one hundred years and was shocked to find that the world had spiraled to even lower depths than he could have imagined.

He found that humans around the globe were ruled by a technologically advanced group called the Tyst. They control every aspect of people's lives, turning humanity into helpless sheep, terrified of the torture and death that would follow if they attract the Tyst's attention.

The Tyst is opposed by a faction of rebels called the Phuree. These independent, nomadic people had turned their backs on modern technology, understanding that it is all controlled by their enemy. Their one source of power against the Tyst lies in ancient magic.

Against his will, Tynan finds himself dragged into this struggle between the Tyst and the Phuree. While in the past, vampires had tried to avoid involvement in human wars, Tynan and the other Immortals realize that now things are different, and the survival of their own kind is interwoven with that of humanity.

ETERNAL VIGILANCE: FROM DEEP WITHIN THE EARTH is an interesting combination of a vampire story mixed with post-apocalyptic science fiction, and a bit of magical fantasy thrown in for good measure. In other words, there's something for everyone. Tynan even has a girlfriend (of sorts), and there's a pretty racy love scene near the end of the book. Speaking of the end, it clearly tells readers that this is the first book in a series. This first installment serves largely to introduce the characters, their relationships, and the need for action in the face of terrifying evil.

As a centuries-old vampire with quite a bit of history behind him, Tynan has an intriguing back story that gradually reveals itself as he meets up with old friends and enemies. He is a reluctant, flawed hero, and he is surrounded by characters who are equally imperfect. He has his good points, though, including a nice relationship with a black cat.

While I enjoyed the story itself, I did have some complaints. First of all, it spent a tremendous amount of time explaining Tynan's thoughts, feelings, and movements. Entire pages were devoted to description with limited action or dialogue. I was nearly to the end of the first chapter before any words were spoken at all, and then it was merely a sentence. This is a matter of style and taste, however, and I'm sure there are others who prefer this technique over a heavily dialogue-weighted tale.

My other complaint is probably more universal. As mentioned above, this book introduces the characters and the situation, but then it simply ends there. Little is resolved in this book, and it seems that one must wait for Book 2 for the "real" action to commence. I found that disappointing. Even in a series, each book should stand alone as a complete tale in and of itself.

Overall, this is an interesting addition to the worlds of both vampires and science fiction. Fans of either genre should find something to enjoy here. And those who like finding a new series to explore should be especially pleased.… (plus d'informations)