There’s something beautiful about the Gatsby era, something that’s slightly innocent yet new. The Gatsby era is a change in humanity’s way of thinking, but traditions are still important. There’s more freedom, but still rules. A Taste of Blood Wine by Freda Warrington brings a tale of blood, vengeance and love to the table that is set in an Edwardian world where people are still grasping to the previous century’s traditions, while trying to keep the future in mind. Charlotte Neville hopes to be an independent woman, one who can continue working alongside her father, a renowned scientist. Unfortunately her aunt has other ideas, which places Charlotte in a precarious position. What’s more is that her father decides to take the mysterious Austrian on-board in his lab, which makes her life all the more difficult. Karl is fascinating, but dangerous, but Charlotte catches his eye and before long he has her climbing out of her shell, much to the dislike of her family, but he has a deep, dark secret… one that could cost her life.

As far as vampire books are concerned, A Taste of Blood Wine was a good read. The writing was fantastic and the descriptions enjoyable and natural. The vampire mythology is rather different to what we’re usually used to and a distinct religion vs science theme is at play throughout the book. Of course, this is only the first book in what I suppose is a trilogy, but it’s got a lot of awesome scenes and some action-packed moments already (also, it does make for a good standalone).

I particularly liked Illona though. This vampire vixen is one of those characters that you love to hate, and although Charlotte came across as a bit meek in my opinion (and Karl a bit too broody), I did like the supporting characters immensely. Stefan and Pierre and Illona had a naughty side to them that I particularly enjoyed, even though they weren’t present often. I’m hoping that the second book will have more of them in the story though.

All in all, I enjoyed A Taste of Blood Wine and I think it’s a great book to spend a weekend with, especially if you’re missing out on new vampire reads.

(review originally posted on www.killeraphrodite.com) ( )

I've read and enjoyed Freda Warrington before, and this got the inter-war atmosphere well, but somehow it didn't quite catch me. It wasn't bad but the angst and posturing got to me. Charlotte meets Karl, a strange man who has caught her sister's eye, he catches a lot of people's eyes and in particular her sister's. But she discovers that he's in fact a vampire and his cohorts are about to make life complicated.

Not a bad read but I wanted more. ( )

Honestly, not as straight-up dirty as I had hoped, but beautifully executed. Complex heroines and a complex take on this familiar forbidden romance. On to Book #2! ( )

I've never read a vampire novel quite like this before! The writing was so mesmerizing and lyrical, such a beautiful book ( )

My Booklist review:

Channeling the tone of a Gothic romance, Warrington presents a 1920s version of Bram Stoker’s Dracula that focuses on the vampires rather than their stalkers. Powerful vampire Kristian is having trouble keeping his minions in line, especially Karl, who rebels against Kristian’s heavy hand. Trying to gain scientific knowledge of vampirism to help him destroy Kristian, Karl ingratiates himself into the family of Cambridge professor Dr. Neville and wangles his way into the doctor’s laboratory as one of his assistants. There he meets Charlotte, the doctor’s quiet daughter, and they fall in love. Trouble besets them not only in the form of Kristian’s malicious attempts to rein in Karl but also in the jealousy and spite of Charlotte’s family, especially her sister and aunt, both of whom have fallen under Karl’s spell. As they fight the forces against them, will Karl and Charlotte find happiness, or are they doomed to be apart in loneliness or even death? The first of Warrington’s Blood Wine series will sate those hungry for classically melodramatic vampire sagas.— Pat Henshaw ( )