Ames‘ review of Mr. Darcy, Vampyre by Amanda Grange
A MARRIED MAN IN POSSESSION OF A DARK FORTUNE MUST BE IN WANT OF AN ETERNAL WIFE…
Pride & Prejudice is one of my favorite books. P&P got a paranormal update earlier this year with zombies added to the classical mix and I really thought that was funny. But I had no interest in reading it. However, when I noticed that Sourcebooks was releasing P&P with vampires, I was intrigued.
Mr. Darcy, Vampyre picks up on the day Elizabeth, Darcy, Jane and Bingley all get married in that famous double wedding. Right after the ceremony, Darcy informs Elizabeth that there has been a change of plans and that they’re going on a tour of the Continent rather than going to the Lake District. And Elizabeth catches a glimpse of Darcy in the coach window and he looks tormented…
And so begins our tale – from that first tortured glance, the tension slowly builds and a dark story is woven, with an innocent at the center who doesn’t have a clue.
We the readers have a clue, based on the title. But if you’ve stayed away from spoilers, like I did, you will be in the dark (har har) right alongside Elizabeth, which is a very smart way of keeping the reader enthralled. We’re looking for those clues to Darcy’s nature but Elizabeth doesn’t put the pieces together until it’s too late.
I enjoyed revisiting the world Jane Austen created. There were references to P&P that felt like inside jokes. But I felt the build-up took a bit long. And since the story focuses on Elizabeth’s version of events, I don’t feel like we got to know Darcy that well, which is unfortunate.
All in all, this was a fun sequel to P&P. 4 out of 5.
I’m definitely going to check out Ms. Grange’s backlist.
This book is available from Sourcebooks. You can buy it here or here in e-format.