Wealth, power, immortality. Rowena could have it all. All she has to do is die.
Rowena’s country is gone, squashed under a tide of tanks, bombs and Pale, immortal soldiers. Rowena herself refuses to accept defeat. She trades contraband, plays dirty, and even robs her fellow students, but when her father returns from war a hero, she discovers a new temptation and a new meaning of fear.Join and … temptation and a new meaning of fear.
Join and Die.
Become one of the oppressors, join the empire and live a life of luxury and ease but only if she accepts ‘The Gift’ and becomes a ‘Pale’, in other words, a vampire.
With the the clock ticking on her family’s decision, Rowena’s forced into close quarters with Vincenzo, the handsome son of a powerful man and trendy social revolutionary, and ambushed by Luka, an attractive, heavily armed criminal.
Both men try to recruit her but Rowena, drawn to both of them, fears what will happen when she’s served her purpose. Can Rowena hold on to her family, her individuality, and even her life in Sanguinia, the city without a sun, or will the darkness of the world’s oldest empire, and the immortal Emperor Dominus, swallow her whole?
Reviewers say:
Charalambides … build(s) an original and thoroughly engaging dystopian adventure that crosses genres from strictly YA, the traditional target of vampire stories, to a much more mature mainstream tale that should entertain adult readers as well. PublishersDailyReview
“A vampire love triangle with a difference” Goodreads
more
Vampire State
By Alexander Charalambides
This is a full length novel.
Here you will find Pales, aka,Vampires, and tough decisions. Just what is needed to take you to the fantasy, this book brings. Rowena is going in eyes open. What she sees and learns will help her with what she needs to do. Romance will also play a part in her life. You will need to read this story to find out how it ends. Does Rowena choose Vampire? Who does she fall head over heels in love with, Vincenzo or Luka?
Alexander Charalambides is a new to me author. While I read this story, I had to remind myself, this is just a fantasy. This story is a fast page turning novel. The action sucks you in, you have no choice but to continue to read. His explanation and description of the characters and where they live was well thought out. You can’t help but fall in love with these characters. I have to admit, I kind of fell in love with this book. I can think of many who would love to read this as well. Keep them Coming Alexander Charalambides! Looking for many more adventures ahead.
4 Stars
Vampire State by Alexander Charalambides is an original take on vampire lore. The book covers quite a lot- from politics, drama, intrigue, danger, romance, a bit of a love triangle, and more. It felt a little dystopian and dark at times. But that added to the whole atmosphere.
What if you could have everything you ever dreamed of- such as status, wealth, and influence? And all you had to do was die first? Rowena faces this dilemma- with a huge choice to make. What will she decide?
This was an interesting story- complex and dynamic. It felt a little heavy and slow going at times- but I was intrigued enough to want to know how everything played out, and it was worth it in the end.
Thank you, Alexander Charalambides.
Vampire State by Alexander Charalambides is a fantastically written book that will completely capture your attention.
This is my first book by this author and I really enjoyed how he took a very well trodden topic and still managed to put his own stamp on it. The characters were brilliant. They were well developed and interesting to read about. Especially Rowena, she was easily my favourite.
I also really liked the fact that the author didn’t have to rely on typical vampire traits – ie blood and gore – to portray them as evil. It felt like that was the “given” meaning he could focus on other aspects.
The book was entertaining and a really enjoyable read: I would certainly recommend it and I will be looking out for more work by this author.
Vampire State
Alexander Charalambides
I’ve never read a book by this author so I didn’t know what to expect, but the synopsis intrigued me immediately. I found this book to be very original with an interesting new spin on vampires.
This book is about Rowena and her struggles with her life being changed drastically. She is forced to move with her family when her father returns home a war hero and her family is chosen by an elite vampire to move to Sanguinia. Rowena and her family have to eventually make the choice to accept the “Gift” and turn into a “Pale” (aka vampire) but they all only have a limited amount of time to choose.
She meets Vincenzo Valtiere, who starts her down the path of Vampire politics and wanting to change the status quo of the vampire ruled world they live in.
With Rowena and Vincenzo’s mutual goal of making a change, they grow closer with every step they take and sparks fly.
Then Rowena meets Luka who gives her fragile world another shake and she finds out he wants the same things she does, he just goes about it in a risky way.
With the now love triangle she finds herself in and the choices she knows she has to make looming over her, who will she choose and will any of them make the changes their world desperately needs?
I loved the character growth throughout the book, I also loved how the author built this story and added so much detail to the characters and Sanguinia.
This fast paced story will draw you in and keep you entertained until the end.
I decided to read this book based on the synopsis. I had no idea what to expect as I have never read a book by this author before. I enjoyed the more unique portrayal of vampires, and the world building is excellent. There is a bit of mystery as Rowena tries to learn more about the Sanguinians and their city, Sanguinia. There are some great twists and turns that keep the story moving so you can’t put it down.
Overall, I enjoyed this story. It’s a quick read that takes you on a great adventure of political intrigue as well as a bit of romance.
This is a great little story. It comes along at a great time in our own country. In Vampire State by Alexander Charalambides we get a great story about change. Change is seldom easy, and I think this author does a good job of showing us different aspects of the difficulties of change. Our heroine, Rowena, slowly recognizes her part in the need for bringing about these changes, but she is up for the challenge. Vincenzo and Luka have very different approaches to change but in the end….it works. The real shining point of this story is the dialogue between Dominus and Rowena. It’s there that we see the solution for real change. This is a fast-paced little story and was over too soon. I found myself wanting more. If you are like me and you like the story within the story this is a book that you will really enjoy.
This is the first book that I have read by this author, and I thought it was a good one to start with. It was interesting from beginning to end and it was well written. This story is about Rowena and the choices she has to make in her life. Big decisions will have to be made and she will have to make them fast.
So many twists and turns in this one, I was on the edge of my seat at times and I liked that. I am looking forward to reading more by this author and I would recommend this Book to anyone that likes vampire reads!
Happy Reading!
This is a great story with great characters. I really enjoy reading this book and didn’t want to put it down.
I received a review copy of this book and I am voluntarily giving an honest review
Vampire State
By: Alexander Charalambides
5 out of 5 stars
The story Vampire State by Alexander Charalambides is a vampire/paranormal book. It is a story that hooked me in from the beginning and didn’t let me go until the final page. The author does an amazing job of world-building and the development of the characters. I loved reading about Rowena. She is smart, independent, and stubborn. She finds herself with a choice to accept “The Gift” and become a “pale” or vampire. The decision has to be made and as time goes by, she finds herself in the company of Vincenzo and Luka. She is drawn to both of them. What path will Rowena choose? What does her future hold? Read this book to find out. The story kept me on the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen next. It is a fast-paced journey that you are taking with twists and turns around every corner. I enjoyed the additional characters that are introduced. Some of them are helpful to Rowena and others have their own agenda. Then there are those who I wondered just what their motivations were. The story is written in such a way that I felt I was right there with the characters. I grew to care about Rowena with each chapter that I read. I have always loved vampire novels and this book is a good example of why. It will have you glued to the pages until you have read the last one. I highly recommend reading it.
This is my first book by this author, I enjoyed it from beginning to end. I know I will be looking to read more from this author. This is a well develped story about vampires and their lives. The characters are strong, supportive, and connectable. They took me on some twists and turns that left me turning pages. Rowena has some decisions to make that could affect herself and her family. Will she accept what is being offered? I highly recommend reading her story and find out what happens next.