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
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Vampire State by Alexander Charalambides.
Let’s start off by saying I really liked the take this author took on this story it’s different enough to be refreshing. Each character brings something unique to the story and truly have a part, sometimes that’s not always the case but in this story it is. I felt a connection to each one on some kind of level. The storyline kept me on my toes with twists and turns I wasn’t expecting but loved. The author takes readers on an adventure with the characters and I honestly couldn’t put this story down once I started. The world building is very well done with amazing characters you can’t help but be drawn to. It’s well written and paced nicely never feeling rushed or lacking. From page one I sunk completely inside this story and was sad when I realized I was at the end. This is my first time reading this author but it’s definitely not the last. Five stars all the way!
Vampire State by Alexander Charalambides
5-stars
Vampire State by Alexander Charalambides was a unique and exciting vampire novel. Rowena’s father returns from war having rescued an important person from the Pale population. This provides them with the opportunity to go from living life as poor to having access to things the rich people do. The only downside is they are on borrowed time and must decide to join the Pale population by receiving “The Gift” or becoming something like slaves or worse. She is pulled into the world of politics by charming Pale Vincenzo in his ploy to find progress and equality. Luka, who is different and unique in his own way, sheds a different light on the issue. She has to make a choice though, to die or not to die.
This book was exciting, creative, and invigorating. I loved this new world the author created and how detailed the scenery was. The characters were also developed well. I loved Rowena and Vincenzo the most. I found Luka fascinating but Vincenzo stole my heart at the start. I definitely recommend this book. It is not a traditional vampire read and I loved the change up it gave me.
Rowena has a tough decision to make… become a Pale and live in luxury with all the wealth and materials she can imagine, or remain human and possibly become a slave or a meal. She isn’t too keen on living off of blood for the rest of her life, but she does come to see that not all Pales are bad. She gets put together with Vincenzo, the son of the powerful man who offers to sponsor Rowena’s family for citizenship. He seems to be trying to right the social injustices plaguing the city, but when it is a few against many that is hard to accomplish. When she is ambushed by a man who she met once before named Luka, she is torn yet again. Should she join him and his group in their fight to take back what they see as theirs by force, or should she join up with the group Vincenzo put together and get laws passed that will stand for years to come? Either way she looks at it she will be friend or foe to one of these men and it could have dire consequences. She must decide quickly as she only has so much time before her mind needs to be made up.
Vampire State
By Alexander Charalambides
Vampire State by Alexander Charalambides is a paranormal full-length book. I love books about Vampires, and this is one that I see myself reading again multiple times. The main character in this book is Rowena and she has a lot of tough decisions to make after the Pales aka Vampires have taken over. What would you be willing to give up saving your family and yourself? Rowena is by far my favorite character in this book, but you can’t help but like both Vincenzo and Luka also. This book was intriguing it keeps you hooked reading page to page and throws in so many twists and turns you can’t figure out what will happen next. I can’t wait to read more from this author.
I really enjoyed this book. Its a romance and political story all in one.
When Rowena and her family get sponsered by a rich vampire family she doesnt know what to do. The humans in the city are treated as slaves but does she really want to lose herself and become a vampire too?
The son of the family Vincenzo runs an organisation to try and get equal rights for the humans in their city and with the help or Rowena they set out to make changes so that she can live and remain human.
Rowena starts to have feelings for Vincenzo but cant she forgive his kind for the things they have done. With her emotions confused it gets harder when a handsome rebel called Luka comes on the scene.
Is her feelings for Vincenzo strong enough to stay and see things through or will she get tempted and leave with Luka.
Vampire State by Alexander Charalambides was a unique take on vampires. This is my first book by this author. I feel like he did a good job with his characters. Rowena I feel like was very dedicated to her survival and family. I also found her to be very interesting and can’t imagine myself what choice I would make with what she is given. The beginning was a bit slow but I feel it speeds up the deeper you get in. Overall it was a good story. I would rate 4 stars.
Vampire State by Alexander Charalambides is my first book by this author. Charalambides plot line is engaging. His characters are complex and relatable. Yes, this book is about vampires, but I found this book more than another vampire book. Rowena finds herself in a predicament. She can be treated like royalty since her father returns as hero, but she would have to accept the “The Gift” and become “Pale” So what is a girl supposed to do? There is another temptation for her to become apart of the Darkness of the World’s Oldest Empire. Which life with Rowena follow? You will have to read the story to find out.
Vampire State by Alexander Charalambides
4 Stars
This is the first book that I have read from this author. His view of vampires is different and I found the story to be original. A war is going on and the vampires, now called Pales, have taken over. Rowena and her parents are brought to Sanguinia and sponsored by a family of elite vampires. They can have everything they ever wanted; power, money and fame. All they need to do is die and become a vampire. Rowena has choices to make. She’s torn between her parents, torn between two guys. She wants to make a difference, have her life mean something. Danger lurks around every corner and most of the time, Rowena has no idea what’s going on.
I found the book interesting but a little too political for my tastes. Most of the time it was dealing with senators and laws so it dragged a bit for me. I believed in what Rowena was trying to accomplish and was cheering for her until the end.
Vampire State by Alexander Charalambides was a refreshing take on paranormal romance. I would give this book a four out of five stars. Rowena was an interesting character to meet, I really enjoyed reading from her perspective. The story is multilayered and when you think you have it figured out something changes. I loved the authors take on vampires and his unique twist.
Vampire State by Alexander Charalambides intrigued me from just seeing the cover. I really enjoy stories that are vampire-related and couldn’t wait to dig into this one. This is a thrilling ride to go on. Rowena has a choice she has to make concerning accepting the Gift and becoming a Pale. Will she take the jump or not? This is interesting because it is set a bit differently amongst a political thriller with some romance. I was not disappointed in this read and it was worth digging into this book. The characters are well written and the plot is pretty good. I look forward to seeing what Alexander Charalambides writes next.
Vampire State is the first book that I have read by Alexander Charlambides so I was not exactly sure what to expect with this other than I loved the cover and had to know what would happen between them. I am glad I took a gamble, especially since Vampire novels usually have super high standards for me being an avid fan of the classics. I loved the way the characters were developed and brought to life right before your eyes as you read. The world building was fantastic and made the story believable and realistic even with the fantasy elements. I loved the added twist of romance with the love triangle blooming between Rowena and Vincenzo and Luka. Not only does Rowena have to determine her future as either a vampire or a pale but she is going to have to make a decision regarding her heart. I loved this adventure and look forward to seeing what else is available and to come from Alexander Charalambides. I am sure it will be something I can sink my teeth into as well.
When I first read what this book was about, I was instantly sucked in, after beginning to read I couldn’t put the book down, the synopsis doesn’t do justice to the actual content inside the book. I thoroughly enjoyed it and I related to Rowena a lot. Alexander Charalambides did a brilliant job creating this world and the attention to detail I felt I was there and could easily picture everything and felt at times as If I was really there. This is one of the most enjoyable and original books, especially about Vampires that I have read in a very long time and would recommend to everyone I know.
I was unprepared for the level of detail, world building, and character development I found in these pages. Charalambides does a fantastic job not falling into the latest trend of catering to the YA crowd with another vampire tale. This was mature, engaging, and riveting. From beginning to end, I simply was hooked. I look forward to reading more from this author.
I enjoyed this novel by Alexander Charalambides. I love paranormal novels and especially novels about vampires. Alexander Charalambides has created a new twist to the normal vampire novel. The story of Rowena and Vincenzo is intriguing, and I cannot wait to see how it progresses. Alexander Charalambides has created a vibrant world and I look forward to exploring it more with the continuation of the story.
This book is all about fitting in, or is it more not fitting in? This is what Rowena is thinking about, she lives at home with her mum, her dad is a volunteer in the armed forces and she is attending school in her home in Estovia, a place of natural beauty, covered in pine forests with bright sunshine which has been invaded by the Sanguinians. They have grey skin, yellow eyes and pointy ears and they look like something out of a nightmare, but this is no nightmare, it is her reality and it is about to change again, when she returns home from school where she is already feeling oppressed by them, they have changed her school to force them to engage with the Sanguinian curriculum and they watch over them like hawks and when they are old enough, they are drafted into their army.
When Rowena’s mum picks her up from school, something is different and Rowena has to remind her mum about the rules the Sanguinians have put into place and when they get to their house, the black cars which are parked in her driveway mean her mum says to stay in their car until she knows what is going on, but when she says it is safe to come in, but to be careful, then she is extra aware of her surroundings. When Rowena goes in though, she is surprised to see that her father has returned home and he isn’t alone, he is accompanied by a Pale called Legatus Valtiere, it turns out that her dad has saved his life and that they are being given the opportunity to live as his guests in Sanguinia with the added bonus of the opportunity to become citizens of Sanguinia as well. Rowena and her mother are extremely surprised by this news and ask the Legatus for some time to think about his offer and discuss it as a family, especially as becoming a citizen means that they must become Pales themselves, her dad is all for it, but her mum isn’t, but she knows how it will end and resigns herself to the fact that they will be leaving everything she knows for a land which she knows nothing about.
As they pack up their belongings and are taken to the underground train, Rowena is very aware that she hasn’t been able to sleep, but is determined to look on the bright side and the fact that this move will be a lot of firsts, this includes the underground train, she can only tell when daylight ends and night begins by the clock in the carriage, they are the only ones in there, but she can’t sleep, unlike her parents. As she looks out of the window, she gets her first glimpse of the city without a sun and can understand now why it is called that, everything is in shades of black and grey and there are giant columns of smoke which have merged with the storm in the sky. As they leave the station, they are picked up by Quintus, a human who serves the Legatus and are taken via the scenic route to their new home, where they learn a bit more about the family of the Legatus, some of the traditions in Sanguinian society and what some of the more important buildings are. Later on in the evening, Rowena hears someone in the house and goes to investigate, it turns out that it is the Legatus’s son and he has come to take some photographs of the view now that he won’t be staying in the house again, Rowena politely asks him to leave and then tries to get some sleep.
It is the next day when the Legatus and his family arrive with servants in tow for a meal with Rowena’s family to talk more about thor way of life, this is when she officially meets Vincenzo, the Legatus’s son and as their parents start to discuss things, they are allowed to leave so that Vincenzo can go and attend to something, he takes Rowena with him and they see a whole different side to the city revealed, as is the fact that Vincenzo is something of a revolutionary in his spare time, but after a few days pass, nore of the attitudes of the Pale’s is revealed and through circumstances out of her control she meets Luka who is another revolutionary, but a completely different one to Vincenzo and has some rather illegal and dangerous ways to get his message across.
This is where Rowena discovers the reality of being a human in Sanguinia, the dangers associated with it and what the Pale’s really think of them, so as well as having to make the decision of whether to go through with citizenship or not, she also has to contend with a decision between the two men she has met and when the Emperor Dominus and his underlings throw their weight around in the background, will the pressure become too much, or will Rowena be able to stay herself and remain an inidividual?
Vampire State (The Vampire State Book 1) by Alexander Charalambides Review by: Gail Guerrero
Four Stars
This was my first book by Alexander Charalambides. It wasn’t bad but it was a little confusing at points. I felt like Rowena was too indecisive. There were too many times that she left important decisions up in the air. Like she didn’t know what she wanted. I also didn’t like how she played Vincenzo and Luka. The story was well written just don’t try to multitask while reading. I did like how the story is about a revolution. These Pales came in and took over the human world. Thinking they know what is best for the population. Was an interesting view point. Though Rowena wasn’t in my opinion the best candidate for human representation. Though many people don’t know what they want or who they want to be at her age. I felt that if she was putting herself in the position to make a difference she would try harder. I actually look forward to the next book to check to see if Rowena grows as a person.
Vampire State by Alexander Charalambides
Four Stars
Vampire State is a paranormal/vampire book by Alexander Charalambides. This Is the first book I have read by Mr. Charalambides, but definitely won’t be the last. This story was full of twists and turns and had me hooked from the very first page. I read long into the night just to see what path Rowena would take. Rowena is a strong character that has to make some hard decisions. I enjoyed the political aspects that are approved in this book. This was a greasy read and I look forward to read the next book in the series.
This is a well developed vampire book.
Rowena has some life changing descions to make. She is thrown into a different world than she is use to. This is a story of survival, politics,high fantasy, Supernatural twists. You fall in love with these characters because of how well they are developed.
Vampire State (Vampire State Book 1) by Alexander Charalambides is an original paranormal story and a unique portrayal of vampires. The story is a little slow going at times and heavy as it is steeped in politics, is multilayered and is complex, but the plot is engaging. Charalambides does a good job with world building, and character development. They are complex but relatable. There are some twists and turns that keep you turning the pages and capture your attention.
I give Vampire State by Alexander Charalambides, 4 stars.
This is quite an interesting and unique book. Sure, there have been many books about vampires. We have even read the human must decide between the vampire or the human. But this book throws in something I have never seen before — politics. Rowena is thrust into a world of Pales living richly and the humans living in squalor. She can no longer stand by and watch, she must help. In order to succeed, she must play the game of politics. While this has been done to some extent before, I can’t say I’ve seen it like this.
Then there’s Rowena herself. Not annoying in the least (as some young adult leads can be), you root for her all the way. Then there are the other characters, her family and the ones who try to help and harm her. All are completely different and add to the story. You will not love everyone, but that is the point. We also can’t forget the story itself. Yes, politics plays heavily in this story, but it is not over your head or all dry talk. The author makes it interesting and easy to understand while entertaining you at the same time.
A story of survival, making things better, politics and love with a supernatural twist, this book is so different and the story is done so well, I highly recommend it.