Who Would Like This Book:
If you’re into urban fantasy with a dash of classic witches-and-vampires flair, this one’s for you! Diana Tregarde is a strong, relatable heroine - tough but vulnerable - and she’s joined by a genuinely compelling vampire ally (no sparkling required). Set against the bustling streets of New York City, the story weaves in magic, mystery, and a cool twist on supernatural threats. Fans of early urban fantasy - think pre-Buffy and pre-Anita Blake - will appreciate this precursor vibe. If you love stories about brave women fighting the odds, strong friendships, and supernatural showdowns, you’ll have fun with this book.
Who May Not Like This Book:
Readers who prefer their paranormal tales with a super-modern style or are looking for non-stop action from page one might find this a bit slow to warm up. Some find the characters bordering on being too perfect (“Mary Sue” vibes), and if you’re bothered by dated language or slightly muddled timelines, that may distract you. If you’re not into paranormal elements or urban fantasy in general, or if slow-building stories aren’t your cup of tea, this might not hit the mark.
About:
Diana Tregarde is a Guardian, a member of a group dedicated to protecting people from the harmful influences of the supernatural. Practicing witch and talented psi, she's taken an oath to help all those who call on her in need. When the need comes as a Talented gypsy teen who is being Hunted, she finds herself drawn into a dangerous game, where psionic vampires Hunt in the night of the city. The plot unfolds in a considerably darker and gripping manner than most of Mercedes Lackey's pieces, with a marked detachment from her normal writing style. Diana Tregarde, our heroine, can arguably be seen as the precursor to Anita Blake, engaging in a battle against bad vampires prowling New York alongside her vampire friend Andre LeBrel.
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Notes:
Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Content warnings include themes of violence, supernatural danger, and emotional trauma, particularly related to past relationships.
Has Romance?
There is a moderate presence of romance, particularly between the protagonist and a vampire, but it does not dominate the plot.
From The Publisher:
Rock band Wanderlust is about to hit it big, guitarist Dave Kendall is sure of that. They're playing better venues, in front of bigger crowds-and the people showing up at the after parties are increasingly good-looking and cool. Some even radiate power, like "Master" Jeffries, the tall, saturnine man who seems to have some sort of weird control over Dave's fellow bandmates.
But Dave's too tired to pay much attention to Jeffries. He's tired a lot, lately, and making music isn't as much fun as it used to be. Probably he's just working-and partying-too hard.
Luckily, Dave has a friend who takes what's happening to him very seriously. Diana Tregarde is a practicing witch and a Guardian of the Earth. It's her job to keep an eye on innocents like Dave and make sure they stay out of trouble and don't become someone's lunch.
Jeffries has been on Diana's hit list since she first spotted him pursuing a young Romany. Di wasn't fast enough to stop him, but the Rom have their own protector-a dashing, charming, very attractive vampire named Andre Le Brel.
Together, the witch and the vampire face Jeffries and his evil minions in a battle for the soul of rock 'n' roll... in Children of the Night by Mercedes Lackey.
Ratings (6)
Loved It (2) | |
Liked It (2) | |
It Was OK (1) | |
Did Not Like (1) |
Reader Stats (12):
Read It (8) | |
Want To Read (2) | |
Not Interested (2) |
1 comment(s)
Considerably darker and more gripping than most of Mercedes Lackey's pieces, it has a marked detachment from her normal writing. Perhaps Diana Tregarde was not in Ms. Lackey's comfort zone in terms of writing, which, among other things, would explain why it was discontinued. Still, a very enjoyable read and typical of her demonstrated openness about homosexuality, sexuality in general, and classic writing style.
I just wish reading it didn't remind me I wanted to read Salem's Lot. Heh.
What can you read after
Children of the Night?
About the Author:
Mercedes Lackey is the author of the bestselling Valdemar series, the Obsidian Trilogy (The Outstretched Shadow, To Light a Candle, and When Darkness Falls), the Enduring Flame trilogy (The Phoenix Unchained, The Phoenix Endangered, and The Phoenix Transformed), and the Tales of the Five Hundred Kingdoms. She has written many other books, including Trio of Sorcery, Phoenix and Ashes, Sacred Ground, The Firebird, The Fairy Godmother, and Alta. Lackey is the co-author, with Andre Norton, of the Halfblood Chronicles, including Elvenborn. Mercedes Lackey was born in Chicago and graduated from Purdue University. She has worked as an artist's model, a computer programmer, and for American Airlines, and has written lyrics and recorded more than fifty songs. She lives in Oklahoma.
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