From Publishers Weekly
Starred Review. Set in decadent third-century C.E. Rome, Yarbro's 19th volume in her majestic fantasy series (after 2005's Dark of the Sun) is one of her finest yet to feature heroic vampire Saint-Germain, here known as Ragoczy Germainus Sanct-Franciscus. Despite his wealth, discretion and careful observance of the social niceties, Sanct-Franciscus must be careful as a foreigner. All his precautions, however, can't prevent an official from placing a spy in his household and targeting him for tax evasion and worse. Even as Sanct-Franciscus shelters and aids an abused courtesan, doctors a dying noblewoman and befriends her virginal daughter, he must contend with a fanatical young follower of one of the many religions of the day, Christianity. Sensuous scenes are lush with language ("her sumptuous body still quivering in apolaustic abandon") rather than the explicitly erotic. Meticulous attention to historic detail and vivid writing bring an ancient era to life. Unlike most generic vampiric novels that can be quaffed in a quick if entertaining gulp, this book should be savored like a fine wine. (Sept.)
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From Booklist
The new Saint-Germain yarn unfolds in the Decadence--the second-century period of Roman boy-emperor Heliogabalus' reign. Saint-Germain comes to Rome as, ostensibly, a learned, wealthy merchant. His riches attract a particularly corrupt tax collector, and when he attempts to help an ailing noblewoman, he is accused of corrupting her daughter, whose zealous Christian-convert brother threatens to destroy Saint-Germain with fire. All accounts are settled before the vampire leaves Rome. Yarbro's interpretation of the period is extremely plausible, ensuring that this installment of the long, long series appeals equally to vampire, history, and romance fans. Frieda Murray
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