Synopsis from Amazon:
I am the Prima Vita, the only true immortal.But the darker the gift, the higher the blood price—and I have paid it all.
At the moment of my making, at the turn of the first millennium amid the glories and horrors of Ancient Rome, two men died with me. Both reborn in my immortal blood, one became my lover and the other my enemy. I promised the unspeakable to save Lucius from Clarius.
The bargain, once struck, was simple: die with Clarius once a year to keep Lucius safe for an eternity.
>>>>>>>>>>>
My Review:
It took me a long time to get into any sort of "vampire" novels, and I'm pleased to say that the ones I've read so far have been STELLAR--and Petra is no exception!
The tale is framed as an encrypted "codex" being written, explaining the beginning of this immortal legacy Petra has built, and describing the twists and turns the characters come through. Scenes from notable historical eras (like the Black Plague of the fourteenth century, or even the Mongol conquests of the eighteenth century) are punctuated by conversations between the narrator--Petra--and the one she has commissioned to write her story in full. It's sort of like if Dracula had been told from the Count's perspective, rather than that of the man trying to hunt him.
The main characters are Petra, and Lucius, two servants in an ancient Roman household who run afoul of their master, as an attempt to escape goes very wrong, and results in the desperate arrangement described in the blurb: two men obligated to Petra for their continued immortal lives, and in order to preserve the life of the one she loves, she must consent to do the same for the one she hates. The rich and vivid imagery, and the vibrant prose kept me fascinated as Petra tries to bring order to that which the insatiable enemy would ravage with unchecked chaos.
That being said, there is a great deal more gore and physically intense situations than I'd prefer to read--the manner in which the enemy exacts his revenge for Petra's "curse" over him is neither kind nor gentle. The way it's described pulls you in and evokes all the strong emotions, while also making your skin crawl because of how despicable it is. In moments like those, I appreciated the quality of the lighter scenes, because they could take my mind away from what had just happened. I loved all the terminology Lasota uses, both actual terms in those antique languages such as Latin, and jargon she designed specifically for the series. The world-building is sound, and while this first book doesn't exactly resolve as wholly as one would have liked, I can still appreciate that Ms. Lasota at least sets her characters on a path toward resolution, so it doesn't leave the reader hanging too badly!
As far as vampire novels go, I'd say Petra does pretty well for itself!
I give the book a solid *****4.5 STARS***** for the quality of the writing and the distinctive characters, as well as the pacing of the plot and the execution of the premise. It's steamy, it's well-constructed, and it doesn't rely on tropes or cliches too much, forging its own path and setting up its own foundation for a unique story that horror and paranormal romance fans will definitely enjoy!
Further Reading: (Vampires/Paranormal Romance/Ancient Cultures/Steamy Romance)
The Firebird Fairy Tales--Amy Kuivalainen
-The Cry of the Firebird
-Ashes of the Firebird
-Rise of the Firebird
-The Cry of the Firebird
-Ashes of the Firebird
-Rise of the Firebird
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