C2’s review of Vampire in Atlantis (Warriors of Poseidon, Book 7) by Alyssa Day
Paranormal Romance published by Berkley 6 June 11
Daniel is an ancient, powerful vampire – the Primator of the Primus (the vampire’s third house of Congress) even. His grip on sanity isn’t quite as good as it should be and nothing seems worth hanging around for, anyway, so, after existing for so long, Daniel has decided it is time to walk into the sunlight. Imagine his surprise when, a few seconds after he sees the sun for the first time in millennia – and collapses amidst the heat and pain – he opens his eyes and sees a face he never thought to see again in this lifetime. The face of his first and only love, Serai, Princess of Atlantis.
Serai is one of a handful of Atlantean maidens that have been held in stasis for thousands of years. They were intended to be brides for future kings of Atlantis. However, somewhere along the way the people in charge of taking care of them lost the knowledge that would let the maidens out of stasis. And recently there have been fluctuations in the power to the stasis pods. The power comes from one of the gems missing from Poseidon’s (yup, that Poseidon) trident. Unless the Emperor (all the gems have names) – a large amethyst – is found, all the maidens could be lost forever.
When Serai unexpectedly returns to consciousness inside her stasis pod, she can feel the fluctuations in the Emperor’s power and knows that she and the other maidens are in danger. Somehow, she manages to break free. Now, as you might imagine, Serai is not all that happy with Atlanteans in general – being put on ice to marry whoever picks you is kind of icky and they weren’t supposed to be in stasis for so long…have they been forgotten or is it just that no one cares about them any more? – so when guards start rushing toward her, she uses her magic to knock them unconscious and runs away. And almost trips over a vampire. Imagine her surprise when it turns out that this vampire not only knows her, he is her long-lost love, Daniel. Holy star-crossed lovers, faithful reader! Each one thought the other was lost to them forever and then they are thrust together to save the world. So fun!
Daniel and Sarai trace the Emperor to Arizona and run into some familiar faces – Quinn and her band of rebels. The rebels have traced some anti-human funding to a local banker but have no proof that he is working with vampires…so far. What are the odds that Daniel and Sarai’s quest for the Emperor is connected to Quinn’s and the rebels’ search for the proof of the banker’s crimes? Very, very good.
Yes, the set-up is elaborate, but a series has to expand or it will smother, and this book puts some new characters into play. Will they be good or bad? Only time will tell. In the meantime, we get more insight into some characters that will soon have their stories told (hello Quinn and Alaric! WOOT!) and hints at some others I hope we will see more of soon (Jack!).
The secondary characters don’t overtake the main couple, though. Daniel and Serai have to battle evil vampires, precocious spirits and more to find the Emperor and there is no guarantee that anyone will be able to control it once it’s found. Also, there is the problem of blood exchanges between a vampire and an Atlantean – there can be serious repercussions.
There isn’t an easy way to summarize everything that happens (obviously), so I will give my impressions. At first I was afraid I wouldn’t like Serai, but she thawed out (heh) pretty quickly – she is not the kind of princess that sits around waiting for someone to rescue her. And I’ve always been intrigued by Daniel of the many names – who knew he would turn out to be so sweet and have such a steadfast heart?
Does this book stand alone? No (I’ll admit I had totally forgotten about the maidens in stasis). You really need to read Conlan and Riley’s book and Justice and Keely’s book, at the very least. It is such a good series – filled with kick-ass warriors and women who totally hold their own – why not read it all?
Grade: B-
Summary:
The most unexpected of all allies to Poseidon’s warriors has proven to be the fiercest—Daniel, a vampire and Night Guild mage. But even the strongest alliance can be destroyed when an 11,000 year-old desire is reborn…
A vampire’s oath, a maiden’s quest…
Daniel, vampire and ally of the Warriors of Poseidon, has fought on the side of humanity—even against his fellow creatures of the night—for more than 11,000 years. But the crushing weight of futility and the reality of always being starkly, utterly alone has forced him to finally give into despair. He took the first step into the sunlight that would destroy him—and instead walked into Atlantis.
And the blackest of magic that could consume them both…
Eleven thousand years ago, Serai was one of a group who agreed to be placed into magical stasis to ensure the future of the Atlantean race. When a dark sorceress steals the gemstone that protects her sleeping sisters, she awakens to a vastly changed world—and the one man she could never, ever forget. And with an ancient evil tracking their every step, the long-lost lovers must battle both the darkest of magic and the treacheries of their own hearts.
Read an excerpt.
Other books in the series:
Heart of Atlantis – February 2012
