🦇 Vampires

The Cross

✍️ Scott G Mariani
Reader Score
4.4
(1 review)
$15.50
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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A detective and a vampire agent battle for control of an ancient artifact.

Mariani constructs a thriller around the accidental return of the Cross of Ardaich. This object holds power over vampires and was believed lost in past wars. Gabriel Stone, an arch-enemy of the Federation, hires a killer to seize it. His goal is to give the Ubervampyr dominance. Joel Solomon and Alex Bishop must overcome their personal grievances to stop this outcome. Their survival depends on uniting with human allies against pure evil. The narrative highlights the danger posed by primeval vampire races to ordinary people.

Key Themes
Vampire Federation politics Ancient cross artifact Detective vampire partnership
Literary Context

The story is set in a modern world where secret wars between vampire factions like the Trads and the Vampire Federation exist alongside human society. It draws on Eastern European folklore regarding ancient crosses and elite vampire lineages.

Difficulty
● Easy
Recommended For Fans Of
Anne Rice's Vampire Chronicles · Charlaine Harris's Sookie Stackhouse series · Laurell K. Hamilton's Anita Blake novels
🦇
Vampires
🏛 Avon Books 📅 2011 📖 458 pages 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781847562135

📝 Description: The Cross

Scott G Mariani presents a narrative centered on Detective Joel Solomon and Alex Bishop, a vampire agent who turned him. Their fractured relationship complicates matters when the Cross of Ardaich resurfaces in Eastern Europe. This artifact, once thought destroyed during the conflict between the Trads and the Vampire Federation, now draws the attention of Gabriel Stone. He seeks to use the cross to empower the Ubervampyr, a sadistic race of elite vampires. The story follows the couple and their human allies as they defend against this threat. The discovery of the cross threatens not only ordinary vampires but also humanity at large. Mariani combines elements of supernatural fiction with action-driven plotlines. The narrative focuses on the struggle for power between ancient vampire factions. Readers who enjoy fast-paced adventures involving undead politics will find this work engaging. Those preferring slow, atmospheric gothic tales may find it too intense. The book examines the consequences of rediscovering lost magical artifacts. It explores the dynamics between different vampire societies and their impact on human safety. The plot moves quickly through conflicts involving vicious killers and elite vampire races.

💎 Our verdict on The Cross

“
🩸
Horror Reads editorial team
Horror desk
Scott G Mariani constructs a compelling thriller centered on the accidental return of the Cross of Ardaich, an artifact holding significant power over vampires. The narrative effectively balances supernatural fiction with action-driven plotlines, following Detective Joel Solomon and vampire agent Alex Bishop as they navigate their fractured relationship amidst a dangerous quest. The book excels in highlighting the tension between ancient vampire factions and modern threats, offering a brisk pace that suits fans of urban fantasy thrillers. While it may be too intense for those preferring slow, atmospheric gothic tales, it provides an engaging look at undead politics and the struggle against pure evil.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers who enjoy fast-paced adventures involving undead politics will find this work engaging, particularly those interested in the complex dynamics between different vampire societies and their impact on human safety. The narrative offers a thrilling exploration of power struggles between ancient factions, appealing to fans of action-driven supernatural fiction. It is ideal for audiences seeking a story that combines detective work with high-stakes magical conflicts, focusing on the consequences of rediscovering lost artifacts and the dangers posed by primeval races to ordinary people.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.4
Based on 1 reviews
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Horror Reads editorial team

Scott G Mariani constructs a compelling thriller centered on the accidental return of the Cross of Ardaich, an artifact holding significant power over vampires. The narrative effectively balances supernatural fiction with action-driven plotlines, following Detective Joel Solomon and vampire agent Alex Bishop as they navigate their fractured relationship amidst a dangerous quest. The book excels in highlighting the tension between ancient vampire factions and modern threats, offering a brisk pace that suits fans of urban fantasy thrillers. While it may be too intense for those preferring slow, atmospheric gothic tales, it provides an engaging look at undead politics and the struggle against pure evil.

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