Mr. Darcy, Vampyre

by Amanda Grange

Book Overview

Sourcebooks Landmark, the leading publisher of Jane Austen-related fiction, is excited to announce a major release : Mr. Darcy, Vampyre by international bestselling author Amanda Grange. Amanda... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1402236972
• Release Date: August 2009
• Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark
• Length: 320 Pages
• Weight: 0.86 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.0" x 1.0" x 5.0"

Customer Reviews

A game between author and reader

I was shocked at how good this book is. She captures the characters and the era brilliantly, and brings them to life for the modern reader. She's true to Jane Austen's storytelling--there are no sex scenes for example. There are lyrical passages, and lovely games with the reader. By the title the reader knows Darcy is a vampire. Elizabeth doesn't know this, and so Darcy reacts to things like a cross in ways that Elizabeth interprets one way and the reader another. Characters say things that Elizabeth thinks refers to the aristocracy during the French Revolution, but which refer to the hunting of vampires. One prophecy from the beginning is never fully made clear to the characters, not even to Darcy, but the readers understand. That game between author and reader is so hard to carry off well, and she does it masterfully. I think this is one of the best books I've ever read. I expected it to be cheesy and silly fun, but it was actually a very good story, very well written.

Stepping Outside The Box

Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennett are married only a short time before Darcy begins to exhibit strange mood swings. The couple is on their way to a honeymoon in France and beyond, taking Elizabeth into a strange world that is completely foreign to her. Although, she likes Paris, she becomes aware of how different their lives are - how simple her former life had been, compared to his. Darcy is a gentleman of great wealth, recognition, and social standing, while she had been only the daughter of a country gentleman. Eventually, she is swallowed up in a cold, vulgar world of wealth, position, and dark personalities. Throughout the book, Elizabeth shares her misgivings and unhappiness in letters to her sister, Jane. Although the reader must suspend all previously conceived fantasies about the married life of Mr. and Mrs. Darcy, this book proves to be exciting for any fan of gothic romantic thrillers. From dark ancient castles to the elegant ballrooms of Paris, the author transports the reader into a place far from the delightful walls of Pemberley. Amanda Grange has created a new twist for Austen addicts, even though it may be too far flung for the purist, or the Jane Austen scholar. I give the book 5 stars for having as its author, a woman who writes beautifully, and has the courage to step outside the box with her imagination. It is well-told and unforgettable.

This should be a movie!

I wasn't going to read this book. I didn't purchase for awhile. When I did, it was on a dare. AND I LOVED IT! I read it in one night. The ending is very exciting. This should be a movie. The author does a wonderful job creating a very believable story. I recommend this book, you will not regret it.

Mr. Darcy - A Vampire!!!!

Mr. Darcy, Vampyre brings us back to that final moment in Pride & Prejudice - it picks up right before Lizzie and Mr. Darcy's wedding and takes us along with them on their wedding tour. To her surprise they will not be touring the Lake District but instead will be traveling through Europe. Shortly after their nuptials, Lizzie starts seeing some changes in Mr. Darcy's demeanor - could it possibly be that he is becoming even more aloof then he was when they first met? Her worrying increases when he will not visit the marriage bed - but she still tries to make the best of their trip and makes herself as pleasant as possible while introduced to some of his "old" friends, family and acquaintances. Ms. Grange does a wonderful job in building tension throughout her novel. Yet through it all she makes it believable enough to where there are no discrepancies between Pride and Prejudice and her sequel. She does a fine job in weaving Mr. Darcy's "vampiric" attributes with what we already knew about him. As the Darcys travel through Paris, to the Swiss Alps, Venice, and Italy - we are taken from splendid balls, to meeting a mysterious Count who strangely resides in a mirror-less castle, the threat of a mob lynching, to beautiful masquerade balls and eventually to being the guests of a Prince - whose actions might not be so princely. You fear for the innocent Lizzy and hope that their love can overcome Mr. Darcy's deep, dark secret. Yet Ms. Grange does justice to the Lizzy we know and love - she continues to be the strong, opinionated young woman that stole our hearts. I loved that the story was riddled with garlic, cross's, mirrors - or a lack thereof, remote bats and plenty of superstitious townfolk who cross themselves when the Darcys and their acquaintances pass by. All these minor details were interspersed throughout the story and couldn't help bringing a smile to my face. Full of plenty of mystery, intrigue and adventure not to mention the scrumptious Mr. Darcy - a vampire! This is Austen fan-fiction at its best and required reading for any lover of Pride and Prejudice.

Mr. Darcy is Supernatural

Amanda Grange's Mr. Darcy, Vampyre, published by Sourcebooks, catches up with Mr. & Mrs. Darcy right before their nuptials and follows them along their wedding tour. As plans change and the Darcys spontaneously tour Europe, mingling with Mr. Darcy's friends, Elizabeth begins to feel that there is a deep dark secret her husband is hiding from her. Throughout the novel, Grange adheres to Jane Austen's characters and the time in which those characters live. Readers of Pride & Prejudice may have wondered why Fitzwilliam Darcy was so reserved, but Grange provides a paranormal alternative to mere position and wealth considerations in the 19th century. The lush landscape and dramatic plot will suck readers into Mr. Darcy, Vampyre as readers travel with Elizabeth and Darcy through Paris, Italy, and the Alps. Elizabeth is captivated by her foreign surroundings, but eventually she begins to feel weary of her new acquaintances and the tension in her marriage. Readers will grow anxious and paranoid just as Elizabeth does. From bandits and wolves in the woods outside a secluded castle to the reappearance of Lady Catherine de Bourgh and her ties to Darcy's secret, Grange weaves a twisted narrative that leaves Elizabeth, Darcy, and readers on the edge of their seats. Mr. Darcy, Vampyre is a paranormal continuation of Austen's Pride & Prejudice that is executed successfully. Even though the title does the novel a disservice by telling readers Darcy is a vampire, Grange is a master of this time period and her imagination shines through in this novel. There are enough descriptive clues and dialogue in Grange's novel that a different title would not have detracted from its paranormal quality. It took me less than 3 days to read this novel in the free time I had at home. Readers will be absorbed by this paranormal world.