The Vampire's Violin

by Michael Romkey

Book Overview

Listen to its haunting, angelic sound After centuries of life, the Vampire has just two passions left: blood and music. The blood of innocents is plentiful and easily attained--it is his other passion... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0345452089
• ISBN13: 9780345452085
• Release Date: April 2003
• Publisher: Del Rey Books
• Length: 304 Pages
• Weight: 0.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 4.2" x 6.9"

Customer Reviews

A Musical Obsession

Once there was a violin maker who at the end of his life went blind. Instead for ending his career, God granted him a miracle. His other senses more attune, he continued to make violins using hearing and touch to craft such exquisite instruments they were called Angels. They were almost magical. He only made 13 such violins. Dylan Glyndwr, a Welsh violinist and a vampire, heard tales of the Angel violins and began his search. Finally after years, he obtained an Angel. The music brought peace to his soul, but only for a short while. Until the violin was lost when the ship he was sailing on was attacked and sunk by the British. Dylan obsessed with the Angel violins searchs for over 200 years for another. Maggie O'hara is a struggling student violinist. When her grandfather dies, she inherits a violin. Her grandfather bought the violin during World War II from a German officer who sold it cheap. It has laid almost forgotten in an attic for 50 years. When she takes the violin for repair, she discovers a remarkable set of coincidences. The old luthier at the repair shop is familiar with the instrument, having worked on it during the War. He is able to restore the instrument. When Maggie picks up the instrument, all the doubts and fears that have held her back are dispelled and something magical happens. Not only does she pass her recital to get into the conservatory program but wins the coveted place as a soloist for the Mozart concert. Dylan Glyndwr learns that the Angel has been found and comes to claim his violin even if he has to kill to get it. THE VAMPIRE'S VIOLIN is the latest in David Romkey series of interrelated Vampire novels. In his world, vampires can be ruthless, cruel creatures. Dylan Glyndwr certainly is, an arrogant, selfish killer. But they are often creatures of great creativity. Certainly many famous names, especially in the area of music, exist among the ranks of Illuminati. But you can't consider David Romkey's stories as a series. Each story is a stand alone. THE VAMPIRE'S VIOLIN focuses on something that greatly interested the author, violins. In his biography, David Romkey says that he plays the violin in band that plays traditional Irish folk music. This love of violins and music certainly shows in the story. It is a gentle read, a character driven story, a story of obsession and passion.

his best since I, Vampire

I think that Vampire's Violin is Romkey's best book since I, Vampire (little could top it). Romkey's vampire world was starting to get a little stale and then he writes this novel. It's a haunting, beautiful tale. Romkey's use of language is as beautiful as his first half of I, Vampire. It's a story of vampires, music, love, and a violin. And a divine book.

Vampire's Violin

The very best of Michael Romkey's vampire series. The writing is a seamless weaving of fictional history entwined with a twisting plot and set before a background of haunting music.This latest work seems like a natural for filmakers to explore in the same vein as the "Phantom of the Opera".I am eagerly waiting to see what this gifted author's fantastic imagination will next create.Kudos.

Typical of Michael's style.

Shorter by several degrees than most of Michael's novels, The Vampire's Violin is not another installment in the much darker David Parker series. It is nevertheless a very Romkey-esque, vividly written tale splashed with history and music and various flawed but still likeable characters. Romkey fans will find Violin to be in a similar vein to his other novels, however this is a quicker and faster-paced read with fewer subplots but just as many moments of quiet beauty. Those who have never read one of Michael Romkey's books and who like their vampire novels dark, convoluted and sinister may prefer to delve into Michael's catalogue beginning with I, Vampire but The Vampire's Violin is a novel that definitely belongs in the library of any serious fan of literary vampires.