Jasper Kent

This is the fourth book in this excellent series and while there are numerous references to previous stories it would work as a standalone story, though my advice read the whole series.
Completely entertaining from first to last page, not so much violence in this story, but still enough and occasionally gruesome to get your teeth into if you will pardon the pun. Clever descriptive imaginative with a real feel for time and place and terrific characterisation.
Ends with the normally terrible To be continued, but fortunately I already have the next and last book in the series.
Completely recommended.… (meer)

Twelve
Author: Jasper Kent
Publisher: Prometheus Books
Publishing Date: 2010
Pgs: 446
Dewey: F KEN
Disposition: Irving Public Library - South Campus - Irving, TX
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REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS

Summary:
1812, Napoleon’s empire marched on Russia, rolling the Russian army before him to the gates of Moscow. And then, stops. A Russian cadre of spies dogs the French army’s steps across the steppe. A Russian cadre that has called for help from an old friend of one of their number, an old Wallachian ally from the Carpathians. A call that was answered by the 12. 12 who hunt by night. Fight like ten men. Can move quiet through city streets or the fields and pastures. And who kill with no mercy and a certain delight. And drink the blood and devour the flesh of their enemies. And in some instances make their victims into creatures like them. Aleksei Danilov, one Russia’s premier spies and agent provocateurs has discovered what his new allies are. And he must make a choice between damnation and damnation.

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Genre:
Historical Fantasy
Action
Adventure
War
Russia
Vampires
Horror
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Why this book:
Vampires in a historical setting.
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Favorite Character:
Dominiika. She seems to be the only character with a level head that Aleksei can actually communicate with. Everyone else seems trapped inside their own version of life, only dealing with the outside through their own filter. Toward the end of the book, her character seems to wander a bit. Though whether that’s the author’s fault, me placing my version of the character over his, or the character’s own growth is a quibble.

Favorite Scene:
The Aleksei scenes with Dominiika aren’t what I expected them to be. Overplayed cliche with the hooker with a heart of gold, but still well done.

Favorite Quote:
Maks’ view of faith was a fool’s paradise; living in happy ignorance for fear of discovering the truth.

Favorite Concept:
Vampires and Russians vs Napoleon...awesome.

Meh / PFFT Moments:
BS. The Ophyryniki wouldn’t be cut down that easily. Dmitri and/or Vadim are in league with them, possibly hoping that they will be made like them.

After the action of some of the scenes, the climax with Aleksei and Iuda under the bridge on the frozen river is a bit non-action oriented.

The Sigh:
Uhm...seems like the Ophyrniki would recognize that one of their own isn’t one of their own. But maybe that’s just something that one such as Zemeyevich would recognize with age and wisdom.
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Last Page Sound:
So it ends, but it’s not really an ending.

Questions I’m Left With:
Iuda is a question in and of himself.
_________________________________________________… (meer)