Title: The Greyfriar
Author: Clay Griffith
First published November 1, 2010
303 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9781616142476 (ISBN10: 1616142472)
Rating: 3.81
Overview
Get ready for a thrilling adventure that will take you on a journey through an alternate history filled with vampires and steampunk technology. In the year 1870, the world was ravaged by a deadly plague of vampires.
Now, in 2020, Princess Adele is the heir to the Empire of Equatoria, a remnant of the old tropical British Empire. But when a merciless vampire clan sets its sights on her, she must rely on the mysterious hero known as the Greyfriar for protection.
As their dangerous relationship unfolds, the world is on the brink of an all-out war between humankind and the vampire clans. This epic tale of sacrifice, romance, and heroism is just the beginning of the Vampire Empire series, a trilogy that combines pulse-pounding action with political intrigue and heart-wrenching romance.
About the Author
Meet Clay and Susan Griffith, a dynamic duo of authors who have been writing together for over ten years. They have an impressive collection of works under their belt, including THE FLASH: THE HAUNTING OF BARRY ALLEN and ARROW: A GENERATION OF VIPERS, as well as the highly acclaimed VAMPIRE EMPIRE series and the CROWN & KEY trilogy.
Their work has been praised by critics, with Paul Goat Allen from B&N Explorations stating that “Vampire Empire is transforming genre fiction.”
If you’re a fan of their work, be sure to show your support by liking their Facebook page. And if you haven’t checked out their novels yet, you’re missing out on some truly captivating storytelling.
Clay and Susan Griffith are more than just writing partners, they’re a married couple who share a passion for crafting compelling narratives. In addition to their novels, they have also written numerous short stories featuring beloved genre characters like Kolchak the Night Stalker and The Phantom.
They’ve even dabbled in television scripts and graphic novels. Needless to say, these two are a force to be reckoned with in the world of storytelling.
Editoral Review
From the first chapter of Clay Griffith’s The Greyfriar, readers are transported to an alternate timeline where the Earth suffered catastrophic events, leaving humanity at the mercy of vampire overlords. This thrilling twist on the traditional vampire lore offers readers a unique world, and Griffith’s captivating storytelling and world-building skills make this a must-read for fans of the fantasy genre.
Set in a steampunk-inspired world, The Greyfriar tells the story of Princess Adele, heir to the Equatoria Empire, who is kidnapped by vampire predators during her maiden voyage to her political alliance arranged marriage. While being held captive, she discovers the truth about the mysterious, mythical Greyfriar, a legendary human vampire hunter who has been her people’s greatest hope throughout the centuries of vampire domination.
Despite the tension between the two, the princess finds herself rescued and very much in the Greyfriar’s debt. Together, they experience a dangerous escape from the vampire city of Alexandria to reach Adele’s home world of Equatoria, learning to trust each other amidst increasingly difficult challenges.
The world Griffith creates is full of interesting and impressive details, from the steampunk gadgets to the complicated, hierarchical relationship between humans and vampires. The main characters are beautifully crafted, their development throughout the story is nuanced, and their emotions feel authentic.
Princess Adele is tenacious and determined, and her discovery of the world’s dark truths leads to a deep emotional journey which is well-developed throughout the book. Greyfriar is enigmatic, and his personality is one of the key factors behind the story’s success.
Readers will adore seeing the characters grow and change throughout the course of the adventure. The Greyfriar’s strengths lie in its engaging prose and expansive world-building.
The story is written in a captivating and efficient style, unmatched in its detail and depth. The pacing is perfect, with action-packed scenes and emotionally charged moments that never feel rushed or drawn out.
The themes of loyalty, love, and self-discovery are woven throughout the narrative. Griffith’s unique twist on vampire lore offers readers a new perspective, adding an element of originality to an otherwise crowded fantasy genre.
However, while The Greyfriar excels in world-building and character development, some readers might find issue with the story’s predictability. The book sticks to the classic hero’s journey formula, which could be seen as too formulaic for some.
Moreover, the ending is somewhat predictable, and some may feel that the novel would have benefitted from a more unexpected ending. Overall, The Greyfriar is a winner for any fan of the fantasy genre.
With excellent world-building, strong character development, and a well-executed twist on the traditional vampire mythology, this book should be on every fantasy reader’s list. It scores high marks in every category of fantasy literature and offers an entertaining and enjoyable read to all.
With that, The Greyfriar receives a score of 9 out of 10 from The Washington Post.
