Sustenance
Chelsea Quinn Yarbro. Tor, $29.99 (480p) ISBN 978-0-7653-3401-5
Not even the vampire Saint-Germain can avoid the paranoid tendrils of the early Cold War in this detailed period piece that’s heavy on history but light on speculative elements. The latest in Yarbro’s long-running series (after Night Pilgrims) finds her undead protagonist doing his best to ease the pain of a “coven” of American expats; the collective term sadly has no tie to actual witches, which would have enhanced the otherwise minimal supernatural elements. Soon Saint-Germain falls for one of the group’s members, Charis Treat, a woman cut out of her life by both her husband and her country. Alternating points of view and epistolary sections paint a vivid description of fear, threats, and power during a time when not even fleeing to Europe could prevent persecution. Watching Saint-Germain’s careful web protecting his secrets (and his new friends) fray in the face of increased government scrutiny should give longtime fans and history buffs plenty to consider after reading. (Dec.)
Details
Reviewed on: 10/13/2014
Genre: Fiction
Other - 480 pages - 978-1-4668-0772-3