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303 pp
ISBN: 978-1-61614-247-6
Trade Paperback (6" x 9")
$16.00
November 2010
Cover Illustration: © Chris McGrath
In the year 1870, a horrible plague of vampires swept over the northern regions of the world. Millions of humans were killed outright. Millions more died of disease and famine due to the havoc that followed. Within two years, once-great cities were shrouded by the gray empire of the vampire clans. Human refugees fled south to the tropics because vampires could not tolerate the constant heat there. They brought technology and a feverish drive to reestablish their shattered societies of steam and iron amid the mosques of Alexandria, the torrid quietude of Panama, or the green temples of Malaya.
It is now 2020 and a bloody reckoning is coming.
Princess Adele is heir to the Empire of Equatoria, a remnant of the old tropical British Empire. She is quick with her wit as well as with a sword or gun. She is eager for an adventure before she settles into a life of duty and political marriage to a man she does not know. But her quest turns black when she becomes the target of a merciless vampire clan. Her only protector is the Greyfriar, a mysterious hero who fights the vampires from deep within their territory. Their dangerous relationship plays out against an approaching war to the death between humankind and the vampire clans
Vampire Empire: The Greyfriar is the first book in a trilogy of high adventure and alternate history. Combining rousing pulp action with steampunk style, Vampire Empire brings epic political themes to life within a story of heartbreaking romance, sacrifice, and heroism.
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Reviews:
“I have read 117 vampire novels in the last fifteen months. Some were great, some mediocre. But I LOVED this book. The Greyfriar is an extraordinary character. I put the book down wishing I could read the sequel immediately. The writing is lyrical and poignant. And like all of the truly best vampire novels, issues of morality and the use and abuse of power are paramount.”
—Margot Adler, author of Drawing Down the Moon and Heretic’s Heart; creator of the “Hour of the Wolf” radio show on WBAI, New York City
"I love this book. It's epic and lovely, heartbreakingly romantic (in every sense of the word), and an incredibly satisfying read, both for the characters and the richness of the world."
—Marjorie M. Liu, New York Times bestselling author of the Hunter Kiss and Dirk & Steele series
“Just the absolute best vampire novel VampChix has read all year.”
—VampChix, Best Vamp Novel 2010
“I am totally and completely enthralled with The Greyfriar. The style of this book is eloquent, creating such a beautiful world and story with just words. Steampunk is not usually a visually beautiful world with its machines and steam powered alternate history... I do not give 5/5 ratings very often, but this book is a solid 5 for me. If I had book two right now, I'd immediately start reading. This is one of my 2010 best book picks and I cannot recommend it enough.”
—A Tale of Many Reviews blog
“Have you ever looked at the picture of the front cover of a book and, without looking at either the author’s name or the title, without knowing the genre or the imprint, have you ever looked at a book’s cover and said: this book I must read? I did that, a few weeks ago. The book in question was Vampire Empire, Book One: The Greyfriar. ”
—Bibliobuffet's Bookish Dreaming blog
“I put the book down feeling very satisfied, which is a feeling I just don’t associate with vampire books anymore...The Greyfriar...has something to satisfy almost anyone. What excites me the most about this book is that it’s the first in a trilogy and it really shows flair and promise...I enjoyed this book so much as it is that the thought of anything more nearly sends me into heart palpitations.”
—Bookworm Blues, December 21, 2010
"The Greyfriar is an alternate history, steampunk novel that just took
me for an unforgettable ride… Princess Adele was a great lead. In the
beginning…she was strong and kind, but she still had an air of royalty
– that of someone who is used to being served and pampered. When her
journey starts underway however, she slowly morphs into this warrior
type… something akin to Robin hood, Greyfriar is this masked man who
fights for humans against the vampires. I loved Greyfriar as the hero
in this book… I don’t want to give anything away, so I’ll just say
that his character quickly became my favorite. His chemistry with
Adele is undeniable, but with a war looming there is no way that they
can be together.The plot…had me on the edge of my seat. There was
unrequited love, diabolical vampires, and journeys to unknown lands.
Everything that almost guarantees that I’ll be engrossed in it.
Overall, I loved The Greyfriar… Anybody who’s looking for a good story
should definitely pick this one up, I’m sure glad that I did."
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Literary Escapism.com
“There is a lot of steampunk fiction coming out right now, and of course, a dizzying amount of vampire fiction, and pretty much every new novel in either category claims to reinvent its genre. Every now and then, however, a book comes along that actually does. …The Greyfriar,…may not be the first novel to blend steampunk and vampires, and it may be composed of numerous recognizable plots, and yet it manages to recalibrate the old stories and tropes with such genuine ingenuity and seeming effortlessness that it never fails to feel anything less than utterly original and dazzlingly new… I decided to read this novel, because I found the synopsis on the back cover intriguing, but it didn’t quite prepare me for how deeply in love with this book I would fall. It has elements of alternate history, steampunk, war, politics, satire, adventure, action, graphic novel, romance, horror, suspense, and more, and yet all of these well-worn elements join together in a manner that is completely unique. The pacing is perfect, the character development stunning, and the narrative twists and turns superb. It also has an appealingly sly sense of humor that manages to infuse even its darkest sections with humanity and warmth. It succeeds on every level and seems to invent whole new ones. If you’ve grown tired of vampires and/or steampunk, The Greyfriar is the paradoxical cure for what ails you–a vampire steampunk novel that makes both genres feel shiny and new again.”
—RobWillReview.com
“The vampires in this novel were very unique…a breath of fresh air, because of their originality and how evil and harsh they were… This novel starts out slow, but catches you by surprise about forty pages in. From there, it grabs you and doesn't let go… The action-packed ending was fantastic and left me wanting the next book now without being a cliffhanger. Overall: 4.5 stars (5 Stars = Near perfection. 4 Stars = Very good.)”
—Sara’s Urban Fantasy blog
“The Greyfriar is pulp adventure at its best. Think Zorro with vampires. Add to the mix the conflicting but equally byzantine politics of multiple human and vampire nations, and a crew of mysterious mystics. Season with appealing protagonists, a full measure of steam-driven gears and rocket-powered pacing, and you’ve got the recipe for my favorite kind of mind candy… a story crafted to keep you compulsively turning pages until the wee hours. But like all satisfying adventures, The Greyfriar addresses bigger issues… This is a tale of imperialism, 'manifest destiny,' global conflict and power plays seen from both vampire and human eyes.”
—Buzzy Multimedia: Sci-Fi & Fantasy Books (http://blog.buzzymultimedia.com)
“The Greyfriar is an interesting mix of dark fantasy alternate history and steampunk. Far from the sparkly romantic type, these vampires are closer to the creatures that haunted the nightmares of our ancestors- animalistic, foul and sadistic. The Greyfriar is filled with fast-paced action and well written characters, making this a great story that draws you in and keeps you reading. I couldn't put this one down!”
—BellaOnline
“An incredible masterpiece of a story that is intense, exhilarating, and completely delicious... a 5 out of 5, hands down. In fact, I'd probably give it more if I could. I recommend that everyone buy this book as soon as it releases…because it is a definite must-read.”
—I Swim For Oceans (YA book blog)
"I highly recommend it. This book is brilliant, and I love it!...The pacing is impeccable, and you would never know that the book has two authors rather than one. Clay and Susan Griffiths manage to meld their voice and style so that their writing is indistinguishable. I can only begin to imagine what sort of professional and marital partnership it must take to accomplish this endeavor so flawlessly...Another thing I absolutely love about this book is the characters. Adele is sassy, smart, and entertaining...The Greyfriar is a romantic mix of dark brooding and awkward tenderness...They share an adorable interplay that gets neither boring nor nauseating in the story...[it] has a fascinating alternate timeline, compelling characters, star-crossed lovers, and cats. What more could you ask for? Oh yes, the second book. Now."
—Word Tipping blog
"An astounding read and I wish I can read it all again as if it was the first time."
—Book Lady's Book Shelf blog, rated 5 stars
"Let me start with the biggest issue I found: I wanted to continue reading but The Greyfriar ended... The prose fits perfectly to the story. Sometimes sail along softly and then hits back full of power...Romance is romance, you feel it at your heart; insults are insults, stay away from weapons while reading because you will challenge some characters to a duel...[I'm] emotionally touched by romance, enchained by action, intrigued by intrigues, fascinated by steamy machines, surprised by vampires and their history, pissed off by Senator Clark...Take a ride on the steamy roller-coaster full of vampire descents, romance curves and adventurous loops. The Greyfriar is the ticket you need."
—Edi's Book Lighthouse blog
"The authors skillfully create a vivid, startling, and horrifying depiction of a world where humans no longer sit at the top of the top of the food chain. Effectively combining steampunk elements with alternate history results in an unsettling backdrop for the novel, providing a gritty, realistic feel despite the fantasy aspects of the narrative. The Griffiths earn extra points for sustaining an intense suspense level that never overshadows the story. Engaging characters from both sides add even more enjoyment to the tale, and the multi-dimensional primary characters of Adele and Greyfriar furnish the reader with protagonists easy to root for. This reviewer highly recommends this exciting foray into a fresh, intriguing take on the vampire mythos and will be first in line for the next installment of the series."
—Bitten by Books, 4.5 tombstones out of 5
"...the story keeps the reader enthralled, and makes you look forward to the sequel. 7/10."
—Total Sci-Fi Online
"Wow! Ummm.... talk about INTENSE!...I loved the characters in the book... Despite the horror in the book that I normally wouldn't care for, I LOVED this book. It may have been hard to read at times but most of the time I couldn't stop reading. I couldn't look away…Filled with scary vampires, a kick ass heroine, mighty hero and lots of action, this is one you wouldn't want to miss if you are a fan of Steampunk, Paranormal, Horror, Historical alternative fiction and Fantasy."
—Candace's Book Blog, September 7, 2011
"In preparation for the release of the second book The Rift Walker, I reread The Greyfriar. Let me just say, the second reading is even better than the first…Adele is a fantastic character, a heroine I was easily drawn to…The Greyfriar left me in awe—more than once. I love the world building because it was so rich in history and detail. …I think what readers will take away most are the brilliantly written and endearing characters, Adele and Greyfriar. They are undeniably the heart of the story. No doubt, The Greyfriar is a exceptional piece of work, a novel that I can always go back and reread with gusto."
—Wit and Fancy, September 3, 2011
"A seamless amalgam of alternate history, epic fantasy adventure, apocalyptic horror, and heartrending romance, I actually hugged this book when I finished it. (I don't kiss on the first read.) With a narrative powered by steampunk sensibilities and an audacious tone reminiscent of the Golden Age adventure pulps (like Doc Savage and The Spider), this novel was, for me, an ideal example of the future of genre fiction. I literally could not put The Greyfriar down – it was insanely readable. The storyline was just mesmerizing…I've said it before and I'll say it again: The future of genre fiction is now – and it's Clay and Susan Griffith's Vampire Empire trilogy."
—Explorations: The BN SciFi and Fantasy Blog, September 9, 2011
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