Let me first say that the cold, undead world of Dark Ages: Vampire has never seemed so warm and alive, thanks to the storytelling of Kathleen Ryan. Too many novels fall into the trap of only using elaborate combat techniques to keep the interest of the reader. Ryan, however, runs the gamut of day-to-day conflicts, political intrigue, the twisted religious practices of Vampires, the relations between clan mates, and the relations between sire and childe. She even throws a good mystery into the mix.

This book has the ability to stand on its own without reading the previous three novels, although knowledge of those novels and the world of White Wolf's Dark Ages: Vampire in general would be helpful, as this book does mention some of the heroes (and anti-heroes) of the previous books. In particular, Malachite, the elder Nosferatu of Constantinople, and Michael, the Toredor Patriarch, are referenced, along with others, to continue the epic story of the War of Princes. We are also introduced to some new characters we may see again: Gregory the Wonder-Maker, and his childe Zoe, a pair of Ravnos tinkers; Meribah, a Christian Setite and convert to the Setite Path of Typhon; Lord Valerian, a Ventrue ambassador in Europe; Galatea, a Toredor temptress; and Calleo, a Tremere magus. They, and a handful of other characters, make for some strange traveling companions.

By the end of the novel, we have been taken on a dark and sinister ride from Constantinople through Thrace, Philippolis, Sophia, Macedonia, Thessalonica, Durazzo, Spalato, Aquileia, and finally to Lombardy. At each stop, we are shown the social and political maneuverings of both the residents and the traveling companions. But underneath all of the highbrow socializing, there still exist the basic needs and desires of the vampire. Blood, shelter, and faith are what truly drive the eternal nightly existence of a vampire, and in turn, this novel.

I'd give this novel 5 doors. It is masterfully written, and Kathleen Ryan gets you emotionally attached to each of the characters, but does not abuse that gift. When the story reaches its completion, all of the major and minor plot lines have reached a conclusion, and although she does not leave us with a cliff-hanger, she does leaves us craving more.