What do You think about Dark Dance (1992)?
This is set in modern London (England) and sort of a gothic fantasy or horror, so the urban fantasy tag doesn't quite fit. I almost never say this but I advise anyone picking this up to stop at the end of this book. Yes it is part of a trilogy, but I actually feel that it takes away from the subtlety and mystery of this book when things are 'explained' later. What basically happens is that Rachaela works at a bookstore and one day receives a letter summoning her to 'The House' and her father's family, who she's never had any contact with. Eventually she goes and all decends into gothic creepyness as she tries to discover the many secrets of the Scarabae (the family) what it is they so desperately need her for. The characters are not particularly sympathetic, but are strangely compelling all the same. This is supposed to be a vampire story but in this book isn't the turning book of the novel. I loved the mystery and general sinister insanity of the family and the air of suspense created. Incest and madness play major roles which may discomfit some. What I liked most was that at the end Rachaela still doesn't know if the family are vampires or deluded through centuries of inbreeding, which have given them special abilities. I've skimmed the other books in the trilogy and think it's best to read each book as a separate novel.
—Alice
I connected more with the main character Rachaela than most people did that read this novel. Perhaps it was her desire to not deal with the real world that appealed to me. Wouldn't we all in some way like to escape reality? (possible spoilers)It will not appeal to everyone what with the incest and innuendos of vampirism. I just enjoyed the prose and use of colours to describe everything. The House was intriguing. The family reminded me of my grandparents. Maybe that was the appeal for me, a life that I found I would have wanted. Would it have been so bad to laze away the days in an old home by the sea? To read my books and be dotted on as I replenished the family line? Hmmm, maybe not so much!
—Nicole
I read this book to page 316 and then skimmed the rest to the end, and the ending was pretty predictable, sort of. I cannot believe this book was even written by Tanith Lee. I will say this though, the story came out a long time before the Twilight nonsense, so Tanith is sort of a pioneer in the young adult vampire fiction realm.I found absolutely nothing lyrical or redeeming about this story though, and I understand if Tanith wrote this to appeal to the crowd -- I'm sure there are pressures on every writer; still, I won't forgive what a truly horrid book it turned out to be.
—Mina
