Monday, April 15, 2013

VBT: Review ~ Oxford Blood by Georgiana Derwent




About the Author: 


Georgiana Derwent read History at Oxford University. Aside from the vampires, The Cavaliers Series is an exaggerated but fairly accurate portrayal of her time there. She now works in London and lives with her fiancé. He’s been very supportive throughout the writing of her books, mainly because he likes to claim that all the most attractive characters are based on him.

Georgiana fell in love with vampire novels after reading The Vampire Diaries back in 2000. At the time it was a struggle to find any similar paranormal romances, a situation that it’s fair to say seems to have been rectified in the last few years. She now loves paranormal series, fantasy novels, and modern literary works in roughly equal measure.

Ever since her teens, she wanted to write a vampire series. Ever since going to Oxford she wanted to write a book about her experiences there. During a dull few months between finishing university and starting her graduate job, she had the idea of combining the two and The Cavaliers Series was born.


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Title: Oxford Blood

Series: The Cavaliers #1

Author: Georgiana Derwent

Genre: Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy, New Adult, Vampire

Publisher: self-published

Format: Ebook, Paperback

Length: 304 pages


Buy Links: Amazon




Book Description:

A Tale of the Posh, the Privileged and the Paranormal...

The Cavaliers are the most elite society at Oxford University - rich, powerful, and beautiful. No one realises that they are no ordinary students, but a group of aristocratic vampires from the English Civil War. For four hundred years they have groomed the most promising students to run the government, police, and finance in the way the vampires wish, granting them eternal life in return for absolute obedience.

When Harriet French arrives at Oxford University from her working class northern state school, she’s prepared for a culture shock, but not to become embroiled in the Cavaliers’ scheming and bloodlust. Harriet thought she'd be busy enough juggling her demanding tutor, new friends, and the murky world of student politics. But now, she must find the rebel vampire who is killing off the members, stop the Cavaliers from orchestrating a massacre of the year’s most beautiful and successful students, and defy the Society to be with the man of her dreams.

Oxford Blood is a British, adult, paranormal romance. It's a tale with vampires that aren't afraid to kill and a heroine who's not afraid of sex or her own ambition.


Title: Screaming Spires 
  Series: The Cavaliers #2
Author: Georgiana Derwent

Genre: Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy, New Adult, Vampire

Publisher: self-published

Format: Ebook, Paperback

Length: approx 100 000 words

Release Date: April 12th 2013



Book Description:

A Tale of the Posh, the Privileged and the Paranormal...

The Cavaliers are the most elite society at Oxford University - rich, powerful, and beautiful. No one realises that they are no ordinary students, but a group of aristocratic vampires from the English Civil War. For four hundred years they have groomed the most promising students to run the government, police, and finance in the way the vampires wish, granting them eternal life in return for absolute obedience.

In her first year at Oxford University, Harriet French became inextricably tied to the Cavaliers. Now Harriet’s back at Oxford for her second year. Armed with a vampire boyfriend, some great friends and the truth, she’s expecting an easier time. She’s wrong. Her best friend is now a vampire and the Cavalier who turned her to save her life is facing death for the one good deed he’s ever done. Just when it seems that things can’t get any worse, the Cavaliers’ ancient enemies decide to strike at the heart of the society and they’ve got Harriet in their sights.

Screaming Spires continues the story of an ancient vampire conspiracy and the ordinary girl caught in its web begun in Oxford Blood.

 





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My Thoughts:

I read book one Oxford Blood. I Have to read book two now. It is like a compulsion. I couldn't skip it even if I wanted to (which I don't)!

I was skeptical because of the way they dress on the covers. I thought hmmm, is it more of a historical? I am glad to say that it passed with flying colors. While it mentions historical happenings, it is written in a way that seems fun and not so imposing.

I guarantee this is different from the other vamp books you've read! It may have similarities here and there but it stands on it's own merit!

There are some gross almost scary parts, romance, interesting characters, an intriguing plot with twists, turns, secrets, and hidden agendas, some action, and umm yeah some of the other kind of action too. ;-)

I know fans of vampire books will definitely want to read this one. I have a feeling Oxford Blood would probably appeal to people who don't read paranormal books as well. It was truly that captivating! I highly recommend it.

I do have to mention that there are some typos and mixed up sentences. Nothing that could prevent me from continuing to read the book. I was also annoyed by the fact that they seemed to drink more than study or anything else. It seemed a bit excessive to me.

I received a copy of this book from FMB in exchange for my honest opinion. I really, really liked this book. I 'll be reading Screaming Spires soon! I don't think I can wait too long!



  What do you think? 




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14 comments:

  1. i won't type a lot since like i though i'm hurting everywhere from my work of yesterday but i'm so glad to discover you like this book and want teh second ^^. you put my doubt to rest and i can't wait to discover it now.

    As for the drinking thing.... sadly i don't think it's excessive.... really it's not my case because i spend all my time studying without any fun, break etc but i can tell you that most of teh other prefered to party and that means drinking... a friend took me in his student room for a work and i couldn't believe all the pack of beer, alchool etc... and it was just for one evening ( i ended doing teh world alone at the library)
    really and because i wasn't partying and drinling i wasn't accepted... i only know max 5 other girls that choose to do like me but teh others often missed class etc ( sometimes even exam-_- it like they thing university is free when it's so expensive i would have felt so guilty to miss something because i wasn't responsible enough but them no... they don't count how far in teh classment they are they count how many are beneath them so even failing as long as someone is behind them they are happy -_-)

    i do want to discover it now ^^

    thank you for your review ( and i will wait review of book 2 now^^)

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    1. I guess I found another thing we have in common. I will never understand why people feel that they have to drink all of the time. I have a few relatives who drink everyday. I drink on occasion. But it is always a minimal amount and I can honestly say that I've never had a hangover. I'll never understand why people would want to do that to themselves.

      There is way way way more to the book than the drinking believe me. I just found it annoying.

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    2. oh yes we have that in common i can't understand why some they can't have fun without drinking. My father always wanted us to know that quality is better than quantity so a good wine bottle at restaurant or for a special occasion yes for fun no and never the cheap stuff that make you ill even with a few drops ( and never ever mix different kind of alchool

      ^^ a glass is enough for me or two when eating a long long meal but since we go rarely at the restaurant ^^ it's less than on occasion^^ ( though i'm really good at making apero of my own creation^^;;)

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  2. oki i know it's a bit late but for the lucky ones who will read this on time..... book 1 is free on amazon but until today, monday, inluded only so after such a great review don't hesitate and enjoy it since it's free it('s just even better , no?

    http://amzn.to/XFWVXU

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    1. Thanks for sharing that tidbit Miki. :-) I didn't think to mention it because I mentioned it when I posted about the Screaming Spires.

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    2. after seeing your enthousiasm i thought it would be better to give a small reminder if they already took it great if not then it's their last opportunity^^

      i hope you had a great dya even if it was really a busy one

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    3. Thanks. I hope you had a good day too Miki!

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  3. What a fascinating series! I love vampires. Thanks for the tip on the free download from Amazon.

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    1. happy to help when i can ^^; it's what is great here with Brenda we are a real group

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  4. Ok I will have to read it now! I was worried that it would be too historical and boring but Im glad that it was done in an interesting way. I've heard alot of good things about this series I was just very sceptical. Thanks for your review! :)

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  5. Oh shoot, missed the free download but now on my wishlist, going to keep on eye out. Always curious about new vampire series.

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  6. These sounds REALLY Good. Definitely on the TBR. Just going to have to wait until I'm out of my Vampire burnout ;) I wish I hadn't missed the first book being free :( Oh well, will get it when I'm ready for a good vampire book, because this one definitely has me intrigued!

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  7. Sorry this is a little late (I thought I'd already commented, but I was looking back over the tour and it looks like I didn't), but thanks so much for the lovely review and for taking part in the tour. I'm so glad you enjoyed the book.

    Your comment about the drinking compared to the studying amused me - you have to believe Harriet is doing lots of studying too (I know I did at Oxford!), but that just seemed more complicated to write about and I didn't want to bore everyone with all the details of her lectures and essay...

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    1. No worries! I completely understand. lol! I am just really not a party girl. I have never been. Don't get me wrong I have a drink every once in awhile but I know some people who get really out of control when they drink and I can't stand being around that type of environment.

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