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REVIEW: Thirteen Years Later by Jasper Kent
Posted: 28 May 2010 by Tyson Mauermann in Labels: Book Review, Jasper Kent, Thirteen Years Later
Thirteen Years Later by Jasper Kent
Publisher: Transworld Publishers Ltd.
Published: 18 March 2010
Format: Paperback, 544 pages
ISBN 10: 0593060652
ISBN 13: 978059306050
Copy: out of pocket
Back of the Book: "Aleksandr made a silent promise to the Lord. God would deliver him - would deliver Russia - and he would make Russia into the country that the Almighty wanted it to be. He would be delivered from the destruction that wasteth at noonday, and from the pestilence that walketh in darkness - the terror by night...1825. Russia has been at peace for a decade. Bonaparte is long dead and the threat of invasion is no more. For Colonel Aleksei Ivanovich Danilov, life is calm. The French have been defeated, as have the twelve monstrous creatures he once fought alongside, and then against, all those years before. His duty is still to his tsar, Aleksandr the First, but today the enemy is merely human. However, the tsar himself knows he can never be at peace. He is well aware of the uprising fermenting within his own army, but his true fear is of something far more terrible - something that threatens to bring damnation upon him, his family and his country. Aleksandr cannot forget a promise: a promise sealed in blood...and broken a hundred years before. Now the victim of the Romanovs' betrayal has returned to demand what is his. The knowledge chills Aleksandr's very soul. And for Aleksei, it seems the vile pestilence that once threatened all he held dear has returned, thirteen years later."
Not long ago I read Twelve, the series opener for Jasper Kents historical vampire novel and was blown away as Kent was able to take a piece of history and turn it into a great a powerful novel regarding vampires. In Thirteen Years Later, he is able to outdo himself by taking us back to Russia with the tsar/czar in jeopardy and communism about to rise.
The character of Aleksei returns slightly aged in body but not in mind. The character continues to be wary that vampires could be stalking the earth and seeking revenge for what occurred in the previous novel. Kent also brings back many of the same characters from Twelve and adds several more. Aleksei's son is introduced and is brought into the fold of what occurred when Bonaparte took over Moscow. The tsar Aleksandr is also featured in this macabre tale as he also knows of the existence of vampires and he has a secret that could destroy all that the Romanov's have built since coming to power in Russia.
The setting is just as dark and cold as the Twelve. We return to a few familiar haunts but are introduced to many new locations that range from quaint seaside villas to bustling St. Petersburg. Kent does a wonderful job of making you feel as if you really have been transported back in time to a turbulent city in Russian history as they attempt to make the Russian capital more European. Parts are opulent and other sections are gritty. Kent does an excellent job of inspiring you to feel as though you are there and not just watching what is transpiring.
In Thirteen Years Later, we also learn a little bit more of the vampires in Kent's world. We learn the full process of turning someone into the undead and why we can't see them in mirrors. All very interesting and considering the topic, believable. These vampires do not sparkle or consider themselves vegetarians. These are the vampires you grew up fearing. Beautiful and deadly.
In Jasper Kent's Twelve we were thrusted into the world, the war and the characters. It worked very well. In this novel things start out a little slower as we already know the back story and the main character so, Kent tends to focus on the story which at times feels drawn out and slow. There are times in the first half of the novel where it feels as if nothing is going on except people traveling. Things pick up and move at a more rapid pace once you get to the second half of the book.
Without giving away the ending, I will say that I was surprised with how it ended but, I was very satisfied with it and look forward to the next book in the four part series. Not as good as Twelve but, a very solid and satisfying book. A nice sequel to the debut.
I am curious of these books. I have read your review and a few others and they sound interesting. With the vampire idea mixed in with the history theme. I'm going to have to look into these books. Thanks!