Covenant in Blood by Ariel Tachna Reviewed
Dreamspinner Press' Erotic Horror Follow Up To Alliance In Blood
Jan 28, 2009
The follow-up to Alliance in Blood, Ariel Tachna’s erotic horror novel Covenant in Blood from Dreamspinner Press charts the deepening war between two factions of magical folk and the relationship between Alain and Orlando, a wizard and a damaged, abused vampire, as the bonds of love coil around them yet tighter and the passion they both share sinks its needle teeth in that much further, and all around them wizard and vampire allies fall under the same mysterious spell.
The Plot of Covenant in Blood
Whilst Alliance in Blood had a narrow focus, holding the narrative gaze on central couple Alain and Orlando as their relationship and the alliance as a whole was first forged and then grew stronger, the cast of characters introduced in the first installment are broadened and built upon in Covenant in Blood, introducing new relationships and expanding on those established in the series yet further.
This element of expansion is to Covenant in Blood’s credit, as Ariel Tachna’s series becomes immeasurably richer for developing characters such as the reserved wizard Raymond and his partner, the worldly-wise vampire Jean, as they gravitate together with every feeding undertaken, or the luscious female characters of the fiery Mirielle and the demure Caroline as they find their lives steadily intertwining and their fledgling relationship strengthening them both.
The threat of the evil wizard Serrier is also expanded and built upon in Covenant in Blood as Ariel Tachna details the various political machinations the wizard has employed to lure others into his ranks. Also, Tachna dares to further expand the lore of her series, taking the time to explain how the vampire and wizard synergy helps in the war and the balancing of the various magical, alchemical and metaphysical forces that bind the world together.
The Psychology of a Vampire in Covenant in Blood
Ariel Tachna’s first installment to the Partnership In Blood series, Alliance in Blood, centred around Alain and Orlando, a couple that fell into a monumental kind of love, if a little quickly. This was, perhaps, the only criticism that could have been made of Alliance in Blood, however, in Covenant in Blood Tachna skilfully expands on this theme, making this a serious hurdle that Alain and Orlando must overcome.
This serves to give Covenant in Blood depth and texture, and especially adds to the vampire Orlando St. Clair and his development. It would have been bad form to have Orlando’s psychological scars healed magically by the relationship he forges with Alain, and lesser writers may have taken that temptation and have ran with it, yet Ariel Tachna, understanding of her audience, allows Orlando only the briefest of respites from his tortured past, and gives a physical measure in the form of erotic scenes to gauge his ability to trust Alain and how he allows his defenses to come down.
Concluding Thoughts on Covenant in Blood
From its Parisian setting to the diverse mix of characters that mingle, banter and battle, Covenant in Blood is a gripping follow-up that builds and goes beyond its predecessor both in scope and execution. Ariel Tachna has created a truly original version of the vampire archetype and uses it fully in this erotic horror title from Dreamspinner Press, with a story that answers the questions created by the first title in the series, Alliance in Blood, and promises more from the coming novels in the Partnership In Blood series.
(Paperback: 420 pages, Publisher: Dreamspinner Press, Publication Date:October 27, 2008,ISBN-10: 1935192272, ISBN-13: 978-1935192275)
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