Fangs aside, becoming a vampire doesn’t fundamentally change you…or does it?

In the wake of a recent misadventure, vampire hunter Harlan Thorne has become the very creature he used to hunt.

It's the age-old cliché, but it could spell the end of Harlan’s career. However, the upcoming hearing at the Van Helsing Society is only the beginning of his troubles.

After years of rivalry, Ramsay Fairweather's jealousy and resentment finally coalesce into a toxic brew. Harlan's mentor, Eli Romerstadt, struggles not only to come to terms with his protégé's vampiric transformation but also against the unseen influence that is falling over his own consciousness like a net.

In the grand halls of Thornhill Mansion, Sebastian Rose is planning his big comeback exhibition, slated for the full moon. And Algernon Thornhill, the long-dead patriarch of the family, starts making appearances to offer Harlan unsolicited fatherly advice.

Then there's Csilla Zichy, the psychic vampire medium to whom a soul is owed.

"Foul Moon" is the tense, twisted third volume in the Thornhill Vampire Chronicles, unfurling a tale of rivalry, affection, kinskip, and the alluring pull of darkness.

It was fun diving back into the haunting gothic world of Lucius Valiant’s Thornhill Vampire Chronicles.

In the first book I was intrigued by the enigmatic vampire hunter Harlan Thorne, who finds himself entangled in a bitter rivalry within the Van Helsing Society---the organization that keeps supernatural threats at bay. While suspended from his duties, he embarks on a quest to unravel his own mysterious past, at the epicenter of which is the Thornhill mansion, a crumbling manor with a dark, convoluted past. And its fair share of ghosts.

This review is for the third book of the series and contains spoilers for the ones before. If you are new to the series, I’d recommend starting here.

After the events of the first book, I was looking forward to the upcoming hearing in which the society elders would decide on whether the myriad liberties Harlan has supposedly taken during his hunting expeditions would result in his termination from the career to which he has obsessively devoted his life. I was also eager to see what kind of changes his newfound vampirism brings about.

There’s something about love and happiness, and seeing others expressing it, that makes it difficult to hate. At least if you have even an ounce of humanity left in you.

Interestingly, the second book took us on a strange time travel detour to the Victorian past and didn’t feature Harlan as the main character. In the third book, thankfully, the focus shifts back to Harlan. And we see the (now altered) past connect better with the present. And the deep exploration of the family line begins to pay off.

As with the first two books, the presentation remains fantastic, and Lucius’s writing captures the mesmerizing dark themes beautifully. As with the first book, the contrast between gothic ambiance and modern day world is a central theme. In fact, this one takes it further in creative ways. Ravens carrying recorders… yes, please.

I found myself grinning ear to ear during the butchering that unfolds in the court hearing. I would rather not go into the details, for it will take away from the reading experience. Just pick up the book---its worth your time.

The plot seriously steps up in this book. Harlan has much to deal with. The upcoming verdict of the Van Helsing society, Sebastian’s exhibition, the prophecy that foretells an unexpected threat, an upcoming soul collection he can’t wiggle out of, and the long-dead patriarch whispering in his ears.

Somehow, despite the many facets being explored, neither does the plot ever waver from its brisk pace, nor does the narration feel overwhelming at any point. I absolutely flew through the book.

Vampirism comes with its perks, and apparently, speed reading is one of them.

I didn’t expect the long-departed Algernon Thornhill to actually feature in the story, but his ghost manipulating events subtly (and sometimes not so subtly) from the shadows was such a perfect addition to this story.

Not everything is about blood… although admittedly, much is.

This book also packs in some solid action. After all the details of the meticulous restoration of the Thornhill Mansion, I found myself wincing as the raging werewolf tore through its walls and ceilings. While I did prepare myself for the worst, the ending did not disappoint.

While there is violence, the depictions are low on gore. You can look away from the bloodshed and still enjoy the story.

Gravity simply didn’t cling to me much anymore, and I have to admit, I liked it.

There were a few plot decisions that came across as somewhat dubious. Like Harlan pricking Thomas during Dwight’s ceremony just to test out the serum. Or Ramsay’s vial conveniently just rolling out from his sleeves at the most opportune moment. They don’t hinder the plot, but I did find myself wondering why the author thought they were worth adding at all.

A few plot elements get resolved a bit too conveniently. Like Scilla pulling out Venedict and Graves from the limbo. I felt some complications around that could have made the plot more interesting, but perhaps they do exist and we just haven’t seen them yet.

You always act as if the rules don’t apply to you. I’m sick of it. And I don’t see that getting any better now that you’re no longer tempered by mortality.

I loved how this book first raises Harlan to almost a superhero-like status---an unmatched warrior for whom many of the members of the society are fully willing to twist rules that have been in place since the founding of the society. And then, in the later part, it also establishes him as a morally grey protagonist who is susceptible to darker influences. Wonderful. Can’t wait for what the next book brings.