Reviewed by Taylin
TITLE: The Vampires Quest 
SERIES: The Realm of The Vampire Council #2
AUTHOR: Damian Serbu
PUBLISHER: NineStar Press
LENGTH: 317 pages
RELEASE DATE: February 11, 2019
BLURB:
The Vampire’s Quest brings back the beloved gay vampires, Xavier and Thomas, in the anticipated sequel to The Vampire’s Angel.
In 1822, the Archangel St. Michel orders Xavier to go on a quest to America, a quest that violates the Vampire Council’s laws to the point of a possible death sentence. Worse, Xavier must abandon his lover, Thomas. Xavier runs to his aging sister and pleads for Catherine’s help as Thomas races after them. With Thomas and the Vampire Council vying for Xavier’s soul, Xavier and Catherine struggle to obey the former priest’s divine calling before their inevitable capture.
REVIEW:
Regardless of his vampire state, Xavier has beliefs that remain from his life in the priesthood. In 1822, he believed Archangel St Michel came to him and ordered him to go on a quest. To convince Xavier, it wasn’t a dream, St Michel struck his sword across Xavier’s face, waking him to blood-soaked clothing. Atheist, Thomas, humours his lover and stays with him on the first legs of his journey. When Xavier learns that part of his quest will break the Vampire ethic and that he could be sentenced to death, he finds a way to leave Thomas behind.
When Thomas realizes what has happened, he searches for Xavier with his best friend, maker, and Vampire council member, Anthony, at his side.
Oh, heaven’s above. Tears hit me from the first chapter. So, I think it’s safe to say that I enjoyed this book. I read the first novel, Vampires Angel, and loved it. Despite being part of a series, it is possible to read The Vampire Quest as a standalone. Though, it is always an advantage to have read previous stories in a series, as elements of the current story bring memories of its predecessor to the fore.
Anyhoo, back to the story.
A quest that could claim Xavier’s life. A sister that he broke, even more, rules for, and a lover who would stop him if he knew. I couldn’t wait to read it. Told in the third person, like many other stories, this has its highs, lows and parts that keep proceedings ticking over.
Catherine, Xavier’s sister, loved to defy authority, so was the perfect partner on his quest to the slave-bound south of America. A fiery woman ahead of her time. In the first story, Catherine’s occasional belligerence made me want to slap her. But, in this story she is great. She provides loyalty, a level head and some comic relief.
At Xavier’s disappearance, Thomas experienced the intense anger associated with absolute dread that Xavier could die from his actions. Anthony helps to keep his friend in check. Also, with Anthony’s presence, the laws of the vampire council were never far away. Eventually, the two head in the same direction as Xavier. While I understand the need to make a search not easy, this search continued a little too long for me. Both parties knew more than they let on. The secrets not only tested the patience of Anthony and Thomas but mine. Having said that, it was heartwarming to see the level of devotion Thomas has for Xavier.
Throughout the quest, Xavier stays true to his faith while breaking more and more rules. He prays to help centre him and carries a cross. At times, heavenly bodies call to him, and this is where I shed most of my tears. Xavier’s brother, who was killed in book one, makes an appearance. Without fail, these scenes made me cry.
The Vampires Quest contains scenes of slavery, sexual situations, faith, paranormal activity and an interesting ending. Magic is used to help Xavier complete his quest, and Anthony find him. There is drama, but what struck me most about this story was the utter devotion Thomas and Xavier display towards each other. Love is the winner here.
RATING: 
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