What Is The Greyfriar Book About?

Imagine a world where vampires didn’t lurk in shadows but ruled openly, their empire stretching across Europe while humans cowered behind steam-powered defenses. That’s the wild premise of 'The Greyfriar.' I blasted through it in two sittings because the action scenes are that cinematic—sword fights atop airships, vampire lords scheming in crumbling palaces, and this brooding, cape-wearing vigilante who’s equal parts Zorro and Batman if he fought fangs instead of criminals. The romance subplot sneaks up on you; it’s all whispered conversations and reluctant trust, with just enough tension to make you yell at the book. Fun detail: the authors clearly geeked out over Victorian tech—there’s a scene where Adele uses a prototype flamethrower, and I cheered. It’s not high literature, but who cares? Sometimes you just want a rollicking adventure with a heroine who kicks undead butt and a hero whose tragic backstory could fill its own novel.

Ever wish 'Bram Stoker’s Dracula' had more airship chases and swordplay? 'The Greyfriar’s' your fix. It’s a breezy, action-packed romp where vampires are the colonizers, and humans fight back with coal-fired tech and sheer stubbornness. Princess Adele’s chemistry with the Greyfriar crackles—especially when she realizes he’s got more in common with her enemies than either of them want to admit. The ending sets up a juicy sequel hook, and honestly, I’m here for it.

I stumbled upon 'The Greyfriar' during a weekend bookstore crawl, and the cover just grabbed me—steampunk vibes with a dash of Gothic mystery. The book is set in an alternate 1870s where vampires have taken over Europe, and humans are barely hanging on. The story follows Princess Adele, heir to the British Empire, who gets captured by these bloodsuckers but then rescued by this enigmatic masked hero, the Greyfriar. Turns out, he’s not just any swordsman; there’s a whole layers-of-the-onion thing going on with his identity. The world-building is lush—airships, vampire clans with politics nastier than a royal court, and this tense, slow-burn romance that had me flipping pages way past bedtime. It’s like someone mashed up 'Dracula' with 'The Princess Bride' and threw in some 'League of Extraordinary Gentlemen' for good measure. What really hooked me was how the authors (Clay and Susan Griffith—husband-and-wife duo!) made the vampires feel fresh, not just sparkly or feral but this eerie ruling class with their own twisted culture. And Adele? She’s no damsel; her growth from sheltered royal to someone who wields diplomacy and daggers equally well? Chef’s kiss.

If you’re into alternate history with a side of swashbuckling and a sprinkle of 'enemies-to-lovers-but-one’s-literally-undead,' this’ll hit the spot. I’ve already shoved it into three friends’ hands, and now they’re all glued to the rest of the Vampire Empire trilogy. The sequel, 'The Rift Walker,' digs even deeper into Adele’s powers and the whole vampire-human war—totally worth the sleepless nights.

Here’s the thing about 'The Greyfriar'—it’s a genre-blender done right. At its core, it’s a pulpy adventure: princess gets kidnapped, mysterious savior appears, yadda yadda. But what elevates it is the sheer texture of the world. The vampires aren’t mindless monsters; they’re aristocrats lounging in Parisian opera houses, debating whether humans are cattle or potential subjects. Greyfriar himself is a fascinating contradiction, all chivalry and sharp blades, yet hiding a secret that ties him to the very creatures he fights. And Adele? She’s the standout—a political pawn who learns to wield her influence like a weapon. The book’s pacing stumbles a bit mid-way (some council meetings could’ve been trimmed), but the last act’s aerial battle and THAT reveal about Greyfriar’s true ties? Worth the slog. Side note: If you dig this, check out Gail Carriger’s 'Soulless' for another steampunk-meets-supernatural romp, though Carriger leans heavier into comedy.