An impressive, ghastly tapestry.
Amalina has come a long way from her humble beginnings as the small-town daughter of a local baker. These days she’s a world traveler living a glamorous life, albeit one that isn’t quite authentic when you look too closely. Never truly free of her cultured yet barbaric master, there is no place on earth that can relieve Amalina of the Count’s dominance and her obligations toward him. So it is back to the castle and the convoluted chaos that happens within its walls. But transformation is inevitable, and Amalina is not the same ‘little mouse’ she was when she first came under the Count’s authority. Amalina has grown into a willful young woman, has made true friends, and has even taken a lover. Whenever she’s under the roof of the Count, however, things become ever so slightly muddled, weakening her resolve for freedom and confusing her emotions and loyalties. But her love never wavers, so Amalina does what she needs to do to protect her friends, her family, and herself from the Count’s dark intentions and from the zeal of powerful people that harbor conflicting ideologies. She’s gotten smarter over the years, but can Amalina outsmart those looking to harm her? Even if she’s safe from mortal men, the Count has made her an offer she may not be able to resist.
Get ready for the next creepy installment in the Count at Play and Slaughter Series, Amalina and the Brocade Army. An unbreakable chain of continuity tethers each book in this marvelous series, with time devoted to the development of smaller but significant characters in Amalina’s story. Attila Bronk, all but defeated in the previous episode, is back with a renewed vigor. Brave, loyal Aklan, longtime confidant Pia, best pal Cristine, and an unlikely contagonist wearing the face of an ally make the story feel familiar despite the relentless movement and change. Amalina has aged into adulthood under the ominous shadow of a sensual monster, shaping the way she perceives the world around her. Instead of a naive girl looking for her own fairytale ending, Amalina is far too cautious to embrace happiness, always anticipating the darkness around the next bend, and she finds it in the tumult that erupts in the castle. But her heart remains good, looking out for the deluge of victims the Count lures into his snare. As for ambiance, C.L. Holmes masterfully paints a scene and sets the tone, whether it be in airy, romantic Paris or the foreboding confines of the castle. Steadily developing storylines are woven into an impressive, ghastly tapestry with new horrors uncovered and waiting to be enjoyed in Amalina and the Brocade Army.
