True story: when I first read this, I was actually going to Bordeaux on a wine press trip. There's something so excellent about reading a vampire sourcebook of the city/region you're currently drinking your way through.
I read it for a second time recently, and it still holds up. First and foremost, this book is laid out wonderfully. The use of grapevines to line the pages was a great touch. The world that's been created is terrific, well fleshed out, -and so clearly a labor of love. And while there were a few issues with translation here and there, I didn't come across any moments that were indecipherable.
If there was one aspect of the book that I think needed work, I'd argue that it was the human history of Bordeaux. Don't get me wrong: there is a TON of information here. But I wish that the vampiric world of Bordeaux was more intertwined into the kine history. The history of Bordeaux is something we can get from a standard text. And while I appreciate the idea of the book being a one stop source, I'm here for the vampires: not who was mayor last year.
Having said that: this book is a real labor of love. Clearly the author feels a deep connection to Bordeaux. That level of personal love is what makes a real difference between something special and something ho-hum.
Overall, a terrific sourcebook for an inspired locale.
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