Vampiric intrigues in Boston - a Mephisto review

Because she was able to prevent a betrayal in the right place at the right time, the young vampire Ariadne has been appointed sheriff in the city of Boston. For her Prince, Liliane, she is the precise tool that, sword in hand, stops the traitors to the high ideals of the domain. Despite her young age, the vampire is a cold and efficient killing machine. However, when she meets a person from her past and remembers the person she once was, the problems begin. Not only proves the fight against the traitors to be more difficult than planned, but other vampires are also causing trouble. In the prince's court, some vampires envy Ariadne her position, and members of Invictus from outside the city sense the domain's perceived weakness.

While Silent Knife initially lays it on a bit thick with the stereotypical image of the young, attractive female vampire in a bodysuit elegantly slashing her way through enemies with her swords, the story does develop well, even if some twists are predictable. The battle against Prince Liliane's enemies, the looming dark threat that also draws the city's mages into the story, the intrigues of the other vampires, and, last but not least, the protagonist's confrontation with her former humanity combine to create an entertaining story. However, the references to Vampire Requiem are vague as neither clans are mentioned, nor do covenants beyond the Invictus appear. Whether this is a real disadvantage depends on the viewpoint, but I think a bit more reference to the role-playing game would have been fitting - but Silent Knife is certainly an entertaining read.

(Björn Lippold)