My mistake. I could NOT understand it. There were Lasombra doing Lasombra stuff but I couldn't see the point. I couldn't find any reason to care which archbishop was going to be assasinated, for example. And where were the Courts of Blood and the conflict with the Lasombra antitribu? Then there was this pack that got drafted for a mission and went off into to nowhere....

The problem is that this book really doesn't stand by itself. You have to read the other books in the series to get into it. (You find out what happened to the pack in VENTRUE- an earlier book- and the rivalries between the archbishops were set up in TZIMISCE.)

But as a continuation, it's a good one. After reading it a second time, I found myself frequently going back to it. There's too many good things you may miss if you're constantly scratching your head and wondering "Whozzat? Why's THIS matter? WHY IS VYKOS FEMALE?" due to unfamiliarity with the other books.

There's a good depiction of Cardinal Moncada in his lair. The tension between the two Lasombra archbishops (Polonia who is smart and subtle and Borges who apparently isn't either) is well handled with moments of understated humor. Then there's the bodyguard, Talley, an elder who Moncada gives the thankless job of baby-sitting these two enormous egos (AND Sascha Vykos). The book takes a panoramic, episodic approach to the entire Sabbat campaign rather than focusing much on specific characters. In doing this it also manages to quickly develop real human interest in the descriptions of the Camarilla's efforts at defense- episodes which go by too quickly unless you have the context of the rest of the saga. Then there's the way this book pulls back from the very flaboyant portrayal of the Sabbat in TZIMISCE in favor of a more sober, businesslike atmosphere better suited to the Lasombra.

I do have to say that I just can't get the appeal of the Lasombra assasin, Lucita, who dominates so much of this book. Little is done with her antitribu status or her interest in arcane artifacts. Both are mentioned but not developed. She's just supposed to be obviously cool and lethal, I guess. Still, her action scenes are well constructed and demonstrate what a fun toy obtenebration can be to play with.

Oh yeah.... in this book, you finally learn how they pronounce "Tzimisce". Funny, I just assumed the Tzimisce pronounced it anyway they wanted.....


Clan Novel: Lasombra   August 2, 2000
 8 out of 9 found this review helpful

I must confess; I don't like the Sabbat. I know that there are folks who are partisans for this sect; I know that there are people who love the Sabbat for its anarchy, its bloodthirsty brand of egalitarianism, it's in-your-face carnage and destruction. I'm just not one of them. So it was with a bit of dread that I picked up a copy of Clan Novel: Lasombra. But the most amazing thing happened - because while reading this novel, I found myself warming up to the Sabbat. Because you have to say one thing about the Sabbat, for all their monstrosity and inhuman ferocity, at least they have the Lasombra. The Lasombra have style, poise, and an almost preternatural arrogance about them. The Lasombra are, in one word, cool.

Clan Novel: Lasombra's main protagonist is all about cool. Lucita is her name, the only progeny of an ancient and powerful Lasombra, and she inspires fear in both the Camarilla and the Sabbat alike. For if the vampire Kindred see themselves as predators amongst mortal humans, then Lucita is a killer of killers, an undead assassin possibly without parallel. And Lucita has just accepted a new commission - to kill an Archbishop of the Sabbat.

Archbishops are no slouches either; somewhere between a political title and a military rank, Archbishops are powers in their own right, possessing centuries of experience and a masterly command of their vampiric abilities. And Lucita has her work cut out for her; her target is one of three Archbishops leading a campaign on the eastern coast of the American continent against the Camarilla. Which of the three is Lucita's target is part of the fun of the book, the target deliberately left in the shadows, so to speak, for the reader (and the characters in the novel) to discover.

As part of a 13 book cycle, the war on the American east coast is one of overarching plots across the entire series. Some readers may find it difficult to understand, and some plot points may seem particularly cryptic, especially when they refer to events that take place in other Clan Novels, but don't be discouraged. The novel has its own central storyline that stands by itself and surprisingly, makes the Sabbat palatable, even enjoyable.

For one thing, there is the guilty pleasure of watching Lucita at work, stalking her prey and almost artfully weaving her way through the eastern seaboard with insouciant grace. Through her eyes, we can understand what motivates her behavior and even come to cheer her sheer audacity (Lucita can be forgiven for her innate self-confidence because it's not arrogance if she really is that good). Another even more remarkable thing is that it gives us a view into the Sabbat (who by all rights should degenerate into a mob slavering over each other) and how they can and do function as a political entity in their own right (although the Sabbat give the phrase, "taking a head count" a whole new meaning). And finally, there are the side characters who are, although they are not the main focus, almost steal the novel whenever they grace the page. Some of the more fascinating include the grim and supremely professional hunter-turned-bodyguard Sir Talley, the brusque but oddly compelling Archbishop Polonia of New York, the deliciously devilish Archbishop Vykos of Washington, D.C. and the conniving plotter in the shadows, Cardinal Moncada, whose presence seems to lurk in the background of all the Sabbat's actions. Add to the mix, furious action sequences, engaging political machinations and one or two little twists and you have yourself a jam-packed novel that's just plain fun to read.


Pressing Shadows   December 14, 2004
 8 out of 21 found this review helpful

Clan Lasombra are masters of the shadows. Not just the sneaking around and hiding in them part, but the shaping and use of them as real, physical weapons. A Lasombra adept can crush you without touching you. Small wonder they are one of the most feared of the Sabbat clans and Cardinal Ambrosio Luis de Moncada, their leader, wields immense power. This story is about two vampires of his making, and the political maneuvers in which they are enmeshed.

Lucita is something of a prodigal daughter. A 1000 years old herself, a legendary assassin in her own right, she maintains her independence from her maker as well as she can. As such, Lucita willingly accepts a contract to kill one of the Sabbat bishops leading the Sabbat forces in the US, which puts her at odds with Moncada. The good bishop's reaction is to send in another of his scions, the Sabbat templar Talley, one of the protectors of the bishops, with instructions to stop the assassination but avoid harm to Lucitia. This is a nearly impossible assignment in a society where assassination is one of the most common ways to express admiration. But both Lucita and Talley are perfect hunters, so the outcome will remain in doubt right until the end.

Of this author Richard Lansky spins a plot that is another insight into the politics of treachery that mark vampire society. No one knows which bishop (of Polonia, Borges, and Vykos) is the intended victim, or who ordered the slaying. Talley has no idea from which direction Lucita will strike. And protecting a group of egotistical bishops is more like herding cats than standing guard duty.

Lasombra reads more like a true novel than some of the other effort in that series. That, several well-developed characters, and a host of fine details, make this an enjoyable effort by an author who is completely new to me. Hopefully we will see more of Dansky as the world of darkness continues to expand.



Best in the Series   July 23, 2003
 6 out of 7 found this review helpful

This Clan Novel has everything in it. While the others may have focused too much on the political aspects of being a Cainite, this novel has equal amounts of political planning and fighting. Talley is, in a word, awesome. The fact that he is Lucita's equal (if not her better) makes the fight between the two of them very interesting, and I actually found myself hoping Talley would win. I guess it was because he wasn't interested in the whole political situation, his Cardinal had assigned him with a task, and he was going to do it. He has the mentality of a Vampire on either The Path of Honorable Accord or The Path of the Feral Heart. Also, Talley was portrayed as being tough. I mean, the guy hunts Lupines! How many vampires have encountered Lupines and survived to tell about it, and this guy goes off and hunts them basically in his own free time? Wow.

Also, you get to see the functioning of the Sabbat on a nightly basis...while Clan Novel:Tzimisce maybe have gone into detail about the actual planning of the siege, this novel shows how those plans are actually carried out. Granted, CN:Tzimisce had the attack being carried out, but this novel shows more than just one attack; it shows the entire Sabbat offensive unfolding.

While Lucita was the main focus of this book, I like the fact that other vampires' actions were detailed as well. For instance, showing how Moncada plotted against his rivals was well done. It was obvious how ruthless and cunning he was based on what he said, which you need to focus on to demonstrate the qualities of a 1,000+ year old vampire who's only salvation from the Beast is his desire for power.

Overall I would recommend this book above all others in this series. If you're a fan of the Lasombra you will take special interest in it; if you're not, you'll enjoy the book for being what it is -- fun to read.


Truly amazing   October 27, 1999
 3 out of 5 found this review helpful

This clan novel truly describes Clan Lasombra as they were meant to be: the ultimate puppet masters. Not only does it accurately show how elders work, but it gives the reader a new perspective on how the Sabbat truly works. Definitely a book to keep in mind if someone wishes to run Sabbat in their chronicle: The antitribu get treated like ass. I also love how it ties in more aspects from other stories quite well, so that it focus' on the big picture too. Great Book!!!