Publisher: Lachesis Publishing
Blurb from Fictionwise eBooks: Bondage, the first book in the series, set in Hellenistic Athens, is the story of the slave Alexandra. Sold to Theron, a mysterious banker, she wonders about her new master who is never seen during the day. As time goes on, she notices that slaves called upon to serve Theron in his chamber in the night do not return the next morning. When Alexandra's turn comes she learns Theron is a vampire who binds his slaves, takes his pleasure with them, then drinks their blood. She refuses to be a victim, but as she fights his embrace, Alexandra ingests some of Theron's blood. Now a vampire herself, she becomes Theron's concubine. Yet even as she learns the ways of the vampire, Alexandra yearns for freedom.
This novella was a fun read that focused on Alexandra and her view on the world around her. I love that is it set in Athens, some years (perhaps decades) after Alexander the Great came out of Macedonia and subdued Greece. Alexandra was born into slavery on a farm and the loss of a younger sibling molded her life, inflaming her desire to be free.
Unfortunately, she is eventually sold to a slave dealer in Athens. Here she meets Kallius, a good-hearted slave who maintains decency in a squalid, filthy environment. Alexandra is there only long enough to appreciate the brevity of her stay. Democritus, a trusted servant and slave, purchases both Alexandra and Kallius, taking them to the household of the banker Theron.
That's when things become a little odd; good. I like odd. Lord Theron is rarely seen, and then only at night. He sends trusted slaves to the temples to conduct his banking business. All the slaves have light-duty work. Alexandra is assigned to clean his private quarters, but quickly discerns that there must be a secret room. She is also questioning the old blood stains on the bathroom tile. And I will leave the plot line there for you to discover the rest.
The scenery was beautiful and Alexandra is elegantly simple in her straightforward manner. D. L. Summers created a female heroine that I look forward to seeing grow and save the world.
Pluses: Strong female character; beautiful cover art; sex; vampires with limitations; story left me wanting more.
Minuses: I wanted to hear more about the culture and time; the death scene of one of the characters was too short.
