I first read this, oh, 12 years ago? However many years have passed, it has been long enough that it felt like I was reading it for the first time. I love the story, the setting, and the characters. The writing is sometimes a little long-winded, but it is also very good. Plus, I've always been a sucker for a good vampire story. I've read plenty of paranormal romances, and like many of the women my age, I had a Twilight phase in my teens when sparkly vampires were all the rage. As I've grown older and learnt more about myself and my interests, I certainly prefer the more traditional vein of vampire stories - dark fantasy with a bit of horror. I loved The Strain series, for example, and this book adds another dimension that I particularly enjoy: history. Had I not decided to pursue a PhD in ancient history, I may well have ended up working on a topic relating to the Napoleonic era, the study of which I was very fond of during my undergrad. This book definitely rekindled my interest in the period. I can't wait to read the next book, and indeed the entire series.