Victoria is descended from the first venator, vampire hunter, in the Gardella family. She is their leader, and she knows it is up to her to continue her line. Victoria wants fellow vampire hunter Max, but so does Lilith, the vampire queen. Unfortunately, they need her help to stop demons from over taking earth. Lilith wants one thing in return for her help, Max, and that is one thing that Victoria cannot give up.

As Shadows Fade is the fifth and final book in the Gardella Vampire Chronicles, and it is everything I hoped it would be. It starts off not long after the previous book ends. The venators soon realize that there is a new threat, and it is not the vampires this time. Demons are gathering and planning to break through a portal to earth. There is only one way to stop them, and they need the help of Lilith. So much happens in As Shadows Fade that it is hard to say much without giving a lot away. In this book we can see Victoria being the leader she was always meant to be. She has learned to make sacrifices that she absolutely hates, and so have the rest of the characters. They have all grown, and it's been a joy to watch. Even with everything that is going on, we see Victoria have moments of happiness that she hasn't really had in the two years since she has been called to hunt. I have grown to care for these characters, my heart broke for some, and I was so very happy for others. I believe Colleen Gleason has written a wonderful ending to a fantastic series. The story is bittersweet, and I hope we will get some more closure in the future with a few of the characters. I love the Gardella Vampire Chronicles, and I ended this book feeling like I was saying good-bye to some characters that I will certainly miss.

Reviewed by: Ashley