The Ouroboros Cycle, Book Four: A Sojourn in Bohemia

The Ouroboros Cycle

by G.D. Falksen

It is 1899, and Doctor Varanus is in Prague with her mentor Iosef, both still recovering from the scars of the Shashavani civil war. Iosef has found a reprieve from grief in the study of the so-called “Black Goat” cults, aided by a charming Prussian nobleman and a mysterious bookseller. Under other circumstances, Varanus might regard Iosef’s fascination with occult philosophies as troublingly superstitious, but she has greater concerns. Her wayward son Friedrich has taken up residence in Prague as well, and in the company of artists, revolutionaries, and other such rabble-rousers.

As Varanus endeavors to carry on her research and drag Friedrich back into respectable society, she discovers something sinister may be at work in the Kingdom of Bohemia. Could there be more to Iosef’s occult studies than he or his new friends realize?

Truth or fantasy, a shadow looms over Prague, threatening to drag Varanus and all she holds dear into the darkness of an unending night . . .

Genres: Vampires, Fantasy

280 pages, Paperback

Published April 23, 2016

About the author

G. D. Falksen is the author of "The Secret Life of Kitty Granger" (Carolrhoda Lab, 2021), "Maiden of War" (Audible Originals, 2020), "Doctor Cthulittle" (Insight Studios, 2018), "The Transatlantic Conspiracy" (Soho Teen, 2016), and "The Ouroboros Cycle" series (Wildside Press, 2013 to present), and has been a contributor to the award-winning anthologies "Mine!" and "Cthulhu Fhtagn!". He is also Chairman of the Advisory Board of Writers and Artists Across the Country, a non-profit organization dedicated to facilitating author visits to underserved schools. Falksen’s "Ouroboros Cycle" series is currently being developed for television.

Reviews

[MKF · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book feels like an add on to a trilogy because it takes place years after the events in book three. It's just strange because it leaves so many questions on what actually happened after the events. Instead we are just given bits and pieces about the events that actually reveal very little information to fill in the blanks.
I did enjoy that this was more like book one and two and that even the characters were returned to their old selves. This book and the first two flow well with each other while book three doesn't fit. Three obviously was only written to add a new story element and I think this book proves that it was unnecessary. The author could have written it in the same style as the other books and all the book would fit together. I only hope the last and final book will also fit with book one, two, and four.
The biggest flaw is that the beasts in book one and two are becoming a faint memory in the story line. Though hints of it appear every now and then it has yet to connect to the rest of the series. There are a lot more things from the first two books that have also been forgotten, ignored, or left unanswered. At least this book does mention events from the first two books even if there's a lot still missing

[Amy Braun · Rating 5 out of 5]

I missed this series so much! It was great to come back into a well-written, intelligent world filled with fun characters, mystery, great action, and of course, amazing artwork. I liked the story a lot, especially Iosef's scenes, though there were a couple points that I predicted sooner than I should have. There were a couple things that were left slightly unexplained, mostly concerning Frederich's storyline and a certain poison, but I liked the story too much to be really bothered by them. Hopefully there will be more books soon!

[Searska GreyRaven · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slow to build, but loved it all the same. ^_^

[Nikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh yes, it is that time of year! All we want for Christmas is for no characters to die!



There is SO MUCH that happens in this book and I can hands down tell you it is my absolute favourite so far in the series. I love it so much I’ve actually started reading it again not even 24 hours after I’ve finished. Onward to the review!

——————-

Chapter One! Christmas, 1898!




Iosef and Luka are here! We meet Mordechai and there’s curiosity shops! With a LOT of books and mention of a ’Horned Serpent’:




Friedrich! :D Everyone is in this book! And also:




Iosef & Varanus meet Count von Raabe:





…And Korbinian.





Chapter 9 and Freddie is here like:




Meanwhile as the reader of this book:





An Equinox party elsewhere, there’s a train ride! Meeting new people:





Parties! Flower crowns and horns! Sexy fun things!

And...“Are you having fun, liebchen?”.





We get to explore some ruins and that is always a good time. Right? I mean everything has been so cheery so far.





Chapter 16.





Oh……. Be still my heart.







Promptly followed by…




Oh my god.




Iosef and Mordechai.





THIS KEEPS ESCALATING. SEND HELP.





More ruins! Everyone loves ominous ruins, yes?

Luka just being like:




We have less than ten chapters left. Be concerned.





At this point of the book like:





I’m just going to leave this one here. You’ll see.




The black goat is good.








“Told you I would give you sport…”






That was a lot to take in. We’re almost done though! Curious things are afoot.




All in all, my final thoughts on this book:




————————–


It’s my favourite in the series so far. Absolutely 110%.

To G.D. Falksen:













—————————
If you have NOT read the first three novels in the series, you can pick them up right here!

(These links are for the Kindle/eBook versions, though you can easily purchase a hard copy as well from the same pages.)


+The Ouroboros Cycle Book I: A Monster’s Coming of Age Story+


+The Ouroboros Cycle Book II: A Cautionary Tale for Young Vampires+

+The Ouroboros Cycle Book III: A Long-Awaited Treachery+



G.D. Falksen


Ouroboros Cycle Fan Group

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heaps of fun, as always. The story is well tied in to the others in the series. It follows a logical progression and the more you read and learn about the histories of the houses, the more intrigue and mysteries you hanker after... and the more you are rewarded. I like where the novels are going and I can't wait to read the next instalment!

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Varanus continues to be awesome. Mysteries continue to accrue. Woooo!