The Vault: Morituri te Salutant -- Those about to die, we twihard Part 2: Ars Morendi Part 1 (Prologue-Chapter 7)

So before we start this week's the vault: sorry not sorry there wasn't a top 10 this week... Got a lot going on right now. Will have one next week! Now that that's out of the way...

So last week's VAULT was a bit of exhibition of this series. This first part will feature Book One: Ars Morendi (read along). So this has just a little extra bit of exhibition behind it... then we're done with the exhibition and you can follow along with me.

Of the three novels, each has a title that relates to death: Ars Morendi (latin, book one--which I now realize I spelled wrong...) translates to 'Art of Dying,' Memento Mori (latin, book two) translates to 'remember you  have to die,' and lastly Bella Morte (Italian, book three) translates to 'beautiful death.' Since it's a vampire series, death is a pretty important symbol in this... for obvious reasons.

Banner used on Mibba

cover

Now that that's out of the way, let's continue! So each novel had a pretty banner made by someone who I can't remember (I have now started mentioning the author in the file name for reference) and a cover from a gothic/victorian-inspured jewelry site (which I also can't remember nor do I know if it's even active anymore). If you're following along, Ars Morendi ends at chapter 15-Reunion.

So we'll start with the shitty short prologue. Now it's set several decades before the novel, before our lead, Blythe is turned. I also thought that maybe having it in italics would kinda help to denote it was a memory.

Ugh the purple prose is strong with this one. Rereading it, I can barely tell who I was talking about when I was describing characters. I do remember a photo that I used to help me in my mind describe them and partially inspired this prologue... only issue is it's lost somewhere on my computer...

Lets move on... please.

Chapter One: This is kind of an exhibition of the Ives coven--our protagonists. There's seven members of the coven: Emily, Else, Solomon, Edwin, Christopher, Aurora and Blythe (in order of being turned). Now we get less of a backstory behind that until later in the novel.

So with this coven, a few actually have psychic powers: Blythe has the ability to see the future, much like Alice. The only exception to her powers is that it can be painful, something we don't exactly see with Alice (she just zonks out for a while Edward exercises his voyeurism). She does blank out when it comes to specifics so that's all dandy. The chapter ends with Emily being... well Emily.

Chapter Two: More exhibition but it explains more of Blythe's backstory. Oh and we sort of learn that Aurora is a telepath like Edward. But for now lets get back to backstory. So Blythe attacked her sister after she was turned--something that later comes to bite her as she turned her sister. Jane, Aro and the Volturi find her when she wreaks havoc in their hometown of Chicago (referenced in the prologue Dreamland = Dreamland Ballroom... I think I was at a writer's conference in Chicago at the time I wrote this).

Eventually, they discuss/see their home. So I really adore the end of this chapter. Though it's kinda morbid (they're feasting on some old people for their house) I like how the blood was explained.

Her blood was purer than any of the other meals I've had. She was untainted by almost any drug. The only taint that was present was the soft and sweet tickle of wine.

I do believe I used this line in another novel--likely the precursor of Blood Moon. I liked that passage so much xD

Chapter Three: First paragraph is just explaining their house. I found this really cool looking log cabin online. It just had the exterior so the interior I made up myself. The purple level in this chapter is really high. Also, I kept the coloured contacts from the original series for masking so there's something else that followed into this series.

Second part of the chapter is more a reference to a private IM. Back then, the Cullen Clan went to a private school (I can't remember if it was catholic or not) and there was a dress code. October (the model for Elsie) was not too happy--which also followed through here. The rest of the chapter is just talking about Mainfield, the school where they'll be attending for the remainder of this book in the series.

Chapter Four: probably should have been lumped with chapter three. Continuing where last chapter left off, we skip the school day and return home with the 'school gang.' Ugh. This reminds me of Twilight... Only plus side is the chapters are short as FU-

Also there are a lot of things I've noticed followed through to the Moon Saga and the Van Helsing Legacy. Like the later half of this chapter. In the first chapter of Blood Moon, I make a reference of blood scent (since Lena is a werewolf and has a heightened sense of smell). Back to the chapter, Blythe comes across a strange vampire (and in this world, they have the sugary sweet scent) and he rushes away leaving an invisible barrier behind him.

Chapter Five: So this chapter finally gets to where the Cullens are featured most notably Alice, Bella and Edward. Suspicious run high in this chapter. Bella is uncomfortable since this happened pretty close after the end of BD and Bella's still new.

Remember a few chapters ago when Emily was all 'Where are the Cullens?' 'Have you seen the Cullens?' Yeah, end of this chapter she wants nothing to do with knowing (Excuse is that police were called... so in this world,  there's no glamour... How did Em get them to leave?). Instead Christopher takes their news to Emily when she's cooled off. Something I also noticed this chapter: they play a lot of games. Chess in chapter one, ping pong... what next Go?

Chapter Six: So Emily finally learns from Christopher that the Cullens have arrived. Her reaction: instead of pulling everyone or leaving everyone, she pulls Aurora THE ONE WHO CAN READ MINDS! I don't understand this logic. Edward can probably read minds... Like Blythe's or Elsie/Edwin's....

UGH!

Well. They pull Blythe into one of the unused rooms and interrogate her. Blythe indicates that Alice knows about her since they share the same ability (albeit Alice is less painful) and we have backstory again! It was Emily that caused the painful visions (seriously?). Anyway, Alice asks Blythe what she is. Cuz Blythe is speshul and can't read her future. Like Bella. End chapter is where the trio capture Blythe.

Chapter Seven: The whole Clan is featured (sans Renesme and Jacob). More interrogation... Blythe is difficult the whole time--unintentionally seeing as Alice called her a blank slate last chapter. What could she have meant by a blank slate you ask?

Well, we have a short chapter because Elsie saves Blythe--also, Elsie's power is shadow manipulation (or umbrakinesis). Yeah. She can manipulate shadows. Clearly enough that she can create a portal to save Blythe. This is also featured in the Followers Universe. This time Black Cat Curse. In a yet to be released chapter (seven I think?) the Daughters/students at Ashwood learn to manipulate darkness/shadows/other elements... Should probably get to writing that...

What will happen next? Tune in Next week for the next half of Ars Morendi!

Always,
Ali