Tagged: vampires
Eternal Neverland: Steps Before the Fall by Natasha Rogue
(Cover picture courtesy of Goodreads.)
Helena K. Sharpe was raised by a man who had sympathy for supernatural creatures, for the vampires his bloodline hunted for centuries. She was too young to understand how he tried to help them, but she knew it was important. Her father made her promise never to hunt them and she would do anything to keep that promise.
Until he is murdered by the very things he dedicated so much of his life to.
Orphaned and alone, Helena takes to the street, afraid for whatever’s left of her life. Without her family, she doesn’t know how–or even if–she can go on. Until a vagrant takes her under his wing and gives her a purpose. Revenge.
For six years she learns about the monsters, studies their habits, until, at 15 years old, she feels she’s ready to find the ones responsible for her parent’s death. All she has to do is become one of them. She’s cute, young, innocent…
They’ll never see her coming.
[Full disclosure: I requested and received a free ebook through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.]
I really had high expectations for this book when I started it because of the blurb. A girl who has trained for years to hunt vampires becoming a vampire to seek vengeance for her family’s murder? That sounds pretty darn cool, especially when she’s only 15 years old.
The problem was that the main character, Helena, was totally uninteresting in addition to being unsympathetic. Things start out pretty good with her becoming a vampire, albeit with two sires. Then she gets into the heart of a vampire coven and starts adjusting to vampire life, learning to go by the name Kitt because apparently vampires can read minds if they know your real name. I could get past that weird world-building if Kitt was actually interesting, but she’s not. Throughout the novel she’s supposed to be this master Machiavellian manipulator but all I really saw was a smart mouthed 15-year-old who screwed up pretty much every single thing she tried to do. And yet every single man in this book is attracted to her. Yep, I can totally see all of these decades old vampires being attracted to a naive if beautiful fifteen year old who seems intent on manipulating them all (unsuccessfully). It just makes absolutely no sense and Kitt never really gets past her initial awfulness. In fact, she seems to get worse as the book goes on.
As you’ve probably guessed, the world-building was pretty weak when you take a good look at it. I can believe fantasy stories where knowing someone’s ‘true’ name gives you power over them, but just their first name? That doesn’t really make any sense and Natasha Rogue never really explains it adequately. The vampire hierarchy within the city, however, was actually pretty good. I like the idea of different covens having different territories but ultimately being interested in keeping the general peace in the city for fear of discovery. However, it’s not really explained why/how Kitt suddenly breaks the peace. She does a bunch of really, really stupid stuff but why David (one of her sires) never lets her go to Charlie (another of her sires who actually wants to take care of her) is just left out. So it somehow starts a war between the covens and other factions get involved. It had a lot of potential but never really lived up to the promise in the blurb.
While the world-building was weak and the characters were generally intolerable, the strength of Rogue’s novel was in the plotting and the pacing. Even though the plot doesn’t always make sense it is fairly interesting in the beginning and the whole novel is actually well paced to keep readers turning the pages. She can do suspenseful scenes fairly well and her writing style isn’t actually all that bad but the different elements of the plot like the world-building and characters really did sink this novel. It was a big disappointment and yet I have to say that I didn’t actually ‘hate’ the book. The little intrigues were well written and with a little work, the characters could have been fantastic. To be honest, it just felt like the whole book didn’t reach its potential. Disappointing to be sure, but not a completely unenjoyable book.
I give this book 2/5 stars.
Suckers by Z. Rider
(Cover picture courtesy of Goodreads.)
“What we have here is a very high-quality junkie novel that happens to be about a unique case of vampirism.” —Evan Clark, author of Movers
WHEN WORN-OUT MUSICIAN DAN FERRY decides to take a shortcut back to the band’s hotel, he picks the wrong dark alley to go down. Within days of being attacked by a bat-like creature, he becomes consumed with the need to drink human blood. Terrified of what will happen if he doesn’t get his fix–and terrified of what he’ll do to get it–he turns to his best friend and bandmate, Ray Ford, for help. But what the two don’t know as they try to keep Dan’s situation quiet is that the parasite driving Dan’s addiction has the potential to wipe out humankind.
Poignant and terrifying, heartfelt and ingenious, Suckers is a story of sacrifice and friendship in the face of an alien contagion that threatens to destroy humanity.
[Full disclosure: I requested and received a free ebook copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.]
When I picked up this book I wasn’t really sure what to expect from the blurb. Would it be a bunch of musicians caught in the middle of a vampire outbreak while on tour? That’s what it seemed like until things got going. I was really glad about that because it was a sign of the unpredictable plot that would be the hallmark of this book for me.
I’ve read a lot of vampire books and a lot of general outbreak books but I’ve never read anything like Suckers. The bat-like creatures that are Z. Rider’s vampires are so unique, so interesting that in a way I wish we could have learned more about them. However, going into the science of the vampires would have been very unrealistic considering that the main character Dan is just a musician, not a scientist. He doesn’t know any scientists, he doesn’t have a desire to learn more about his vampire situation other than how to survive it so if Rider had gone in depth into the science it would have ruined the mysterious atmosphere surrounding the creatures. In that way, the world-building is fantastic. We’re given enough information to understand things and enough information about the world outside Dan’s little bubble that we know things are bad but it never devolves into an info-dump scenario. Again, considering the main character’s background, this is far more realistic.
The plot as a result of the aforementioned unique world-building was quite unpredictable. The world doesn’t immediately go all doomsday, post-apocalyptic everyone out for themselves sort of way. No, it’s more of a slow decay as the suckers start to infect more and more people before they reach a point where hospitals and emergency services can’t handle the influx of new patients. It’s not your typical doomsday scenario and as such is actually pretty unpredictable in terms of plot. In retrospect many of the plot twists make sense because of how the characters were slowly changing throughout the story. I can honestly say that I didn’t see the end coming but it makes sense when you consider the characters Dan and Ray.
Speaking of characters, I was really impressed with them. Dan is the main character and is sort of the leader of the band but Ray is sort of the person who keeps it all together. He takes care of Jamie when Jamie goes back on his drugs, takes care of Dan when his cravings for human blood become insatiable and stays true to himself throughout the novel. Ray could have become cynical and bitter about having to take care of a lot of people but he never did and even in the face of death he stayed true to his principles. Dan himself was of course a fascinating narrator as he slowly discovered (to his horror) that he craved blood but I have to say that Ray was definitely my favourite. All of the characters, both major and minor were well developed so I really can’t complain there.
So here we have a very suspenseful horror story with an interesting new type of vampire, lots of plot twists and really believable characters that you’ll love by the end. You really can’t ask for anything more and I’m definitely excited to see what Rider decides to do with her talent in the future.
I give this book 5/5 stars.
Eyes of the Seer by Peter Dawes
(Cover picture courtesy of Goodreads.)
It all started with a murder. Two victims lay dead at the hands of Peter Dawes, but what laid in wait for him was not the sound of sirens or the banging of a gavel. It would turn a doctor into a killer and a man into a monster.
Follow Peter as he exchanges his blood-stained clothing for tailored suits, his scalpel for fine-crafted daggers, and reinvents himself as the newest vampire-child in a coven of decadent sophisticates. He even takes on the name ‘Flynn’ – a child of red – in honor of his new-found devilish side, and to remove one of the last tethers to his human past.
For four years, Flynn embodies every bit the bloody immortal he was sired to become. Under the reign of his maker, Sabrina, he establishes a reputation as the most feared assassin to ever terrorize the covens of Philadelphia. But the surefooted-steps and quick hands that make him a virtuoso when it comes to killing humans and vampires alike are a mark of the mortal destiny which haunts him even beyond death. And despite his efforts, Peter’s humanity is not as dead as some would prefer.
On the verge of completing their vie for power, Sabrina’s ‘dark-killer’ will suddenly find himself at odds over his devotion to his mistress when an impish sorceress named Monica awakens the hidden powers he was destined to possess. In this world of macabre and shrewdly practical immortal beings, will Flynn’s supernatural gifts be used to orchestrate the wicked deeds of his maker? Or can the cold-blooded nature of a vampire be warmed by the compassion of a Seer?
EYES OF THE SEER is a gripping tale conspicuously authored by Peter Dawes – years later, he’s decided to put the story of his life to paper, albeit listed as ‘fiction’. (Vampires can’t really claim to exist, after all. It would ruin the whole gig.)
[Full disclosure: I received a free paperback copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.]
I’ll admit it: I like vampires. Not the wimpy sparkly ones of Twilight, but the cold-blooded killers that are as ruthless as they are beautiful that you find in many movies and other books. So when I was contacted about reading Eyes of the Seer, I knew I was in for a treat. I was not disappointed.
Flynn/Peter is a complicated character. He just killed his fiancee and her lover and then is suddenly turned into a vampire. Not only that, his maker seems to think he has a higher purpose and is determined to make him into a vampire super-assassin. But is everything as it seems? Of course not and that’s what makes Flynn’s journey from mild-mannered but slightly morose doctor to a ruthless killer to something else (I’m not going to spoil it for you). It’s fascinating as Flynn struggles to find his true self and it’s not at all simple, so you’ll be in for an emotional roller coaster. There are times when I hated Flynn and times when I loved him, but by the end I was satisfied as to how Peter Dawes developed his character. It felt like a believable transition.
The best part about this book is that although it is quite character-driven, it is short and has a very fast plot. Like I said, it’s not a simple plot so you’re in for one heck of a ride as you try to guess what will happen next. Some of the twists and turns are predictable while most are not. Flynn has a long road to go down in only five years and he’s constantly adapting to the latest developments, including the appearance of the mysterious and beguiling Monica. He has to make some pretty tough choices and he is constantly fighting a battle with his two sides (the good side and the ruthless vampire side); sometimes one side beats the other, but the beaten side never stays down for long. It definitely keeps you guessing.
The writing was excellent. Peter Dawes has a very concise writing style, but also a very beautiful one. He can describe things in perfect detail without going too far overboard and boring readers. It’s a tough balancing act, but he’s able to keep up the suspense during the many fight scenes while at the same time giving readers a good picture of what’s going on. Not many authors can do that, so I was very impressed.
Finally, the world-building was actually pretty good. It wasn’t the “oh wow” level but it was pretty darn close. Just when you think that you know everything there is to know about vampires in Dawes’ world, he throws you for a loop. For one, there are other supernatural beings out there that are just as nasty (if not more) than vampires. Flynn has created himself a few enemies, but because of his unique nature, a few friends to compensate for the enemies. I can’t really go into detail without spoiling some of the good surprises, but I will reiterate my point: this book keeps you guessing.
You really can’t ask for more than that in a vampire book. You have a believable vampire mythology, an interesting if not entirely sympathetic main character, awesome writing and lots of plot twists. The book ends on such a cliffhanger that you’ll be like me, though: begging for the next book.
I give this book 5/5 stars.
Forbidden by Amy Miles
(Cover picture courtesy of Goodreads.)
Roseline Enescue didn’t ask to become an Immortal, to have all of the guests at her wedding slaughtered, or be forced into marriage with a man whose lust for blood would one day ignite the vampire legend. Willing to risk everything for a chance at a normal life, Roseline escapes to America. Terrified her husband Vladimir will find her, Roseline enrolls as a senior in Chicago’s elite Rosewood Prep school. Mingling with humans is the last place he would look for her. But her transition into the human world isn’t easy. Mortal men flock after her while cutthroat girls plot her demise. Yet Roseline remains relatively unfazed by the petty hysteria until she falters into the arms of Gabriel Marston, reluctant MVP quarterback, unwilling ladies man, and sensitive artist in hiding. Troubled by the bond that pulls her towards the mortal boy, Roseline tries to ignore him, but Gabriel is persistent. As their lives entwine, Roseline begins to realize that Gabriel is much more than he appears. His ability to toss a football the entire length of the field and grind concrete into dust pales in comparison to the glowing blue cross tattoo that mysteriously appears on his forearms. Despite the forbidden bond between them, Roseline can’t help wondering what Gabriel is: He’s not human. He’s not Immortal. So just what is he?
[Full disclosure: I requested and received this ebook through NetGalley as part of the ‘Beautifully Unnatural’ four book package.]
I thought the premise of this book sounded a little dumb, to be honest. An immortal who just wants to be a teenager? Meh.
And yet, after all the effort Amy Miles went to in order to develop her characters, I kind of get it. Roseline was never allowed to be a child. She was raised for marriage into another wealthy family from birth and was a child bride on her wedding day. Add to that the fact she watched her entire family die before her eyes and that the blood of dead younger sister made her immortal and you’ve got a basic recipe for stunted growth. Not to mention all the myriad tortures Dracula inflicts on her. I think anyone would turn out with a lack of trust, not to mention an odd mix of maturity (because she had to deal with torture and politics) and immaturity (a response to being forced into said torture and politics).
From all this, you can definitely guess that Roseline is a pretty memorable character. I still don’t quite buy the whole 300-year-old immortal falling for a teenage boy, but I’m willing to give Amy Miles a little leeway here after she semi-justified Roseline’s immaturity. Gabriel is not bad in the beginning and I like how he actually develops into a character rather than just your typical love interest. He won’t abandon Roseline, no matter how much she pushes him away in order to protect him. Compared to other love interests, he also knows how to act and lie, which make him a far more compelling character than your usual guileless but oddly heroic male.
Even if the characterization was iffy in spots, the plot was not. Even when it was ‘slow’ (i.e. there were no major events happening), there was still an element of tension throughout the novel that kept your attention. I generally liked Roseline as a character so I was very invested in what happened to her, especially when she got the word that Dracula was going to go on a killing spree unless she returned to him. She has trouble adjusting to high school life in America but she does find a lot of things to be happy about at the same time: Gabriel, finally being allowed to be herself and (again) the whole not being tortured thing. Anyone would act a little irrationally after being denied freedom for centuries and then being given it back.
So overall, Forbidden at least had a solid plot and generally well-developed characters. The world-building was okay and I expect we’ll see a little bit more of an explanation in the other two books of the trilogy. For something I picked up as guilty pleasure, I actually found myself enjoying it on a more intellectual level. And that’s why I’ll be reading the next book to find out what happens.
I give this book 4/5 stars.
Amazon* Barnes and Noble* Goodreads
*Currently free on both Kindle and Nook!
The Vampire’s Bite by Eve Grant
(Cover picture courtesy of Goodreads.)
She’s responsible and takes life too seriously
Susan Ethans is a model student: perfect grades, a dream scholarship, and a promising career ahead of her. But her grades alone aren’t enough to flirt with the hot guys on campus. She doesn’t want to end up being a wallflower, but there isn’t much she can do about it.
A vampire bites her
A madman bites her neck and drinks her blood. She tries to get away, but he drains her life away until she collapses.
She thinks she’s going to die, but she wakes up at an eccentric millionaire’s home. She feels healthy, renewed, and even smarter. Something is changing within her.
He has everything… except love
Nicholas Hill has power, money, and an English accent to die for, but he speaks like a man from the 19th Century. His notions of propriety and manners make him different to every other man in the world. Susan is instantly attracted to him and knows that he likes her, but something tortures his soul and doesn’t let him follow his heart.
Will an ordinary girl change a powerful businessman’s life, or will their personalities clash until they can no longer stand each other?
[Full disclosure: I requested and received a free ebook through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.]
This is mainly a character-driven novel so first I’m going to talk about the main character: Susan. Susan is essentially the same kind of person that I am. She works hard to please everyone at the expense of following what she really loves as well as having a social life. When she becomes a vampire and is intoxicated by her new powers, I can totally understand her suddenly wanting to leave it all behind despite working so hard for her spot in university and her scholarship. Sometimes you just want to say “screw you” and leave it all behind and a life-changing event like realizing you’re a vampire can do just that to a person. So while I know that a lot of people will hate Susan for giving up everything, for me she was definitely easy to relate to as a character.
The Vampire’s Bite is ridiculously short at only 85 pages, so we really do have quite a fast-paced plot. Susan herself sometimes slows it down, however. She takes interludes to describe everything in great detail as she comes into her new powers, but then never really goes anywhere with those new powers. I would have liked for her to have more interaction with Nicholas simply because then things would be explained, but that was not to be. I really would have liked for Eve Grant to extend her book for a little more detail, rather than shoving the explanation into the sequel because while it does make the plot fast, it leaves you with more questions than answers.
With all that said, The Vampire’s Bite is not a bad book. It will never be high literature and for myself it’s more guilty pleasure than anything. I wasn’t intrigued enough to want to read the sequel, but some of you might if you give it a try. If you’re into the modern vampire (suave, sophisticated and rich) then you’ll probably like it, but if you’re new to the whole vampire thing it wouldn’t exactly be the first book I’d recommend. In the end, it falls somewhere around the middle: it’s not great and it’s not bad. It’s just a solid ‘meh’.
I give this book 3/5 stars.