book review | Fear the Light by William Massa | Fear 1 | Dracula lit.

Author: William Massa
Title: Fear the Light
Series: Fear 1
Genre: Dracula, Vampires
Pages: 210
Rate: 2/5 | Goodreads

Other than those few historical classics I got recommended way back when, my attempt to read one Dracula book a month became this game of hit or miss. For instance, I truly did miss greatly with Fear the Light by William Massa.

About the Book: Someone is slaying clan vampires, starting with their master, their Creator, the oldest and most powerful vampire alive, formerly, Dracula. Now his clan cowers trapped in their master’s manor in the middle of the day. It was supposed to be a peaceful paying of respects to their late Father in Darkness and someone’s ascension to power, the clan leader position. Instead an invisible force is picking them off one by one. And everyone got a motive.

My Opinion: A poor imitation of Agatha Christi mysteries, where a group of people gets trapped somewhere, and someone’s killing them all. Shallow characters whose tragic stories did help, but otherwise didn’t make them any more interesting or missed. And that godawful trope one often sees in Dracula books, but usually he’s the one getting that stick of: the best of the best can’t beat you, but here comes a rando with a butter knife and you’re done. The End.

Mmno. 2 out of 5.

book review | Dracula: Rise of the Beast by Collective of Authors

Author: David Thomas Moore; Adrian Tchaikovsky; Milena Benini; Bogi Takacs; Emil Minchev; Caren Gussoff Sumpton
Title: Dracula: Rise of the Beast
Series: –
Genre: Dracula; Horror Literature
Pages: 304
Rate: 3/5 | Goodreads

I was eyeing “Dracula: Rise of the Beast” anthology for a while now. My break point was Adrian Tchaikovsky. Sadly, it was far from what I expected with the presented idea.

About the Book: This is a tale of how Vlad the Impaler became Count Dracula the Vampire, and from his homeland came onto the shores to meet Mina and Lucy. Well, or so one would hope. In truth this is a tale of Corvinus sitting in the background, plotting, angry at Vlad for not being his submissive spouse, and so hunting his Romani servants. Told in tales that either add nothing to the whole narrative, like the one of Bathory, or with mere mentions of Dracula’s name in relation to someone else.

My Opinion: The book is full of these singular good ideas that didn’t get to rise to fruition due to lack of logic in stories, messy, jumbled plots, and a great lack of consistency via the whole anthology. It’s told with these interludes that are supposed to make it one big tale of how an adopted transgender daughter of a Romani woman was destined to be taken by Corvinus, so instead she upped to kill him instead. I’m not sure where Dracula fits in it all, other than being presented as a former lover of said man. Nor do I know the reasons of why Corvinus was after those people, that particular woman. The best story in this whole was “A Stake Too Far” by Milena Benini, for that one was smooth, logical, and about Dracula (I stress that, because one or two others were good too, but were NOT about Dracula, no beast rose there).

Great ideas, poor execution. I can give it a mere 3 out of 5, and even then barely.

book review | The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa | Blood of Eden 1

Author: Julie Kagawa
Title: The Immortal Rules
Series: Blood of Eden 1
Genre: Paranormal, Vampires
Pages: 485
Rate: 4/5 | Goodreads

The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa became an accidental chill-read to me. It wasn’t to my taste, but was written well enough, so not caring too much about the plot, I just went through it with ease of a light read.

About the Book: Allison Sekimoto was born and raised in a vampire city. As an unregistered she had to survive on the fringes of it, stealing, begging, raiding, and risking her life every single day just for a chance to do it all again tomorrow. People like her, those who chose this life of hardship, are considered subhumans and don’t matter. Nobody cares if some wicked vampire or their pet slays an entire gang. While registered folk get meal tickets and relatively greater safety in exchange for regular blood donations. But even life of an unwanted unregistered at risk of death is better inside the walls, than outside, where rabids rage. An infection that can equally affect both mortals and immortals. Death then is the least of your worries…

My Opinion: It’s one of those tales, where world succumbed to an epidemic. Vampires, threatened by human extinction, stepped in to help, but the virus mutated and started affecting everyone, them including. So now they all live huddled in vampire ruled cities, humans serving vampires, for vampires offer protection from rabids who are faster and stronger than any human out there. But all those who must draw breath dream of Eden, this mythical city ruled by humans, with no vampires in sight.

It’s not a bad book, just not for me. I’ve read such before, I just don’t like plot like this. But it’s well enough written, so if you do, it’s not bad, really. I can give it a 4 out of 5, taking a point for mind boggling predictability at times, coming from young vampires, who think they know better. It’s a very safe plot.

book review | The Vampire’s Club by X. Aratare | The Vampire’s Club 3

Author: X. Aratare
Title: The Vampire’s Club
Series: The Vampire’s Club 3
Genre: LGBT Literature; Paranormal Romance
Pages: 16
Rate: 3/5 | Goodread

Alright. I’ve read the third book, or third chapter, or third installment in The Vampire’s Club by X. Aratare. They’re neither good, nor bad. Someone recommend me vampire books? Extra points for diverse stuff.

About the Book: Vampires want witch magic. Witches want vampire immortality. Neither can have it, but both try their damnedest, which hadn’t improved the relationship between the two groups at all. And yet, it seems, they’ve finally found something. A chance in a form of blood. Konstantin’s sire’s blood. The most gruesome legendary vampire that still walks this earth.

My Opinion: From the description given of Konstantin’s Sire, I thought it’ll be Dracula. But it seems author leaned more towards the Devil, not the Dragon. It was still an interesting development of events, so there’s that plus. I don’t know, I think maybe if you’ve read it as one book it would be easier.

For the time being, I don’t mind it as a light read, so a 3 out of 5 from me.

book review | The Librarian Meets Dracula by Eda Mueller | The Librarian Series 1

Author: Eda Mueller
Title: The Librarian Meets Dracula
Series: The Librarian Series 1
Genre: Humor, Dracula
Pages: 17
Rate: 4/5 | Goodreads

Spotted “The Librarian Meets Dracula” by Eda Mueller, a random tiny little Dracula book. Decided to read it now, and it was the funniest 20 minutes ever. The book is so bad that it’s actually good.

About the Book: Penelope Shelton is a librarian passionate about her work. She loves books and so one stormy night finds herself alone in need to tidy up and lock up as lightening strikes and leaves her in darkness. Little did she know what adventure awaits her among her beloved books. This time in a form of Count Dracula himself, a vampire who appeared out of nowhere.

My Opinion: Too fast paced and therefore not good, since logic of actions fails. It felt like reading a comedic adult animation where technically there’s one goal only, and all roads lead towards it. And since it’s a series, that’s exactly what it is. But the concept is so amusing, that it’s worth those few minutes you’ll spend reading it. I mean, just imagine: a naughty librarian having a tumble with a different classic gothic character every other night. Tell me that didn’t crack a smile?

I can’t give it a 5, since it’s not good. But it was so amusing I will still give it a solid 4 out of 5.

book review | The Last Hellfighter by Thomas S. Flowers

Author: Thomas S. Flowers
Title: The Last Hellfighter
Series: –
Genre: Horror literature; Vampires
Pages: 403
Rate: 2/5 | Goodreads

As much as I enjoy loose reusing of old tales, The Last Hellfighter by Thomas S. Flowers was not good.

About the Book: Harker is now 144, WWI veteran, the last of the Harlem Hellfighters who fought and killed enemy and vampire alike. And the nightmare never left him, all these years. For just because you return from war, doesn’t mean the war has stopped. In fact, sometimes, the nightmare becomes reality when you finally reach the imagined safety and peace of your home. For with a mere cloud of dust evil comes to Harker’s home, and his pregnant wife Mina is killed by no other than Vampire Countess herself. He, thus, vows to slay her, no matter the price.

My Opinion: Author chose the straightest, smoothest road towards the goal. He made no risks making any turns, and didn’t bother searching for more logical sequence of events, trusting instead the good old chewed up gum that is a plot like this. Characters, Countess included, generally only served the purpose of letting Harker talk, or letting Harker get closer to Countess. And why a divine creature who lived from the dawn of time chose to be a mere countess is a secret never to be told either.

This was a bad cup of tea. I can only give a 2 out of 5, and that mostly because writing was smooth enough to get you through this.

book review | The Vampire’s Club by X. Aratare | The Vampire’s Club 2

Author: X. Aratare
Title: The Vampire’s Club
Series: The Vampire’s Club 2
Genre: LGBT+ Literature; Vampires
Pages: 96
Rate: 3-5 | Goodreads

The Vampire’s Club by X. Aratare books, that are seemingly all titled by this same, and merely numbered beyond it, are horribly too short. Sometimes it works. But this time it led to rushed scenes and cliches.

About the Book: Konstantin decided to let go of Lucas, the young man with magical blood with a power to lift the suffering of his curse. And almost regretted it bitterly. As Lucas approached Club Dyavol for his first night at work, mesmerized he almost got hit by a car. The stress caused by this finished what good magic man’s blood has given Konstantin, sending him into pain-induced nightmare, unable to help the young man. How is he supposed to protect Lucas without locking him up, making him a blood slave?

My Opinion: As I said before: read it, seen it, heard it. A young man with magical blood that draws in anyone and everyone who might feed on said blood. Not really a human, but doesn’t know it, and no one who knows – is telling him. A big bad vampire whose dead heart suddenly blooms with morality over this same fella. And so on. But the fantasy lover in me demands I get to know where these vampires came from, so I will read further.

It’s readable. And if you’re into m/m romances, depending on how much and what you’ve read before – you might really enjoy it too. I, personally, give it a 3 out of 5, for it’s barely my cup of tea.

book review | Heaven’s Door by John G. Hartness | Quincy Harker, Demon Hunter 6

Author: John G. Hartness
Title: Heaven’s Door
Series: Quincy Harker, Demon Hunter 6
Genre: Paranormal, Dracula
Pages: 120
Rate: 5/5 | Goodreads

Hell and damnation, I did it again. So, I’ve read Heaven’s Door by John G. Hartness, which is sixth book in Quincy Harker, Demon Hunter series. I’ve done so because I’ve already read and reviewed the fifth book, it turns out. As first. And then connected whichever two from the omnibus. Please read the titles of the books carefully and don’t do my stupid mistakes. Though, must say, didn’t take anything out of the goodness of these damned books.

About the Book: Some Big and Bad just refuses to leave. Instead it scratches at the door, trying to let the whole hell into Earth instead, like a very mean and annoying cat. Quincy has dealt with this demon before, and yet here it is again, additionally angry for having its plans mucked up the last time, and additionally dangerous, for Quincy has way more to lose than ever before.

My Opinion: If Dean Winchester and Skippy the Magnificent had a baby, Quincy Harker would be he. He’s real witty, funny, dark, broody, seems to have a healthy attitude towards his job, and sometimes goes onto tangent of telling people who understand less what they can do, where they can go, and such. There’s great geeky references all over the place too, implying he’s secretly into more things than he lets us know, and Dracula, his uncle Luke that is, is as badass as always. Man, I love these books.

Right, these go right on my to-buy list for someday, since audiobooks and library copies won’t cut it. 5 out of 5, and I’m off to get me the 7th one.

book review | The Vampire’s Club by X. Aratare | The Vampire’s Club 1

Author: X. Aratare
Title: The Vampire’s Club
Series: The Vampire’s Club 1
Genre: Vampires, LGBT Literature
Pages: 96
Rate: 3/5 | Goodreads

I was really looking forwards to reading The Vampire’s Club by X. Aratare, first book in what seems to be a series. But now that I have, I’m a little disappointed.

About the Book: Lucas is frantically seeking a job, any job. While his mother on the phone is trying to convince him to return home and work for his stepfather. The man of whom Lucas is irrationally afraid; to a point where he can barely stand being in one room with the man. So today, once again, he tried everywhere. Except that Club Dyavol that seemed to have appeared out of the gloom and doom. On the first look it seems full and high class. But a quick net search yields no results. It would have made sense to walk away. If it weren’t for the overwhelming sense flooding Lucas, telling him to go in, go into the Devil’s Club.

My Opinion: So from here on you can probably guess that a club that seems to appear our of nowhere is likely magically guarded. But those guards are nothing to a lad who, you guessed it, is an adopted orphan whose parents were killed, and who isn’t as much a nobody as he thought he was. A very basic story of very common tropes, with very little changes from many others out there. Felt like Megan Derr’s “Dance With the Devil”, so I’d not be surprised… It’s not the worst among these types of books, but it’s far from the best.

Right. Since I have the second one, I will read it too, and we’ll see how it goes. But for the time being, this one barely reached a 3 out of 5 from me.

book review | Dracula | Hell Freezes Over by John G. Hartness | Quincy Harker, Demon Hunter 4

Author: John G. Hartness
Title: Hell Freezes Over
Series: Quincy Harker, Demon Hunter 4
Genre: Dracula, Paranormal
Pages: 125
Rate: 5/5 | Goodreads

Not gonna lie, I’ve read this book a while ago (doesn’t apply to patrons, who get reviews same day I read the book), around the same time I finished the previous one in the series. Must say, I’m very happy that “Hell Freezes Over” by John G. Hartness, fourth book in Quincy Harker, Demon Hunter series, is not yet the last one. What will I do after this? Does anyone have any humorous books about vampires to recommend??

About the Book: Someone’s killing entire families with demonic possession. Each time the focal point is a holy object, which speaks volumes of the power this psychopath possesses. And that’s the confusing part. For, you see, magic like that leaves behind traces, demonic corruption. But Quincy can’t find a damn speck of it anywhere!…

My Opinion: Ah, sneaky book is sneaky. To the very last pages I had no clue what was doing this, and then, once shown, I had my doubts on survival rate of the present on scene. The only thing I truly missed in this book was Dracula, of whom there was little. But I guess I can’t complain, since previous book was mostly about him.

As I said before, this book reads the way Supernatural series feels. Don’t get me wrong, there’s little to no similarities in the plot, but it’s similar kind of shallow humor, with bigger, better jokes intertwined, lots of caring for one another while not putting it out there, and so on. Once again, a 5 out of 5 from me. I’ll hit the breaks on reading the next one though, since I figured I really need to spare the good stuff a little more.