Helpful Score: 3
Was not disappointed. I had been waiting for this book. I loved Ben and Fran from MacAlister's earlier books. I was excited to see a more grown up Fran. At times though I felt that Fran still was acting too childish and her behavior seemed juvenile. MacAlister made me laugh and kept the pages turning. I don't want to spoil the book but anyone familiar with her work knows that she tends to leave you hanging. I don't mind a set up for a sequel but I didn't feel like she finished telling the story in the current book. At the end of the book I was looking for more. Something that indicated to me that this was the end. Instead it felt like she just stopped writing. This book is currently on my keeper shelf.
In the Company of Vampires is the continuation of Fran and Ben's story. Katie MacAlister originally introduced these characters in the Young Adult books Got Fangs and Circus of the Darned (republished as Confessions of a Vampire's Girlfriend). If you have not read the earlier books this one will not make sense.
In the Company of Vampires is the continuation of Fran and Ben's story. Katie MacAlister originally introduced these characters in the Young Adult books Got Fangs and Circus of the Darned (republished as Confessions of a Vampire's Girlfriend). If you have not read the earlier books this one will not make sense.
Helpful Score: 2
I read this book in two days, I couldn't put it down. I love this series, the author is always really funny and I love the other paranormal references into it, and she often mentiones characters or places that are in other books to sort of follow up on previous stories, which I really like. I can't wait to read what's next!
Barbara F. (mama2timmy-daphne) reviewed In the Company of Vampires (Dark Ones, Bk 8) on + 35 more book reviews
Katie McAllister revisits Fran & Ben from her previous works Got Fangs? & Circus of the Darned (both written under Katie Maxwell). This time, several years have passed & Fran is an adult making her own way in the world. She is determined to have her own life away from being Beloved to Ben, but her past catches up with her. She returns to GothFaire to find a missing mother, help Viking ghosts to banish a God and face her role as Beloved to Benedict who seems to have found a new love interest. Gone is the angst of teenaged Fran, or at least most of it, and this Fran is a little more mature and experienced. It's a more adult romance and a nice follow up to her previous YA writings. I honestly hope Katie McAllister visits with Fran & Benedict again because they are very likable characters and their adventures are excellent.
I enjoyed Got Fangs? and Circus of the Darned, and thought this was a good followup. It was nice to see a more grown-up Fran, and finally get more of their story.
It seemed unclear where this fit in with the rest of the Dark Ones series until I read it. It goes after Crouching Vampire, Hidden Fang, as Pia & Kristoff are mentioned and a couple of the characters from this book are also in Pia's books. However, I think if you've read Fran's other books and just want to read this one, I don't think you'd be missing much. It doesn't tie up any of the loose ends, just gives an in-between point for things that will hopefully be tied up later.
It seemed unclear where this fit in with the rest of the Dark Ones series until I read it. It goes after Crouching Vampire, Hidden Fang, as Pia & Kristoff are mentioned and a couple of the characters from this book are also in Pia's books. However, I think if you've read Fran's other books and just want to read this one, I don't think you'd be missing much. It doesn't tie up any of the loose ends, just gives an in-between point for things that will hopefully be tied up later.
Jozee G. (gypsywidow) reviewed In the Company of Vampires (Dark Ones, Bk 8) on + 16 more book reviews
Love everything she writes, this included. Great stories and characters. Lots of humor.
Great read, love the vikings!!! They really keep you laughing throughout the whole book!
Rochelle P. (toastqueen) reviewed In the Company of Vampires (Dark Ones, Bk 8) on + 34 more book reviews
I'm not sure if having read the Katie Maxwell YA Ben and Fran books would have helped, as it seemed like I was a little thrown into a world I wasn't familiar with.
A really sexy fun read. Will be checking out other books in this series.
Kathleen K. (katydid597) -
I've recently become hooked on Katie MacAlister's vampire series. Loved her dragon books, and the early books in the vampire series were great, but the last two have left me feeling that she's just writing to write. The plots aren't nearly as concise and fleshed out, and the early premise of the book really isn't addressed fully, everything just leads to the next book. Would like a bit more resolution in each book. The dragon series is much more enjoyable reading, the characters are more developed.
This book especially was confusing, as I haven't yet read Confessions of a Vampire's Girlfriend and it appears that that is required to follow the plot of In the Company of Vampires.
This book especially was confusing, as I haven't yet read Confessions of a Vampire's Girlfriend and it appears that that is required to follow the plot of In the Company of Vampires.
Cynthia F. (frazerc) reviewed In the Company of Vampires (Dark Ones, Bk 8) on + 672 more book reviews
This is the third in the Ben and Fran books. The first two, Got Fangs? And Circus of the Darned, were young adult novels. This one is not. It takes place five years after the previous two and Fran has broken off with Ben, graduated from college and finds herself still miserable.
The action starts off with the kidnapping of Fran's roommate. During the rescue (by Fran of course) it becomes apparent that Loki is at the root of the kidnapping. (Norse gods have long memories.) When Fran calls her mother, only to find that her mother is missing, she fears the worst. Fran immediately makes plans to head for Europe and the GothFaire, only to be interrupted by the arrival of her Vikings from book 2. It seems that Freya sent them to help her get rid of Loki using the necklace. Unfortunately she left the necklace in Europe so it is not immediately accessible. Her Vikings insist on going along with her. (Fortunately Freya provided them with their own Visa card so the only problem is convincing them they have to leave their weapons behind.)
She arrives at the GothFaire only to discover a wide range of problems. Ben is there and with another woman. (Yes she blew him off but she hadn't really expected him to move on after all, she hasn't.) Imogen is there but the necklace isn't and her mom is still missing. While checking through her mom's things for clues she finds a birth certificate indicating she has an older half-sister she never knew about.
Like the other books this one has lots of wacky details; the town where the GothFaire is currently located is competing for a Wagnerian opera company so everyone is wearing Wagnerian costumes (including cross-dressing mermaid cabdrivers) and frequently bursting into song. Her Vikings have gone shopping and are now being Viking ninjas (based on having seen a ninja movie on TV) and have picked up new weaponry.
The plot concerns rescuing mom, saving shape shifters, confronting Loki, and of course resolving Ben and Fran's relationship problems.
All around a satisfying read.
Ben and Fran
1. Got Fangs? (2005)
2. Circus of the Darned (2006)
Confessions of a Vampire's Girlfriend (omnibus of 1 & 2)
3. In the Company of Vampires
Dark Ones
1. A Girl's Guide to Vampires (2003)
2. Sex and the Single Vampire (2004)
3. Sex, Lies and Vampires (2005)
4. Even Vampires Get the Blues (2006)
5. The Last of the Red-Hot Vampires (2007)
5. Bring Out Your Dead (2006) (in Just One Sip)
6. Zen and the Art of Vampires (2008)
7. Crouching Vampire, Hidden Fang (2009)
8. In the Company of Vampires (2010)
9. Much Ado About Vampires (2011)
The action starts off with the kidnapping of Fran's roommate. During the rescue (by Fran of course) it becomes apparent that Loki is at the root of the kidnapping. (Norse gods have long memories.) When Fran calls her mother, only to find that her mother is missing, she fears the worst. Fran immediately makes plans to head for Europe and the GothFaire, only to be interrupted by the arrival of her Vikings from book 2. It seems that Freya sent them to help her get rid of Loki using the necklace. Unfortunately she left the necklace in Europe so it is not immediately accessible. Her Vikings insist on going along with her. (Fortunately Freya provided them with their own Visa card so the only problem is convincing them they have to leave their weapons behind.)
She arrives at the GothFaire only to discover a wide range of problems. Ben is there and with another woman. (Yes she blew him off but she hadn't really expected him to move on after all, she hasn't.) Imogen is there but the necklace isn't and her mom is still missing. While checking through her mom's things for clues she finds a birth certificate indicating she has an older half-sister she never knew about.
Like the other books this one has lots of wacky details; the town where the GothFaire is currently located is competing for a Wagnerian opera company so everyone is wearing Wagnerian costumes (including cross-dressing mermaid cabdrivers) and frequently bursting into song. Her Vikings have gone shopping and are now being Viking ninjas (based on having seen a ninja movie on TV) and have picked up new weaponry.
The plot concerns rescuing mom, saving shape shifters, confronting Loki, and of course resolving Ben and Fran's relationship problems.
All around a satisfying read.
Ben and Fran
1. Got Fangs? (2005)
2. Circus of the Darned (2006)
Confessions of a Vampire's Girlfriend (omnibus of 1 & 2)
3. In the Company of Vampires
Dark Ones
1. A Girl's Guide to Vampires (2003)
2. Sex and the Single Vampire (2004)
3. Sex, Lies and Vampires (2005)
4. Even Vampires Get the Blues (2006)
5. The Last of the Red-Hot Vampires (2007)
5. Bring Out Your Dead (2006) (in Just One Sip)
6. Zen and the Art of Vampires (2008)
7. Crouching Vampire, Hidden Fang (2009)
8. In the Company of Vampires (2010)
9. Much Ado About Vampires (2011)
Loved this book. Couldn't put it down. It is just pure fun and reminds me more of her dragon series than the typical dark ones.
I didn't read "Confessions of a Vampire's Girlfriend" and had no problem following the story. I have to say this wouldn't be a good first book to read if you have never read any of the Dark Ones novels. You might be a little lost about the whole Beloved thing.
It was comical and immature. Adore the fact that Fran doesn't always react in the most adult fashion. Love the Vikings and hope Imogen ends up with Finnvid for good.
I didn't think the Loki intervention was even necessary for the plot line. (Don't want to spoil it for others). I actually thought it took a little bit away from Fran's character but that's the only thing I was bothered about the story.
There is some things that are left unresolved so I look forward to future stories.
I didn't read "Confessions of a Vampire's Girlfriend" and had no problem following the story. I have to say this wouldn't be a good first book to read if you have never read any of the Dark Ones novels. You might be a little lost about the whole Beloved thing.
It was comical and immature. Adore the fact that Fran doesn't always react in the most adult fashion. Love the Vikings and hope Imogen ends up with Finnvid for good.
I didn't think the Loki intervention was even necessary for the plot line. (Don't want to spoil it for others). I actually thought it took a little bit away from Fran's character but that's the only thing I was bothered about the story.
There is some things that are left unresolved so I look forward to future stories.
