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Book Reviews of Dhampir (Noble Dead, Bk 1)

Dhampir (Noble Dead, Bk 1)
Dhampir - Noble Dead, Bk 1
Author: Barb Hendee, J. C. Hendee
PBS Market Price: $8.09 or $4.19+1 credit
ISBN-13: 9780451459060
ISBN-10: 0451459067
Publication Date: 2003
Pages: 384
Rating:
  • Currently 3.8/5 Stars.
 312

3.8 stars, based on 312 ratings
Publisher: Roc
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
Reviews: Amazon | Write a Review

33 Book Reviews submitted by our Members...sorted by voted most helpful

VeganFreak avatar reviewed Dhampir (Noble Dead, Bk 1) on
Helpful Score: 15
Well written vampire story set in a world that is not too fantastic, but more like an alternate history/ middle ages type world, where elves are known to exist and vampires and other undead are rumored to exist, but they are thought of as a superstition by most.

On the cover there is an asinine blurb that says that this book is a combination of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Lord of the Rings. If by that you mean that there are vampires, like in Buffy and elves, like in LOTR; then yes, it is EXACTLY like those stories.(only completely different.)
mitabird avatar reviewed Dhampir (Noble Dead, Bk 1) on + 188 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 7
Dhampir was quite good. It starts off a little slow, but quickly picked up and became hard to put down. Magiere is a "vampire" hunter. What she is really doing is swindling villages out of their hard-earned cash. She, along with her half-elf partner, Leesil, set up schemes to make is seem as though these villages are being plagued by vampires and she is the only one qualified to rid them of these abominations. The vampire is really Leesil in disguise. After four years of playing this game, Magiere decides she had enough and wants to retire. Leesil is not too thrilled with this at first, but eventually agrees. She purchases a tavern in a town called Miiska and wishes to live out a peaceful existence. Little does she know that vampires do exist and some currently reside in Miiska.

What follows is a tale full of action, suspense, intrigue and some behind the scenes machinations. Magiere comes to find out that she is a Dhampir, half mortal, half vampire. She has the natural skills and talents to kill vampires, but it's not something she truly wishes to do. There's a man in the village who seems to know quite a bit about Dhampirs, but is not very forthcoming with the information. I felt for Magiere struggling to figure out what was going on with her, even though it was difficult for me to like her at first because she was a con artist. The vampires did not really appear evil and we do get to learn quite a bit about them. I liked them almost as much as Magiere and Leesil. This is a story that I would recommend.
reviewed Dhampir (Noble Dead, Bk 1) on + 12 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 7
Slow to get started, but nicely drawn characters and eventually proves a likeable, if not top-rate, time passer.
reviewed Dhampir (Noble Dead, Bk 1) on + 28 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 6
Fantasy paranormal. Good enough that I'm looking for the next in the series.
reviewed Dhampir (Noble Dead, Bk 1) on + 9 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 5
If you like drama, action and vampires, you'll like this series. It's a little lax on the romance, but moves very quickly.
Zachaustlily avatar reviewed Dhampir (Noble Dead, Bk 1) on + 227 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
This book was one of my best new author finds of 2004. The first in the continuing story of Magiere and Leesil each story following just gets better and better. I couldn't put this book down.
LadyLioncourt avatar reviewed Dhampir (Noble Dead, Bk 1) on + 45 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
This book is amazing! I loved the writing style. The authors combine intriguing characters with an actual comprehensible plot, a great book altogether but especially if you are a vampire fan. I am picky when it comes to my vampires, and so far the ones in this series have not proved disappointing. Vampires act like vampires (rather than like humans with long teeth), elves act like elves, and all is as it should be.
dragoneyes avatar reviewed Dhampir (Noble Dead, Bk 1) on + 844 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
I was a little apprehensive on starting this book. I love vampire novels but it has to be good. I've read so many lately that have not impressed me at all. I almost gave up. I picked this one up and decided to try again. I was glad that I did. It was a very good read that kept me entertained throughout the whole book.
It's about a woman and a half elf that goes to different towns where the townsfolk are superstitious. There the woman, Magiere, claims to be a vampire hunter and will rid their town of their troubles for a high cost. Usually it's more than the townsfolk can afford. The half elf, Leesil, is the makeshift vampire. They throw on a show, the vampire is supposedly killed and they leave with the town's money. But when real vampires join into the picture, things make quite a U-turn.
Sounds interesting? If so, you'll want to snatch up this book. I ejoyed it and am looking to read the rest of the series.
cosmichomicide avatar reviewed Dhampir (Noble Dead, Bk 1) on + 134 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Uninspired entry into the genre - nothing particularly engaging about the characters, nothing new or different in the mythos, predictable plot. There are lots of great reads out there, this isn't one of them.
reviewed Dhampir (Noble Dead, Bk 1) on + 9 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
"A mix of Lord of the Rings and Buffy the Vampire Slayer...an engaging adventure"--Kevin J. Anderson, Author of Hidden Empire

Magiere is the local vampire slayer. Problem is she's a fake. Her partner Leesil, a half elf, works with her to scam the local villagers. Magiere's goal is to retire, and she's happy when she's made enough money to do just that. Soon, however, problems begin when she encounters true vampires.
reviewed Dhampir (Noble Dead, Bk 1) on + 4 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This book was actually good. I didnt think I would like it. But I kept my attention through out the whole book.
reviewed Dhampir (Noble Dead, Bk 1) on + 38 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This is the first in a really great series with vampires, elves and other dark creatures! Most read for people who like vampire books!
reviewed Dhampir (Noble Dead, Bk 1) on + 20 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I thought it was a good book. One that I have read several times.
reviewed Dhampir (Noble Dead, Bk 1) on + 35 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Such a different take of fantasy and horror. It's a great story, and I'm glad that this was an impulse buy, definately worth the read
tealily avatar reviewed Dhampir (Noble Dead, Bk 1) on
Helpful Score: 1
The first book in very good series to date.
daylilylover avatar reviewed Dhampir (Noble Dead, Bk 1) on + 768 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Excellent! 1st in series. Magiere has earned a reputation as the most formidable vampire slayer in the land.
Erinyes avatar reviewed Dhampir (Noble Dead, Bk 1) on + 279 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I liked the book. I don't think this one brings anything new or startling to the genre but does everything have to be new. I enjoyed the lingering mystery left behind and find myself hoping for another. I liked the characters and really liked the dog!
If you like vampire stories this is worth it. Go for it.
reviewed Dhampir (Noble Dead, Bk 1) on + 58 more book reviews
Mildly entertaining
samgard avatar reviewed Dhampir (Noble Dead, Bk 1) on + 17 more book reviews
First book in one of my favorite series! Great read, you will get hooked quick!
ASJ avatar reviewed Dhampir (Noble Dead, Bk 1) on + 341 more book reviews
I tried I couldn't get through it, not my cup of tea. Gave up half way through.
barbsis avatar reviewed Dhampir (Noble Dead, Bk 1) on + 1076 more book reviews
I liked the premise of this book and I liked the first few chapters until I realized it was all a scam. I kept waiting for something supernatural to happen with Magiere and Leesil. Their "adventures" are rather boring but they turned out to be interesting characters nonetheless.

The move to respectibility was a good start but the new town had real vampires and the town expected the "vampire hunter" to take care of the problem and so did I. Somewhere around page 200 the action heated up and Magiere finally, finally started to act like a hunter.

I understand that this is the first book in the series and must build the world and characters so I'll try book two and hope it has more action.
ocnsangel avatar reviewed Dhampir (Noble Dead, Bk 1) on + 224 more book reviews
Had a hard time getting into it but once i did enjoyed the book.
reviewed Dhampir (Noble Dead, Bk 1) on + 42 more book reviews
This book is GREAT....a friend of introduced me and I thought it was really good.
reviewed Dhampir (Noble Dead, Bk 1) on + 110 more book reviews
A well-written vampire fantasy novel. Great characters and a good story.
reviewed Dhampir (Noble Dead, Bk 1) on + 9 more book reviews
Witty dialogue and good action.
reviewed Dhampir (Noble Dead, Bk 1) on + 28 more book reviews
Interesting Vampire Hunter novel. Has a very Russian flavor to it.
reviewed Dhampir (Noble Dead, Bk 1) on + 1568 more book reviews
The Hendees have some interesting twists on the standard vampire lore. A really good read with a sting in the tail!

From back cover:
SHE HUNTS THE REALMS MOST DANGEROUS GAME.
HER FEES ARE EXORBITANT.
SHE'S WORTH EVERY COIN SHE RECEIVES.
OR IS SHE?
Magiere has earned a reputation as the most formidable vampire slayer in the land. Villagers far and wide welcome her with both awe and disdain, grateful to her for ridding their towns of the undead menace, but finding themselves made poorer for their salvation. Magiere has always known she's dealing with simple folk who only wish to have their superstitions silenced, and she's never seen anything wrong with exploiting them for profit.
Now, tired of the game, Magiere and her partner, the half-elf Leesil, are ready to hang up their weapons and settle down in a place they can finally call home. But their new found peace will not last. For Magiere has come to the attention of a trio of powerful and dangerous vampires who recognize her true identity — even if she does not — and who fear the birthright that flows through her veins. And they will stop at nothing to keep Magiere from fulfilling her destiny.
reviewed Dhampir (Noble Dead, Bk 1) on + 3 more book reviews
This book was interesting, but not especially great, important, or well written.
The plot and developed ideas were shallow and predictable. Fine if you don't have much to do and just want a book to read.
Otherwise, find something more worth your time.
amanita avatar reviewed Dhampir (Noble Dead, Bk 1) on + 3 more book reviews
I enjoyed the series.
reviewed Dhampir (Noble Dead, Bk 1) on + 15 more book reviews
An amusing book, but I'm not a fan of vampire books and I lost interest after a little while.
StealthBunny avatar reviewed Dhampir (Noble Dead, Bk 1) on + 32 more book reviews
After years of conning villages out of their money by pretending to kill vampires, Magiere and her half-elf partner Leesil decide to retire and to give something back to a community like those they had cheated... only to find out that the town is infested with REAL vampires... and that Magiere is half-vampire herself! Nice bit of fantasy horror! Book itself is in like-new condition.
reviewed Dhampir (Noble Dead, Bk 1) on + 15 more book reviews
Part Vampire. Part human. Perfect Hunter....
reviewed Dhampir (Noble Dead, Bk 1) on + 8 more book reviews
good read