Helpful Score: 5
Far and above the best novel ever written by a first time author. Poppy Z. Brite writes with fire and passion, and an underlying sense of seething horror just below the surface. Anne Rice should have hid her head in shame when this novel was first published, as it kicks the doors and windows out of the house of vampire fiction. A must read for any horror fan.
Helpful Score: 4
I don't like reading horror or fiction, but upon the advice of a friend sat down to read this one and couldn't put it down. This book won't appeal to everyone. With its mix of gothic dark horror, homosexual and erotic leanings it might be a turn off for a few. However, the harmonic poetic writing style of Brite really helps develop an enchanting aura in the book, mixed emotions that are hard to shake and a dark drama which unfolds before your eyes should be noted which I think really make this book worthy of reading. This is a must for Emos, Goths, and all those horror vampire lovers. It isn't the pretty picture that Rice paints, but something much more sinister and hopeless and wonderfully dark. Considering Brite starting writing this in her teens, it's truly the Frankenstein of the 21st century! I really enjoyed it even if it wasnt my genre.
Helpful Score: 3
At a club in Missing Mile, N.C., the children of the night gather, dressed in black, looking for acceptance. Among them are Ghost, who sees what others do not. Ann, longing for love, and Jason, whose real name is Nothing, newly awakened to an ancient, deathless truth about his father, and himself.
Others are coming to Missing Mile tonight. Three beautiful, hip vagabonds - Molochai, Twig, and the seductive Zillah, whose eyes are as green as limes are on their own lost journey, slaking their ancient thirst for blood, looking for supple young flesh.
They find it in Nothing and Ann, leading them on a mad, illicit road trip south to New Orleans. Over miles of dark highway, Ghost pursues, his powers guiding him on a journey to reach his destiny, to save Ann from her new companions, to save Ann from her new companions, to save Nothing from himself...
Library Journal
This book comes highly recommended by some of the best horror writers in the business, and deservedly so, but it is not for the weak of stomach. It is the story of a lost soul, a boy named Nothing, who was born of a vampire and is searching for his true family. But he dimly understands that joining his vampire brothers will cost him more of his humanity than he wants to give up. A mysterious, caring psychic named Ghost tries to save him from his fate and, because Nothing loves this man, he must choose to preserve his own humanity in order to save Ghost's life. The book is graphic in its presentation of kinky sex mixed with vampirism and murder but nonetheless compelling.-- Marylaine Block, St. Ambrose Univ. Lib., Davenport, Ia.
Others are coming to Missing Mile tonight. Three beautiful, hip vagabonds - Molochai, Twig, and the seductive Zillah, whose eyes are as green as limes are on their own lost journey, slaking their ancient thirst for blood, looking for supple young flesh.
They find it in Nothing and Ann, leading them on a mad, illicit road trip south to New Orleans. Over miles of dark highway, Ghost pursues, his powers guiding him on a journey to reach his destiny, to save Ann from her new companions, to save Ann from her new companions, to save Nothing from himself...
Library Journal
This book comes highly recommended by some of the best horror writers in the business, and deservedly so, but it is not for the weak of stomach. It is the story of a lost soul, a boy named Nothing, who was born of a vampire and is searching for his true family. But he dimly understands that joining his vampire brothers will cost him more of his humanity than he wants to give up. A mysterious, caring psychic named Ghost tries to save him from his fate and, because Nothing loves this man, he must choose to preserve his own humanity in order to save Ghost's life. The book is graphic in its presentation of kinky sex mixed with vampirism and murder but nonetheless compelling.-- Marylaine Block, St. Ambrose Univ. Lib., Davenport, Ia.
Helpful Score: 2
This was a strange book. Vampires, troubled teens. Held my interest, but very strange.
Helpful Score: 2
There is a reason this is considered by many to be Poppy Z. Brite's crowning achievement, I beliee. There's something in this book for everyone.
Gothic romance, attractive vampires, betrayal, mystery, gore by the gallon (though not quite as mush as in Brite's Exquisite Corpse...) not to mention Brite's wonderfully descriptive prose.
I highly recommend this book as an introduction to Brite's work, or just for anyone looking for horror that transcends simple ghost stories.
Gothic romance, attractive vampires, betrayal, mystery, gore by the gallon (though not quite as mush as in Brite's Exquisite Corpse...) not to mention Brite's wonderfully descriptive prose.
I highly recommend this book as an introduction to Brite's work, or just for anyone looking for horror that transcends simple ghost stories.
Helpful Score: 1
Way to go! I was not dissappointed by Brite. Her writing still has me wondering where some of this stuff comes from but wherever it is I want more.
Helpful Score: 1
I love this book and have re-read it many times. It's edgy, it's well written and I love the characters! By far her best book...
Helpful Score: 1
This was a very good book
Helpful Score: 1
i have read this book so many times i have passages memorized. dark and decadent with a rock-n-roll edge, poppy z. brite rekindles my goth side each time i read her horror novels.
Helpful Score: 1
Poppy Z. Brite writes lovingly of dark and moody, broody New Orleans, capturing the richly gothic atmosphere in a uniquely evocative way. The place feels heavy and alive when you immerse yourself in her story. This story has two main plotlines, a story of a couple of friends and musicians, Steve and Ghost, who make up the band Lost Souls living in Missing Mile, NC. The other plotline concerns a nascent vampire, Nothing, who comes to live in New Orleans after he discovers his heritage and family, a vampire named Zillah and his cohorts. The two plotlines intersect, bringing together psychic sensitive Ghost and lost boy Nothing.
These two groups of Lost Souls journey to find themselves, and find out what is important and what has meaning in their lives. The book is haunting and the characters involving creating a story which lives on in your mind long after you close the book. I think Brite captures the dark and seamy underside of New Orleans better than Anne Rice, her creation of atmosphere is vivid and memorable.
These two groups of Lost Souls journey to find themselves, and find out what is important and what has meaning in their lives. The book is haunting and the characters involving creating a story which lives on in your mind long after you close the book. I think Brite captures the dark and seamy underside of New Orleans better than Anne Rice, her creation of atmosphere is vivid and memorable.
Helpful Score: 1
Um I TRIED to like this book, but the characters just arent likeable! I enjoy this authors writing style but even for a horror fan like me, I just didnt care about anybody in the book!
Helpful Score: 1
I was kind of mixed about this book - I found it to be somewhat disturbing and graphic and I really couldnt relate very well to the very troubled and "Lost Souls" portrayed in the book including the Goth/homosexual tendencies of most of the characters. Saying that, the book did keep me interested and Brite's take on vampires was different and unique - after you get past the gore and graphic descriptions, it kind of sucks you in so to speak. However, I didnt have any real strong feelings about the characters - especially Ann who seemed to unrealistically stray toward the vampire Zillah. Although I thought this was a better vampire tale than Guilty Pleasures by Laurell K. Hamilton (which I read recently), it didn't come close to a couple of my favorite vampire novels: Salem's Lot by Stephen King and The Stake by Richard Laymon.
Helpful Score: 1
Very interesting take on the vamp genre. Vamps run only in the males and while they can breed with human females, the births are gory and deadly.
From the back of the book:
At a club in Missing Mile, NC the children of the night gather, dressed in black, looking for acceptance. Among them are Ghost, who sees what others do not; Ann, longing for love; and Jason, whose real name is Nothing, newly awakened to an ancient, deathless truth about his father, and himself.
Others are coming to Missing Mile tonight. Three beautiful, hip vagabonds - Molochai, Twig, and the seductive Zillah, whose eyes are as green as imes - are on their own lost journey, slaking their ancient thirst for blood, looking for supple young flesh.
They find it in Nothing and Ann, leading them on a mad, illicit road trip south to New Orleans. Over miles of dark highway, Ghost pursues, his powers guiding him on a journey to reach his destiny, to save Ann fromher new companions, to save Nothing from himself...
At a club in Missing Mile, NC the children of the night gather, dressed in black, looking for acceptance. Among them are Ghost, who sees what others do not; Ann, longing for love; and Jason, whose real name is Nothing, newly awakened to an ancient, deathless truth about his father, and himself.
Others are coming to Missing Mile tonight. Three beautiful, hip vagabonds - Molochai, Twig, and the seductive Zillah, whose eyes are as green as imes - are on their own lost journey, slaking their ancient thirst for blood, looking for supple young flesh.
They find it in Nothing and Ann, leading them on a mad, illicit road trip south to New Orleans. Over miles of dark highway, Ghost pursues, his powers guiding him on a journey to reach his destiny, to save Ann fromher new companions, to save Nothing from himself...
Not your typical vampire tale this one is very dark, sensual and provide you with enough twists thaT YOU WILL HAVE A HARD TIME PUTTING IT DOWN.
A major new voice in horror fiction.
Poppy's second best book. Exquisite Corpse is #1
I didn't like this one as much as DRAWING BLOOD, but it's fast paced and definitely has an appeal. The characters and situations are creepy and jump around a lot.
A very good Vampire Novel
I was drawn in to their world, it was dark.
I didn't get into this book... too dark and gloomy for me.
Molochai, Twig and Zillah are beautiful nomad vampires who crash land in New Orleans during Mardi Gras. They wander into a bar run by a vampire over 300 years old named Christian. Christian has gone most of his life without meeting anyone of his race. He is fascinated and bewitched by this out of control group. When they leave town Christian is left with a pregnant teenager carrying Zillah's child. She dies giving birth to a boy he names Nobody.
Ghost and Steve live in Missing Mile, North Carolina and have a band called Lost Souls.
Ghost has second sight and spends most of his time taking care of Steve who is nursing a broken heart. Ann is Steve's ex-girlfriend trying to pick up the pieces of a violent breakup.
Jason, also know as Nothing, feels a overwhelming connection to the music after hearing the underground tape.
All of these characters end up in Missing Mile and the events that unfold are mind boggling.
Even when I don't like what Poppy is writing about I'm sucked into the writing style.
Disclaimer: Extreme violence, rape and incest.
Ghost and Steve live in Missing Mile, North Carolina and have a band called Lost Souls.
Ghost has second sight and spends most of his time taking care of Steve who is nursing a broken heart. Ann is Steve's ex-girlfriend trying to pick up the pieces of a violent breakup.
Jason, also know as Nothing, feels a overwhelming connection to the music after hearing the underground tape.
All of these characters end up in Missing Mile and the events that unfold are mind boggling.
Even when I don't like what Poppy is writing about I'm sucked into the writing style.
Disclaimer: Extreme violence, rape and incest.
Poppy is always wonderful.
