Helpful Score: 7
This book SHOULD have been better - first off, the premise was actually fairly original...and as we all know, a new look at vampires is tough to come by in the genre, but the author added some interesting gargoyle-like progenitors of vamps who actually prefer livestock prey. It started well, but I felt as though, midway through, the author brought in a bunch of diverse and poorly developed themes and tried to integrate them all willy nilly - cancer/illness research, mad villain, power hungry political assassination, long tradition of vampire slaying passed down in a family, "ultimate weapon against evil", and "chosen ones". Also, as we rushed toward the conclusion there was a bit of an abrupt deus ex machina sort of ending. All this build up and then, "plop" goes the plot.
Anyway, it wasn't bad, and I guess I'm not sorry to have read it, but it was a bit disappointing since the author started out so well.
Anyway, it wasn't bad, and I guess I'm not sorry to have read it, but it was a bit disappointing since the author started out so well.
Helpful Score: 4
This book gets a very solid 5 stars over on Amazon. It's good, but not quite that good. It's fast-paced (lots of action) and the plot is a new take for vampires. Instead of the centuries old, long-standing vampire societies most in paranormals, this time we've got a group of people becoming vampires all on their own. There aren't any pre-existing vampire mentors running around, so everything needs to be learned fresh. Kudos for some originality!
The part that keeps me from rating this as high as the Amazon reviewers is that I never found myself especially emotionally attached to the characters. I didn't dislike them, but I just wasn't as tied up with them on a personal level. Come to think of it, there was also a little plot development that came off as a bit...convenient. Nothing that couldn't be gotten passed, but a teensy bit of an eye-roller from a critical standpoint.
Overall, fair read. Recommended to fans of the genre, but probably not a book I'd recommend to newcomers as the perfect introduction.
The part that keeps me from rating this as high as the Amazon reviewers is that I never found myself especially emotionally attached to the characters. I didn't dislike them, but I just wasn't as tied up with them on a personal level. Come to think of it, there was also a little plot development that came off as a bit...convenient. Nothing that couldn't be gotten passed, but a teensy bit of an eye-roller from a critical standpoint.
Overall, fair read. Recommended to fans of the genre, but probably not a book I'd recommend to newcomers as the perfect introduction.
Helpful Score: 1
Book 1 of series. It was a different take on vampires. I liked it ok. I guess it intrigued me enough to want to read the next one.
Helpful Score: 1
This is the first book of the series but the second book thatthe author has written; although not the first of hers I have read.
I can see the growth from this one to the others. That is what kept me reading the book. The story is interesting, vampires created from a mythological creature that is written as a vicious monster. In this book, the reader is introduced to it in a different light; one that has you cheering for its survival.
The hero is typical, retired military officer who was injured in the line of duty. The heroine is the daughter of the scientist who goes missing and is presumed dead. The difference is how the author portrays him. At times you want to smack him on the back of the head and tell him to use it for more than a hatrack. He is not your typical alpha macho man who is in control of himself and the situation. He is more human, he shows his vulnerability in his fears of what he will become. Yet, he is not a wimp and I found myself wanting him to succeed.
The heroine is, unfortunately, at times what some would see as TSTL. But, the author is new and so follows the regular format of romance stories.
Much of what is written fits in the guidelines of a good story, fast paced in the right areas, conversations that make sense, behaviors that fit with the settings and how the characters written. There isn't conflicting behaivors of the characters, even though they can be stupid behaviors, at least they are consistent. These events and the behaviors do, however, show the newness of the author but should be overlooked in my opinion for that reason; a new author.
My biggest hang up is something that is common in books, why in the world would a book be written with Navy SEALS in the jungle? Reminds me of a movie I watched where calvery soldiers were trying to figure out why the Air Force had sent a plane to pick up saddles; to take the the Navy who were in the middle of a desert. In the movie it made sense as I knew the plot. Even knowing the plot of this book, the SEALS in the Amazon jungle do not make sense.
I will read the others in the series although I don't know if they will end up on my keeper shelf. It depends on the improvements of the books.
I would definitely recommend the book however.
I can see the growth from this one to the others. That is what kept me reading the book. The story is interesting, vampires created from a mythological creature that is written as a vicious monster. In this book, the reader is introduced to it in a different light; one that has you cheering for its survival.
The hero is typical, retired military officer who was injured in the line of duty. The heroine is the daughter of the scientist who goes missing and is presumed dead. The difference is how the author portrays him. At times you want to smack him on the back of the head and tell him to use it for more than a hatrack. He is not your typical alpha macho man who is in control of himself and the situation. He is more human, he shows his vulnerability in his fears of what he will become. Yet, he is not a wimp and I found myself wanting him to succeed.
The heroine is, unfortunately, at times what some would see as TSTL. But, the author is new and so follows the regular format of romance stories.
Much of what is written fits in the guidelines of a good story, fast paced in the right areas, conversations that make sense, behaviors that fit with the settings and how the characters written. There isn't conflicting behaivors of the characters, even though they can be stupid behaviors, at least they are consistent. These events and the behaviors do, however, show the newness of the author but should be overlooked in my opinion for that reason; a new author.
My biggest hang up is something that is common in books, why in the world would a book be written with Navy SEALS in the jungle? Reminds me of a movie I watched where calvery soldiers were trying to figure out why the Air Force had sent a plane to pick up saddles; to take the the Navy who were in the middle of a desert. In the movie it made sense as I knew the plot. Even knowing the plot of this book, the SEALS in the Amazon jungle do not make sense.
I will read the others in the series although I don't know if they will end up on my keeper shelf. It depends on the improvements of the books.
I would definitely recommend the book however.
Helpful Score: 1
Nice take on vampires. It's good to see it changed once in awhile. This is my first Popp book and I will be looking for more of hers
Helpful Score: 1
I was intrigued, a new take on vamps. It was ok. Decided to read the others.
Helpful Score: 1
I read about 100 pages of this book and still did not feel for the characters. I'm not sure why either. They were realisticly drawn and the plot was good. It had action, but still I just couldn't get into it. Maybe just me.
This is my first experience with the author and was very pleased. A new twist on vampires, modern and fascinating.
Not really awful but not good enough I'll read another. Not enough to keep my focus. I finished it but barely.
Very fast paced and different.
quite enjoyed this one once it got started. It was a bit slow at first but then picked up.
Very Good book!
very nice twist on the vampire story. looking forwards to the next one in the series!
was a pretty good book.
Book one of a series...pretty quick read. Different view of vampires.
I loved this book
Bookstore stamp inside cover
