Helpful Score: 2
I'm not really into the whole vampire thing, but when I saw that one of my favorite authors had produced a story combining Christianity and vampires... well, how could I resist?
I think Tracey Bateman did a fabulous job with this new book... the story moves along at a nice pace and you really feel for the different characters. I finished this book in 2 days!
Even if you're not a big fan of vampires, this is a great story that will keep you entertained until the last page!
I think Tracey Bateman did a fabulous job with this new book... the story moves along at a nice pace and you really feel for the different characters. I finished this book in 2 days!
Even if you're not a big fan of vampires, this is a great story that will keep you entertained until the last page!
Helpful Score: 2
While reading this book I came across several reviews. Most of which are extreme opposites in their opinions. Some people were wanting a Christian Twilight, which I actually take offense to since I found so many Christian elements with in that story itself, but that is a conversation for another day. The only similarity here to that saga itself is the idea of a "vegetarian vampire", one who finds resentment in the idea of harming an innocent human. Other people think it is outrageous to the idea of having a Christian vampire novel, but the message behind the story is what makes it Christian. As in most things there are levels of evil within all of us that we must overcome. Be it something that we believe as from folklore or something that we know is passed down in our genetics, the importance of a lesson is learning from it and walking forward.
There were some people who stated disappointment with this novel after having read other Tracey Bateman books. Well that is not my opinion and as an all you can not relate this to any book she has written in the past as it is entirely in a realm of it's own. I have also read reviews of people who were enthralled from page one and could not put it down or turn the pages fast enough. In my case, I definitely was not disappointed, but I was not fully captivated either. This story is good, the lesson underlying is deep, personal and important to read. I do think that the character of Markus could have been more. In saying that I am not sure if I mean more developed or more page time. I just feel that there is a lot more to his character than meets the page translation. To be honest it was about page 200 where I was truly intrigued and excited about the story, but it continued well and I overall liked it. My personal opinion is that there could have been more, but I am just not sure of what. Luckily, there will be more books to come from Tracey in the future.
There were some people who stated disappointment with this novel after having read other Tracey Bateman books. Well that is not my opinion and as an all you can not relate this to any book she has written in the past as it is entirely in a realm of it's own. I have also read reviews of people who were enthralled from page one and could not put it down or turn the pages fast enough. In my case, I definitely was not disappointed, but I was not fully captivated either. This story is good, the lesson underlying is deep, personal and important to read. I do think that the character of Markus could have been more. In saying that I am not sure if I mean more developed or more page time. I just feel that there is a lot more to his character than meets the page translation. To be honest it was about page 200 where I was truly intrigued and excited about the story, but it continued well and I overall liked it. My personal opinion is that there could have been more, but I am just not sure of what. Luckily, there will be more books to come from Tracey in the future.
Helpful Score: 2
I'm no Twilight fan, but I do love the spiritual symbolism of vampires explored in books and films. This one had a good premise but failed to live up to it. Markus was waaay under-developed (possibly in an attempt to avoid offending Christians, which is disappointing) and the other characters really had no personality, outside of the General. I struggled to have empathy for any of the characters--even when people are struggling, they still should have a spark of something that forges a connection with the reader.
The plot also left a lot to be desired. The mystery--if one was intended--was easily unraveled within a few pages, which drained a lot of tension from the book. Along with that, things were over-explained like the author was leading me to a specific understanding. I prefer to figure things out on my own. I think the tendency for religious authors is to preach a little bit or at least bring everything to a desired point, instead of allowing the reader to mull over an open-ended plot.
In a black and white setting, this story felt mostly gray to me.
The plot also left a lot to be desired. The mystery--if one was intended--was easily unraveled within a few pages, which drained a lot of tension from the book. Along with that, things were over-explained like the author was leading me to a specific understanding. I prefer to figure things out on my own. I think the tendency for religious authors is to preach a little bit or at least bring everything to a desired point, instead of allowing the reader to mull over an open-ended plot.
In a black and white setting, this story felt mostly gray to me.
Helpful Score: 2
I really liked this book. Not only was it a vampire story (which I'm really starting to love those) but it was an adult vampire story with a great story line! It kept my attention and I got really pulled into the story. Nina, the main character, is an alcoholic who's all but lost her family. I've never really known an alcoholic, but I'm sure that the struggles Nina faced are all too common. I really liked Nina, she'd made some mistakes in her life but she was really working on turning things around. Trying to regain trust in relationships that her drinking had all but shattered, and realizing that just because she was sober didn't mean everyone just forgave her. While it is a vampire story it's so much more than that.
The writing was great. For those of you familiar with my reviews you know descriptions and I don't always get along... This had the perfect balance of description, enough to show you what was going on but not so much that it covered the story up. Great Job! Also the writing was realistic, the reactions and dialogs were actually plausible, and it didn't feel fake. If I had to give any criticism it would be that it was easy to figure out what was going to happen. Granted I didn't know the means by which the ending would come, but I had a pretty good grasp. Although there was one major thing that I didn't expect and since I don't want to give it away I'll just leave it at that!
The writing was great. For those of you familiar with my reviews you know descriptions and I don't always get along... This had the perfect balance of description, enough to show you what was going on but not so much that it covered the story up. Great Job! Also the writing was realistic, the reactions and dialogs were actually plausible, and it didn't feel fake. If I had to give any criticism it would be that it was easy to figure out what was going to happen. Granted I didn't know the means by which the ending would come, but I had a pretty good grasp. Although there was one major thing that I didn't expect and since I don't want to give it away I'll just leave it at that!
Helpful Score: 1
I tried to go into this book with a somewhat open mind. I am still on the fence about âChristian Vampireâ books. I would say there will be lots of Christians staying away from this book (a Christian Vampire Book.)
I finally got into the book at the end of Chapter 8. Then I was hooked. I stayed up till about 2am reading this book. I had to force myself to put it down. It took 2 days to finish it because I do have other things to do! LOL! I found the story line to be a good one. You can't beat an overcomer in a story.
There are a few things that some people would find offensive. There were a few instances of sexual talk as in âbeddingâ and âsloppy advancesâ. They were not mentioned in a graphic way. There is a bit of supernatural things going on, and not a Godly supernatural. There is talk of alcohol and people being drunk or drinking. But that is what this book is about.
So over all, I went into to this book not knowing and expecting to not like it. But I came out loving it. It was nice to read a book that wasn't all âgoody too shoesâ. I am really bored with reading those âoh so sweetâ stories with no action or adventure. This book offers those intriguing situations that are not boring. I tend to go with books that are historical, which might include immortal knights or what ever. Vampires fit into that sci-fi historical theme. But this book is set in today's time.
I give it 4 stars because I did think it started off slow.
I finally got into the book at the end of Chapter 8. Then I was hooked. I stayed up till about 2am reading this book. I had to force myself to put it down. It took 2 days to finish it because I do have other things to do! LOL! I found the story line to be a good one. You can't beat an overcomer in a story.
There are a few things that some people would find offensive. There were a few instances of sexual talk as in âbeddingâ and âsloppy advancesâ. They were not mentioned in a graphic way. There is a bit of supernatural things going on, and not a Godly supernatural. There is talk of alcohol and people being drunk or drinking. But that is what this book is about.
So over all, I went into to this book not knowing and expecting to not like it. But I came out loving it. It was nice to read a book that wasn't all âgoody too shoesâ. I am really bored with reading those âoh so sweetâ stories with no action or adventure. This book offers those intriguing situations that are not boring. I tend to go with books that are historical, which might include immortal knights or what ever. Vampires fit into that sci-fi historical theme. But this book is set in today's time.
I give it 4 stars because I did think it started off slow.
