One of the reviews of this book said it was really poorly written. I have no idea what they are talking about because that is one of the best parts of this book. I could completely picture what the author wanted me to picture as he used words and descriptions that were amazing. This is also a well-done variation of vampires I like a lot better than the descriptions some authors and movies portray. They are monsters and in this book that is quite clear. The book is also a thriller and does a great job in that area. I kept coming back to it, thinking about it when not reading it, and frustrated when my usual ability to read it was somehow inhibited. All good signs of a great book to me. I also liked the main character and how human she was, how relate-able, rather than some superhuman who suddenly falls into a role she didn't ask for and it fits like a glove. It shows her fear, her angst, her emotions quite well.

The other characters, however, fell quite flat, even the special deputy vampire hunter who was another main character. I would like to have seem more development there. This is not a deep thinking book, so don't pick this one up for intellectual development. It's also quite gory with descriptions of blood, yuck, and dismemberment. I cringed quite a few times. It also has lots of language some may find offensive.

There were a few situations or parts of the book that grated on me. First, someone knew the main character was a lesbian because she had short hair? Seriously? Second, one draw a vampire felt toward one of the characters was because she was a lesbian and it was some sort of erotic goal? Gross. I'm even lesbian and that's just gross. Lastly, in the midst of intense stress, relationship issues, huge loss, and traumatic feats related to a committed relationship, somehow a woman is kissing another woman because she's there? Come on! Offensive overgeneralization.

This was half great and half not so great for me. That's why I can only give it a 3 star review. I enjoyed it 85% of the time, it kept me interested, and I finished. I might even recommend it to someone looking for a great vampire or horror story. The other drawbacks keep me from wanting to own it and they are significant enough for it to drop down a star. ( )

A unique take on the vampire mythos. Fast-paced and exciting, keeps you on the edge of your seat. Also, keeps you guessing until the end. I look forward to the other books in the series. ( )

Una escalofriante revisión de las leyendas de vampiros. Sólo 13 balas separan a Caxton de Arkeley y los vampiros. Sólo 13 balas entre los vivos y los malditos. Según la versión oficial, los vampiros se extinguieron en los años '80, cuando el agente del FBI Arkeley se enfrentó al último de ellos en un combate que a punto estuvo de acabar también con su vida. Pero, cuando la agente federal Caxton llama en mitad de la noche al FBI pidiendo ayuda, sólo el agente Arkeley sabe que está pasando: queda un vampiro. Escondido en un asilo abandonado, esperando el momento oportuno con la paciencia de la que solo un no muerto es capaz. Sólo hay un modo de resolver éste caso.

Awesome action packed vampire thriller!

Backstory:

FBI Special Agent Jameson Arkeley a/k/a vampire hunter teams up with a state trooper Laura Caxton to take on a vampire. Laura Caxton doesn't believe in vampires at first until they come up against one in action then her mind does a 360 degree turn when she realizes that vampires do exist. As they both soon find out, there is more than just the one vampire flitting around the city of Pennsylvania and they have to learn to work together if they want to elminate the threat of the vampires that have taken over the city.

The vampires are out for blood and they will do whatever it takes to feed their thirst along with trying to stay one step ahead of Arkeley and Caxton. Arkeley takes Caxton under his wing so to speak to teach her the fundamentals of how to kill vampires.

Thoughts:

This was my second reread of the book as I am wanting to step into the rest of the series. The character, Laura is in denial about vampires in the beginning of the book but changes her tune quickly when she finds out they do exist. The character, Arkeley reminded me of Van Helsing as he is a hardened vampire hunter which knows the ins and outs of how to deal with the vampires. Both characters mesh really well through the book and the story moves along at a fast paced clip.

The book has action galore with guns blazing, edge of your seat suspense, thrilling action scenes, gore flying, and bloody corpses!

The first part of the book takes off with a bang and the action doesn't let up as it moves along at a fast pace! Giving this book five "Fangtastic Vampire stars! ( )

This was an interesting vampire story. The vampires in this book were not handsome or sexy. They were gritty killing machines. If you like horror stories and vampires, this book is a decent read. ( )