cnorbury's review
3.0
I would never have purchased this book on my own, but I won it in a contest so decided to read it anyway. Didn't agree to review it but feel compelled to comment.
Mr. Rhamey is an experienced writer and editor, and it shows in his fiction. He walks the walk as far as what he advises his clients and readers of his Flogging the Quill blog.
The concept is intriguing--a vampire story told from the perspective of a vampire cat. Rhamey's style is light, breezy, witty, and humorous, so it's an easy read. He nails the cat's behavior and reactions very well (or at least what I, a long-time cat owner and lover, perceive those reactions to be).
The premise is that this group of vampires only wishes to be fairly treated since they mean no harm to other humans. (They harvest and drink animal blood--"V1 juice.") So the story becomes a sly commentary on modern society and how we deal with minorities. Because vampires are "allergic" to sunlight, they only want a fair chance at decent jobs (since most night jobs are menial paying), the same access to public services as everyone else (since office hours are always during the day), and other basic rights afforded to every other citizen.
Throw in an opportunistic, bible-thumping televangelist who first sees vampires as tools of Satan, but when he becomes a vampire, sees it as the gateway to eternal salvation, and the plot intensifies with the religious undertones of the perceived hypocrisy of religion and creative interpretation of the Bible.
The characters tend toward stereotype and aren't fleshed out very much (pardon the pun), which is okay in a story like this. Other than a handful of curse words and a few references to feline sexual activity, this could be an entertaining middle-grade book.
Had I been a vampire genre fan, I would have given this four stars. If you like light humor combined with vampire stories, then I recommend this book.
Mr. Rhamey is an experienced writer and editor, and it shows in his fiction. He walks the walk as far as what he advises his clients and readers of his Flogging the Quill blog.
The concept is intriguing--a vampire story told from the perspective of a vampire cat. Rhamey's style is light, breezy, witty, and humorous, so it's an easy read. He nails the cat's behavior and reactions very well (or at least what I, a long-time cat owner and lover, perceive those reactions to be).
The premise is that this group of vampires only wishes to be fairly treated since they mean no harm to other humans. (They harvest and drink animal blood--"V1 juice.") So the story becomes a sly commentary on modern society and how we deal with minorities. Because vampires are "allergic" to sunlight, they only want a fair chance at decent jobs (since most night jobs are menial paying), the same access to public services as everyone else (since office hours are always during the day), and other basic rights afforded to every other citizen.
Throw in an opportunistic, bible-thumping televangelist who first sees vampires as tools of Satan, but when he becomes a vampire, sees it as the gateway to eternal salvation, and the plot intensifies with the religious undertones of the perceived hypocrisy of religion and creative interpretation of the Bible.
The characters tend toward stereotype and aren't fleshed out very much (pardon the pun), which is okay in a story like this. Other than a handful of curse words and a few references to feline sexual activity, this could be an entertaining middle-grade book.
Had I been a vampire genre fan, I would have given this four stars. If you like light humor combined with vampire stories, then I recommend this book.
kikiandarrowsfishshelf's review
1.0
Yeah, I know, but sometimes you just have to try.
Actually the beginning of this book is pretty good. Rhamey does an excellent job of cat voice. In fact if it had ended by chapter 3, 4, or 5, I would be giving this four stars.
But then it gets all, well, tedious and doesn't make sense.
It is also strange how this book can be annoying to people who are either Christian or Gay. (A gay character is so very sterotypical it isn't even funny).
It's one of those books that would've been better as a short story.
Actually the beginning of this book is pretty good. Rhamey does an excellent job of cat voice. In fact if it had ended by chapter 3, 4, or 5, I would be giving this four stars.
But then it gets all, well, tedious and doesn't make sense.
It is also strange how this book can be annoying to people who are either Christian or Gay. (A gay character is so very sterotypical it isn't even funny).
It's one of those books that would've been better as a short story.
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