A review by elste
Eternal Hunger by Laura Wright

2.0

New author, first time out. Okay, I am going to try my darnedest here and practice good manners. I do not wish to be harsh, nevertheless the truth of it is ... Eternal Hunger reads as a “good” proposal to a potential story-line that needs to be fleshed out into three dimensions.

Granted, the Roman Brothers are, at first glance, full of dark, brooding, sexy angst (yes, this sounds like a recipe for success), but with deeper inspection they present as flat two dimensional characters with very little anima, or depth. In short, I could not tap into their emotional plight. The book opens with titillating anticipation as two concerning brothers, boots echoing through a cold desolate underground tunnel, argue the mental stability of their eldest; who practices a ritual of self deprecating torture. Yep, you have my attention, but sadly, Ms Wright was not able to capture and mesmerize me with continued skill. The rest of the book was fairly lacking in originality, and scope.

Make no mistake ... I love authors. What they give “us” (the unwashed, lowly masses) is omnipotent. The written word holds a powerful kind of magic that can not be wielded rashly, but must be carefully honed and practiced. Gently coaxed into it’s full strength with profound reverence. For each ingredient: inspiration, tears, laughter, survival, immortality, affirmation, or repudiation -- adds up to an intoxicating drug. To be used recreationally, but not irresponsibly! So ... I do humbly conclude that the “Mark of the Vampire” series would benefit if the author and editor took a second trip with the plot-line and instead of offering the “lean and mean”, go with high caloric, sinfully rich, eight course meal -- starting with dessert.