K R Griffiths

A gory vampire horror tale set on a cruise ship. I like clever horror but not just out and out gorefests, I find descriptions of that just kind of drag. I think it's not really my cup of tea. There were two female characters of note, and they weren't very well fleshed out. It felt like the equivalent of a summer action blockbuster - enjoyable enough at the time but mostly forgettable. I do usually love all things vampire, and enjoy plenty of horror books, AND I'm agoraphobic like the main show more character was supposed to be, and a photographer so in a related field (he's an artist) so thought it would be right up my alley, however the main character didn't feel real to me and I never really got to like him before he turned all action hero. It was a quick read and I enjoyed it enough, but I don't think I'm interested enough to read a sequel. show less

I tried getting into this book, I really did. It sounded interesting and I REALLY wanted to like it. There was just too much wrong with the characterizations that I just couldn't identify with it, thus the enjoyment was sucked right out of it (for me).

The story premise was good. However, all the issues I have with the book wrap around to the adage, "Write what you know." The author's characterization of the female characters was not good (it was off-base and undeveloped), as was the show more characterization of the protagonist. When the book's POV was in that of the female characters, I seriously wanted to shake the author, asking if he'd ever met a woman before. It was weird: I didn't get a hint of misogyny, just the overall feeling that the author couldn't identify, not even one iota, with a woman. I almost gave him a pass for the protagonist, but as I got deeper into the story and was thinking about it, I just couldn't. How many authors have done volumes of research to add to their storyline, settings, characters, etc.? Yes, yes - it's fiction, but there needs to be some plausibility in order for the reader to identify with the book (and there is SO MUCH research, so many books, about serial killers that helpful facts and guidelines would have been relatively easy to compile).

Now, the rating... 2 vs. 1 star. Because the author used correct connotation and grammar and did have a good story concept, I rated it 2 as opposed to 1 star. show less

As a Welsh woman, I enjoyed the fact that there was finally a book set here in rural Wales, St David's to be precise. I was able to instantly picture everything which I find important when I'm reading as I like to have a little 'film' running in my head as I read, picturing the characters in their settings. I instantly liked Michael and was rooting for him as the chaos started. I'm not particularly into zombie type books as I'm not a fan of gore but I will read most things at least once. I show more personally did find the 'gore factor' a little high but at the same time I did expect it so it wasn't a complete surprise.

I think K R Griffiths was very adept at scene setting, I found it a very very accurate depiction of South Wales. I also read some of the other reviews and one lady said she found the character development was a bit too in depth but I personally liked that, I wanted to know more about Michael, I didn't mind the slight breaks in the action to explain more and was waiting to discover what 'The Cardiff Incident' was as we came close to finding out in this book 1 of the series, but we still don't know as yet what haunts him to this day. I liked Jason and Rachel too and was pleased when they all banded together.

I also think the author did a good job of creating a truly evil character in Victor. I thought at first he was just odd but as we got to the final third we found out just how evil and depraved he was.

One criticism for me was the 'breaking down' of a strong character with sexual torture near the end. It seemed out of place somehow, like it was added on as a bit of an afterthought. I didn't think it was necessary for this book as things had already been bad enough for this character already but I'm not the author so its just a personal thing. Overall, I liked the book and would really like to know what happens in the rest of the series. show less

This was fun, but ultimately a little disappointing. The opening is intensely creepy and the first half then works as an engaging and exciting build up to the horror reveal that happens about half way through. After that the book goes downhill a little, not massively, but it didn't live up to the expectations that the first half had built. The climax is a little weak too, although the final page is great. The action is pretty solid throughout, the lead character is engaging and there are show more some funny lines. Overall then, it's an entertaining read and I'm pretty sure I'll pick up the sequel at some point. show less