Vampire$

The characters are portrayed so narrowly that they don't seem human. Too bad that wasn't the point of the book. The female characters are by far the most embarrassing. Just call the love interest "Madonna" if you're going to write a cut-out like that.

I enjoyed this book a lot - Steakley's writing style was witty and unique. And the subject matter is probably something any lover of vamp stories will enjoy. The only thing I had an issue with was the way everything concluded.SPOILER(S):The 'final showdown' was anti-climactic, not nearly as intense as many of the other battles which had been depicted throughout the book. This was especially disappointing, because the dude they took down was THE Master Vamp; how could he have been eliminated so easily? I'm still scratching my head over that part ... maybe I missed something.I also felt that the last scene(s) was/were drawn together a bit sloppily - perhaps hastily is a better word. I think it could have been expounded on a bit more so show more the reader had a clearer understanding of just what had happened. However, this may have been simply part of the author's style. As I said his writing was unique - which included the fact that not everything was spelled out word for word ... sometimes just a quick blurb here or there, and you were left to fully piece together the final picture. Not sure if that makes any sense, but if you've read the book perhaps you know what I'm talking about.One thing that really disappoints me is that the author hasn't written a sequel. I think this story is deserving of one - however, even without a sequel the book is solid enough. show less

Surprisingly good, a sure standout in horror fiction; a field in which the bar has dropped fairly low. After the opening scene, it’s completely different from the movie starring James Wood. Interesting characters, lots of action, and you don’t have to be angry at the world to relate to it. It's also unashamedly anti-PC and will aggrieve of a lot of people, so double plus good. I wish Steakley had written more. I’ve heard his book Armor is even better, so I’m looking forward to reading that.

I read this after watching Carpenter's somewhat enjoyable film version, and I have to say that this is one of the better modern vampire novels I have ever read! Funny and Thrilling as well as original and innovative, definitely worth a look.

This is a great concept that falters. The book starts wonderfully and the idea of a Vampire Hunter group that is sanctioned by the church is great fun, but it seems to run out of steam midway through. After reading Armor and having seen the movie that is based on this book, I had great hopes, and the book is good, just not as great as it should be. It also appears to me that John Steakley really only has 2 characters, (that's why he hasn't written anything else). This book is about a group of Vampire hunters that are sanctioned and paid by the Catholic church. The action is tight and exiting. They travel the south fighting vampires and drinking constantly. They run into trouble when they combat a master vampire and discover a sect of show more masters that want them dead. Many are killed, and it is only through temerity that they are able to win out in the end. But the battle never truly ends... show less

Oh, wow. Why do I like this book? I'm seriously asking. I cannot fathom why I must read this book again and again. It's terrible, but I can't help myself. If you need a guilty pleasure in the form of a book, perhaps you should give this one a gander.

I read this one after I read Armor by the same author. I loved that book. This one was well written and flowed, but the story just wasn't that great. I felt something was missing. It was a very big step in a different direction from the Sci Fi book Armor.