Rating: 
Summary: Fascinating
Review: I was first introduced to VAMPIRE VOW while searching on the web for a good gay fiction book. Besides the astonishingly beautiful cover page designed by Matt Sams, the description of the story behind this sensual picture immediately captivated me. So many interesting and antagonistic ingredients, I thought - Jesus Christ, homosexuality, the Catholic church, immortality, vampires. The concept of the book is simply superb and for that Mr. Schiefelbein deserves all praises.It will take you no more than a short weekend or a couple of subway rides to go through the book. It only has 200 pages with an easy flowing discourse. However, this book is not for the easily aghast. Mr. Schiefelbein does not protect us from his graphically sexual and sadistic imagination. Although he sometimes throws a couple of "dirty" words with the clear and perhaps even naïve intent to shock the reader, as the story develops he becomes very successful with his descriptions (chapters 31 and 32 are written with the hand of a master). The book doesn't get the highest rate though, because the author does shy away from indulging himself on such exotic theme. He tries to stun the reader with his words and situations but fails in his own questioning of the Catholic tradition. He tackles apostate topics but holds firm to simplistic symbols keeping himself attached to the surface. Homosexuality is just one of the elements of the story - not the main focus. The anger, the isolation and the heretic ideas of the main character is what makes the narrative enthralling. You will need an open mind, a sense of humor and sometimes even an empty stomach, but at the end you will be pleased with this very exciting addition to the collection of modern gay literature.
Rating:
Summary: A Book That'll Make You Go Hmmm.....
Review: I've read just about every vampire novel that's out there, but I've never come across one that is centered around a gay vampire monk in love with Jesus. Some may find this very hard to swallow, others may find it disgraceful, some, like myself, may find it hard to put down. Now, I'm a heterosexual female and I must say that some scenes didn't agree with me. They weren't the scenes that included guy on guy action, but actually, the more gory ones bothered me the most. Michael Schiefelbein's vampire is more animal than man. The way he discards his victims like yesterday's garbage is almost apalling. But one of Schiefelbein's characters explains the vampire's actions justly; "nature is nature." But I just wasn't used to this because so many authors nowadays write about the romantic vampire. This take on the vampire was very refreshing. I also thoroughly enjoyed Schiefelbein's writing style. I found that the book was so easy to read, that it was done and I was reading the sequel (Vampire Thrall) before I knew it. Don't discount this title because of its homosexual content. It truly is something different and enjoyable if you just let yourself be taken away by the story. It's really hard to explain unless you actually sit down and read it. If you are offended by gore, violence, and homosexual sex (and rape), I suggest you look elsewhere.
Rating: 
Summary: Not worth it
Review: I've read quite a few vampire novels and this has to be the absolute worst. Not only was the main character unlikeable (rather an oxymoron for a vampire, but some authors give them redeeming characteristics), there was so much sociopathic violence it was offensive. I don't doubt that vampires are meant to be without conscience, but for me to enjoy a book, I have to be able to relate to someone in the book, and this one just didn't work.
Rating: 
Summary: Lust, Valour, Passion Make a Crossover Vampire Hit
Review: In his premier novel, Vampire Vow, Michael Schiefelbein has employed the conventions of gothic fiction with wit, passion, and intelligence, a combination that will render his book a crossover success because these qualities will appeal to a wide range of readers, including those (like me) who would not normally read vampire novels. Vampire fans will relish the renate lore; gay readers, the homoeroticism; scholars, the clever exploration of philosophical and theological themes. The sly Dr. Schiefelbein has produced (without being explicit about it) a debate between Christ and Nietzche's Anti-Christ, in the role of the novel's protagonist and uebermensch, Victor Decimus. Leaving the crypt door open for a sequel, the novel delivers tight plotting, vivid characterization, and demonic romanticism. --Thomas L. Long, Editor, Harrington Gay Men's Fiction Quarterly
Rating:
Summary: Thought provoking!
Review: It grabed my attention. For vampire fans this is an excellent book. It is sexual, sensual, lustful, enticing, beautiful. I found this book interesting because it gave me a new way of viewing Christianity. This book is many things and it is definitely worth the few hours it takes to get through it. Give it a try! You won't be sorry.
Rating: 
Summary: Intriguing but Pointless
Review: Reading this book was like having to choose between toe nail clippings and a slug for dinner. Very Dry and extremely boring. Unfortunatly I read this book till the end hopeing it would get better. It DID'NT.
Rating:
Summary: Uhhhhhgggggg.....
Review: Reading this book was like having to choose between toe nail clippings and a slug for dinner. Very Dry and extremely boring. Unfortunatly I read this book till the end hopeing it would get better. It DID'NT.
Rating:
Summary: Ridiculously amusing
Review: The complete lack of reality and character developement left this book at a level which I have seen condemned in fanfiction pieces.
Victor was a one sided character. He displayed rage and lust, usually one along with the other. I found his character and the plot so amusing that I admit to reading both this and the sequel. Jesus is tempted by this raging Roman soldier who stalks him? And this Jesus likes to shed his clothing and dance about the hills? Being a Catholic and having gone to a Catholic school I've heard most of the Jesus jokes out there.
This book was the longest and most prolonged joke I've ever read.
Rating:
Summary: Intriguing but Pointless
Review: The protagonist of this novel is a Roman officer who, when his carnal desire for a young Jesus Christ is unrequited, turns to the dark side, and becomes a vampire at the behest of an ancient Ethiopian priestess. HUH?!? I suppose the premise is interesting enough, even though it's mildly offensive. Homosexual yearnings from and toward Jesus are nothing new, but in this novel, is presented at its most base and deplorable. Frustrated that he can't "get inside" Jesus, the protagonist, Victor, sets off on a string of rapes and murders that eventually causes him to flee for his life. At this point, he is turned into a vampire. If you're looking for the sensuous and romantic vampires of Anne Rice lore, you're not going to find them here. Victor is nothing but a two thousand year old carcass looking to punish Christians because he was forsaken by his beloved, Jesus. There's no emotional investment with this character. He is presented as one-dimensional; a rogue demon filled with anger and a sexual thirst equaled only by a penchant for violence. While some of the scenes are erotic, there's no real passion or longing, so they just ring hollow. While reading page after page of how Victor longs to find a lover that will satisfy and challenge him as Jesus did, one becomes more and more disillusioned that for all of his living, Victor hasn't learned much. At the end, his situation hasn't changed, except he's left a larger pile of bodies behind.
Rating:
Summary: Nice read
Review: Try not to read it as a Christian, you will find it a nice innovative read.
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