The Vampire's Heart :

Rating:
Summary: A romantic coming of age story, with a vampiric twist.
Review: Although the book does have it's grammatical errors (associated with Roeder), it is the plot that counts - and this story has a wonderful one. Graham is a fragile teen coming to grips with his homosexuality, throw into that the School Stud taking a liking to him, with a mysterious European kid named Josiah. And you get a formula for a great piece of literature.

Rating:
Summary: It may bite at your heart, but will it tug at your soul
Review: I read this over a week's time...and though it held my interest...i wondered about a few things. 1. Why was it necessary to constantly remind the reader that the main character was puny? We figured it out the first few times. 2. Where did the author locate his information on vampire's? 3. Why did the rules change so much regarding how many times it took one to be bitten before turning into a vampire? 4. If Kelly is the main character's best friend, where was she in the entire novel? I understand the author wanted to lead the reader into the heartache of vampire and desired to compare the life of a vampire and a gay boy...all in which I believe was done well, but I hoped to learn more about Josiah...and not just how he became a vampire (which was clumped together all too quickly and finally lost me at the end) but the other part of Josiah..the boy trapped inside. And what were this boy's interests? And why was the main character's gay uncle only assessed at one point in the script...I was hoping to see their bond grow. The ending seemed a bit contrived and wasn't explained in depth. I won't ruin in for other readers, but I'm sure other's could see it. I commend Mark for a smooth read that was delightful at moments. It's nice to see a gay book on the market that isn't all about sex and I loved the innocence surrounding the main character. Mark is definately on his way as a great gay writer...just keep them coming...

Rating:
Summary: Make That Four-and-a-Half Stars...
Review: If you're looking for an Anne Rice clone or have a hankering for blood, cruelty and horror, I don't think "The Vampire's Heart" is for you. However, if you have a taste for "gay teen romance" with a uniquely supernatural flavour, VH is definitely a darned good read.

I have read all of Mark's books, finishing VH last night. In all honesty, I can say that it is not his absolute best. But I include it with "A Better Place" and "Someone Is Watching" as among my top three favourites. Its "defects" (if one can use that misleading term) lie not in any failure in the writing or plot or handling of the theme. Rather, VH's sole shortcoming is that it is ... well ... too *short*. VH seems to be a case where the storyteller does not take quite as long to go into the depth of his tale and its characters as he (and his readers) might have actually wished. To my mind, it is an "abridged" version of a longer story which cries out to be told in full. Perhaps Mark will do us that favour one of these days.

I highly recommend "The Vampire's Heart" to all readers who enjoy positive and ultimately heart-warming stories about gay teens. It is fun; it is suspenseful; it is a thoroughly enjoyable (albeit all too short) adventure.

That said, I must however disagree with Mark on one point. The author states in the book's Introduction that VH is *not* a part of the Gay Youth Chronicles set in and around Verona, Indiana. I believe that other fans of GYC who read "The Vampire's Heart" will understand my rather bold and presumptuous disagreement with the author's disavowal. Based on many "coincidences" in VH and on a plethora of speculations that arise about "what if...", this story definitely *could* be a part of GYC. In my opinion, it *should* be a part of them. In my heart and mind, it *is* a part of them. In other words, if you are a fan of the Gay Youth Chronicles, you will not need to fear that VH is entirely divorced from them. Indeed, if your imagination and love for Mark's other characters and creations matches my own, you will find subtle and perhaps even ethereal links to GYC. And as was the case for me, perhaps these links will make "The Vampire's Heart" an even more enjoyable reading adventure than it already is.

Rating:
Summary: Make That Four-and-a-Half Stars...
Review: If you're looking for an Anne Rice clone or have a hankering for blood, cruelty and horror, I don't think "The Vampire's Heart" is for you. However, if you have a taste for "gay teen romance" with a uniquely supernatural flavour, VH is definitely a darned good read.

I have read all of Mark's books, finishing VH last night. In all honesty, I can say that it is not his absolute best. But I include it with "A Better Place" and "Someone Is Watching" as among my top three favourites. Its "defects" (if one can use that misleading term) lie not in any failure in the writing or plot or handling of the theme. Rather, VH's sole shortcoming is that it is ... well ... too *short*. VH seems to be a case where the storyteller does not take quite as long to go into the depth of his tale and its characters as he (and his readers) might have actually wished. To my mind, it is an "abridged" version of a longer story which cries out to be told in full. Perhaps Mark will do us that favour one of these days.

I highly recommend "The Vampire's Heart" to all readers who enjoy positive and ultimately heart-warming stories about gay teens. It is fun; it is suspenseful; it is a thoroughly enjoyable (albeit all too short) adventure.

That said, I must however disagree with Mark on one point. The author states in the book's Introduction that VH is *not* a part of the Gay Youth Chronicles set in and around Verona, Indiana. I believe that other fans of GYC who read "The Vampire's Heart" will understand my rather bold and presumptuous disagreement with the author's disavowal. Based on many "coincidences" in VH and on a plethora of speculations that arise about "what if...", this story definitely *could* be a part of GYC. In my opinion, it *should* be a part of them. In my heart and mind, it *is* a part of them. In other words, if you are a fan of the Gay Youth Chronicles, you will not need to fear that VH is entirely divorced from them. Indeed, if your imagination and love for Mark's other characters and creations matches my own, you will find subtle and perhaps even ethereal links to GYC. And as was the case for me, perhaps these links will make "The Vampire's Heart" an even more enjoyable reading adventure than it already is.

Rating:
Summary: A vampire with no bite
Review: This was a HUGE disappointment. I do not understand why readers love this guy. It cant be his writing. It just cant! The characters were so cliche here. Like they were pulled from another book of his, given a different name and hair color and yet they're the same. The exact same. Check out Brothers of Blood or Desmond for a good gay vampire story.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Gay-Themed Suspense Novel!!!
Review: This was my first 'gay' vampire novel I have read. I first picked up this book as a result of the author's reputation. I am a HUGE fan of Mark Roeder's past work, and now continue to be with his vampire novels.

This book is about 15 year old Graham. He is a typical gay teen that is learning to come to grips with his sexuality, as well as attempting to find other boy's that are like him, and also that have the looks that catch his eye. Enter the new boy, Josiah. He is, what appears to be, a loner. He does not communicate with anyone. Graham works to become Josiah's friend. At the same time, the school 'stud' Bry, who has never hardly given Graham the time of day, all of a sudden is talking to Graham and trying to 'be his friend'. Graham soon learns that Josiah is hiding a secret, as well as others in his town.

This is a great 'gay' novel, as well as an even better suspense/mystery/supernatural novel. Once you start reading it, you will NOT be able to put it down until the last page.

I hope this turns into a series of Vampire novels by this awesome writer. He has a gift that we all, both gay and straight, can fully enjoy.

Read this book' you will be totally glad you did!!

WAY TO GO MARK!!!! Keep up the Great work!!!!

...

Rating:
Summary: It may bite at your heart, but will it tug at your soul
Review: This was my first �gay� vampire novel I have read. I first picked up this book as a result of the author�s reputation. I am a HUGE fan of Mark Roeder�s past work, and now continue to be with his vampire novels.

This book is about 15 year old Graham. He is a typical gay teen that is learning to come to grips with his sexuality, as well as attempting to find other boy�s that are like him, and also that have the looks that catch his eye. Enter the new boy, Josiah. He is, what appears to be, a loner. He does not communicate with anyone. Graham works to become Josiah�s friend. At the same time, the school �stud� Bry, who has never hardly given Graham the time of day, all of a sudden is talking to Graham and trying to �be his friend�. Graham soon learns that Josiah is hiding a secret, as well as others in his town.

This is a great �gay� novel, as well as an even better suspense/mystery/supernatural novel. Once you start reading it, you will NOT be able to put it down until the last page.

I hope this turns into a series of Vampire novels by this awesome writer. He has a gift that we all, both gay and straight, can fully enjoy.

Read this book� you will be totally glad you did!!

WAY TO GO MARK!!!! Keep up the Great work!!!!

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