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Summary: This was...
Review: a really really excellent book. it really helped me with my "problem" :)
Rating: 
Summary: Good Info, not the best writing
Review: As a rule, I do not buy books from llewellyn, they tend to be fluffy, writen for idiots, and at the end of the day, useless. Konstantinos seams to be the exception. While the writing in this book does seam to be aimed at a slightly less intellagant reader (this seams to have improved in the book 'Contact the other side'), the information is good. The section on the metaphysical process of death perticularly so. The author also includes something that is soarly needed in the occult world, personal experances. On a final note, while the protection rituals at the end of the book will undoubtedly help some, I personally will not use them. While I was subject to what could be seen as a 'attack' last fall, the entity involved (non-vampiric in nature)ultimatly turned out to be more helpful than hurtfull. And if I was subject to something that was more hurtful then helpfull, I would not simply erect a passive defence, but eliminate the threat.
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Summary: Sensational - unfortunately
Review: As people grow more accustomed to the presence of vampires, the last thing we need is alarmism. Yes, there are vampires - but those who don't have willing donors seldom take more from any individual than they can afford (or even notice). There are also passive-aggressive individuals; and while the monicker doesn't sell books half as well as does the trendy "vampire," those who wish not to be preyed upon might do well to learn the difference. There are plenty of people and things out there that should be considered dangerous, but vampires aren't one of them. This book encourages irrational fear and a divisive attitude, which only makes it a pity that it's so well and convincingly written.
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Summary: Excellent book! (for Occultists)
Review: As you can tell from the five-star-ranking I gave to this book, I think it's really a remarkably good book. Divided into four parts (Immortal blood-drinkers, mortal blood-drinkers, unconscious psychic vampires and conscious psychic vampires), it shows a rationality and believability you wouldn't normally expect from a "vampire book". However a *little* esoteric and/or occult knowledge is helpful understanding especially the part about defense against attacks from psychic vampires, i. e. you shouldn't be utterly allergic to the concept of aurae, astral travel and such. Therefore, this book is perfect for occultists, people interested in esoterics and goths of the a-little-more-serious kind - of these, everyone should have it! - , though simply "somewhat weird" to the rest. By the way, the style of writing is quite understandable to people not speaking english as a native tongue, too.
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Summary: Demystifiying the vampire
Review: I am a devout follower of the occult in truth not fantasy.
This book was a great read! It is very to the point without the usual formal style of conventional book writing. It is as if Konstantinos was with me discussing the topic at hand on a one on one basis. (Most books on the occult go on overload with description, a personal view point and a high conventional reading level that inadvertently discourages the reader---not K) This book is researched thoroughly, sticks to the topic chapter by chapter and demystifies the folklore, legend and truth on the subject. There is something in the pages for everyone such as myself the advanced occultist, or those of the mundane.
Rating: 
Summary: Good vampire history book, but...
Review: I enjoyed the history of mortal and immortal vampires and also liked that Konstantinos included letters from vampire people. But the biggest problem I had with the book was when he wrote about psychic vampires. Reading the chapters about how a psychic vampire attacks at night or earily morning hours the symptoms seem to match almost perfectly the same symptoms of the beginning or ending of an out-of-body experience. I've read several books and other accounts about OBE's and found it strange that Konstantinos never talks about the possibility that a psychic vampire attack could be mistaken for a person having the symptoms of an OBE. From what I've learned sometimes people will have an OBE by accident during sleep and if they have not completely made it back into their body, they would awake still in the astral body and not be able to move physically but still see around the room and also have pressure on their chest. Also the rushing sounds or other sounds that he says are present in a psychic vampire attack are the same symptoms of someone beginning an OBE. Sound symptoms linked with an OBE are rushing sounds, or a very loud bang(shotgun) sound right next to the head. But Konstantinos never presents the possibility that a psychic vampire attack could be nothing more than someone having an OBE, which would explain the attacks happening at night, while asleep, and how some attacks happen during the day while taking a nap. Also people having OBE's have reported seeing people or beings watching them also. I believe he should have at least talked about the possibility that it might be an OBE happening with the same symptoms and possibily not a psychic vampire. Also he only includes one real-life psychic vampire case about someone he meet at a psychic fair but even this case could not even be really investigated as he explained in the chapter. Overall, it was a good history lesson on vampires. I just had a problem on the psychic vampire chapters based on what I've learned about OBE's.
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Summary: by fate
Review: i got ahold of this book by luck when i was traveling into a novelty shop. i saw "vampires" and grabbed it because i am a vampire/gothic nut. the book is amazing, it is very entertaining and educational. this book can read either as for research or for leisure. i respect the author for never trying to shove his beliefs down your throat like most authors do; he educates you and allows you to lead your own conclusion. he breaks down vampirism in it's many fashions. for the slim book that it is, it has enough information to whet your appetite and get you salivating to find more reads on the occult of vampyres.
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Summary: Intriguing
Review: I have been reading about vampires for about 5 years now, on and off. I, myself am a strong believer in vampires living among us. I did find a few things that I was unfamiliar with inside this book. Whether you do believe or just read for the thrill, I reccommend this Konstantinos. Well Done, Kon.
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Summary: Occult Lover's Delight
Review: I have read many non-fiction books about vampires, and this is by far the best. Konstantinos gives you a look back at the history of vampires and gives you an idea of what to believe. The greatest part of this book is in the chapter where the author reveals letters he has received from alleged vampires. According to one anonymous vampire, "We are real, we are many, we are forever....". That is my favorite quote from the book. He also informs you on how to ward off vampire attacks. I have never seen so much thorough and informative information before in a book based on the occult. This book slightly describes, but also eliminates, myth from the vampire legend. This book destroys the typical "Hollywood" vampire. From the moment I received this book, on Christmas, I couldn't put it down, not for a second. He also interviews vampire encounters, and he brings up the important point that since the first city was built, vampire legends have existed. This book was obviously, heavily researched. I have no bad points to emphasize about this book. It is perfectly detailed, discriptive, and informative from start to finish. In conclusion, I doubt you will find a more complete book on the possibility of vampires existing than this. It has already become a favorite book of mine.
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Summary: I am at a loss..
Review: I know not what I could possibly say that hasn't already been said by another about this book. Some say that this book is nothing but 194 pages of complete and total waste of trees and that it is a laughable idea for true vampires to roam the earth. I'm a skeptic on many a subject, occult and otherwise, yet I cannot for any reason doubt or attempt to disprove the existance (or non-existance, I suppose) of vampires, or vampiric beings. It's nice to see someone with such a clear and vision about vampires and their actual origins, untainted by the glitz and glamour of the 'Hollywood creations'.
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