Dhampir

Rating:
Summary: A good breakfast...
Review: Unable to resist a new tale about vampires, I took a chance on Dhampire, even though I had not heard of the authors. It's a bit different, with the protagonists a pair of con artists traveling the countryside, defeating the undead for a price. Of course, the "undead" is Leesil, one of the pair, whom Magiere "defeats" in the dead of night, away from the eyes of terrified villagers. They then take off for the next village. They're a lone pair, whose only friend is a dog named Chap.

But one hunt turns different, and after they settle into their camp away from the village, they are attacked by a true vampire, and their lives change. Chap exhibits abilities to see and attack the vampire never seen before. And Magiere, truly in a fight for her life, becomes something more than she was before. It scares them, and Magiere decides its time to retire, take their savings, and settle down in a peaceful shoreline town and run a local bar.

And all goes well until they discover there are vampires there too. And the vampires find out she's a true vampire hunter, a dhampire, whose genetics include a vampire parent. As hard as Magiere tries to ignore the town's troubles, it's a foregone conclusion she, Leesil and Chap will become the point people in the battle against the undead.

We see the history of the vampires also, and an associated ghost. So these are not just ravening monsters (well, some are): they too just wanted a quiet place to settle down and feed judiciously just enough to live. Throughout the book the characters are fleshed out, having motivations, dreams and desires.

Although a complete story unto itself, it's obviously the introduction of characters at the beginning of a series. There's a mysterious figure maneuvering Magiere to discover her true nature. Chap, given as a pup to Leesil by his mother, has "guardian" qualities that make him more than he seems. Half-elf Leesil has a past he keeps hidden. And Magiere has a heritage, and perhaps a parent, to discover. There is a sense of destiny in the future for them.

And, as a longtime gamer myself, the story and characters feel like they might have started out as some gaming campaign. If so, the storytelling transcends its genesis inspiration. A good beginning. I'll look forward to lunch and dinner with these characters.

Rating:
Summary: I liked it...
Review: While the review on the cover states its like Buffy meets LotR, its not lol. That is a poor way to describe this book. I loved the characters, they had great depth and feeling! The action was well described and thought out, and the vampires themselves are really cool. I like the lore they choose to use, and then discredit :D I recommend it highly!

Rating:
Summary: Sharp-Toothed Wit
Review: Wonderful read. The characters Magiere and Leesil play off each other well. The fight scenes are amazing and the story flows leaving room open for a possible sequel. I can't wait.