Rating: 
Summary: Better then I thought.
Review: I first thought that this books would be a big ole ball of cheese. But i was totally and completely wrong. It was pretty good. The humor is funny and I found myself *LOL* when I was reading it, which is rare for me. I **loved** the end. It was so unique and interesting. A new way to kill something that's dead. I highly suggest you read this book. There are some slow parts (not many) but it's worth a read. Now go get it. *S*
Rating: 
Summary: Bought it on a whim
Review: I like the cover art on this paperback as well as the description of it as "Dracula meets the Godfather". I figured it would be good for some cheesy vampire action; you know, one of those books you have to read because it's so laughingly bad. I'm pleased to say I was completely wrong!
The novel begins with Chris Csejthe trying to find a cure for the mysterious disease that started to plague him shortly after the deaths of his wife and daughter. Chris, who narrates the story, then finds himself in the middle of a bizarre life-or-death situation while two powerful vampire "families" (in the mob sense) fight over him. Turns out Chris is in the middle of vampire transformation; neither human nor vampire, Chris begins an adventure of discovering who he is, testing his new powers, and solving the mystery of the tragedy that took the people he loved. Along the way he meets Dr. Mooncloud, Bassarab, Lupe, Suki, Elizabeth, and a whole slew of other-worldly creatures such as elves, goblins, dryads, nagas, knockers, sprites, and many others. All the while, he narrates the events around him with sarcastic humor, literary references and some healthy wariness. Any vampire novel that can weave an enchanting tale of an alternate history such as this while quoting Sappho, Yeats, Victor Hugo, Donne, Wordsworth, Oscar Wilde etc. deserves more recognition! Simmons has created a fascinating world filled with funny, intelligent characters. The dialogue is snappy, the plot is filled with twists and turns, the story is suspenseful, and the book itself is impossible to put down. I am so pleasantly surprised by this novel, and I sincerely hope that Simmons will revisit these characters and give us a sequel! I found this book in the fantasy/sci-fi section, but it easily crosses into horror, humor, drama as well. It has something for everyone: humor, action (you'll find lots of weapons and methods of killing without intense graphic gore), suspense, mystery, fantasy. Buy it, you won't be disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: Bought it on a whim
Review: I like the cover art on this paperback as well as the description of it as "Dracula meets the Godfather". I figured it would be good for some cheesy vampire action; you know, one of those books you have to read because it's so laughingly bad. I'm pleased to say I was completely wrong!
The novel begins with Chris Csejthe trying to find a cure for the mysterious disease that started to plague him shortly after the deaths of his wife and daughter. Chris, who narrates the story, then finds himself in the middle of a bizarre life-or-death situation while two powerful vampire "families" (in the mob sense) fight over him. Turns out Chris is in the middle of vampire transformation; neither human nor vampire, Chris begins an adventure of discovering who he is, testing his new powers, and solving the mystery of the tragedy that took the people he loved. Along the way he meets Dr. Mooncloud, Bassarab, Lupe, Suki, Elizabeth, and a whole slew of other-worldly creatures such as elves, goblins, dryads, nagas, knockers, sprites, and many others. All the while, he narrates the events around him with sarcastic humor, literary references and some healthy wariness. Any vampire novel that can weave an enchanting tale of an alternate history such as this while quoting Sappho, Yeats, Victor Hugo, Donne, Wordsworth, Oscar Wilde etc. deserves more recognition! Simmons has created a fascinating world filled with funny, intelligent characters. The dialogue is snappy, the plot is filled with twists and turns, the story is suspenseful, and the book itself is impossible to put down. I am so pleasantly surprised by this novel, and I sincerely hope that Simmons will revisit these characters and give us a sequel! I found this book in the fantasy/sci-fi section, but it easily crosses into horror, humor, drama as well. It has something for everyone: humor, action (you'll find lots of weapons and methods of killing without intense graphic gore), suspense, mystery, fantasy. Buy it, you won't be disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: The Baen Vampire Book.
Review: I love this book. The combination of mystery, thriller, and coming of age (in an extended sense) novel works very well. The characters are interesting, the plot isn't monotonous or predictable, and the whole concept of vampirism as a virus (not totally original) is intreaguing; however, this is definately a Baen book. Like most Baen books, this one is character centered and the character "comes of age" in a sense. The dialogue and first person point of view monologue, also typical of Baen books, is lightly sarcastic, with the sarcasim takes the form of many references to the literary world (other Baen books make well researched references to music groups or historical details). Finally, there isn't too much angst. All in all, its a feel good novel w/ just enough tension for the reader to appreciate the good parts.What is a Baen book? Baen is the publishing imprint that publishes (or used to publish) most of fantasy by the following authors: Mercedes Lackey, David Weber, Ellen Guon, and Mark Shepperd. In general, I characterize them as older adolescent or adult fun books. They tend to fit in about a PG-13 or light R rating, with just enough sex and violence to be interesting without being overwhelming. If you like this, I recommend the following vampire books/series: Mercedes Lackey's "Children of the Night," Susan Sizemore's Laws of the Blood Bk. #1 "The Hunt," and Hays & McCalls' "The Cowboy and the Vampire" So, why the four stars? Well, it just isn't as good as Christopher Golden's The Shadow Saga trilogy or Tanja Huff's Blood Series (both of which lean towards series R ratings or, in the case of Golden's series, towards an NC-17 rating).
Rating:
Summary: Where's the sequel?
Review: I picked the book up on a whim.The cover looked unusual and the premise sounded interesting.But I was not prepared.I got it all! A believable character, humor, and what myself and my friends call " a story so surreal it could be true ". Hey, it could happen to anybody. A ghost , a werewolf and a whole undergound society of vampires just trying to live the good life. Makes you want to hear ...... the rest of the story.
Rating:
Summary: one of the best vampire novels
Review: I picked this up because of the reviews on this site. I have to say it's lived up to the reviews. I loved it. One of the best vampire novels I have read. Great characters, funny and suspensful in a way. I'll read it again. I hope the author writes another novel with these people in it (hint, hint)
Rating:
Summary: definitely sequel material
Review: I really enjoyed this book, but I want to see a sequel too. I think the ending kind of begs for one actually with the wife showing up, Lupe figuring it out, and the old vampire "hiding" somewhere in the background. I haven't read much in the way of vampire stories but I did like this one. My only knowledge of vampire lore comes from the movie Bram Stoker's Dracula, the TV series Forever Knight, and from an anime show I caught one Saturday morning about the son of a vampire (I'm not even going to try to spell the word!). This book definitely needs a sequel so PLEASE don't tell me the semi-vampire's story is finished!
Rating:
Summary: This book is GREAT!
Review: I've read many different vampire myths, but this one is wittier and more intelligent by far. Told from the viewpoint of a man experiencing the change between humanity and vampirism, this novel makes the reader feel the impact of the shift from a mundane life to a supernatural undeath. The dialogue is splattered with allusions to literature, history, and most especially - movies and pop culture. The arguments on the question of free will between our hero and the vampire leader are like an episode of Politically Incorrect. This is a well-researched novel with enough fact included to make you wonder how much of it is fiction. The fight scenes are more than enough to slake any bloodthirst. Sardonic retorts, exasperated vampyr and a sexy wolfgirl make One Foot In The Grave an apetizing read!
Rating:
Summary: Fantasy nestled within a science fiction framework
Review: Mark Simmons is staking out new ground by combining science fiction and fantasy in the same rousing tale. As he did in his first two books, In the Net of Dreams and When Dreams Collide, Simmons has seamlessly hidden a fantasy (do you really believe in Dracula or the Wolfman)within a science fiction envelope. In One Foot in the Grave, Simmons logically inflicts his protagonist, Christopher L. Csejthe (pronounced chey-tay) with a legitimate medical condition (can you say, vampirism?). When you read the explanation, you have to scratch your head and say, "Yeah, it could happen." Of course, that doesn't begin to describe the myriad of puns, sight gags, and references to popular culture that will make your eyes water and your thigh hurt from slapping it. Simmons is funny! Read this book, and enjoy.
Rating:
Summary: Fantasy nestled within a science fiction framework
Review: Mark Simmons is staking out new ground by combining science fiction and fantasy in the same rousing tale. As he did in his first two books, In the Net of Dreams and When Dreams Collide, Simmons has seamlessly hidden a fantasy (do you really believe in Dracula or the Wolfman)within a science fiction envelope. In One Foot in the Grave, Simmons logically inflicts his protagonist, Christopher L. Csejthe (pronounced chey-tay) with a legitimate medical condition (can you say, vampirism?). When you read the explanation, you have to scratch your head and say, "Yeah, it could happen." Of course, that doesn't begin to describe the myriad of puns, sight gags, and references to popular culture that will make your eyes water and your thigh hurt from slapping it. Simmons is funny! Read this book, and enjoy.
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