From Amazon (first review)
Refreshing Vampire Tale, August 6, 2010
This review is from: Fledgling: Coiree Guardians: Book One (Volume 1) (Paperback)
Anyone who knows me, knows I prefer zombies to vampires, at any given
time. Even when I do take a break from the usual zombie apocalypse, I
don't stray much further than the Warhammer fantasy novels, and the
occasional historical fiction. However, after reading
The Strain
about a year ago, I realized that the vampire genre has improved a
great deal in the last few years. Authors are breaking away from the
typical stereotypes of drop-dead gorgeous vamps with sordid love lives.
Fledgling: Coiree Guardians is the perfect example of breaking the vampire mold.
The main character is Beka, an overweight young woman with a history
of mental issues and a medicine cabinet full of prescriptions to prove
it. She lives in an apartment above The Burgundy Rathskeller, a gothic
nightclub run by her brother John. He doesn't charge her rent, and
sometimes she helps out for a little extra cash. One night, while
working at the club, she discovers that her brother's friend Vincent is a
vampire. Before she has any time to prcoess this information, she's
attacked by another vampire who was hunting on Vincent's territory
without permission.
Her attacker is a giant by the name of Steopa. Luckily for her,
Steopa is more like Vincent than the other vampires; both Vincent and
Steopa value the companionship of others. Steopa returns to help Beka
make the adjustment to her new existence. Once again, time is not a
luxury that Beka has, even as an immortal. There are already other
vampires hunting her, but when she is attacked, she discovers her own
unique ability, which Vincent tells her is "better than turning into
mist." She also learns that she overlooked a lot of what was going on
around her as a human, especially with her friends: one is a beserk, and
another is a psychic.
As Steopa teaches her to think more like a vampire, they find out
that a string of brutal murders is related to the arrival of another
vampire in the city. This mysterious vampire is hunting on grounds
belonging to a vampire called Ogden. Steopa and Beka want to stop the
mass killings, which have attracted the attention of the police, but
Ogden requires proof before he lets them hunt the killer on his
territory. While searching for evidence, with the help of Vincent, the
four of them -- Steopa, Beka, Vincent and Ogden -- uncover a plot that
is a threat to all vampires.
I don't think this novel qualifies as horror, but it's definitely a
great blend of thriller and mystery. What begins as a personal
evolution, ends as the first installment of a chilling saga. There's no
abrupt cliff-hanger, but you will be left wondering what will become of
Beka and her two vampire companions
First review ever!
Review by:
unimportant
name
on Apr. 25, 2010 :
What Mari Miniatt has created is a character driven story
that holds no compunctions about what it is. Like the characters in her
story it's honest about who it is, and makes no angst ridden apologies
for it. Fledgling Coiree Guardians - Book One leaves me wanting more. I
could fill this review with a lot more nonsense. I couldn't tell you
how much I enjoyed reading this book without giving allot away. However,
as Steopa would say "Vampires are cruel." I hope more people pick this
story up and read it.
Great Story from my book launchThe owner of the shop had bought a copy a few weeks ago. She had to go to California last weekend to see family. While she was there, her niece picked up the copy of the book. She had just put in a recent vampire movie (that will remain nameless here) to show the owner. A movie which is a fan of. But she started to read the novel. Did not realize the movie had ended and would not give the book back. The owner had to buy a new copy.
From Goodreads:
Teresa
rated it:
Read in May, 2010
This was an interesting twist on a common topic. The
ending was a little soft, but overall was good. It was easy to read
and follow along with. I would have liked to have a little more
"tension" between our hero and heroine. I would have liked it to be a
little longer and have a little more action and explore some of the
supporting characters a little more. I'm definately looking forward to
the next book!!!