The Wannabe Vampire by Alex Taylor-a review

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The Wannabe Vampire by Alex Taylor-a review

The Wannabe Vampire by Alex Taylor-release date June 2012

Catchy title, don’t you agree? First-time author, Alex Taylor introduces us to a trio of characters whose influence on one another is both stimulating and possibly life-ending. Intense dichotomy, right? Fortunately for us, the story is well-written and in consequence to Mr. Taylor’s talent, I was left wondering to which character did the title apply?

As a lover of PNR, I favor vampires (who me?) and have read several variations on them. This take is unique. Michael is a centuries-old vampire who drinks blood to survive, but attempts longer stretches in between feedings to revel in the sensations when he finally succumbs to the blood thirst. He enjoys food immensely (referring to himself as a culinary masochist), although consumed in tiny portions so as to savor and appreciate different tastes. Not your typical vampire attributes, to say the least. Michael has worked very diligently at blending in with his neighbors in Central California; overseeing a games software company in Mumbai allows him to work at night and earn a lucrative income. Lamenting about the past only brings back sad memories, so Michael wants to thrive in the now.

Kari just moved in next door to Michael. She is a freelance cartoonist who’s featured in local indie newspapers. Her last relationship ended in disaster (5 years of emotional abuse, post-break-up stalking and the eventual testimony in court, solidifying the break-up) and has sworn off men. Michael’s interest is piqued after years of solitude and the pair soon becomes fast friends. Movie nights and dinners become weekly dates, but did I mention Kari thinks Michael’s gay? His “otherworldly”, gallant mannerisms MUST be contrived, right? Courteous behavior and a touch of a European accent HAVE to mean he’s gay, right? One particular night…man’s age-old proof of attraction promptly dispels that theory.

Bruce is a middle-aged, life-long bed wetter stemming from a childhood fright, that has resulted in the fright comes to life, aka, Agnes, who haunts him 24/7. Desperate to rid himself of her constant, aggressive presence, Bruce orchestrates a plan to become a vampire — THE nocturnal predator, whom ghosts fear! Now all Bruce has to do is convince Michael to turn him.

The writing is good. Mr. Taylor engages and delights us with a budding love story between Michael and Kari. Midway through, however, the book got a bit scattered. Kari goes from affable, non-judgmental gal falling in love with Michael, to anxious, over-imaginative contemplations of a “dark” side to Michael that he has yet to display. Then there’s Bruce. He approaches Michael with the “proposal”, but when Michael won’t budge, won’t admit to being a vampire, Bruce decides to tamper with Michael (and Kari’s) lives instead and becomes the inadvertent stalker with a “If you can’t beat ‘em…” mentality. What??? Even Michael goes a bit off-kilter. The usually composed, reserved vampire who makes “dates” for blood donors through a “men’s website”, (hey, maybe Kari DID have reason to suspect?), suddenly lets it all hang loose at a Halloween party Kari cajoled him into attending. Gone is the stoic vampire to an all-out seduction campaign of every party attendee; be it man or woman, young or old. **Skidding to a halt** Let’s get back to the bond that was building –I had high hopes for an intimate seduction between the pair! As bizarre as Michael’s behavior was at the Halloween party, Kari got insight she desperately needed and realized the vampire was inexorably part of the man she loved.

The Wannabe Vampire could apply to Bruce as the spurned hopeful or Michael, the atypical vampire with human-like behavior. I enjoyed the book, but hoped for a different outcome. Perhaps Mr. Taylor can return to these enjoyable characters and give us a glimpse into their new “now”. I would love to read more!

 

 NEW COVER: 

The Wannabe Vampire

Copy supplied by author

Reviewed by Carmen

LINK to website: Alex Taylor

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21 thoughts on “The Wannabe Vampire by Alex Taylor-a review”

  1. Wonderful review, Carmen. It does sound like an interesting story, and that you liked it makes it sound even better. So did you feel the book was left open ended to be continued, or did it have a real ending. Perhaps if Alex Taylor comes by, he can answer that question.

    • Thank you, Barb! I think the book DOES leave hope for a sequel. Without giving away the ending, Kari seemed to have embraced ALL of Michael…I want more! 😉

  2. Now this is my kind of book. Michael looks like a great character, and so does Kari. Thanks Carmen for this review. I am going to check this out.

  3. Great review Carmen.

    I love Vampire storys ,and i have to say this one sound different , I can’t say if this book does anything for me with it being scattered , That is just one of the things that makes me loose interest in a story fast , When you just don’t know who they are talking about or where the heck they went . Huh i have to agree with Barb on this one, first you make me want to read it because you seemed to enjoy it so and, second it would be interesting to have him interviewed to see were he is going with this book is it going to be a series or a stand alone book .

    • Thank you, Lori!! The character departures were noticeable to me, ergo prompting my confusion, but it IS a worthy read. Michael is an unconventional vampire. His “human” behavior is what makes him unique and certain situations have you completely baffled. WHY would he do that? Isn’t that risky for a vampire?

      DO check out the book and let me know if it affected you similarly. Thanks again, Lori! 😉

      • Hey Carmen
        Thanks for the reply , I have’nt checked the book out yet but i do have it wrote down for a look see .You make me want to check it out right now lol which i guess its a good thing .
        And Alex Congrats on your first read i’m looking forward to checking it out .

    • In spite of the character departure, it was a most interesting story throughout. I want to know more about Michael and Kari. Will they stay together? I hope they did, as I’d like to continue the story.

      Thank you, Sandy!!!

  5. Love your reviews Carmen… I had wondered about this book right from the beginning and your review answered the questions nicely. It sounds like it could be a bit of a rollercoaster ride to read. 😀

    • Awwww, Mary Ann, thank you!!!! 😉 I think you’ll enjoy the book. Michael fluctuates between vampire and human behavior and they leave you speechless at times! Who would ever think a vampire would be willing to do THAT. The love story is good, but I wanted more. Good sign of a writer, right?! I think so! 😉

  6. Thank you so much for the wonderful review! I am so glad that you liked the story, and that you are looking forward to more.

    THE WANNABE VAMPIRE is intended to be the first book in a series. The second book, entitled SHAMPIRES, is scheduled to be released later this year.

    Even though the book is part of a larger series, the book does have a proper ending, so readers aren’t left completely hanging. When I wrote the book, I wanted to give it a real conclusion, knowing that not everyone will read the sequel. (Though certainly I hope that they will.)

    I would like to say that Michael is definitely NOT your typical vampire, so he is prone to behave in ways that one would not expect. I would say that his behavior at the Halloween party is very much in keeping with his character, as he is willing to “step outside the box” in many ways.

    If you or your readers have any questions about the book or future installments in the series, I would be more than happy to check back and post my responses. Alternatively, readers are invited to stop by my website (where you can also see the book’s updated cover) at http://www.alextaylor.info

    Anyway, thanks again for the terrific and very fair review. I appreciate your thoughts and the exposure.

    • Welcome to The Reading Cafe Alex…..it appears Carmen enjoyed your new novel and is looking forward to the next instalment.

      Let us know when SHAMPIRES will be released.

    • Hey Alex, thanks for stopping by. Yes Carmen really showed how much she enjoyed your book. That is good, because Carmen is an honest and expressive reviewer. 🙂

      We do wish you the best of luck with Shampires. If you stop by later, perhaps you can give a brief description of this new one.

    • THANK YOU, Mr. Taylor!!! I definitely enjoyed your book and am thrilled to know there is more to learn about Michael and Kari. Shampires??? I cannot wait — what a perfect title for such a series!!!

      We’d love to have insight into the next installment. Congratulations to you and much success!!!

  7. Fascinating review Carmen. An interesting concept with the vampire genre.

    Hi Alex. Do you have any details about Shampires that you can give us?

    • It definitely is an interesting concept, Alicia! Thank you for reading my review. Michael is a unique vampire!

      I’m with Alicia, Mr. Taylor: Hints on the next????

  8. The current plan is for SHAMPIRES to be released in October, in time for Halloween. I am being a little vague about dates, only because sometimes things take a bit longer than planned.

    In SHAMPIRES we learn there are two kinds of vampires in the universe: real ones and faux vampires who are humans who believe they must consume the life force of others. Michael, of course, is the former. Marcus and Christine, our shampires, are the latter. When Marcus learns of Michael, he tries to bring him under his control, which does not work out entirely as he planned.

    We will also see Kari and Michael’s relationship deepen in this installment. Michael will also have the opportunity to meet Kari’s family, not all of whom are eager to welcome a vampire into their midst.

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