Customer Reviews

Vampire Vow: A Novel

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

Vampire Vow is a very well written novel about the Vampire Victor who falls in love with Jesus. While the idea is definitely taboo, which makes it an interesting read; this book is not for the reader who wants to be wooed by vampire eroticism whether it is gay or otherwise. If you like a good read with a definite underlying taboo tone then this is the book for you, however if you want lust then I suggest you read Poppy Brite, Anne Rice, or Laurell Hamilton.

I've read just about every vampire novel that's out there, but I've never come across one that is centered around a gay vampire monk in love with Jesus. Some may find this very hard to swallow, others may find it disgraceful, some, like myself, may find it hard to put down.

Now, I'm a heterosexual female and I must say that some scenes didn't agree with me. They weren't the scenes that included guy on guy action, but actually, the more gory ones bothered me the most. Michael Schiefelbein's vampire is more animal than man. The way he discards his victims like yesterday's garbage is almost apalling. But one of Schiefelbein's characters explains the vampire's actions justly; "nature is nature." But I just wasn't used to this because so many authors nowadays write about the romantic vampire.

This take on the vampire was very refreshing. I also thoroughly enjoyed Schiefelbein's writing style. I found that the book was so easy to read, that it was done and I was reading the sequel (Vampire Thrall) before I knew it.

Don't discount this title because of its homosexual content. It truly is something different and enjoyable if you just let yourself be taken away by the story. It's really hard to explain unless you actually sit down and read it.

If you are offended by gore, violence, and homosexual sex (and rape), I suggest you look elsewhere.

Try not to read it as a Christian, you will find it a nice innovative read.

The protagonist of this novel is a Roman officer who, when his carnal desire for a young Jesus Christ is unrequited, turns to the dark side, and becomes a vampire at the behest of an ancient Ethiopian priestess. HUH?!?

I suppose the premise is interesting enough, even though it's mildly offensive. Homosexual yearnings from and toward Jesus are nothing new, but in this novel, is presented at its most base and deplorable. Frustrated that he can't "get inside" Jesus, the protagonist, Victor, sets off on a string of rapes and murders that eventually causes him to flee for his life. At this point, he is turned into a vampire. If you're looking for the sensuous and romantic vampires of Anne Rice lore, you're not going to find them here. Victor is nothing but a two thousand year old carcass looking to punish Christians because he was forsaken by his beloved, Jesus.

There's no emotional investment with this character. He is presented as one-dimensional; a rogue demon filled with anger and a sexual thirst equaled only by a penchant for violence. While some of the scenes are erotic, there's no real passion or longing, so they just ring hollow. While reading page after page of how Victor longs to find a lover that will satisfy and challenge him as Jesus did, one becomes more and more disillusioned that for all of his living, Victor hasn't learned much. At the end, his situation hasn't changed, except he's left a larger pile of bodies behind.

Reading this book was like having to choose between toe nail clippings and a slug for dinner. Very Dry and extremely boring. Unfortunatly I read this book till the end hopeing it would get better. It DID'NT.

I've read quite a few vampire novels and this has to be the absolute worst. Not only was the main character unlikeable (rather an oxymoron for a vampire, but some authors give them redeeming characteristics), there was so much sociopathic violence it was offensive. I don't doubt that vampires are meant to be without conscience, but for me to enjoy a book, I have to be able to relate to someone in the book, and this one just didn't work.

An avid fan of A.R.'s chronicles (4 and 5 being far too reaching for me), I was thoroughly pleased with Schiefelbein's characters. The barbaric, lascivious and tormented lead - haunting and inviting - seeped into every appropriate grey canal with ease and understanding. Schiefelbein's ability to maintain a constant undercurrent of malice and seduction, oblivious to judgement, held me close - hanging on every word. I am especially impressed with the lead's fallacious struggle (self-justification, maybe?) prior to mounting his gift.

Exceptional and plausible one-sitting reading!

I tried to finish this book but the cliches and the poor writing simply made the task too difficult. A lot of the other reviews mentions faith, but I simply had none for the author in his choice of plot and characters. I don't understand hy this book is so popular, but then so is Christianity so maybe people have always been able to swallow tripe.

Before becoming a vampire, the vampire character in this book knows Jesus in the flesh. He is madly in love with Jesus but Jesus is too dedicated to God to give in to his sexual advances. After becoming a vampire, the main character decides he is going to get revenge on God by becoming a monk and wiping out monasteries throughout the world. The entire story is ridiculous. This 2,000 year old vampire, being so old and having experienced everything, is bored with every situation he encounters...making this very boring reading!

I thought this was going to be a really great story, I mean the idea sounds great. But this book is too short and simplistic.

Add to that, the story is exactly what you read above--it doesn't delve any deeper into plots (subplots) or even the characters themselves.

I can say that I didn't find anyone interesting. The sex scenes were sorely lacking, the murder scenes weren't graphic enough (nor was there any build up to them), and what small bit of character development there was only showed a lack of character.

I'd recommend you skip this one.