Customer Reviews

Vampire Apocalypse: A World Torn Asunder

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Having read one of this author's stories in an anthology I couldn't believe it when I got this, his first novel. All I can say is,This extraordinary novel must be read lying down!! Read it anywhere else and you risk being knocked over by its amazing, gripping, story of resistance in the face of awful, overwhelming odds. Or you will be so on the edge of your seat that any one of the plot's many twists and surprises will send you over the edge. The characters are well drawn and there are some of the best vampire descriptions I've ever read.

Gunn manages to convey the terror of the situation and the blood, sweat and tears of his heroes with some fine, gritty writing. It's good to read a great story that's well-written, not at all clotted with cliche. In fact, the descriptions of action and the inner life of the hero are so well done and the world of the novel is so vivid that it creates a virtual universe in the mind. And if you thought you knew every way to stop a vampire...think again. At some points I felt my heart going a bit too fast and tried reading it with my hands over my eyes. It's that good.

And, a true sign of a great book, reading it a second time is just as good. Buy it, treasure it and mark my words - watch this writer.

Derek Gunn's debut novel combines all that is best about post apocalyptic unity with the drama and action of an all-guns-blazing war movie.

The novel opens with police investigating what seem to be ritualistic murders in smalltown America, but it's soon revealed that a coven of vampires are responsible for these murders and they have struck in co-ordinated attacks all over the country. The humans, caught off-guard, don't stand a chance. They're given a choice: become thralls - slaves who do the vampires day-work, or die.

We then jump ahead two years. The vampires have won and humanity is enslaved in walled cities like cattle, and dosed with a serum to keep them docile and not thinking too much, but in these two years a small rebellion has also sprung up.

The lines are clearly drawn in this novel. We don't empathise with the vampires, instead we cheer on the humans as their small victories become larger. It comes down to that old brain versus brawn struggle and while the vampires are super-strong and mercilessly vicious, the humans set about exploiting the kinks in their armour. Even the science behind the stake in the heart is explained, as the humans use every advantage they can get.

As in a real war, the action rarely lets up in this book and the battles are described in detail and at breakneck pace. The humans have some very inventive and original ways of seeing off their oppressors - no easy task when you consider how many ways books, movies and seven seasons of Buffy have already found to kill vampires. I hear the sequel will be out soon and I can't wait to see where these characters go next.

The book ends on a hopeful note. With the first major battle won it proves that mankind isn't going down without a fight.

Action packed from start to finish. A new refreshing idea of vampire control over humans.

Slightly disappointed that the vampires were not given more focus, however pace of the story makes up for this shortfall.
Another factor crippling the star rating was the regular inexcusable grammar errors.

With all the violence, use of firearms and alpha male characters it is clearly a book aimed at male readers. Which makes it a godsend when you consider the majority of the vampire genre is aimed at women and teenage girls... ie twighlight saga, Buffy etc etc. Also surprisingly there were no sexual scenes at all, which for a vampire book is almost blasphemous but still refreshingly pleasant.

Time to search for and read the sequel.

P.S. Necroscope series is by far the superior amongst the vampire genre and I imagine it would appeal to the majority. Its a must read series!

I really enjoyed this book, great original concept, fast paced and vampires being vampires - not romantic loving and mis-understood!!! yes some more character developement would have been nice However, I feel that this was done to keep the pace of the book fast and action packed rather than laziness on the authors part. There were some great concepts and it kept you reading until the last page. I will definately be reading the next one.

I`m not one to write reveiws usually, but after reading this in one sitting and being completely gripped, I felt the need to share how good I found the book.

I normally read paranormal books,but I had grown bored with all the wishy washy vampires and was lookin for a book where vampires were well you know vampires. This book doesnt disappoint the vampires are to be reviled and you can't help but root for the humans.

The book is in parts a tad predictable but all in all it's well worth a read, especially if you like your vampires to be blood thirsty and evil.

Brilliant book. gripping, pacey, well written. this has got to be one of the best vampire books i have ever read and i have read alot.

tremendous fun. reads like an action movie and has the potential to made into one too. i enjoyed this book immensely.can't wait for the second book to arrive.

I got this as a free download from Kindle, so given those facts it was a good little read. This is book No 1 remember, so it is designed to make you buy more after the free taster of book no 1.

Great story and once you get your head around the characters you will be wishing to get onto book 2

Slow to start with but got there in the end. More blood and guts next time hope there's book 2