BOOK REVIEW: Many Bloody Returns edited by Charlaine Harris and Toni L.P. Kelner ★★★★☆
WARNING. SOME UNINTENTIONAL SPOILERS.
Its been over a decade since I read a good old vampire novel. Back in high school, I was obsessed with it; Interview with The Vampire, The Vampire Diaries, Vampire Huntress, Vampire Academy, Vampire Kisses, etc. I could go on and on. Then I took a break, but my love for these dammed creatures never died. I came across this collection by Harris and Kelner at my local library and I thought what better way to dive back into this genre by reading short stories. Plus, the cover is the cutest (black bat birthday cake with dripping blood icing with eight birthday candles burning).
Here is a list of anthology books (in no particular order and I might have missed out a book) from both authors set in a paranormal genre:
- Crimes by Moonlight.
- Apples for The Creatures.
- Wolfbane and Mistletoe.
- Death’s Excellent Vacation.
- Home Improvements: Undead Edition.
Harris and Kelner promised these thirteen (Ah! I see what you did there) short stories are not the same, ranging from funny to tragic, but fascinating. I’ll mention my favourites by giving it a 5-star rating.
Dracula Night by Charlaine Harris
Rating: 3/5
Dracula Night is a one-off story centred around her Sookie Stackhouse series, made popular by HBO’s True Blood.
Sookie Stackhouse, a waitress at Merlotte’s, receives an invite from ‘Eric Northman and the staff of Fangtasia’ to celebrate the birthday of the lord of darkness, Prince Dracula. Sookie decides to go. She learns from vampire Pamela about why Count Dracula holds such importance and Eric hopes that the royal celebrity would turn up at his party. And when he does, he takes an interest in Sookie, until she stakes him.
I’ve watched True Blood, but I haven’t read any of the series, and I think it helped to know the context. If you haven’t read or watched anything to do with the story you might be confused or may even roll your eyes at certain points. This was made up for the funny, quirky dialogues between witty Pam and Sookie. I may read this series in the future but I was not too into this story. An excellent way to start the collection. Not my favourite but it did make me smile.
The Mournful Cry of Owls Afraid by Christopher Golden
Rating: 4/5
Donika Ristani is turning sixteen. She loves music and her secret boyfriend Josh. Her mother Qendressa believes in old traditional values and frowns at her daughter’s western way. On the night of her daughter’s birthday, Qendressa tells her the truth about Donika’s father and how she came into the world.
I have to say I did not see this one coming because the overall plot was odd, tragic, unique and the tone was haunting and pensive. Who would have put owls and vampires together? The start sets the scene into Donika’s daily life, who loves playing her guitar as she listens to the radio and thinking about Josh. You know, typical teenage stuff, fantasising about love and believing everything that happens is like the end of the world.
I like the way Golden sucks you into the story with relatable characters. For me it was Qendressa because although an immigrant, she’s making America her home but she still holds onto her old-world values and superstitions. I was rolling my eyes at Donika and Josh lust, yearning hunger and romance (I think I’m too old for YA romance) but it picked up on the plot twist with the mother and daughter. I got an old country and eastern European vibe with this story.
I’ll be sure to check out Golden’s Of Saints and Shadows, The Myth Hunters and Wildwood Road.
I Was A Teenage Vampire by Bill Crider
Rating: 5/5
Carlton is a regular high school student. His sister Kate wants a real vampire at her birthday party. He speaks to Binky, a nerd, who just happens to know a vampire across town and he’ll only speak to the vampire when he gets his invite. The mysterious vampire turns up at the party, but Binky isn’t entirely human and Carlton life changes forever.
Oh yes, this one was good. Imagine all your favourite 80’s and 90’s high school films and you have this story. Although it’s a first-person account of how Carlton became a vampire, I instantly loved his sarcasm and indifferent attitude. It was cute, creepy and quirky, and many wouldn’t like it because the story is intended for a much younger audience. The twist was good and I felt sorry for Carlton, but clingy Binky needed a friend who would last forever.
If Crider wrote a series about Carleton then I would definitely give this a read. I’ll be sure to check out Crider’s Murder in Four Parts.
Twilight by Kelly Armstrong
Rating: 4/5
Another life taken. Another year to live. For vampire Cassandra duCharme she only has the eve of her vampire birthday to kill (completely drain) one human of blood so she can live for another year. It should be simple; pick a vagabond or a criminal, someone that won’t be missed. For some reason, Cass can’t will herself to do it.
Armstrong is a renowned author for her ‘Women of the Otherworld’ paranormal suspense series. Although written well, I couldn’t connect with Cass and her fellow vampire/ex-lover Aaron. That’s because I haven’t read any of the author's books and I had no idea about the context. I think Twilight might be a prequel or a backstory for the series.
I like the twist to vampire lore (as there’s only so much you can do about these guys) and it makes me want to read her novels. It’s refreshing to have some twists and not making them sparkle. This one fits the birthday theme with an urban fantasy/paranormal twist. It was interesting, reflective, not much action or tension and not that depressing as I thought it would be. After all Cass is contemplating why she should take another life.
I liked the storyline and although Cass was about to give up, her animal instincts made her take another life so she could live for another year. I’ll probably check put Armstrong’s other series and this one.
It’s My Birthday, Too by Jim Butcher
Rating: 3/5
Wizard Harry Dresden attends his half-brother Thomas, a White Court Vampire’s birthday party at the mall. Things are going well until a Drulinda, a Black Court Vampire wreaks havoc, ruining the celebrations.
Action packed, well-written and humorous, I liked the other side characters, but that was just about the only things that got me through this story. I’m probably the only one who DOES NOT like Harry Dresden’s character. Yes, he’s funny and a bit of a badass, but I hated the way he sexualises women. It makes me cringe. But then I don’t know if it might be the author’s writing that I don’t like. I remember reading his short story in the anthology Dangerous Women Part 3 by George R.R. Martin and Gardner Dozois, titled Bombshells, where, after Dresden’s death, his apprentice Molly and two other girls, go undercover to rescue a vampire using their sexuality. Even in that story, Butcher used terms like ‘hot’ and ‘racks’ to describe women. WOMEN ARE NOT OBJECTS, MR BUTCHER!
I would have given this story a 5 star, but I just cannot forgive the mentioned point that bugged me. If all of the Dresden Files series is written like that, then I’m not all inclined to read this series.
Grave Robbed by P.N. Elrod
Rating: 5/5
Set in Chicago, February, 1937. Vampire Detective Jack Fleming takes on a case. Sixteen-year-old, Abigail Saeger is worried about Flora, her recently widowed sister who she believes is being conned by the medium Alistair Bradford. Using his vampire skills Jack gets to the bottom of it and helps a grieving widow come to terms.
I really liked this story, so far, the best one. There’s an old noir movie vibe and small doses of humour which I can visualise. I liked Abigail because she’s tough and is in no way a damsel, but because of her age she feels as though no one is taking her seriously. That’s why she seeks Jack’s help. And Jack is a likeable, intriguing character who privately deals with his vampirism, uses it to his advantage to help solve the case and break up a fake seance. This makes me want to read more about this character who is prominent in The Vampire File series.
Unlike the other stories, the connection to vampire and birthday wasn’t strikingly obvious until Alistair performs the séance on the dead husband’s birthday. The other themes that popped into mind were grief and moving on. That is probably the only thing I didn’t like about it.
The First Day of The Rest of Your Life by Rachel Caine
Rating: 5/5
Morganville is a town owned by vampires. On your 18th birthday, you must sign a life-long contract to the family vampire for protection and money or be exiled, hunted and fed upon. On Eve’s 18th birthday she survives a car crash and decides not to sign vampire Brandon as her family’s protector. She’s exiled from her parents, about to be eaten by stray vampires from the streets when she teams up with human Michael Glass.
I don’t know if this is a back story of the main character or a stand-off in the world of the series. The Morganville Vampire series was one of the books I really wanted to read back in high school but I never got around to it, until reading this short story. It’s dramatic with fascinating characters and well written (although first-person narratives annoy me). I like the twist in the vampire lore; you get protection from a vampire who essentially owns and controls your life and blood. You either live in a cage or die with free will. I will be giving the Morganville Vampires series a read.
The Witch and The Wicked by Jeanne C. Stein
Rating: 4/5
Sophie the witch has a catering business. She's been hired by a newly made vampire for her rich husband, vampire Jonathan Deveraux’s 150th birthday. Only a freak accident kills the man (Sophie unknowingly assists Mrs Deveraux to kill her vampire husband so she could live rich with her new boyfriend). From his ashes she creates a moisturising cream for her cosmetic line to reverse the ages of time. It backfires and the vampire inhabits her mind.
I don’t know if it is a one-off of or part of her Anna Strong series which include The Becoming and Blood Drive. This short story was quirky with a chick lit vibe – in a wicked way. When it comes to experimentation, approach it with caution. Johnathan was not a likeable character but you do understand his frustration; (murdered and then was used in some product). And Sophie was this two-dimensional character who sounded a bit depressing. I wasn’t a fan of Johnathan changing Sophie’s plain-Jane appearance because he didn’t like it. Sends out the wrong message. But the end picked up when they realise that they have to work together. Overall an enjoyable read and I may check out more of Stein’s work.
Blood Wrapped by Tanya Huff
Rating: 3/5
Huff is known for her Vicki Nelson Blood books turned into the TV show Blood Ties. This short story is in the world of The Smoke Books series. Vampire Henry Fitzroy and wizard Tony Foster investigate a missing case of a child, Julia Martin, as well as trying to find the perfect birthday present for Vicki Nelson.
I really was not a fan. The narrative felt choppy and all over the place (one point they’re talking to a witness and it jumps to another location – when did they leave?). It’s hard to keep up with the characters because I haven't watched the TV show, read the series or anything by this author. On nearly every page, the characters kept asking themselves – ‘what would Vicki think?’ – which was beyond irritating. The birthday element was only hammered into the readers head but we were more interested in finding the missing child.
This wasn’t my cup of tea and I don’t think I’ll be reading anything from this series but I would read something else by the author.
The Wish by Carolyn Haines
Rating: 4/5
Sandra is a wife and mother who loses her children to death (grim reaper appearing like a little girl waif) in a car crash. Her husband divorces her and she tries to commit suicide but death insist it is not her time. Sandra formulates a plan to cheat death. She asks a vampire to turn her.
Oh, this one tugged at my heartstrings. Sad, tragic and the shortest storey of the collection which was written more formally than the others which held more of a conversational tone. This is a relatable story that is nostalgic, melancholic with gloomy emotive and beautiful descriptions of sorrow. The birthday theme wasn’t in a form of a party, but rather Sandra deciding to do something on her birthday that would change the rest of her life. I liked the fact she played death at her game and told the vampire she wants him to win so he should turn her.
I’m not sure if this is a stand-alone novel or part of series. I liked this story and I’ll be sure to check out her Mississippi Delta series or her single titled Hallowed Bones and Penumbra.
Fire and Ice and Linguini for Two by Tate Hallaway
Rating: 3/5
This short story is part of her book series with titles Tall, Dark & Dead and Dead Sexy. Vampire Sebastian believes he’s cursed on his birthday. His girlfriend Garnet takes him out for dinner but they get stuck on the highway in the middle of a winter storm. They get picked up by a woman who happens to be a storm demon that uses energy to generate a storm.
The writing style and parts of the plot were alright but that was about it. I did not like two main characters, despite the fact Garnet was funny and Sebastian was a super-hot mechanic guy. They were not convincing but a cheap imitation of any other drivel paranormal romance book that’s out there. Sebastian was made with magic, that kept him warm-blooded, won’t burn in the sun, doesn't drink blood, but he remains young, handsome with super strength. Garnet, well, she just narrated the whole story. And the ending was with the demon dead, they had their birthday dinner date, followed by hot passionate sex (and I’m so glad that was not in any detail).
I was more interested and rooting for the Norwegian storm demon to win. The action between them was horror movie like and then it was all gone because – guess what, the couple just had to win.
I am in no hurry to check out Hallaway’s work. It’s a pass for me.
Vampire Hours by Elaine Viets
Rating: 4.5/5
Viets has written two murder mystery series, Dead-End Job and Josie Marcus Mystery Shopper. In her first vampire short story, Katherine is a 55-year-old woman who is unhappily married to David, a successful plastic surgeon. One night she meets vampire Michael and decides to teach her cheating husband a lesson.
I loved this story. The writing style wasn’t conversational There was something captivating about Katherine. The story is from her point of view, where she opens up about her insecurities of going through menopause, her husband infidelity, her elite friends’ betrayal and society’s obsession with looks. The vampire was, of course, mysterious but he seemed two-dimensional and not fleshed out and just in it for the sake of it. Even the minor characters like Dawn and Margaret had substance.
The message had a ‘Hell Hath No Fury like a woman scorned’ vibe with wicked revenge and redemption at the end. Of course, everyone wants to see the bad guy get punished. I’ll be sure to check out Viets’s work
How Stella Got Her Grave Back by Toni L.P. Kelner
Rating: 4/5
Vampire Stella and her new vampire lover Mark go back to her home town to visit her mother's grave only to find someone else buried in her plot. She tracks down a serial killer and finally gets her grave back.
For a-first attempt at a vampire story, Kelner did a good job. It was written well, with average characters, nothing gripping or charming about them. The only birthday element to this story was with Stella going to visit the graves. The mystery was just enough to keep the storyline flowing but it wasn’t that intriguing. The body inhabiting Stella’s grave is of a Jane Doe, who happened to be a runaway girl trying to find her way back home but was killed by a serial killer operating in that area for about two decades.
Stella got her grave back – a satisfying ending and a sweet wrap-up to this anthology. I’ll be sure to read Kelner’s Laura Fleming Southern mysteries series and Where Are They Now? series.
Summary
If you’re looking for an anthology to sink your teeth into (I won’t apologise for the pun) after taking a break from the world of vampires then Many Bloody Returns is the book for you. As this is the first anthology I’ve read from Harris and Kelner, I am eager to read the others in their collection (list mentioned at the start of the review).
This anthology had a variety of writing styles, tone, viewpoints, originality and detailed stories. Twilight and The First Day of The Rest of Your Life gave a good twist of the vampire lore. I Was A Teenage Vampire, Grave-Robbed, The Witch and The Wicked, The Wish, Vampire Hours were my favourites. Some were great and others not so much, but I have discovered new authors and series which I will read.
Overall, a worthwhile read.
Overall Average Rating: 4/5
Publishers: Gollancz
Publication date: (first published) September 4th 2007 (this edition 2011)
Genre: Horror/Short Stories/Anthology
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