Customer Reviews

Blood Bar: A Vampire Tale

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This was one of the more confusing vampire books I've read in some time. The reviews on Amazon were a tad misleading, and I'm not certain whether or not I was expecting too much out of "Blood Bar" as a result, or it if was just a matter of taste -- the plot was innavigable, and the characters unapproachable. I'd much rather have seen this book go through a better editor to tidy up the plot-threads, not to mention the endless maze of tenses and grammar flaws.

There's a surprising lack of sex, too, given how it's portrayed, and the little that it is comes across as awkward rather than really erotic. In terms of adult content, it makes up for it in the gore, which ends up over the top and unnecessary.

It's not horrible, but not the best book one can find in the realm of paranormal thrillers. More like a 2.5.

Blood Bar by Norm Applegate

Kim Bennett is about to discover a world that humans do not know exist, and she is not even so sure she believes what she is destined to be a part of. When an old friend, Rose, calls to tell Kim about a murder and that she is needed to help find out who killed Rose's lover, Kim will find more things out about her ancestry and her future in a very short amount of time. Dodging being killed herself, and trying to find all the pieces to The Black Testament in order to understand her fate, she falls in love with the most powerful vampire in the city.

Always on the run, Kim has to stop running and face the facts. A blood thirsty blood doll is ready to jump in for the kill, and a Native American detective that sees "things", wants to make a deal with the big man in charge; and the saddest part of all, a good friend is forced to kill someone she loves. But Nicolai does something sort of sadistic, in hopes of finding out the truth about Jack the Ripper, The Black Testament, and Kim Bennett.

Blood Bar by Norm Applegate is a paranormal thriller that will keep you intrigued from the start. It holds a lot of mystery and unknowns that eventually reveal themselves. A strong heroine that is used to "roughing it" in the world of S&M finally understands the reason why she is the way she is. Role playing vampires, or do vampires really exist? Dive in to the world and mind of Norm Applegate as he paints vivid pictures of blood, gore, and sex, in Blood Bar. 4.5 Hearts

Kim Bennett rises to the occasion again in Blood Bar, the 3rd book in Norm Applegate's thriller series. Of all three incredible, thrilling, suspenseful, erotic stories, Blood Bar is my favorite. You get so caught up in the world of vampires you begin to learn the history and question page by page if this world is real. You want to be Kim discovering for yourself the intrigue and uncontrollable lust for blood and sex. Maybe I am a vampire? I look forward to #4 Mr. Applegate!!!

George Clooney wouldn't have a clue how to handle Kim Bennett, Norm Applegate's sensual heroine in this, the third edition of the Kim Bennett series. The story is fast-paced and entertaining. Mr. Applegate's writing has truly developed into a unique and original style that instantly captures the reader's attention, draws you in and keeps you there, turning pages. The story and characters develop quickly and Mr. Applegate's skill at painting the scene, complete with visuals, scents and inner thoughts is masterful and won't leave you wishing for more. His description of a main character's descent into hell would make Dante jealous. Throughout this book, you really feel you are there, experiencing everything with the characters. This is most evident (and fun) in his depictions of the sexually oriented scenes - Norm doesn't disappoint there, either. Blood Bar is a fast read, a very entertaining story and something refreshingly unique and original in a world of trite literary "repeats". You're not likely to ever say, "Been there, done that" while reading this book! It's very appropriate that David Hagberg and other authors are "...looking over their shoulders..." watching out for Norm Applegate. He'll be replacing them on the best-sellers lists everywhere before you know it!

This not your father's vampire story - no cofins and no bats. It makes the characters in "Interview with a Vampire" seem like Seasame Street's muppet the Count.

Mr. Applegate intertwines present day with actual historical events which masde me think of the Rolling Stones' song, "Sympathy for the Devil".

The book explores the internal conflict of mortals and immortals.

Kim's "blood line" is long and scary.

Blood Bar was a quick and fun read but it is not a bedtime story...

If you thought Norm Applegate's first two Kim Bennett books (Into the Basement and Into the Spell) 'weren't yo' momma's thrillers, well, buckle up if you want to know what Kim gets into next.
This book is not for the faint of heart. There are graphic scenes, both violence and sex, but all are in the context of the story.
Kim Bennett, San Francisco madam and first class Dominatrix, gets a call from Rose Nicholls, who was part of the last Bennett adventure. She tells Kim that her boyfriend Drach has been murdered and she is a suspect, and asks Kim for help. Kim was introduced at the end of the last book, Into the Spell, to vampires and blood bars. Blood bars are kind of underground places where vampires and their 'donors' come to feed and be pleasured.
The non-vamps have razor rings they can cut a willing participant and drink from them.
Not a 'Cheers' type place!!
Kim comes to Rose's aid, and finds there is a 'Black Testament' that was written by Jack the Ripper - it's been divided in several pieces for protection, but somehow the major vamp players know Kim Bennett is right in the middle of this mystery...
Norm Applegate is a masterful writer and if you have never read things about Dominatrixes and graphic sex, well, be forewarned.
You WILL however read what a thriller should be - dark, scary, sexy, tense and taut with action and character driven by strong people - starting with Kim herself.
Applegate's first novel Into the Basement is being made into a movie, and I for one will be the first to buy a ticket -
The Kim Bennett series is well written and plotted - Blood Bar is Applegate's best to date -
An excellent read!

Blood Bar - Review by Matthew Morrison

All hell breaks loose, literally, in Norm Applegate's latest and greatest of the Kim Bennett series, Blood Bar. Norm's precisely detailed descriptions of unholy battles and unholier alliances between the world of vampire and human kept me turning page after page. Applegate's fusion of gothic mayhem and modern urban settings is seamless.

When the readers of Twilight grow up, they will thoroughly enjoy the gritty style of Applegate's storytelling. Readers and cult-like followers of Anne Rice's narratives should cautiously approach the wit and speed of Blood Bar's central characters. These semi-eternal beings will not aimlessly banter and brood. They are much more likely to leap off the page directly into minds of their unsuspecting victims. Once inside their host, they begin rapidly depleting the readers will to do anything except to submit to the sweet release of finishing (the book).

This is a pick it up, don't put it down, roller coaster of a ride book. I am constantly travelling and read for entertainment. Norm provided an enjoyable ride through the dark side of Kim's world. I had fun during the ride and would buy another ticket.

I have been told that Blood Bar is Twilight for adults. Well, Bella is a real puss' compared to Kim Bennett and true vampires don't sparkle. Kim is an amazing woman that everyone wants, but once they have her. They really don't know what to do with her. She is strong, athletic, sensual, smarter than the average man and more than just a pretty face. I like her.
The story is well written and the conversations are real. It's fast paced and I loved the details of the locations. I felt that if I went to the different places mentioned, that I would recognize them. The coolest thing about this book, is that to me, it's the pivotal point of the whole series, past and future. It explains why Kim is the way she is, what happened to her to form her personality and what the future could hold. Except for one incident, you never really feel sorry for her. It's more of a, oh wow, she survived and became stronger because of what she went through.
I truly enjoyed the book, the characters and can't wait for the next one.

Melanie Robel
actress

Blood Bar is a paranormal thriller that will have you turning the pages quickly beginning to end. This is not your kiddy vampire book and not for the weak. Those who loved Anne Rice's Vampire books will love Norm Applegate's wild and scary world which makes Anne Rice seem tame. Applegate creates a very graphic and violent story filled with blood, gore, and sex. He keeps you thrilled page to page, have you wondering/searching for reality and thirsting for more.