Customer Reviews

Desmond: A Novel About Love and the Modern Vampire

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I'd have to disagree with those who complain about Desmond being an "anti-vampire" as well as being a "benevolent sugar daddy" to young boy toys. Good grief, folks, where's your *imagination*! Sure, Mr. Dietz has created a vampire that doesn't follow the "old rules" about vampire folklore (which was, basically, a fiction in and of itself, one must remember). And no, Desmond isn't a terribly frightening character, unlike most of his violent, also fictional predecessors.

But I really don't think it was Dietz' intent to write a great work of literary horror, so much as to write something that one can sit down and read, laughing at the funny parts, crying at the sad ones and just *enjoying* a very unusually touching story.

Which I did.

Who needs literary snobbery, anyways?

BTW, this one's going on *my* recommendation list, for sure.

This book is a hopelessly romantic novel that happens to star a vampire (which is not necessarily a bad thing)- not bloody vampire pornography (which is not necessarily a bad thing either).
Just know what you're getting yourself into, and you won't be disappointed.
Perhaps you should read with a grain of salt the negative reviews on this page. It sounds to me like they were expecting something more "modern vampire" and less "a novel of love". (...)

Sure, this book reads like a first novel- some of the dialog is a little strained.
But loving or not loving this book depends on your dreamy romantic quotient. Remember the old "Beauty and Beast" TV series? It wasn't about half-human-half-cat horror- it was about outsiders finding each other; about wanting to be swept away by some big warm emotionally tortured mythical creature who wants to love and protect you. Or conversely, about being the mythical creature who has given up on love but is drawn to a beautiful man who needs to be saved.
If you can get all misty picturing yourself in either role, you will love this book. Yes, it's giddy, bodice-ripper, goofily romantic stuff-- and ain't that wonderful!

Desmond is written as the anti-vampire, rather than as a vampire himself. Though he has a lust for blood, and regularly goes out "hunting," his character is written in such a way that almost all conventions of vampire lore are tossed out the window (forget crucifixes, fire, water, sunlight, home soil... what's left?). It made this reader wonder why anyone would fear vampires at all! Indeed, there are characters in the book who welcome the opportunity to be hunted by this breed of vampire. The author appears to be a bigger fan of furniture than the paranormal/supernatural. So why two stars? Somewhat interesting use of historical background in describing Desmond's past generations. Limited to two historical eras. One last note: the dialogue and interaction between lovers in this story are sappy, overly melodramatic: parts of this story read more like a romance novel.

I bought this book while on vacation in washington D.C. although I am a straight female, I read whatever catches my eye. I read this book in less thn 24 hours and read it again.The author has created characters that the reader feels for and cares about. This is one of the sweetest, most touching love stories I've ever read.

The first, like, five pages were two dudes talking about how good of a writer Anne Rice is.

Anne Rice, you sneaky -----...

I just finished DESMOND:A Novel About Love and the Modern Vampire. I found myself drawn into Desmond's life and his relationship with Tony. I have read all laurell k. hamilton's Anita Blake series, Anne Rice: Vampire Chroniciles, and Michael Schiefelbein's:vampire series. Just to name a few. I am not much for romance maybe more into the sex but I found myself loving this story. untill the end I wish had ended differently but still a keeper will recommend to my friends.

I am absolutely in love with this book. If the author ever reads this: I want more!! Sequel, please!!! Now granted my enthusiasm is excessive, as I have just finished the book. However, i really really enjoyed the emotion contained in it. The author does a wonderful job bringing the characters' feelings and actions to life. I'm a sucker for both love stories and the supernatural (big X-files fan!) and I definitely reccomend it to anyone who feels the same.

well, As a true vampire fan, and a lover of homoerotica I liked this book, I look for several points when reading a vampire novel, and they are: bite scenes, descriptive feeding/bite scenes are imparative! then it's personality, if the vampires are boring, then that's pretty much the end of the novel. and when i read homoerotica novels, i like male/male sex and lust to the fullest, or most sensuous. "Desmond" did an excellent job on describing the bite scenes personality was A+, but when it came to describing what is most anticipated to me, it feel short, love scene don't have to be extravagant or over detailed, but some detail is always nice. it was practically non-exsistent in this novel.

it's was a good book, somewhat predictable towards the end. I kept thinking to myself, "i know what going to happen, but I hope "Desmond" is smart enough to not let it happen"

however, he mentions alot about Anne Rice's colorful vampires quite a bit. Let's face it, she's the undisputed queen of vampire novels.

Having read most of Anne Rice's books and also other vampire stories, I have to say that Desmond was definitely one of the very best ones. I have suffered and loved with Desmond.
It is a novel full of love and erotic scenes, violence and hunger, a true vampire book.
Thank you for writing it, Ulysses G. Dietz!

Reading this book is perhaps like reading a beloved friend's autobiography: hardly a work of art, it never fails to keep your interest.

Mr Dietz is not, in this first attempt at least, an accomplished writer: he explains too much, he gives many unneeded details at times while at others he is sketchy. And he bothers, ooohhh so much, about political correctness, to the point of being funny, at least for a European.

On the other hand his story is not bad at all and with all its writing flaws he manages to suspend disbelief and to drag the reader into it. I came to care for Desmond, just as if he was a friend of mine. This is not a little achievement for an unexperienced writer.

A bit of light, homoerotic reading, perfect for a rainy winter afternoon, and it shouldn't be out of print.