The Last Vampire (Mass Market Paperback)

by Christopher Pike (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Suspecting the detective she killed in self-defense is stalking her, a vampire becomes a high-school student to befriend the detective's son, with whom she falls in love. By the author of Bury Me Deep.

About the Author
Christopher Pike was born in New York, but grew up in Los Angeles, where he lives to this day. Prior to becoming a writer he worked in a factory, painted houses and programmed computers. His hobbies include astronomy, mediating, running and making sure his books are prominently displayed in his local bookshop. As well as being a bestselling children's writer, he is also the author of numerous titles for adults. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Reading level: Young Adult
  
• Mass Market Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Pocket Books (May 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0671872648
• ISBN-13: 978-0671872649
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (123 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #331,011 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly Recommended, December 24, 2004

By	2thumbedEbert (NY) - See all my reviews

I just finished reading The Last Vampire again after having read it about 8 years ago. I without a doubt enjoyed it even more this time as I was too young to appreciate it before (I must have been about 12 at the time). What I love most about the book is that Pike tells the story through the eyes of the vampire herself. Throughout the narration, "Sita" debunks many of the myths and stereotypes associated with vampires and reveals the true nature of this extraordinary being. And because she is as old as history itself, Sita recounts major historical events and points out some innaccuracies in the written tradition. I especially liked her recollection of her past meeting with Bram Stoker, the creator of Dracula, and the irony involved. Pike litters the novel with a variety of such anecdotes which makes the story that much more fun. I honestly believe that this story would make an excellent movie and would especially appeal to mature audiences in light of Pike's use of graphic content. But unfortunately, Pike seems to be virtually unrecognized in the literary world and this idea would never make it to film, despite its brilliance.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An exellent book, February 16, 2000

By	Lacey (Bishop CA) - See all my reviews

Sita, a beautiful young women who appears to be around 20 years old, is accually a 5 thousand year old Vampire who has a great love for life and God. In this first book Sita fall in love witha young man named Ray, who she thinks is the reincarnation of her lost love Rama. A twist comes when she finds out that she is being followed by a foe from her ancient past, Yaksha. Yaksha is Sitas creater and the most powerful Vampire that ever walked the earth. Sita must battle Yaksha to save Ray and her life. She realizes, in the end, that she loves him as much as he loves her.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Last Vampire: The BEST Vampire Book... Ever?, November 10, 2002

By	Corin (Austin, TX USA) - See all my reviews

Vampires. Creatures of the Night--those groovy ghoulies you love to hate, sexy and silent killers, stars of film and literature... There is so much mythology surrounding the vampire that it is indeed a unique thing to be struck with something new. I have read scores of books on the subject, some good, some great. There are however many more trite than creative stories--more predictable ones than original. This is the reason why I was so impressed with Christopher Pike's "The Last Vampire." Not only does it manage to give you a compelling and gripping story with characters that are both real and complex--it's actually refreshing. A refreshing story about vampires. And you thought it was all corpses and cobwebs!

Alisa Perne isn't new to the vampire scene, having lived it for over five thousand years. She is fleet and strong, has the keenest senses imaginable--and she's a babe. The stories you've heard about vampires? Well, some are true; most are false. Sunlight hardly effects her. She wears a crucifix as jewelry. Garlic, holy water, coffins? Stories concocted to make us feel secure. Of course, how would we feel if we knew there was nothing we could do to protect ourselves--that these terrifying creatures were real and stronger than we'd ever imagined?

Of course, vampires have problems too. There is the pesky business of keeping your identity hidden. Amazing powers aside--if the whole world knew the truth, it would be tough to do anything but hide in a cave for a few centuries. Or, you could just kill everybody. But then you come to the human factor. You used to be one, and somewhere there's still a little bit left. Some feeling, love even. It's tough to watch those you love die all around you--especially at your own hands. But the need for blood is always there. You can only prolong the inevitable. Alisa knows this all too well.

When a human detective appears with strange questions about her background--Alisa is cautious. Who is this man, and how much does he know? Has he told others? Though not a mind-reader, she knows the answers to these questions. His body, sweat, breath--they tell her everything. Someone else knows. But who?

A few decisions and swift actions later, a life is ended... and new questions begin to form. An intricate knot of time and mystery begins to loosen. New dangers will confront her--make her question everything she's learned and everything she is. New faces will torment her--filter her perception, change her resolve. It has been many centuries since she felt the emotions she will feel...

I've visited many Pike shrines and websites that claim "The Last Vampire" is one of his best--and I couldn't agree more. There is so much to say positively about this book I couldn't possibly write it all. The praise you've heard is deserving. Now, it has won my acclaim.

This book has EVERYTHING. The action is artfully played and exciting! Alisa is an expert fighter, faster and more cunning than any predator. Her prowess is uncanny; her grace trancends the page. She ceases to be a character in a book, and breathes a life of her own. Pike's story flows like water--you can easily visualize what is happening, and it looks so damn cool! It is marvelously violent, and quite bloody--though it (thankfully) refrains from droning on and on about the exquisite pleasures of gorging on young blood... Sorry, Anne Rice, we mortals can't relate--and quite frankly, you're boring us. We understand what we always have: what it feels like to love, to lose, to fear, to hate. Alisa is delightfully human, in her capacity for all these things. Her pain is real, and her dilemma is an arduous one. As far as I am concerned, this is the ONLY EXAMPLE IN WRITTEN HISTORY of the origin of vampires being explained in a fashion both comprehensible and believable. "And Jesus wept" I believe was the next line. The inclusion of Indian mythology and folklore adds a spicy aroma to this already exotic and inticing dish.

This, Pikefans, is a book you cannot miss. The sexy vampire bombshell and her lover are attractively depicted on the cover, bordered by the garish yet charming neon font we've all come to love. Delicious artwork by all-time personal and Pike-favorite, the irrepressible Brian Kotzky. Even if vampires aren't really your thing, it is one of the best examples of his work I have ever read. Truly Christopher Pike at his finest. Buy it now and avoid the nasty discomfort of being the only fan left out of the loop. Followed by five more books. Next on the list--"The Last Vampire 2: Black Blood." Bring it on.