Customer Reviews

Masters Of Midnight

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

A thrilling, erotically charged page-turner with literary merit. Kudos especially to poet/essayist Jeff Mann. Mann delivers a tasty meal on every page, mixing erotic content with a rich, descriptive, poetic voice. His surroundings, ranging from the moors of Scotland to the city streets of NYC to the mountains of West Virginia, are nearly as "human" as his living (and dead) characters. Not simply slam-bam-bite-me-man erotica, and not for the faint of heart. Let's hear more from Mann's devilish Derek.

Unlike a previous reviewer, I AM a fan of gay vampire fiction, and of gay horror in general. I picked this book up because I'd read some of the authors' previous work in books like QUEER FEAR I and II, SONS OF DARKNESS, and BROTHERS OF THE NIGHT (all edited by Michael Rowe, in case you want to look them up). So how does this collection stack up? William J. Mann's contribution is an obvious ode to the glorious old cult supernatural soap opera, DARK SHADOWS, and if you read it that way it's a lot of fun. Sean Wolfe and Jeff Mann are new names to me, and although Wolfe's story didn't grab me, I really liked the second Mr. Mann's ability to bring out the most in his setting. But I have to say, it was Michael Thomas Ford's "Sting" that kept me up way past midnight. I saved it for last, because it sounded the most interesting, and was it ever. This novella is totally unique, not just in gay horror but in ALL horror. His writing is gorgeous, and the imagery he creates is both beautiful and terrifying. I defy anyone to read his descriptions of the Death Puppet and be able to sleep with the lights on. I, too, would love to see this story made into a film, especially if George Clooney plays Ben!

Four different authors means a potpourri of styles and stories to choose from. From the archetypical "Barnabus" from the old "Dark Shadows" series to a new Lestat-like hero that hails from West Virginia via Scotland, this book offers variety, interesting twists, and...well, more than a smattering of sex.

William J. Mann pays homage to the 60's cult classic with an update for the new millennium. If gym bunnies are your fare, then Sean Wolfe offers an interesting twist that seems to coincide best with popular WB television fare. Two stories really stand out in this collection, however.

Michael Thomas Ford really shines in his unique twist on an old tale. Who knew those Razorback Mountains were fodder for such a captivating addition to vampire lore? Mr. Ford really shows great creativity and style for a truly intriguing variation on what can sometimes be a stagnant genre. Hats off to Mr. Ford and all his names! Between panting hard you'll want to keep turning the pages to find out how this one, uhm, climaxes.

Jeff Mann's "Devoured" out-Rice's the honored diva in just 100+ pages. An epic novel captured in the space of a few chapters, Mr. Mann's lyrical prose follows a new vampire hero, Derek, from his inception in Scotland to the hills of West Virginia. Derek romps in what might be called, "a bit of the rough," which adds some great spice and thrill to what otherwise might have been a rather "twinkified" collection. Can't wait to find out what Derek gets up to next.

Buy it. Read it. Thank me later.

I love the vampire genre. So when I happened upon this book, I had to have it. I didn't know the authors, but Now I do. All the stories are unique in their own way. I enjoyed them all. BUT! My favorite novella was Jeff Mann's Devoured.

I truly relished every word. It was as if I was the camera following every move. The artful descriptions helped bring the story to life. I am enamoured by Derek and Matt. I will probably read this story over and over until the binding in the book breaks and I'll have to buy another book. laughs

It's given me so much insight into the lives of gay men. Thank you, Jeff Mann. I will be looking for other books by you. ASAP!

Read this book for what it is, and you'll enjoy it very much. This is not meant to be a literary masterpiece. That much should be clear from the subtitle of the book: "Erotic Tales of the Vampire". Don't expect an all new and brilliant monster epic, and you'll like this book.

I want to praise the publisher for mixing two well-known names (William J Mann and Micheal Thomas Ford) with two names I am not familiar with (Sean Wolfe and Jeff Mann). The diversity of the stories and writing styles are fresh and keep the reader engaged. Much better than reading a long book with one style from one author.

The two Manns (William J and Jeff) have a similar style. Both of those stories, though decent, are my least favorite. They seem to try to be more than what they are. A little superficial for my taste, but not badly written.

I like Sean Wolfe's story very much. It doesn't take itself too seriously, and is comfortable being a short entertainment piece. It doesn't try to be more than what it is. I was entertained and appreciate the "humanness" that the story brings to erotic vampirism. It is both erotic and interesting. Though I haven't heard of Wolfe before, I'm sure we'll hear more from him in the future.

It is Ford, though, who is the star of this book, and a good reason for naming him as the main author. Most of us are familiar with his non-fiction material, which has won several Lambda Literary awards. His fiction writing here is no less brilliant. Ford's talent for putting the reader in the middle of the story and for character description are perfect. I love his story, and look forward to more fiction from Ford in the future.

If you're a fan of vampire fiction at all, you'd be crazy not to get this book. The variety of stories and writing style is fresh and refreshing. The writing is good. It is both erotic and frighteningly engaging. A must have for serious fans of horror, and especially vampire fiction!

In the spirit of full disclosure I have to admit that I'm not really a fan of vampire fiction. But I love the non-fiction work of Michael Thomas Ford, and I was curious to see what his first crack at long fiction would be like. I'm happy to say I was delightfully surprised. Ford's "Sting" is unlike anything I've ever read. Smart, sexy, thoughtful, and, yes, really, really creepy, it's beautifully written and eerily haunting. I couldn't stop thinking about it after I closed the book. Ford did such a good job of bringing his characters to life that I could literally see the story playing out in my head. If someone in Hollywood is smart, they'll snatch up the rights to this baby and make a film out of it ASAP. As for the other three stories, they were okay. But it's Ford's contribution that makes this a must-buy. Ignore the goofy cover and pick this one up.

MASTERS OF MIDNIGHT contains four novellas in which vampires play a prominent and erotically gay role. The authors have different visions of vampires leading to highly original and entertaining tales.

"His Hunger" by William J. Mann. Thirty years ago in Cravensport, Maine murders and disappearances occurred with no explanation. Jeremy thinks the story will make a good human-interest piece, but he also has a personal stake in the story as one of the vanished was his father. However, he is in peril after visiting Bartholomew, a vampire who plans to enslave Jeremy and convert the writer's lover.

"Sting" by Michael Thomas Forge. Following the suicide of his lover, Ben becomes head librarian in Downing, Arkansas. He sees customer Titus put his hands into beehives. When the two men become lovers, Titus explains that he is a vampire and the bee venom prevents his blood craving. Titus feels strongly about stopping his kind who kills innocent children.

"Brandon's Bite" by Sean Wolfe. His father was a vampire while his mother was mortal. His father taught him how to survive as a vampire. As an adult Brandon discovered he was gay so his father disowned him. Brandon can choose any victim he wants but fears love because he believes he cannot control his urge for blood.

"Devoured" by Jeff Marin. Three centuries ago two Scottish lords shared a secret passion for one another. When they were caught, Angus was killed but Derek was changed into a vampire. He avenged his friend's death before immigrating to West Virginia. Now an affluent businessman, he finally has a chance to love again but must first take care of Matthew's homophobic enemies.

Harriet Klausner

Four novelettes dealing with gay vampires and containing some fairly explicit sex.
First up--"His Hunger" by William J Mann. An amusing variation of the first part of the novel "Dracula" with a young gay man trapped in a remote estate in Maine by a vampire. It has its frightening moments and a few twists I didn't see coming. Great ending too.
Next up--"Sting" by Michael Thomas Ford. Grim tale of a gay man moving to a town out in the Ozarks after his lovers death. He plans to relax and try to forget about his ex but he meets hot and soft-spoken Titus Durham and that changes his life in ways he never saw coming. It's VERY grim and dark but you can't stop reading. The ending is downright disturbing.
Then comes "Bradon's Bite" by Sean Wolfe. A VERY interesting tale about a kid who's half vampire and half human named Bradon. It has its dark moments but it's mostly about him and his search for love. It's amusing, sad and just great reading.
Last up is "Devoured" by Jeff Mann. To be truthful I couldn't finish this. It has a vampire whose lover died centuries ago. He still pines for him but still has explicit (and quite sick) S&M sex with any willing gay man. Badly written with confusing flashbacks and truly sick sex scenes. Not worth reading.
Still three out of four is a pretty good for any anthology. Worth catching.

In the first story, by William J Mann and entitled His Hunger, Jeremy's investigations take him to the mysterious recluse Bartholomew Craven. When he eventually locates Bartholomew's weird house he finds himself held prisoner, and subject to strange erotic dreams involving handsome men, and at the mercy of Bartholomew.

Michael Thomas Ford's Sting is a captivating mystery. Ben Hodge, leaving behind him the tragedy of his lover's death, has just moved to Downing where he is the new librarian. It is not long before he learns of mysterious killings that have occurred in the town's history and continue today. His interest in these killings and the mysterious Titus Durham could be very dangerous; or could it just prove to be the chance of a new life for him.

In the third story Bradon's Bite by Sean Wolfe, we encounter father and son vampires. Bradon lives with his over protective vampire father Victor, but Bradon is half vampire and half human, his mother being human, although she supposedly died giving birth to him. All goes well even if Bradon is reluctant to take his blood until he comes of age and has to hunt for himself. This causes problems which result in Bradon seeking his own friends which in turn leads to the realisation that he is gay, but also to disaster on his first gay date. When his father learns Bradon' inclinations their relationship goes from bad to worse; but maybe Bradon has a solution, and maybe there are options that he is not aware of yet, and maybe there is someone he can love safely. The story starts of unremarkably yet quite charmingly with Victor trying to raise his five year old son, but gradually becomes more involving as the plot develops towards its satisfying conclusion. This interesting story is however let down a little by the at times rather stilted dialogue.

The final story, Devoured by Jeff Mann, Derek McClaine loses his lover Angus in1730 in a homophobic attack which he himself survived, then to become a vampire. Now in the present day he has found a lover who just might replace Angus, but when his new lover is similarly in jeopardy Derek is determined there will be no repeat of the fatal events of 1730. This well paced and interesting story provides occasional glimpses of Derek's life while following the present day events.

The four fairly substantial stories make for a varied and interesting collection of erotic vampire themed tales.

This book contains four novellas of male/male vampire romance.

I enjoyed the first story, "His Hunger" by William J. Mann for the atmosphere. It held my attention but fizzled out in the end and felt unfinished. Pesky questions keep popping into my head that were left unanswered but then I've been told I ask too many questions and am nosey ;)

"The Sting" is about a young guy who ditches his previous life after a painful loss to begin anew. He takes on a job as a librarian and begins to learn that there is something not quite right in his new town. It started out well but like the previous story sort of fizzled out towards the end. I can't say why without spoiling things for others so I'll only say it had a lot to do with the "villain" of the piece and leave it at that.

"Braden's Bite" was readable but the dialogue in the beginning was so cartoonish and baffoonish I could barely get past it. It improved but my notes say "interesting but soooo melodramatic" "sweetly romantic after a rough start".

"Devoured" was my favorite of the lot. Dark, deadly, sexy, edgy and poetic. Just the sort of story I most enjoy. The fact that the author incorporated wiccan sabbats throughout the story only made it all the more interesting. The relationship was nicely done too.