Customer Reviews

Never Ceese: A vampire . . . a werewolf . . . Can Two Who Were Wronged Make It Right?

5 star:		(27)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

At first? Reluctant. Next? Intrigued. By the second page? Thoroughly engaged. Sue has brought the urban mythos of vampires and werewolves to the spiritual plane. She causes her readers to delve into tragedy while hoping for redemption. Bravo! I eagerly await the promised sequel.

Richard has been cursed so long he can't even remember his life before he became a vampire. He spends his days with his long time friend, Penny, in his luxurious castle in Britain. Richard's world is forever changed when a young werewolf named Ceese arrives at his door claiming to be old friends with Penny. Ceese has also carried her curse for ages and she wants nothing more to be rid of it once and for all. Richard has long ago given up hope of ever being free from his curse and Ceese must convince him to hope again. Now vampire and werewolf must work together to discover a cure for the immortal curse that binds them both.

Sue Dent has done what few have dared to try, mixing elements of vampire and werewolf lore with themes of faith and spirituality. The result is an intriguing and exciting piece of fiction that is obsessively readable and entertaining on every level. Richard and Ceese are cleverly crafted characters who face insurmountable odds in their quest for redemption. Dent adds to the richness of the story by giving equal balance to both werewolf and vampire mythology. Many of these elements were familiar to me, with a few surprises that only added to the mystique of each character. The incorporation of faith is never forced and fits seamlessly into the storyline, making the messages of sacrifice and redemption that much more powerful in the end.

Never Ceese was a pleasant surprise to me and if it wasn't for Eric Wilson's Amazon review, I never would have picked it up. It's a shame that major CBA publishers aren't willing to pursue more "outside the box" fiction like Never Ceese. I'm glad to know there are publishers out there (like Writers' Cafe Press) who are willing to give these types of stories the recognition they deserve. I can't wait to sink my teeth into the sequel, Forever Richard.

I just finished reading Sue Dent's tale of Never Ceese. I think the other reviews have already covered just about everything that can be revealed without giving too much away, so I will have to be satisfied in saying I thoroughly enjoyed the book. Normally, I am not one to read about vampires and werewolves; not my cup of tea. Other people, however, gave rave reviews that had me very curious. I was suspicious, but Ms. Dent has successfully blended the creatures of horror stories with sound Biblical principles. It teaches about faith and love without being preachy. Much of the subject matter is dead serious (forgive the pun), but Ms. Dent has included plenty of comic relief. Really, I love her offbeat sense of humor. I read it rather quickly since I couldn't put it down for long.

Sue Dent changes and clarifies the horror of the Werewolf and the Vampire!

In a well told tale, she reveals the evil behind the curses that have stolen the humanity of two tortured souls. This is a book that I recommend to the reader who is fed-up with the same drivel that has plagued the horror genre for years! Sue Dent has pushed aside the evil hero and revealed the tortured and damned souls of those cursed with Lycanthropy and Vampyrism!

As we are led through the lives of these very real characters we feel the heartache and the lure the curses promise if they partake of human flesh and blood. We also see that the truth of their feeding, it is murder and human blood will stain their souls and seal the curse!

Sue shows the light and how the Blood that was shed on the Cross can break the curse, if they'd only believe!

I recommend this book highly!

Werewolves and Vampires....oh my!

Centuries ago, two unfortunates were wronged in the worst way imaginable; they were cursed by evil forces they did not bring down upon themselves. One was made a vampire, a creature of the night, forced to find sustenance on the life-blood of others, and subject to whims and passions never meant for humankind to experience. The other was bitten by the wolf, and is now a prisoner to the wild beat of nature, running with the pack, lost in the primitive uproar of instinct and survival.

Perhaps worst of all: they are cursed to live with near immortality, to walk the face of the earth while those they love die, and if they do die while still in the grip of the curse; by either a silver bullet or a wooden stake, they will forever miss the chance of an eternity in heaven with those they love and care for.

They have one chance, as this unlikely pair is drawn together by unseen forces, to reclaim their mortality and a chance to pursue a normal life, a chance to go home to heaven when they die, and it lies buried in a riddle cryptic as it is contradictory, Two wrongs make a right. Richard, the cynical, sarcastic vampire and Ceese, a culturally naive werewolf inexperienced in the ways of human beings, leave the comforts of home and the wild behind as they travel from England to New York in search of the one thing they desire more than anything: an end to their curse.

However, working behind the scenes are forces that want them for other reasons, and none of them altruistic. As Richard and Ceese struggle to loosen the bonds on their souls, someone else lusts after what they have: immortality, power...and will stop at nothing until they have it for themselves.

In her first novel, Sue Dent has crafted an intriguing mix of two genres yet thought exclusive; Christian faith-based fiction and dark, noir-fantasy, and it comes off well. The key difference between her novel and others revolving around vampires and werewolves is its focus: Dent focuses on that which our two protagonists want most, an end to the curse and chance for a restored relationship with all that is good and holy, and not on the aspects of the curses themselves. However, her touch is light here: it is not a Sunday school lesson with a pretty red bow at the end; it is a story about enduring faith and love.

Richard is hopelessly sarcastic and cynical, evoking images of Tom Cruise's blond haired and egotistical Lestat, and Dent portrays Ceese as a poignant picture of what faith can do even in the thrall of the curse that damns her. Never Ceese is also rife with cultural humor and satire, and though the reader treads the dark streets of film noir and intrigue, they will find themselves chuckling out-loud just as many times as they shiver.

Ceese ends with surprising plot-twists that work well but perhaps could have been hidden a little better, and it may have a theological "bump under the rug" here and there - but who cares? It is a work of fiction, and a creatively imaginative one at that. The novel also successful wraps up the narrative while leaving a nice hook for its sequel Forever Richard.

[...]

Ok I finished the book and all I can say is WOW. Well I can say more than that but really WOW. It came yesterday and I finished it last night. I couldnt put it down! Never Ceese may be one of the greatest werewolf/vampire sagas of all time. The story pulled me in, and wouldnt let go until I'd read the last word. It proves that monsters aren't always the bad guys, and that faith can help you through even the most supernatural of circumstances. Ending with a suspenseful cliffhanger, it left me begging for more. Bravo!

The concept of this book intrigued me and so I was anxious to read it when it came in. I started and finished it in the same day because I just couldn't put it down. I was impressed with the subject matter (the supernatural has always fascinated me, but it is very difficult to find supernatural writing from a Christian perspective). The characters are well written and believable and I must say that the settings are pretty amazing as well. It starts in one part of the world and ends in America and I felt like I took the trip with them. I did figure out one of the mystery parts in advance but that didn't take away from the rest of the story.

I am really looking forward to the next book in the series which is supposed to come out this year. If you like the supernatural or have teens that do, then you would love this book!

"Never Ceese" is the tale of a vampire and a werewolf who seek what we all seek deep down in our souls...redemption. Both were cursed unwillingly, and both have fought all their VERY long lives to never pass on that curse to another, but to cling to their beliefs that were ingrained in them as children.

Ceese finds herself lured to the castle of Penelope and Richard against her will, not certain what she will find once she arrives there. Richard isn't fond of visitors of any kind, and especially not visitors of Ceese's nature.

But Penelope persuades them both to accept one another and that they can help the other break the curse that binds them, thus giving them the ability to choose their own final destiny.

I know it sounds so far fetched that two of the most unimaginable creatures and most make-believe beings could have such strong desire for the things of God...but believe me, IT WORKS! And it makes the lure of God's redemption all the more powerful to see it played out in a work such as "Never Ceese".

This book will stretch your imagination to its farthest reaches, and almost make you believe...but not quite, because believing in something Sue writes so well is just, well, not something I find myself wanting to do!!

I'm giving "Never Ceese" five out of five bookmarks, with a tiny cross as a charm...because that is where our destiny changes, no matter who we are or where we're from. It all starts and ends at Calvary.

Happy Reading!

Deena

MY REVIEW

Never Ceese breathes some new life into the classic urban fantasy werewolf/vampire genre, synthesizing paranormal and Christian fiction to create a YA-spiritual fantasy that does not only entertain and delight but also mystify the mind and stir the soul.

Sue Dent has brought Christian fantasy to a whole new level in her debut novel, Never Ceese. Humorous, but refreshingly defiant, the story is elaborately played out through flashbacks and narratives with excellent dialogue that almost feels like a movie on its own. With an intriguing and well-researched historical/scientific extrapolation, the story explores spiritual concepts without bogging the reader down in endless detail. One-dimensional folkloric beings are skillfully recreated into realistic three-dimensional characters that the reader cannot help but sympathize with. The plot line, on the other hand, twists and turns, with evil plans, double crosses and plenty of back stabbing between humans, vampires and werewolves.

From the character interactions, to the adventure and plot line, to the emotional roller coaster of Richard, Ceese, Penelope, and Cassie, Never Ceese is a sure winner! If you haven't read a horror vampire/werewolf story, this is a great book to start with and if you've read plenty in this genre, this would definitely make it to your keeper shelf.

NITPICKS

This first foray into Sue Dent's series is truly a work of literary art. My only significant disappointment with it is the cover. (or maybe it's just me) The image looked undersampled and the title's font style has no immediate appeal in a somewhat similar manner as items near the checkout that trigger impulse buying. Apart from that, it's a great book worth spending bucks on! Die-hard romantics might want to give this one a miss though; it's really not a romance but vampire/werewolf junkies will love this one immensely!

Fellow Southern author Sue Dent's first book Never Ceese is a story about a werewolf named Cecelia and a vampire named Richard. So far, so good. These are your typical, classical horror characters who live for the night and are prone to feast on the flesh of others. People you can rely on. And she doesn't deviate from the myth and lore that surround them. Well, not much.

The story begins as the vampire Richard encounters an unwanted guest in his English manor. A nosy neighbor is suspicious that Richard is the cause behind the mysterious disappearance of his goats and nearly catches him in the act, if it weren't for the visiting werewolves in the area. Enter Ceese, the young werewolf maiden who's arrived via invitation by Richard's aging companion, Penelope.

The two immediately do not get along and would, but for their adoration of Penelope, have torn each other to shreds. But, there is more at work here than the mere gathering of mythical immortals. Penelope is dying and she has one last request for her dearest friends: love one another.

This is the overall theme throughout Dent's interesting tale of "two who were wronged", who eventually--painfully--learn to work together to solve another mystery and defeat another monster unknown to them all, an evil geneticist who seeks the answer to immortal life through researching--and hunting--mythical creatures like vampires and werewolves. He will stop at nothing to succeed.

Dent's characters do differ from the stock one's we're all accustomed to in a very important way. They are not mindless, brutal killers. Bloodthirsty, yes, but they are constantly resisting the urge to kill, and, thus, curse another human. Feeding on rodents, goats, virtually any warm-blooded animal helps to satiate the never ending thirst for blood, but how long will they be able to resist that most delicious morsel man? There is a chance that their curses can actually be lifted if they can find the strength within to resist their selfish natures and act selflessly toward another. Will they succeed? That same basic choice lies before us all every day...

Sue Dent hails from Mississippi and her Southern knack for good story tellin' shines through brightly. The story is geared more for a teen audience, but I found it a fun read. The pace was exciting as the relationship between these two creatures began to develop from sheer hatred to tolerance to true devotion and finally...love? Well, you'll have to judge for yourself, as there is more to Ceese and Richard than you may think. The action is almost cinematic and the dialog very engaging. I felt I knew the characters as the story progressed and I believe teens everywhere will identify with them as well. I found myself racing ahead in my mind as I tried to piece the mystery of their strange connection together as well as eager to see how they would work their way out of a hopeless situation.

But the best aspect of Never Ceese is the message of hope. If two cursed humans can find a solution that removes their torment, then perhaps that same hope is available to us? Perhaps there is a way out of the self-indulgent, self-centered existence we all find ourselves cursed by. Never Ceese will certainly entertain you as well as challenge you and I believe it will make a welcomed addition to any reader's bookshelf.