Raven [Paperback]

S. A. Swiniarski (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 1996

Awakening in a storm drain, covered with blood and with no memory of his life, private detective Kane Tyler desperately searches for his identity, only to discover that not only is he wanted for the murder of his wife, he has become a vampire, as well. Original.

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: DAW (November 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0886777259
• ISBN-13: 978-0886777258
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.1 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,373,762 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best books I've ever read..., July 24, 2003

By 

Ilker Yucel "Kryptych" (Annapolis, MD United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Raven (Paperback)

Why S.A. Swiniarski isn't more well-known or more prolific I'll never understand, but after reading "Raven" I've come to realize that he is truly a great talent. Literature these days is oversaturated with vampire books, many of which simply cheap knockoffs of past ideas and concepts given little to make it different or original. With "Raven," Swiniarski has created a new type of vampire story, giving us some familiar concepts, but infusing them with some new blood (so to speak) and creating an atmosphere that is as cold as the winter in which this story takes place.

The story is about a former policeman turned P.I. who finds missing children, named Kane Tyler. He's somehow lost his memory and slowly learns that his wife was murdered and he was hired by a crime boss to locate his missing daughter. He also finds out gradually that he's suffered something more than memory loss...he's become a vampire. He discovers that those responsible for his transformation are also the ones behind the kidnapping and his wife's murder...or are they? Between trying to protect his own daughter, trying to finish his job, and trying to pick up the shattered pieces of his own life, Kane Tyler's case becomes more than a simple kidnapping.

Swiniarski's sense of detail is very vivid. Very drawn out, but without rambling on about trivialities or boring the reader to death with insignificant factoids. He gets right to the point and gives us exactly what we need to know. There is a good combination of comedy, drama, and action, and his writing style is impressive in that it allows you to form a picture of what is happening. As I read the book, I could actually SEE the images in my head. I could see Kane Tyler, I could see what he was doing, I could see the action taking place. Books are supposed to do that, but rarely can one form so clear a picture in the mind, and this book does that. It's that well-written. Good story, good characters, good dialogue...it's good. It's very good. "Raven" is an excellent book that makes for an exciting read for anybody into a good mystery, good horror, or good action. It's one of the best vampire books I've ever read, and it's one that I keep coming back to. If you can find a copy...give it a read. You won't be disappointed.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I thought this book was great and was sorry when it ended., June 27, 1999

By 

Pam from Texas - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Raven (Paperback)

I hope S. A. Swiniarski reads this review because I would love for him to write a series about this character. Kane Tyler became a real person to me and I felt like I was leaving an old friend when I closed the book. I read the book in one day because I just couldn't put it down. The book was full of atmosphere and sucked you into the story right off the bat. It is definitely a five star book, in my opinion.

A man wakes up in a storm drain, bloody, cold, and with no idea of who he is or how he got there. The only thing in his pockets is a motel key. He makes his way back to the motel and starts trying to figure out who he is and who attacked him. He finds out he is an ex cop turned private investigator. He is also wanted for the savage murder of his ex-wife. Oh, and he finds out one more thing: he has become a vampire! Thus begins his journey for knowledge; knowledge that he may not want to know after all. Good stuff!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Well written amnesiastic nightmare, May 31, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Raven (Paperback)

Kane Tyler, a P.I. who specializes in missing children, wakes up in a sewer, covered in blood - without memory of how he got there or what happened to him. Nor does he know who he is. He finds some clues and goes from there, trying to piece his past together and do his job all at the same time. That's when he learns that he's hunting a man called "Childe" and that he's supposedly working for a man called Sebastian. It takes him a while to figure out that some time during the previous few days he's become a vampire. Things start unravelling that he'd rather not remember, his daughter is in danger, he finds out that he's a suspect in his wife's ritualistic murder... Well, lets just say: I wouldn't want to be in his shoes.

S.A. Swiniarski writes exremely well, with attention to detail and characterization. It isn't a vampire book per se. But if you enjoy an interesting hunt with twists and turns at every corner, not knowing whom you can trust - and who might be the bad guy, this is a book for you. RAVEN is an interesting story with a whole bunch of twists thrown in. I enjoyed reading it, though I personally felt a little let down with the ending. I felt that the story should have continued a little further, but it is still a very good book.