Customer Reviews

Raven

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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!

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.

I picked this book up because I liked the cover. The premise sounded good, so I bought it. I'll just about take any paperback home if it meets these two standards. I found a lot of really good and fun books like that. "Raven" is one of the best I've done this with. I didn't know where Mr. Swiniarski came from but I hope he will always grace us with a vampire story every once in awhile. This is a great book! I don't usually read vampire books and when I do they have to be special. Not your run of the mill, evil master, innocent people chased and the hero kills the vampire for the ending. This story has those elements, but the author has added many more levels to his story. Mr. Swiniarski does a fantastic job of developing characters and plot in "Raven". I read this book in January 1997 and it has stayed with me since. (I've also been hoping for another one with this hero, Kane Tyler.) If you are ever lucky enough to find a copy of "Raven" get it. Even if your are not a total vampire or horror fan. This is a great read. I did find out recently that Mr. Swiniarski has two other pen names, S. Andrew Swann, which he uses to write science fiction. Another pen name is Steven Krane, in which he has written "Teek".

Horror and supernatural stories generally don't interest me. I bought Raven because I liked the author's other books (he writes science fiction under the pen name S. Andrew Swann, and I highly recommend all of his books). As with his SF books, Mr. Swiniarski treats the premise of vampires science-fictionally: logical, consistent, and believable. Am I waiting for a sequel? You bet!

This book is extremely well written. It draws the reader into the dark world of the main character. You will find yourself searching for the truth right along with him. It is not just a mystery or horror, but, if you let it, can be a personal journey of self discovery. Easily one of my all time favorite books. Can't wait for the next one.

Then this is the book for you. This book will keep you totally captivated. Before you are done with the first page you will be in complete suspense. I was not at all a fan of vampires, but I could not stop reading. This was a great book and I have recommended it to many.

I picked this book up in a used book store in 2001 int he winter and could not put it down. It had my heart racing near the end, had me pulled in and was just amazing. Makes a little fun at Anne Rice vampire novel fans in one small part. Well written and highly recommended for those that love detective novels with lots of twist and turns.

The story is written in a 1st-person narration. Normally that really annoys me. It keeps snagging on the story like a ragged fingernail snags on cloth. But this author.... It flowed so smoothly, was written so well, that you just don't notice. I'm not sure if i've ever read another author that could do this so well. I keep waiting for a sequel, and waiting, and waiting..... :(

I really ejnoyed this story. It was quite an original plot for the vampire genre. I'd definitely recommend to anyone who is into vampires, horrors or thrillers.