Customer Reviews

Shining in Crimson: Empire of Blood Book One

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have to be fair. I read this book when it was still being developed and crafted. It was near completion but it was still a draft copy.

That being said I am really eager to read the completed work. The draft was of such amazing quality and work.

Let's put it this way. I don't much care for Vampire stories, but this story is so much more then blood sucking pretty boys that all the tweens swoon over. These characters are real people, the vampires have a story to tell, and there are great intertwining plots in this story. There are real conflicts and struggles for the main character.

If a person who doesn't much care for vampire books can enjoy this, I am certain diehard fans of the genre will enjoy this as well.

You are getting some damn good writing for a damn good price.

So, I've been an "aficionado" of vampires for almost as long as I've been reading novels. From Stoker's Dracula to this latest, by Robert S. Wilson, Shining In Crimson.

I have to say: I'm really impressed.

Wilson's dystopian Empire (formerly the good old U.S. of A.) is well-thought out and carries a weight and depth to it unlike many others I've read about. The vampires of his world are both tribal and democratic, as well as useful tools of the Empire itself.

The characters each have a richness to them that leads you to worry for them, hate them, admire them and/or loathe them. Hank, in particular, is a man with a fully developed back story that plays its part in defining who he is and how he handles the tragic circumstances in which he finds himself.

Although Toby could have used just a little more fleshing out, near the end of the novel we see some further depth to the boy that I hope promises some interesting turns of event in future volumes. And, let me say that I do fully expect there to be future volumes!

Such incredible conflict of character is displayed in wonderful relief with the person of Simon. His storyline is such that I would have never guessed from his entry onto the scene near the beginning of the book. Wilson has done a fantastic job in truly doing something different with the "whole vampire thing."

The only reason that this novel did not get five stars from me is the partial cliffhanger of an ending... but that is to be expected as this is to be the first in a trilogy of novels. All well and good. Now, where the hell is the next one?? :o)

Loved this so much I am re-reading it again to make sure I did not miss a thing. For a first time novel Robert S. Wilson created a masterpiece. His weaving of story lines, creation of characters the the telling of back stories work wonderfully together culminated in a refreshingly new vampire story. This is one story I wanted to go on and on.

What impressed me was the new version of the vampire genre. After reading hundreds of stories of novels this is truly an original.

Brilliant work. Cannot wait for the next one.

I must admit with the slew of vampire books around today that I was skeptical about this book. Though after reading Shining in Crimson, I must admit I was pleasantly surprised. This is the first book from a new Author Robert S Wilson; I do look forward to other books he writes!!

A wonderful vampire tale that was scary and bone-chilling yet had a slight touch of compassion. Mr. Wilson created such complex characters that you can't help but form some sort of emotional attachment to them.

This story is not the typical vampire story where vamps go hunting for innocent victims and they are definitely not sparkly.

This is also a story about survival , learning your strenghts and weaknesses, and coming to face with the things you have to do in order to survive. Survival from not only the vamps but from the very empire/country you love.

I would recommed this book to anyone. After reading it, I still talked about it for days after and re-read certain passages in the book. Yeah, it is that good. I can't wait for the second installment.

[...]
Looking for a vampire story without romance? Yes, it does exist <G>. Wilson has put a new spin on the vampire theme in this well crafted story with characters that will intrigue and move you.

Twenty years ago there was a civil war in America and a twisted extremist religious group took power and set up an Empire. During this bloody war a new threat appeared, vampires. The Emperor created a fragile truce between the humans and the vampires with the following conditions: the vampires would stay within the city limits of Las Vegas, now called Necropolis, and the Empire would regularly send them humans to feed upon. Anyone deemed a criminal or sinner by the church was sent to die as vampire chow. Most people living in this new world don't remember much of life before the Empire. Anyone who disagrees or remembers too much of the old days are sent to their death in Necropolis.

But things are changing. The vampires are no longer happy with the arrangement and want to take down the Empire, but they are divided on how to do this. The Empire, and especially the Emperor himself, have some skeletons in their closet and they're willing to do anything to make sure those skeletons stay there. Caught in the middle of the brewing storm is single father Hank and his son Toby. Hank has unwittingly discovered something that can change everything for all political players.

This is a story of survival, betrayal, political corruption and love. Wilson does an excellent job of moving the story forward while also giving us strong character development. There is plenty of butt-kicking, blood-spilling action, but also lots of beautifully written and touching moments sprinkled in just the right places as all the characters fight for survival.

The story ends with enough resolution you won't think of it as a cliff-hanger. However, things have been set into motion and the characters must now face the consequences of their actions. I am looking forward to the next book.

4 Sheep!

I don't know where to start because there were so many things that I loved about this book. The world has changed and vampires have taken over a certain region. Humans have become their cattle and have made an agreement with the vampires, to maintain their existence. In this new world your crime means your vamp food.

One man named Hank tries to make it out of this condemned zone to find his son. He'll do anything it takes to survive. I was really impressed with this character and can't wait to find out what he does next.

This is the first vampire book that I've read that really describes the essence of a vampire. There's so much more to them then just blood thirsty monsters. Without giving any spoilers away I'm giving this book a well deserved five stars.

At first I was thinking another vampire book. But after the initial hesitation, and being a bit confused with the back and forth with the characters, I got into the book. After I finished it, I was wondering when the next one comes out. I felt myself being drawn to certain characters, like Hank and Simon, and now I have to wait until the sequel comes out.

I haven't read a vampire book in forever.... my normal read being of the zombie variety. But this book has reignited my love for them.
From the very first chapter this book had me intrigued, an Empire that controlled vampires and used them strike fear into the hearts of it's deciples. Boy was i wrong.
The story takes you much deeper into a tangled web of one man's struggle to survive, a vampire's struggle to keep hold of his stature and the twisted reign of an emperor.
I was hooked from the first to the last word and am eagerly waiting the next book. Congratulations Robert an excellent book.

This book is just good. It is different from any other vampire book that I have read so far. The vampires take care of the criminals for the Empire. I love the setting, Las Vegas as Necropolis. Awesome! I found myself becoming really attached to Hank, one of the accused criminals, who finds himself in Necropolis. Hank does not care what happens to him as long as he can get back to his son. There is quite a lot going on in this book. Quite a few surprises. This was a real page-turner for me. The ending will surprise you and make you want more. This is one author that we need to keep an eye on.