1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Theater of Vampires, June 16, 2010
This review is from: Theater of Vampires (Jason Dark - Ghost Hunter) (Kindle Edition)
Jason Dark and his friends Max and Siu Lin come face to face with a coven of bloodthirsty vampires posing as an innocent theater group. Dark must use his keen wit and resourcefulness to destroy the creatures before they bleed London dry! Theater of Vampires marks the second volume in the JASON DARK: GHOST HUNTER series by Independent Horror writer Guido Henkel. The story picks up shortly following the events of the previous adventure, with Siu Lin now living and training under Dark's household. Henkel has created his own larger than life hero in Jason Dark, a Sherlock Holmes of sorts that must use his smarts over his brawn to defeat his enemies. His writing style is fast-paced and clearly directed, maintaining a steady stream of action and suspense as the three characters attempt to oust their undead adversaries. Avid readers will catch the quick cameos by familiar characters from outside of the Dark universe, and each of the groups are given a rich history in the short amount of pages. Theater of Vampires is a brisk but satisfying read that leaves the reader begging for more. Luckily, it is just one in an ever-expanding series, with new volumes due out shortly!
-Carl Manes
I Like Horror Movies
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2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Volume II did not disappoint, June 25, 2010
This review is from: Theater of Vampires (Jason Dark - Ghost Hunter) (Kindle Edition)
Jason Dark returns in the second installment of this series. Once again aided by Siu Lin, he is after a new menace this time- vampires. When his old friend Max comes to visit, Jason is treated to a theater show depicting vampiric activity. After some post theater mingling with the cast, Jason determines these are not mere theatrics, but actual vampires hunting for prey. When Max is abducted by one of the cast members, Jason and Siu Lin quickly devise plans to rescue him. Will they be successful?
Once again, Guido Henkel delivers a wonderful gothic horror novella. The characters of Jason Dark and Siu Lin are revealed a little more in this second volume, but the reader can tell there is a whole lot more the their stories to come. One of the things I most appreciated about this sequel is that it works exceedingly well as a stand alone story, while still being enriched by having read the first volume. This is a rarity among series books sometimes.
Henkel also reveals snippits of his personality as a writer. If I may be so bold, I sensed a bit of homage to Anne Rice in the plot, not to mention a small homage to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. It was like a literary easter egg, and I loved it!
I am absolutely fascinated with Henkel's choice to set these novellas in Victorian London. It is like what would happen if Charles Dickens teamed up with Stephen King. It is the perfect choice, and one of the many reasons these books stand out from countless others trying to make it in the horror genre.
The action played out well, and I was happy that the ending left the reader wondering if there was more to this story, allowing me to make my own fictional suppositions. Another fine showing by Henkel, and I look forward to the next volume!
An e-book copy of this work was provided for review courtesy of the author.
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4.0 out of 5 stars
Like Vampires? Check this out!, December 17, 2011
This review is from: Theater of Vampires (Jason Dark - Ghost Hunter) (Kindle Edition)
Guido has written yet another interesting novella involving Jason Dark, ghost hunter, though his profession isn't only ghosts. His first battle, in
Demon's Night, a Jason Dark supernatural mystery, dealt with demons, and now this book deals with vampires. Of course, I found this novella very interesting, especially as these vampires are hiding in plain sight, performing at a theater; and their performance is not for the squeamish.
Guido does a superb job tying all loose ends together in this novella while bringing both Jason Dark and Siu Lin back in this enticing story where not everyone is what they seem. I really enjoy that these novellas seem to be stand-alone texts and can be read out of order. Since the texts don't necessarily tie in with one another, it does give the reader some say over what they want to read. However, both this novella and Demon's Night are superbly written and I suggest reading them both, in order; I am excited to read the next installment and see what new gothic horror Guido comes up with!
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