Customer Reviews

VROLOK

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Vrolok is a different type of vampire saga, and although it is a fairly long read, it never ceases to be entertaining. The author skillfully weaves in all sorts of historical characters that you never before associated with vampire lore, and crazy as this may sound, it really works.

The story revolves around Isabella, a headstrong girl who becomes a vrolok or vampire because of her thirst for knowledge, and follows her around the world as she satisfies her thirst for a different type of sustenance.

Vampires live an awfully long time once they can go out for a bite ever so often, and as a result, Isabella's story spans many centuries. From time to time, she switches between being a remorseless killer and having a conscience, and when she loves someone, it's always until death do they part. Fiercely loyal to her people and to one family in particular, Isabel does her best to protect those under her wing, but unfortunately things don't always go according to plan.

This book is recommended not only for bloodthirsty readers, but also for fans of romance novels, thrillers and historical fiction. History may have been subjected to some artistic license here, but unlike the main characters, this one certainly doesn't suck.

(To the tune of Hall & Oates "Maneater")

She'll only eat out at night
The mean and bloody type
Nothing you do will keep her from your spoor
Watching and waiting
Ooh, she's bitin' your neck, but her lips will want some gore
So many have paid her fee
Watch her drink, she's gettin' it free
The woman is wild, a she-wolf stained by the blood of those before

Blood's gonna splatter
If you're looking for love, you ain't gonna get too far
(Oh-oh, here she comes) Watch out boy she'll drink you up
(Oh-oh, here she comes) She's a bloodsucker
(Oh-oh, here she comes) Watch out boy she'll drink you up
(Oh-oh, here she comes) She's a bloodsucker
I wouldn't if I were you
I know what she can do
She's deadly man; she could really rip your throat apart

Mind over matter
Ooh, the beauty is there but a beast is in the heart
(Oh-oh, here she comes) Watch out boy she'll drink you up
(Oh-oh, here she comes) She's a bloodsucker
(Oh-oh, here she comes) Watch out boy she'll drink you up
(Oh-oh, here she comes) She's a bloodsucker

Rated: 4.5 stars



Amanda Richards, June 30, 2007

VROLOK is an ambitious, wildly entertaining romp through history which manages to rewrite vampiric lore in the process. The story begins with Vlad Dracula, but that's where the similarity with virtually every other vampire novel you've ever read ends. The world borne of author Nolene-Patricia Dougan's imagination is like some alternate universe in which history and legend merge into a world that feels much like our own - until we see the true causes of each seemingly familiar effect. Dougan makes some fairly audacious changes to traditional vampire lore, including a rather brilliant recasting of Van Helsing, forcefully disproving the argument that there is nothing new under the sun in the vampire genre. Dougan's sense of playfulness with the story stretches a tad bit thin for me personally when she puts vampires alongside Doc Holliday and Wyatt Earp in the American West, but this is quickly forgotten as she puts a deliciously evil bite into the novel's climactic final chapters. Isabella, the story's vampire protagonist, is a wonderfully developed character, and, like some of her temporary companions, it's sometimes easy to forget that she is something far removed from a charming and beautiful young woman, but Isabella has a way of reminding us all of exactly who and what she is.

A Slovak girl growing up in the shadow of Vlad's looming castle, it is Isabella's forthright curiosity that leads to her encounters with the legendary prince and her turning from human to vampire. Unable to face a family who believes her to be dead, she initially stays with Vlad, but theirs is a love-hate relationship from the very start. Although it gravitates over time to love, Isabella and Vlad seemed destined to spend most of their many, many years apart. Isabella's travels will take her far and wide in the centuries to come, but a part of her remains forever bound to her native Transylvania and her Slovak people. Always a woman of her word, she lives up to her commitment to protect the family of her best friend - and ultimately all of the Slovak people - even if it means overthrowing a government. Like most vampires, Isabella struggles at times with a guilty conscience, vowing to kill only those who deserve such a fate, but she never lets that get in the way of her feeding. And she lets nothing and no one stand between her and revenge against those who have wronged her. Isabella, to put it lightly, is quite a woman.

What makes Isabella's story truly fascinating, though, is the interweaving of so many legendary and historical characters into her centuries of existence. She is intimately connected (but not in the manner you might expect) with the legendary evil of Countess Bathory, hears Nostradamus' final prophecy (which refers to the important part she goes on to play in the French Revolution), saves the life of a young man named Napoleon Bonaparte, fights in several European wars as well as the War Between the States in America, befriends the aforementioned Doc Holliday, meets Bram Stoker (and a number of other famous historical figures), and ultimately exacts a cold, calculated, and vicious revenge upon the subjects of Stoker's novel Dracula, namely the Harkers, Dr. Seward, and Van Helsing. I really loved the way Dougan set everything up for such a momentous ending, especially in terms of Isabella's rather startling relationship with Van Helsing. Like a spider spinning her web, Dougan brings disparate story lines together in the end to make the story's climax particularly momentous and poignant - and, of course, rather vicious. If I were to tell you how Dougan connects all of these characters together, you might think it sounds like a joke, but Dougan pulls it all off with remarkable aplomb and effectiveness. Few writers would have the audacity to even make the effort, and only a few could actually pull it off so effectively. By the time you finish VROLOK, you will have gained a new perspective on everything you ever knew about vampires.

Isabella is not the kind of brooding, self-absorbed vampire you will find in the work of Anne Rice, even though her personal story is chock full of brood-worthy material - from the sister who betrayed her in life to her rather tragic relationship with Vlad to the descendant she mistakenly turns into a vampire to her extraordinary relationship with Van Helsing. I haven't even mentioned the vampiric enemies who attempt to kill her on several occasions or expounded upon the only means by which she can be killed (which makes for an integral part of the story). As you can see, there is a true abundance of riches worked into the plot of this extraordinary novel. It's unlike any vampire story I've ever read, and that is why I found VROLOK to be such an immensely enjoyable, fascinating read.

Have you ever wondered where the author Bram Stoker got his idea for the novel Dracula. Well read this novel and you may well find out, or at the very least it will make you think.

Nolene-Patricia Dougan is a new author, but it is obvious that she has taken the time to learn her craft. It is also obvious to the reader that the book has been well researched.

The story begins on a battle field. Vlad Dracula is brought news of the death of his wife. Dracula becomes inconsolable with grief. He is a mighty warrior who has fought the Turks on many occasions, but nothing has touched him like the loss of his wife and he finds his way back to his castle in the Carpathians and lives such a reclusive life that the villagers close to the castle believe that he is dead.

Many years later a young woman called Isabella goes up to the castle from the village. She is accompanied by her friend who tries to talk her out of entering the castle which is looking dilapidated as though no one lives there any more. The women see what they think is a figure on top of the tower, but this turns out to be a wolf. Initially they are afraid, but the wolf seems tame and it befriends Isabella.

Eventually Vlad himself (the wolf), makes himself known to Isabella and over a period of time grows to want her for himself. Isabella, partly through her own fault becomes a vampire herself and the pair of them set out through the centuries meeting many famous people of the time, both in Europe and America, with dire consequences for some of them. Isabella remains young and beautiful and because of this she becomes the confidant of many rich and famous men through the centuries

Suffice to say this is a well written book and to go into any more detail would spoil it for the reader. I would however just say that those readers who are expecting the typical "Horror" story with buckets of blood and dripping fangs will probably be disappointed, or alternatively pleasantly surprised. It is well worth reading and I found the storyline first rate.

Amazing historical dark fiction novel. This is truly an epic which is completely arresting from the first page. At no time does this novel fall into the clichéd blood and gore vampire novel. The characters are multi-dimensional and totally believable; our anti-heroine Isabella's enemies are fiendishly cunning with their sheer malevolence being virtually palatable. This is in direct contrast to our heroine Isabella who although turned into a Vrolok (vampire) refuses to succumb to becoming a fiendish monster. She clings to her humanity and fights to protect her friends and loved ones.

Isabella's journey through life/undead life takes her takes her throughout Europe during some of the most fascinating periods of history. Among the many characters she meets are the Medici's of Florence, Kit Marlowe of Elizabethan England and Robespierre, one of the central characters involved in the French Revolution. From here she travels to the New World of America meeting along the way the likes of Doc Holiday and Wyatt Earp.

The sheer quality of the historical aspects of this novel are mesmerising in their historical accuracy as concerns both the places visited and the people encountered. The amount of research done for this book is obvious and faultless. However at no time does the story falter due to the historical detail, in fact the historical aspect of the book is so well written and integrated into the story that you find yourself staying awake and burning the midnight oil.

Based upon of a poem anonymously published in 1906, Vrolok by Nolene-Patricia Dougan is an original engaging story of Isabella, the leader of the vampires after the death of Vlad Dracula. Carrying readers through the gripping tale of Isabella's dark journey, Vrolok diligently depicts the intricate life of the immortal vampire including her inevitable nemesis. A superbly crafted and complex dark fantasy novel, Vrolok is very highly recommended as an evocative and captivating tale of the immortal race of the Vrolok, or vampire, as their leader's desires to lead a nation of their kind comes to an unexpected and exciting conclusion. Vrolok will leave her readers looking eagerly towards Nolene-Patricia Dougan's next foray into dark fantasy.

Five centuries ago in Transylvania, Isabella flaunting societal rules as always, decides to visit the castle of notorious Vlad Dracula, who has gained notoriety with his war tactics against the Turkish invaders. However, she finds something more in Vlad that her own spouse Nicolae lacks. Isabella sees a need to rule the masses and offers herself to Vlad as his queen by his side. Vlad accepts the beautiful headstrong female as his, but she is stunned when he turns her into what he is, a Vrolok (vampire).

Over the next few centuries Vlad and Isabella share a deep abiding love, but also have deep heated fights and jealous rages. Isabella refuses to turn into a non-caring monster and has a natural passion for the life of others. Over the years they meet many humans; some are friends; others are enemies; and a few are so diabolically devious they are both. Vlad and Isabella live the lives of immortals while those they encounter become footnotes in history.

In some ways VROLOK is more a historical biographical fiction than a horror thriller as Isabella relates her escapades with several real persona like Kit Marlowe and Wyatt Earp. Her encounters with Van Helsing are some of the best vampire interludes in recent years and the Medici come across as wily, conniving charmers. Vampire fans will appreciate this different bite on the creatures of the night with a strong historical biographical perspective.

Harriet Klausner

This was a great book. While I normally don't like books about vampires, and fantasy this one is just that... BUT it is intriguing, has much humor, keeps you wanting to know more even after you're done you get this feeling... sort of like a "what's next" feeling. The reader gets a real feel for the ambiance of the books mystifying locations and all of the characters come to life.

I can't wait until the next one.

For everyone there is one true a mate, and for the legendary Dracula there was Isabella, the Vrolok, the Slovakian term for vampire. In the medieval woods of Eastern Europe Transylvania, the story began as a young Vlad Dracula had fought a battle with his enemies. This story, unlike other gory fantasy vampire tales delves into the Dracula family history and reveals how vampires came to be.

Vrolok also has a different twist because it was written from a woman's point of view. Isabella as a young child met Dracula who lived in his prominent castle on top of the village's mountain. As Isabella grew up she was known for her exquisite beauty but was very headstrong which created problems for her. Evidentially Dracula made her a vampire like himself and for the next five centuries they endured a love-hate relationship, both shielding and protecting each other from their own demise while never admitting their true feelings to each other.

During all those centuries, Isabella and her many consorts traveled all over Europe and America. Isabella met some illustrious people along the way, famous literary people, world leaders, and notorious American frontiersmen while leaving a trail of countless victims whose bloodless bodies had but two small marks on their necks.

Throughout the book, Isabella was a solid fascinating character that protected her own village people and who kept the human qualities of empathy for society's oppressed. Because she never aged, her beauty remained flawless and men everywhere sought her out. However, no one could capture her as long as Dracula wanted her for his own. Dracula was portrayed as a monster with softness for the only woman who could tame him.

This book is rich with folklore and is very well researched with documented historical facts. Its in-depth character portrayal will make the book difficult to put down. As a vampire lusts for the blood of the next victim, the reader will lust for more from this new author.

The legend of the blood-sucking vampire is a very old one with many facets, although the modern version has established many of the qualities that vampires are supposed to possess. Bram Stoker, the author of the book "Dracula", based it on Vlad Dracul III (the Impaler) a Romanian nobleman who lived in the Transylvanian section of the country. Vlad lived in the fifteenth century and eventually ascended to the throne some time after his father was murdered. His kingdom was a buffer state between the Ottoman Turks and the Hungarians, so Vlad's kingdom was constantly at risk of invasion from both sides. He was known as the Impaler because that was his preferred method of dealing with those perceived as his enemies. Sharpened stakes were slowly inserted into their bodies, and after they were dead their bodies were left to rot. It is claimed that an invading Turkish army once was sent into full retreat at the sight of thousands of decaying bodies of Turkish prisoners hanging from poles.
In Romanian legends, Vlad is remembered as a just and fair prince who defended the common people against the local nobility and the forces of the Ottoman Turks. He was also known as a fierce defender of public morality; crimes such as adultery and petty theft were punishable by death. Legends state that a bag of gold could be dropped in the street at night and it would still be there in the morning.
In this book, Dougan starts with the actual character of Vlad when he receives the news that his wife has died. She killed herself rather than suffer capture at the hands of the Turks. Dougan also uses some of the vampire legend and drops some of the others. For example, the crucifix is no longer a weapon against vampires, they do not have to avoid the sun and they do not have to sleep in their coffins during the day. While the vampires still must satisfy their voracious hunger for human blood, they are able to interact with humans, even to the point of mating and producing half-breed offspring. Such an offspring is called a Dhampir and the blood of a Dhampir is fatal to a vampire.
Isabella is a young girl who had a joyless childhood; her father rejected her because her mother died when she was born. Isabella travels to the ancient castle and meets the ancient Vlad, a handsome vampire. Isabella soon becomes a vampire and even though she has the lust for blood, she vows to protect the Slovaks from harm. This vow holds throughout the centuries as Isabella and Vlad carry out a bizarre love hate relationship. Since both are essentially immortal, they can part for decades and then meet again physically unchanged. They can pound each other unmercifully, yet with no real danger to each other.
Their dual adventure, with other vampires thrown in, lasts for centuries. There are jealousies between vampires, interactions with humans, many of which leave them dead and they help the course of history. During the book, Isabella comes into contact with historical figures such as Bram Stoker, Lord Byron, Doc Holliday and the Earp brothers. She is in Tombstone during the famous battle at the OK Corral.
After centuries of vampire-human interactions and infighting, the ending is weak. The story ends with Isabella getting a message in her mind that she believes is from the long-dead Vlad. He entreats her to build a nation of vampires, as she is the most powerful vampire that has ever lived.
Dougan is to be commended for having the vampires in this book conform more to the Transylvanian legends than the portrayals in the movies. Despite their lust for blood, the vampires protect their chosen people and can function during the day. Even though their true nature is known, they live among the people and are tolerated as long as they don't kill the "wrong kind." I enjoyed the book; it is a vampire story that is based a great deal on the traditional Eastern European legends of the undead.

Vrolok
by Nolene-Patricia Dougan
Author House 1163 Liberty Dr., Ste. 200, Bloomington, IN 47403 9/28/06
[...]
ISBN: 1-4208-8163-9

Do you love a good vampire story? Do you find yourself sucked into the tale? Love adventure of the dark side?

The setting takes place in historic Eastern Europe Transylvania.

The story begins as Vlad Dracula having fought a battle with his enemies, and a young girl's curiosity ignites her. A historic vampire tale, occurring over a time span of five hundred years. The story follows the protagonist, Isabella, as a young vampire. Isabella is rebelling as her father rejects her; he is unable to overcome the loss of his wife while giving birth to their daughter Isabella. Isabella travels to the castle of Vlad Dracula, where Vlad develops strong feelings, and falls in love with her. What else would a vampire who is in love do? Vlad turns Isabella into a vampire, his mate for life. Do not be fooled this is not a loving match, it is the opposite, they have a long love-hate relationship, spending more time apart than together. Over time Isabella can no longer deny her love for Vlad and upon his demise she vows revenge and to bring his killers down with the help of Nicolae. Isabella and Nicolae leave America and travel back to England to bring down the English Vampire hunters and avenge Vlad's death.

Isabella struggles with her guilt and makes a vow to only kill those who deserve to die. She never allows anyone to hinder her revenge against those who have wronged her throughout time. Over the centuries of her existence she meets many famous historical figures. She encounters such historical figures as Napoleon, Bram Stroker, to the western figures of Doc Holliday and Wyatt Earp, as well as many other figures throughout the selected eras. She travels throughout Europe and America. Nolene-Patricia Dougan has performed vast research and the historical figures mentioned in her book are remarkable.

Vrolok is a compelling and gripping tale of a young beautiful vampire's dark journey through the centuries. Vrolok has a strong plot throughout, and the characters are so well developed and intensely interesting. This is no traditional vampire story; you may think well the story involves Vlad Dracula, it is like all the other stories, it is so very different, do not be fooled. This is a superior spine tingling dark fantasy written be a very imaginative author, her work embraces hundreds of years of history and maintains vivid descriptions of various people, places and events.

This book will hold your attention to the very end, and you will find it is very difficult to put down, a definite page turner well until the late night. I could find no fault in this tale. I highly recommend this story, it is unlike any other vampire story I have ever read. So if you are looking for a different twist from the norm, are seeking a fascinating and thoroughly enjoyable read, look no further. All vampire enthusiasts as well as all Anne Rice fans will not want to miss this one, you will get lost in this adventure, and you will not be disappointed. I am looking forward to Dougan's new release with anticipation. A definite 5 star read!