Vampire Thrall: A Novel [Paperback]

Michael Schiefelbein (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 2003

He’s back. Once a Roman officer rejected as a lover by -Jesus of Nazareth, now a vampire still haunted by Jesus after two millenia of grisly revenge in monasteries around the world, Victor Decimus returns to his hometown, the Eternal City of Rome. At the Monastery of San Benedetto, "Brother Victor" continues his campaign of defiance against the Christian God, while remaining near his first love, whose apparitions have never ceased. Meanwhile, across the ocean in a small Kansas town, the gentle, sensuous artist Paul Lewis sees strange visions of a shadowy vampire. When he is hired to illuminate a new manuscript of the gospels undertaken by the monks of San Benedetto, Paul goes to Rome and falls in love with the bold Brother Victor. Sensing danger in this handsome visitor, Victor resists his attraction to Paul until the young artist witnesses Victor committing murder. Unwilling to destroy Paul, Victor transforms him into his vampire thrall. In a limbo between the living and the undead, Paul may choose full life as a vampire, but not without a price: the release of his beloved Victor to the Dark Kingdom and his own solitary existence for 200 years as stalker of the night. Complicating this choice, the strange force that caused Paul’s early visions now aims to turn Paul against his vampire creator. And Victor must defeat this powerful opponent before it is too late.

Michael Schiefelbein is the author of Vampire Vow. After spending 10 years studying for the priesthood, he graduated from the University of Maryland with a doctorate in English. He has lived in Italy and Washington, D.C., and now resides in Memphis, Tennessee, where he is a professor of writing and literature.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Michael Schiefelbein is the author of the Lambda Literary Award nominated Vampire Vow. After spending ten years studying for the priesthood, he graduated from the University of Maryland with a doctorate in English. He has lived in Italy and Washington, D.C., and now resides in Memphis, Tenn., where he is a professor of writing and literature.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Alyson Books (June 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 155583728X
• ISBN-13: 978-1555837280
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #452,559 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Can't wait for the third..., September 18, 2003

By 

Shannon (Michigan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Vampire Thrall: A Novel (Paperback)

Vampire Thrall was twice as long as Vampire Vow and twice as entertaining. Instead of gore, this novel centers around the supernatural, including many apparitions that Victor (the vampire) would like to forget.

Schiefelbein creates a unique perspective of the story by switching between the two main characters for each chapter. Vampire Thrall brings back the lovable Victor and introduces his new consort, Paul. The story takes place in modern day Rome in yet another cloister.

On a side note, one of the many interesting things that drew me to this sequel, were the aspects of monastic life. Even though this was a purely leisurely read, I found myself learning a great deal about monks and their way of life. I never would have thought this would happen because of a vampire novel.

This book is very gory and very graphic, and not for the faint of heart. If you're looking for a vampire book with some real "bite" (haha) then this is the one for you. If you're offended by male on male "activities" and the idea of Jesus being an ultimate conquest, steer away from this quick.

Schiefelbein has a knack for creating characters. He has a wonderful fluidity to his writing that I really enjoy. I hope he writes a third book in this series. I eagerly await his next novel.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Better then the first book! More sex, blood, and Victor!, February 12, 2004

By 

Jane Doe - See all my reviews

This review is from: Vampire Thrall: A Novel (Paperback)

I was not as impressed by Vampire Vow as I have been by the second in the series, Vampire Thrall. In this book there is more of everything. There is more of a relationship that Victor so longed for in the first book. This book has intimacy and longing in it that the first book lacked. There is still the ever-present Taboo of Jesus being a homosexual and Victor being in love with him; however in this book Victor is able to over ride his longing for Joshu, and find a love in Paul that can finally last the tests and trials that is the Vampire Victor. Although, this is a better book then Vampire Vow, I would definitely read it, as all of the same characters in the first book are also present in Vampire Thrall. If you like to read books that has violence, vampires, ghosts, and gay erotica; then this is the book for you.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Unusual and Disturbing, August 4, 2003

By 

Jon Weber (IL, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Vampire Thrall: A Novel (Paperback)

This is an extremely unique and captivating novel of a relationship of two gay men, one being a 2000 year old Vampire and the other an artist. The story is based in a monastery in Rome, where the two meet. Victor, the Vampire has taken recluse, under the guise of a monk and Paul, the artist from Kansas has been given an assignment of doing the illuminations of a manuscript of the gospels.

For those who are Catholic or devote followers of any religion will find this book very disturbing and may in fact not choose to finish the book. Not only is the gay sex very graphic and constant, but Victor's defiling of the monks and all things held reverent by religious people may be enough to turn your stomach. It's hard to believe that the author, Michael Schiefelbein, is said to have studied for the priesthood for 10 years. One gets the feeling that Mr. Schiefelbein had some very bad experiences during his studies and was either thrown out or left in such poor terms that nothing but spite and hatred are left.

The underlying story is actually a good one and if you can get beyond the gay sex and the religious perversity, it's very captivating. Due to developing situations, Victor transforms Paul into his Thrall, a being who is part human and part Vampire. There is a huge stake involved for both of their futures and the story intensifies as the stakes get higher.