Wounds [Mass Market Paperback]

Jemiah Jefferson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 2002

Vampire Daniel Blum imagines himself the most ruthless, savage creature in New York City, if not the world. He once feasted on the blood of Nazi Germany and left a string of shattered lovers behind him. But now the usual thrill of seduction and murder has begun to wear off. Until he meets Sybil, the strange former stripper whose mind is the first he's ever found that he cannot read or manipulate.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 361 pages
• Publisher: Leisure Books (May 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0843949988
• ISBN-13: 978-0843949988
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.5 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,499,233 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Born in Denver, Colorado, Jemiah Jefferson started writing fiction at the age of twelve, always with the goal of writing the material she wants to see but that doesn't yet exist. She has also written fiction, essays, and criticism for the local weekly newspapers Willamette Week and Just Out, the magazines PLAZM and 2Grlz Quarterly, and the culture blog Popshifter. She lives in Portland, Oregon.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Jefferson avoids the sophomore slump, July 29, 2002

By 

Henry W. Wagner (Rockaway, NJ USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Wounds (Mass Market Paperback)

If Voice of the Blood was Jemiah Jefferson's Interview with the Vampire, then Wounds is most assuredly her Queen of the Dead. But where Voice of the Blood showed weaknesses typical of any first novel, Wounds showcases a writer who has matured, a writer confident in her talent and skills, unafraid to offend or shock.

Wounds picks up a few months after the conclusion of Voice, focusing on Daniel Blum, a supporting character from that novel. Nearly a century old, the vampire has never matured mentally or physically beyond his early twenties. Jaded, bored and depressed, Daniel spends most of his time seeking new distractions, a pastime which is becoming more futile by the day.

Such is his state of mind then when he encounters Sybil, an erotic dancer unique in that the vampire can neither penetrate her thoughts nor influence her actions. Entranced, Daniel begins a relentless and eventually successful romantic pursuit of the woman, who, although human, is far more vicious and perverse than he, exhorting Daniel to levels of violence excessive even by his standards. Such is Daniel's infatuation, however, that he consistently does her bidding, even when it endangers his life.

It was something of a surprise to pick up Wounds and discover that Jefferson had chosen to focus on Daniel, rather than Ariane, the heroine of Voice of the Blood. Arguably, Ariane's complex personality and personal conflicts would have provided more fictional fodder for the sequel. For instance, Jefferson could have leveraged Ariane's strained relationship with her vampire husband or her efforts to understand vampirism through scientific research to fashion her follow-up. But Jefferson forsakes the easy path--Ariane remains in the background here, together with Ricari, the vampire who also played a prominent role in Voice of the Blood. Their individual cameos, however, are quite effective.

Jefferson's focus on the relationship of these mismatched misfits allows her to explore some interesting terrain, such as the very human craving to be loved, and the ways in which love can be perverted. Daniel, an immortal monster, has become so desperate for intimacy that he literally bears his throat to the depraved megalomaniac Sybil. Jefferson so effectively chronicles Daniel's surrender of self that readers may grow angry with the character, wondering what could possibly make him so desperate. But it's this desperation that powers the novel, compelling readers to turn the next page and see just how bad it's going to get. This desperation is likely to polarize readers, dividing them into two groups, those that find the relationship ridiculous, and those that can't help watching in sick fascination as the book lumbers towards its stunning, but in hindsight inevitable, climax.

Shocking, intense, and sexually charged, Jefferson's sophomore effort is as commendable as it is twisted, a worthy effort that should win her an even larger readership. Although it could have been pared down a little, it's a first rate piece of writing, one which most devotees of vampire fiction should enjoy.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I wanted more,And got what I wanted!, June 9, 2002

By 

Amanda (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Wounds (Mass Market Paperback)

This book "Wounds" Is Outstanding! Jemiah's writing is still as refreshing and addictive as it ever was. If you enjoyed "Voice of the Blood" And have not yet read "Wounds" then I would highly advise checking it out. In this Book Jemiah, Yet again Brings to life your favorite characters from 'VOTB'In a Brand new City with a brand new story. It's a very well datailed novel that will be just as hard to put down as her other book. In this story Jemiah brings to life a new character "Sybil" She,Being the only Person who's mind Daniel Could not read, Becomes His new infatuation and ultimiatley his demise. I would HIGHLY recomend this novel to anyone with an open mind,who has the time to sit and read this book for a few hours.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Truly Worthy, June 8, 2002

By 

Colbey (Smalltown, KY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Wounds (Mass Market Paperback)

After reading Wounds one has the urge to go into the street and see if there really are pale, glamorous, at times androgynous people wandering around whispering things and hidden desires into our minds... Jemiah Jefferson's book gives hope to those disillusioned by other tamer works. The book revolves around the twisted yet understandable relationship of Daniel...While favorites from the past book popup for guest appearances, Sybil, one of the truly most captivating characters I've ever read, leaps to the spotlight of the story. Scarred and extremely psychotic Sybil brings the inhuman side to humanity alive, a perfect compliment to Daniel's conflicting and struggling emotions. The engaging, sometimes shocking scenes add a layer of intensity and an overall chilling effect throughout. Along with rich descriptions, wonderful dialogue and fantastic narration Wounds is a joy to read not only for fans of Voice of the Blood or vampire stories but also for fans of well-written literature everywhere.