Laura P. (BelleEpoque) reviewed on 1/25/2006 + 22 more book reviews

From Booklist
Like scotch or very dry martinis, these 20 servings of "vampiric erotica" may be for many a resistible acquired taste. Those who do wind up enjoying this controversial new literature that goes "deeper than horror, beyond fear, to explore our darkest, most intimate hungers" may, however, find this anthology intoxicating. In it, the beast is beautiful, a situation probed by Charles de Lint, Gene Wolfe, and less-known others. Celebrating "unspeakable intimacies," the stories explore the subversive appeal of vampirism in all its manifestations as readers meet a color-blind veterinarian mysteriously--and, without regular refills, only temporarily--restored to a world of color by a strange elixir from a prostitute's third nipple; a vampire whose dying, mortal wife has nourished him for years by allowing him to hurt her, then draw her sensations of fear and pain from her for his own sustenance; and a pair of lesbians who literally copulate the father of one to death. Not as mainstream as Ann Rice, this anthology might be most comfortable in extensive and specialized horror collections. Whitney Scott

Back to all reviews by this member
Back to all reviews of this book
Back to Book Reviews
Back to Book Details