Elitist Book Reviews

I recently received the latest Vampire Earth novel in the mail and realized I hadn't yet reviewed MARCH IN COUNTRY. It's been a while since the novel came out--honestly the wait from that book to the newest edition, APPALACHIAN OVERTHROW, has been a tough one to endure--but I thought it was important to get this out there for you.

E.E. Knight's Vampire Earth series is one of the few series I actually get excited for anymore. I love the David Valentine character, and the side characters of the series--Ahn-Kha specifically. But what I really love is how Knight isn't afraid of making life really tough on his main character. Friends and allies die. Valentine is literally and figuratively beaten over and over. He doesn't just luck into his victories (usually). He earns them. He has honor. Valentine is an actual good guy at a time in literature where everyone is going the gritty anti-hero route (not that there's anything wrong with that).

MARCH IN COUNTRY is the end of the story arc from FALL WITH HONOR and WINTER DUTY. Val and the rest are trying desperately to set up a new freehold, but seem to be thwarted at nearly every turn. These last few novels have been rather grim, but again, I love the resilience of Valentine.

Right up front, and the statute of limitations on this specific spoiler has long since gone by, Ahn-Kha is finally back. He's a favorite of mine, and I've missed what he brings to the series. See, Ahn-Kha is who really shows us the humanity of our humans. Finally reunited, Val and Ahn-Kha go to try and talk the Golden Ones into relocating into the potential new freehold. Obviously it doesn't all go to plan, but I never really felt the tension of the situation like I did in prior Vampire Earth novels.

MARCH IN COUNTRY is rather...flat. The ending isn't unexpected in any way. The characters never seem like they are in any actual danger--not even the illusion of danger is really there. Don't get me wrong, I liked the novel. I just didn't like it as much as any of the prior novels in the series. This was Knight wrapping up the loose threads in preparation for the next part of the story. The quality of writing is good as usual. Val and Ahn-Kha are great, and their interaction is what made the book work for me. But in all honesty, this could have been told in a novella or a couple short stories.

MARCH ON COUNTRY is a good entry into the Vampire Earth series, but it isn't the best entry. I'm anxious to see how APPALACHIAN OVERTHROW is considering it is a pure Ahn-Kha novel.

Recommended Age: 16+
Profanity: On par with the rest of the series.
Violence: Far less than usual. I really wish Val would let the Bear out a little more.
Sex: It wouldn't be a Vampire Earth novel without an awkward sex scene.

Get it here:

MARCH IN COUNTRY

Or, start the series here if you are a newcomer:

WAY OF THE WOLF

WINTER DUTY is the latest entry in E. E. Knight's Vampire Earth saga, and it gets the story on track. The prior entry--the seventh novel--was generally regarded (and rightfully so) as a sub-par effort in an otherwise fantastic series. Thankfully, WINTER DUTY is a welcome return to the quality of the prior novels.

For those uninitiated with the series, here is a brief lesson on this apocalyptic take on vampires (before you point fingers and go rabid, remember, we like vampires as long as they don't sparkle at us). The world has been overrun by the Kurian Order, which are basically monsters that have a remarkable similarities to vampires, (Duh. The series is called Vampire Earth) and they actually act like it. They will kill your face until you are dead. Eureka! Queue the angelic chorus!

The world we know has been reset and replaced by a harsh and unforgiving one. Knight has a real gift that allows him to show in gritty detail how insane the circumstances really are. Education consists of things a Boy Scout would learn on a camping trip...well, if Boy Scouts learned about guerrilla warfare and how to resist interrogation (we already sent a letter to Boy Scouts of America requesting new Merit Badges in said categories. They have yet to respond). Technology is an eclectic mix of eras from the Middle Ages, Civil War, and the World Wars, with an occasional appearance of something made of more modern quality. The Kurians hold all the cards, control most of the world, and have most of the resources. Oh and let's not forget to mention their big scary Reapers (vampiric-ish, nearly indestructible, enforcers that are full of awesome) that do their dirty work, and all the regular old humans willing to sell everyone else out for the chance of mercy from the Kurians.

This is the world of David Valentine. Grim huh? Now you see why we love it.

The protagonist of the series is likable from the start, and he stays that way. Watching his progression and development has been entertaining, and has been a real study in the art of character growth over the course of a series. The development takes a somewhat more interesting approach in WINTER DUTY. Without spoiling anything, the focus is turned more towards Val (as his friends call him) and his dwindling group of 'freedom fighters,' their relationships, and the challenges that lie ahead of them.

Jim Butcher could take a lesson from Knight here. This is what a setup book should be. There is less action here than we expected from a Vampire Earth novel, but what is there is well done and thrilling (Less can, indeed, be more. You paying attention, Michael Bay?). Despite the book being obvious set up, we feel that something was accomplished, and that this entry in the series warranted our time and money.

The characters are really getting the conflict piled up on them (Sucks to be them. Yay for us!). The more they get pushed, the more interesting they becoming, and the more engaging Vampire Earth becomes for us. WINTER DUTY does a great job of making this happen.

Knight also does a masterful job at taking jabs at poor leadership, whether it be in the military, government, or trade. It is executed well--and is a recurring theme throughout the series--but it doesn't leave the bitter taste of a political bent or agenda (you know who we are talking about). Instead, it lends great humor, intrigue, and conflict to the plot.

Final verdict? We liked it. It isn't as strong as his earliest entries, but it is a good one, stepping back in the right direction. Thanks, Knight, we look forward to the future adventures of David Valentine. Bring them quick!

If you haven't been reading these novels, you are missing out on some fantastic story-telling. There are some who felt the first book, WAY OF THE WOLF, was a tad slow. Don't let this keep you from Knight's work. Book 1 starts and ends with high amounts of pure awesome, and the series never lets up (except for one, forgivable novel). Go grab the first part of the series, and cancel your plans for a week. Remember, Amazon.com is your friend, and you are slaves to our opinions.

Recommended Age: 16 and up.
Language: Nothing really graphic, some cursing where one would expect it.
Violence: This tale is pretty violent, but it isn't excessive or gratuitous.
Sex: Innuendo.

Go check out what E. E. Knight has to say in his blog at:
http://eeknight.livejournal.com/