Here are the full reviews by the second-round judges in the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Awards. The Amazon page where the excerpt can be read actually excerpted the judges' comments as well, in a way that lost much of the sense of their enthusiasm (IMHO). In any event, they passed my book along to the quarter-finals, so I'm not complaining. Here are the judge reviews:

ABNA Expert Reviewer #1:

What is the strongest aspect of this excerpt?

The author has a gift for writing with entertaining and gritty imagery. The backdrop for this excerpt is a very well flushed out world. The characters are easy to imagine and they feel real. The scenery is very dense. Reading along I was completely absorbed by the narrative.

What aspect needs the most work?

The excerpt seems to be written from the third person omniscient narrative mode. The author spends an inordinate amount of time developing the main character. Over the length of a decent novel this may not be a problem. There is a risk that the reader may not become emotionally invested in the main character. The work was so entertaining I have a difficult time pointing out a fault.

What is your overall opinion of this excerpt?

This excerpt was extremely entertaining. I was hooked after the first page. I was constantly curious about what would happen next. I think this work would find a wide audience is the YA and urban fantasy markets if it continues as I suspect it will. I find the idea of the crack drug epidemic of the 90s being a vampire conspiracy intriguing.

ABNA Expert Reviewer #2

What is the strongest aspect of this excerpt?

The strongest aspect in this excerpt is the way the author is able to create characters that are multifaceted and seem real. Louis, who is involved in drugs, is still concerned about his son.
I also felt like the author did a good job of keeping the dialogue believable. There are profanities used, but not excessively, and it fits with the characters having the conversation.

What aspect needs the most work?

I am waiting for the various characters' stories to connect. The description has tagged this as science fiction, but in the excerpt provided I have not yet read any part that is science fiction.

What is your overall opinion of this excerpt?

I was happily surprised by this excerpt. I was initially hesitant to read it, not sure if I would enjoy the subject, but it was a well written story with a plot that interested me enough to want to read more.

Okay, I'm back. Of course, I don't know why the judge said my book was tagged as science fiction because it's not. It is a dark urban fantasy. If you'd like to read the excerpt, it is free on Amazon here:

http://amzn.to/1eRPwxs

I'd really appreciate reviews!