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The Deviant
Heinrich Straus, an eight-hundred year old German vampire, is on the run—from his past, from his crimes…from himself. But he is deviant, and he knows it; a vampire can't live as a normal human being, love like a normal human being...can he? Is it possible for him to transcend his parasitic nature? Or is being a monster what defines him?
When local detectives uncover the bodies of local young women, they know they have a serial killer on their hands. Even with a daughter of Santo Paulo in love with him, Heinrich finds that being a vampire makes proving his innocence very complicated indeed...
When local detectives uncover the bodies of local young women, they know they have a serial killer on their hands. Even with a daughter of Santo Paulo in love with him, Heinrich finds that being a vampire makes proving his innocence very complicated indeed...
298 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 11, 2010
11 people want to read
About the author
Orren Merton
27 books40 followersOrren Merton started writing fantasy and science fiction at an embarrassingly young age, mostly for his own amusement. In 2001, magazines, developers, and corporations began to pay him to write and edit music software related articles, manuals, and books. His Industrial rock group Ember After released their debut album, Grasping At Straws, in 2008. He now has a few fantasy and science fiction novels under his belt, and has no intention of stopping. He lives in Southern California with his family, pets, collection of sci-fi/fantasy memorabilia, and curiously large stuffed animal collection.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
January 31, 2011
The Deviant follows Heinrich, a German born vampire who is on the run from his past & himself. He ends up in a small college town, Santo Paulo. On his first night there he meets Hope, the daughter of very religious parents. Not long after his arrival, women start dying & the police notice Heinrich near almost every crime scene & start to suspect him. He must prove his innocence, or lose hope forever.
I was pretty surprised at how much I enjoyed The Deviant. Orren Merton knows how to write an old skool vampire story, none of this sparkle crap from Heinrich! I adored Heinrich & the way the story ended was nothing short of draw dropping. I was extremely stunned at the ending, I love when something comes out of left field & shocks the hell out of me. And make no doubt about it, the ending will have your jaw dropping too.
My only issue with the story was Hope, I didn’t like her very much. She was too innocent for me, I know that’s not surprising. But the way she spoke, the way she immediately went from perfect religious girl to understanding vampires exist much to fast for me. Maybe that was the point, but it feel a bit flat for me. But Heinrich was awesome, I loved the way he thought & the way he spoke, the background was truly original.
Orren Merton has a way with words & he drew me in right from the start. The world building was fantastic, I loved that he set a centuries old vampire on a small college town as opposed to the big city vampire we have become used to.
If you want an old skool look at vampires, pick up The Deviant, you won’t be disappointed.
3.5 Stars
I was pretty surprised at how much I enjoyed The Deviant. Orren Merton knows how to write an old skool vampire story, none of this sparkle crap from Heinrich! I adored Heinrich & the way the story ended was nothing short of draw dropping. I was extremely stunned at the ending, I love when something comes out of left field & shocks the hell out of me. And make no doubt about it, the ending will have your jaw dropping too.
My only issue with the story was Hope, I didn’t like her very much. She was too innocent for me, I know that’s not surprising. But the way she spoke, the way she immediately went from perfect religious girl to understanding vampires exist much to fast for me. Maybe that was the point, but it feel a bit flat for me. But Heinrich was awesome, I loved the way he thought & the way he spoke, the background was truly original.
Orren Merton has a way with words & he drew me in right from the start. The world building was fantastic, I loved that he set a centuries old vampire on a small college town as opposed to the big city vampire we have become used to.
If you want an old skool look at vampires, pick up The Deviant, you won’t be disappointed.
3.5 Stars
May 8, 2011
On the run from his past, Heinrich Stratus, an eight-hundred year old German born vampire, reluctantly embraces what he is and longs for somewhere he can finally belong. After what seems like an endless search, Heinrich finds himself in a small and quiet town in California known as Santo Paulo. Soon after arriving, he meets a kind family who welcomes him to town. He is not used to receiving any kindness from strangers, given his choice of Gothic styled wardrobe, and career as a music journalist. Heinrich begins to develop hope that Santo Paulo may be what he has been searching for all these years. Of course, not everyone in town is as kind and genuine as they appear to be…
That same evening, Heinrich hears a cry from an alleyway and rushes to help the man despite the constant doubts running through his mind. His doubts were right; as Heinrich nears him, the man raises his gun and tells Heinrich to give him all his valuables. Heinrich fights back and gets shot in the process. Luckily, Heinrich is not harmed given that he is a vampire, but now needs to replace his leather jacket to avoid any questioning.
This leads to Heinrich meeting Hope, a young college student and daughter of very religious parents, at the clothing store where she works. Hope enjoys his company and befriends him immediately. As they spend more time together; their interest in each other is evident to those around them, while they each secretly hope that the feelings are mutual.
Coincidentally, upon Heinrich’s arrival to town, several dead bodies of brutally murdered young college women are discovered. With Heinrich near almost every crime scene, he becomes the prime suspect. Heinrich must prove his innocence without revealing his secret to anyone, and while trying to protect Hope from becoming the killer’s next victim…
The Deviant is a thrilling mystery novel which will have you guessing who the serial killer is right until the very end. Heinrich is a sympathetic character that shows admirable respect to those around him who decide to take a closer look at who he really is. Although Heinrich has always felt he could never fit in, nor ever be loved for what he truly is, he is proven wrong once meeting Hope.
My favorite elements of the novel would have to be how The Deviant incorporates more traditional vampire myths with intriguing twists, as well as the added mystery aspect to the novel. Heinrich’s background was especially interesting to me, offering just enough answers to many questions. Having the story take place in a small town opposed to a large city strengthened the plot and made the story complete. I also enjoyed the dog in the story, and how he and Heinrich look after one another.
Orren Merton did a fantastic job in writing this more traditional vampire tale. I was kept in suspense throughout the novel, and was not able to guess who the killer was until the very end when it was revealed. There were also some short chapters which made it really hard to put down. The Deviant will keep you guessing what will happen next throughout the course of the novel, ending with a jaw dropping twist.
I believe Orren Merton shows great talent and originality through this novel. I recommend The Deviant to anyone who enjoys mystery thrillers, suspense and a little hint of romance.
4/5 – An Enjoyable Read, Well Written, Recommended
That same evening, Heinrich hears a cry from an alleyway and rushes to help the man despite the constant doubts running through his mind. His doubts were right; as Heinrich nears him, the man raises his gun and tells Heinrich to give him all his valuables. Heinrich fights back and gets shot in the process. Luckily, Heinrich is not harmed given that he is a vampire, but now needs to replace his leather jacket to avoid any questioning.
This leads to Heinrich meeting Hope, a young college student and daughter of very religious parents, at the clothing store where she works. Hope enjoys his company and befriends him immediately. As they spend more time together; their interest in each other is evident to those around them, while they each secretly hope that the feelings are mutual.
Coincidentally, upon Heinrich’s arrival to town, several dead bodies of brutally murdered young college women are discovered. With Heinrich near almost every crime scene, he becomes the prime suspect. Heinrich must prove his innocence without revealing his secret to anyone, and while trying to protect Hope from becoming the killer’s next victim…
The Deviant is a thrilling mystery novel which will have you guessing who the serial killer is right until the very end. Heinrich is a sympathetic character that shows admirable respect to those around him who decide to take a closer look at who he really is. Although Heinrich has always felt he could never fit in, nor ever be loved for what he truly is, he is proven wrong once meeting Hope.
My favorite elements of the novel would have to be how The Deviant incorporates more traditional vampire myths with intriguing twists, as well as the added mystery aspect to the novel. Heinrich’s background was especially interesting to me, offering just enough answers to many questions. Having the story take place in a small town opposed to a large city strengthened the plot and made the story complete. I also enjoyed the dog in the story, and how he and Heinrich look after one another.
Orren Merton did a fantastic job in writing this more traditional vampire tale. I was kept in suspense throughout the novel, and was not able to guess who the killer was until the very end when it was revealed. There were also some short chapters which made it really hard to put down. The Deviant will keep you guessing what will happen next throughout the course of the novel, ending with a jaw dropping twist.
I believe Orren Merton shows great talent and originality through this novel. I recommend The Deviant to anyone who enjoys mystery thrillers, suspense and a little hint of romance.
4/5 – An Enjoyable Read, Well Written, Recommended
March 3, 2011
Lately, I've been a bit nervous when it comes to reading a book about vampires, but The Deviant was definitely an interesting read and I'm glad that I had the chance to read it.
One of the things that made The Deviant different from the majority of vampire books was that the author went for a more traditional vampire, which I found to be fascinating. Sure it's cool when somebody takes an old myth and gives it new life, but there are only many ways one can spin it before it starts to seen like they're trying too hard to be original.
What really pulled me into The Deviant was the first chapter; it was just so good...and creepy. While the first chapter rocked, the book kind of slowed down for about forty pages, but then it picked so much that I ended up thinking about it all night wondering what was going to happen next.
I really liked the mystery aspect of this book; even though I had guessed pretty early on who the killer actually was (I'd like to thank all the mystery books I have read, especially Agatha Christie and the Sherlock Holmes books).
I also think that the short chapters really helped to keep the story moving; it also made it that much harder to put down.
While it was a really good book, I do however have a few things that I didn't like about the book. In the first half of the book it seemed liked Heinrick's name was mentioned just a bit too much. There were also a few typos, but in the end not even those minor complaints could keep me from enjoying reading this book.
My favorite thing about The Deviant would have to be Heinrick, I thought he was a slightly odd vamp, especially since he seemed so conflicted over the way he was.
The thing I disliked the most about this book was the swearing, I don't swear...so I don't really like it when it pops up into the books I read. Yes, I'm weird like that.
Final Verdict: I'd definitely recommend The Deviant to those looking for a thrilling mystery...that just so happens to have vampires.
The Deviant earns 4 out of 5 pineapples.
One of the things that made The Deviant different from the majority of vampire books was that the author went for a more traditional vampire, which I found to be fascinating. Sure it's cool when somebody takes an old myth and gives it new life, but there are only many ways one can spin it before it starts to seen like they're trying too hard to be original.
What really pulled me into The Deviant was the first chapter; it was just so good...and creepy. While the first chapter rocked, the book kind of slowed down for about forty pages, but then it picked so much that I ended up thinking about it all night wondering what was going to happen next.
I really liked the mystery aspect of this book; even though I had guessed pretty early on who the killer actually was (I'd like to thank all the mystery books I have read, especially Agatha Christie and the Sherlock Holmes books).
I also think that the short chapters really helped to keep the story moving; it also made it that much harder to put down.
While it was a really good book, I do however have a few things that I didn't like about the book. In the first half of the book it seemed liked Heinrick's name was mentioned just a bit too much. There were also a few typos, but in the end not even those minor complaints could keep me from enjoying reading this book.
My favorite thing about The Deviant would have to be Heinrick, I thought he was a slightly odd vamp, especially since he seemed so conflicted over the way he was.
The thing I disliked the most about this book was the swearing, I don't swear...so I don't really like it when it pops up into the books I read. Yes, I'm weird like that.
Final Verdict: I'd definitely recommend The Deviant to those looking for a thrilling mystery...that just so happens to have vampires.
The Deviant earns 4 out of 5 pineapples.
March 11, 2011
Shorter than Twilight, with one clear storyline and no angling for sequels, Orren Merton’s The Deviant asks how the vampire might feel as he falls in love with a normal human girl. The cover shows a man and his dog walking through the dark, and this vampire, like the now-famous Cullens, has much to recommend him. Yes, and he has a dog. The dog is cool!
Like most modern vampire writers, the author takes features from older literature and adds intriguing twists. The result is a sympathetic character whose past reveals itself slowly and naturally, and whose future looks bleak. Can love save him?
Heinrich has sought salvation in many places and many faiths. He converses comfortably with devoted church neighbors, shows admirable respect, and is stared at accusingly because he dresses wrong and goes out at night—also because he’s new in town and there’s a rash of murders going on. If he isn’t guilty, he’d better find out who is before the police come knocking in broad daylight at his California door. Meanwhile he makes friends and dares to hope.
There are sections where the vampire stares at beauty and wonders how he could be loved. They make me think of Twilight from the opposite point of view. But that’s okay. The Deviant is a good quick read with interesting characters, intriguing dilemmas, and a great California music-scene feel.
Disclosure: I won this book from a blog and enjoyed the read.
Like most modern vampire writers, the author takes features from older literature and adds intriguing twists. The result is a sympathetic character whose past reveals itself slowly and naturally, and whose future looks bleak. Can love save him?
Heinrich has sought salvation in many places and many faiths. He converses comfortably with devoted church neighbors, shows admirable respect, and is stared at accusingly because he dresses wrong and goes out at night—also because he’s new in town and there’s a rash of murders going on. If he isn’t guilty, he’d better find out who is before the police come knocking in broad daylight at his California door. Meanwhile he makes friends and dares to hope.
There are sections where the vampire stares at beauty and wonders how he could be loved. They make me think of Twilight from the opposite point of view. But that’s okay. The Deviant is a good quick read with interesting characters, intriguing dilemmas, and a great California music-scene feel.
Disclosure: I won this book from a blog and enjoyed the read.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews