Aleron

Strigoi #1

by Kane

Aleron must cope with a timeless existence, seeing those he loves suffer the fate of mortality, while he remains cursed with eternal life. What if your immortal origin as well as others of your kind were hidden from you by the one you loved most; the one who gave you into a life of darkness and a lust for the sweetest nectar? These dilemmas and more face Aleron, but he must first learn to live, to survive, and most of all, to feed.

Seduced by the alluring vampire Mynea, Aleron learns what it truly means to be immortal as he adapts to his new life and new insatiable lust. She is teaching him to give her what her maker never has. She desires a new king and a new coven. Hearts, minds, and vampire souls intertwine as long kept secrets crawl out from the grave, refusing to remain buried beneath earth and lies. A blood kiss between them reveals a darker and even deadlier soul that has learned of Aleron’s blasphemous existence. Vlad is the beginning, the father of them all. Mynea must not let her young prince learn of her ancient king. Can a vampire truly love and trust another of his kind when their very lives depend on skillful deceit?

Walking a thin line between life and death, Aleron is certain of one thing, if love is, then blood is.

Genres: Vampires, Paranormal, Fiction

217 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 12, 2011

About the author

From fantastical creatures and superheroes to Greek mythology and the undead, the fantasy world has captivated Kane since he was a young boy. He began telling his own stories through illustrations before he discovered his love and talent for writing. Kane has always enjoyed conducting the research for his stories, and he even convinced his middle-school classmates to spend 10 minutes in the dark in an abandoned building armed with only a tape recorder. Based on their reactions Kane wrote his first chilling horror tale and by the start of high school he had penned several short stories and the beginnings of a few novels.

After earning a dual degree in Mathematics and Psychology, Kane spent more than a decade in the corporate world working in senior management. One day, after realizing that he had veered away from his real passion, he decided to quit his job and dedicate his life to entertain- ing people through his writing. Kane traveled to Romania and Eastern Europe to learn more about the folklore, culture and history surround- ing vampires. Kane blended his experiences abroad with the workings of his imagination to create his award-winning first novel Aleron: Book 1 of the Strigoi Series.

When he’s not writing, Kane travels and talks with readers around the world about his passion for storytelling and the vampire tradition. He also enjoys speaking at book festivals and contributing to writing workshops. Fans of paranormal and fantasy works welcome Kane into the club of talented up-and-coming authors in the genre.

Reviews

[Jaime · Rating 2 out of 5]

Have you ever said to yourself, I wish someone would combine the work of Anne Rice and Bram Stoker but take out all of exciting stuff? If the answer is no than skip this book. Don’t get me wrong this book has a lot of potential, and I read the entire thing just waiting for it to get good. In this universe it takes a Vampire 11 nights to turn. They aren’t actually dead, although most of their “useless” organs seep out of their bodies during the turn (this is not explained). Aleron and the other Vampire’s are cold blooded killers. But I never felt on their side. Mostly because they kill brutally for no good reason, they could go almost a year without “eating” yet go out every night and kill indiscriminately. They were not endearing in any way. And sociopath’s can be made endearing (“The Talented Mr” Tom Ripley and Hannibal Lector are two examples).

This book is supposed to be the first of five. So maybe we will learn if Vlad is or is not really the first Vampire. Why they turn the way they do, etc… But I doubt I will be reading anymore books from this series. It took almost the entire book for a real conflict and I was still disappointed.

[Jason Richards · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kane takes the reader on an incredible journey in Aleron; into the mind of a vampire revealing his inner most thoughts and desires. Like the curator of a museum describing the details of a masterpiece, Kane brings to immortal life his character Aleron, a young man seduced into the role of becoming a vampire, along with his lovers Mynea and Pandora, and their bloodline creator Vlad. With words used to paint an imaginary picture, each stroke of Kane's sentences create artfully precise descriptions, bringing into the reader's mind's-eye the portraits of his characters conceived from an incredible imagination. Kane interleaved Aleron's mortal reasoning with immeasurable power, juxtaposing his character with descriptions of folklore, compassion, cruelty, love and lust. As a hungry infant becomes focused for survival on its mother's breast, completely dependent on her for survival, so feeds the thirst of a vampire for its unquenchable desire for blood. Aleron's immortality is not without his daily need for sustenance, and care for his frailties must be observed, for his survival is fascinatingly brought to the mind of the reader in a first person narration of his inner most thoughts.

Set in the timeless past, post the fall of the Byzantine Empire and into the 18th and 19th centuries, Aleron travels to Egypt and sites throughout the ancient world. Kane wrote descriptions so intoxicatingly realistic regarding the culture and society one can call this book almost a period piece. The clarity of thought of Aleron, as he succumbs to his daily thirst of blood while justifying his selection of victims brought to his dark existence a morality somewhat noble in quality. At one point, after he thwarts a rape of an innocent young girl in an alleyway by a fierce and ruthless thug by overpowering the perpetrator, thus allowing the girl to go free, he thinks to himself, "Is the murder of a murderer murder?" The reader feels no sympathy for the brutality of killing such a slime ball, the crueler the better, as Aleron's supernatural strength, speed and insatiable thirst for human blood tears the limbs off his victim before killing him in a torturous fashion.

Most interestingly are the waves of thoughts and layering of reason Kane wrote as to how Aleron describes himself becoming seduced into the morphosis from human to vampire. He has heightened senses, such as being able to smell more precisely than a bloodhound. His hearing is so acute the heartbeats of people beyond his sight become alerted to him while possessing speed and agility to move faster than a human eye can track. He's able to read minds at will and project his thoughts. He has the power of levitating and flying. All of these capabilities brought a new understanding to me as to the supernatural powers of vampires. The attraction Aleron had for becoming an immortal sole was a pre-determined destiny, neither unwanted nor resisted, but willfully approached by him with curiosity and sheer sensual excitement. Kane's skill authoring a credible tale having a bizarre and satanic character while still preserving the kindness and innocence of Aleron is an absolute spectacular literary accomplishment.

Aleron will no doubt win many accolades and achieve recognition amongst a broad group of readers, introducing Kane's unique genre of writing to many nonbelievers of vampires, as well as fueling the desire to quench the thirst of blood sucking fans. Written with respect for the reader's intelligence and without vulgarity, I recommend this to a young adult audience as well as seasoned readers looking for excellence in storytelling. Just as Aleron has become immortal, so I predict will Kane's book, Aleron.

This book is the premier of a fantastic new series. Aleron, the first of five novels, book two of the Strigoi series and will be available soon. I can't wait to dive right into the rest of the Strigoi series. It has plenty of excitement to sink your teeth into.

[Aliraluna · Rating 5 out of 5]

My review:

This is the story of a man once human named Aleron. Camilia and Aknon had Aleron the seventh day of January in 1791 in the Greco-Roman city of Alexandria, Egypt; his father was an artisan and his mother and sister Shani devoted their lives to religion. Aleron was no normal boy for he understood the science and the mathematics, but the thing he most loved it was history, and because of history his lived change faster. It was March 22, 1817 just leaving the library for a walk to al-Montaza Square when he felt Her presence. On May 14 in Cairo, Egypt he was attending the most prestigious social ball of the year, the Promethium. Once a year, men of wealth and influence gathered to meet and socialize with their peers, but when a unexplainable illness had befallen Davila he had to come in his place; that's when she meets her in the Concubines room. The moment he sees her proportioned body and those brown eyes of her he felt in love with her. When Aleron wakes up he sees he was naked and a lot of organs were out of him- he was a mess! and this is just the beginning of the changes Aleron most face. He lives in the "castle" with Mynea, his creator, his lover, his immortal mother; in where they will make love, eat and wake up the first years of his immortal life; have adventures in the hunting- but when suddenly Mynea leaves Aleron he is alone and with a broken heart, and with a slave named Eliza that falls in love with him- true love. Just when he decides to hunt again he decides to go back to his past- to his parent's house. Even his father being old and all the years that he hasn't seen his son and even thought of him dead he realizes Aleron is his even if his hair had grown to a mane and his clothing with dark colors; Aleron realizes his mother is dying of a broken heart; he then goes to the City of the Dead were he meets another vampire! and puts him to sleep. Pandora, that's her name, the almost physical twin of Mynea and her worst enemy. She had black hair, her height and general stature were almost identical to Mynea's; her breasts were slightly larger, creamy olive skin with greenish-blue color eyes; and she will help him to complete his vampire life- the creation. Finally Eliza gets what she wants- immortality and given by Aleron is the best thing she could ever have, his first creation and she has an amazing power, to manipulate anyone's organ without touching them. Pandora's warning of him trying to save Mynea is lost when that moments come to life. Aleron most life and live... besides who says Vlad is the beginning of the vampires?

My thoughts:

First, thanks to netgally for giving this amazin book. Is one of my favorite vampire reads so far; besides the random fact where I didn't imagined most of the vampires white. I love this book so much because of the amazing history background explanations; besides the fact that has vampires and a wonderful story. I most-wait I NEED to know what happens next! I will miss this characters so much! they have mark my life. Immortality is not everything as we think.


FOR MORE VISIT MY BLOG, http://www.thingworlds.blogspot.com/2... FOR PICTURES ETC :)

[Between the Bind · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars from Between the Bind

Aleron was very well-written with unique vampire lore and ideas that fascinated. And while I was reveling in said characteristics, this book really felt like a stand alone novel to me. I don't really have any interest in reading the next 4 books in the Strigoi series and because of that, I would have to give it a 3.5.

With a tone and writing style compared to the infamous Anne Rice, I believe that Kane's vampire memoir remains unique because of several elements. Some of them being the way that vampires are turned. This isn't a typical pretty vampire romance novel. Being bit by a vampire - friggin hurts. And being turned in one? Well, it's an 11 day process and you wake up in a pile of your now unnecessary organs. Gross? If you think so, you most definitely shouldn't read this book.

Kane is poetically vulgar, and even though I am not at all a fan of horror, because I'm a scaredy chick who has very vivid nightmares, I really enjoyed his ability to make me uncomfortable while still understanding why I had to be.

Here are some of my issues with the book.

It was explained that vampires have an obsessive desire to keep their maker's safe and happy, thus putting their own immortal lives at risk to protect their maker. I enjoyed this concept which explains what drives a vampire to create immortal children. However, if said vampire's maker is still alive, they will still have the bond with their own maker...meaning that all the children would end up just protecting the eldest living vampire. But, Kane made exceptions to this rule allowing said children to make their maker extremely unhappy and even unsafe. That annoyed me.

Also, most of the vampires in this book are women and men are not allowed to be turned. Although it was alluded to, it was never really explained why that is. The best reason at this point is because Vlad didn't want them to. Lame. Maybe that is because the next four books are going to explain it somewhere? But I don't care enough about that to read them.

This book seemed like it could've ended with only a swift changing of a sentence. I wasn't attached to any of the vampires really. Although I enjoyed some more than others, I was okay with any of them dying to serve Kane's literary goal. Being mad at an author is how I know for sure that they are amazing, and I wasn't ever upset with Kane. Just flipping pages. Waiting for the end. Enjoying leisurely. And friends - that's not my style.

Anywho, although I enjoyed this book (and I think those who adore Anne Rice will too) it just wasn't quite up my fantastical alley. I suppose with the above reference, I shouldn't be surprised that I'm not interested in reading the next book...because I only read the first in Anne Rice's series too.

*I received this book from NetGalley in return for an honest review*

[Joshua Burns · Rating 5 out of 5]

As seen on Rabidreads.ca:

Intoxicating. Absolutely intoxicating. One can get hung up on the spotty ending or the petty crime-fighting subplot but that is to miss the confidence and hypnotic tone of Aleron's authorial voice.

The book makes me wish everything was written by an immortal, so capable of eliding time when fitting and giving us the gruesome details (they get quite gruesome) when we want them.

However long Aleron has been alive it has not sated his ability to conjure the sensuality of blood, truly putting the lust back in bloodlust. True this may have more to do with the wacky burlesque brothel every male vampire in this universe must birth by means of mind control and the good old fashioned dirty dirty but it works, it builds, and it schemes.

The female characters, mainly Mynea, Aleron's vampiric mother and Pandora, the woman who lets all the blood out the box, each offer their own strengths whether it be Mynea's mystery or Pandora's choice to bring the house down. These characters feel all powerful yet cleverly tendered by their loved ones dying and moving into the other world. Hades, Persephone, and Lethe are Aleron's constant points of allusion for good reason.

One has to wonder after finishing what promises to be a pulse-trotting, flesh and blood, no vein barred battle between Aleron and the ancient Vlad what ties what can be a sometimes jarring and inconsistent work together. It must be something in the atmosphere.

As far as vampiric fiction, this could stand amongst such enigmatic movies as the original Nosferatu or Herzog’s remake, except with a color scheme befitting the grapes and guts that are squished here. I know it is strange to invoke such dated movies but Vlad’s description and living situation, barring the teeming brothel he has in his dungeon of Russian doll after Russian doll after Russian doll after Russian doll, fits exquisitely. Even the rare appearance of torture devices or trips to Egypt or the little weird squiggly letters that precede each chapter set our minds time-traveling to bold etchings of Durer or Piranesi.

There is certainly something strange about those brothels as well or the pleasure that one can take at the thought of supping at someone’s wrist.

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book as a giveaway on Goodreads. I have to say I was sceptical due to some of the reviews I read, but to my absolute delight I loved it! Aleron is a new and fresh take on the world of vampires. There is romanticism and passion, but Kane also shows us the savage side of being a vampire. There were moments in the book where I said, "eww!" But I liked that it didn't romanticize the beastly side of vampires. While I was reading this book, I was able effectively visualize each character and each location perfectly. It is very well written and did remind me very much of Anne Rice's "Interview with a Vampire". I felt the novel had just enough of every aspect; love, betrayal, vengeance, and of course action. I eagerly await the coming books. Well done Kane!

[Wendy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Poorly written. i did not finish it.

[Isis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Here's the scoop - first off I have to say that I was incredibly lucky to be chosen as one of the winners of the give-away (THANK YOU!!). And imagine my surprise when a package arrived that contained not only the book (with a personal autograph on the title page no less!), but also a lovely little promo bookmark, a great T-shirt, and my favorite was the message on a rolled scroll, complete with a wax imprint of Kane's seal :-) The entire promo-package was creative and fun - and a lovely and unexpected bonus.

But on to the meat of this review - the story. Aleron is a well written first book (assuming Kane isn't a pen name for an already published author). This book has it all - the paranormal, romance, violence, sex, betrayal, love. And all told from various points of view, so that you get to follow the progression from human to immortal over a period of time. It is nice to have it woven throughout the story, as opposed to being mentioned once and then forgotten, as if there are no lingering questions.

Since this is a planned series of five books it moves at a decent pace. Not too slow that you lose interest, but not so quickly that you've reached the end full of questions or just in love with the characters/story and wanting more (though the latter is the sign of a well-told story in MHO, and typically found in a series vs. a single book).

Kane has taken fact and fiction and blended the two into a fascinating story that has a fresh feel to it. It doesn't read like a bunch of recycled vampire stories. Granted in a genre that has some much written about it there will always be some things that are repeated, but this author does an excellent job of remaking this into his own vision of this world that has always held such a strong allure and fascination for so many.

His characters quickly develop and show their own distinct personalities, some of which are rather surprising and not what you might expect in a vampire story. The historical research that Kane has done comes across loud and clear in this story, so that fact blends fairly seamlessly with fiction, creating a fantasy world that reels the reader in. Rather similar to the notoriously famous hypnotic allure vampires themselves exercise at will. Could it be the author taken on aspects of his subjects, or is this story autobiographical? :-))

Safe to say that I will not regurgitate the summation of the story found on the cover - but my impressions of this book are solidly positive. So much so that I find myself eagerly awaiting the release of the next book in the series, even knowing how hard it will be to read, knowing I will have months and months to wait for the next installment to arrive. So it seems clear to me, since I am already anticipating the rest of the series, that this one is a winner.

There is only thing that stands out for me as possibly a novice error, as I find myself with only one question that stuck out from rather early on in the story - a question that I can make assumptions about the answer to, but was rather surprised that it was never directly addressed (at least not to my satisfaction). But then it could be that Kane feels the answer was given father in, and is apparent in and of itself. Even knowing that this is to be a five-book series, in my mind this is a question that would have arisen early and been addressed as soon as it arose. Yet it is only really alluded to toward the end of this installment of the story - and even then it seemed to be more of a vehicle for the plot than anything else. However I'll not tell you what the question is -- but do let me know if you have any questions after you finish reading the book and we can compare notes! :-)

[Kari · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wish Goodreads would let you do half stars. This one was more like 2.5 for me.

Aleron is the debut novel by Kane. The book reads like a history novel. You definitely get a sense of the time and region in which the book takes place. It is the story of Aleron and his journey as he adapts to being turned into a vampire. Throughout his journey, he shares his innermost thoughts with the reader. We see his struggle to leave his mortal life and family behind. He becomes a powerful vampire, but retains his conscience. In the beginning, he only feeds from and kills the lowest of society, enacting his own form of justice. He struggles with the loss of his creator and finds a new home within the coven he creates.

I did find Aleron pretty interesting in regards to the history of vampires, but I thought it was a bit tedious at times. It dragged in places and i kept waiting for something to happen. The real action doesn't happen until the last quarter of the book and then it ends pretty abruptly in a cliffhanger. I understand this is the first in a series of 5 books, so I suspect the that the author is using this first one to set the background. I do look forward to see what happens to Alreon and his coven in the next book. I only hope that there is more happening between the vampires and less history about them.

[manda-rae · Rating 3 out of 5]

Aleron's world is set in the1700s/1800s in African, west-Asian, and Eastern European cities. So, we're right in the heart of vampire lore which would seem obvious since Vlad's involved. But you never really feel like you're in the past throughout this novel. We're just in a world of vampirism set from a male perspective (which I don't get to see a whole lot of).

Mynea is a mysterious queen. And she creates an interesting male vampire called Aleron. I thought the dynamic between the two at the beginning of the book was kind of slow. But when another vampire, Pandora, comes into play, the book suddenly becomes more interesting. Because she explains Vlad's past as well as her own.

What was really interesting was seeing the transformation from human to vampire. Apparently, all non-essential organs leave the body in a disgusting scene. But this is just a side note.

What starts off as love and passion for vampires quickly turns into deceit, betrayal, and vengeance. I liked seeing hearts break in this book while seeing lots of blood feasting. Vampires aren't meant for the faint of heart and neither is this book. It's kind of like Anne Rice's Interview with the Vampire but different.

I enjoyed this world and the vampires in it, however the ending wasn't a really good ending. It's definitely set up to continue the story in the next book.

[Dennis Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aleron must cope with a timeless existence, seeing those he loves suffer the fate of mortality, while he remains cursed with eternal life. What if your immortal origin, as well as others of your kind, were hidden from you by the one you loved most; the one who gave you a life of darkness and a lust for the sweetest nectar? These dilemmas and more face Aleron, but he must first learn to live, to survive, and, most of all, to feed. Seduced by the alluring vampire, Mynea, Aleron learns what it truly means to be immortal as he adapts to his new life and insatiable lust. She is teaching him to give her what her maker never could. She desires a new king and a new coven. Hearts, minds, and vampire souls intertwine as long kept secrets crawl out from the grave, refusing to remain buried beneath the earth and ageless lies.
A blood kiss between them reveals a darker and even deadlier soul that has learned of Aleron's blasphemous existence. Vlad is the beginning, the father of them all. Mynea must not let her young prince learn of her ancient king. Can a vampire truly love and trust another of his kind when their very lives depend on skillful deceit? Walking a thin line between life and death, Aleron is certain of one thing, if love is, then blood is.

Edited and reviewed by Dennis @ Moneysaver Editing

[Misty Ray · Rating 1 out of 5]

Flat, disenchanting, one-dimensional, dry, somewhat like an Olde English Lit professor thoroughly in love with the sound of their own voice...I was bored. That's the most polite way to put it. Bored.

The author is very pleased with himself, trying to weave an elaborate silken tapestry of verbiage, drunk on his own word count. However, what should be an elegant foray into what is means to be vampire, (excuse me, Vampyre), only ends up being a long trek over needlessly convoluted descriptions of every...single...action. I don't need to know my character bent at the waist, moved sideways to swing their legs to the side, placed their feet on the floor (travertine marble quarried 14 May, 1781), pulled themselves to the edge of the bed, and then finally (finally!) stood. The above is a simplified sample of what is actually in the book.

The author may have a plan of where he wants this series to go. I found it hard to care, because by three quarters of the way in, we still hadn't reached a plot point yet. If long, onerous, droning prattle is your bag, then welcome. If you like a plot with your bloodletting, move along.

[Pixie]

DNF (126 pages out of 244). Didn't work out for me. Will post a short review at a later date.

Edit: The cover is what originally pulled me in on this one. Complete cover lust. It's beautiful. Then the blurb. And the fact it's called "Strigoi" series. If you didn't know, I'm a huge Vampire Academy fan, and this is where I first learned of the Strigoi legend. A lot of people might mistakingly say that the author is trying to 'steal' Richelle Mead's mythos, but the fact of the matter is Richelle Mead actually used a real legend. The Strigoi come from Romanian mythology. I'm rather fascinated in various vampire legends from across the world through the centuries. *nerd*

Anyways, I was excited to pick this one up because of that. But it started slow and it stayed slow. It was dry. The characters felt so flat and one dimensional. Sometimes it was confusing. About halfway through, I still just didn't get it..and well with my schedule, sometimes I just have to put books down if they're not capturing my interest. I'm sad this one couldn't do that.

<3
Pixie

[bkjunkie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't quite know what to make of this story when I met the author at the Decatuer Book Fair. He was high energy and telling of the travel and research he put into this book. He was marketing the book that vampires are real. I wanted to know more details. But, he only told enough to get you hooked. I read it and, it was hard to put down. I hope the rest of the series goes into the history he researched in vivid detail.

He is a great story teller. It is well written and I got lost in the story. I really felt the emotions of the main character and the sadness, loss, love, and longing he goes through. It is definitely for adults only. Not even teens due to the very adult content, storyline, and the great possibility of attaching oneself to Aleron, who afterall, is a vampire who kills people. I think this is a great escapism read for those who like things a little on the dark side.

[Douglas Boren · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is always nice to come across a book that exceeds your expectations. Aleron is a vampire story that all other vampire stories should try to emulate. Beautifully written, always engaging, appropriately gruesome,colorful in exquisite description, and thrilling to the last page.

Never have I seen such detail and enormity of an entire culture...nay, race of the undead. Despite the foulness of their existance, you can't help but be drawn in to their dark world. With a cliff hanger ending that only promises the rest of the Strigoi Series will be as magnificent as this, I can scarcely wait for their release.

This, then, is the new standard by which all future vampire stories will be compared!

[Cole Mcclain · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm only into Chapter 9 right now in the book, and I'm really liking "Aleron" so far. There's a great sense of passion between Aleron and is creator and queen, Mynea. She love him but, Mynea is keeping things from Aleron too. Despite what she's taught him about picking who he wants to feed on, you can see that Aleron, while a monster, is one with a good heart...so far... he's only feed off of criminials like murders, rapists, and those that would try ( and I do mean "try") to bring harm towards him as well even as a vampire. So what do I think of the book at this point. So far...so really good!!!

[Maria Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was fortunate enough to receive this book in a giveaway. Thank you!

The tale of Aleron is both poignant and intriguing. As with most new authors, the story was a bit awkward in the beginning - but once we moved past the beginning I couldn't put it down.
This book reminds me of Anne Rice's vampire chronicles. This is not a typical romance filled vampy story - it's aptly labeled in the Horror genre (and for good reason).

Look forward to reading the next books in the Strigio Series. If you're looking for a smart, wonderfully historical read in the vampire/horror genre this is your book.

[Gale Stanley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to win a copy of ALERON in a giveaway. Being a big fan of vampires, I was anxious to read Kane's debut novel and I wasn't disappointed. The book reminds me of Anne Rice's Vampire Chronicles, but the author has his own stunning and unique take on the world of the vampire. Aleron's story begins in 1791 with his mortal life. The pace is a bit slow at the start but soon picks up and I was enthralled. Kane brings the undead to life with his characterization. And his historical detail sets the scene perfectly.

[Atl Bookwork · Rating 5 out of 5]

ALthough I am not a big fan of this type of writing I thoroughly enjoyed Aleron. Very well written I must admit, this novel kept my attention and continued to give me that desire for more of the story. When I found myself saying "I wonder what Mynea is up to" I know this book had my attention. I have recomended this read to several friends. It almost puts you in the mindframe of Tananarive Due and her wonderful work. I was very impressed with the storyline and the writers ability to approach a vampire novel with such a brave & fearless writing style.
Hats off to you Kane!

[Jennifer (Bad Bird Reads) · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read about 10% of this book and had to give up. The writing style was not for me at all. It felt awkward and forced. I did not finish this book, so who knows, it might have gotten better, but to me it wasn't worth finishing if I couldn't stand the writing style. There was only a little dialogue, the rest was recapping this guy's life up until be became a vampire. BORING.

[Sew Elephant · Rating 5 out of 5]

“This new author has spun a tale of fangs so enthralling that it rates with the likes of Anne Rice and Stephen King. Good reading. Good storyline. Interesting characters. This story will Eclipse all others”

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book so I didn't know what to expect but I was pleasantly surprised how good it was. It was easy to read and it got you hooked in straight away. I will definitely be reading the next one in the series.

[Lindsay · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is interesting... it is boring and dry at times, yet I have trouble putting it down at the same time. I will wait until I finish it to give a final star rating.

[JJ · Rating 1 out of 5]

Boy, this style of book is usually my thing, but I didn't like this one at all. I don't even know why I made myself finish it, but I guess I just kept hoping it was gonna get better. Not.

[Bibliophile Booklover]

i need to read this. SERIOUSLY

[Harriette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm intrigued by Kane's storytelling and interest in vampire culture.

[Ashley Millsaps · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aleron is the type of book for true vampire fans written of REAL vampires. Its Packed with action, blood and romance.

[Patty · Rating 5 out of 5]

love the cover,sounds great!!!!!!!!