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Nightface
Vicious, gory, and not a love story. Nightface is vampire evolution.
Gunnar could not remember a thing. Who he was or where he came from. Flashes come, like distant lightening. A song, an abandoned house of isolated opulence, visions of the undead...
Then he meets Sinthia - the only person who recognizes him - her body marked with hundreds of scars.
Gunnar could not remember a thing. Who he was or where he came from. Flashes come, like distant lightening. A song, an abandoned house of isolated opulence, visions of the undead...
Then he meets Sinthia - the only person who recognizes him - her body marked with hundreds of scars.
227 pages, Paperback
First published April 5, 2011
3 people are currently reading
494 people want to read
About the author
Lydia Peever
12 books130 followersShort horror and fantastic stories have poured out of me for as long as I could write them down. I have been writing both fiction and non-fiction forever. My work has been published in the Ottawa Citizen, other smaller newspapers, and various places online.
Please visit lydiapeever.ca for more about my debut novel.
Please visit lydiapeever.ca for more about my debut novel.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
August 24, 2019
3.5 Stars
Violent and gruesome, this is how vampire fiction is meant to be written!
Nightface is, decidedly, a piece of horror, saving vampires from the urban fantasy and paranormal romance genres. Despite the initial high school setting, this is certainly not the Vampire Diaries and definitely not Twilight. Instead, this novel returns to the dark and violent roots of vampire fiction. These vampires are heavily sexualized, without being romanticized. (Trigger warning for attempted rape at the beginning of the novel.) In the midst of so many urban fantasy stories, it's fantastic to find a vampire story that is decidedly falls into the realm of horror.
Unrelenting and unapologetic, I would recommend this horror novel to readers who can stomach a truly dark version of the classic vampire narrative.
I requested a copy from the author.
Violent and gruesome, this is how vampire fiction is meant to be written!
Nightface is, decidedly, a piece of horror, saving vampires from the urban fantasy and paranormal romance genres. Despite the initial high school setting, this is certainly not the Vampire Diaries and definitely not Twilight. Instead, this novel returns to the dark and violent roots of vampire fiction. These vampires are heavily sexualized, without being romanticized. (Trigger warning for attempted rape at the beginning of the novel.) In the midst of so many urban fantasy stories, it's fantastic to find a vampire story that is decidedly falls into the realm of horror.
Unrelenting and unapologetic, I would recommend this horror novel to readers who can stomach a truly dark version of the classic vampire narrative.
I requested a copy from the author.
October 29, 2012
I love genre fiction, especially horror that includes the two more famous archetypes: the vampire and the werewolf. Now, you have to read that sentence again before you read the rest of this review. There's a single key word up there.
Horror.
Nightface is not Twilight. Nightface is not the Vampire Diaries. Nightface isn't even your daddy's Dracula. No, Nightface is something completely different. And that's a great thing for this tired, worn out archetype. You see, vampires are monsters. They're transformed humans, or former humans, or never been humans... who eat humans. They eat us to survive; kind of like we eat beef, or plants, or fruits, or... you get the picture. Vampires kill. They have to. These are all things current vampire writers have forgotten. This includes horror writers and urban fantasy writers.
But not Lydia Peever.
She uses mystery, suspense, and fear to drive Gunnar (and the reader) forward. Who is he? What's he done? What's up the lemon and the bonsai set? It's a classic hook used to great advantage here. New elements (or clues, if you will) are introduced casually but with enough speed that the reader never gets bored. You'll find yourself asking just what the hell is going on right along with Gunnar.
Peever's use of dark imagery is spot on, giving the entire book a bleak tone. You know that the light at the end of the tunnel is a freight train but you just can't help rushing toward it. You'll want to run head long into this locomotive.
When you get to the climax and you realize exactly where Lydia Peever has taken the vampire, you're going to be impressed. She drops enough hints along the way that you can figure it out before you get there, but I guarantee you won't have all the answers.
My only complaint with this book was the waiting for the gore. Oh, it's there, don't worry about that, it's just later in the narrative. But it's placed right where it's supposed to be so I'm willing to overlook it. Just don't think the fangs and the blood show up right away because they don't. There's a bit in the early goings, then it's pretty dry, but you get your money's worth at the end.
All in all, Nightface is an excellent start in redefining what vampire fiction should be. Mysterious, bloody, and non-sparkly. Bring back the blood!
(Note: I read a 1st edition copy of this book.)
Horror.
Nightface is not Twilight. Nightface is not the Vampire Diaries. Nightface isn't even your daddy's Dracula. No, Nightface is something completely different. And that's a great thing for this tired, worn out archetype. You see, vampires are monsters. They're transformed humans, or former humans, or never been humans... who eat humans. They eat us to survive; kind of like we eat beef, or plants, or fruits, or... you get the picture. Vampires kill. They have to. These are all things current vampire writers have forgotten. This includes horror writers and urban fantasy writers.
But not Lydia Peever.
She uses mystery, suspense, and fear to drive Gunnar (and the reader) forward. Who is he? What's he done? What's up the lemon and the bonsai set? It's a classic hook used to great advantage here. New elements (or clues, if you will) are introduced casually but with enough speed that the reader never gets bored. You'll find yourself asking just what the hell is going on right along with Gunnar.
Peever's use of dark imagery is spot on, giving the entire book a bleak tone. You know that the light at the end of the tunnel is a freight train but you just can't help rushing toward it. You'll want to run head long into this locomotive.
When you get to the climax and you realize exactly where Lydia Peever has taken the vampire, you're going to be impressed. She drops enough hints along the way that you can figure it out before you get there, but I guarantee you won't have all the answers.
My only complaint with this book was the waiting for the gore. Oh, it's there, don't worry about that, it's just later in the narrative. But it's placed right where it's supposed to be so I'm willing to overlook it. Just don't think the fangs and the blood show up right away because they don't. There's a bit in the early goings, then it's pretty dry, but you get your money's worth at the end.
All in all, Nightface is an excellent start in redefining what vampire fiction should be. Mysterious, bloody, and non-sparkly. Bring back the blood!
(Note: I read a 1st edition copy of this book.)
May 29, 2015
If I were to describe the type of book "Nightface" was, "dark" and "disturbing" are just some of the words that come to mind. I should also throw in "bloody" (and I mean very bloody), and "grotesque." Regardless, I thoroughly enjoyed "Nightface" as I found it to be quite gripping; definitely keeping me engaged right from the beginning. It's a well-written novel about vampires that includes characters that are not only well-developed but also riveting.
There were a couple of issues that I did have with it. I thought the story moved along slowly a few times. As I was reading, I found myself thinking "let's get on with it," as it could be overly descriptive at times. I also thought it took quite a while to get to the crux of the story.
For those who are looking to read about vampires falling in love with tales of sexual conquests, this is definitely not that kind of book. Instead, it's vampires who relish in their many bloody kills. When it comes to the gore, the author does not hold back as it's quite descriptive. To say it's "bloody" would be an understatement. You may find it very shocking, grotesque, and/or offensive.
There were a couple of issues that I did have with it. I thought the story moved along slowly a few times. As I was reading, I found myself thinking "let's get on with it," as it could be overly descriptive at times. I also thought it took quite a while to get to the crux of the story.
For those who are looking to read about vampires falling in love with tales of sexual conquests, this is definitely not that kind of book. Instead, it's vampires who relish in their many bloody kills. When it comes to the gore, the author does not hold back as it's quite descriptive. To say it's "bloody" would be an understatement. You may find it very shocking, grotesque, and/or offensive.
May 25, 2013
Dubbing itself "a return to violent vampire" fiction, I was expecting wall to wall splatter. While there is gore, this description is a way of saying "*not* Twilight."
This is a novel about humanity and inhumanity. About identity, family, friendship and the abuses that can exist within them. This novel kept surprising me--just when I thought "Oh, I see where this is going" we'd go in another direction. Like AMERICAN PSYCHO, you can read it for the violence and be satisfied by that as a horror novel, but read a little deeper and you'll be thinking about this novel for a good long while.
This is a novel about humanity and inhumanity. About identity, family, friendship and the abuses that can exist within them. This novel kept surprising me--just when I thought "Oh, I see where this is going" we'd go in another direction. Like AMERICAN PSYCHO, you can read it for the violence and be satisfied by that as a horror novel, but read a little deeper and you'll be thinking about this novel for a good long while.
August 19, 2021
At the beginning of this book I was fearful it was solely a YA story (not my favourite type of reading), because it starts in a high school. But there are sections to the plot, and it moves along and soon evolves. The book is well written, which is not always the case with vampire novels. This is a different take on creatures of the night, refreshing, and anyone who loves the subgenre will find it a very good read.
October 26, 2025
A very original, unique take on vampires. It kept me guessing and intrigued.
Want to read
September 29, 2011This book sound really good! I can't wait until a giveaway is available in the US for goodreads. What a great sounding story.
January 20, 2012
Good read and the cover gave me nightmares!..lol
October 24, 2012
Dark, well written and entertaining. Enjoyed this one very much!
August 7, 2022
I enjoyed this original take on the vampire mythos. The story supplies plenty of dread, an ample amount of violence and gore, and a fair bit of humor, all while keeping the reader guessing where it's headed. It brought images of Lost Boys to mind with its depictions of 'style' and 'cool,' but quickly takes you away from the pretty boys of current vampire trends, pulling you into the mind of our hero and the profound changes, abilities, and talents he embraces and discovers. Perhaps I don't read enough of this genre to know, but I found the book and writing style thoroughly engaging and could see NIGHTFACE as the beginning of a very cool, wildly original series, with many directions hinted at but left to explore. NIGHTFACE is a mystery at heart that invites the reader along a journey of discovery about not only the evolution of a monster but what makes us human. Highly recommended!
March 18, 2019
3.5 *This is a unique take on vampires.*
I liked the premise of the story, it was dark and intriguing. Gunnar felt like two completely different people, which makes sense based on the nightface versus dayface but that concept took me a little while to grasp. The only real detractor was that the sentence structure and grammar would faulter occasionally during the second half of the book which caused me to re-read sentences that didn't initially make sense. Just an editing error but it was distracting. Don't get me wrong, I did enjoy the book but I'm not sure who I could recommend it to.
I liked the premise of the story, it was dark and intriguing. Gunnar felt like two completely different people, which makes sense based on the nightface versus dayface but that concept took me a little while to grasp. The only real detractor was that the sentence structure and grammar would faulter occasionally during the second half of the book which caused me to re-read sentences that didn't initially make sense. Just an editing error but it was distracting. Don't get me wrong, I did enjoy the book but I'm not sure who I could recommend it to.
August 5, 2021
An insidiously scary tale, which to start is more a mystery of Gunnar discovering his identity and past life. The slow pace is worth the wait, and adds to the tension as his true nature is revealed. The gore was in gruesome detail, but perfectly rationed for maximum impact. I enjoyed that we see from Gunnar's point of view as a coma patient, trying to learn about himself and settle into an unfamiliar world, as hints of memories creep in. By the time the disturbing truth about him is shown, I had already come to like him. Not that I don't usually side with the monsters. I loved most the sociopathic nature of these goth vamps, with thankfully not a sparkle in sight.
September 25, 2014
This is one of the books I’d been looking forward to reading for some time – the tag line “It is gory. It is vicious.” had me. I’ve always thought vampires should be scary, and this book didn’t disappoint. I saw on Twitter that she is nearly finished the sequel (which I anticipate being a bloodbath), so I’m looking forward to my next trip up to the park (unless she also puts out an audiobook).
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews