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Small Vampires #1
Small Vampires: Picus the Thief
Picus has a lot of powerful enemies. His aristocratic parents have disowned him for supposedly being a coward; the violent vampire, Raben, is after him to exact revenge for theft; the faie, Queen Mab (aka the Tooth Fairy), wants his teeth; and the vampire Eltern want him to steal the sacred sword of Exkylipyr for them or else lock him up in a dungeon.
In the course of avoiding Raben and Mab, he goes to Angleland, befriends the humans and the witch Ambrosias and manages to win (not steal) the sword he was sent to pinch.
But on his return he faces the ultimate test, to keep Exkylipyr from his family and thereby prevent her from starting a civil war amongst the vampires.
Small Vampires is essentially a grail quest story set amongst vampires and others in the Hidden Kingdom. After a period of several millennia, this furtive world is beginning to clash with the human world.
In the course of avoiding Raben and Mab, he goes to Angleland, befriends the humans and the witch Ambrosias and manages to win (not steal) the sword he was sent to pinch.
But on his return he faces the ultimate test, to keep Exkylipyr from his family and thereby prevent her from starting a civil war amongst the vampires.
Small Vampires is essentially a grail quest story set amongst vampires and others in the Hidden Kingdom. After a period of several millennia, this furtive world is beginning to clash with the human world.
230 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2011
3 people are currently reading
11 people want to read
About the author
Robin Bennett
31 books20 followersRobin Bennett is an author and entrepreneur who has written several books for children, sometimes under the nom de plume R.S Harding, and a few more on the swashbuckling world of business: How to Make a Good Living Running Your Own Business, Kicking the Property Ladder and Start up Smart, all published by Harriman House.
In 1997, Monster Books was founded as a way for Robin to sound moderately respectable when he was selling his books and also to allow full control over his work.
Robin has spoken at conferences on fantasy literature. His first book for young adults, Picus the Thief, won the Writer's News Indie Published Book of the Year Award in 2012.
In 1997, Monster Books was founded as a way for Robin to sound moderately respectable when he was selling his books and also to allow full control over his work.
Robin has spoken at conferences on fantasy literature. His first book for young adults, Picus the Thief, won the Writer's News Indie Published Book of the Year Award in 2012.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
October 3, 2016
A fun mix of fantasy, "textbook," and personal narrative, this novel covers vampires (small ones!), the faie, and other sorts of magic, all wrapped up in a story. Written as a personal account of a translator who was given a book in an unknown tongue, it offers glimpses into the worlds of the fantastic. It's also written in an "old-fashioned" manner, and by that I mean the language and the style makes me think of classics such as "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde." It is punctuated with charming illustrations and interesting tidbits about vampires and their ilk, and it's fun to feel like you're learning something, even if it isn't actually real. (Or is it?) A fun and interesting read that is different from other, more formulaic, books you might pick off the shelves. Try this -- you'll be glad you did!
August 8, 2016
As a massive vampire fiction devotee, I recently heard about three books for teens that make up the Small Vampires trilogy. They're written by a cool guy called Robin Bennett - check him out in full mediaeval garb at www.monsterbooks.co.uk - and I've just finished the first, Picus the Thief. It's a bit like Harry Potter but just a tad scarier in places. As good fantasy books based in far-off imagined lands go, this one’s worth raving about to my clique of vampire addict chums! Picus is an outcast, aristocratic, gambling teen vampire with a slightly off the wall passion for shoes, whose petty crime and swagger have put him in more than just a spot of bother with the vampire bigwigs. Picus faces an ultimatum by the 'powers that be’........either go to prison in a dark, horrid, bleak dungeon, or take on the seemingly impossible mission of recovering a sacred vampire sword from beyond the creepy, ancient Hidden Kingdoms in extremely far away Angleland. Young Picus opts for the latter (to avoid the clink) and sets off with his cousin Lark to begin a thrilling journey where they encounter all manner of spooks, ghouls, nasty kings and wicked witches - narrowly falling victims of cannibalism, before negotiating their way out of a full scale war between the realms of knights and vampires. It gets seriously hectic in places and there are plenty of sub-plots within the main plot to keep you turning the pages - rapidly in my case! The graphic writing style captured my (supposedly) more vivid than average imagination from the off. I could really feel and visualise the numerous characters - plenty to loathe and love - and Picus manages to remain suitably vampiresque, whilst demonstrating bravery, nobility and some impressive skills in diplomatic negotiation. I won't risk any spoilers here but the storyline takes you on an almost breathtaking journey, with some wildly hairy encounters on the menu for Picus and his cousin. If you want action, honour, villains, heroes, redemption and some good old vampire style menace, this should do it for you. Was it scary? Yes……in parts, very. I could see this through the eyes of a film lens as it really is that vivid. Love it but possibly not one to lend to your younger siblings without parental say so! I'd say it's reading for teens rather than primary school kids. The series in full can be found at www.monsterbooks.co.uk/smallvampires and is definitely worth checking out.
November 15, 2013
Extended review can be found here.
Disclaimer: I tried not to give too much away in terms of spoiler, but I may hint at some parts of the narrative as supporting examples of strengths in this work.
What starts off as avenging a loss from a poker game turns into an unforeseeable adventure. Picus the Vampire, because of his special set of skills, is given a task by his friend Art—to swap a real ring for the fake ring, so that the person imprisoned within the ring can be rescued and restored to his family.
This task takes Picus on a journey that not only tests his capabilities but his emotions as well. I found myself riding the waves of emotion right along with Picus.
There are many strengths to this book.
Dynamic characters: I am a big fan of Picus. He doesn’t fit the negative stereotypical makeup of a vampire (non-remorseful, evil, or savage). Although Picus is known for theft, he conducts himself with a sense of honor. Queen Mab (The Tooth Fairy) is that villain one loves to hate, and the feeling never changed for me throughout the book. I admired her determination and her depths of cruelty.
Comedic banter: There was a wonderful balance of comedic banter while keeping the sense of urgency and action fairly consistent.
Sharp hook: I was drawn in by the hook immediately, and I couldn't wait to find out what happened next.
This book was also very descriptive in terms of locations and characters, but the amount of detailing did not detract from the action or the plot.
From the non-stop action to the visual presentation and wonderful dialogue, I highly recommend Picus the Thief.
Disclaimer: I tried not to give too much away in terms of spoiler, but I may hint at some parts of the narrative as supporting examples of strengths in this work.
What starts off as avenging a loss from a poker game turns into an unforeseeable adventure. Picus the Vampire, because of his special set of skills, is given a task by his friend Art—to swap a real ring for the fake ring, so that the person imprisoned within the ring can be rescued and restored to his family.
This task takes Picus on a journey that not only tests his capabilities but his emotions as well. I found myself riding the waves of emotion right along with Picus.
There are many strengths to this book.
Dynamic characters: I am a big fan of Picus. He doesn’t fit the negative stereotypical makeup of a vampire (non-remorseful, evil, or savage). Although Picus is known for theft, he conducts himself with a sense of honor. Queen Mab (The Tooth Fairy) is that villain one loves to hate, and the feeling never changed for me throughout the book. I admired her determination and her depths of cruelty.
Comedic banter: There was a wonderful balance of comedic banter while keeping the sense of urgency and action fairly consistent.
Sharp hook: I was drawn in by the hook immediately, and I couldn't wait to find out what happened next.
This book was also very descriptive in terms of locations and characters, but the amount of detailing did not detract from the action or the plot.
From the non-stop action to the visual presentation and wonderful dialogue, I highly recommend Picus the Thief.
November 15, 2013
Extended review can be found here.
Disclaimer: I tried not to give too much away in terms of spoiler, but I may hint at some parts of the narrative as supporting examples of strengths in this work.
What starts off as avenging a loss from a poker game turns into an unforeseeable adventure. Picus the Vampire, because of his special set of skills, is given a task by his friend Art—to swap a real ring for the fake ring, so that the person imprisoned within the ring can be rescued and restored to his family.
This task takes Picus on a journey that not only tests his capabilities but his emotions as well. I found myself riding the waves of emotion right along with Picus.
There are many strengths to this book.
Dynamic characters: I am a big fan of Picus. He doesn’t fit the negative stereotypical makeup of a vampire (non-remorseful, evil, or savage). Although Picus is known for theft, he conducts himself with a sense of honor. Queen Mab (The Tooth Fairy) is that villain one loves to hate, and the feeling never changed for me throughout the book. I admired her determination and her depths of cruelty.
Comedic banter: There was a wonderful balance of comedic banter while keeping the sense of urgency and action fairly consistent.
Sharp hook: I was drawn in by the hook immediately, and I couldn't wait to find out what happened next.
This book was also very descriptive in terms of locations and characters, but the amount of detailing did not detract from the action or the plot.
From the non-stop action to the visual presentation and wonderful dialogue, I highly recommend Picus the Thief.
Disclaimer: I tried not to give too much away in terms of spoiler, but I may hint at some parts of the narrative as supporting examples of strengths in this work.
What starts off as avenging a loss from a poker game turns into an unforeseeable adventure. Picus the Vampire, because of his special set of skills, is given a task by his friend Art—to swap a real ring for the fake ring, so that the person imprisoned within the ring can be rescued and restored to his family.
This task takes Picus on a journey that not only tests his capabilities but his emotions as well. I found myself riding the waves of emotion right along with Picus.
There are many strengths to this book.
Dynamic characters: I am a big fan of Picus. He doesn’t fit the negative stereotypical makeup of a vampire (non-remorseful, evil, or savage). Although Picus is known for theft, he conducts himself with a sense of honor. Queen Mab (The Tooth Fairy) is that villain one loves to hate, and the feeling never changed for me throughout the book. I admired her determination and her depths of cruelty.
Comedic banter: There was a wonderful balance of comedic banter while keeping the sense of urgency and action fairly consistent.
Sharp hook: I was drawn in by the hook immediately, and I couldn't wait to find out what happened next.
This book was also very descriptive in terms of locations and characters, but the amount of detailing did not detract from the action or the plot.
From the non-stop action to the visual presentation and wonderful dialogue, I highly recommend Picus the Thief.
June 7, 2011
I was lucky enough to see a pre-publication copy of this books. And it's brilliant! Picus is a vampire, though not the sort the fuels Hollywood movies. He's covered in short dark fur, with dragonfly-like wings and a keen eye for valuable.
Picus has a lot of powerful enemies he is keen to avoid. His aristocratic parents have disowned him for supposedly being a coward; the violent vampire, Raben, is after him to exact revenge for theft; the faie, Queen Mab (aka the Tooth Fairy), wants his teeth; and the vampire Eltern want him to steal the sacred sword of Exkylipyr for them or else lock him up in a dungeon.
In the course of avoiding Raben and Mab, he goes to Angleland, befriends the humans and the witch Ambrosias and manages to win (not steal) the sword he was sent to pinch.
On his return he faces the ultimate test, to keep Exkylipyr from his family and thereby prevent a civil war amongst the vampires.
The book has gorgeous illustations, a real joy to read.
Picus has a lot of powerful enemies he is keen to avoid. His aristocratic parents have disowned him for supposedly being a coward; the violent vampire, Raben, is after him to exact revenge for theft; the faie, Queen Mab (aka the Tooth Fairy), wants his teeth; and the vampire Eltern want him to steal the sacred sword of Exkylipyr for them or else lock him up in a dungeon.
In the course of avoiding Raben and Mab, he goes to Angleland, befriends the humans and the witch Ambrosias and manages to win (not steal) the sword he was sent to pinch.
On his return he faces the ultimate test, to keep Exkylipyr from his family and thereby prevent a civil war amongst the vampires.
The book has gorgeous illustations, a real joy to read.
July 27, 2011
Picus the Thief is about a race of "small vampires" who live in a folklorish setting somewhere in Europe, a few centuries ago. Picus, an aristocratic "small vampire" who's been moonlighting as a thief, has to find "Excalipyr" (yes, that Excalibur!), which previously went missing. Very original, with dark humour, lots of action, and I was holding my breath at the end.
The story is cleverly written as being a translation of some old books found by a modern business owner (the author!), who decided to bring them to the world.
Classed as a young person's book but I'm much older and thoroughly enjoyed it.
The story is cleverly written as being a translation of some old books found by a modern business owner (the author!), who decided to bring them to the world.
Classed as a young person's book but I'm much older and thoroughly enjoyed it.
October 8, 2016
A new take on the world of the fairie and the supernatural. Author brings many old stories together in an interesting tale. The 'tooth fairy' isn't NIICE!! A fun read that gets better as you get into it.
September 8, 2011
Really enjoyable read, grail-quest-meets-vampire trilogy www.smallvampires.com
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews