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Solstice Chronicles #1
Solstice
A vampire hunter, Gavin Moxley, has made it his mission to slow the spread of vampirism through intercourse by following infected prostitutes amid their transformation. Content on being alone and broke in his personal crusade, Gavin meets a young girl, Solstice, with the powers of a vampire, and then some, with none of the drawbacks like aversion to sunlight, garlic, and crucifixes.
Torn between his hate for vampires and his love for human life, Gavin is torn as he decides to protect Solstice, the thing that he’s supposed to hate. With the agreement of protection in exchange for information on people spreading vampirism, both go on a personal crusade. However, there is more to Solstice than she lets on as Gavin’s humanity, and faith, will be tested along the way.
Solstice is the first entry of a four-part series, aptly named, The Solstice Chronicles.
Torn between his hate for vampires and his love for human life, Gavin is torn as he decides to protect Solstice, the thing that he’s supposed to hate. With the agreement of protection in exchange for information on people spreading vampirism, both go on a personal crusade. However, there is more to Solstice than she lets on as Gavin’s humanity, and faith, will be tested along the way.
Solstice is the first entry of a four-part series, aptly named, The Solstice Chronicles.
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First published September 11, 2011
4 people are currently reading
389 people want to read
About the author
Bryan W. Dull
16 books77 followersBryan W. Dull writes books, which, if you really knew him, makes perfect sense as that’s all he has done since sixth grade; spinning a yarn at a moment’s notice. He is best known for writing horror and suspense stories with his first novel, Solstice, being his first experiment into publishing; it was a bet to do it, by the way. In 2016, he tried his hand at something different and published a personal story, Pill Hill. Now, Bryan W. Dull is becoming known for being a literary voice of hope…with some scares mixed into it occasionally. He lives in Fort Wayne, IN with his wife and daughter, and plans on writing more stories that have something to say in this strange world that we live in.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
June 23, 2012
I received this book as an ARC from the author.
Gavin is a vampire hunter. He hunts humans who have been 'infected' and kills them before they fully turn. Gavin, like any good main character hero sort, has a past that continually haunts him. Gavin's past has made him a bit cynical, but he is overall a good guy. When he meets Solstice, he can't just turn her out on her own, no matter how much he would like to. Gavin is the sort of guy that makes a great main character, and he might just be getting his second chance at life.
Solstice is a half vampire, half human. She is alone in the world, and all she really wants is to be normal. She appears sweet and innocent, but there is a danger lurking underneath the surface that we only get a very small glimpse of in this book. I love the mystery surrounding Solstice. Even though she is the book's namesake, we really don't know very much about her, but just enough to peak interest.
I enjoyed the author's writing style. The story flowed smoothly and was easy to read. Gavin's sarcastic wit and humor was refreshing in this dark story. Really the only thing that brought this book down for me was the prologue. The scene itself was powerful, and I really liked the potential there but felt it just didn't deliver. I can't really put my finger on what is bugging me about it, though. It very well could be the third person narration, which I'm not a huge fan of, but I just think it could have been given more force.
As I said above I received an unedited ARC, so there were many grammatical errors and a few timeline issues in this book. I heard that Solstice was picked up by a publisher, so going through that process and an editor should fix all of those issues. Overall I really enjoyed this story and am looking forward to see where the author takes it. Thank you to Bryan Dull for letting me read your book!
Gavin is a vampire hunter. He hunts humans who have been 'infected' and kills them before they fully turn. Gavin, like any good main character hero sort, has a past that continually haunts him. Gavin's past has made him a bit cynical, but he is overall a good guy. When he meets Solstice, he can't just turn her out on her own, no matter how much he would like to. Gavin is the sort of guy that makes a great main character, and he might just be getting his second chance at life.
Solstice is a half vampire, half human. She is alone in the world, and all she really wants is to be normal. She appears sweet and innocent, but there is a danger lurking underneath the surface that we only get a very small glimpse of in this book. I love the mystery surrounding Solstice. Even though she is the book's namesake, we really don't know very much about her, but just enough to peak interest.
I enjoyed the author's writing style. The story flowed smoothly and was easy to read. Gavin's sarcastic wit and humor was refreshing in this dark story. Really the only thing that brought this book down for me was the prologue. The scene itself was powerful, and I really liked the potential there but felt it just didn't deliver. I can't really put my finger on what is bugging me about it, though. It very well could be the third person narration, which I'm not a huge fan of, but I just think it could have been given more force.
As I said above I received an unedited ARC, so there were many grammatical errors and a few timeline issues in this book. I heard that Solstice was picked up by a publisher, so going through that process and an editor should fix all of those issues. Overall I really enjoyed this story and am looking forward to see where the author takes it. Thank you to Bryan Dull for letting me read your book!
September 4, 2015
Well, isn't this a pickle? I have to admit, this book ended up being far different than I anticipated. I found the opening chapters to be dark and intense, but some unidentifiable thing just seemed off. The kind of stark intensity I think could have been taken to an '11' to really just make it start off with such a *BOOM* that the reader wouldn't stop from being entranced. While it was a kind of shock value that grabbed me (there was some vivid scenes that left me squirming), I wish it had moved a little faster or something during the beginning. It seemed a little different and set apart from the rest of the book.
I will say, I think I underestimated this book before I read it. I didn't anticipate how dark the horror was, or how funny the well-placed snark was. I was even taken by surprise with all the ways I thought this book would go, but then *presto chango* a whole different route than I expected.
I also found the underlying mythology to be unique compared to many books out there with the same theme. Bryan Dull really took vampires by the fangs and made them into something I haven't read before. That is really so refreshing to see someone take an age-old horror and put a new spin on it while still not glossing over the fact that they are, indeed, horrors and monsters.
My biggest reservations that lead to a 4♥ review, is the beginning scene, and the myriad of questions the reader are left with. I have to admit, those first pages were so shocking, and just downright bloody, I worried the entire book was going to be like the beginning. Initially, I put it down for a while, because I was worried about the entire book making me squirm while reading. I'm glad I was able to pick it back up and continue on.
So, if you like dark stories, vivid and sometimes bloody descriptions, vampires, and something just a little different, check this out. But please, continue past that first section to get a true taste of the book. It's definitely worth it.
I received a free eBook from the author in exchange for a review.
I will say, I think I underestimated this book before I read it. I didn't anticipate how dark the horror was, or how funny the well-placed snark was. I was even taken by surprise with all the ways I thought this book would go, but then *presto chango* a whole different route than I expected.
I also found the underlying mythology to be unique compared to many books out there with the same theme. Bryan Dull really took vampires by the fangs and made them into something I haven't read before. That is really so refreshing to see someone take an age-old horror and put a new spin on it while still not glossing over the fact that they are, indeed, horrors and monsters.
My biggest reservations that lead to a 4♥ review, is the beginning scene, and the myriad of questions the reader are left with. I have to admit, those first pages were so shocking, and just downright bloody, I worried the entire book was going to be like the beginning. Initially, I put it down for a while, because I was worried about the entire book making me squirm while reading. I'm glad I was able to pick it back up and continue on.
So, if you like dark stories, vivid and sometimes bloody descriptions, vampires, and something just a little different, check this out. But please, continue past that first section to get a true taste of the book. It's definitely worth it.
I received a free eBook from the author in exchange for a review.
June 1, 2012
When I first begun to read Solstice I found it extremely difficult to get into, It didn't really flow. It was almost like the story went off track and got caught up in the details and then jumped back to the task at hand.
A few chapters in and I had caught the jest of what the SL was, which I must say 'It's Fantastic' The SL idea is like none I have ever read before. The transfer of aids and the vampire gene, and then there is Solstice herself... I have become intrigued by her and what may come of her, what her end roll is to become.
The ending left me a little disappointed, like when a T.V. series finishes and you have to wait for next season to begin so you can find out whats going to happen and what it all means for the cast. I hope there will be a book 2, I look forwards to finding out what becomes of Gavin, Solstice, her maker and Sarah.... what's she got to do with all of this.
A few chapters in and I had caught the jest of what the SL was, which I must say 'It's Fantastic' The SL idea is like none I have ever read before. The transfer of aids and the vampire gene, and then there is Solstice herself... I have become intrigued by her and what may come of her, what her end roll is to become.
The ending left me a little disappointed, like when a T.V. series finishes and you have to wait for next season to begin so you can find out whats going to happen and what it all means for the cast. I hope there will be a book 2, I look forwards to finding out what becomes of Gavin, Solstice, her maker and Sarah.... what's she got to do with all of this.
May 23, 2012
ARC REVIEW. This was AWESOME. I loved the humor and wit of Gavin. It was like sitting down with a friend listening to him tell you what just happened. Gavin gets a second chance at fatherhood with Solstice, which is endearing. He is a one man crusade. There is action that will leave you panting as to who will be the victor. I can't say enough about this story or even find the words to do it justice. I will absolutely be picking up more from this new author in the future. Don't miss this read!!!! *****5stars
May 23, 2012
I was hooked from the beginning and I couldn't put it down. Very gripping. This is a fantastic story that does not sugar coat vampires. I loved the father/daughter dynamic between Gavin and Solstice. The ending left me wanting more. ARC review, by the author.
May 13, 2012
Very interesting concept. I think the series has promise. There were a lot of editing issues though, and while I didn't let it detract from my overall feel of the story, it did detract from the enjoy ability of the read. :-/
-Full review coming soon
-Full review coming soon
May 27, 2012
***ARC REVIEW***
**Expected release January 2013**
Solstice! Wow, this book is so very different from other paranormal, particularly vampire books that I have read. And in a good way! From the opening of the novel, it is clear that this story breaks the paranormal conventions that have been laid out over last 10 years or so.
What is so very different, apart from the lack of sparkling vamps, is the element of reality that Bryan Dull brings to the novel. His writing is so very visual; it was like watching a film. Admittedly, I am a very visual reader, and when I do watch a film adaptation, I get confused as it feels like I’ve already watched it when I was reading the book, but Solstice is something else.
I explored Bryan Dull’s thoughts and response to Solstice in a recent interview, and he comments on how his novel started off as a screenplay; I really see this! There are still elements that are crafted like a screenplay. The language and way that Bryan describes the detail of the setting, and provides very explicit character detail is still very much like a screenplay. Please, do not misunderstand me however, Solstice is most definitely a novel, and a fascinating one at that, but the way that Bryan Dull crafted the novel blew me away.
Admittedly, it did take me a while to get into synch, or even the momentum of the book as it is a pretty unique read. However, once I accepted the stylistic lilt of Solstice, I really began to appreciate the novel for its action, plot and superb characters.
The novel opens with the introduction of Gavin, a man full of mystery and quite a heavy past. It is then that we are introduced to Solstice, a young girl who can only be described as unique (obviously because I don’t want to give away any spoilers!). Their relationship is effectively created and developed, with a thought-provoking father/daughter like connection developing. I really liked this angle and appreciated the freshness for the genre.
Throughout the novel, there were many examples of well-crafted wit developed that successfully helped to make Solstice an entertaining read. This, in addition to the creation of suspense, was very well crafted, so much so that it had me on the edge of my seat in anticipation.
Bryan Dull has produced a very successful debut novel, on that I would most definitely recommend to paranormal and horror lovers. A well-deserved 4 stars.
**Expected release January 2013**
Solstice! Wow, this book is so very different from other paranormal, particularly vampire books that I have read. And in a good way! From the opening of the novel, it is clear that this story breaks the paranormal conventions that have been laid out over last 10 years or so.
What is so very different, apart from the lack of sparkling vamps, is the element of reality that Bryan Dull brings to the novel. His writing is so very visual; it was like watching a film. Admittedly, I am a very visual reader, and when I do watch a film adaptation, I get confused as it feels like I’ve already watched it when I was reading the book, but Solstice is something else.
I explored Bryan Dull’s thoughts and response to Solstice in a recent interview, and he comments on how his novel started off as a screenplay; I really see this! There are still elements that are crafted like a screenplay. The language and way that Bryan describes the detail of the setting, and provides very explicit character detail is still very much like a screenplay. Please, do not misunderstand me however, Solstice is most definitely a novel, and a fascinating one at that, but the way that Bryan Dull crafted the novel blew me away.
Admittedly, it did take me a while to get into synch, or even the momentum of the book as it is a pretty unique read. However, once I accepted the stylistic lilt of Solstice, I really began to appreciate the novel for its action, plot and superb characters.
The novel opens with the introduction of Gavin, a man full of mystery and quite a heavy past. It is then that we are introduced to Solstice, a young girl who can only be described as unique (obviously because I don’t want to give away any spoilers!). Their relationship is effectively created and developed, with a thought-provoking father/daughter like connection developing. I really liked this angle and appreciated the freshness for the genre.
Throughout the novel, there were many examples of well-crafted wit developed that successfully helped to make Solstice an entertaining read. This, in addition to the creation of suspense, was very well crafted, so much so that it had me on the edge of my seat in anticipation.
Bryan Dull has produced a very successful debut novel, on that I would most definitely recommend to paranormal and horror lovers. A well-deserved 4 stars.
May 24, 2012
I was instantly interested in reviewing this ARC when I saw the website dedicated to Solstice and the Moxley Trilogy.
It started out with this really great horrorish scene that in my head was BRILLIANT yet the initial writing was disappointing. It didn't match up to the intensity that the scene deserved. I chalk this up to a first edition of an Authors first book.
While it started off a bit slow, after the initial scene I was pleasantly surprised by the writing that followed. It almost felt like a different Author.
The most amazing parts of this book was the originality of it. I've never heard of a Vampire with Aids who can infect people with one bite to turn into a Vampire with Aids as well. Truly unique in ways that make the book pop.
Another thing about this book that surprised me was that I was WRONG. That's right, I thought I knew what was going on, thought I knew where it was going and what the ending would be. But I was wrong. I couldn't predict it. The twists and turns that came up were ones I didn't expect.
Solstice is a character in this book that was pivotal in many ways and yet also we are left guessing as to what exactly she is. How does she know she's a half breed? How does she know anything? Given her age (I won't spoil this for you) I can't imagine how, unless she met her half creator, she knows anything about what she is or isn't for that matter. The book is named after her and yet we don't know much about her. I know that's part of creating a series or in this case a trilogy but I did expect more.
In a lot of ways I felt that I was left in paused mode, like the book isn't finished. The story isn't fully told. And that's why I'm anxious for the second book in this trilogy.
My interest is peaked, I enjoyed what I read and I WANT MORE!
If you are looking for something different, something unique and original, something without the current trend of Vampire/Human romance give this book a try. I don't think you'll be disappointed.
Melissa
Reviewer for 1000 + Books to Read
It started out with this really great horrorish scene that in my head was BRILLIANT yet the initial writing was disappointing. It didn't match up to the intensity that the scene deserved. I chalk this up to a first edition of an Authors first book.
While it started off a bit slow, after the initial scene I was pleasantly surprised by the writing that followed. It almost felt like a different Author.
The most amazing parts of this book was the originality of it. I've never heard of a Vampire with Aids who can infect people with one bite to turn into a Vampire with Aids as well. Truly unique in ways that make the book pop.
Another thing about this book that surprised me was that I was WRONG. That's right, I thought I knew what was going on, thought I knew where it was going and what the ending would be. But I was wrong. I couldn't predict it. The twists and turns that came up were ones I didn't expect.
Solstice is a character in this book that was pivotal in many ways and yet also we are left guessing as to what exactly she is. How does she know she's a half breed? How does she know anything? Given her age (I won't spoil this for you) I can't imagine how, unless she met her half creator, she knows anything about what she is or isn't for that matter. The book is named after her and yet we don't know much about her. I know that's part of creating a series or in this case a trilogy but I did expect more.
In a lot of ways I felt that I was left in paused mode, like the book isn't finished. The story isn't fully told. And that's why I'm anxious for the second book in this trilogy.
My interest is peaked, I enjoyed what I read and I WANT MORE!
If you are looking for something different, something unique and original, something without the current trend of Vampire/Human romance give this book a try. I don't think you'll be disappointed.
Melissa
Reviewer for 1000 + Books to Read
June 1, 2012
I was very luck to receive an arc copy of this book before the amazing news that it has been picked up by a publisher and will not be available until it is re-released in January 2013. I have to say this was one of the most creative and dark vampire books I have read in a while and I loved that about it. I read an inordinate amount of vampire books and the "popular" common element lately is the happy good guy vampire. I have no problem with this. I enjoy my vamps however they come, but having this book being so much darker was refreshing. I know saying something being refreshing because it is dark sounds odd, but it really was.
I am not really sure how much I should say about this book since I am sure it will be revamped by the new publisher, so I will stay pretty generic. The story is very different and does not sugar coat much of anything. Watching Gavin and Solstice's worlds collide and merge was a very interesting journey. Their characters both have depths that the first installment of this trilogy only begins to scratch the surface of. I am excited to see where this story takes us. I hope that in the end everything will be shiny happy sunshiny rainbows, because I like them, but to get them through the journey ahead, I am not sure that would be possible or even fitting. I guess I will need to be patient and see ;).
I am not really sure how much I should say about this book since I am sure it will be revamped by the new publisher, so I will stay pretty generic. The story is very different and does not sugar coat much of anything. Watching Gavin and Solstice's worlds collide and merge was a very interesting journey. Their characters both have depths that the first installment of this trilogy only begins to scratch the surface of. I am excited to see where this story takes us. I hope that in the end everything will be shiny happy sunshiny rainbows, because I like them, but to get them through the journey ahead, I am not sure that would be possible or even fitting. I guess I will need to be patient and see ;).
November 21, 2013
ARC for Review ~ WOW! This is an amazing story. Talk about myterious, dark adult reads, this is a fantastical story which faces one, and even more, of our evils in today's society and offers a paranormal battle to fight against it. The author has created a scary world chock full of danger, mystery, suspense, horror, well placed humor, action-packed from page one to the end. It kept me riveted to my seat. I LOVED IT!!
The main character has lost everything that meant anything to him, causing him to create a persona to mask all that pain, then he meets Solstice and their worlds are about to embark on a journey that will open his eyes to things that were unknown to him.
I highly recommend this spicy vampiric read to all 18+ due to strong language, and sexual content.
5 out of 5 Hearts
Lovetiggi's Book Reviews
I am really loving the mystery, the story-line is new and refreshing and the humor has me giggling as I can picture Gavin saying it... I could see this becoming a movie.
The main character has lost everything that meant anything to him, causing him to create a persona to mask all that pain, then he meets Solstice and their worlds are about to embark on a journey that will open his eyes to things that were unknown to him.
I highly recommend this spicy vampiric read to all 18+ due to strong language, and sexual content.
5 out of 5 Hearts
Lovetiggi's Book Reviews
I am really loving the mystery, the story-line is new and refreshing and the humor has me giggling as I can picture Gavin saying it... I could see this becoming a movie.
May 28, 2012
This is an ARC review---This story is gripping, it holds you and never lets go. But definitely NOT for younger readers, or the faint of heart. But maybe that is what grabbed me. Its very detailed, and a whole different look at vampires than I am used to seeing. I would recommend it to adults only, but definitely worth the read. Gavin has a very important job. To protect the world from the rare infection that is spreading thru vampires. He knows how to spot them, then he has to kill the vampire. But how he does it, is definitely interesting to read about. 5 of 5 stars!!
May 23, 2012
Loved the vampire take!
(An ARC Review) One experiment and one vampire’s ploy gone very, very bad for the human race. Infected vampires are much, much worse than regular vampires in this tale. At times the vampires reminded me more of zombies which makes them seem more undead. That is, until Gavin teams up with the object those vamp’s desire. Then it’s an action-packed race to the finish line. Great characters, great storyline. Loved this book and hope to read the next in the trilogy!
(An ARC Review) One experiment and one vampire’s ploy gone very, very bad for the human race. Infected vampires are much, much worse than regular vampires in this tale. At times the vampires reminded me more of zombies which makes them seem more undead. That is, until Gavin teams up with the object those vamp’s desire. Then it’s an action-packed race to the finish line. Great characters, great storyline. Loved this book and hope to read the next in the trilogy!
May 17, 2012
I'm extremely impressed. I loved it. Its so different from your typical vampire books and I love that. Looking forward to seeing what he comes up with next.
March 12, 2013
I have never used the highlight feature in my kindle so much in my life.. Usually because I forget that its there.. Im working on that.. The other reason is because out of context the zingers or one liners make absolutely no sense.. This time around I completely remembered the highlight feature and the great one liners need little or not explaination.. I have a sick sense of humor so I greatly enjoyed some/all of Dull's jokes..
I havent read anything quite like Solstice in sometime.. There are similarities to some books obviously.. I mean this books is about a vampire hunter.. Gavin.. He stumbles across a half breed vampire girl he chooses not to kill her because he can see she is different he goes into this knowing one day he may have to kill her.. one day.. They work together to kill almost vampires.. The explaination of all this ill leave to Dull since he did a wonderful job with it.. I found the vampire lore fascinating... So after the loss of his family Gavin began hunting vampires or almost vampires you see there is a process so yes the loss of his family really takes awhile to get to but its heart wrenching and I can understand why it took so long.. most people dont like dealing with the heartbreak of their past.. It also seems to play apart in his relationship with Solstice.. He acts like a father figure towards her but I slightly wonder if there will be a shift in their relationship later in the series.. If you havent read Solstice yet you may be a little confused.. so just do yourself the favor and pick it up and start reading.. :D
The thing that threw me when I was done reading was there was no current love interest for either Gavin or Solstice.. I mean sure he still loves and mourns his wife years after her death but rarely do I come across a story that has zero love potential.. This is neither good or bad just an observation I had.. because sometimes I notice things...
The back story to both characters is interesting.. And I found Solstice to be a fast read and the ending! OHH the ending definitely left me wanting more..
I havent read anything quite like Solstice in sometime.. There are similarities to some books obviously.. I mean this books is about a vampire hunter.. Gavin.. He stumbles across a half breed vampire girl he chooses not to kill her because he can see she is different he goes into this knowing one day he may have to kill her.. one day.. They work together to kill almost vampires.. The explaination of all this ill leave to Dull since he did a wonderful job with it.. I found the vampire lore fascinating... So after the loss of his family Gavin began hunting vampires or almost vampires you see there is a process so yes the loss of his family really takes awhile to get to but its heart wrenching and I can understand why it took so long.. most people dont like dealing with the heartbreak of their past.. It also seems to play apart in his relationship with Solstice.. He acts like a father figure towards her but I slightly wonder if there will be a shift in their relationship later in the series.. If you havent read Solstice yet you may be a little confused.. so just do yourself the favor and pick it up and start reading.. :D
The thing that threw me when I was done reading was there was no current love interest for either Gavin or Solstice.. I mean sure he still loves and mourns his wife years after her death but rarely do I come across a story that has zero love potential.. This is neither good or bad just an observation I had.. because sometimes I notice things...
The back story to both characters is interesting.. And I found Solstice to be a fast read and the ending! OHH the ending definitely left me wanting more..
May 7, 2013
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Solstice was nothing like I had anticipated. It was soooo much better!!
Gavin isn't your typical vampire killer like you read about in other paranormal books. He is just a regular guy that has no special powers or weapons that he uses to kill them. And he has no special way of figuring out who is a vampire and who isn't. He just knows that they only come out at night (daylight will kill them) and they haven't completely turned yet, so he knows that he is fairly safe.
Solstice isn't a normal vampire and throws Gavin off a bit because she is able to do everything that vampires shouldn't be able to do. However, he doesn't feel the need to kill her off, he feels the need to protect her from others.
Having to protect Solstice definitely throws a wrench in Gavin's plans, if that's what you want to call them. His only goal is to stop these vampires from spreading the AIDS virus and hopefully end it all. He knows that his plans are the best but he has no other ideas as to how to stop this from continuing. He has no family and no friends because this has become his life. And his mind definitely does not let his past rest - will his past forever haunt him???
Solstice may seem like a young child, but she grows rapidly due to being part vampire - a hybrid of sorts. And she is wanted by others to be tested since she is able to walk in the daylight and not be affected. She has many gifts but she is not sure how to control them. She knows how she was created but not sure why or what will happen to her.
Solstice and Gavin are on the run for lives. They can't hide forever and know that they have to fight this "epidemic."
Bryan Dull does a fantastic job of being so original with his writing. He doesn't make up any new ways of killing off a vampire, but he is able to keep everything so entertaining. His writing it what keeps you locked in the story - very original and I love that!!
I can't wait for the next book in this series to see where Solstice and Gavin go from here.
Solstice was nothing like I had anticipated. It was soooo much better!!
Gavin isn't your typical vampire killer like you read about in other paranormal books. He is just a regular guy that has no special powers or weapons that he uses to kill them. And he has no special way of figuring out who is a vampire and who isn't. He just knows that they only come out at night (daylight will kill them) and they haven't completely turned yet, so he knows that he is fairly safe.
Solstice isn't a normal vampire and throws Gavin off a bit because she is able to do everything that vampires shouldn't be able to do. However, he doesn't feel the need to kill her off, he feels the need to protect her from others.
Having to protect Solstice definitely throws a wrench in Gavin's plans, if that's what you want to call them. His only goal is to stop these vampires from spreading the AIDS virus and hopefully end it all. He knows that his plans are the best but he has no other ideas as to how to stop this from continuing. He has no family and no friends because this has become his life. And his mind definitely does not let his past rest - will his past forever haunt him???
Solstice may seem like a young child, but she grows rapidly due to being part vampire - a hybrid of sorts. And she is wanted by others to be tested since she is able to walk in the daylight and not be affected. She has many gifts but she is not sure how to control them. She knows how she was created but not sure why or what will happen to her.
Solstice and Gavin are on the run for lives. They can't hide forever and know that they have to fight this "epidemic."
Bryan Dull does a fantastic job of being so original with his writing. He doesn't make up any new ways of killing off a vampire, but he is able to keep everything so entertaining. His writing it what keeps you locked in the story - very original and I love that!!
I can't wait for the next book in this series to see where Solstice and Gavin go from here.
May 24, 2012
ARC Copy
I was instantly impressed by the cover of Solstice, it was so eye catching and professional looking that I assumed the writing itself would have had the same care taken over it……Sadly not. This book can be put in the ‘desperately needs and editor’ pile.
I get so frustrated when this happens, some of the mistakes are so silly………’the’ instead of ‘that’, ‘to’ instead of ‘too’, missing words and extra words, ‘per say’ instead of ‘per se’. They are all unnecessary errors that could easily have been picked up by any pair of fresh eyes. Sentences with words repeated and over long explanations about simple things like unlocking the car, were common place. e.g. ‘She fumbled to reach inside her purse. Her hand wasn’t reaching inside. Wait. Her other hand was still clenched to it so hard it was making it impossible for her other hand to enter the abyss of make-up, gum, and different wallets. She took another deep breath as she looked down into her purse. Her breath was warm as she fumbled for her keys and it felt great when it came lingering around her nose. She was in the habit of searching for items in a frantic way, but there was a faint smell of fear in the air, and it was hers.’ An editor could have helped to polish this work and make it more reader friendly. I can’t say I was overly impressed with the writing style, it wasn’t easy and didn’t flow very well making the read quite difficult.
The actual story was interesting and with a decent editor and a lot of work this could be a good book, at the moment it isn’t. Sorry.
Copy supplied for review
I was instantly impressed by the cover of Solstice, it was so eye catching and professional looking that I assumed the writing itself would have had the same care taken over it……Sadly not. This book can be put in the ‘desperately needs and editor’ pile.
I get so frustrated when this happens, some of the mistakes are so silly………’the’ instead of ‘that’, ‘to’ instead of ‘too’, missing words and extra words, ‘per say’ instead of ‘per se’. They are all unnecessary errors that could easily have been picked up by any pair of fresh eyes. Sentences with words repeated and over long explanations about simple things like unlocking the car, were common place. e.g. ‘She fumbled to reach inside her purse. Her hand wasn’t reaching inside. Wait. Her other hand was still clenched to it so hard it was making it impossible for her other hand to enter the abyss of make-up, gum, and different wallets. She took another deep breath as she looked down into her purse. Her breath was warm as she fumbled for her keys and it felt great when it came lingering around her nose. She was in the habit of searching for items in a frantic way, but there was a faint smell of fear in the air, and it was hers.’ An editor could have helped to polish this work and make it more reader friendly. I can’t say I was overly impressed with the writing style, it wasn’t easy and didn’t flow very well making the read quite difficult.
The actual story was interesting and with a decent editor and a lot of work this could be a good book, at the moment it isn’t. Sorry.
Copy supplied for review
January 31, 2013
I have to say, I rarely get overly excited about a book but this one caught my attention big time. The writing is amazing, very descriptive and catches your attention and holds you till the very end, of which came way too fast for me....lol
Gavin finds himself in a tough situation, he's a vampire hunter who finds himself taking care of a half vampire child who he quickly finds himself becoming attached to.
what happens between these two is both hilarious and emotional. Solstice had a rough start to life, and isn't finding things any easier, but then she comes across Gavin who makes things much more interesting and soon finds herself caught up in his life.
They find themselves needing to rely on each other to get what they want, and soon become a pair of friends who are there for each other. Gavin finds himself caring for Solstice and wanting to protect her while defending them both against vampire attacks.
I found that the book ended too soon, but left me on a very high cliff and clinging to my seat wondering what is going to happen. I need to know more. Was that really Dana in that house? What will happen between Solstice and Gavin? Will the bad vampires win or will they lose?
I need answers....I cannot wait till the next book and I highly recommend you get this one so we can all jump off our seats together when the next one comes out....lol
Gavin finds himself in a tough situation, he's a vampire hunter who finds himself taking care of a half vampire child who he quickly finds himself becoming attached to.
what happens between these two is both hilarious and emotional. Solstice had a rough start to life, and isn't finding things any easier, but then she comes across Gavin who makes things much more interesting and soon finds herself caught up in his life.
They find themselves needing to rely on each other to get what they want, and soon become a pair of friends who are there for each other. Gavin finds himself caring for Solstice and wanting to protect her while defending them both against vampire attacks.
I found that the book ended too soon, but left me on a very high cliff and clinging to my seat wondering what is going to happen. I need to know more. Was that really Dana in that house? What will happen between Solstice and Gavin? Will the bad vampires win or will they lose?
I need answers....I cannot wait till the next book and I highly recommend you get this one so we can all jump off our seats together when the next one comes out....lol
April 26, 2013
HOLY HORROR!!!
What can I say…It’s been a long time since I’ve read something that really gripped me, keeping the pages turning, wanting to know what happened next. Well, Solstice did that for me. It was an awesome new take on vampires, and this book had it all…horror, suspense, scary, non-sparkly vampires, mystery, and humor.
Gavin is a vampire hunter, who hunts and kills humans who have been infected, but haven’t turned yet.
He runs into a young Half-breed named Solstice, who needs his help and asks for protection. He knows he shouldn’t, but he can’t turn her away. It’s a love/hate, father/daughter relationship, and the banter between them, at times, had me laughing out loud.
I had a hard time putting this one down. Very descriptive and well written. I felt like I was watching the events unfold like a movie, even though some scenes were like…OMG!!! I can’t wait to read the second book!!!
(There is some strong language, horror, and sexual content…recommended for more mature readers.)
What can I say…It’s been a long time since I’ve read something that really gripped me, keeping the pages turning, wanting to know what happened next. Well, Solstice did that for me. It was an awesome new take on vampires, and this book had it all…horror, suspense, scary, non-sparkly vampires, mystery, and humor.
Gavin is a vampire hunter, who hunts and kills humans who have been infected, but haven’t turned yet.
He runs into a young Half-breed named Solstice, who needs his help and asks for protection. He knows he shouldn’t, but he can’t turn her away. It’s a love/hate, father/daughter relationship, and the banter between them, at times, had me laughing out loud.
I had a hard time putting this one down. Very descriptive and well written. I felt like I was watching the events unfold like a movie, even though some scenes were like…OMG!!! I can’t wait to read the second book!!!
(There is some strong language, horror, and sexual content…recommended for more mature readers.)
February 22, 2013
First off let me start by saying that this is the 1st book this author has written and he has done an amazing job. If this is a foreshadowing of whats to come then i am very excited. This story has everything from love, friendship, action , suspense and horror in it. You not only get a healthy dose of vamps but you get to see an amazing relationship form between a man and a little girl he is helping to take care of. It is one of the most unconventional relationship i have ever encountered but it works for them and it works well. From what i hear this is going to be a book series and i for one cannot wait to read the next book and find out what will happen next. I can honestly say it looks like this author will be around for some time if he keeps putting out stories with this kind of quality. Solstice (Volume 1) Buy this book you will not be disappointed!
July 27, 2012
Wow, this adult vampire read really blew me away. Solstice was born in a very unigue way. Poor thing, she losses her mother and has to learn to survive on her own. This story had me laughing, crying, and gripping my seat every inch of the way. I honestly loved every moment of it and could not put it down. I sure hope the ending is not real, meaning i hope it is all a dream for our hero, if it's not 0.o I honestly don't know how I would be reacting in his place. So.... can't wait to read book two :D
♥♥♥♥♥
♥♥♥♥♥
June 4, 2012
Rating: 3.5
Looking forward to reading the next book. Intrigued on how his daughter is able to hunt him after knowing that she's dead. Or is she really?
Looking forward to reading the next book. Intrigued on how his daughter is able to hunt him after knowing that she's dead. Or is she really?
November 26, 2013
Gavin Moxley's life has never been normal. Living day to day, he's made it his personal mission to rid the world of disease-carrying vampires. In his mind, he's doing the right thing by making the world he lives in a better place. After all, who's going to miss a vampire or two? Not anyone he's knows. At least, that's what he wants to believe.
These ruthless vampires need to be stopped. Their sole goal is to infect the human race with the AIDS virus. In their minds, the Earth is going down the drain anyway, so why not give it a little push to bring it down further? Gavin knows he's fighting a battle he may never win. He refuses to allow the vampires to get the upper hand. By taking down a vampire, or two, or three, it allows him to cleanse the filth inhabiting his world.
Gavin's life takes a different turn when he inadvertently meets Solstice, a half-breed vampire with very unique powers. Deep inside, he doesn't want anything to do with her, yet the little girl refuses to let him be. In her mind, he can provide her with the protection she so clearly needs, even if he doesn't see that fact from the get-go. Determined to continue with his mission, he reluctantly agrees to becoming her guardian, of sorts. This new role, unfortunately, is one he'll never get used.
Diving head-first into completing what he set out to do, Gavin never takes into account just how much Solstice will change his life. She knows things about him that no one else does, and she does everything possible to second guess him. Though he does his best to ignore the fact that she does become useful to him when needed, he knows he can't rely on her unique gifts for long. If he's to succeed in cleansing the world, once and for all, he'll need to remember who and what he is, even if it means diving into a past he'd rather forget.
Solstice has a very interesting premise. It's not often you encounter a story where vampires are disease carriers intent on doing away with the human race. Bryan did a nice job in setting up the idea for this story, but I do feel that it was a little rushed in places. Solstice's true purpose is never really explained. Yes, we learn who and what she is, and how she came to be. To me, however, it felt as if she wasn't quite that substantial. Overall, the story does capture interest. Perhaps the second will answer the loose ends left behind in this first book. We shall see.
These ruthless vampires need to be stopped. Their sole goal is to infect the human race with the AIDS virus. In their minds, the Earth is going down the drain anyway, so why not give it a little push to bring it down further? Gavin knows he's fighting a battle he may never win. He refuses to allow the vampires to get the upper hand. By taking down a vampire, or two, or three, it allows him to cleanse the filth inhabiting his world.
Gavin's life takes a different turn when he inadvertently meets Solstice, a half-breed vampire with very unique powers. Deep inside, he doesn't want anything to do with her, yet the little girl refuses to let him be. In her mind, he can provide her with the protection she so clearly needs, even if he doesn't see that fact from the get-go. Determined to continue with his mission, he reluctantly agrees to becoming her guardian, of sorts. This new role, unfortunately, is one he'll never get used.
Diving head-first into completing what he set out to do, Gavin never takes into account just how much Solstice will change his life. She knows things about him that no one else does, and she does everything possible to second guess him. Though he does his best to ignore the fact that she does become useful to him when needed, he knows he can't rely on her unique gifts for long. If he's to succeed in cleansing the world, once and for all, he'll need to remember who and what he is, even if it means diving into a past he'd rather forget.
Solstice has a very interesting premise. It's not often you encounter a story where vampires are disease carriers intent on doing away with the human race. Bryan did a nice job in setting up the idea for this story, but I do feel that it was a little rushed in places. Solstice's true purpose is never really explained. Yes, we learn who and what she is, and how she came to be. To me, however, it felt as if she wasn't quite that substantial. Overall, the story does capture interest. Perhaps the second will answer the loose ends left behind in this first book. We shall see.
February 11, 2013
Note: Some might recall I did the same review for Paranormal Reads when I was just starting out as an admin with them, however, no longer being apart of the blog I maintain all rights to my review, as such I am using it for this tour. Also note that I have gone back and revised the review a tad bit since when I started out my review skills were not up to par as they are now.
First off I would like to thank Bryan Dull for sending me the book for review. Solstice focuses around a man name Gavin, who's mission is pretty straight-forward - remove all disease-carrying vampires from the world.
But then he meets Solstice...
Solstice is a young girl with many secrets of her own, and it isn't until Gavin realizes she is vampire as well, that everything he believes in is turned upside down. He soon learns that Solstice is being hunted, coming to the realization of just how special she is; different and it is because of that difference that the other vampire’s want the abilities she possesses.
The book started off a bit slow for me and I felt that there were certain parts that weren’t really needed and because of that I felt that the climax was taking to long to grab my attention, however as soon as the climax came, it didn’t disappoint! I truly enjoyed this book because it gives a nice twist to usual vampire plots that we find in a lot of today's readings. I also found it rather interesting how the book was written in 1st person rather than the usual 3rd person. I did feel that the way the book was written helped you to really connect with the characters, you really get an overall sense for how they were feeling in that given time and situation and I quite enjoyed that. Overall I would suggest this book to vampire lovers, especially those who like books that are not based on the usual romance and get more of the thrill and action that vampires were known to give us.
4/5 crescents.
~Marie
First off I would like to thank Bryan Dull for sending me the book for review. Solstice focuses around a man name Gavin, who's mission is pretty straight-forward - remove all disease-carrying vampires from the world.
But then he meets Solstice...
Solstice is a young girl with many secrets of her own, and it isn't until Gavin realizes she is vampire as well, that everything he believes in is turned upside down. He soon learns that Solstice is being hunted, coming to the realization of just how special she is; different and it is because of that difference that the other vampire’s want the abilities she possesses.
The book started off a bit slow for me and I felt that there were certain parts that weren’t really needed and because of that I felt that the climax was taking to long to grab my attention, however as soon as the climax came, it didn’t disappoint! I truly enjoyed this book because it gives a nice twist to usual vampire plots that we find in a lot of today's readings. I also found it rather interesting how the book was written in 1st person rather than the usual 3rd person. I did feel that the way the book was written helped you to really connect with the characters, you really get an overall sense for how they were feeling in that given time and situation and I quite enjoyed that. Overall I would suggest this book to vampire lovers, especially those who like books that are not based on the usual romance and get more of the thrill and action that vampires were known to give us.
4/5 crescents.
~Marie
March 10, 2013
Note: Some might recall I did the same review for Paranormal Reads when I was just starting out as an admin with them, however, no longer being apart of the blog I maintain all rights to my review, as such I am using it for this tour. Also note that I have gone back and revised the review a tad bit since when I started out my review skills were not up to par as they are now.
First off I would like to thank Bryan Dull for sending me the book for review. Solstice focuses around a man name Gavin, who's mission is pretty straight-forward - remove all disease-carrying vampires from the world.
But then he meets Solstice...
Solstice is a young girl with many secrets of her own, and it isn't until Gavin realizes she is vampire as well, that everything he believes in is turned upside down. He soon learns that Solstice is being hunted, coming to the realization of just how special she is; different and it is because of that difference that the other vampire’s want the abilities she possesses.
The book started off a bit slow for me and I felt that there were certain parts that weren’t really needed and because of that I felt that the climax was taking to long to grab my attention, however as soon as the climax came, it didn’t disappoint! I truly enjoyed this book because it gives a nice twist to usual vampire plots that we find in a lot of today's readings. I also found it rather interesting how the book was written in 1st person rather than the usual 3rd person. I did feel that the way the book was written helped you to really connect with the characters, you really get an overall sense for how they were feeling in that given time and situation and I quite enjoyed that. Overall I would suggest this book to vampire lovers, especially those who like books that are not based on the usual romance and get more of the thrill and action that vampires were known to give us.
4/5 crescents.
~Marie
First off I would like to thank Bryan Dull for sending me the book for review. Solstice focuses around a man name Gavin, who's mission is pretty straight-forward - remove all disease-carrying vampires from the world.
But then he meets Solstice...
Solstice is a young girl with many secrets of her own, and it isn't until Gavin realizes she is vampire as well, that everything he believes in is turned upside down. He soon learns that Solstice is being hunted, coming to the realization of just how special she is; different and it is because of that difference that the other vampire’s want the abilities she possesses.
The book started off a bit slow for me and I felt that there were certain parts that weren’t really needed and because of that I felt that the climax was taking to long to grab my attention, however as soon as the climax came, it didn’t disappoint! I truly enjoyed this book because it gives a nice twist to usual vampire plots that we find in a lot of today's readings. I also found it rather interesting how the book was written in 1st person rather than the usual 3rd person. I did feel that the way the book was written helped you to really connect with the characters, you really get an overall sense for how they were feeling in that given time and situation and I quite enjoyed that. Overall I would suggest this book to vampire lovers, especially those who like books that are not based on the usual romance and get more of the thrill and action that vampires were known to give us.
4/5 crescents.
~Marie
May 12, 2013
Ebook: Solstice (The Solstice Chronicles)
Author: Bryan W. Dull
Fiction, Paranormal,
This review may contain spoilers
I was given this by the author for an honest review
Summary: In Gavin Moxley's world, there is no thin line between right and wrong. In a personal crusade to help sever a line of disease carried by a clan of vampires; Gavin has no choice to be ruthless. The Vampires are purposely infecting the human population…waiting for humans to actively pass it on to each other. Gavin takes no chances and executes them one by one. Not strong or powerful, finding humans before they turn into full vampires is ideal and Gavin’s best bet.
Yes, this is Gavin’s life…
…And nothing ever changes it until a young half breed vampire with special abilities, Solstice, attaches and makes herself a fixture in his life when she asks for his help and protection and when a reluctant Gavin agrees he joins a dangerous game of cat and mouse. There is no safe place and the pair are constantly watching their backs. Torn between his hate and his love for Solstice Gavin is thrown into a moral dilemma that only he can figure out but two things are clear…
His faith and Humanity are being tested and the past is not always forgotten.
The Review
OK I started this a little unsure of whether I would like it, The author was new to me, but I thought give it a shot, there is nothing better than finding an author you could fall in love with and that is what has happened, The author wrote this with such passion, that I believed every word, I thought he brought the book to life for me, I could see the whole book played out in front of my eyes, just like a film, there were a few scenes that were a little hard to put into words but the author succeeded beautifully, the characters were very well written, really descriptive, I will be looking out for more from this author, as he has me hooked on his storytelling, 4.5/5
Author: Bryan W. Dull
Fiction, Paranormal,
This review may contain spoilers
I was given this by the author for an honest review
Summary: In Gavin Moxley's world, there is no thin line between right and wrong. In a personal crusade to help sever a line of disease carried by a clan of vampires; Gavin has no choice to be ruthless. The Vampires are purposely infecting the human population…waiting for humans to actively pass it on to each other. Gavin takes no chances and executes them one by one. Not strong or powerful, finding humans before they turn into full vampires is ideal and Gavin’s best bet.
Yes, this is Gavin’s life…
…And nothing ever changes it until a young half breed vampire with special abilities, Solstice, attaches and makes herself a fixture in his life when she asks for his help and protection and when a reluctant Gavin agrees he joins a dangerous game of cat and mouse. There is no safe place and the pair are constantly watching their backs. Torn between his hate and his love for Solstice Gavin is thrown into a moral dilemma that only he can figure out but two things are clear…
His faith and Humanity are being tested and the past is not always forgotten.
The Review
OK I started this a little unsure of whether I would like it, The author was new to me, but I thought give it a shot, there is nothing better than finding an author you could fall in love with and that is what has happened, The author wrote this with such passion, that I believed every word, I thought he brought the book to life for me, I could see the whole book played out in front of my eyes, just like a film, there were a few scenes that were a little hard to put into words but the author succeeded beautifully, the characters were very well written, really descriptive, I will be looking out for more from this author, as he has me hooked on his storytelling, 4.5/5
January 9, 2021
I find indie books fascinating because they are truly books written with so much passion that you don’t see in mass market books. It’s like “this is a story I need to tell and I will tell whoever will listen” and I appreciate that.
That being said, I would like to disclose that I won this book in a bookstagram giveaway and it wasn’t something I necessarily would have picked up off the bookshelves myself. After reading (and rereading) twilight years ago, I have been kind of put off from vampire books. Honestly I think there are too many out there and they are all terrible in different ways, mostly for riding on the coat tales of Twilight’s success. However, #solstice by @writer_cinephile_bryan didn’t feel like that. And miraculously, it didn’t have the desperate feel of a fan fiction about it, so bonus points there.
Really, I loved the plot. The ideas were all well thought out and the writing was easy to follow. I started it one evening and finished it the next afternoon. It was an easy read and hard to put down. The reason I have given it 3/5 stars is because I could not STAND the character of Gavin. I feel like his character was intentionally written to be insufferable, self absorbed, and misogynistic because there is definitely clear character development as the story goes on, but oh my lanta! It was so hard to read his criticism of women and prostitutes and deal with his holier than thou attitude. I know the book is set in the south and there is a certain level of testosterone I should have expected, but come on.
That being said, I am fully looking forward to reading the next installment of the series, Equinox, because I love the character development that is happening to Gavin and I am 100% here for everything Solstice keeps bringing to the table. I’m really hoping that Gavin continues to work on himself going forward so I can rate Equinox higher.
That being said, I would like to disclose that I won this book in a bookstagram giveaway and it wasn’t something I necessarily would have picked up off the bookshelves myself. After reading (and rereading) twilight years ago, I have been kind of put off from vampire books. Honestly I think there are too many out there and they are all terrible in different ways, mostly for riding on the coat tales of Twilight’s success. However, #solstice by @writer_cinephile_bryan didn’t feel like that. And miraculously, it didn’t have the desperate feel of a fan fiction about it, so bonus points there.
Really, I loved the plot. The ideas were all well thought out and the writing was easy to follow. I started it one evening and finished it the next afternoon. It was an easy read and hard to put down. The reason I have given it 3/5 stars is because I could not STAND the character of Gavin. I feel like his character was intentionally written to be insufferable, self absorbed, and misogynistic because there is definitely clear character development as the story goes on, but oh my lanta! It was so hard to read his criticism of women and prostitutes and deal with his holier than thou attitude. I know the book is set in the south and there is a certain level of testosterone I should have expected, but come on.
That being said, I am fully looking forward to reading the next installment of the series, Equinox, because I love the character development that is happening to Gavin and I am 100% here for everything Solstice keeps bringing to the table. I’m really hoping that Gavin continues to work on himself going forward so I can rate Equinox higher.
February 12, 2013
I received this book to give an honest review.
A very, very different vampire story, and I am glad someone thought outside of the box on this one and made this story different in every way. This is not your average vampire-packed action book this is something more.
It did take me a minute to actually get into the story, but once I did I did not want to put it down. The action was amazing, the characters great, the plot different.
I thought it was amazing that the author Bryan Dull started his novel as a screenplay, and with this being his first novel he did a pretty good job.
The opening part was AWESOME, I found myself saying "oh my gosh!" And wondering if this was how the book was going to turn out. But sadly no, it was not as intense as it was in the opening part.
Solstice is one of the main characters who is a half breed. Half-human, half-vampire, with her age she knows a lot and starts growing in way you can not believe.
Another main character and he is the one that starts the book off after the opening is Gavin.
He is a vampire hunter for reason you will find out later on in the book, he meets Solstice and he knows he should not get close to her. But he can not help himself. He has a feeling that he should protect her though she is one of the vampires that he has been hunting.
The way the two characters talked to each other had me laughing, especially when Gavin always had to try to be rude. She would reply with a witty comment. Just like a normal teenager, well not your average normal teenager.
I recommended this book for those who enjoy vampires, action, the paranormal all around. I would say this book is for mature YA on up.
I do hope there is a book two as I want to see what else is going to happen.
A very, very different vampire story, and I am glad someone thought outside of the box on this one and made this story different in every way. This is not your average vampire-packed action book this is something more.
It did take me a minute to actually get into the story, but once I did I did not want to put it down. The action was amazing, the characters great, the plot different.
I thought it was amazing that the author Bryan Dull started his novel as a screenplay, and with this being his first novel he did a pretty good job.
The opening part was AWESOME, I found myself saying "oh my gosh!" And wondering if this was how the book was going to turn out. But sadly no, it was not as intense as it was in the opening part.
Solstice is one of the main characters who is a half breed. Half-human, half-vampire, with her age she knows a lot and starts growing in way you can not believe.
Another main character and he is the one that starts the book off after the opening is Gavin.
He is a vampire hunter for reason you will find out later on in the book, he meets Solstice and he knows he should not get close to her. But he can not help himself. He has a feeling that he should protect her though she is one of the vampires that he has been hunting.
The way the two characters talked to each other had me laughing, especially when Gavin always had to try to be rude. She would reply with a witty comment. Just like a normal teenager, well not your average normal teenager.
I recommended this book for those who enjoy vampires, action, the paranormal all around. I would say this book is for mature YA on up.
I do hope there is a book two as I want to see what else is going to happen.
May 10, 2013
Disclaimer: I received an e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
Gavin Moxley hunts vampires. Well, soon-to-be-turned vampires, those who haven't officially made the change, and never will if he has anything to do with it. He hunts a particular type, and for good reason: they're spreading AIDS. He feels as those his cause is noble; he's protecting innocents and keeping the vamp population from increasing. Win-win, right? That is, until he happens upon a pre-teen girl, stashed in the car of one of his "victims," and his whole life turns upside-down. What's with her? What's her story? And how is it that she knows so much about him, when he's never seen her before in his life?
I love a good vampire story, and this one is definitely a standout from the rest. The premise is extremely interesting with just Gavin's story, and once Solstice is thrown in, it just gets even better. They both have tragic backstories, and the more we learn about each of them, the more heartbreaking it becomes. They make a rather interesting team (much like Buffy and Angel, but without all the lovey-dovey issues), and throughout their short time together in the story, they certainly seem to find and attract a lot of trouble. I would highly recommend this story to anyone who likes vampires and/or the supernatural, but has been turned off by the likes of Twilight and other such romanticized vamp tales. This is not one of those, and I'll be sure to add future works by this author, especially of this genre, to my TBR list.
5 stars
Gavin Moxley hunts vampires. Well, soon-to-be-turned vampires, those who haven't officially made the change, and never will if he has anything to do with it. He hunts a particular type, and for good reason: they're spreading AIDS. He feels as those his cause is noble; he's protecting innocents and keeping the vamp population from increasing. Win-win, right? That is, until he happens upon a pre-teen girl, stashed in the car of one of his "victims," and his whole life turns upside-down. What's with her? What's her story? And how is it that she knows so much about him, when he's never seen her before in his life?
I love a good vampire story, and this one is definitely a standout from the rest. The premise is extremely interesting with just Gavin's story, and once Solstice is thrown in, it just gets even better. They both have tragic backstories, and the more we learn about each of them, the more heartbreaking it becomes. They make a rather interesting team (much like Buffy and Angel, but without all the lovey-dovey issues), and throughout their short time together in the story, they certainly seem to find and attract a lot of trouble. I would highly recommend this story to anyone who likes vampires and/or the supernatural, but has been turned off by the likes of Twilight and other such romanticized vamp tales. This is not one of those, and I'll be sure to add future works by this author, especially of this genre, to my TBR list.
5 stars
October 15, 2013
ARC Review
Gavin Moxley is a vampire hunter, and hunts vampires who have yet to fully transform. These vampires have been infected with the deadly AIDS virus by a vampire who is purposely infecting people and turning them. Whilst on a hunt, he meets Solstice, a half breed vampire child, who asks for his help and protection. Gavin unwillingly takes Solstice into his care, in exchange for information on the infected vampires.
Solstice's existence is rare, and she is wanted by the vampires for her "ability" to walk in sunlight. Can Gavin and Solstice evade their pursuers long enough to survive?
This is a fantastic story that does not sugar coat vampires, and shows them as the monsters they are. This story gripped me from the first page! There are some gruesome scenes that are not for the faint hearted. I loved the father/daughter dynamic between Gavin and Solstice.
Having lost his family to a gruesome murder, Gavin goes on a one man crusade to rid the world of vampires. However, his hatred is slightly tempered by the arrival of Solstice.
Solstice is an anomaly in the vampire world. Her mother was attacked by a vampire whilst carrying Solstice; this changed her into a half breed, able to walk in the daylight. The ending has a huge and shocking twist, which has me now champing at the bit for the rest of this series!
Bryan's descriptions and imagination leaves me speechless! The story is fast paced and flowed beautifully; I could easily see this on the movie screen one day.
I highly recommend this book if you love a fantastic thriller/horror story with bite (pun intended!).
Gavin Moxley is a vampire hunter, and hunts vampires who have yet to fully transform. These vampires have been infected with the deadly AIDS virus by a vampire who is purposely infecting people and turning them. Whilst on a hunt, he meets Solstice, a half breed vampire child, who asks for his help and protection. Gavin unwillingly takes Solstice into his care, in exchange for information on the infected vampires.
Solstice's existence is rare, and she is wanted by the vampires for her "ability" to walk in sunlight. Can Gavin and Solstice evade their pursuers long enough to survive?
This is a fantastic story that does not sugar coat vampires, and shows them as the monsters they are. This story gripped me from the first page! There are some gruesome scenes that are not for the faint hearted. I loved the father/daughter dynamic between Gavin and Solstice.
Having lost his family to a gruesome murder, Gavin goes on a one man crusade to rid the world of vampires. However, his hatred is slightly tempered by the arrival of Solstice.
Solstice is an anomaly in the vampire world. Her mother was attacked by a vampire whilst carrying Solstice; this changed her into a half breed, able to walk in the daylight. The ending has a huge and shocking twist, which has me now champing at the bit for the rest of this series!
Bryan's descriptions and imagination leaves me speechless! The story is fast paced and flowed beautifully; I could easily see this on the movie screen one day.
I highly recommend this book if you love a fantastic thriller/horror story with bite (pun intended!).
May 4, 2013
I can honestly say, ive never read a book like this before!
And that's a good thing.
Mr Dull is a fantastic story teller. I was actually gripped from the first page.
The whole book revolves around a Vampire Slayer -in the first person. He goes out at night to kill prostitutes who arent quite vampire and carrying the AIDS virus. He slays them before they can turn into full vampires.
His reasoning behind the slaying of these particular ones actually makes sense, but during the book he starts to question this, and his life.
This is due to the little girl he accidentally stumbled across. The girl is a rare thing - a half breed. He grows fond of her, and the whole book's main aim at the beginning changes to help this girl.
One thing i would totally advise to do is read the Prologue before reading the main book I know some people skip it, but i would strongly advise reading it, as it helps you understand some areas later on in the book.
I dont know if Mr Dull intends to carry on with this. He's left it open, yet closed too, so if he does decide to carry on the option is there.
It took me 2 nights to read this one. I would recommend reading it, if only to feel the passion that Mr Dull pours into his writing.
The story is a pretty basic one, but he brings it alive and a joy to read!
Read on behalf of Nevermore Books, copy provided for honest review
And that's a good thing.
Mr Dull is a fantastic story teller. I was actually gripped from the first page.
The whole book revolves around a Vampire Slayer -in the first person. He goes out at night to kill prostitutes who arent quite vampire and carrying the AIDS virus. He slays them before they can turn into full vampires.
His reasoning behind the slaying of these particular ones actually makes sense, but during the book he starts to question this, and his life.
This is due to the little girl he accidentally stumbled across. The girl is a rare thing - a half breed. He grows fond of her, and the whole book's main aim at the beginning changes to help this girl.
One thing i would totally advise to do is read the Prologue before reading the main book I know some people skip it, but i would strongly advise reading it, as it helps you understand some areas later on in the book.
I dont know if Mr Dull intends to carry on with this. He's left it open, yet closed too, so if he does decide to carry on the option is there.
It took me 2 nights to read this one. I would recommend reading it, if only to feel the passion that Mr Dull pours into his writing.
The story is a pretty basic one, but he brings it alive and a joy to read!
Read on behalf of Nevermore Books, copy provided for honest review
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