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Laura Caxton #5
32 Fangs
The Final Reckoning
Laura Caxton's battles against the ancient vampire Justinia Malvern have cost her nearly everything—her badge, her freedom, her friends and family . . . maybe even her humanity.
And as she hides out in the deepest backwoods of Pennsylvania, pursued by the cops who were once her colleagues, Laura certainly looks beaten. But as Laura sees it, what little is left of her soul is perfectly adapted to the job of ridding the world of its last vampire. And thanks to the terrible clarity she's found, Laura's come up with a plan—one that will finish Malvern once and for all.
But the ever-wily Malvern has a few last aces left to play and is quietly dealing a hand that will involve a terrible fate for the few friends Laura's got left. When the two adversaries meet for the last time in their most epic battle, the vampires will force Laura to pay a price far beyond anything she's sacrificed before.
Laura Caxton's battles against the ancient vampire Justinia Malvern have cost her nearly everything—her badge, her freedom, her friends and family . . . maybe even her humanity.
And as she hides out in the deepest backwoods of Pennsylvania, pursued by the cops who were once her colleagues, Laura certainly looks beaten. But as Laura sees it, what little is left of her soul is perfectly adapted to the job of ridding the world of its last vampire. And thanks to the terrible clarity she's found, Laura's come up with a plan—one that will finish Malvern once and for all.
But the ever-wily Malvern has a few last aces left to play and is quietly dealing a hand that will involve a terrible fate for the few friends Laura's got left. When the two adversaries meet for the last time in their most epic battle, the vampires will force Laura to pay a price far beyond anything she's sacrificed before.
335 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2012
25 people are currently reading
888 people want to read
About the author
David Wellington
73 books1,159 followersDavid Wellington is a contemporary American horror author, best known for his Zombie trilogy as well as his Vampire series and Werewolf series. His books have been translated into eleven languages and are a global phenomenon.
His career began in 2004 when he started serializing his horror fiction online, posting short chapters of a novel three times a week on a friend’s blog. Response to the project was so great that in 2004 Thunder’s Mouth Press approached David Wellington about publishing Monster Island as a print book. His novels have been featured in Rue Morgue, Fangoria, and the New York Times.
He also made his debut as a comic book writer in 2009 with Marvel Zombies Return:Iron Man.
Wellington attended Syracuse University and received an MFA in creative writing from Penn State. He also holds a masters degree in Library Science from Pratt Institute.
He now lives in New York City with his dog Mary Shelley and wife Elisabeth who, in her wedding vows, promised to “kick serious zombie ass” for him.
His career began in 2004 when he started serializing his horror fiction online, posting short chapters of a novel three times a week on a friend’s blog. Response to the project was so great that in 2004 Thunder’s Mouth Press approached David Wellington about publishing Monster Island as a print book. His novels have been featured in Rue Morgue, Fangoria, and the New York Times.
He also made his debut as a comic book writer in 2009 with Marvel Zombies Return:Iron Man.
Wellington attended Syracuse University and received an MFA in creative writing from Penn State. He also holds a masters degree in Library Science from Pratt Institute.
He now lives in New York City with his dog Mary Shelley and wife Elisabeth who, in her wedding vows, promised to “kick serious zombie ass” for him.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews
July 21, 2018
And so ends a great horror vampire series.
What I liked:
The entire series recap, and then some, from Malvern’s POV.
That Fetlock was more, and less, than he seemed.
Serious mayhem.
Laura the tough.
What I didn’t like:
Clara
Just one word but it appeared 630 times in three hundred and fifty pages.
Just one word but it’s worth negative two stars. One star for stinking up a significant part of the book,
January 17, 2013
Finally! Justina Malvern is back and with a vengeance. Book four, 23 Hours: A Vengeful Vampire Tale, ended with Laura Caxton, vampire hunter, escaping federal prison in order to pursue Malvern.
I was so upset when I finished 23 Hours because I felt there was no closure. Little did I know that Wellington had written the finale to this gruesome series. Book five takes us back to the beginning, in order to see just how evil Justina was as a child. This was a dual novel with flashbacks in time allowing us to watch Justina grow up and learn how she became a vampire.
We also see a new Laura Caxton. Two years of evading the U.S. Marshal's search has hardened Laura's already tough exterior. Laura has been planning the final showdown with Malvern. She's got the perfect location and the perfect trap. She just couldn't predict that her girlfriend, Clara, would choose to locate her just in time to provide a distraction. The final showdown was gruesome and everything I have come to expect from David Wellington.
I have loved the vampires of this series. They are evil, gruesome, and they only care about blood. Though I hate to see this series come to an end, I also appreciate an author that knows how to bring a series to a close with a bang.
I was so upset when I finished 23 Hours because I felt there was no closure. Little did I know that Wellington had written the finale to this gruesome series. Book five takes us back to the beginning, in order to see just how evil Justina was as a child. This was a dual novel with flashbacks in time allowing us to watch Justina grow up and learn how she became a vampire.
We also see a new Laura Caxton. Two years of evading the U.S. Marshal's search has hardened Laura's already tough exterior. Laura has been planning the final showdown with Malvern. She's got the perfect location and the perfect trap. She just couldn't predict that her girlfriend, Clara, would choose to locate her just in time to provide a distraction. The final showdown was gruesome and everything I have come to expect from David Wellington.
I have loved the vampires of this series. They are evil, gruesome, and they only care about blood. Though I hate to see this series come to an end, I also appreciate an author that knows how to bring a series to a close with a bang.
May 25, 2018
That one was good. Seemed to drag a little bit in certain places, but still good. I like the way he ended it.
April 26, 2014
The Casket Closes … on one of the best damn vampire series in years!
With 32 Fangs, author David Wellington brings to a finish his five-book Laura Caxton series with a book length, final showdown between his heroine cop (turned vampire-hunter) and the cadaverous master vampire Justinia Malvern, who has haunted these books from the very beginning. While many multi-book series are strong in both set-up and world-building, a truly climatic payoff is often elusive. Fortunately, the roller-coaster ride that Wellington first ushered us onto in the first four books of this series doesn’t let up in the final chapter. In fact, the ride picks up speed as it plunges down a nail-biting final drop, then roars to a wild (and ultimately satisfying) conclusion.
This is a well-crafted finale that is ultimately a chess match between the series' two principle protagonists, Caxton and Malvern, who like rival hawks circle in an ever tightening gyre to a final confrontation. The ages-old Malvern and the tough-as-iron Laura Caxton are realistically portrayed as grizzled veterans – carefully laying their traps, plans, and counter-plans – two foes who have certainly taken the measure of their opponent and who are crafty enough to do all they can to tilt the odds to their favor for the final duel. This, of course, is a far cry from the Laura Caxton we met as this series began -- a rookie who her mentor used as often as “vampire bait” as he did a partner -- and I like the maturity that Wellington brings to both Caxton and Malvern as the characters develop a grudging respect for each other.
Just as importantly, Wellington uses this concluding chapter to wrap up a number of loose ends from past books, harkening as far back as the ghost barn Caxton stumbled through in 13 Bullets. In fact, there is a much stronger infusion of magic in this volume, which rounds out the world Wellington has created throughout this series, rather nicely. Caxton’s supporting cast – some of whom haven’t been around in a book or two – are also back for the final installment – though there are a quite a few who probably wished they could have skipped their grisly curtain calls in this last book.
All of this would have been enough for me to be quite satisfied with the conclusion of this series, but what sweetens this story all the more is the author’s juxtapositioning of the present battle with the long story of Justinia Malvern’s life, death, and undeath across the centuries. Wellington is wonderfully good in this area, painting some enchanting historical vignettes that not only raise the hackles as Malvern creeps through the ages, but even raises a bit of pity here and there for the sometimes pathetic creature Malvern becomes. Malvern becomes more than just an evil puppeteer as Wellington fleshes out the vampire’s personality -- even as her skin slowly rots from her body -- and though Malvern’s vampiric strength and prowess are formidable, it is her mind that reeks of the deepest wickedness and danger. There are quite a few chapters where Malvern’s whispers are enough to chill even the most jaded reader.
Ultimately, Wellington is able to weave these two tales together – expertly pulling the story of Malvern’s past right up into the present until the two merge into a seamless conclusion. While I won’t spoil the ending, it is a finish that let me close the book (and the series) with a satisfactory sigh – tainted only with a hint of sadness that I had turned the last page on a series that has kept me entertained since the very first page of the very first book.
March 20, 2018
Los hombres lobo son perfectos para acurrucarte junto a ellos en invierno, los vampiros son la apoteosis del romanticismo y los maltratadores se convierten en el amante ideal. NO. El mal existe y debe verse reflejado en la literatura. Los monstruos creados por Wellington son, y doy gracias por ello, aterradores. No se preocupan de los sentimientos de sus víctimas, son crueles, despiadados, letales y tremendamente peligrosos.
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October 12, 2025
Thank God, I've FINALLY finished this awful series! The only reason I trudged through all five books was because I paid good money for them.
March 5, 2020
I like my vampires scary and Wellington's were. The 5th and final in a quest to rid the world of the last vampire was quite a journey. I liked the ending.
reread 2020 - this is the 5th in a series and the final book of that series. It's a fun ride if you can get past some unreasonable stuff -and no, I don't mean the vampires. For example -I really had a hard time in this reading accepting the fact that it would be against the law to kill Malvern. And even so; I couldn't understand why Arkeley didn't kill her anyway. I had the same problem with Laura's arrest and imprisonment. But overall - a good scary vampire story and just the thing I needed to read to take my mind of other things.
reread 2020 - this is the 5th in a series and the final book of that series. It's a fun ride if you can get past some unreasonable stuff -and no, I don't mean the vampires. For example -I really had a hard time in this reading accepting the fact that it would be against the law to kill Malvern. And even so; I couldn't understand why Arkeley didn't kill her anyway. I had the same problem with Laura's arrest and imprisonment. But overall - a good scary vampire story and just the thing I needed to read to take my mind of other things.
November 3, 2016
I absolutely LOVE these books!! I have been waiting for another to come out and seeing this is so exciting!! This has been on well written, kick ass series. I cannot wait to read this book.
May 4, 2012
A very good end to a great vampire series. Especially liked the POV of Justinia Malvern.
January 30, 2018
All good things must come to an end and so must things that are just ok. The David Wellington ‘Vampire’ series started off with the electric ’13 Bullets’. He created a dark world were humans were trying to rid the world of the vampire menace using a special police force. The ideas included vampires going feral with their unquenchable thirst for blood; it would take at least the titular 13 Bullets to put then down. Over time the series started to flag a little. The punchy world was being held down by a little too much development on a few characters. Could ’32 Fangs’ be the finale the debut deserved?
The vampire scourge has been defeated, or so many think. One person who is not so sure is Laura Caxton, former officer turned fugitive, who still thinks the powerful Vampire Malvern is loose. Hiding in a camp in the desert is not going to help her finally kill all the vampires, so she needs a plan. Can Caxton draw Malvern to her so that the war between humans and vampires can finally end?
’32 Fangs’ is a story that is split into two, the tale of Caxton in the present and the story of how Malvern came to survive so long. The modern elements entertain as the plot builds to the type of conclusion you would expect from Wellington. Characters from the previous books are present, but because this is the final outing, there is no guarantee they will survive. Even the main characters don’t have to be about for another book.
The pace of the main section of the book is good, but constantly interrupted by the sections on Malvern. These sections follow her life, to her death, to her undead – all the way to present day. Perhaps they are intended to flesh out the character’s corpse, but fans of the books will already have a sense of her. The extra pages spent on giving more information does little more than distract from the epic battle we are looking forward to.
Thankfully, this final fight does not disappoint and the rest of the book is worth getting through to read the conflict. Wellington has a visceral style that fits well with the vampire genre, after all it is meant to be horror genre. Die-hard fans of the series may appreciate the development of Malvern, but as a casual fan it read like filler to me. A pacy finale was dragged down by an author who saw the chance to deliver some fan service before the series ended.
The vampire scourge has been defeated, or so many think. One person who is not so sure is Laura Caxton, former officer turned fugitive, who still thinks the powerful Vampire Malvern is loose. Hiding in a camp in the desert is not going to help her finally kill all the vampires, so she needs a plan. Can Caxton draw Malvern to her so that the war between humans and vampires can finally end?
’32 Fangs’ is a story that is split into two, the tale of Caxton in the present and the story of how Malvern came to survive so long. The modern elements entertain as the plot builds to the type of conclusion you would expect from Wellington. Characters from the previous books are present, but because this is the final outing, there is no guarantee they will survive. Even the main characters don’t have to be about for another book.
The pace of the main section of the book is good, but constantly interrupted by the sections on Malvern. These sections follow her life, to her death, to her undead – all the way to present day. Perhaps they are intended to flesh out the character’s corpse, but fans of the books will already have a sense of her. The extra pages spent on giving more information does little more than distract from the epic battle we are looking forward to.
Thankfully, this final fight does not disappoint and the rest of the book is worth getting through to read the conflict. Wellington has a visceral style that fits well with the vampire genre, after all it is meant to be horror genre. Die-hard fans of the series may appreciate the development of Malvern, but as a casual fan it read like filler to me. A pacy finale was dragged down by an author who saw the chance to deliver some fan service before the series ended.
November 4, 2018
Summary:
An exhilirating finish to the Laura Caxton series - a series that I can only confirm is greater than the sum of its parts! "32 Fangs" masterfully brings together every chapter and paints a vivid picture of the true evil that the pentalogy is based upon. All this with great action and a level of mysticsm and magick unlike all the other books combined!
Review:
I feel absolutely drained right now (not in a vampire victim way but still). I have just spent the better part of a week emerged in David Wellington's amazing 5-part series and what a great ride it was! I have thoroughly enjoyed how each book was unique and brought a new twist to the genre. I have thrilled to all the surprises and 'oh I totally missed thats' I've experienced (even the subtle hints of the various covers - the 'portrait' versions mind you - are now so obvious)! I have been impressed with the sheer evolution of the story-line and how I could have never seen it ending this way back when I started '13 Bullets'. Heck, it's even beeen a blast to see how seamlessly the title of each book has been introduced into all the story-lines!
And yes, I was even happen to see one SOB get the treatment they so deserved (for Kindle readers, see around p.151. So sue me but sometimes you gotta pull for the bad guys! Not sure that much brain matter would have squirted out but... ok ok, no spoilers!
Folks, this was so much fun. Please don't start these books looking for a Stephen King-esque brain-f*ck or an Anne Rice mood muncher. Please DO start these books looking to find enough quiet time to do the ride justice and to savor every morsel (why am I so hungry all of sudden?) of historical and lyrical deliciousness!
Now, if you'll excuse me, I think I'm going to read the rest of DW's collection! Y'all come back now, ahum?
An exhilirating finish to the Laura Caxton series - a series that I can only confirm is greater than the sum of its parts! "32 Fangs" masterfully brings together every chapter and paints a vivid picture of the true evil that the pentalogy is based upon. All this with great action and a level of mysticsm and magick unlike all the other books combined!
Review:
I feel absolutely drained right now (not in a vampire victim way but still). I have just spent the better part of a week emerged in David Wellington's amazing 5-part series and what a great ride it was! I have thoroughly enjoyed how each book was unique and brought a new twist to the genre. I have thrilled to all the surprises and 'oh I totally missed thats' I've experienced (even the subtle hints of the various covers - the 'portrait' versions mind you - are now so obvious)! I have been impressed with the sheer evolution of the story-line and how I could have never seen it ending this way back when I started '13 Bullets'. Heck, it's even beeen a blast to see how seamlessly the title of each book has been introduced into all the story-lines!
And yes, I was even happen to see one SOB get the treatment they so deserved (for Kindle readers, see around p.151. So sue me but sometimes you gotta pull for the bad guys! Not sure that much brain matter would have squirted out but... ok ok, no spoilers!
Folks, this was so much fun. Please don't start these books looking for a Stephen King-esque brain-f*ck or an Anne Rice mood muncher. Please DO start these books looking to find enough quiet time to do the ride justice and to savor every morsel (why am I so hungry all of sudden?) of historical and lyrical deliciousness!
Now, if you'll excuse me, I think I'm going to read the rest of DW's collection! Y'all come back now, ahum?
August 4, 2021
Creo que procede hacer un comentario a toda la saga, más que al último libro (aunque me parece, quizás, el más logrado de todos, al menos en algunos aspectos). Sin duda la saga de David Wellington tiene margen de mejora. Hay muchos problemas, defectos diría incluso, y abundan los momentos en los que he tenido que hacer un esfuerzo por no romper el pacto con el autor y mantenerme en la credulidad. Pero, pese a todo, es una saga muy entretenida y original hasta cierto punto, y hay personajes a los que se les coge cariño. He de decir, además, que Malvern me parece un enemigo formidable y muy bien construido, aparte de lo bien encajada que queda su trama al final de la historia. Para pasar un buen rato y distraerse sin grandes pretensiones, una buena recomendación si te gustan los vampiros.
P.D. Clara Hsu, eres el ser más estúpido, inútil, irracional, absurdo, irresponsable, cansino e innecesario que mente humana ha sido capaz de crear en la larga historia de la literatura. Da gracias de que yo no soy el autor de estas novelas, porque los sufrimientos a los que te habría sometido estarían muy a la altura de tu estulticia. He dicho.
P.D. Clara Hsu, eres el ser más estúpido, inútil, irracional, absurdo, irresponsable, cansino e innecesario que mente humana ha sido capaz de crear en la larga historia de la literatura. Da gracias de que yo no soy el autor de estas novelas, porque los sufrimientos a los que te habría sometido estarían muy a la altura de tu estulticia. He dicho.
September 21, 2025
I finished “32 Fangs” by David Wellington.
The novel is the last part of this vampire series. Laura Caxton is on the lam. The police believe that Caxton's archenemy, the old vampire woman Malvern, is dead. Caxton works on a plan to kill Malvern, and Malvern works on a plan to convert or kill Caxton. Caxton's last two friends in the police try to prove that Malvern, the last vampire in the world, still lives. Besides, the history of Malvern is told in flashbacks over three centuries. We learn what distinguishes Malvern from other vampires. Furthermore, a subculture, the Witchbillies, is introduced. An important topic too, is the love relationship between Laura Caxton and Clara Hsue. Caxton wants to be ready for the fight by being able to victimize everyone and being invulnerable to blackmail. Therefore Laura cuts all emotional relationships, and of course, Clara isn’t enthused about it.
The novel was, as usual for this series, a quick read. The writer invested a lot in worldbuilding. There are also many weird, funny moments. Like many American writers, Wellington shows, by reference to some examples in the story, the devastating impacts of a lack of sufficient social systems.
A worthy ending to this series.
The novel is the last part of this vampire series. Laura Caxton is on the lam. The police believe that Caxton's archenemy, the old vampire woman Malvern, is dead. Caxton works on a plan to kill Malvern, and Malvern works on a plan to convert or kill Caxton. Caxton's last two friends in the police try to prove that Malvern, the last vampire in the world, still lives. Besides, the history of Malvern is told in flashbacks over three centuries. We learn what distinguishes Malvern from other vampires. Furthermore, a subculture, the Witchbillies, is introduced. An important topic too, is the love relationship between Laura Caxton and Clara Hsue. Caxton wants to be ready for the fight by being able to victimize everyone and being invulnerable to blackmail. Therefore Laura cuts all emotional relationships, and of course, Clara isn’t enthused about it.
The novel was, as usual for this series, a quick read. The writer invested a lot in worldbuilding. There are also many weird, funny moments. Like many American writers, Wellington shows, by reference to some examples in the story, the devastating impacts of a lack of sufficient social systems.
A worthy ending to this series.
October 10, 2017
Wow! Epic fight scenes. Strategies with twists and turns that made my head spin. There is a back story of how all the vampires in the books have come about and brings you to present day.
Near the end, there is a twist that really made me groan and think “are you kidding me!? After all of this?” But it turned out okay. I’m trying not to spill any spoilers here so you’ll just have to read the book. Trust me.
I’m exhausted, I’ve read the last three books in less than three days. Emotional roller coaster for certain. I recommend these books if you like a good vampire novel and have a strong stomach...you can’t close your eyes to avoid the gore when you’re reading. 😫
Near the end, there is a twist that really made me groan and think “are you kidding me!? After all of this?” But it turned out okay. I’m trying not to spill any spoilers here so you’ll just have to read the book. Trust me.
I’m exhausted, I’ve read the last three books in less than three days. Emotional roller coaster for certain. I recommend these books if you like a good vampire novel and have a strong stomach...you can’t close your eyes to avoid the gore when you’re reading. 😫
March 9, 2018
A good end to the series, mostly predictable but still a fun romp finishing up all the loose ends from the series.
We see a lot more of the magic in this world in this one which is nice and i'd be interested to see where the author could take it now the Vampire story is done (unless they find any more entombed vampires!).
Its nice to get Malverns viewpoint from pre-vampire right through all the novels to the final confrontation, she reminds me in some ways of Drusilla from Buffy although more conniving and less nuts.
We see a lot more of the magic in this world in this one which is nice and i'd be interested to see where the author could take it now the Vampire story is done (unless they find any more entombed vampires!).
Its nice to get Malverns viewpoint from pre-vampire right through all the novels to the final confrontation, she reminds me in some ways of Drusilla from Buffy although more conniving and less nuts.
December 6, 2022
Damn but if this wasn't as good as the first one. I loved the way we finally got Justinia's story and what a shitshow she was! She was truly a magnificent villain. Right up to the end you don't know which way it'll go and Clara will make you want to throw the damn book at the nearest hard service, regardless of the format you're reading it in. That damn Clara. Bravo, Mr. Wellington. BRAVO!
May 24, 2017
I CAN'T BELIEVE I PAID FOR THIS STUFF, I CAN'T.....
Hello, I really wished that I hadn't spent $10.00 per book for this stuff. My fault entirely. I kept hoping it would get better. Not gonna happen. Thanks.
Hello, I really wished that I hadn't spent $10.00 per book for this stuff. My fault entirely. I kept hoping it would get better. Not gonna happen. Thanks.
September 28, 2019
Once I picked this up I really couldn't put it back down. In probably 3 sittings I read the entire book. Sad the series is over but feels so satisfying at the same time. Not disappointed with the ending at all. Especially loved that theres a nod to this book in the zombie book he wrote 💗
May 9, 2019
4.5 stars
June 20, 2019
A fitting end to the series.
This book has brought all of the series together and was worth the sometimes frustrating parts of the earlier volumes. A good read!
This book has brought all of the series together and was worth the sometimes frustrating parts of the earlier volumes. A good read!
December 6, 2021
Now that was one hell of a ride! I was not disappointed. I didn't feel like there were any plot or loop holes left to be explored. I'd say, this series truly wrapped up nicely.
March 26, 2022
This book is totally amazing. I highly recomended.
January 17, 2023
fitting ending
I liked the way all of the plot lines wrapped up in the end! Very enjoyable vampire series, gritty and unapologetic!
I liked the way all of the plot lines wrapped up in the end! Very enjoyable vampire series, gritty and unapologetic!
March 26, 2024
A really good ending to the series, although the "witchbilly" thing was....a little much, even in a book about vampires lol.
August 18, 2024
The Laura Caxton novels are a fantastic series of books set in an alternate 1980s where everyone knows that vampires exist, and the monsters of the piece are literal monsters (no brooding romantic bloodsuckers here!) who will happily tear your head off to drink their fill. If you prefer your vampires on the darker side, and don't mind a fair bit of gore in your horror, you'll greatly enjoy this series.
August 11, 2016
Laura Caxton's story began way back with the book
13 Bullets
. In it she met a man, Jameson Arkley, who for all tenses would drastically alter her life by becoming part father figure, partner and mentor for he was not just some run of the mill officer but that of a vampire hunter. Based on some weird law Arkley was charged with caring for the last, the most diabolical vampire remaining, Justinia Malvern.
Unbeknownst to Caxton the moment that these two enter her world they would also bring a world of pain, turmoil and death thus shaping her to become a formidable vampire huntress in her own right.
It would be this woman who would bare the responsibility of ending a vamp army from slaughtering those in Gettysburg and also capturing and ending the life her friend, Arkley who would take on the curse of the vampires becoming an equally big threat thanks to the manipulation of Malvern. Because of the events that took place here Caxton would be imprisoned. If she thought she wouldn't have to worry about vamps attacking her here she was in for a rude awakening when Malvern decided to take the fight to her. Eventually they would both escape. People thinking Malvern was dead and Caxton as an escapee who knew the truth. Thus brings us to 32 Fangs , the final
book in the series.
We pick up sometime later with Caxton still on the run from the authorities, biding time, preparing for the final battle with Malvern that is sure to come. One of the things I really enjoyed about this book was that I finally got more Justinia Malvern. Not only do we the reader get to see things from her perspective but we get to see what she was like as a human and how she became the monster she is today.
Aside from this we also get reacquainted with some former characters that had a hand in shaping events either for the good or bad.The main thing I liked about this whole book was that the villain was smart and even if some of the 'good guys' failed to appreciate how conning she was they paid with their lives. I know its morbid but oh well.
Unbeknownst to Caxton the moment that these two enter her world they would also bring a world of pain, turmoil and death thus shaping her to become a formidable vampire huntress in her own right.
It would be this woman who would bare the responsibility of ending a vamp army from slaughtering those in Gettysburg and also capturing and ending the life her friend, Arkley who would take on the curse of the vampires becoming an equally big threat thanks to the manipulation of Malvern. Because of the events that took place here Caxton would be imprisoned. If she thought she wouldn't have to worry about vamps attacking her here she was in for a rude awakening when Malvern decided to take the fight to her. Eventually they would both escape. People thinking Malvern was dead and Caxton as an escapee who knew the truth. Thus brings us to 32 Fangs , the final
book in the series.
We pick up sometime later with Caxton still on the run from the authorities, biding time, preparing for the final battle with Malvern that is sure to come. One of the things I really enjoyed about this book was that I finally got more Justinia Malvern. Not only do we the reader get to see things from her perspective but we get to see what she was like as a human and how she became the monster she is today.
Aside from this we also get reacquainted with some former characters that had a hand in shaping events either for the good or bad.The main thing I liked about this whole book was that the villain was smart and even if some of the 'good guys' failed to appreciate how conning she was they paid with their lives. I know its morbid but oh well.
February 7, 2017
I'm actually going to review the whole series as it is easier and I'm lazy like that. The Laura Caxton series was fun for me to read primarily because the protagonist and antagonist are two really scary women. Not in a body-builder mannish way, but because they are clever and tricky and manipulative and really good at what they do.
Laura Caxton started out as a State Trooper, law enforcement being the family business. She gets recruited by the world's best vampire killer and her whole world changes. Vampires become her obsession, Malvern in particular, and become her life's work.
Justinia Malvern is the quintessential vampire. 300+ years old, wily, and deliciously evil. And not because she's a vampire - she was pure evil as a human as well. She is a survivor who will do whatever it takes to get to her next meal and stay ahead of the hunters.
The books lead Caxton throughout Pennsylvania (ha - Transylvania, Pennsylvania) hunting not only Malvern but the vampires she creates along the way. Caxton is willing to sacrifice everything for the cause which intrigues Malvern - she hasn't had a worthy opponent for centuries. As Caxton hunts Malvern, so too does Malvern hunt Caxton.
The two of them cat and mouse throughout the series, my favorite of which is 99 Coffins (because I'm a civil war enthusiast and who doesn't like the idea that the South used vampires) followed by 32 Fangs because I really liked the witchbillies.
I think David Wellington created a really fun vampire tale with these books. I recommend them to anyone who likes really creepy vampires and who likes strong female leads. Sort of the anti-Twilight.
Laura Caxton started out as a State Trooper, law enforcement being the family business. She gets recruited by the world's best vampire killer and her whole world changes. Vampires become her obsession, Malvern in particular, and become her life's work.
Justinia Malvern is the quintessential vampire. 300+ years old, wily, and deliciously evil. And not because she's a vampire - she was pure evil as a human as well. She is a survivor who will do whatever it takes to get to her next meal and stay ahead of the hunters.
The books lead Caxton throughout Pennsylvania (ha - Transylvania, Pennsylvania) hunting not only Malvern but the vampires she creates along the way. Caxton is willing to sacrifice everything for the cause which intrigues Malvern - she hasn't had a worthy opponent for centuries. As Caxton hunts Malvern, so too does Malvern hunt Caxton.
The two of them cat and mouse throughout the series, my favorite of which is 99 Coffins (because I'm a civil war enthusiast and who doesn't like the idea that the South used vampires) followed by 32 Fangs because I really liked the witchbillies.
I think David Wellington created a really fun vampire tale with these books. I recommend them to anyone who likes really creepy vampires and who likes strong female leads. Sort of the anti-Twilight.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 29, 2014
I'm a little sad at finishing the series finally. At first it took me so long because I wanted to wait until I could go buy the physical copies of each book instead of just downloading them to my Kindle. But I got tired of poorly executed vampire stories serving as metaphors for forbidden love, and I started buying them for my Kindle. I needed these books to serve as a palate cleanser.
Oh, it worked.
WHAT I LIKED:
I enjoyed the contrast of Malvern's back story with the current action. It gave us insight into her thinking from previous books and emphasized what a formidable foe she truly was for Arkeley and Caxton. And it helped me with my predictions of how everything was going to end. I mean the emphasis on playing tricks and not being "obvious" about those tricks, clued me into how the ending would be structured. But there were still a few surprises left.
I loved how past characters were brought back into the fold and their fates were determined. Not everyone survived, not even some of my favorites, but it felt right in the end. I felt like the ending was satisfying in the character arcs that had been stretched out for five books, and it was believable.
WHAT I DID NOT LIKE:
The only drawback for me was the character of Clara. Yes, I'm happy that Wellington created strong female characters that did not rely on sloppy stereotypes (some still existed just like in real life but it worked for the character development, I think). Either way, I sometimes hated Clara. Maybe because I couldn't understand her motivation for continuing to love Caxton and rush to protect her when IT NEVER WORKED IN THE PAST. But if you are like me, and had developed annoyance with her, then at least appreciate how Wellington plays with this. At points he created complex situations that made me reconsider my hate for her several times. In the end, I got over it. That's a mark of a good book.
Oh, it worked.
WHAT I LIKED:
I enjoyed the contrast of Malvern's back story with the current action. It gave us insight into her thinking from previous books and emphasized what a formidable foe she truly was for Arkeley and Caxton. And it helped me with my predictions of how everything was going to end. I mean the emphasis on playing tricks and not being "obvious" about those tricks, clued me into how the ending would be structured. But there were still a few surprises left.
I loved how past characters were brought back into the fold and their fates were determined. Not everyone survived, not even some of my favorites, but it felt right in the end. I felt like the ending was satisfying in the character arcs that had been stretched out for five books, and it was believable.
WHAT I DID NOT LIKE:
The only drawback for me was the character of Clara. Yes, I'm happy that Wellington created strong female characters that did not rely on sloppy stereotypes (some still existed just like in real life but it worked for the character development, I think). Either way, I sometimes hated Clara. Maybe because I couldn't understand her motivation for continuing to love Caxton and rush to protect her when IT NEVER WORKED IN THE PAST. But if you are like me, and had developed annoyance with her, then at least appreciate how Wellington plays with this. At points he created complex situations that made me reconsider my hate for her several times. In the end, I got over it. That's a mark of a good book.
August 6, 2024
A thrilling conclusion to the Laura Caxton series that delivers a high-octane blend of action, horror, and emotional depth. This fifth and final installment takes the vampire saga to its most intense heights, offering a satisfying and heart-pounding resolution to the battles that have raged throughout the series.
Special Agent Laura Caxton faces her deadliest challenge yet, as she squares off against the relentless vampire threat one last time. Caxton is masterful; she is tough, resourceful, and deeply human. Her journey is marked by personal sacrifice and unyielding determination, making her one of the most compelling heroines in modern horror fiction.
32 Fangs is tightly woven and relentlessly paced. Wellington keeps the suspense dialed up to maximum, with every chapter packed with twists and high-stakes confrontations. The narrative's urgency is palpable, propelling readers through a gauntlet of fearsome encounters and strategic battles that leave little room for respite.
Once again the vampires remain true to their monstrous nature, depicted with a visceral and terrifying edge that underscores their threat. The action sequences are vivid and brutal, filled with detailed choreography that brings the combat to life. Each fight is a test of wits and endurance, reflecting Caxton’s growth as a vampire hunter.
The balance between action with emotional depth. The relationships and personal struggles of the characters are richly explored, adding layers of complexity to the narrative. Caxton's interactions with her allies and enemies are fraught with tension and poignancy, making the stakes feel intensely personal.
32 Fangs is a powerful and fitting finale to the Laura Caxton series. A story that is as emotionally resonant as it is thrilling, providing a satisfying conclusion that honors the journey of its protagonist. Fans of the series and vampire fiction in general will find this book an unforgettable and exhilarating read.
Special Agent Laura Caxton faces her deadliest challenge yet, as she squares off against the relentless vampire threat one last time. Caxton is masterful; she is tough, resourceful, and deeply human. Her journey is marked by personal sacrifice and unyielding determination, making her one of the most compelling heroines in modern horror fiction.
32 Fangs is tightly woven and relentlessly paced. Wellington keeps the suspense dialed up to maximum, with every chapter packed with twists and high-stakes confrontations. The narrative's urgency is palpable, propelling readers through a gauntlet of fearsome encounters and strategic battles that leave little room for respite.
Once again the vampires remain true to their monstrous nature, depicted with a visceral and terrifying edge that underscores their threat. The action sequences are vivid and brutal, filled with detailed choreography that brings the combat to life. Each fight is a test of wits and endurance, reflecting Caxton’s growth as a vampire hunter.
The balance between action with emotional depth. The relationships and personal struggles of the characters are richly explored, adding layers of complexity to the narrative. Caxton's interactions with her allies and enemies are fraught with tension and poignancy, making the stakes feel intensely personal.
32 Fangs is a powerful and fitting finale to the Laura Caxton series. A story that is as emotionally resonant as it is thrilling, providing a satisfying conclusion that honors the journey of its protagonist. Fans of the series and vampire fiction in general will find this book an unforgettable and exhilarating read.
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