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Vampire-ish: A Hypochondriac's Tale
Oliver Brixby believed, without a doubt, he was having an allergic reaction to the new medication he was taking: sensitivity to the sun, loss of appetite, pale skin . . . but it was even worse than he could ever imagine—he was now a vampire.
Oliver’s quiet, bookish existence takes a flip when introduced to the vibrant social scene of a New York City Vampire. His adjustment will not be easy, since he still gets squeamish at the sight of blood.
Oliver’s quiet, bookish existence takes a flip when introduced to the vibrant social scene of a New York City Vampire. His adjustment will not be easy, since he still gets squeamish at the sight of blood.
- GenresFantasy
252 pages, Paperback
Published July 30, 2016
46 people are currently reading
468 people want to read
About the author
Candace J. Thomas
12 books163 followersHi everyone!
Welcome to my Goodreads page, which I am here more often than I can admit. I love reading and sharing what I read. I haven't found a better arena for me to find like-minded book lovers.
I am the author of the award-winning Vivatera Series, the rom-com To Dream In Daylight, and the comedic paranormal satire Vampire-ish: A Hypochondriac's Tale, among other short fictions. I'm also a published poet and have my chapbook Wandering Beautiful.
My writing needs some element of the fantastical, I especially love fate-driven stories. I gravitate to stories that surprise me with their creativity. If it's something I envy, I'll be a fan forever. I'm fascinated with how others approach their own imagination and how they speak the language of art.
Me personally, I love Count Chocula, retrogaming on my Sega Genesis or PS2, and I'm a strong advocate for creativity. I hope you all enjoy my stories and find them super delightful.
Welcome to my Goodreads page, which I am here more often than I can admit. I love reading and sharing what I read. I haven't found a better arena for me to find like-minded book lovers.
I am the author of the award-winning Vivatera Series, the rom-com To Dream In Daylight, and the comedic paranormal satire Vampire-ish: A Hypochondriac's Tale, among other short fictions. I'm also a published poet and have my chapbook Wandering Beautiful.
My writing needs some element of the fantastical, I especially love fate-driven stories. I gravitate to stories that surprise me with their creativity. If it's something I envy, I'll be a fan forever. I'm fascinated with how others approach their own imagination and how they speak the language of art.
Me personally, I love Count Chocula, retrogaming on my Sega Genesis or PS2, and I'm a strong advocate for creativity. I hope you all enjoy my stories and find them super delightful.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
August 12, 2019
This take on vampires was unique and fun but this book was in desperate need of an editor! It wasn't just a few typos or misspellings...so many problems distracted from an otherwise pretty cool book.
May 4, 2020
The main character, Oliver Brixby, has a lot of allergies and a lot of insecurities alike. The young college student studies philosophy in New York, and he worries constantly about health, precaution, and graduating. On a morning jog, a girl in the park attacks him—bites him—and turns him into a vampire. This throws his hypochondriac world upside down as he adjusts to his new lifestyle both physiologically, socially, and intellectually. He also experiences a few quirks that other vampires don't have to deal with, such as being allergic to human blood.
The story is such a unique take on vampires. It is an upbeat romantic comedy that is delightful in its character and relationship development, with an enjoyable premise and a very entertaining plot. I love so much that Oliver's adventures in vampirism lead him to see both familiar and new people he meets in a different light. I also like that he doesn't have to kill anyone—or actually suck anyone's blood due to ravening uncontrollable hunger pains—for the vampire component of the story to still play a central role in complicating the character's life and choices.
The vampiric aspect of the story was very interesting. It is centered more on the curiosity of fictional New York vampire culture, and all the complications this new community brings to Oliver's otherwise reserved and quiet lifestyle. I also love some of the in-depth medical jargon that bubbles up here and there, shining through from Candice's real-life medical background. I think this is a story my medical lab technologist mother would love too...I'll have to convince her to read it!
The story has heart as well as humor. I enjoyed watching this character mature in his inner strength, confidence, and his understanding of relationships over the course of his adventures. It was truly a delightful read.
I listened to the audiobook version of this story, and Ryan Jeanmaire does a fantastic job narrating. Great voice for Oliver's point-of-view, and very entertaining.
The story is such a unique take on vampires. It is an upbeat romantic comedy that is delightful in its character and relationship development, with an enjoyable premise and a very entertaining plot. I love so much that Oliver's adventures in vampirism lead him to see both familiar and new people he meets in a different light. I also like that he doesn't have to kill anyone—or actually suck anyone's blood due to ravening uncontrollable hunger pains—for the vampire component of the story to still play a central role in complicating the character's life and choices.
The vampiric aspect of the story was very interesting. It is centered more on the curiosity of fictional New York vampire culture, and all the complications this new community brings to Oliver's otherwise reserved and quiet lifestyle. I also love some of the in-depth medical jargon that bubbles up here and there, shining through from Candice's real-life medical background. I think this is a story my medical lab technologist mother would love too...I'll have to convince her to read it!
The story has heart as well as humor. I enjoyed watching this character mature in his inner strength, confidence, and his understanding of relationships over the course of his adventures. It was truly a delightful read.
I listened to the audiobook version of this story, and Ryan Jeanmaire does a fantastic job narrating. Great voice for Oliver's point-of-view, and very entertaining.
July 11, 2016
I was given an advanced reader copy by the author in exchange for an honest review.
As a registered medical lab scientist, and a voracious reader, I was so down for a book inspired in a blood bank! And I'm glad I read this book. I loved the characters, especially Oliver, and found all the major characters to be extremely compelling (with the glaring exception of Kryztof). All the minor characters felt very real, notwithstanding their lack of character development as woodwork characters.
The concept of this story and the accompanying humor were engaging and intriguing--a vampire that's allergic to blood!
However, this book is in desperate need of a copy-editor before it can hit the shelves, I'm hoping that's just an ARC situation. I did find two glaring scientific inaccuracies that made me what to scream inside, but I did major in blood...and I doubt even most doctors would notice them.
Really, my biggest criticism is I didn't see the villain's motivation. His actions really made no sense to me. Just for his own amusement? That really hurt the overall reading for me.
All in all, it was an enjoyable story, with a feel-good ending. Is it the next great piece of literature for English classes to read in thirty years? Absolutely not. But I'm not sure that's what it's supposed to be anyways. It's a nice book to engage you for a few hours and unwind.
As a registered medical lab scientist, and a voracious reader, I was so down for a book inspired in a blood bank! And I'm glad I read this book. I loved the characters, especially Oliver, and found all the major characters to be extremely compelling (with the glaring exception of Kryztof). All the minor characters felt very real, notwithstanding their lack of character development as woodwork characters.
The concept of this story and the accompanying humor were engaging and intriguing--a vampire that's allergic to blood!
However, this book is in desperate need of a copy-editor before it can hit the shelves, I'm hoping that's just an ARC situation. I did find two glaring scientific inaccuracies that made me what to scream inside, but I did major in blood...and I doubt even most doctors would notice them.
Really, my biggest criticism is I didn't see the villain's motivation. His actions really made no sense to me. Just for his own amusement? That really hurt the overall reading for me.
All in all, it was an enjoyable story, with a feel-good ending. Is it the next great piece of literature for English classes to read in thirty years? Absolutely not. But I'm not sure that's what it's supposed to be anyways. It's a nice book to engage you for a few hours and unwind.
September 3, 2019
Great concept, but I couldn't get past the grammar
"; though I haven’t had an asthma attack since I moved to the city, but I felt better just knowing it was with me."
This is only one of *several* grammatically cringe-worthy segments that popped out and hit me in the face when I tried to read this book. I couldn't make it past the first chapter; it was like the book had never seen an editor.
It does sound like a great premise, so if rampant grammar issues don't bother you, then I wish you well.
"; though I haven’t had an asthma attack since I moved to the city, but I felt better just knowing it was with me."
This is only one of *several* grammatically cringe-worthy segments that popped out and hit me in the face when I tried to read this book. I couldn't make it past the first chapter; it was like the book had never seen an editor.
It does sound like a great premise, so if rampant grammar issues don't bother you, then I wish you well.
August 31, 2019
A great twisted vampire read
This was truly a different read about vampires. I as laughing my way through it most of the time.
Great message too!
This was truly a different read about vampires. I as laughing my way through it most of the time.
Great message too!
September 16, 2020
Speechless
Another version of a vampire story.
I'm completely shocked and amazed by the story line that is referenced to many vampire stories
Another version of a vampire story.
I'm completely shocked and amazed by the story line that is referenced to many vampire stories
December 26, 2023
I would rate this a 3.5 stars. It is easy to read and entertaining. The story follows Oliver and his struggles with accepting and adjusting to life as a vampire.
January 24, 2023
I would especially like to appreciate the imaginative skills of the author as whatever she writes is something out of the world. I have read all her books except for one and that’s where a writer can be called as an “author,” it takes a lot of efforts and handwork to reach that stage and she proved to be one. Though Vivatera series was far better than this one but it was worth a one time read.
The whole story revolves around Oliver. It’s all about vampires. It’s an interesting read but could have been edited in a better way. It’s a romantic comedy with different elements combined together. You should give it a try, the updated version is still better and edited. The storyline is just mind blowing with interesting characters.
The title is fascinating with an intriguing cover. The language is simple and easy to understand. Go and order your copy now!
The whole story revolves around Oliver. It’s all about vampires. It’s an interesting read but could have been edited in a better way. It’s a romantic comedy with different elements combined together. You should give it a try, the updated version is still better and edited. The storyline is just mind blowing with interesting characters.
The title is fascinating with an intriguing cover. The language is simple and easy to understand. Go and order your copy now!
April 17, 2020
Needs Proof Readers
I think I got more out of this story than just a hypochondriacs tale. I would love to see this story developed into a series if only the grammar and usage could be seriously stepped up.
It was seriously restricted as I tried to figure out misspellings, changes in tense midsentence, extra words thrown in at awkward points...there were so many errors that I wandered off from the story from time to time, reading something else. It's very distracting while trying to read the story.
I hope that at some point Candace will edit and revise this book. At that point I would like to see this story expanded into a series. I think she's a good writer and just needs to clean up her copy.
I think I got more out of this story than just a hypochondriacs tale. I would love to see this story developed into a series if only the grammar and usage could be seriously stepped up.
It was seriously restricted as I tried to figure out misspellings, changes in tense midsentence, extra words thrown in at awkward points...there were so many errors that I wandered off from the story from time to time, reading something else. It's very distracting while trying to read the story.
I hope that at some point Candace will edit and revise this book. At that point I would like to see this story expanded into a series. I think she's a good writer and just needs to clean up her copy.
September 25, 2023
I was intrigued by the magic system/world building in this book. I love a good vampire story, and Candace J. Thomas has a very interesting take on vampires in this book which I found enjoyable. However, the plot at times was difficult to follow, especially towards the very end. A lot of events in this book didn’t make a ton of sense to me or didn’t seem to lead anywhere, and the climax left me feeling confused as to what happened, although maybe I just need to look over the book again. This book also had a lot of typos, I found one on nearly every page and that is sadly not an exaggeration.
February 25, 2018
I've always like books about vampires and this one is great too. I work in a blood bank and there was one thing the author of this book included in the book that I thought was great. She describes the taste of platelet blood products as sweet. One of my coworkers accidentally got some platelet blood product in his mouth once by accident (UGH, gross). He described the taste as sweet. That was one true fact that made it's way into this book that I just thought was hilarious.
March 19, 2024
Badly edited but enjoyable to read
There were many misspelled words, quotation marks in the wrong place, and other grammar mistakes that were hard to get through and understand sometimes, but I did enjoy reading this book. If you can’t make it through a book with bad edits don’t read this book, but if you like a modern vampire story this was a pretty good one in my opinion.
There were many misspelled words, quotation marks in the wrong place, and other grammar mistakes that were hard to get through and understand sometimes, but I did enjoy reading this book. If you can’t make it through a book with bad edits don’t read this book, but if you like a modern vampire story this was a pretty good one in my opinion.
May 27, 2019
I thought this was going to be a funny, tongue-in-cheek sort of book but it actually wasn't funny and the lack of any real humorous tones made the lead character annoying rather than endearingly quirky. I don't understand where all the romantic interest in him came from. Truly a mystery.
September 7, 2019
Really fun story, different perspective from the usual vampire tale. Could use some proofreading, mostly for homonym and homophone confusion. Example: People don't have "rye" expressions; they have wry expressions.
April 2, 2020
I liked that this book gave a new twist to vampires. I’ve really wanted someone to be in complete denial about vampirism but never got that. I still didn’t fully get that but it wasn’t bad. Oliver is the opposite of what you’d normally see for a vampire and even acknowledges that vampirism is probably for rich people. He’s funny and not a bad character, in my opinion.
However, almost all reviews say this book needs an editor, and I have to agree with them. There’s a lot of typos and the characters could use a little more detail to make them more relatable. Also, the climax seemed to happen too fast for me. It was like one minute everything is fine, dealing with one problem then suddenly everything happens and then it’s all solved just as quickly. I mean, come on, build up the anticipation a little.
This wasn’t a horrible book, I’ll probably read it again, I just think it needs work.
However, almost all reviews say this book needs an editor, and I have to agree with them. There’s a lot of typos and the characters could use a little more detail to make them more relatable. Also, the climax seemed to happen too fast for me. It was like one minute everything is fine, dealing with one problem then suddenly everything happens and then it’s all solved just as quickly. I mean, come on, build up the anticipation a little.
This wasn’t a horrible book, I’ll probably read it again, I just think it needs work.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 30, 2020
Fun but needs editing
This was a fun, quick read, but it seriously needs some editing. Sometimes the sentences didn’t even make sense. I enjoyed the story, it was really cute, but the errors were more than a little distracting.
This was a fun, quick read, but it seriously needs some editing. Sometimes the sentences didn’t even make sense. I enjoyed the story, it was really cute, but the errors were more than a little distracting.
November 8, 2021
Vegan vampire?
What happens when a vegan hypochondriac philosophy student gets bitten by a vampire in New York? A lot apparently. I loved this story. It was funny and I just loved Oliver.
What happens when a vegan hypochondriac philosophy student gets bitten by a vampire in New York? A lot apparently. I loved this story. It was funny and I just loved Oliver.
February 2, 2019
A totally delightful story. Oliver isn’t sure what’s wrong. When he finds out the problem, he’s shocked. First book by this fabulous writer.
September 15, 2019
The concept of the story was good and most of the characters were interesting; but the bad grammar and sentence structure was really distracting and took the reader out of the story.
June 3, 2020
Fun take on vampires.
July 10, 2024
This was a fun take on vampirism. I really enjoyed the book. Just wish there was a bit more story, felt like it ended a bit quickly.
November 27, 2018
I'm wondering why I read this book. Was it recommended by a friend? Or? It's not like I read a lot of vampire-themed novels. Hmmm. Vampire-ish was a quick, breezy read. Not serious. Not deep. Not taxing. I liked the basic premise. But the book needed editing and, yes, much proofreading. The plot zipped right along. The characters sometimes felt one-dimensional. Cliches were abundant. The ending was too neat.
December 30, 2011
Awesome story Candace!!! I bow to your creative mind!!! Thank you so much for giving me the gift of reading your first proof... you are the best friend a gal could ever ask for!!! Blah, mush. I can't wait to read it again after edits :)
December 31, 2011
I really liked this story. It was light-hearted, and made me chuckle outloud. It was well written and just plain fun. Very different than any vampire outlook I've read before...refreshing and so good! Hope to read more on the stories of individual characters.
Read
December 7, 2017I really wanted to enjoy this book because the premise was great. And I think it could be great. Right now it reads a little like a first or second draft to me. There are some past tense/present tense mix up here and there, and I'd love to have more descriptions of the characters and settings, (but that might just be a personal problem. ) It is, however, in desperate need of a type editor. (Or maybe I got a faulty copy?) The mechanical errors were too distracting for me to get much past page 40. I think it has potential though.
did-not-finish
May 24, 2018I bought a paperback copy of this book because, at the time, it wasn't available in e-book. I really liked the cover and the premise sounded interesting, but it just didn't do anything for me. It was riddled with typos (there was a really bad one on the very first page), and even though I love vampires, the story just fell very flat for me. I think I made it through maybe half of it.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews