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ConVent
A vampire, a werewolf, an undercover angel and his succubus squeeze. Whoever picked this team to save the world wasn't thinking of sending the very best. But then, since this particular threat to the universe and everything good is being staged in science fiction conventions, amid people in costume, misfits and creative geniuses, any convetional hero would have stood out. Now Jim, the vampire, and his unlikely sidekicks have to beat the clock to find out who's sacrificing con goers before all hell breaks loose -- literally.
ConVent is proof that Kate Paulk’s brain works in wonderfully mysterious ways. A sarcastic vampire, his werewolf best buddy, an undercover angel and his succubus squeeze. The “Save the world” department really messed it up this time.
ConVent is proof that Kate Paulk’s brain works in wonderfully mysterious ways. A sarcastic vampire, his werewolf best buddy, an undercover angel and his succubus squeeze. The “Save the world” department really messed it up this time.
279 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 9, 2011
2 people are currently reading
18 people want to read
About the author
Kate Paulk
17 books8 followersKate Paulk is a transplanted Australian with an infant writing career, a hyperactive imagination, and a fondness for weird stuff. She has published enough short stories to be losing count, a novella and Knights in Tarnished Armor, which doesn’t exactly fit any kind of category. Kate’s first novel, Impaler, is an alternate history about Vlad the Impaler (he wins). Kate spends her time juggling the demands of software quality assurance (the day job), her husband, two very demanding cats, and the stories demanding attention. The stories usually win.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
November 14, 2012
Yes. That is an atrocious cover. Which meant that my expectations were exceptionally low going into the book and maybe that was a benefit. I don't even remember why I picked up a sample, but I'm kind of glad that I did.
The kindle sample was enough to let me know what I was in for—but only on the low side. It let me know that the writing was solid, that the main character was interesting, and that the author likes to take pot-shots at the hygiene habits of con fen (the unofficial plural of "fan" in the world of sci-fi conventions).
Weaknesses aside, the story progresses at a good clip and the plot was fundamentally interesting (to me). And really, if you're going to have an unlikely set of heroes save the world, why not have them be a vampire, his werewolf buddy, a couple of succubi and maybe an angel on the down-low?
But what really drew me in was Jim. There's a deeply-buried nobility to him that emerges as the story progresses. Paulk did a fantastic job drawing me into his world and making me feel the centuries of love and loss and the choice to continue forging caring relationships with people anyway. And it doesn't hurt that his central nobility comes to the fore in the final moments of the book. It was well done and touched me.
If there had been a few fewer stereotypes among the assorted authors, publishers, and fen, this would have been an outstanding novel. As it stands, it still rates a qualified four-stars.
A note about adult stuff: There was nothing "steamy" about the book, but there was a good amount of blood and gore and some frank sexuality. Not a book for the faint of heart.
The kindle sample was enough to let me know what I was in for—but only on the low side. It let me know that the writing was solid, that the main character was interesting, and that the author likes to take pot-shots at the hygiene habits of con fen (the unofficial plural of "fan" in the world of sci-fi conventions).
Weaknesses aside, the story progresses at a good clip and the plot was fundamentally interesting (to me). And really, if you're going to have an unlikely set of heroes save the world, why not have them be a vampire, his werewolf buddy, a couple of succubi and maybe an angel on the down-low?
But what really drew me in was Jim. There's a deeply-buried nobility to him that emerges as the story progresses. Paulk did a fantastic job drawing me into his world and making me feel the centuries of love and loss and the choice to continue forging caring relationships with people anyway. And it doesn't hurt that his central nobility comes to the fore in the final moments of the book. It was well done and touched me.
If there had been a few fewer stereotypes among the assorted authors, publishers, and fen, this would have been an outstanding novel. As it stands, it still rates a qualified four-stars.
A note about adult stuff: There was nothing "steamy" about the book, but there was a good amount of blood and gore and some frank sexuality. Not a book for the faint of heart.
April 1, 2014
I bought this book because I really enjoy Kate Paulk's humor. I laughed so much, especially the descriptions of the editors, authors, and fanboys (and girls) that I had to carry a box of tissues for my eyes.
I re-read this book whenever I am sick, which is a lot. It makes me laugh and takes me to a world of one vampire who is trying to live as good as he can. My only problem is that I want more stories in this universe.
I re-read this book whenever I am sick, which is a lot. It makes me laugh and takes me to a world of one vampire who is trying to live as good as he can. My only problem is that I want more stories in this universe.
June 5, 2013
Any book that can leave me in helpless giggles is a good one. Kate's biting humor translates so well into her character Jim, and the depictions of a con at it's best and worst are enough to almost make you wish this is how they really were. Except for the bodies. You wouldn't want to be a body at one of Kate's cons.
April 3, 2013
There were a lot of in-jokes in this story... as someone not entirely versed in the sci-fi convention culture, I found myself a little lost at times. Still, the mystery was compelling, the resolution satisfying, and the characters involved enjoyable. All in all a good read.
July 11, 2017
A delightful take off on the sf convention scene, and Paulk asks a very important question: What happens when the con attendees include actual supernatural beings? The answer appears to be: it's not really that different. If you can ignore the blood and body parts. And that should be easy for anyone who'd ever attended an editor's private slushpile reading.
I've been away from the con scene too long to get all the inside jokes, but some are timeless: the theory that most editors are minor demons, for instance, rings absolutely true.
I've been away from the con scene too long to get all the inside jokes, but some are timeless: the theory that most editors are minor demons, for instance, rings absolutely true.
April 2, 2014
There is a lot to like about this book. Kate Paulk has a wonderful sense of humor, a keen eye for observation, and sharp insights into life and human behavior. Add to these elements an almost "cheery" ability to snark like a trained sniper and you have the makings of a really good story... and overall I liked this story.
The main character was revealed in a gradual, patient way that built interest and sympathy, even though he is a predator. His relationships with the rest of his "team" were solidly written and believable.
The problem I had, and it may be more my fault as a reader, is that I follow Kate's blogging (at the mad genius club). That's not a problem in and of itself. She makes me laugh there. The problem was that I found myself imposing her "voice" over that of her main character's in this book. It shouldn't have been a problem except when I was reading, I was "hearing" a female voice come out of a definitively male vampire. It was a bit dis-jarring at first.
My biggest gripe about the book would be rhythm. I found it difficult to access the story occasionally. I'd be reading a description of happenings at the convention, and I'd find myself asking if this was really necessary to the story.
Also... characters. If the character wasn't part of the core "team", I had a hard time keeping track. Could be my failing as an imperfect reader, could have been intentional on the author's part to establish the feel of rapid fire confusion that happens when meeting so many new faces at a convention. I don't know. One minute a minor character would be introduced and forgotten... some stayed forgotten, some made major appearances later. When that happened, I found myself wandering if I had missed something earlier, and who was this character again?
I love Ms. Paulk's writing and wit. This book had a little too much of it at times. Other times it had just the right amount. This book is good, not perfect, but good.
The main character was revealed in a gradual, patient way that built interest and sympathy, even though he is a predator. His relationships with the rest of his "team" were solidly written and believable.
The problem I had, and it may be more my fault as a reader, is that I follow Kate's blogging (at the mad genius club). That's not a problem in and of itself. She makes me laugh there. The problem was that I found myself imposing her "voice" over that of her main character's in this book. It shouldn't have been a problem except when I was reading, I was "hearing" a female voice come out of a definitively male vampire. It was a bit dis-jarring at first.
My biggest gripe about the book would be rhythm. I found it difficult to access the story occasionally. I'd be reading a description of happenings at the convention, and I'd find myself asking if this was really necessary to the story.
Also... characters. If the character wasn't part of the core "team", I had a hard time keeping track. Could be my failing as an imperfect reader, could have been intentional on the author's part to establish the feel of rapid fire confusion that happens when meeting so many new faces at a convention. I don't know. One minute a minor character would be introduced and forgotten... some stayed forgotten, some made major appearances later. When that happened, I found myself wandering if I had missed something earlier, and who was this character again?
I love Ms. Paulk's writing and wit. This book had a little too much of it at times. Other times it had just the right amount. This book is good, not perfect, but good.
September 13, 2016
A friend of mine recommended this book to me and I'm glad she did. Without spoilers, the story is a murder mystery with some rather interesting supernatural characters. Also, it’s hysterically funny. The plot is deeply steeped in the convention scene. Despite being a sci-fi author myself, I’ve never actually been to a convention, so I was worried I wouldn't be able to relate. However, Paulk explains the culture of the con scene and makes it accessible to outsiders though the sarcastic, entertaining observations of her protagonist. Honestly, I’m not sure I want to go to a convention now; I could practically smell the characters through the author’s vivid and hilarious descriptions. Phew! :) Between the humor and the suspense, this book kept me turning pages. I’m looking forward to the next one in the series.
December 8, 2012
Oh my!
Simply a fantastically fun skewering of the publishing industry that happens to be tucked into a murder-mystery set at a science fiction and fantasy convention. The main character is a non-sparkly vampire similar to Fred Saberhagens work. The cast of friends, foes, and potential victims and villains had be laughing out loud while reading it. Great book, no loose ends.
Simply a fantastically fun skewering of the publishing industry that happens to be tucked into a murder-mystery set at a science fiction and fantasy convention. The main character is a non-sparkly vampire similar to Fred Saberhagens work. The cast of friends, foes, and potential victims and villains had be laughing out loud while reading it. Great book, no loose ends.
September 7, 2016
ConVent is a humorous and fairly interesting urban fantasy. However, all that convention and "fen" stuff just sort of went over my head. I doubt that I will continue the series.
July 2, 2014
The prose is a bit rougher than in the follow-up (Consensual), and the first-person interior monologue separating the lines of dialog sometimes made the conversations hard to follow. Enjoyable fun, though, even with the rough patches.
April 22, 2015
Fun story, great characters and insight into the Con scene. Quite a fun read.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews