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Rulers of Darkness #1
Rulers of Darkness
A vampirish killer is stalking D.C., but Dr. Katherine O'Keefe finds a rare abnormality in the killer's blood that links him with her ex-lover, detective Merrick Chapman, who is also assigned to the murder case. Reprint.
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First published January 1, 1995
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
November 13, 2022
Rulers Of Darkness
By Steven G. Spruill
This book was my introduction to the world of vampires back in the 1990's. When I picked it up on a whim I had no clue how much I would love it or the countless times I would reread it over the years.
The world the author has created for it is filled with ideas I've never seen in other vampire books. I love the hero, Merrick, and have an oh-so-wrong crush on his evil son, Zane, whom Merrick spends his time tracking down after he murders innocent humans. The book does not romanticize vampires like so many others do and it actually takes a scientific look into how a vampires biology could possibly work.
If the author happens to read this review... PLEASE consider offering this book in a Kindle or ebook edition like the second one. I'd love to have an ebook copy that can't be lost or torn to tatters from reading it so much. 🥰
By Steven G. Spruill
This book was my introduction to the world of vampires back in the 1990's. When I picked it up on a whim I had no clue how much I would love it or the countless times I would reread it over the years.
The world the author has created for it is filled with ideas I've never seen in other vampire books. I love the hero, Merrick, and have an oh-so-wrong crush on his evil son, Zane, whom Merrick spends his time tracking down after he murders innocent humans. The book does not romanticize vampires like so many others do and it actually takes a scientific look into how a vampires biology could possibly work.
If the author happens to read this review... PLEASE consider offering this book in a Kindle or ebook edition like the second one. I'd love to have an ebook copy that can't be lost or torn to tatters from reading it so much. 🥰
March 13, 2013
Given the title and the fact that the subject matter revolves around what are essentially vampires, I had to stifle an inward groan when I got to this book. However, I was pleasantly surprised by the plot once I began reading. Rulers of Darkness takes a very unique and much more realistic view of "vampires" (or hemophages) that is a refreshing change of pace from the usual oft romanticized (or sparkly) version of the idea. The story mainly centers around specific hemophages' struggles to exist alongside humans -- and each other -- and how certain ones either succeed or fail in that regard. I felt that Spruill did a very nice job of filling out each of the main characters and found myself sympathetic to even those that didn't really appear deserving of any kind of pity. I also really liked the way the author interwove medical aspects of hemophages into the story, successfully lending a kind of credulity to something that is clearly imaginary. I will definitely be reading the next in his series.
March 29, 2011
This was the first Vampire book I ever read, back in highschool. And to this day I still remember the story and the still love it. Every couple of years I take it out and read it again, and I am never dissapointed.
April 17, 2020
A very different type of vampire story.
Born as a normal human, they get a version of childhood leukemia. If they aren't given blood to drink, they don't survive. If they do, they live, never aging past their physical prime. They call themselves Hemophages - blood drinkers.
This is the story of the continuing battle between Merrick. 927yo. Policeman. Ethical. Devoted to the many women he's loved (monogamously) over his long life. The man who invented transfusion packs as a battlefield medic. Hunter of other Hemophages who refuse to give up killing to feed.
And his son Zane, who steadfastly believes that humans are cattle just for him... especially all those pretty young women.
They love each other fiercely - but hate that they are on opposite sides.
Up until now, Zane has always managed to escape Merrick.
In the meantime, Merrick has fallen in love again. This time, with the beautiful Dr Katie. She's a specialist in blood research at the nearby hospital. All he wants is to grow old with the woman he loves. But he can't, and she must never know why. He'll have to leave before someone notices he's not aging.
When she expressed her desire for children, Merrick said no - and they broke it off. Both heart broken, still in love with each other. Surprise - Katie is pregnant anyway. She has little Gregory, and Merrick can't stay away, visiting regularly.
Coming out of hiding after 12 years, Zane comes back into their lives when Gregory is 2yo. Zane is determined to punish Merrick for not loving him as he was, by first taunting him with murders left in dramatic places. Then he discovers Dr Katie and plans to torture and kill her too, before killing Merrick.
In the process of hunting Katie, Zane discovers that a past fling has had his child. He's a father! And the girl Jenny is now suffering that special leukemia.
Finally, Zane feels, he can train Jenny to his own beliefs, and never be lonely again.
But Merrick finds out and is determined to teach Jenny to not kill.
This book is followed by another 2.
Jenny grows up to become a doctor. And then meets and falls in love with an angel.
Excellent books.
Born as a normal human, they get a version of childhood leukemia. If they aren't given blood to drink, they don't survive. If they do, they live, never aging past their physical prime. They call themselves Hemophages - blood drinkers.
This is the story of the continuing battle between Merrick. 927yo. Policeman. Ethical. Devoted to the many women he's loved (monogamously) over his long life. The man who invented transfusion packs as a battlefield medic. Hunter of other Hemophages who refuse to give up killing to feed.
And his son Zane, who steadfastly believes that humans are cattle just for him... especially all those pretty young women.
They love each other fiercely - but hate that they are on opposite sides.
Up until now, Zane has always managed to escape Merrick.
In the meantime, Merrick has fallen in love again. This time, with the beautiful Dr Katie. She's a specialist in blood research at the nearby hospital. All he wants is to grow old with the woman he loves. But he can't, and she must never know why. He'll have to leave before someone notices he's not aging.
When she expressed her desire for children, Merrick said no - and they broke it off. Both heart broken, still in love with each other. Surprise - Katie is pregnant anyway. She has little Gregory, and Merrick can't stay away, visiting regularly.
Coming out of hiding after 12 years, Zane comes back into their lives when Gregory is 2yo. Zane is determined to punish Merrick for not loving him as he was, by first taunting him with murders left in dramatic places. Then he discovers Dr Katie and plans to torture and kill her too, before killing Merrick.
In the process of hunting Katie, Zane discovers that a past fling has had his child. He's a father! And the girl Jenny is now suffering that special leukemia.
Finally, Zane feels, he can train Jenny to his own beliefs, and never be lonely again.
But Merrick finds out and is determined to teach Jenny to not kill.
This book is followed by another 2.
Jenny grows up to become a doctor. And then meets and falls in love with an angel.
Excellent books.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 14, 2019
I thought this was an okay read however didn't captivate me in a way that I hoped it would. I did like how it had a different take on vampires and that the police officer was hunting his own son. By showing why his son disliked him so much was also really good as it gave more understanding to the character and when it came to his daughter still cared for her more than anything which was his weakness. This book was a good read and I am so glad I picked this up after years of it being on my TRP.
May 28, 2017
This book was a very entertaining read. Steven Spruill's cross between fantasy, sci-fi, mystery and thriller to give us a new and satisfying look onto what we know as vampires, surely kept me at the edge of my seat for days as I read.
August 25, 2018
Good vampire novel
October 21, 2020
A fresh take on the vampire with just enough science to be believable.
July 26, 2022
Interesting take on vampire.
February 25, 2020
good book, def put a different spin on vampires and their origins
May 18, 2009
Okay, the fact of the matter is that I'm really not into vampire books or movies. They all consist of the same premise: nothing but darkness, blood, and a huge sexual/homosexual/dominatrix undertone. Blah, blah, blah - it's all the same.
That's why I really liked "Rulers of Darkness" because it cuts away from the typical vampire storyline (the creature characters in the book don't actually believe in vampires themselves) and gives us those two missing elements. Um... what was it again? Oh yeah! ORIGINALITY and a PLOT!!! Of course, there are some typical "vampire-ish" themes, but for the most part Steven Spruill is good at keeping those at bay or at least minimizing them.
That's why I really liked "Rulers of Darkness" because it cuts away from the typical vampire storyline (the creature characters in the book don't actually believe in vampires themselves) and gives us those two missing elements. Um... what was it again? Oh yeah! ORIGINALITY and a PLOT!!! Of course, there are some typical "vampire-ish" themes, but for the most part Steven Spruill is good at keeping those at bay or at least minimizing them.
December 31, 2009
When police detective Merrick Chapman goes on a call to a murder he finds that the neck has been savagely ripped open. He knows what this is. It's one of his own, a Haemophage, or more commonly a Vampire. There have been traces of a strange blood type and these are passed on to Dr Katherine O'Keefe a renowned haemotologist and Merrick's ex-lover. Merrick wants to stop the vampire before a lot of people get killed.
It's interesting but somehow I didn't really care much and found the story pretty predictable.
It's interesting but somehow I didn't really care much and found the story pretty predictable.
January 30, 2013
Loved this book. I enjoy super-natural books that attempt to explain everything using believable science and this one does that really well. The whole concept of a blood diseace causing vampirism was really cool. The author wasn't quite able to use the dicease to explain all his vampires could do, but that didn't detract from the story at all. I loved the characters and really got caught up in their story. The necessary "human female" was a strong, intelligent woman who knew her stuff and wasn't easily fooled.
September 1, 2010
One of the best vampire books I've read. It's not really about vampires it's about hemophages. A hemophage is like everyone else until they turn twelve. When they are twelve they develop a child like leukemia. The only way to 'cure' it is by feeding on human blood. Humans don't know about this 'cure' only other hemophages. You can't be a hemophage by being bit. People are just randomly born with the gene. With suspense, mystery, and romance this is definitely one of my favorites.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 31, 2018
It started off good, grabbed my attention, but the story suddenly slowed, might have been because of the crime/cop/love/drama plot that went on and on. But it was an interesting take on the vampire genre.
Honestly, I was thinking it was going to be more scary monster story, not psycho human story.
Honestly, I was thinking it was going to be more scary monster story, not psycho human story.
October 7, 2007
Almost as good as Rice/Brite...which coming from me is saying a lot. Ace read if you're a bit of a vampire whore like myself.
February 22, 2008
It's a good read. Not superior fiction in any way, but a nice fun vampire story. With interesting twists and subplots. Not bad work. And it's good for writers to read the mediocre sometimes.
February 29, 2008
(mystery/vampire) the hardcover picture is cool and the book was cool too... it took a logical and "realistic" approach to explaining vampirism...
May 16, 2008
This book is fantastic! Steven Spruill is a great author who I've had the great chance to spend some time talking with. His books draw in the reader and his characters are deep and intersting.
January 17, 2010
I actually read this several years ago, before the Twilight - inspired vampire Vogue. This book and its sequel were pretty good, as I remember.
Want to read
February 4, 2010Another vampire detective. This one is dating a doctor. And, his
illegitimate child--a proto-vampire makes an appearance.
illegitimate child--a proto-vampire makes an appearance.
January 15, 2012
Fantastic Urban Fiction before there was such a thing. Science take on Vampires.
September 28, 2012
An interesting take on the vampire genre, sort of like a medical vampire drama. The characters and the story are both pretty solid and do not follow the normal vampire story arch.
May 2, 2013
Another Vampire novel which will keep you guessing till the end.
November 19, 2013
Good twist on the vampire-type story.
October 31, 2017
This is one of my favorite books. Love the plot and the interesting view as of vampires.
August 10, 2016
Absolutely enjoyed this book, a good vampire story with a difference
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews