A Dark Secret. Thomas Morehart and his sister, Kara are vampyre, not the undead, but creatures evolved over hundreds of thousands of years to mimic their prey, man. Then - rescued from a Nazi Prison Camp, Thomas and Kara are brought to the U.S. and forced to work inside government-owned mortuaries. Now -betrayed by the government sixty-seven years later, Thomas and Kara are in a race against time to transform back to their feral states or risk Exsanguination by government sanctioned hit squads.
Mike Kearby (born 1952) is an American novelist[1] and inventor.[2] Since 2005, Kearby has published ten novels, one graphic novel, and written two screenplays: (2011) Boston Nightly, with fellow writer Paul Bright and (2012) The Devouring
Kearby was born in Mineral Wells, Texas,[3] and received a B.S. from North Texas State University (now the University of North Texas) in 1972. He worked in the irrigation industry for 20 years where he ob tained patents 5,762,270, 5,992,760, 6,478,237, 6,155,493, 6,209,801. He taught high school English and reading for 10 years and created "The Collaborative Novella Project".[4] The project allows future authors to go through the novel writing process from idea to published work. Kearby began novel writing in 2005 and has completed ten novels, one graphic novel, and written the afterword to the TCU Press 2010 release of western novelist's, Elmer Kelton, "The Far Away Canyon".[5]
"Ambush at Mustang Canyon" was a finalist for the 2008 Spur Awards.[6]
"A Hundred Miles to Water" was awarded the 2011 Will Rogers Medallion Award for Best Adult Fiction.[
“Texas Tales Illustrated~The Revolution was awarded the 2012 Will Rogers Medallion Award for Best YA Non-Fiction.
Western Novels:
The Road to a Hanging (2006) Ride the Desperate Trail (2007) Ambush at Mustang Canyon (2007), 2008 Spur Award Finalist The Last Renegade (2009) The Taken (2010) A Hundred Miles to Water (2010), 2011 Will Rogers Medallion Award for Best Adult Fiction[8] Dead Man's Saddle (2011) Science Fiction:
The 13th Baktun (2008) Horror:
The Resonance (2011) The Devouring~Kavachi’s Rise (2012) Graphic Novel:
Texas Tale Illustrated (April, 2011), illustrations by: Mack White[9] Afterward:
The Far Canyon (2010), Kearby wrote the Afterword for the Elmer Kelton TCU Press reprint
This could have been a very scary book, but the editing was horrible. There were zero transitions between scenes and I had no idea what was going on. It hopped from character to character like a hummingbird flies from flower to flower. If the author had slowed down and put more effort into worldbuilding and transitioning, then this could of been a great book. - DNF
I received a copy of this book from the author for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review, and all conclusions are my own responsibility.
To be honest, finding this book listed as a horror title does not do it proper justice, for although some of the scenes depicted are quite gory, they feel justified in their appearance. It also isn’t just another vampire story, nor is it just a mystery and thriller. It is so much more than just a paranormal story, incorporating lore from the old Romany, or gypsies of Europe: Nazi predilection and fascination with genetic manipulation for a master race, governmental manipulation for positive ends and even some manipulation that relies on ties of friendship and loyalty.
There is a heavy reliance on the long history of atrocities perpetrated against the Romany, as a society that has long been ‘different’ and feared for that difference, makes an interesting choice as three of the four major characters are all Romany in origin, the fourth is drawn into the action as a young girl. That sense of isolation and not having many people to rely on seems to become another character, as it is near palpable as the story unfolds. In a world where the government has taken everything from them, from their fangs to their real names, Tomas and Kara feel they have found a friend and ‘uncle’ substitute in Nikolai. This story was not meant to have a happy ending: manipulations for one person’s gain will always result in someone losing, and that becomes more apparent as the story progresses as well. What isn’t answered is who manages the last manipulations, and just where will it end?
The story was beautifully written with inclusions of language and imagery that is as hauntingly beautiful as it is graphic. Since I am particularly prone to reliving horror stories (I haven’t read one in years after a bad experience) and I didn’t have sleepless nights with nightmares from this book, I am hard pressed to call it a horror novel. Of course, it has horrific elements, most of which deal with man’s inhumane treatment of one another; this really is a book that a conspiracy theorist would adore. I am looking forward to see where the author goes with this series of stories
This is another take on our favorite supernatural evil creatures. Thomas and Kara, the vampyres, are not exactly like the vampires we always read about. They need blood to survive, yes, but they're not your typical fanged undead creatures. They're members of ancient families of creatures that have evolved over thousands of years and when they transform to their creature or animal states, they're nothing like the usual beasts of nightmares. They were rescued from a Nazi prison camp, brought to the US and forced to work with the government in their experiments and what not until the government decided it was time for the program to be shut down. Of course, all the fun started when the government tried to kill them all.
I thought this book was pretty interesting. Certainly different from other vampire stories. I liked that the author presented a different kind of creature. I don't want to spoil anything, but I liked that these vampyres transformed into different, terrifying yet fascinating prehistoric type creatures and not your usual giant winged furry monstrosity. I also like the bits about them being prisoners of the Nazi government and the US government. It's always an interesting story when humans try to fit evil creatures into their big plans. This book was a very easy read. I finished it in a few hours. I feel that there's more to the story though and I guess this is because this is only book one of the series. I'd be interested to know what happens next. If you're tired of the typical vampire stories, this might be a book for you.
I received a review copy of this book at no cost and with no obligations. All opinions expressed here are my own.
Okay I admit it. I am not a big fan of vampires. I read this book based on the description. To me the description just sounded so interesting. It just sounded like something other than the usual vampire book. You know the type of book I am talking about, the one where everything is focused on the next vampire kill. The vampire is more interested in finding the next kill or feeding than having any type of story or plot. So, this book is one of those where I step outside my comfort reading box and read something I normally would never read. You should try stepping out of your comfort-reading box.
So many authors do not explain about the background of their characters especially is there is a vampire in the book. I do not know why they do this. It helps so much to make a book more readable, interesting and catching. Well, this author did NOT let me down. He did not go into a fully background with a long detailed over the top boring reading about the character’s past. He explains about the characters past, but in a way that is not mind-boggling or boring.
Yes, I knew going in this was a vampire book. Something I usually stay far away from. With that being said, please remember that I do not normally read these types of book so my understanding or opinion may be really out of left field.
Kavachi’s Rise reads like a horror book from the beginning to the end. A page-turning book will keep readers on the edge of their seat wondering what will happen next. Who will get it, which one is the monster, will the prey get away, yes, it has all of that and more. If you like, reading vampire books then this one a book needs to be on your TBR pile.
Okay, I admit that whenever I sit in a certain chair in my house I fall asleep. It is the most comfortable chair. The dogs, bunnies, cats and I pile into this large over-sized chair. I curl up with a book, cup of coffee and a glass of sweet tea. Well, I fell asleep reading this book. However, every time I sit in this chair I fall asleep reading. The words just lull me to sleep and I am out with a bunny on my lap, a cat near my head and the dog trying to push me over to have more room. Therefore, reading this took longer than normal for me.
The gist of my review:
Should you read this book? – Yes
Will I read the next book in this series? – Yes
Thanks for such an interesting and unusual read Mike.
The following review is my opinion and not a paid review. I was given a copy of Kavachi's Rise from the author for a review via Full Moon Bites Book Tours.
Thomas has been taking care of his sister Kara ever since they had to go into hiding. They have had to keep who and what they are a secret from the government among others as well. Their race or species is almost extinct. Thomas and Kara are vampires but not your typical vampire as they do shapeshift.
As I was saying Kavachi's Rise is not your normal vampire book where boy falls in love with girl. Or there is two guys and the girl loves both of them and she is not sure which one she loves the most or is in love with. No Kavachi's Rise has a lot more twist and turns than your normal vampire book. It will definitely keep you on the edge of your seat wondering what are they going to do next.
If you are a conspiracist it will keep you wondering if they are any real vampires out there? And if they are could the government actually do to the vampires in real life as they did to Thomas and Kara? Let's think about it like this ok we have the CDC where they have all these different levels of diseases right? Ok we have no clue exactly what kind of or how many diseases that they do have. I mean they are not going tell us (the public) because they are afraid they would have a pandemic on their hands. They have bio weapons and who is to say that we (the public) knows about everyone that they have. I don't believe that we are anywhere close to knowing all the diseases that they study. Yeah I know by now most think I have lost it. But think about it.
If you like reading about vampires and conspiracies then I believe you would really enjoy reading Kavachi's Rise. With a mixture of vampires that shift and the government all rolled into one great story.
Okay, let's begin with how awesome the synopsis sounded! Vampires that don't sparkle rock! I am a big fan of vampires being vampires, not the typical YA-Fall-Deep-In-Love-Let's-Get-Marry type, but legit kickbutt, horrifying, awesomeness. This book sounded AW-MAZING! Government + Vampires = BIG SUCCESS. May I remind you the other government + vampire novel I read *cough cough Department 19* that was my favourite of 2011? If you want a break from the goopy, lovey-dovey vampires, try reading this book.
Okay now I will but weird again. This book for some reason kind of reminded me of the Ishbalan from Fullmetal Alchemist. *evil grin*. My anime mind never stops. The Gyspsies were feared, and outcasted and hello? Ishbalans much? So I am not that crazy, right?
The story was full of horrid powerful imagery. It kind of felt like a mad artist painting a blank canvas. It was rustic but full with emotions and passion.
But personally this book wasn't perfect. At parts I was confused. I mean I knew this book was going to twist and turn but still, I got confused. This to me was a book I think Jack Hodgins from BONES would love! I mean it contained the government, conspiracy, Gypsies, history etc.
Overall this book was good, and perhaps I will reread it when I mature more for I think I will give it more stars.
I read this during a read a thon in October and I have to say it was the perfect time to read this! This is a really great fall or halloween read, or if you're someone like me, year round!
What I really enjoyed about this book is that it's not just vampires, it goes back generations and sorta explains the vampyre but more importantly what these vampyres can and can not do. Mike Kearby gives it all to us right on the page and if you're a gore lover like me, you'll love, love, LOVE this.
The idea of vamps being nearly extinct is amazing but especially when it comes to these two. I won't give any detail away but it really is a fascinating read. A real page turner. The only downside I had was that the plot was there but I felt like it was really missing something. The whole geography thing I didn't understand, but I could have missed something with not wanting to stop reading so fast. All the horror, blood and guts that you expect from a vamp novel were there but I think for this to get a five from me I would want to know more about what these two want. Other than to not die, of course!
But even with that said, it was a really fast read, totally a do not put this down kind of book. Loved it.
Honestly, when I chose to read this book, I chose it because it features my favorite type of paranormal creature. I knew this was going to be dark, more dark than I am used to reading and that was another reason I wanted to read this book. I wanted to see if I still loved vampires, even if they weren't my usual sexy, romantic type and you definitely won't see no sparkle here.
These vampires in fact are darker , more evil and won't hesitate to kill. The fact that they change into creatures as well, for me is unique. While I enjoyed this different take on vampires, I was a bit confused with why Thomas set his eyes on the Mexican Cartel. I wish that was explained a bit more. For me, it just seemed so out of the blue that this happened.
The story jumped from the past to the present, from 1945 and intertwined the concentration camps, Nazi's and vampires. which is another thing I found very unique and I enjoyed very much. Though, at first I wasn't sure if we were talking about vampires or shifters or both.
Overall I enjoyed diving into a darker, horror filled world of vampires and yes, I can say I still like vampires after reading this story and I look forward to reading more and finding out where Thomas and Kara(Kavachi or Tetanya 's) story goes next.
This book is not your sparkling vampire book. This one is dark and violent. The author takes you through the world of vampires and paints a not too pretty picture of their lives. This story follows the the meeting of Nickolas and Thomas and brings you back to the modern day. You realize that their relationship runs deeper than you see at first.
The author did a great job in writing this tale. It is well written, full of detail and emotion. I am a fan of vampire romances so this was a detour from my norm read. There is no romance in this book so if you are looking for flowers and chocolates you are in the wrong place. What Kearby gives you is a different take on this creature if the night. His interpretation of Vampires is different that what most are use to. He shows them not as Undead creatures of the night but a more evolved species in itself.
Overall thoughts of this book are that I enjoyed it. It was different but in a good way. I definitely won't shy away from books like this one in the future. I recommend this book but to ages 18+.
I received this book courtesy of the author in exchange for an honest review.
Review of The Devouring-Kavachi’s Rise A very imaginative and original approach to the existence of vampyres, “The Devouring” postulates that several types of predatory species once existed, different in some ways, but all with the purpose of hunting humanity. The Nazi doctor known as the “Angel of Death,” notorious for his experimentation on twins, Jews, and Gypsies, Dr. Josef Mengele, exterminated all but one species-and that one, he pushed to mutate, losing their canine fangs, and able to “wait” to feed rather than hunting prey, as had been their species nature.
When the camp is liberated by the Allies, a Romany (Gypsy) officer is the instrument of this species becoming known to the government, which coddles them by providing them work and feeding in special government-owned mortuaries. But the time has come when this particular Black Ops is about to be eradicated, meaning the eradicating of this genetically evolved species in its entirety…
I reviewed an e-book copy provided by Full Moon Bites Blog Tours in return for my fair and impartial review.
It is hard to figure out a description to go along with this book. Most of the time you can attach a tag to a book after reading it and keep it in a certain genre, but this is not the case. It is so hard to figure out which category this book could fit into, because although it is a vampire book it is not the typical vampire story.
This book gave me odd dreams after I read it, perfect for this time of year when all the little ghosts and goblins come out to play.
I also liked the historical parts they slipped in there. The WWII aspects where unique and very intriguing.
This tale was dark and beautifully woven, a cautionary tale not to be read right before bed. I loved how the attention to detail pulled me into the story so deep it was hard to come back to reality without jumping at shadows.
From the first page, "The Devouring-Kavachis Rise" will hook you right in, this story is a real page turner that you just can't put down. An easy read, Mike Kearby pens the plot full of detail and emotion. It's very well written and his characters are so hauntingly interesting that you feel you might want to leave the light on. Highly recommended for all vampire lovers!
This review is based on a complimentary copy which was provided for an honest review.