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The Eyes of the Sun #1
The Eyes of The Sun
Alternate-cover for this ASIN can be found here
New Orleans certainly has no shortage of vampire legends and after a few months in the French Quarter, Lucy Soriano was sure she had heard them all. But when a date with a handsome stranger takes a deadly turn, she quickly discovers that the truth is more terrifying than fiction. The real monsters are the creations of evolutionary advantage, not vivid imaginations.
But vampires aren't the only ones with evolution on their side. An anomaly in her blood is found to be fatal to vampires and Lucy is swiftly recruited into shadow organization hell bent on eliminating the vampire problem once and for all. Vampirehunting does not come naturally and Lucy's dangerous improvisations are quickly called out by Andre Garnier, a hunter who makes no secret of the fact that he opposes Lucy's recruitment.
Soon it is discovered that The Eyes of The Sun, the oldest and most dangerous collective of vampires, are once again gaining ground and have infiltrated the very organization that is trying to stop them. The hunters have become the hunted and no one is to be trusted. Lucy and Andre are forced to set aside their differences for the sake of survival, but The Eyes of The Sun have an agenda that no one expected.
New Orleans certainly has no shortage of vampire legends and after a few months in the French Quarter, Lucy Soriano was sure she had heard them all. But when a date with a handsome stranger takes a deadly turn, she quickly discovers that the truth is more terrifying than fiction. The real monsters are the creations of evolutionary advantage, not vivid imaginations.
But vampires aren't the only ones with evolution on their side. An anomaly in her blood is found to be fatal to vampires and Lucy is swiftly recruited into shadow organization hell bent on eliminating the vampire problem once and for all. Vampirehunting does not come naturally and Lucy's dangerous improvisations are quickly called out by Andre Garnier, a hunter who makes no secret of the fact that he opposes Lucy's recruitment.
Soon it is discovered that The Eyes of The Sun, the oldest and most dangerous collective of vampires, are once again gaining ground and have infiltrated the very organization that is trying to stop them. The hunters have become the hunted and no one is to be trusted. Lucy and Andre are forced to set aside their differences for the sake of survival, but The Eyes of The Sun have an agenda that no one expected.
228 pages, ebook
First published November 14, 2012
48 people are currently reading
624 people want to read
About the author
Christina McMullen
23 books286 followersChristina McMullen is a sci-fi and urban fantasy author who dreams of jetpacks and electric sheep.
Christina enjoys travel, vegan cooking, modern and classic art, and championing the progressive nature of ebooks and independent authors. She is obsessed with robots and the internet, and revels in the fact that she was fortunate enough to have been born in an era where she was able to witness the 'future' finally come into being. And for the record, the year 2000 will forever be the future no matter how far it falls into the past. Call it a perk of growing up at the end of a millennium.
In 2014, she took a vow to read and review only independently published authors. It is unlikely that this will ever change as she has since dedicated the time when she is not writing to further push independent publishing into the mainstream.
Christina enjoys travel, vegan cooking, modern and classic art, and championing the progressive nature of ebooks and independent authors. She is obsessed with robots and the internet, and revels in the fact that she was fortunate enough to have been born in an era where she was able to witness the 'future' finally come into being. And for the record, the year 2000 will forever be the future no matter how far it falls into the past. Call it a perk of growing up at the end of a millennium.
In 2014, she took a vow to read and review only independently published authors. It is unlikely that this will ever change as she has since dedicated the time when she is not writing to further push independent publishing into the mainstream.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
April 13, 2017
This is a grand read. I felt a genuine empathy with Lucy and Andre. The story has great pace and it certainly picks you up and takes you beyond the stereotypes that one often finds in vampire stories.
What I really like is the clarity of the writing. One is presented with a tour de force of imagination presented in the most matter-of-fact way. This is brilliant.
Recommended to the nth degree
What I really like is the clarity of the writing. One is presented with a tour de force of imagination presented in the most matter-of-fact way. This is brilliant.
Recommended to the nth degree
Want to read
April 21, 2015Ooo...I'm going to break my long-standing policy to not read vampire books set in New Orleans because you seem like you're taking the undead seriously. My dark half approves.
August 11, 2016
This is a super-fun vampire/vampire-slayer story that combines classic tropes of the genre (the New Orleans setting, the secret society, the heroine with special powers) with some unusual twists involving the vampire origin story, which I'm not going to go into here for fear of spoilers. I found Lucy to be an engaging character and I really appreciated the fresh additions to the vampire myth. For fans of the genre looking to pick up something entertaining and not too dark or gory, I would definitely recommend this book.
June 11, 2017
So, The Eyes of The Sun. You could say I went into this book blind. I didn’t read any blurbs, or the synopsis; I only had a recommendation from a friend and the knowledge that vampires was in it. Honestly, without that, I doubt I would have picked this book up, especially given its less than memorable cover (the cover dictates whether I get a book more often than not), and that would've meant that I would've missed out a great read!
To say I’m an avid fan of vampires (really supernatural creatures in general), is a massive understatement, but even I can admit that the creatures as of late have drowned in personalities and characteristics that amount to nothing more than a mesmerizing, brooding bad boy/girl that pale in comparison to older iterations of bloodsuckers. I’m not really a fan of that, despite my love for the Twilight Saga, but that is neither here nor there. The reason I said all that was to praise McMullen’s refreshing and innovative approach to vampires. I don’t remember the last book I read where a vampire was something other than a supernatural creature, blessed with the “curse” of enhanced senses, heightened strength and the trademark insatiable thirst for blood. Don’t misunderstand, vampires exhibit these traits, though it is due to genetic alterations and in some instances keeping vampiric bloodlines as pure as possible. The Eyes of The Sun bucks the tired trends with a more sci-fi approach, and man does it do the genre, and this story, good!
We have Lucy, our big-hearted and intuitive mc, who grows on you rather quickly due to her wittiness and smarts. She doesn’t believe everything she’s told, and there are hints of a Sherlockian-level deductive ability that you can’t but want to get behind. Okay, Sherlockian is a bit much, but seeing a young woman who is smart, and doesn’t try to hide by acting ditzy is something that loved about this book. There are fewer things better than a capable woman who isn’t merely a damsel in distress waiting to be saved by some haunted knight in shining armor. Lucy’s character alone made this book enjoyable for me, and when you add in the colorful supporting cast of delightful, complex and memorable characters (Gumbo anyone?)? Well, that just makes The Eyes of The Sun even better!
So, what is this book about? Well, you can read the blurb for more detail, but we have the traditional good versus evil, with the group of vampire hunters Lucy is recruited into having to face off against the resurfacing threat of the titular group, who happen to be a group of vamps who’s end goal is, believe it or not, world domination. In stories like this, your mc is usually the “chosen one,” who is the only one capable of taking down this great evil, but as one of the characters blatantly points out to Lucy, she’s not the chosen one, even with her super blood to which is fatal to vamps, which means that plot armor doesn’t apply to her like most other good versus evil mcs. I appreciated this, because while she is special, that doesn’t mean she’s untouchable. Every reckless decision she makes could lead to an early death, and that made tension blossom in my chest every time she did something wild, which was often.
Speaking of wild, the action in this book is done extremely well. Every time a fight happened, you could sense how much work McMullen put into making them believable, even though you’re dealing with vampires and humans fighting one another. On that some note, the way that hunters fight against the superior vampires—apart from the blood that could incapacitate or kill said vamps—is the technology they’re equipped with. Even with the biological approach to vampires, McMullen breaks the mold further with this. The hunter tech isn’t anything crazy, but weapons specified to kill vamps that aren’t exposure to sunlight, crosses, holy water or stakes? Sign me up!
The Eyes of The Sun delivers on everything that makes a vampire story interesting. Great characters, engaging action, a little mystery, death and a believable romance that isn’t sappy (or creepy, considering most vampire stories of late have centuries-old vamps pining after a young man or woman who’s not even a quarter of that). I’m glad I picked this up, along with the other two in the trilogy, and I’m tempted to shelve what I planned on reading next just so I can continue all the way to the end!
My only gripe with this book is the endless amount of winks throughout! Nearly every character does it multiple times; I think even the cat, Gumbo does it. Okay, that's a lie, but still. I've never liked winking, in books, film/TV or real life. Just makes my skin crawl. But other than that petty thing that has absolutely no impact on the overall story whatsoever, I loved the book.
To say I’m an avid fan of vampires (really supernatural creatures in general), is a massive understatement, but even I can admit that the creatures as of late have drowned in personalities and characteristics that amount to nothing more than a mesmerizing, brooding bad boy/girl that pale in comparison to older iterations of bloodsuckers. I’m not really a fan of that, despite my love for the Twilight Saga, but that is neither here nor there. The reason I said all that was to praise McMullen’s refreshing and innovative approach to vampires. I don’t remember the last book I read where a vampire was something other than a supernatural creature, blessed with the “curse” of enhanced senses, heightened strength and the trademark insatiable thirst for blood. Don’t misunderstand, vampires exhibit these traits, though it is due to genetic alterations and in some instances keeping vampiric bloodlines as pure as possible. The Eyes of The Sun bucks the tired trends with a more sci-fi approach, and man does it do the genre, and this story, good!
We have Lucy, our big-hearted and intuitive mc, who grows on you rather quickly due to her wittiness and smarts. She doesn’t believe everything she’s told, and there are hints of a Sherlockian-level deductive ability that you can’t but want to get behind. Okay, Sherlockian is a bit much, but seeing a young woman who is smart, and doesn’t try to hide by acting ditzy is something that loved about this book. There are fewer things better than a capable woman who isn’t merely a damsel in distress waiting to be saved by some haunted knight in shining armor. Lucy’s character alone made this book enjoyable for me, and when you add in the colorful supporting cast of delightful, complex and memorable characters (Gumbo anyone?)? Well, that just makes The Eyes of The Sun even better!
So, what is this book about? Well, you can read the blurb for more detail, but we have the traditional good versus evil, with the group of vampire hunters Lucy is recruited into having to face off against the resurfacing threat of the titular group, who happen to be a group of vamps who’s end goal is, believe it or not, world domination. In stories like this, your mc is usually the “chosen one,” who is the only one capable of taking down this great evil, but as one of the characters blatantly points out to Lucy, she’s not the chosen one, even with her super blood to which is fatal to vamps, which means that plot armor doesn’t apply to her like most other good versus evil mcs. I appreciated this, because while she is special, that doesn’t mean she’s untouchable. Every reckless decision she makes could lead to an early death, and that made tension blossom in my chest every time she did something wild, which was often.
Speaking of wild, the action in this book is done extremely well. Every time a fight happened, you could sense how much work McMullen put into making them believable, even though you’re dealing with vampires and humans fighting one another. On that some note, the way that hunters fight against the superior vampires—apart from the blood that could incapacitate or kill said vamps—is the technology they’re equipped with. Even with the biological approach to vampires, McMullen breaks the mold further with this. The hunter tech isn’t anything crazy, but weapons specified to kill vamps that aren’t exposure to sunlight, crosses, holy water or stakes? Sign me up!
The Eyes of The Sun delivers on everything that makes a vampire story interesting. Great characters, engaging action, a little mystery, death and a believable romance that isn’t sappy (or creepy, considering most vampire stories of late have centuries-old vamps pining after a young man or woman who’s not even a quarter of that). I’m glad I picked this up, along with the other two in the trilogy, and I’m tempted to shelve what I planned on reading next just so I can continue all the way to the end!
My only gripe with this book is the endless amount of winks throughout! Nearly every character does it multiple times; I think even the cat, Gumbo does it. Okay, that's a lie, but still. I've never liked winking, in books, film/TV or real life. Just makes my skin crawl. But other than that petty thing that has absolutely no impact on the overall story whatsoever, I loved the book.
March 8, 2015
A science fiction take on vampirism more akin to (the good) Blade movies than Nosferatu.
I liked this book, a lot! It has a lot going for it. Interesting characters, check. Engaging dialogue, check. Likable main character, check. Cool premise, check. A sense of humor, check. Does it stand out from the crowd of other vampire fiction, triple check! Eyes of the Sun hits every point on my like-o-meter and then some.
Vampires
So vampires are a thing here, yes, but they are not at all what you think they are. I'll leave the explanation to the author. But it's interesting because it's all influenced by biology and evolution. Run of the mill humans are more similar to vampires than one would think. Some humans have even evolved an enzyme inside of their blood that can prove harmful or even fatal to vampires as a biological deterrent to getting preyed upon. So when they're getting the life drained out of them by one of the bloodsuckers they can pull a Call of Duty 'Martyrdom' type move and drop the proverbial grenade on their vampiric foes to get the last laugh. Vampires also come in different breeds here. Some have been genetically modified to possess stronger vampire traits and some, the highest in the social order, are inbred from ancient families to achieve a purity in their bloodlines. Whatever form of vampire you have they're all stronger, faster, and more agile than humans.
But...
The humans have technology.
That reminds me of the awesome F2P multiplayer game Nosgoth which is based around this very concept. Vamps have the powers but humans have the tools. The humans in question here are members of the EJC, which I'll admit is a slight spoiler for like the first three chapters. Anyway the EJC seems like an ordinary research company to the uninitiated but is actually a tight nit group of very dedicated men and women who take to the streets at night to combat these vampires. They use technology developed in-house and have been specifically trained for the eradication of the vampires preying on people on the city streets. The EJC's technology is much improved over what we use today but it's not too far removed. It seems that to be a member you have to have the enzyme that proves fatal to vampires in your blood, I'm not sure if I misremembered that or not. They have a complex system of hunters, scientists, doctors, watchers, and a...makeup artist to aid in their goal of protection of the human race.
It has...
Moral Complexity.
Is killing the vampires right? Do they deserve punishment? It's not so cut and dry of an answer just like real life.
Social issues aren't shied away from.
What happens when you pair a gay, anti-religious, anti-war vampire hunter with a huge, religious, military veteran vampire hunter? Well hilarious needling for one. But also an actual conversation about these issues straight up. Nothing preachy but it is addressed as Lucy tries to figure out just how these two haven't destroyed each other yet.
Which leads to...
A likable, funny, tough, and complex cast.
Every time I was introduced to a new character I found something fascinating about them or just found them enjoyable. Just like real life, these fictional characters are complex and multifaceted. Even if you don't like something about them you may find a trait about them that you do like. The dialogue was snappy and filled with wit and the character interactions were just equal parts hilarious and heartfelt. You really get the feeling by the end of this that the EJC was like one big family. It's really fun getting to know everyone.
There is romance and it's done really well.
Not much to say here without spoiling stuff. I'll just say that it's obvious who gets together. The author even hints at it through palm reading before we meet the love interest. The joy here is in the journey, not the outcome and what a sexy journey it was.
The main character.
Lucy is pretty cool. She's whip smart and mostly normal but has a nerdy streak. She is educated, has a bit of a chip on her shoulders, and is quite used to losing family. She starts this book alone in a new city with only two close friends, who it turns out she knows nothing about. Lucy is naturally inquisitive and observant which are both good and bad traits in the world of vampire hunting and survival. Another good and bad trait that's strong in her is her stubborn streak. She just does not give up and when she feels a certain way it’s hard for her to simply 'go with the flow.' She'll speak up and she'll make some changes before she accepts something she isn't comfortable with.
The action is awesome.
It's fast paced, grounded, clever, and very descriptive. No detail was missed here and the environment was used really well in all scenes. Each fight feels very distinct because of this. Because of my slight sexism I hadn't expected this from a female writer. That was only a partial joke by the way and yes, I give you permission to hate me.
I said so much already that I feel the need to wrap this up. So nothing is perfect and that brings me to...
What I didn't like.
The first few chapters felt rushed, specifically a big part of chapter 1 and some parts of chapter 2. There was a big wall of info on Lucy's past on the second and third page at a moment when I couldn't care less about who Lucy was. There's also a huge mistake that chapter 2 Lucy makes that the Lucy I've come to know didn't seem like she would have made but this I can forgive since the thought of love makes us all do crazy things.
Only one other small thing bothered me and it's so trivial that it doesn't really matter. It's the retractable fangs. I'm bothered by these, not because they exist but because they weren't given a contemporary scientific explanation like everything else. I'll admit that there's a huge chance that I might've glossed over it but it seems strange that it's just part of the package like the rest since this vampirism isn't like 'normal' vampirism. It just feels like a genre holdover but you know what? How freaking' weird would a vampire with flat teeth be? Answer: really freaking weird! So I'll wrap this up by saying some questions don't need to be answered and some traditions must never die.
Now here's that summary of points that I know the abridgers like so well.
The Good
+Humorous
+Science Fiction Edge
+Smart Ideas
+Witty Dialogue
+Sexy Moments
+Lucy is Likeable and Competent
+Cast is Likeable, Funny, Tough, and Complex
+It's Fun Getting to Know Everyone
+Author Has the Courage to Talk About a Few Social Issues
+The Structure of the Organization is Clever and Interesting
+Dress Up Stuff is Cool, Fun, and Makes Sense
The Bad
-First Chapter Seems Rushed as a Lot of Info is Quickly Given on Lucy
-The Lucy I've Come to Know Doesn't Seem Like She'd Make the Same Stupid Mistakes That She Did With Tim at the Beginning
The Trivial
-Unexplained Retractable Fangs
I liked this book, a lot! It has a lot going for it. Interesting characters, check. Engaging dialogue, check. Likable main character, check. Cool premise, check. A sense of humor, check. Does it stand out from the crowd of other vampire fiction, triple check! Eyes of the Sun hits every point on my like-o-meter and then some.
Vampires
So vampires are a thing here, yes, but they are not at all what you think they are. I'll leave the explanation to the author. But it's interesting because it's all influenced by biology and evolution. Run of the mill humans are more similar to vampires than one would think. Some humans have even evolved an enzyme inside of their blood that can prove harmful or even fatal to vampires as a biological deterrent to getting preyed upon. So when they're getting the life drained out of them by one of the bloodsuckers they can pull a Call of Duty 'Martyrdom' type move and drop the proverbial grenade on their vampiric foes to get the last laugh. Vampires also come in different breeds here. Some have been genetically modified to possess stronger vampire traits and some, the highest in the social order, are inbred from ancient families to achieve a purity in their bloodlines. Whatever form of vampire you have they're all stronger, faster, and more agile than humans.
But...
The humans have technology.
That reminds me of the awesome F2P multiplayer game Nosgoth which is based around this very concept. Vamps have the powers but humans have the tools. The humans in question here are members of the EJC, which I'll admit is a slight spoiler for like the first three chapters. Anyway the EJC seems like an ordinary research company to the uninitiated but is actually a tight nit group of very dedicated men and women who take to the streets at night to combat these vampires. They use technology developed in-house and have been specifically trained for the eradication of the vampires preying on people on the city streets. The EJC's technology is much improved over what we use today but it's not too far removed. It seems that to be a member you have to have the enzyme that proves fatal to vampires in your blood, I'm not sure if I misremembered that or not. They have a complex system of hunters, scientists, doctors, watchers, and a...makeup artist to aid in their goal of protection of the human race.
It has...
Moral Complexity.
Is killing the vampires right? Do they deserve punishment? It's not so cut and dry of an answer just like real life.
Social issues aren't shied away from.
What happens when you pair a gay, anti-religious, anti-war vampire hunter with a huge, religious, military veteran vampire hunter? Well hilarious needling for one. But also an actual conversation about these issues straight up. Nothing preachy but it is addressed as Lucy tries to figure out just how these two haven't destroyed each other yet.
Which leads to...
A likable, funny, tough, and complex cast.
Every time I was introduced to a new character I found something fascinating about them or just found them enjoyable. Just like real life, these fictional characters are complex and multifaceted. Even if you don't like something about them you may find a trait about them that you do like. The dialogue was snappy and filled with wit and the character interactions were just equal parts hilarious and heartfelt. You really get the feeling by the end of this that the EJC was like one big family. It's really fun getting to know everyone.
There is romance and it's done really well.
Not much to say here without spoiling stuff. I'll just say that it's obvious who gets together. The author even hints at it through palm reading before we meet the love interest. The joy here is in the journey, not the outcome and what a sexy journey it was.
The main character.
Lucy is pretty cool. She's whip smart and mostly normal but has a nerdy streak. She is educated, has a bit of a chip on her shoulders, and is quite used to losing family. She starts this book alone in a new city with only two close friends, who it turns out she knows nothing about. Lucy is naturally inquisitive and observant which are both good and bad traits in the world of vampire hunting and survival. Another good and bad trait that's strong in her is her stubborn streak. She just does not give up and when she feels a certain way it’s hard for her to simply 'go with the flow.' She'll speak up and she'll make some changes before she accepts something she isn't comfortable with.
The action is awesome.
It's fast paced, grounded, clever, and very descriptive. No detail was missed here and the environment was used really well in all scenes. Each fight feels very distinct because of this. Because of my slight sexism I hadn't expected this from a female writer. That was only a partial joke by the way and yes, I give you permission to hate me.
I said so much already that I feel the need to wrap this up. So nothing is perfect and that brings me to...
What I didn't like.
The first few chapters felt rushed, specifically a big part of chapter 1 and some parts of chapter 2. There was a big wall of info on Lucy's past on the second and third page at a moment when I couldn't care less about who Lucy was. There's also a huge mistake that chapter 2 Lucy makes that the Lucy I've come to know didn't seem like she would have made but this I can forgive since the thought of love makes us all do crazy things.
Only one other small thing bothered me and it's so trivial that it doesn't really matter. It's the retractable fangs. I'm bothered by these, not because they exist but because they weren't given a contemporary scientific explanation like everything else. I'll admit that there's a huge chance that I might've glossed over it but it seems strange that it's just part of the package like the rest since this vampirism isn't like 'normal' vampirism. It just feels like a genre holdover but you know what? How freaking' weird would a vampire with flat teeth be? Answer: really freaking weird! So I'll wrap this up by saying some questions don't need to be answered and some traditions must never die.
Now here's that summary of points that I know the abridgers like so well.
The Good
+Humorous
+Science Fiction Edge
+Smart Ideas
+Witty Dialogue
+Sexy Moments
+Lucy is Likeable and Competent
+Cast is Likeable, Funny, Tough, and Complex
+It's Fun Getting to Know Everyone
+Author Has the Courage to Talk About a Few Social Issues
+The Structure of the Organization is Clever and Interesting
+Dress Up Stuff is Cool, Fun, and Makes Sense
The Bad
-First Chapter Seems Rushed as a Lot of Info is Quickly Given on Lucy
-The Lucy I've Come to Know Doesn't Seem Like She'd Make the Same Stupid Mistakes That She Did With Tim at the Beginning
The Trivial
-Unexplained Retractable Fangs
December 14, 2019
A welcome, different take on vampires.
Having read the short story prequel, Dissonant, I was interested in finding out more about this universe the author created.
What caught my attention the most in this book (without giving away big spoilers) was that the vampires and the vampire hunters were written a bit differently than I'd read or seen before. The unique idea of how the hunters had a unique blood-based protection helped keep me interested in seeing what would become of the MC and supporting characters.
The MC, Lucy, has a good arc, if not a bit strangely timed. I liked her strength of character, and resolve in the face of her relatively normal life getting upheaved in the face of a vampire threat. Overall I feel that the end of the book did her justice in what her personal convictions were, and was satisfied with it.
The one thing that seemed a little off in the book is the pacing. There's a slow burn through the first half of the book where Lucy is being introduced to this world. There is some action throughout in the way of vampire hunting, but it seems a little slow. The real action doesn't get started until the second half, where things begin to start speeding through toward the climax, and it feels a little rushed.
If I could give half stars, I'd probably make this a 4.5 because of the pacing, but since I can't, I rounded up. I don't feel like it's that big of an issue that it would warrant going down to 4 stars.
Having read the short story prequel, Dissonant, I was interested in finding out more about this universe the author created.
What caught my attention the most in this book (without giving away big spoilers) was that the vampires and the vampire hunters were written a bit differently than I'd read or seen before. The unique idea of how the hunters had a unique blood-based protection helped keep me interested in seeing what would become of the MC and supporting characters.
The MC, Lucy, has a good arc, if not a bit strangely timed. I liked her strength of character, and resolve in the face of her relatively normal life getting upheaved in the face of a vampire threat. Overall I feel that the end of the book did her justice in what her personal convictions were, and was satisfied with it.
The one thing that seemed a little off in the book is the pacing. There's a slow burn through the first half of the book where Lucy is being introduced to this world. There is some action throughout in the way of vampire hunting, but it seems a little slow. The real action doesn't get started until the second half, where things begin to start speeding through toward the climax, and it feels a little rushed.
If I could give half stars, I'd probably make this a 4.5 because of the pacing, but since I can't, I rounded up. I don't feel like it's that big of an issue that it would warrant going down to 4 stars.
April 12, 2015
This book starts twenty years on from Dissonant, Lucy Soriano is all alone after the death of her grandmother and it an effort to discover the identity of the father she's never known Lucy finds herself in New Orleans where she surprisingly feels she's finally come home.
Lucy finds a job and along with her cat Gumbo she's happy but then the first date she's had in ages results in what should have been a fatal attack and a world she'd never even dreamed about opens up.
Lucy is more than she appears to be and soon she finds herself recruited into a shadow organisation of vampire hunters who face the threat of the Eyes of The Sun, an old and dangerous group of vampires.
I enjoyed this book it started out really well, slowed a little in the middle but it never lost my interest, I liked the genetic manipulation idea and the characters, if I'm being totally honest Lucy annoyed me at times along with the continuity and typos.
That's my review....
########## SLIGHT SPOILER FROM DISSONANT ######
.......and I suppose this is classed under continuity but in Dissonant the second kiss between Dara and Evan is described like this:
'Soon, too soon, the lightheaded giddiness gave way to a crushing headache and my stomach started twisting with cramps that I could no longer ignore. With a strangled cry of torture, I pushed Evan away and ran to the bathroom, locking the door behind me. Not that it mattered. The door was thin enough that Evan heard all of the terrible aftermath of what should have been the happiest moment of my life.'
But in The Eyes of the Sun the same kiss is described like this:
“I had some slight cramps and a bit of a headache, but nothing more......."
I know this is a minor point and it may seem petty to mention it but.... well it annoyed me so I had to, now I'm off to read 'Bluebeard's Children'
May 26, 2015
The Eyes of the sun is an interesting concept. Vampires aren't your romantic lovers from PNR. They are ruthless and they have a goal: to perfect the species by any means necessary. The story feels dark and gloomy. Ms. McMullen portrayed the mood well. To do so, she brings her readers in the heart of New Orleans and Paris, where enhanced vampires are the biggest threat.
The characters were believable. I liked Lucy and Andre. While they argued with each other, and didn't always see eye to eye, they didn't constantly fight the mutual attraction, which can sometimes get on my nerves when it's overdone.
Now, I admit I skimmed a few pages toward the beginning of the book, not because they were not well written, but rather because I read Dissonant (the prequel), and it made some of the explanations redundant. If you're planning to read the series, I'd suggest you start with this book, or maybe wait a bit between the two. I had just finished Dissonant, and it was still fresh in my head. Have I waited between the two books though, I would have appreciated the recap.
It will be interesting to see where the sequel will lead us since the first book wrapped the story quite well. A definite must for those who love their vampires with a bite.
The characters were believable. I liked Lucy and Andre. While they argued with each other, and didn't always see eye to eye, they didn't constantly fight the mutual attraction, which can sometimes get on my nerves when it's overdone.
Now, I admit I skimmed a few pages toward the beginning of the book, not because they were not well written, but rather because I read Dissonant (the prequel), and it made some of the explanations redundant. If you're planning to read the series, I'd suggest you start with this book, or maybe wait a bit between the two. I had just finished Dissonant, and it was still fresh in my head. Have I waited between the two books though, I would have appreciated the recap.
It will be interesting to see where the sequel will lead us since the first book wrapped the story quite well. A definite must for those who love their vampires with a bite.
November 15, 2015
I should premise that vampire lore is not my typical goto genre for leisure reading, but I chose this book because of the the promise that the story was different. Eyes of the Sun, book 1, did not disappoint.
McMullen captured my attention from the beginning and had she not, I would have given up the book with the first vampire was introduced. The protagonist, Lucy, is my favorite. She is a strong, distinct, and complex character, however, most of the characters are in this the first book of the series. There wasn’t one character I thought too perfect. And I was surprised that Lucy remained interesting through to the end. Usually, I have a tendency to think protagonists and their actions become predictable and annoying.
The dialogues flowed naturally. Often the repartee made me laugh at the cleverness of the wordplay (without seeming contrived). I wouldn’t say I am suddenly interested in stories about vampires, but Eyes of the Sun is indeed unique and Christina McMullen an author to watch.
McMullen captured my attention from the beginning and had she not, I would have given up the book with the first vampire was introduced. The protagonist, Lucy, is my favorite. She is a strong, distinct, and complex character, however, most of the characters are in this the first book of the series. There wasn’t one character I thought too perfect. And I was surprised that Lucy remained interesting through to the end. Usually, I have a tendency to think protagonists and their actions become predictable and annoying.
The dialogues flowed naturally. Often the repartee made me laugh at the cleverness of the wordplay (without seeming contrived). I wouldn’t say I am suddenly interested in stories about vampires, but Eyes of the Sun is indeed unique and Christina McMullen an author to watch.
April 25, 2016
I love vampire stories but you can never tell what you're going to get. This one was refreshingly unique and I thoroughly enjoyed it. There were moments when I laughed out loud, times I yelled at my kindle and other times I shook my head in disbelief.
I love Lucy, she's witty and sweet and has a huge heart.
This part here actually made me cringe in embarrassment, laugh and then clamp a hand over my mouth in a oh no! moment.
"Here?" He raised his eyebrows. "This is your home?"
"Yep!" She nodded emphatically.
"Interesting." The vampire fished a key ring out of his pocket and inserted an old key into the lock on the wooden fence. "Looks like I have the keys to your place then."
LOL
Great page turner!
I love Lucy, she's witty and sweet and has a huge heart.
This part here actually made me cringe in embarrassment, laugh and then clamp a hand over my mouth in a oh no! moment.
"Here?" He raised his eyebrows. "This is your home?"
"Yep!" She nodded emphatically.
"Interesting." The vampire fished a key ring out of his pocket and inserted an old key into the lock on the wooden fence. "Looks like I have the keys to your place then."
LOL
Great page turner!
June 3, 2016
I'll be honest, I haven't read a lot of vampire books in my life. Even before Twilight came along and destroyed the entire vampire genre in one fell swoop. I decided to read this book because Christina McMullen is awesome and I will read anything she writes.
Despite the fact that I haven't read a lot of vampire books, I have watched a lot of vampire movies so I can definitely say that The Eyes of the Sun<\i> was one of the most unique takes on vampires I've ever come across. I loved the New Orleans setting as well. I don't read a lot of books that don't take place in either New York/Chicago/LA or some fantasy/sci-fi world. This was a fantastic start the series and I'm really looking forward to diving into book 2.
Despite the fact that I haven't read a lot of vampire books, I have watched a lot of vampire movies so I can definitely say that The Eyes of the Sun<\i> was one of the most unique takes on vampires I've ever come across. I loved the New Orleans setting as well. I don't read a lot of books that don't take place in either New York/Chicago/LA or some fantasy/sci-fi world. This was a fantastic start the series and I'm really looking forward to diving into book 2.
August 28, 2015
A different take on vampires. It kept you enthralled and wanting to know what was going to happen next. I enjoyed the different spin on the lore of vampires. I also really liked the chemistry between Lucy and Andre. There is nothing better than two people who rub each other the wrong way to slowly falling for each other. The transition was done with a sweet finesse. If you enjoy any sort of variety dealing with vampires, you'll enjoy this book.
November 27, 2017
A vampire story that skips the classic, overdone trope, and re-envisions the genre with something completely new. It can be hard to take a classic idea and give it a fresh take, however, the author succeeds to the task. The plot strikes the right balance between adventure and calm, the characters are well written, and there is enough of a conclusion at the end to satisfy the reader while alluding to the continuing story to come.
I would highly recommend this book to lovers of urban adventures, vampire hunters, or heroines that are brave and spunky yet down to earth. I look forward to reading the next in the series.
I would highly recommend this book to lovers of urban adventures, vampire hunters, or heroines that are brave and spunky yet down to earth. I look forward to reading the next in the series.
August 8, 2015
Warning: This was part of a reading bings, so may be slightly mixed with the other books of the trilogy
With a strong start, the book bolts out of the starting gate. The setting is quickly set up for the tale, and then elaborated on as needed. Set in New Orleans, there's enough reality blended with the additional elements that bring this world to life. It feels more like watching a movie than reading a book.
The plot is well woven and fast paced. I say it bolts out of the starting gate because it hits the ground running. Told with a subtle hand on the reins, you are taken through a fun roller coaster ride of danger, excitement, and mystery. The fantasy elements are kept to a nice subtle boil (well, except the use of the term vampire, but that's a highlight, not a main element... or is it?) The nicely integrated elements of current technology with a few aspects that reach just a touch beyond what we have now provide a sense of expectation, and at times humor.
The characters are very well developed. Each of them has their own personalities, and those personalities grow and develop further as the story progresses. Not everything is sweetness and light, even inside the main cast, which also adds a wonderful feeling of realism to the tale.
While there are a few lingering questions at the end, the main story line is drawn to a satisfying conclusion that left me smiling, and nodding my head in agreement. Even the few questions were not so demanding that if you missed the other two books they would gnaw on your mind. (Though, they sure do make it easy to be excited to dive into the next book.)
With a strong start, the book bolts out of the starting gate. The setting is quickly set up for the tale, and then elaborated on as needed. Set in New Orleans, there's enough reality blended with the additional elements that bring this world to life. It feels more like watching a movie than reading a book.
The plot is well woven and fast paced. I say it bolts out of the starting gate because it hits the ground running. Told with a subtle hand on the reins, you are taken through a fun roller coaster ride of danger, excitement, and mystery. The fantasy elements are kept to a nice subtle boil (well, except the use of the term vampire, but that's a highlight, not a main element... or is it?) The nicely integrated elements of current technology with a few aspects that reach just a touch beyond what we have now provide a sense of expectation, and at times humor.
The characters are very well developed. Each of them has their own personalities, and those personalities grow and develop further as the story progresses. Not everything is sweetness and light, even inside the main cast, which also adds a wonderful feeling of realism to the tale.
While there are a few lingering questions at the end, the main story line is drawn to a satisfying conclusion that left me smiling, and nodding my head in agreement. Even the few questions were not so demanding that if you missed the other two books they would gnaw on your mind. (Though, they sure do make it easy to be excited to dive into the next book.)
September 14, 2014
I was lucky enough to get this 1st book in the series for free on its promotional day at Amazon.com along with its prequel 'Dissonant'.
Little did Lucy realize what her world would become when she traveled to New Orleans in search of a father she never knew. Author, Christina McMullen, not unlike a fabled alchemist, skilfully weaves a tale that mixes science, technology and vampire lore, then adds a dash of romance to pull off this exciting tale that sets Lucy on a journey that would challenge every last one of her insecurities, and call upon every strength that she possesses.
Lucy is catapulted into a world where genetic engineering of minds and bodies, vampires style, are running rampant and along with a strong cast of characters at her side, she takes on her dangerous new role as someone that might just be able to make a dent in the incredibly dangerous and murderous elite vampire organization known as The Eyes Of The Sun.
I totally became enraptured with Lucy's character and personality as she 'found' herself and what she was 'cut out' to become and couldn't wait to read what decisions she would make about love and battle.
Thrilled to be along for the ride with her, I was amazed time and again with the kind of details that made me feel the author did her due diligence as I was taken on an explosive quest that didn't let me go until the very last pages.
I highly recommend this book for all fangsters!
Little did Lucy realize what her world would become when she traveled to New Orleans in search of a father she never knew. Author, Christina McMullen, not unlike a fabled alchemist, skilfully weaves a tale that mixes science, technology and vampire lore, then adds a dash of romance to pull off this exciting tale that sets Lucy on a journey that would challenge every last one of her insecurities, and call upon every strength that she possesses.
Lucy is catapulted into a world where genetic engineering of minds and bodies, vampires style, are running rampant and along with a strong cast of characters at her side, she takes on her dangerous new role as someone that might just be able to make a dent in the incredibly dangerous and murderous elite vampire organization known as The Eyes Of The Sun.
I totally became enraptured with Lucy's character and personality as she 'found' herself and what she was 'cut out' to become and couldn't wait to read what decisions she would make about love and battle.
Thrilled to be along for the ride with her, I was amazed time and again with the kind of details that made me feel the author did her due diligence as I was taken on an explosive quest that didn't let me go until the very last pages.
I highly recommend this book for all fangsters!
October 13, 2015
I'll start with my one complaint, because I'm a eat your veggies first kinda guy. Two words: scene breaks. There were several places where I got tripped up for a moment and had to go back a couple of sentences because I didn't realize the scene had changed. Inserting a scene break would have kept the narrative flowing smoothly for me. On the whole, this was just a minor annoyance in an otherwise well-crafted story.
The story was well edited and kept me interested throughout. It was probably around the half-way point where I started to find it hard to put down. The story was action-packed, and I enjoyed the twist the author presented on the traditional vampire. The romance was handled very well. It was sweet and didn't overshadow the rest of the story.
Even though this is part of a series, the story is complete and there's no dangling cliffhanger trying to force you to purchase the next book. I appreciate this and plan on getting the next novel because the author is a great storyteller and I'm interested to see where she takes her characters.
The story was well edited and kept me interested throughout. It was probably around the half-way point where I started to find it hard to put down. The story was action-packed, and I enjoyed the twist the author presented on the traditional vampire. The romance was handled very well. It was sweet and didn't overshadow the rest of the story.
Even though this is part of a series, the story is complete and there's no dangling cliffhanger trying to force you to purchase the next book. I appreciate this and plan on getting the next novel because the author is a great storyteller and I'm interested to see where she takes her characters.
February 22, 2013
This new vampire series is jam packed with action and romance. Looking forward to the next book.
November 9, 2013
A different kind of vampire tale. I liked it. Set in New Orleans. This is book 1 of The Eyes of the Sun Trilogy.
November 8, 2014
Wow!
Very well written. I was on the edge of my seat through most of the book. Can't wait for the next one.
Very well written. I was on the edge of my seat through most of the book. Can't wait for the next one.
Want to read
August 14, 2022🎁 FREE on Amazon today (8/14/2022)! 🎁
June 13, 2015
A clever take on the vampire genre.
"The Eyes of the Sun" is an engaging story about vampires and vampire hunters. However, it's not a world were vampires are born, but rather created through genetic manipulation. It's a fun twist to add to the vampire genre.
Through the engineering of an old organization – The Eyes of the Sun – vampires are running amok and quietly asserting their influence throughout the world … mostly quiet that is.
Yet - with every manipulation humanity tries to force on nature, nature responds and balances out the equation. There is also the existence of an enzyme in the blood of some people which is deadly to the vampires.
In the middle of this tenuous balance exists Lucy Soriano, who finds out that not only is she a vampire, but she also carries the deadly enzyme in her blood.
And so the stage is set as the hunters ply their trade against the vampires, and learn just how deep the influence The Eyes of the Sun have become.
First off, I enjoyed the settings of the story very much. The first half of the book takes place in New Orleans and then moves to Paris in the second half. The gothic nature of the cities serves to create an eerie and effective backdrop.
It also has a colorful cast of characters and the main character, Lucy, is a capable and appealing heroine. No only does she suddenly learn that she is part of these two bizarre worlds, but she is trapped right in the middle. How she copes and deals with this is a strong theme which drives the story to its satisfying conclusion.
If I had to nitpick about something, I would say that because there are so many characters in the first half, sometimes the action and dialog gets a bit muddled in regards to who is saying and doing what – but again, that is a nitpick and didn’t detract in anyway. Once the story moves to Paris, and the scenes contain either two or three characters, the narrative is very strong and quite fun to read.
Finally, the development and arc of Lucy and her relationship with Andre is deftly handled. It doesn’t move to fast and never crosses the lines of predictable or cliché. I enjoyed that thread of the story the most.
"The Eyes of the Sun" is a strong opening to this series and would recommend giving it a try.
"The Eyes of the Sun" is an engaging story about vampires and vampire hunters. However, it's not a world were vampires are born, but rather created through genetic manipulation. It's a fun twist to add to the vampire genre.
Through the engineering of an old organization – The Eyes of the Sun – vampires are running amok and quietly asserting their influence throughout the world … mostly quiet that is.
Yet - with every manipulation humanity tries to force on nature, nature responds and balances out the equation. There is also the existence of an enzyme in the blood of some people which is deadly to the vampires.
In the middle of this tenuous balance exists Lucy Soriano, who finds out that not only is she a vampire, but she also carries the deadly enzyme in her blood.
And so the stage is set as the hunters ply their trade against the vampires, and learn just how deep the influence The Eyes of the Sun have become.
First off, I enjoyed the settings of the story very much. The first half of the book takes place in New Orleans and then moves to Paris in the second half. The gothic nature of the cities serves to create an eerie and effective backdrop.
It also has a colorful cast of characters and the main character, Lucy, is a capable and appealing heroine. No only does she suddenly learn that she is part of these two bizarre worlds, but she is trapped right in the middle. How she copes and deals with this is a strong theme which drives the story to its satisfying conclusion.
If I had to nitpick about something, I would say that because there are so many characters in the first half, sometimes the action and dialog gets a bit muddled in regards to who is saying and doing what – but again, that is a nitpick and didn’t detract in anyway. Once the story moves to Paris, and the scenes contain either two or three characters, the narrative is very strong and quite fun to read.
Finally, the development and arc of Lucy and her relationship with Andre is deftly handled. It doesn’t move to fast and never crosses the lines of predictable or cliché. I enjoyed that thread of the story the most.
"The Eyes of the Sun" is a strong opening to this series and would recommend giving it a try.
October 11, 2015
An interesting take on vampires with its own spin on things. It features a lot of likable characters, and even the minor characters felt more like believable people rather than a collection of names that go in one ear and out the other.
It does suffer some pacing issues, particularly early on when Lucy starts training with the other vampire hunters, and everything is getting introduced and established. A lot of conversations turned into information dumps that dragged the story to a halt, with some of the information feeling largely redundant. I think all the training and infodumps just went on for too many chapters.
That said, the book picked up a lot more once Andre is introduced, and they actually get into vampire hunting and establishing character dynamics with the overall backstory out of the way. Things really get going once the story nears its climax, and that was the point where I found the book harder to put down, because I wanted to see what happened next. I'd recommend it for people who are more interested in a sci-fi perspective on the vampire genre.
It does suffer some pacing issues, particularly early on when Lucy starts training with the other vampire hunters, and everything is getting introduced and established. A lot of conversations turned into information dumps that dragged the story to a halt, with some of the information feeling largely redundant. I think all the training and infodumps just went on for too many chapters.
That said, the book picked up a lot more once Andre is introduced, and they actually get into vampire hunting and establishing character dynamics with the overall backstory out of the way. Things really get going once the story nears its climax, and that was the point where I found the book harder to put down, because I wanted to see what happened next. I'd recommend it for people who are more interested in a sci-fi perspective on the vampire genre.
December 21, 2015
Vampires in New Orleans! But these are a different sort of vampire with a more realistic approach to the genre, mixing in more science than superstition and in many ways flirting with a technothriller vibe.
I can see a wide variety of influences in the writing, elements that are used well. Intrigue and covert operations mingle together nicely once the real story begins to develop. The writing is mixed with a touch of wry snark and envelops a cast of varied characters with their own distinct personalities. It has some elements of the espionage genre, and executes them well. I wonder if Lucy likes her martini shaken or stirred?
I can see a wide variety of influences in the writing, elements that are used well. Intrigue and covert operations mingle together nicely once the real story begins to develop. The writing is mixed with a touch of wry snark and envelops a cast of varied characters with their own distinct personalities. It has some elements of the espionage genre, and executes them well. I wonder if Lucy likes her martini shaken or stirred?
July 30, 2015
For once, I actually read things in order. I read Dissonant before this book and was glad I did. Though it may not be absolutely necessary, Dissonant provides information that mades Eyes of the Sun even more enjoyable. Characters were believable and likeable, and I enjoyed their interactions with each other. The fresh way of explaining the old affliction of vampirism was interesting also, and all of it was written in a smooth style that flowed from action to action while still providing opportunity to catch your breath. Though this book is not in my primary genre, I would recommend it.
January 5, 2013
Wonderfully written sci-fi book with a kick-butt female lead who is smart and strong with a touch of romance. The characters all have a depth and history and the author does an excellent job of depicting the relationships between them. I loved the new take on vampires and while the book stretched my imagination, the story also had a plausible feel to it. The inner thoughts of Lucy (the main character) were pretty funny at times and made her very likable. I can't wait until the next book!
September 3, 2016
3.5 stars, really.
May 19, 2024
Lucy Soriano awoke to the realization that the nightmare about needles being driven into her scalp was not a dream, but in fact the very real and very sharp claws of a hungry kitten.
Lucy moves to New Orleans in search of the father she never knew. Having left law school, she is working for Bellona Knight at Knights in Wild Satin. A date gone wrong shows that Lucy's blood is deadly to vampires. This leads Lona and her boyfriend Miles to take Lucy to EJC Headquarters. EJC is a research lab and houses vampire hunters for the city.
I was a bit hesitant to start this book because of the overdone trope of New Orleans and vampires. I was pleasantly surprised with it. We learn that Lucy is half vampire and her blood easily kills vamps. There is a secret organization of very old vampires know as the Eyes of the Sun. They are based out of Paris but have factions in New Orleans as well. They become aware of Lucy and want her as a lab rat.
I enjoyed getting to know the characters and their interaction with each other. My favorite hunter team is Lance and Hugh. Such major differences (Lance is gay, anti-military and non-religious. Hugh is a former marine, a staunch Southern Baptist, and anti-gay) yet they work perfectly together.
Of course, there has to be a love interest. Andre is the nephew of director of EJC and very much against Lucy being trained as a hunter. Those feelings change once he sees her in action.
Any book with a cat always makes me happy. Gumbo is realistically portrayed and I wanted to scoop her up for cuddles.
The story line is very good, the action is done quite well, and the characters add to the plot.
I enjoyed this enough to look for the next book in the series. 3.5 stars
Lucy moves to New Orleans in search of the father she never knew. Having left law school, she is working for Bellona Knight at Knights in Wild Satin. A date gone wrong shows that Lucy's blood is deadly to vampires. This leads Lona and her boyfriend Miles to take Lucy to EJC Headquarters. EJC is a research lab and houses vampire hunters for the city.
I was a bit hesitant to start this book because of the overdone trope of New Orleans and vampires. I was pleasantly surprised with it. We learn that Lucy is half vampire and her blood easily kills vamps. There is a secret organization of very old vampires know as the Eyes of the Sun. They are based out of Paris but have factions in New Orleans as well. They become aware of Lucy and want her as a lab rat.
I enjoyed getting to know the characters and their interaction with each other. My favorite hunter team is Lance and Hugh. Such major differences (Lance is gay, anti-military and non-religious. Hugh is a former marine, a staunch Southern Baptist, and anti-gay) yet they work perfectly together.
Of course, there has to be a love interest. Andre is the nephew of director of EJC and very much against Lucy being trained as a hunter. Those feelings change once he sees her in action.
Any book with a cat always makes me happy. Gumbo is realistically portrayed and I wanted to scoop her up for cuddles.
The story line is very good, the action is done quite well, and the characters add to the plot.
I enjoyed this enough to look for the next book in the series. 3.5 stars
May 15, 2017
I was interested to read a book written by one of the Goodreads moderators. This was Christina's first book of her "The Eyes of The Sun" series. What immediately stood out was her good use of setting the scene with few words. Followed, by her very realistic banter back and forth using dialogue. I found her writing to be clean and well-paced.
My only suggestion would be, early in the book, to identify and lay out the main insurmountable conflict of story. This issue of timing, will help the reader remain engaged and drawn into the characters through their plight and challenges. Understanding that this is her first book, I don't want to be too critical of this point. I was very impressed and see much potential in Christina's future writings. I look forward to reading her next books in this series to see how the story as well as her style progresses. Good job.
My only suggestion would be, early in the book, to identify and lay out the main insurmountable conflict of story. This issue of timing, will help the reader remain engaged and drawn into the characters through their plight and challenges. Understanding that this is her first book, I don't want to be too critical of this point. I was very impressed and see much potential in Christina's future writings. I look forward to reading her next books in this series to see how the story as well as her style progresses. Good job.
June 17, 2018
Riveting
Draws you in from the start and never let's go. The characters and storyline keeps you engrossed and turning the page eagerly awaiting what is going to happen. Well developed and interesting. I look forward to jumping right into book 2!
Draws you in from the start and never let's go. The characters and storyline keeps you engrossed and turning the page eagerly awaiting what is going to happen. Well developed and interesting. I look forward to jumping right into book 2!
March 2, 2024
The Eyes of the Sun
Very riveting story line that keeps you turning the pages! I didn't want to put this book down, and now I can't wait to start the next one in the series!
Very riveting story line that keeps you turning the pages! I didn't want to put this book down, and now I can't wait to start the next one in the series!
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