What do you think?
Rate this book
Grisly High #1
The Vampire Underground
16-year-old Brin Skar hates everything to do with the supernatural, so the obsessive film geek isn't happy when she discovers that her junior year Film class at Grisly High is devoted to the horror genre. She's even more disconcerted when she learns that six groups in the class will be writing and directing their very own horror movies.
Brin and five classmates travel to Bodie Ghost Town in California to shoot their creepy film, but they soon find themselves fighting a real terrifying threat when a clan of mean, bloodthirsty vampires emerge from beneath the surface and start attacking the group. The teens, headed by Brin and the egotistical director Anaya Frost, have no help from the outside and become outnumbered by the vampires a hundred to one.
But when Brin meets Paul, a helpful and smoldering vampire outcast who's had enough of his shameful life, she realizes he might be the only key to her survival.
Brin and five classmates travel to Bodie Ghost Town in California to shoot their creepy film, but they soon find themselves fighting a real terrifying threat when a clan of mean, bloodthirsty vampires emerge from beneath the surface and start attacking the group. The teens, headed by Brin and the egotistical director Anaya Frost, have no help from the outside and become outnumbered by the vampires a hundred to one.
But when Brin meets Paul, a helpful and smoldering vampire outcast who's had enough of his shameful life, she realizes he might be the only key to her survival.
322 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 3, 2012
6 people are currently reading
254 people want to read
About the author
Brian Rowe
15 books128 followersBrian Rowe is an author, teacher, book devotee, and film fanatic. He received his MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Nevada, Reno, and is represented by Kortney Price at the Corvisiero Agency.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
April 24, 2012
I somehow didn't expect this book to be as scary as it was. It may be because of the "cartoonish" cover (Which I LOVE by the way!--Read the book to figure out why there's a tongue in her hand.) or I just underestimated to the creativity of Brian Rowe. OR, more than likely I just figured this would be another "fluffy" vampire piece. As I've stated before, I absolutely LOVE vampire stories. Even ones that are, indeed, fluffy. But, there is a part of me that craves some good old-fashioned, scary, blood-thirsty, vampire horror.
I think I also figured a book geared to teens or young adults couldn't possibly be too scary. As soon as I read the first few pages, however, I knew that the book was going to be something great.
While there may be some hints at a "romantic" element, the book focuses more on building up the characters and the deep, frightening world that lay underneath the ghost town of Brodie. And although I love a good romance, I really liked how this book was structured. This is a first in a series and we not only get a great story, and a quick understanding of the horrors of this fictional world, but we also get set up for future horrors (and a POSSIBLE future not-so-platonic relationship).
There are some characters in this book that, when I was reading this story, I felt like I knew them. The girl at school that has something to prove, the popular girl that continues to surprise you, and the down-to-earth film-geek that ends up playing a bigger part in the story than you thought possible.
I also found myself laughing at some of the monologues by certain characters. And I think that's what I really appreciated most about THE VAMPIRE UNDERGROUND. There were moments of extreme humor, and then moments of extreme horror. Either way, Brian Rowe kept me entertained the entire time!
If you enjoy being a little scared, if you enjoy vampires, and/or if you enjoy a creative story with some original plotlines, definitely check out this book!
Christy @ Captivated Reading
I think I also figured a book geared to teens or young adults couldn't possibly be too scary. As soon as I read the first few pages, however, I knew that the book was going to be something great.
While there may be some hints at a "romantic" element, the book focuses more on building up the characters and the deep, frightening world that lay underneath the ghost town of Brodie. And although I love a good romance, I really liked how this book was structured. This is a first in a series and we not only get a great story, and a quick understanding of the horrors of this fictional world, but we also get set up for future horrors (and a POSSIBLE future not-so-platonic relationship).
There are some characters in this book that, when I was reading this story, I felt like I knew them. The girl at school that has something to prove, the popular girl that continues to surprise you, and the down-to-earth film-geek that ends up playing a bigger part in the story than you thought possible.
I also found myself laughing at some of the monologues by certain characters. And I think that's what I really appreciated most about THE VAMPIRE UNDERGROUND. There were moments of extreme humor, and then moments of extreme horror. Either way, Brian Rowe kept me entertained the entire time!
If you enjoy being a little scared, if you enjoy vampires, and/or if you enjoy a creative story with some original plotlines, definitely check out this book!
Christy @ Captivated Reading
July 24, 2013
FINALL! Vampires who are literally bad! And they are evil! Oh! And they are just down right wicked awesome!
So--imagine if you will-- The Lost Boys, Scream, and From Dusk 'Til Dawn had a dirty little menage.
Yep, then you have The Vampire Underground!
This book wasn't just clever with the dialogue, but it told an actual scary vampire story! I mean I was like, "Oh my god!" about 90% of the book! This was a true horror story. The whole thing was well paced, it made me feel like Joss Whedon had written a young adult book, and I kept laughing out loud. I literally have casted every character in my head and I'm waiting for the movie version of this because it could so work!
I had tingles as I was reading this and I found it really had to put down the book at all! Nothing about this book went wrong! They were teens--acting like teens--and the movie puns! Brilliant! I love that they teachers name was Mr. Barker. I saw that instantly mentioned Clive in my progress and BAH! Ash asks if he's related!
This is how young adult books should be done. They need to have more of these. They even had a sort of kind of love interest but that plot device didn't dominate the story. It was this small part, but I fear readers may latch onto that. Or I can hope most readers have matured beyond the need for some tragic love story!
I highly recommend this book! It is awesome! It is well written, it is one of the top books I have read this year!
*I received a copy of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*
So--imagine if you will-- The Lost Boys, Scream, and From Dusk 'Til Dawn had a dirty little menage.
Yep, then you have The Vampire Underground!
This book wasn't just clever with the dialogue, but it told an actual scary vampire story! I mean I was like, "Oh my god!" about 90% of the book! This was a true horror story. The whole thing was well paced, it made me feel like Joss Whedon had written a young adult book, and I kept laughing out loud. I literally have casted every character in my head and I'm waiting for the movie version of this because it could so work!
I had tingles as I was reading this and I found it really had to put down the book at all! Nothing about this book went wrong! They were teens--acting like teens--and the movie puns! Brilliant! I love that they teachers name was Mr. Barker. I saw that instantly mentioned Clive in my progress and BAH! Ash asks if he's related!
This is how young adult books should be done. They need to have more of these. They even had a sort of kind of love interest but that plot device didn't dominate the story. It was this small part, but I fear readers may latch onto that. Or I can hope most readers have matured beyond the need for some tragic love story!
I highly recommend this book! It is awesome! It is well written, it is one of the top books I have read this year!
*I received a copy of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*
August 5, 2016
The Vampire Underground by Brian Rowe is about Sixteen year old film geek Brin Skar. During her first day of Film Class at Grisly High she discovers that the entire semester is devoted to the horror genre, which isn't Brin's cup o' tea! After the students are assigned a group horror film project and having a egotistical director Anaya, Brin finds herself at the creepy Bodie Ghost Town. Little does Brin and her classmates know that there is a lot more going on then just a film shoot.
The Vampire Underground was such a fantastic read. I couldn't put this down! I loved the writing style and the characters were well written. My favorite character was Brin's best friend, Ash. He's thoughts on films and remakes are exactly the same as mine! (I won't give any spoilers away but he has a certain moment at a gas station that I swear Ive spoken the exact same words before)
The Vampire Underground was funny, interesting, and freaky. Brian Rowe is a great story teller and I can easliy see this becoming a movie. I honestly became freaked out by the "vampires" and can't wait to see what else is in store for Brin and her friends.
5 out of 5 stars Brian Rowe has made a new fan!
Special thanks to Brian Rowe for providing an e-book copy of The Vampire Underground in exchange for an honest review.
http://memoriesovertakingme.blogspot....
The Vampire Underground was such a fantastic read. I couldn't put this down! I loved the writing style and the characters were well written. My favorite character was Brin's best friend, Ash. He's thoughts on films and remakes are exactly the same as mine! (I won't give any spoilers away but he has a certain moment at a gas station that I swear Ive spoken the exact same words before)
The Vampire Underground was funny, interesting, and freaky. Brian Rowe is a great story teller and I can easliy see this becoming a movie. I honestly became freaked out by the "vampires" and can't wait to see what else is in store for Brin and her friends.
5 out of 5 stars Brian Rowe has made a new fan!
Special thanks to Brian Rowe for providing an e-book copy of The Vampire Underground in exchange for an honest review.
http://memoriesovertakingme.blogspot....
May 19, 2018
This is definitely not Twilight, and even pokes fun at it. The story is grisly, just like the town the characters live in. If you have to make a movie for cinema class, do not go to Bowdie during the winter. Vampires, vampires everywhere, with nary a human to drink; until six students who can't stand each other arrive to film a western themed horror movie. True life is much scarier than the script. I can hardly wait to read the next book, who cares if it is young adult? Not this bibliophile.
January 24, 2020
I enjoyed this. Was it on the caliber of other horrors like Frankenstein, Dracula, or The Stand? Heck no, but it was fun. Would I recommend it to anyone? Not likely, it is a YA, so I would recommend it for voracious-reading teens. Why did I read it as a senior? Brian Rowe is a fellow Medium writer, and I wondered about his abilities as an author. Not too shabby, my friend!
July 24, 2016
The Vampire Underground reminded me of a b-movie horror flick, where you get moments of true fright, interlaced with moments of seemingly intentional comedy. It had twists and turns, not all of which seemed necessary, and provided me with a sometimes entertaining, if unusual, read.
I absolutely loved all of the cult film references, though I did hate Ash's pretentious attitude towards modern-day remakes and his outright rage at seeing someone watching one of those remakes. I loved how spooky Rowe's vampires were, with their glowing red eyes and how they growled to introduce their presence, and I loved the atmosphere of Bodie Ghost Town - just the thought of a completely abandoned town was enough to give me the creeps (Silent Hill, anyone?).
I did stumble across several continuity/plot hole issues, which definitely made me take pause. There was constant reference to the weather, and how it was snowing quite heavily, but somehow through all of the snow, the characters were able to distinguish between when a road turn from pavement to dirt. There are also several mentions of someone hitting the dirt, or dropping something in the dirt, or wiping the dirt of their clothing - and with each dirt reference, I was pulled out of the story as I wondered what had happened to all of the snow? I want to know how Ash made it past the barrier, when it took four people to move it in order for the van to squeak by. I also want to know how he managed to fend off four vampires on his own - but it's never touched on. I wanted Paul to explain something - anything! - about his kind of vampires or their folklore, but I got zilch. And for the entire book, the character's are constantly mentioning how cold it is - but once they make it out of the underground, stark naked, not one of them complains about facing the elements in their birthday suits.
I didn't like any of the characters, as I found almost all of the actions were over-the-top. And that's why I'm getting the feeling that this had to be written like a parody of old horror flicks. For example, after watching their only vehicle burst in to flames, burning one of their classmates alive, Anaya's response is not to feel sorrow for her lost companion, or fear for their safety after being stranded in the middle of winter, but an overwhelming responsibility to finish their film for class. And this was a continuing theme! Instead of fearing for their lives, everyone was constantly worrying about getting a failing grade! Anaya's outbursts towards Brin had been annoying up until this point, but after her insistence that they finish what they started, I decided that it had to be an intentional ploy to lessen the horror of the vampires' attack. Adding to the character's embellished reactions was the fact that several horror flick cliches were used: an isolated location, check; extreme weather that restricts mobility, check; upon reaching isolated destination everyone realizes they have no cell service, check; one character feels like things aren't right but is ignored, check.
The ending served to cement my rational, as upon return to their hometown, no one mentions going to the police and reporting the deaths of their classmates. In fact, they fear they'll be committed of perjury for their blatant lies about the events they managed to survive. So instead, they ignore all responsibility and simply head home to worry about what other homework was due the next day.
I'm not even going to get started on Brin and Paul's....relationship? If seems that the ending foreshadowed a sequel, in which Brin would come to realize how important Paul was to her but after all of the Twilight trashing the book did, to even hint that it might try to do a human-vampire relationship is hypocritical at best.
Had I read The Vampire Underground with the understanding that it was going to be like a b-movie, I might have enjoyed some of it's cornier moments. And I can see lots of people enjoying it, for those same moments. But I was expecting a dark and twisted horror story and instead, I got dark and twisted horror-like elements, with a side of cheese.
I absolutely loved all of the cult film references, though I did hate Ash's pretentious attitude towards modern-day remakes and his outright rage at seeing someone watching one of those remakes. I loved how spooky Rowe's vampires were, with their glowing red eyes and how they growled to introduce their presence, and I loved the atmosphere of Bodie Ghost Town - just the thought of a completely abandoned town was enough to give me the creeps (Silent Hill, anyone?).
I did stumble across several continuity/plot hole issues, which definitely made me take pause. There was constant reference to the weather, and how it was snowing quite heavily, but somehow through all of the snow, the characters were able to distinguish between when a road turn from pavement to dirt. There are also several mentions of someone hitting the dirt, or dropping something in the dirt, or wiping the dirt of their clothing - and with each dirt reference, I was pulled out of the story as I wondered what had happened to all of the snow? I want to know how Ash made it past the barrier, when it took four people to move it in order for the van to squeak by. I also want to know how he managed to fend off four vampires on his own - but it's never touched on. I wanted Paul to explain something - anything! - about his kind of vampires or their folklore, but I got zilch. And for the entire book, the character's are constantly mentioning how cold it is - but once they make it out of the underground, stark naked, not one of them complains about facing the elements in their birthday suits.
I didn't like any of the characters, as I found almost all of the actions were over-the-top. And that's why I'm getting the feeling that this had to be written like a parody of old horror flicks. For example, after watching their only vehicle burst in to flames, burning one of their classmates alive, Anaya's response is not to feel sorrow for her lost companion, or fear for their safety after being stranded in the middle of winter, but an overwhelming responsibility to finish their film for class. And this was a continuing theme! Instead of fearing for their lives, everyone was constantly worrying about getting a failing grade! Anaya's outbursts towards Brin had been annoying up until this point, but after her insistence that they finish what they started, I decided that it had to be an intentional ploy to lessen the horror of the vampires' attack. Adding to the character's embellished reactions was the fact that several horror flick cliches were used: an isolated location, check; extreme weather that restricts mobility, check; upon reaching isolated destination everyone realizes they have no cell service, check; one character feels like things aren't right but is ignored, check.
The ending served to cement my rational, as upon return to their hometown, no one mentions going to the police and reporting the deaths of their classmates. In fact, they fear they'll be committed of perjury for their blatant lies about the events they managed to survive. So instead, they ignore all responsibility and simply head home to worry about what other homework was due the next day.
I'm not even going to get started on Brin and Paul's....relationship? If seems that the ending foreshadowed a sequel, in which Brin would come to realize how important Paul was to her but after all of the Twilight trashing the book did, to even hint that it might try to do a human-vampire relationship is hypocritical at best.
Had I read The Vampire Underground with the understanding that it was going to be like a b-movie, I might have enjoyed some of it's cornier moments. And I can see lots of people enjoying it, for those same moments. But I was expecting a dark and twisted horror story and instead, I got dark and twisted horror-like elements, with a side of cheese.
March 20, 2014
There was a chill in the air. The snow wasn’t supposed to fall until tomorrow, but the freeway, which had narrowed from four lanes to two, was cluttered with patches of black ice. As late afternoon turned to early evening, the clouds multiplied, and light snow began to cover the desolate mountains.
The RV appeared around the far corner, a mere speck in the distance, the first vehicle to show itself in these high altitudes for nearly two hours. It was forty feet long, dark brown and archaic, and taking each sharp turn with an over-protective timidity that only a man in his seventies could have the patience for.
Donald sat in the driver’s seat. Agitated, beads of sweat running down his forehead, he adroitly maneuvered the giant vehicle through the intensifying snowstorm. He had wanted to leave Los Angeles tomorrow, but his little sweetheart was feeling home sick and insisted they return from their little weeklong road trip a day early.
Eleven-year-old Grace stopped concentrating on her book at the back table and leapt to her feet.
"I’m not acting weird.”
“Yes you are. You’re acting scared.”
He didn’t respond. He just stared at her in terror as a warm red glow started to cover the left side of her face.”
The windows on all sides of the RV shattered into a thousand pieces when the figure outside released an earsplitting shriek. Grace screamed and fell to the ground as Donald kneeled down and covered her body with his. Donald opened his mouth in horror as he felt the RV tipping, the force of ten elephants slamming against the side. The RV came crashing back down to the ground, more glass shattering on top of Donald’s bleeding head.
“Come on,” he said. “Come with me.”
This wasn’t a request; this was an order. He grabbed her arm and pulled her toward the back of the RV. Grace turned around, only once, to see the entrance door get ripped away from the vehicle.
“What’s going on?” she said, tears in her eyes, before Donald shoved her into the dark, miniscule bathroom.
“Grace, stay in here. Do not make a sound. Do you hear me? Do not make a sound!”
“But Grandpa, what—”
He slid the bathroom door shut before Grace could finish her sentence, leaving her in the small space, in the pitch black, alone. All she could do was listen.
The growling returned, just as Grace pressed her ear up against the door to hear her grandfather screaming in terror. She heard a few punches, then a groaning noise, and then an ominous cry.
“What the hell are you?” her grandpa shouted. “What—”
His voice cut off, just as she heard a body hit the floor. All went silent.
Grace took a step back.
She forgot to breathe as the low rumble of the growl returned, and the sounds of footsteps echoed through the motorhome.
She closed her eyes and silently prayed that whatever was out there wouldn’t find her.
The footsteps came closer. Her breathing got heavier. She felt a tear roll down her cheek.
Then the growling stopped. Silence ensued. All Grace could hear now was the wind coming through the shattered windows.
She set her ear back up against the door. “Grandpa?” she whispered.
A fist punched through the door, grazing Grace’s cheek. She screamed as the figure ripped the sliding door in two and grabbed her hair, pulling her out of the bathroom.
“Nooooo!” she screamed. “Let me go! Let me go!”
The figure dragged her along the floor, all the way to the front of the RV, where Grace looked down to see her grandfather, staring at her with dead eyes, his throat slashed, a puddle of blood forming below his shoulders.
“Grandpa! Nooooo!”
Grace reached out for her grandfather as the figure dug his sharp fingernails into her skull and pulled her out of the RV.
When her body hit the snow, she looked up to see the pale white figure above her. Smiling big, blood on his lips, a chunk of flesh missing from his cheeks, he snickered.
The last thing she saw before she blacked out was his sharp yellow teeth dashing for her throat.
Now Breanna Skar (Brin) is made to go to the exact place that Grace and her grandpa died. Will she suffer the same fate as they did and will her friends survive.....
I loved this book but I have read better but to anyone who likes vampires I would recommend it
The RV appeared around the far corner, a mere speck in the distance, the first vehicle to show itself in these high altitudes for nearly two hours. It was forty feet long, dark brown and archaic, and taking each sharp turn with an over-protective timidity that only a man in his seventies could have the patience for.
Donald sat in the driver’s seat. Agitated, beads of sweat running down his forehead, he adroitly maneuvered the giant vehicle through the intensifying snowstorm. He had wanted to leave Los Angeles tomorrow, but his little sweetheart was feeling home sick and insisted they return from their little weeklong road trip a day early.
Eleven-year-old Grace stopped concentrating on her book at the back table and leapt to her feet.
"I’m not acting weird.”
“Yes you are. You’re acting scared.”
He didn’t respond. He just stared at her in terror as a warm red glow started to cover the left side of her face.”
The windows on all sides of the RV shattered into a thousand pieces when the figure outside released an earsplitting shriek. Grace screamed and fell to the ground as Donald kneeled down and covered her body with his. Donald opened his mouth in horror as he felt the RV tipping, the force of ten elephants slamming against the side. The RV came crashing back down to the ground, more glass shattering on top of Donald’s bleeding head.
“Come on,” he said. “Come with me.”
This wasn’t a request; this was an order. He grabbed her arm and pulled her toward the back of the RV. Grace turned around, only once, to see the entrance door get ripped away from the vehicle.
“What’s going on?” she said, tears in her eyes, before Donald shoved her into the dark, miniscule bathroom.
“Grace, stay in here. Do not make a sound. Do you hear me? Do not make a sound!”
“But Grandpa, what—”
He slid the bathroom door shut before Grace could finish her sentence, leaving her in the small space, in the pitch black, alone. All she could do was listen.
The growling returned, just as Grace pressed her ear up against the door to hear her grandfather screaming in terror. She heard a few punches, then a groaning noise, and then an ominous cry.
“What the hell are you?” her grandpa shouted. “What—”
His voice cut off, just as she heard a body hit the floor. All went silent.
Grace took a step back.
She forgot to breathe as the low rumble of the growl returned, and the sounds of footsteps echoed through the motorhome.
She closed her eyes and silently prayed that whatever was out there wouldn’t find her.
The footsteps came closer. Her breathing got heavier. She felt a tear roll down her cheek.
Then the growling stopped. Silence ensued. All Grace could hear now was the wind coming through the shattered windows.
She set her ear back up against the door. “Grandpa?” she whispered.
A fist punched through the door, grazing Grace’s cheek. She screamed as the figure ripped the sliding door in two and grabbed her hair, pulling her out of the bathroom.
“Nooooo!” she screamed. “Let me go! Let me go!”
The figure dragged her along the floor, all the way to the front of the RV, where Grace looked down to see her grandfather, staring at her with dead eyes, his throat slashed, a puddle of blood forming below his shoulders.
“Grandpa! Nooooo!”
Grace reached out for her grandfather as the figure dug his sharp fingernails into her skull and pulled her out of the RV.
When her body hit the snow, she looked up to see the pale white figure above her. Smiling big, blood on his lips, a chunk of flesh missing from his cheeks, he snickered.
The last thing she saw before she blacked out was his sharp yellow teeth dashing for her throat.
Now Breanna Skar (Brin) is made to go to the exact place that Grace and her grandpa died. Will she suffer the same fate as they did and will her friends survive.....
I loved this book but I have read better but to anyone who likes vampires I would recommend it
August 13, 2012
If I were told that my film class would be focusing exclusively on horror films, I would drop that class ASAP. Brin isn’t thrilled about the subject matter either, but she decides to tough it out and maybe learn something new from the class. When her teacher divides the class into groups to make short horror films, Brin decides to use the opportunity to try her hand at directing. Too bad Anaya Frost wants to be the director, and the overconfident bully won’t take no for an answer. The ensuing chaos lands the group in Bodie Ghost Town to shoot the film… and that’s when things start to get spooky.
Reading the premise, I am caught up in the idea Rowe weaves of a horror film shooting actually turning into a horror story. It’s a fantastic idea, and it also brings with it the possibility of a new spin on the vampire story… you know, where they don’t all sparkle and look like Greek Gods. The ideas portrayed in the summary are all very intriguing, and I really hope, when it all comes together, that it unfolds in a believable way.
The Vampire Underground truly works in a way I didn’t expect. Rowe successfully meshed drama, vampires, a little bit of horror (not so much I had to put the book down), and romance in a tasteful way. The story moved at a good pace, and I never got bored or felt like it was rushing. I do think that the premise gives a little too much away because some of that information isn’t revealed until late in the book, but there are enough other surprises that kept my attention.
Brin is a very unique character. Throughout The Vampire Underground I really see how she holds her ground and really pushes herself to become the best she can be. It’s refreshing to see her tackle challenges and stand up for things she wants;. She’s no shrinking violet, and I found that commendable. Her relationship with her best friend, Ash, is totally platonic and very relatable. We all have that one person whom we talk to everyday and would trust with our life. For Brin, that person is Ash. I won’t say too much, because I really want everyone to read the book for themselves, but Ash’s name has a back-story that should not be missed!
One thing that I am not very happy with is the level of violence between the members of the film group. Even before all the vampires are introduced, the students are constantly in each other’s faces and shouting. I understand that they are high schoolers on a short leash, but COME ON, we aren’t that violent or volatile! Everyone has people they don’t like, but this book takes it to a level that seems unrealistic and overdramatic.
The horror aspect of this book is more gruesome than I expected, and it definitely has some OMGOSH moments. Luckily, most of the book isn’t too scary or I wouldn’t have been able to finish it. Overall, The Vampire Underground is entertaining and action packed, and some of the scenarios definitely set my heart racing! Using the ghost town is a great way to include a creepy setting for the story and really adds to the realism of the plot.
The Cover:
Quite honestly, this cover does nothing for me. The story is great and has a really serious feel to it that this cover just seems to mock. I mean, it looks like a cartoon figure holding a banana. Now, once I read the book and enlarged the image, I understand that it is indeed NOT a banana and the picture makes more sense. But when I first see it, I think that this book is going to be a comedy or at least have comedic aspects. It’s a cool cover, but one that I don’t feel is fitting to this book.
I give The Vampire Underground 4 out of 5 hearts: Great Book
Reading the premise, I am caught up in the idea Rowe weaves of a horror film shooting actually turning into a horror story. It’s a fantastic idea, and it also brings with it the possibility of a new spin on the vampire story… you know, where they don’t all sparkle and look like Greek Gods. The ideas portrayed in the summary are all very intriguing, and I really hope, when it all comes together, that it unfolds in a believable way.
The Vampire Underground truly works in a way I didn’t expect. Rowe successfully meshed drama, vampires, a little bit of horror (not so much I had to put the book down), and romance in a tasteful way. The story moved at a good pace, and I never got bored or felt like it was rushing. I do think that the premise gives a little too much away because some of that information isn’t revealed until late in the book, but there are enough other surprises that kept my attention.
Brin is a very unique character. Throughout The Vampire Underground I really see how she holds her ground and really pushes herself to become the best she can be. It’s refreshing to see her tackle challenges and stand up for things she wants;. She’s no shrinking violet, and I found that commendable. Her relationship with her best friend, Ash, is totally platonic and very relatable. We all have that one person whom we talk to everyday and would trust with our life. For Brin, that person is Ash. I won’t say too much, because I really want everyone to read the book for themselves, but Ash’s name has a back-story that should not be missed!
One thing that I am not very happy with is the level of violence between the members of the film group. Even before all the vampires are introduced, the students are constantly in each other’s faces and shouting. I understand that they are high schoolers on a short leash, but COME ON, we aren’t that violent or volatile! Everyone has people they don’t like, but this book takes it to a level that seems unrealistic and overdramatic.
The horror aspect of this book is more gruesome than I expected, and it definitely has some OMGOSH moments. Luckily, most of the book isn’t too scary or I wouldn’t have been able to finish it. Overall, The Vampire Underground is entertaining and action packed, and some of the scenarios definitely set my heart racing! Using the ghost town is a great way to include a creepy setting for the story and really adds to the realism of the plot.
The Cover:
Quite honestly, this cover does nothing for me. The story is great and has a really serious feel to it that this cover just seems to mock. I mean, it looks like a cartoon figure holding a banana. Now, once I read the book and enlarged the image, I understand that it is indeed NOT a banana and the picture makes more sense. But when I first see it, I think that this book is going to be a comedy or at least have comedic aspects. It’s a cool cover, but one that I don’t feel is fitting to this book.
I give The Vampire Underground 4 out of 5 hearts: Great Book
June 2, 2012
MICHELLE'S REVIEW:
RATING: 3.25 STARS!
“You wouldn’t believe what happened to me this weekend, Dad. If a writer wrote it, if a director filmed it, everyone would call it fiction. But I was there.........”
This is my fourth book I have read by author Brian Rowe. I think to read Brian’s Birthday Trilogy and Grisly High series you need to throw seriousness out the window and just go with it. Don’t question plot and character depth. I do not mean this in a bad way. It is the way to enjoy Brian’s two series I have just mentioned.
Brian just has a crazy time with his writing. I do wonder sometimes at the strength of his male characters as they do tend to cry in his books. I would like to see them stronger figures, especially for their age. I am all for the guy that can get in touch with his inner emotions, but......
I do laugh at his writing, it puts a smile on my face and sometimes that is the medicine the doctor ordered. I can at the same time feel a tendency to get frustrated when things are left way open or how blase' he can be about some of his plot and the flaws you can fall into. I truly am not meaning to be rude, it just is, with Brian’s writing. I just find myself laughing and possibly doing a bit of a WT?!!
The Vampire Underground has an intriguing start with Grace and her grandpa in his RV. Then we turn to Brin , Ash and the crew at Grisly High and their film projects.
Ash is Brin’s guy bff. He is on another film group who are doing their thing during this story. The film projects are what gives this story its direction. We go between Brin’s groups project, and Ash’s groups project. Ash’s group has a lot calmer filming schedule. LOL!! Brin’s with the ever present Anaya...not so much.
Anaya’s character I sometimes felt sorry for how Brian wrote her, as she is a rather large girl and I did cringe sometimes how he described the poor girl. At the same time I liked her ‘not get pushed around ‘, attitude.
Brin finds herself out at Bodie Ghost Town with the over enthusiastic Anaya, Chace, Lavender, Dylan and Sawyer. I did laugh out loud at Anaya needing ‘that shot’ when hell broke loose. Half of these kids wind up buck naked in some underground circus, weird, killing, lotto drawing crazy thing that DROZ is master of ceremonies over.
Then we have Paul.....hmmmm...need more information. Paul and the rest of the characters of Bodie Ghost Town... I don’t think we get the information needed in this first instalment to understand them. I know they are vampires, I don’t know much else. The why, where? I had no depth to Paul’s character. He was a good guy and that is about it.
I liked Ash. He is a loyal guy bff, who has a bit of a crappy temper with remakes of the classic horrors. Not sure where that outburst came from? Very level headed until you mention a remake.
Visually that whole crazy blood thirsty underground circus scene would look quite spectacular on the big screen , creepy and frightening and colourful.
This could almost be a CULT B-Grade movie if done right. It is that crazy in parts. I would get my plot filler out and fill up those holes. Somebody on Goodreads has explained it perfectly and politely. They gave two stars, I give this 3.25 stars.
This series has great potential if the plot flaws can be ironed out and some time spent on the characters development. This is just my personal opinion.
RATING: 3.25 STARS!
“You wouldn’t believe what happened to me this weekend, Dad. If a writer wrote it, if a director filmed it, everyone would call it fiction. But I was there.........”
This is my fourth book I have read by author Brian Rowe. I think to read Brian’s Birthday Trilogy and Grisly High series you need to throw seriousness out the window and just go with it. Don’t question plot and character depth. I do not mean this in a bad way. It is the way to enjoy Brian’s two series I have just mentioned.
Brian just has a crazy time with his writing. I do wonder sometimes at the strength of his male characters as they do tend to cry in his books. I would like to see them stronger figures, especially for their age. I am all for the guy that can get in touch with his inner emotions, but......
I do laugh at his writing, it puts a smile on my face and sometimes that is the medicine the doctor ordered. I can at the same time feel a tendency to get frustrated when things are left way open or how blase' he can be about some of his plot and the flaws you can fall into. I truly am not meaning to be rude, it just is, with Brian’s writing. I just find myself laughing and possibly doing a bit of a WT?!!
The Vampire Underground has an intriguing start with Grace and her grandpa in his RV. Then we turn to Brin , Ash and the crew at Grisly High and their film projects.
Ash is Brin’s guy bff. He is on another film group who are doing their thing during this story. The film projects are what gives this story its direction. We go between Brin’s groups project, and Ash’s groups project. Ash’s group has a lot calmer filming schedule. LOL!! Brin’s with the ever present Anaya...not so much.
Anaya’s character I sometimes felt sorry for how Brian wrote her, as she is a rather large girl and I did cringe sometimes how he described the poor girl. At the same time I liked her ‘not get pushed around ‘, attitude.
Brin finds herself out at Bodie Ghost Town with the over enthusiastic Anaya, Chace, Lavender, Dylan and Sawyer. I did laugh out loud at Anaya needing ‘that shot’ when hell broke loose. Half of these kids wind up buck naked in some underground circus, weird, killing, lotto drawing crazy thing that DROZ is master of ceremonies over.
Then we have Paul.....hmmmm...need more information. Paul and the rest of the characters of Bodie Ghost Town... I don’t think we get the information needed in this first instalment to understand them. I know they are vampires, I don’t know much else. The why, where? I had no depth to Paul’s character. He was a good guy and that is about it.
I liked Ash. He is a loyal guy bff, who has a bit of a crappy temper with remakes of the classic horrors. Not sure where that outburst came from? Very level headed until you mention a remake.
Visually that whole crazy blood thirsty underground circus scene would look quite spectacular on the big screen , creepy and frightening and colourful.
This could almost be a CULT B-Grade movie if done right. It is that crazy in parts. I would get my plot filler out and fill up those holes. Somebody on Goodreads has explained it perfectly and politely. They gave two stars, I give this 3.25 stars.
This series has great potential if the plot flaws can be ironed out and some time spent on the characters development. This is just my personal opinion.
June 2, 2012
RATING: 3.25 STARS!
“You wouldn’t believe what happened to me this weekend, Dad. If a writer wrote it, if a director filmed it, everyone would call it fiction. But I was there.........”
This is my fourth book I have read by author Brian Rowe. I think to read Brian’s Birthday Trilogy and Grisly High series you need to throw seriousness out the window and just go with it. Don’t question plot and character depth. I do not mean this in a bad way. It is the way to enjoy Brian’s two series I have just mentioned.
Brian just has a crazy time with his writing. I do wonder sometimes at the strength of his male characters as they do tend to cry in his books. I would like to see them stronger figures, especially for their age. I am all for the guy that can get in touch with his inner emotions, but......
I do laugh at his writing, it puts a smile on my face and sometimes that is the medicine the doctor ordered. I can at the same time feel a tendency to get frustrated when things are left way open or how blase' he can be about some of his plot and the flaws you can fall into. I truly am not meaning to be rude, it just is, with Brian’s writing. I just find myself laughing and possibly doing a bit of a WT?!!
The Vampire Underground has an intriguing start with Grace and her grandpa in his RV. Then we turn to Brin , Ash and the crew at Grisly High and their film projects.
Ash is Brin’s guy bff. He is on another film group who are doing their thing during this story. The film projects are what gives this story its direction. We go between Brin’s groups project, and Ash’s groups project. Ash’s group has a lot calmer filming schedule. LOL!! Brin’s with the ever present Anaya...not so much.
Anaya’s character I sometimes felt sorry for how Brian wrote her, as she is a rather large girl and I did cringe sometimes how he described the poor girl. At the same time I liked her ‘not get pushed around ‘, attitude.
Brin finds herself out at Bodie Ghost Town with the over enthusiastic Anaya, Chace, Lavender, Dylan and Sawyer. I did laugh out loud at Anaya needing ‘that shot’ when hell broke loose. Half of these kids wind up buck naked in some underground circus, weird, killing, lotto drawing crazy thing that DROZ is master of ceremonies over.
Then we have Paul.....hmmmm...need more information. Paul and the rest of the characters of Bodie Ghost Town... I don’t think we get the information needed in this first instalment to understand them. I know they are vampires, I don’t know much else. The why, where? I had no depth to Paul’s character. He was a good guy and that is about it.
I liked Ash. He is a loyal guy bff, who has a bit of a crappy temper with remakes of the classic horrors. Not sure where that outburst came from? Very level headed until you mention a remake.
Visually that whole crazy blood thirsty underground circus scene would look quite spectacular on the big screen , creepy and frightening and colourful.
This could almost be a CULT B-Grade movie if done right. It is that crazy in parts. I would get my plot filler out and fill up those holes. Somebody on Goodreads has explained it perfectly and politely. They gave two stars, I give this 3.25 stars.
This series has great potential if the plot flaws can be ironed out and some time spent on the characters development. This is just my personal opinion.
“You wouldn’t believe what happened to me this weekend, Dad. If a writer wrote it, if a director filmed it, everyone would call it fiction. But I was there.........”
This is my fourth book I have read by author Brian Rowe. I think to read Brian’s Birthday Trilogy and Grisly High series you need to throw seriousness out the window and just go with it. Don’t question plot and character depth. I do not mean this in a bad way. It is the way to enjoy Brian’s two series I have just mentioned.
Brian just has a crazy time with his writing. I do wonder sometimes at the strength of his male characters as they do tend to cry in his books. I would like to see them stronger figures, especially for their age. I am all for the guy that can get in touch with his inner emotions, but......
I do laugh at his writing, it puts a smile on my face and sometimes that is the medicine the doctor ordered. I can at the same time feel a tendency to get frustrated when things are left way open or how blase' he can be about some of his plot and the flaws you can fall into. I truly am not meaning to be rude, it just is, with Brian’s writing. I just find myself laughing and possibly doing a bit of a WT?!!
The Vampire Underground has an intriguing start with Grace and her grandpa in his RV. Then we turn to Brin , Ash and the crew at Grisly High and their film projects.
Ash is Brin’s guy bff. He is on another film group who are doing their thing during this story. The film projects are what gives this story its direction. We go between Brin’s groups project, and Ash’s groups project. Ash’s group has a lot calmer filming schedule. LOL!! Brin’s with the ever present Anaya...not so much.
Anaya’s character I sometimes felt sorry for how Brian wrote her, as she is a rather large girl and I did cringe sometimes how he described the poor girl. At the same time I liked her ‘not get pushed around ‘, attitude.
Brin finds herself out at Bodie Ghost Town with the over enthusiastic Anaya, Chace, Lavender, Dylan and Sawyer. I did laugh out loud at Anaya needing ‘that shot’ when hell broke loose. Half of these kids wind up buck naked in some underground circus, weird, killing, lotto drawing crazy thing that DROZ is master of ceremonies over.
Then we have Paul.....hmmmm...need more information. Paul and the rest of the characters of Bodie Ghost Town... I don’t think we get the information needed in this first instalment to understand them. I know they are vampires, I don’t know much else. The why, where? I had no depth to Paul’s character. He was a good guy and that is about it.
I liked Ash. He is a loyal guy bff, who has a bit of a crappy temper with remakes of the classic horrors. Not sure where that outburst came from? Very level headed until you mention a remake.
Visually that whole crazy blood thirsty underground circus scene would look quite spectacular on the big screen , creepy and frightening and colourful.
This could almost be a CULT B-Grade movie if done right. It is that crazy in parts. I would get my plot filler out and fill up those holes. Somebody on Goodreads has explained it perfectly and politely. They gave two stars, I give this 3.25 stars.
This series has great potential if the plot flaws can be ironed out and some time spent on the characters development. This is just my personal opinion.
April 26, 2012
Originally posted @ Book Whales
We follow Brin Skar, a teenage girl with a thing for “films”, but there’s one genre that she doesn’t like. The Horror Genre, and much to her dismay, her film class is devoted to this genre. Well at least her best friend Ash is happy right? Then to make things worse for her, her teacher grouped them into six and they will be making their very own horror movie. Now how fun is that? Well apparently, it is a nightmare for our dear protagonist.
Anaya Frost volunteered—or rather desperately wanted—to be the director, and although Brin also wanted to do that part, she gave up and let Anaya do what she wants. For the movie, they travelled all the way to Bodie which seemed like the perfect place to shoot their scenes. It’s practically a ghost town, and not a single soul lives there, or that’s what they thought.
The Vampire Underground is a really fun read for me. Although it has the “vampire” concept that most novels have, this is a bit different because it is more of a horror genre than that of the paranormal. The story is more about survival, but there were a few hints of romance. It was a fast read and very, VERY thrilling that I find myself biting my nails in anticipation as I uncover the events. The characters are very interesting as well! Brin, is a strong heroine, and although there were moments that she seemed too dependent on Paul, she still struggles to push back her fears just so she can save her friends from the blood-suckers.
Ash is another awesome character! He’s quirky and funny, and all his remarks about his obsession with films are so hilarious! I have to admit that I didn’t like Anaya at first. She’s bossy and so full of herself, but as I continue reading, I finally understood why she’s like that.
The pacing is a bit slow at the beginning, but when the “vampires” finally appear, things start getting much, much better. I easily finished this book in one sitting because I couldn’t wait what happens next. The ending was such a cliffhanger and I sooo cannot wait for book two!
Rating:
We follow Brin Skar, a teenage girl with a thing for “films”, but there’s one genre that she doesn’t like. The Horror Genre, and much to her dismay, her film class is devoted to this genre. Well at least her best friend Ash is happy right? Then to make things worse for her, her teacher grouped them into six and they will be making their very own horror movie. Now how fun is that? Well apparently, it is a nightmare for our dear protagonist.
Anaya Frost volunteered—or rather desperately wanted—to be the director, and although Brin also wanted to do that part, she gave up and let Anaya do what she wants. For the movie, they travelled all the way to Bodie which seemed like the perfect place to shoot their scenes. It’s practically a ghost town, and not a single soul lives there, or that’s what they thought.
The Vampire Underground is a really fun read for me. Although it has the “vampire” concept that most novels have, this is a bit different because it is more of a horror genre than that of the paranormal. The story is more about survival, but there were a few hints of romance. It was a fast read and very, VERY thrilling that I find myself biting my nails in anticipation as I uncover the events. The characters are very interesting as well! Brin, is a strong heroine, and although there were moments that she seemed too dependent on Paul, she still struggles to push back her fears just so she can save her friends from the blood-suckers.
Ash is another awesome character! He’s quirky and funny, and all his remarks about his obsession with films are so hilarious! I have to admit that I didn’t like Anaya at first. She’s bossy and so full of herself, but as I continue reading, I finally understood why she’s like that.
The pacing is a bit slow at the beginning, but when the “vampires” finally appear, things start getting much, much better. I easily finished this book in one sitting because I couldn’t wait what happens next. The ending was such a cliffhanger and I sooo cannot wait for book two!
Rating:
May 7, 2012
Overall Thoughts:
I couldn't possibly summarize this book so the only thing I will say is: This book is an absolute roller coaster! My eyes stayed glued to it from start to finish. Ahh... so entertaining!
The Vampire Underground is about a girl named Brin Skar who begins taking a film class in high school where they're studying the horror genre, which is Brin's least favorite genre. Her teacher decides to give the entire class a group project which consists of the students creating a horror film. Brin gets a bit discouraged when she's not partnered up with her best friend, Ash, but is okay with her group until she's finds out that she has to work with a girl named Anaya, who's pretty much terrible.
Each person in the group has a specific job to do (i.e. director, writer, actor, cinematographer). Anaya chooses herself as both director and writer, and decides that they should film their movie in Bodie Ghost Town, which is exactly what it sounds like. Not a soul wanders in Bodie, so the group sees it as the perfect setting! What they don't see is the clan of vampires lurking in wait to attack...
What I liked about this book:
This book surprised the crap out of me! I loved that the author used old school, ugly, gory vampires and not the Twilight-esque kind. Less sparkle, more gloom! This book was all about fighting to stay alive and survival. Just think about it: Six kids travel to a ghost town... who makes it out alive?
I read the summary and although it sounded interesting, I didn't think I'd love this book as much I did. It was an incredible page turn! It brought me to the edge of my seat (even though I read it in bed, laying down)! And it made me want to bite my nails right down to the nub (Old habits die hard!).
Even though Anaya was a terrible character in the beginning, the little nugget grew on me and I kept praying for her to survive with Brin and make it out alive. You will be totally shocked! Yes, I am excited.
What I disliked about this book:
Eh... not a huge fan of the cover. Oh, and there was a very mean cliff-hanger at the end that made me want to pee my pants (And no, I'm not 10 years old)
Verdict:
Please read this book if you need an adrenaline rush!
I couldn't possibly summarize this book so the only thing I will say is: This book is an absolute roller coaster! My eyes stayed glued to it from start to finish. Ahh... so entertaining!
The Vampire Underground is about a girl named Brin Skar who begins taking a film class in high school where they're studying the horror genre, which is Brin's least favorite genre. Her teacher decides to give the entire class a group project which consists of the students creating a horror film. Brin gets a bit discouraged when she's not partnered up with her best friend, Ash, but is okay with her group until she's finds out that she has to work with a girl named Anaya, who's pretty much terrible.
Each person in the group has a specific job to do (i.e. director, writer, actor, cinematographer). Anaya chooses herself as both director and writer, and decides that they should film their movie in Bodie Ghost Town, which is exactly what it sounds like. Not a soul wanders in Bodie, so the group sees it as the perfect setting! What they don't see is the clan of vampires lurking in wait to attack...
What I liked about this book:
This book surprised the crap out of me! I loved that the author used old school, ugly, gory vampires and not the Twilight-esque kind. Less sparkle, more gloom! This book was all about fighting to stay alive and survival. Just think about it: Six kids travel to a ghost town... who makes it out alive?
I read the summary and although it sounded interesting, I didn't think I'd love this book as much I did. It was an incredible page turn! It brought me to the edge of my seat (even though I read it in bed, laying down)! And it made me want to bite my nails right down to the nub (Old habits die hard!).
Even though Anaya was a terrible character in the beginning, the little nugget grew on me and I kept praying for her to survive with Brin and make it out alive. You will be totally shocked! Yes, I am excited.
What I disliked about this book:
Eh... not a huge fan of the cover. Oh, and there was a very mean cliff-hanger at the end that made me want to pee my pants (And no, I'm not 10 years old)
Verdict:
Please read this book if you need an adrenaline rush!
July 4, 2013
A lot of the time this book feels like an antidote to Twilight. The film-buff kids even ridicule poor Bella and Edward's story, favouring instead classics such as Nosferatu. Little do they realise they're going to end up in their own vampire horror film.
Much of the book reads like a teen horror film. It would, indeed, make a great film. A bunch of kids go to an abandoned ghost town (down a road that's been closed, no less) to make a short movie for their film class, and get a whole lot more horror than they bargained for. In between there's the kooky tale of two best friends, and a fledgling romance that's not too far away from the Twilight the kids have such derision for. What's not to love?
Brin is your bog-standard protagonist, a girl who isn't the most popular, but she's pretty, smart and has her best boy friend Ash to rely on. Ash has two gay dads, but is most definitely into girls. Not Brin though - the pair have known each other forever and are more like brother and sister. They get split up in film class, assigned to different groups in the film-making project. Brin has to put up with poster-boy Chase, girly Lavender, and Anaya, a big, fat bitch (not my words). Her saving grace is Dylan, one person she can actually stand to be around.
Anaya goes a little loco with the film project, taking over and giving it way more importance than it warrants. To the point of forcing her group to drive through thick snow and ice to a spooky ghost town to make the film. There's a lot of arguing and bickering, and then the proverbial hits the fan.
Rowe's vampires are suitably scary. They are monsters who act in hunger, without remorse. They have eyes that cast a terrifying red glow, and they can make the ground open up and swallow you. At this point the book gets scary in the style of the best horror films. There's a freaky underground lair, there's vampires dressed as clowns (even more freaky!), there's blood, gore and death.
The book ends with the culmination of a very big, unwanted and horrifying adventure for Brin, but it's clear that there's so much more to come. Bring on book two!
Copy provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Full review at http://escapeintowords.blogspot.co.uk...
Much of the book reads like a teen horror film. It would, indeed, make a great film. A bunch of kids go to an abandoned ghost town (down a road that's been closed, no less) to make a short movie for their film class, and get a whole lot more horror than they bargained for. In between there's the kooky tale of two best friends, and a fledgling romance that's not too far away from the Twilight the kids have such derision for. What's not to love?
Brin is your bog-standard protagonist, a girl who isn't the most popular, but she's pretty, smart and has her best boy friend Ash to rely on. Ash has two gay dads, but is most definitely into girls. Not Brin though - the pair have known each other forever and are more like brother and sister. They get split up in film class, assigned to different groups in the film-making project. Brin has to put up with poster-boy Chase, girly Lavender, and Anaya, a big, fat bitch (not my words). Her saving grace is Dylan, one person she can actually stand to be around.
Anaya goes a little loco with the film project, taking over and giving it way more importance than it warrants. To the point of forcing her group to drive through thick snow and ice to a spooky ghost town to make the film. There's a lot of arguing and bickering, and then the proverbial hits the fan.
Rowe's vampires are suitably scary. They are monsters who act in hunger, without remorse. They have eyes that cast a terrifying red glow, and they can make the ground open up and swallow you. At this point the book gets scary in the style of the best horror films. There's a freaky underground lair, there's vampires dressed as clowns (even more freaky!), there's blood, gore and death.
The book ends with the culmination of a very big, unwanted and horrifying adventure for Brin, but it's clear that there's so much more to come. Bring on book two!
Copy provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Full review at http://escapeintowords.blogspot.co.uk...
June 5, 2012
Brian Rowe knows how to captivate his readers. He develops characters and plot lines that are hard to resist. This read was like a roller coaster ride for me. The anticipation while getting buckled in and comfortable not knowing what to expect then you take off and there are twists and turns some slow moments then off and roaring. Getting a little scared but then calming down. When the ride ends you know there is nothing like what you just experienced. There’s the excitement of “oh man that was cool” or “I almost lost my cookies back there”. Definitely nothing like it.
That is how I felt about this book. Having read the Birthday trilogy by Brian Rowe I knew this was a ride I was willing to take. I got comfortable on the couch and dug right in. At first Brian is building the story and developing the characters. Then the story takes off and there are thrills along the twists and turns of the plot. There was humor, horror, and action along this ride. At the end I thought I was going to just unbuckle and go about my business but oh no. Brian throws in something that has me chomping at the bit to get on this ride again. Can’t wait!!!
Vampire Underground is something different in the vampire genre. It’s not the romantic but the horrific. I loved the idea of the underground world of the vampires. It was an underground scary circus. I kind of pictured in my mind the scene in the movie Interview with the Vampire where the vampires turned their killing into a show for an audience. It was brilliant and scary.
By far the character that stole the show and my affections was Ash. OMG, he was the humor to the story. A movie buff that loves the horror genre, doesn’t put up with remakes of classics, and is a loyal friend. He was the comic relief to the seriousness of what was going on around him. Loved that dynamic.
This is a fantastic read for any fan of books with great story lines. This is worth taking a chance on but hold on to your seat because you are in for a thrilling ride.
* I received a copy for an honest review
That is how I felt about this book. Having read the Birthday trilogy by Brian Rowe I knew this was a ride I was willing to take. I got comfortable on the couch and dug right in. At first Brian is building the story and developing the characters. Then the story takes off and there are thrills along the twists and turns of the plot. There was humor, horror, and action along this ride. At the end I thought I was going to just unbuckle and go about my business but oh no. Brian throws in something that has me chomping at the bit to get on this ride again. Can’t wait!!!
Vampire Underground is something different in the vampire genre. It’s not the romantic but the horrific. I loved the idea of the underground world of the vampires. It was an underground scary circus. I kind of pictured in my mind the scene in the movie Interview with the Vampire where the vampires turned their killing into a show for an audience. It was brilliant and scary.
By far the character that stole the show and my affections was Ash. OMG, he was the humor to the story. A movie buff that loves the horror genre, doesn’t put up with remakes of classics, and is a loyal friend. He was the comic relief to the seriousness of what was going on around him. Loved that dynamic.
This is a fantastic read for any fan of books with great story lines. This is worth taking a chance on but hold on to your seat because you are in for a thrilling ride.
* I received a copy for an honest review
January 19, 2014
Book Review- Vampire Underground by Brian Rowe
Brin is a high school junior. She is about to go back to school after her winter break. She is not thrilled. The only high point is her Intro to Film class. She has waited a year to take it. She and her best friend Ash are excited and ready to explore their favorite thing.
The first assignment is to make a horror movie with another genera twist. Brin’s group gets a western twist while Ash’s group gets a musical. Brin wants to direct the movie but she clashes with Anaya, the big beast of a girl, who wants to direct also. Brin ends up being shot down by her teacher and has to bend to Anaya’s dictation. She chooses to film at Bodie Ghost down on a Saturday. Brin has to choose between filming and going to her father’s grave. She chooses filming.
Once at Bodie everything goes wrong. The road is closed but Anaya pushes forward anyway. Brin keeps seeing people that shouldn’t really be there. The van gets stuck and they have to walk the rest of the way. Their ride home is in jeopardy too paired with no phone service. Then Anaya refuses to listen to reason in pursuit of filming the movie for class.
When the van is finally broken free and brought in for a filming angle, Sawyer loses control and crashes it. It flips and bursts into flames burning him badly. Brin elects to walk to the main road for help. She and Chace take off while the others stay behind. As they make their way through the cold and snow, the nightmare begins.
This is a YA horror story. It isn’t my usual taste, but it was pretty interesting. For those who like horror, it doesn’t disappoint. It has death, vampires, destruction and deceit. I couldn’t stop reading it to see what happened next. It was a hair raising story full suspense and scary situations. I give it a 3 out of 5.
Brin is a high school junior. She is about to go back to school after her winter break. She is not thrilled. The only high point is her Intro to Film class. She has waited a year to take it. She and her best friend Ash are excited and ready to explore their favorite thing.
The first assignment is to make a horror movie with another genera twist. Brin’s group gets a western twist while Ash’s group gets a musical. Brin wants to direct the movie but she clashes with Anaya, the big beast of a girl, who wants to direct also. Brin ends up being shot down by her teacher and has to bend to Anaya’s dictation. She chooses to film at Bodie Ghost down on a Saturday. Brin has to choose between filming and going to her father’s grave. She chooses filming.
Once at Bodie everything goes wrong. The road is closed but Anaya pushes forward anyway. Brin keeps seeing people that shouldn’t really be there. The van gets stuck and they have to walk the rest of the way. Their ride home is in jeopardy too paired with no phone service. Then Anaya refuses to listen to reason in pursuit of filming the movie for class.
When the van is finally broken free and brought in for a filming angle, Sawyer loses control and crashes it. It flips and bursts into flames burning him badly. Brin elects to walk to the main road for help. She and Chace take off while the others stay behind. As they make their way through the cold and snow, the nightmare begins.
This is a YA horror story. It isn’t my usual taste, but it was pretty interesting. For those who like horror, it doesn’t disappoint. It has death, vampires, destruction and deceit. I couldn’t stop reading it to see what happened next. It was a hair raising story full suspense and scary situations. I give it a 3 out of 5.
June 11, 2014
I received The Vampire Underground as a review request from indie author Brian Rowe. I read the synopsis (which I don’t usually do) and was instantly hooked. The file sat in my Kindle for a few weeks while I waded my way through the never-ending TBR pile and I decided to bump it to the top of the list.
The opening chapter is the epitome of BAIT. One of the best and most old school horror openings I’ve read in a book. That one piece of story was enough to make me want to keep going.
The Vampire Underground wasn’t at all what I was expecting. I was expecting another modern urban fantasy with vampires that, despite the fact that they are cold killers when you really break it down, give you a reason making it impossible to not love them. Don’t get me wrong. I LOVE VAMP FICTION. Obviously. I love the monsters that you cant help but have a soft spot for. (It’s my thing. Don’t judge me.) If that’s what you’re looking for, this is not your book. The Vampire Underground, is like a cross between traditional vampire fiction and grind house horror flicks. These vamps are straight up monsters. Even the book cover has an old grind house horror feel.
The main characters are kind of adorable in their own way. Brin and Ash are very Dawson’s Creek with their movie buffdom and teenage banter. Their friendship is very cute.
The only issue that I really had with this book is the age group seems to be very mixed. The interaction between Brin and Ash feels very Young Adult but the horror end of it is horror feeling enough that I don’t know if it would be appropriate for YA. Due to this, I don’t know who the book would be recommended for.
Overall, I am giving The Vampire Underground a solid 3 stars. Great story with a good cast. Solid writing but not mind blowing.
The opening chapter is the epitome of BAIT. One of the best and most old school horror openings I’ve read in a book. That one piece of story was enough to make me want to keep going.
The Vampire Underground wasn’t at all what I was expecting. I was expecting another modern urban fantasy with vampires that, despite the fact that they are cold killers when you really break it down, give you a reason making it impossible to not love them. Don’t get me wrong. I LOVE VAMP FICTION. Obviously. I love the monsters that you cant help but have a soft spot for. (It’s my thing. Don’t judge me.) If that’s what you’re looking for, this is not your book. The Vampire Underground, is like a cross between traditional vampire fiction and grind house horror flicks. These vamps are straight up monsters. Even the book cover has an old grind house horror feel.
The main characters are kind of adorable in their own way. Brin and Ash are very Dawson’s Creek with their movie buffdom and teenage banter. Their friendship is very cute.
The only issue that I really had with this book is the age group seems to be very mixed. The interaction between Brin and Ash feels very Young Adult but the horror end of it is horror feeling enough that I don’t know if it would be appropriate for YA. Due to this, I don’t know who the book would be recommended for.
Overall, I am giving The Vampire Underground a solid 3 stars. Great story with a good cast. Solid writing but not mind blowing.
July 19, 2015
When you think of The Vampire Undergound, think of a real-life horror movie.
Except that it's fiction anyway. What I'm trying to say is, to me, this read like a movie. This was because it had a certain realism (even though there were vampires!) and there was some awesome description on the author's part. And this is coming from someone who does not typically visualise much when she reads.
Basically, some teens are shooting a movie, when things go wrong. Hence why my description of a real-life horror movie has a double-meaning.
But it was pretty cool. It had all the conventions of a horror movie - just in book form. The characters were cool, however not particularly likeable. Even though the characters weren't really likeable, this actually enhanced the story. It perhaps would have been better if at least Brin was a bit more likeable. I just wish my high school ran a film class.
I just can't believe I hadn't heard anything about this book until now. It was really good, I read it over a long car trip and it certainly made the ride a lot more bearable.
There were a couple of scenes in this book that definitely surprised me and I did not expect to happen. Plus I loved how there were also references to stories outside of the main plotline, like the little girl and her grandfather.
I would really like to read more books in the Grisly High series. Unfortunately this review was quite vague, but I read the book a while ago but only now am taking the opportunity to review it. I wasn't quite sure how to go about the review and kept putting it off until now. However, it says something that I can still remember this book more clearly than the one I read two days ago.
4/5 comets
Except that it's fiction anyway. What I'm trying to say is, to me, this read like a movie. This was because it had a certain realism (even though there were vampires!) and there was some awesome description on the author's part. And this is coming from someone who does not typically visualise much when she reads.
Basically, some teens are shooting a movie, when things go wrong. Hence why my description of a real-life horror movie has a double-meaning.
But it was pretty cool. It had all the conventions of a horror movie - just in book form. The characters were cool, however not particularly likeable. Even though the characters weren't really likeable, this actually enhanced the story. It perhaps would have been better if at least Brin was a bit more likeable. I just wish my high school ran a film class.
I just can't believe I hadn't heard anything about this book until now. It was really good, I read it over a long car trip and it certainly made the ride a lot more bearable.
There were a couple of scenes in this book that definitely surprised me and I did not expect to happen. Plus I loved how there were also references to stories outside of the main plotline, like the little girl and her grandfather.
I would really like to read more books in the Grisly High series. Unfortunately this review was quite vague, but I read the book a while ago but only now am taking the opportunity to review it. I wasn't quite sure how to go about the review and kept putting it off until now. However, it says something that I can still remember this book more clearly than the one I read two days ago.
4/5 comets
April 29, 2012
The Vampire Underground is...fantastic! I love vampire stories and this was no exception. I have been a fan of Brian Rowe for some time now and I just love his writing style and his stories.
Brin is a sixteen year old girl who love movies. Brin and her best friend have a film class together and are super excited when the teacher tells the class that they are going to make a five minute horro movie. Unfortunately they are separated into two different groups. Brin gets stuck with people she doesn't really know or like. Brin and her group head to the deserted ghost town of Bodie. She has to put up with the bossy outcast girl who has taken over the role of writer and director of their group. Little does she know that is only the beginning of her nightmare to come.
I literally felt like I was watching a horror movie and at times I felt like I was right there with them. The vampires in this story are not ones that you want to run into any time of the day. This book kept me up late at night because I couldn't put it down. It was intense, scary and a real page turner. There is a hint of romance, hopefully something to come in the next one. I actually liked Paul and hope things work out for him. You'll have to read the book to find out who and what he is. The last page, wow what a cliffhanger ending we are left with. I was like OMG and then it ended. I'm recommending this one, but beware these are scary, gory vampires with a bit of humor. I can't wait to read the next one!
This e-book was given to be by the author for review. This did not affect my review in any way.
Brin is a sixteen year old girl who love movies. Brin and her best friend have a film class together and are super excited when the teacher tells the class that they are going to make a five minute horro movie. Unfortunately they are separated into two different groups. Brin gets stuck with people she doesn't really know or like. Brin and her group head to the deserted ghost town of Bodie. She has to put up with the bossy outcast girl who has taken over the role of writer and director of their group. Little does she know that is only the beginning of her nightmare to come.
I literally felt like I was watching a horror movie and at times I felt like I was right there with them. The vampires in this story are not ones that you want to run into any time of the day. This book kept me up late at night because I couldn't put it down. It was intense, scary and a real page turner. There is a hint of romance, hopefully something to come in the next one. I actually liked Paul and hope things work out for him. You'll have to read the book to find out who and what he is. The last page, wow what a cliffhanger ending we are left with. I was like OMG and then it ended. I'm recommending this one, but beware these are scary, gory vampires with a bit of humor. I can't wait to read the next one!
This e-book was given to be by the author for review. This did not affect my review in any way.
April 18, 2012
When I started The Vampire Underground, I thought the prologue was great – let’s get to the vampires! Then Chapter One starts with Brin and her best friend Ash excited about the class you can only take in your junior and senior year, Into to Film. For huge film buffs, this is the ultimate in classes. But when they get there, Brin is disappointed because the entire class is going to be about horror films – her least favorite genre.
When the class is told they will be making a short mixed genre movie, Brin’s excited because she wants to write the script and direct. Yet, the group she gets thrown into doesn’t exactly support her creative endeavors. Brin’s bullied into letting Anaya Frost direct and write the script, which seemed out of character for her.
There seems to be a lot of whining on Brin’s part, not only about the movie, but about everything. She’s not exactly the most likable main character. Then there is Ash’s sense of movie superiority, to the point of screaming at someone who was watching a remake of a horror film (granted the original is a classic). I wasn’t much of a fan of many of the characters overall, but I liked the atmosphere the author created and the odd vampires who winter in the Bodie Ghost Town. I do wish we learned more about these vampires, but there was never enough time for Paul (the friendly vampire) to explain anything to Brin, and by extension to the reader. I did like the movie references and trivia, Ash’s two dads, and how the ‘2nd’ part of the book felt like you were watching a horror movie, instead of reading a story.
Grisly High series: The Vampire Underground (1)
When the class is told they will be making a short mixed genre movie, Brin’s excited because she wants to write the script and direct. Yet, the group she gets thrown into doesn’t exactly support her creative endeavors. Brin’s bullied into letting Anaya Frost direct and write the script, which seemed out of character for her.
There seems to be a lot of whining on Brin’s part, not only about the movie, but about everything. She’s not exactly the most likable main character. Then there is Ash’s sense of movie superiority, to the point of screaming at someone who was watching a remake of a horror film (granted the original is a classic). I wasn’t much of a fan of many of the characters overall, but I liked the atmosphere the author created and the odd vampires who winter in the Bodie Ghost Town. I do wish we learned more about these vampires, but there was never enough time for Paul (the friendly vampire) to explain anything to Brin, and by extension to the reader. I did like the movie references and trivia, Ash’s two dads, and how the ‘2nd’ part of the book felt like you were watching a horror movie, instead of reading a story.
Grisly High series: The Vampire Underground (1)
October 7, 2012
The novel starts off with a grandfather and his granddaughter stopping in their RV and then being attacked by what we can assume are Vampires. The story then flicks to the life of Brin and her friend Ash. They are about to start the new year and one of the classes they have signed up for his Intro to Film. It seems that their wonderful teacher is into the Art of Horror films which Ash loves , but for Brin this is the worst as she can't stand to get scared in movies . When the class are given their assignments , they have to film a short movie - Brin finds herself in a group with Anaya who will turn out to be her Arch-enemy in the tale. To make it authentic Anaya wants them to travel to a Ghost town. The group then travel to the Ghost town but little do they realise that the Ghost town is in fact a breeding ground for Vampires and not the type that are illustrated by Bill Compton or Edward Cullen but think Lost Boys. Can the group find their way out or will they become the feast of the Vampire Underground.
Reading the ending will want you to go out and buy Book #2 as Book #1 ended on a Cliffhanger which had the reader going OMG , I so want to find out what's going to happen with Brin.....
The Vampire Underground is a story for those who are wanting to find their way back to what "REAL" Vampire fiction is and not this upper-class Blue Bloods or Fashionista Vampires which are shown in most books nowadays following the Twilight Trend. Though to clarify myself , This is in no way saying that I don't enjoy Twilight or the trend it brung as I love those stories as well - maybe even more than the "REAL" Vampire tales.
Reading the ending will want you to go out and buy Book #2 as Book #1 ended on a Cliffhanger which had the reader going OMG , I so want to find out what's going to happen with Brin.....
The Vampire Underground is a story for those who are wanting to find their way back to what "REAL" Vampire fiction is and not this upper-class Blue Bloods or Fashionista Vampires which are shown in most books nowadays following the Twilight Trend. Though to clarify myself , This is in no way saying that I don't enjoy Twilight or the trend it brung as I love those stories as well - maybe even more than the "REAL" Vampire tales.
March 29, 2014
The Vampire Underground is a really fun read for me. Although it has the “vampire” concept that most novels have, this is a bit different because it is more of a horror genre than that of the paranormal. The story is more about survival, but there were a few hints of romance. It was a fast read and very, VERY thrilling that I find myself biting my nails in anticipation as I uncover the events. The characters are very interesting as well! Brin, is a strong heroine, and although there were moments that she seemed too dependent on Paul, she still struggles to push back her fears just so she can save her friends from the blood-suckers.
Ash is another awesome character! He’s quirky and funny, and all his remarks about his obsession with films are so hilarious! I have to admit that I didn’t like Anaya at first. She’s bossy and so full of herself, but as I continue reading, I finally understood why she’s like that.
The pacing is a bit slow at the beginning, but when the “vampires” finally appear, things start getting much, much better. I easily finished this book in one sitting because I couldn’t wait what happens next. The ending was such a cliffhanger and I sooo cannot wait for book two!
Ash is another awesome character! He’s quirky and funny, and all his remarks about his obsession with films are so hilarious! I have to admit that I didn’t like Anaya at first. She’s bossy and so full of herself, but as I continue reading, I finally understood why she’s like that.
The pacing is a bit slow at the beginning, but when the “vampires” finally appear, things start getting much, much better. I easily finished this book in one sitting because I couldn’t wait what happens next. The ending was such a cliffhanger and I sooo cannot wait for book two!
June 4, 2012
It’s not an easy task nowadays to write a vampire book that won’t lead the reader into a coma of boredom, but this book has managed to do what so many books out there have attempted and failed: make vampires scary again.
Actually, the whole book has a strange vibe to it that makes the reader perk her ears up. There’s obviously something sinister going on from the very beginning and the author does a good job of setting that mood. The characters are well-done, with Ash as my personal favorite, stealing all the scenes he’s in.
I enjoyed that there is no strong romantic aspect to the story. Most of the young adult books we read now focus on romance so much that there is very little plot. This one is the opposite and it works wonderfully. Yes, there are some plot holes that I wished had been dealt with, but since this is the first in a series, I’ll give it the benefit of a doubt and hope it’ll all get resolved in the next few books.
This was a really fun novel. I recommend it to young adult readers, and even those of you who want to read something a little different from the usual fare.
Actually, the whole book has a strange vibe to it that makes the reader perk her ears up. There’s obviously something sinister going on from the very beginning and the author does a good job of setting that mood. The characters are well-done, with Ash as my personal favorite, stealing all the scenes he’s in.
I enjoyed that there is no strong romantic aspect to the story. Most of the young adult books we read now focus on romance so much that there is very little plot. This one is the opposite and it works wonderfully. Yes, there are some plot holes that I wished had been dealt with, but since this is the first in a series, I’ll give it the benefit of a doubt and hope it’ll all get resolved in the next few books.
This was a really fun novel. I recommend it to young adult readers, and even those of you who want to read something a little different from the usual fare.
Read
October 31, 2012 The Vampire Underground is a pretty quick read - combining a love of film, teenagers trying to make their own horror movie and actually facing off against the real deal vampires. So much happens pretty quickly, but it's this pace that gives the book the energy needed to make you want to see what happens next. Brin is determined to survive at all costs and even befriends a vampire outcast in hopes of seeing daylight again. The one character that I adored the most is Brin's BFF, Ash. He is probably my favourite of the supporting cast because he is such a big film buff, snarky and a true friend. If you like vampire stories with unique ideals for vamps (this one does not have your traditional vamps - no burn in daylight/sparkle in daylight), then you might just enjoy this new take on the undead. I'm also loving how the last scene with the RV gives you a hint of what is to come in book two.
February 16, 2013
It was okay, but not great. For me, it moved a bit too fast, and Anaya was ridiculously aggressive, while Brin was sensible yet whiny, and overly dramatic. The take on vampires was cool. But some parts, I just DON'T GET how the characters didn't a) freeze to death and get hypothermia, b)didn't DIE from the MULTIPLE bite wound in the NECK! wouldn't there be lacerations, wouldn't they bleed out? You don't get bit in the neck, then a second later bash a vamps head in to the point beyond unrecognizable, nor do you walk three miles and not get hypothermia when the author wrote something like, it was so cold, when Ash only walks steps from his car, his hands start to freeze. Overall, okay, but if felt a bit mediocre and unbelievable.
September 29, 2013
When I began reading this story I was probably anticipating a fantasy\ vampire\ romance similar to the Twilight series. I was completely mistaken about that but I was also expecting something more "serious" than the story as it unfolded in such an adolescent way. I found the writing style as well as the plot hard to get involved in and was very much reminded of rather badly written and badly filmed B movies from my youth. I have rarely been so disengaged by any novel of this genre and will not be reading any more of the series when they are released. Sorry I could not be more positive with my review.
January 1, 2015
It was a decent quick read that gave a little spin to the usual vampire ideology. Not so much that it will throw you off but, just different enough. I think it's perfect for people who are into not just that though, based on the title and description of the next book. I'm wondering if the price will lower but, will probably end up paying for it in the future. Seems that Brian Rowe has a knack for the paranormal.
October 14, 2012
This book had such a B-movie feel to it that made it a fun read! I had a good time reading it. The characters were bad and not one of them was the least bit likable, the story line had a lot of moments that made no sense but it brought vampires back into the realm of scary instead of nice and sparkly. I loved it!
May 30, 2015
This was surprisingly good. I mean, the fact alone that it's a teen horror WITHOUT all the romance makes it a beautiful thing. What a fun read.
The vamps are evil and scary, as they should be, and the humor is nice. This is a great b horror flick in book form, basically.
So yeah. I recommend this. Even though the MC doesn't like horror films, which I just cannot understand.
February 11, 2013
Review to come
April 12, 2013
4 Stars!!
Very good book. I loved the idea to begin with and Brian Rowe didn't disapoint! Will definitly read books in the future by this author.
Very good book. I loved the idea to begin with and Brian Rowe didn't disapoint! Will definitly read books in the future by this author.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews