Wasting the Dawn

by David Hurwitz, Breed (Artist)

Every child seeks to surpass their parents -- it's only natural. Unfortunately for Randall Springfield and his 'brother, ' their 'mother' is not yet ready to let that happen... and vampires are anything but natural. Centuries have passed since Lisel turned Randall Springfield. While Lisel herself was turned long ago, she has no intention of stepping aside and allowing her children their right of maturity. Instead, she strikes out at them, ultimately forcing Randall to take matters into his own hands. Accompanied by his human companion, Rose, and brother Knox and Swan, Randall sets out on a mission to destroy his maker... a mission that will take them from California to London and back.

288 pages, Paperback

First published June 28, 2005

About the author

David Hurwitz (born 29 August 1961) is an American music critic and author who specializes in classical music.

Based in New York, he is the founder and executive editor of ClassicsToday.com and frequently reviews recordings there. Hurwitz has published numerous books, primarily guides on specific composers for the Amadeus Press "Unlocking the Masters" series, namely, Mahler, Mozart, Dvořák, Haydn, Shostakovich, Sibelius, Bernstein, Strauss, C. P. E. Bach and Handel. Other publications include an introduction to classical music, two articles on the 19th-century use of vibrato as well as surveys on the symphonies of Beethoven (the 5th and 7th) and Brahms (all four). He was the chairman for the Cannes Classical Awards while it existed from 1994 to 2010.

In 2020 Hurwitz launched a YouTube channel on which he regularly posts video reviews and discographical surveys.

Reviews

[Quentin Wallace · Rating 3 out of 5]

Something different in the vampire genre. This wasn't bad. At times it did seem to drag a little. The overall plot was a little odd and it took some time to figure out where the story was going, and then things came to a somewhat abrupt end.

Overall a decent read if you like vampire stories but want something a little different.

[Chloe Stam · Rating 2 out of 5]

I mostly enjoyed Wasting the Dawn - the story was interesting and the characters diverse - however, I could not ignore how the female characters were used within the book. Unfortunately I have to describe this as quite a misogynistic book. That's not because female characters are attacked or used within the book, but that is ALL they are used for. There is even a female character in there that has no purpose except to be slaughtered in a sexually gratuitous way, even though some time was spent introducing her, so I felt so cheated; I expected so much more from her. We get great descriptions of female characters and then they do nothing. And there are other female characters that are there only for sex or flirting with the male characters. All of the main characters are male (who were well developed and unique) except for the villain who is a female. There's nothing wrong with having a female villain and so I had no problem with that character; it was how all other female characters existed only for sexual gratification or to be killed for the enjoyment of the reader (the example mentioned above was not thought of as a bad thing). I understand vampires would have different moral standards regarding death but I simply didn't appreciate seeing women used only in this way. I think it's a lazy way of telling a story and using characters. So its not to my taste.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

It breaks the vampire conventions and I kinda dig that! Turned out pretty good. Glad I gave it a try.