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Joe Vampire #1
Joe Vampire
A real-life vampire whose tongue is as sharp as his teeth, and he's telling the world about Life Among the Undead. This might not be the smartest thing he's ever done... Joe wasn't expecting to become a vampire. He was just hanging with friends at a sushi bar, putting his life back together after a break-up. But someone sucked on his neck - WITH THEIR TEETH - and threw him into an inconceivable situation that becomes more and more conceivable every minute. Now, he's on a roller coaster ride of strange and sometimes hilarious supernatural happenings. So he takes to the internet to tell the world what it's really like to transform into a real-life card-carrying Member of the Undead, in real-time. Sounds simple enough, right? Well, when his whole life shifts beneath him and he draws the attention of some menacing people who don't exactly love bloodsuckers, simple might not be so simple after all. If you like vampire stories that blend heart and suspense with a generous helping of snarky, laugh-out-loud humor, you'll love the Joe Vampire Series. ------------------ What Amazon readers are Laugh-out-loud blood-sucking good time! Joe Vampire Kicks Ass! …more than any book I've read recently, I couldn't help but think “This should be a film.” A vampire story with real heart. Joe Vampire is a tale about what makes us human. The most fun reading I've had in a long time… It's genuinely fun. I found myself both caring about certain characters and loathing others. Full-out unique entertainment… Thoroughly unique and readable…funny and entertaining from the get-go. Awesome! Hilarious, exciting, and even a little sweet. I can't say enough good things about this book -- which all of you should buy immediately - and I can't wait for the next book from this author! The most original take on vampires I've read in years. Unique, modern, creative, and super entertaining... Joe Vampire is hands down my type of humor. Witty, quick, and laced in pop culture. Funny as hell. Everyman with a bite! An enjoyable read; a fresh take on the whole vampire genre. Who knew a vampire would be so entertaining?! Funny, well written, page turner…I've woken up in the night to keep reading! A most excellent read It's one of those rare books that will take you through a whole range of feelings along this journey… I Heart Joe Vampire. His humour is fresh and witty and kept me laughing at some of his lines even after I stopped reading. Witty and entertaining. Must read! Hilarious! Totally different…totally awesome! I don't want that smart mouth to shut up! Luna gives it a lovely little twist near the end in a way I did not quite expect. A vampire to love! Staggeringly clever and delicious throughout. Great read - dont pass it up! Not your average vampire tale! The sarcastic humor throughout the book just added to the story and helped Joe be even more relatable.
310 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 28, 2012
About the author
Steven Luna
36 books80 followersSteven Luna likes making things up on a daily basis. This biography, though factual, is one of those things. He's the author of the absurdly humorous Joe Vampire series for grown-ups, the heart-wrenchingly serious Songs from the Phenomenal Nothing for almost-grown-ups, and the magical realism tale Starfire and the Miracle Tree for readers of all ages. Simeon Croom and the Treasure Star, his new comedy-adventure series, is now available.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews
January 28, 2016
Now, I really thought I was going to enjoy this vampire story so much because the premise of it just sounded so backward and awkward and different. Just how like like things to be. And in all fairness, the writing was good. The idea was good and what little explosive did happen was just all right. I didn’t even mind the structure of the book being presented as Joe Vampire’s blog. Perfectly readable. And no, Joe was not a happy puppy to be a vampire. There wasn’t many things, in fact, that Joe could muster happiness for. We’re dealing with a beaten down, pessimistic, moaning Joe Vampire.
I was a bit disappointed that something more exiting did not happen. It was a regular story of a guy going through life dealing with shit. To be honest- he came across like a real pussy. I swear, if he was my friend I would constantly keep telling him to cop on and get on with it. Yet, the occasional really funny lines kept me reading. It’s a book written by a guy and you can just get that guy-style right away. I mean, transition to vampirism through a nuclear diahrrea? Yup, it’s so totally a guy thing to have the need to draw parrallels with taking a dump. Guys love to talk about shit. The rest of the sense of humor in the book was quite OK, too. Some people love that kind of sarcasm and guy-sass. For me, it loses the awesomeness in heavy doses.
In this book, the vampire is just like any human really but with a strange diet. They suffer from the feels, they still have to work to make money, they still look for love. And they don’t sparkle. To be honest, that “I’m a vampire but not the sparkling kind” is becoming a bit of a cliché. Yeah, yeah, Twlight was a big hit with a sparkling vampire and you don’t sparkle because you’re the real deal and you just need to get a dig in at Twilight. Whatever, get over it. The vampires in this book don’t seem to be struggling with overpowering need for human blood and don’t seem to ponder too much about the fact that they’re going to live for a very very long time. The issues and dramas are quite “in this moment”, quite normal human first world problems. Maybe that’s why it read slightly average. No really dramatic, strange, paranormal incidents. Well, there is a kidnapping, but …
Ah, and I can’t write this review and not mention my favorite character- Bo. A southerner, just a bit thick but harmless and hard worker. He was my favorite character of the whole book and I wish he would have appeared a bit more often. In fact, I wish this book was about Bo, with Bo as the main character.
Overall- it was an OK read. You need to try it out to test the level of humor- it might just be your cup of tea.
I was a bit disappointed that something more exiting did not happen. It was a regular story of a guy going through life dealing with shit. To be honest- he came across like a real pussy. I swear, if he was my friend I would constantly keep telling him to cop on and get on with it. Yet, the occasional really funny lines kept me reading. It’s a book written by a guy and you can just get that guy-style right away. I mean, transition to vampirism through a nuclear diahrrea? Yup, it’s so totally a guy thing to have the need to draw parrallels with taking a dump. Guys love to talk about shit. The rest of the sense of humor in the book was quite OK, too. Some people love that kind of sarcasm and guy-sass. For me, it loses the awesomeness in heavy doses.
In this book, the vampire is just like any human really but with a strange diet. They suffer from the feels, they still have to work to make money, they still look for love. And they don’t sparkle. To be honest, that “I’m a vampire but not the sparkling kind” is becoming a bit of a cliché. Yeah, yeah, Twlight was a big hit with a sparkling vampire and you don’t sparkle because you’re the real deal and you just need to get a dig in at Twilight. Whatever, get over it. The vampires in this book don’t seem to be struggling with overpowering need for human blood and don’t seem to ponder too much about the fact that they’re going to live for a very very long time. The issues and dramas are quite “in this moment”, quite normal human first world problems. Maybe that’s why it read slightly average. No really dramatic, strange, paranormal incidents. Well, there is a kidnapping, but …
Ah, and I can’t write this review and not mention my favorite character- Bo. A southerner, just a bit thick but harmless and hard worker. He was my favorite character of the whole book and I wish he would have appeared a bit more often. In fact, I wish this book was about Bo, with Bo as the main character.
Overall- it was an OK read. You need to try it out to test the level of humor- it might just be your cup of tea.
March 7, 2012
I think probably the coolest thing I have to say about Joe Vampire, and there are a TON of cool things about it, was that it felt real. By that I mean, I honestly believed I was reading a vampire's blog! A blog BY an ACTUAL vampire.
Most vampire books are heavy on the suspension of disbelief, and to quote Peter Griffin you are VERY AWARE that you are reading a vampire BOOK. Not so with Joe Vampire; author Steven Luna makes Joe's journey a very believable, very realistic, very palpable one.
It all rests on Joe's shoulders; with a voice as strong, rich and personal as Joe Vampire's, his narration could have quickly killed the narrative flow if it didn't work SO flippin' well. There was not a false note in the entire inner/outer dialogue. Everything cracked lightning sharp, from the soul sister nicknames for his ex-girlfriends, i.e. "Aretha Skanklin" to the chapter titles, which could take up an entire review in themselves - though "These Are Just a Few of My Unfavorite Things" is my favorite, this is just one witty, rockin' ride.
What's more, lots of so-called "gimmick" books where it's a blog or diary or found footage of some sort, just rely on having a cute, quirky narrator and that's that. But between the wit, the sarcasm and snark of Joe's "blog," there is an actual plot, characterization and narrative flow that really pays off.
I can't say too much more without spoiling that payoff in advance, so I'll leave it at this: buy the book. Give it a try. It's well worth the read - and the ride! Why no voting buttons? We don't let customers vote on their own reviews, so the voting buttons appear only when you look at reviews submitted by others. Permalink
Comment Comment
Most vampire books are heavy on the suspension of disbelief, and to quote Peter Griffin you are VERY AWARE that you are reading a vampire BOOK. Not so with Joe Vampire; author Steven Luna makes Joe's journey a very believable, very realistic, very palpable one.
It all rests on Joe's shoulders; with a voice as strong, rich and personal as Joe Vampire's, his narration could have quickly killed the narrative flow if it didn't work SO flippin' well. There was not a false note in the entire inner/outer dialogue. Everything cracked lightning sharp, from the soul sister nicknames for his ex-girlfriends, i.e. "Aretha Skanklin" to the chapter titles, which could take up an entire review in themselves - though "These Are Just a Few of My Unfavorite Things" is my favorite, this is just one witty, rockin' ride.
What's more, lots of so-called "gimmick" books where it's a blog or diary or found footage of some sort, just rely on having a cute, quirky narrator and that's that. But between the wit, the sarcasm and snark of Joe's "blog," there is an actual plot, characterization and narrative flow that really pays off.
I can't say too much more without spoiling that payoff in advance, so I'll leave it at this: buy the book. Give it a try. It's well worth the read - and the ride! Why no voting buttons? We don't let customers vote on their own reviews, so the voting buttons appear only when you look at reviews submitted by others. Permalink
Comment Comment
September 10, 2012
I’m really struggling with how to review Joe Vampire by Steven Luna. It’s fairly easy for me to write a book review but this is made more complicated by the fact that it’s less book than blog. Traditional fiction has a setup, a disaster, a resolution, more disaster, more resolution, etc. There is tension while you wait to find out if your hero or heroine survives or escapes from some crisis but Joe Vampire lacks much of that conflict, with the exception being the end.
It’s hard to worry about Joe because you know it's his blog and as long as he's updating it that he’s fine. We know that despite what we’re about to hear, despite any crisis, that Joe Vampire is obviously fine. Maybe not psychologically but physically. And maybe that’s really what this is all about. Maybe it's more about his growth than the events that conspire to affect that growth.
This book is not for folks who hate blogs. The same stuff you hate about personal blogs, you’ll hate about this book. But that’s not an insult to Mr. Luna’s Joe Vampire. It’s actually quite the complement because for all of the “okay, I’m getting bored” I kept reading because Joe FELT real. I didn't feel like I was reading the blog of a fictional character. Joe’s voice rang true. I got the idea that I knew him pretty well. If you took the vampire aspect out and placed it online folks would absolutely believe this was an honest to goodness account of a guy who works a ‘meh’ job, pines for a girl, has a blow up with his best friend, etc. In short, the tagline for Joe Vampire “Just a dude who'll never die, trying to figure out how to live” is brilliant. And honest.
Joe Vampire is not your normal fiction. It’s absolutely a blog in book form. If you love blogs, if you dig the voyeuristic nature of them, then you’ll enjoy Joe Vampire.
I’m looking forward to Joe 2. However, I think I’ll take a different approach to Joe 2, if the format is the same. I think I’ll read a post and set it down for a day. Read another post and set it down. Joe is great, but just like other human beings I can only take so much “me” talk. I guess that’s my personal opinion about blogs. The fact that Joe can endear himself to me and annoy me with his issues is actually a supreme compliment.
You should give the dude vampire a shot. At the end you may find yourself believing they are possible. Joe’s existence is certainly more believable than Edward Cullins. I’m sorry, Fredward Mullins. I get my Nightfall confused with my Twilight. My bad.
It’s hard to worry about Joe because you know it's his blog and as long as he's updating it that he’s fine. We know that despite what we’re about to hear, despite any crisis, that Joe Vampire is obviously fine. Maybe not psychologically but physically. And maybe that’s really what this is all about. Maybe it's more about his growth than the events that conspire to affect that growth.
This book is not for folks who hate blogs. The same stuff you hate about personal blogs, you’ll hate about this book. But that’s not an insult to Mr. Luna’s Joe Vampire. It’s actually quite the complement because for all of the “okay, I’m getting bored” I kept reading because Joe FELT real. I didn't feel like I was reading the blog of a fictional character. Joe’s voice rang true. I got the idea that I knew him pretty well. If you took the vampire aspect out and placed it online folks would absolutely believe this was an honest to goodness account of a guy who works a ‘meh’ job, pines for a girl, has a blow up with his best friend, etc. In short, the tagline for Joe Vampire “Just a dude who'll never die, trying to figure out how to live” is brilliant. And honest.
Joe Vampire is not your normal fiction. It’s absolutely a blog in book form. If you love blogs, if you dig the voyeuristic nature of them, then you’ll enjoy Joe Vampire.
I’m looking forward to Joe 2. However, I think I’ll take a different approach to Joe 2, if the format is the same. I think I’ll read a post and set it down for a day. Read another post and set it down. Joe is great, but just like other human beings I can only take so much “me” talk. I guess that’s my personal opinion about blogs. The fact that Joe can endear himself to me and annoy me with his issues is actually a supreme compliment.
You should give the dude vampire a shot. At the end you may find yourself believing they are possible. Joe’s existence is certainly more believable than Edward Cullins. I’m sorry, Fredward Mullins. I get my Nightfall confused with my Twilight. My bad.
July 12, 2017
Just a fun book. Written as blog posts about a regular guy who gets turned into a Vampire and how he deals with all the changes to himself and his life while still trying to live a regular life. The main character is likable and like most people, tends to do a great job undermining his own life more than his change of life status. I liked this book enough to go buy the next two books in the series to see what happens to Joe Vampire next.
April 1, 2014
The greatest trick Steven Luna ever pulled was convincing the world this was a book about vampires. And, of course, in oh-so-many ways, it is. But in a deeper, more potent level, Joe Vampire is a tale about what makes us human. Through a superb mixture of insightful reflection and blunt force wit, Luna has done something remarkable. The vampire's humanity that Anne Rice strives for in The Vampire Chronicles? He captures it perfectly and smartly in his modern tale of the supernatural everyman. Er, everyvam.
Luna's style is similar to that of Jonathan Tropper. He somehow finds a way to really dig beneath the fingernails of everyday life and expose the dirt there, and his main character is open and honest without ever taking himself too seriously. There are some unabashedly thoughtful pearls of wisdom and self-reflection in this book that belong in the next edition of Bartlett's, and Luna does a tremendous job of balancing them out with quick, sharp bursts of hilarity, often in the same paragraph, sometimes in the same sentence.
The story is structured as a series of excerpts from the main character's blog, which is a stroke of genius on the author's part. Not only does this vehicle make for some extremely interesting narration-play, but it also means that we are pretty literally taken along on Joe's vampiric journey, discovering things about his new reality just as he discovers them himself. We are never allowed to be too comfortable with what awaits him, because we never know what state he'll be in when we hear from him next.
Luna channels the comedic timing of Mark Twain and the chutzpah of Philip Roth in this first installment of the Joe Vampire series and shows us how much more there is to the undead life than just glitter and glam.
Luna's style is similar to that of Jonathan Tropper. He somehow finds a way to really dig beneath the fingernails of everyday life and expose the dirt there, and his main character is open and honest without ever taking himself too seriously. There are some unabashedly thoughtful pearls of wisdom and self-reflection in this book that belong in the next edition of Bartlett's, and Luna does a tremendous job of balancing them out with quick, sharp bursts of hilarity, often in the same paragraph, sometimes in the same sentence.
The story is structured as a series of excerpts from the main character's blog, which is a stroke of genius on the author's part. Not only does this vehicle make for some extremely interesting narration-play, but it also means that we are pretty literally taken along on Joe's vampiric journey, discovering things about his new reality just as he discovers them himself. We are never allowed to be too comfortable with what awaits him, because we never know what state he'll be in when we hear from him next.
Luna channels the comedic timing of Mark Twain and the chutzpah of Philip Roth in this first installment of the Joe Vampire series and shows us how much more there is to the undead life than just glitter and glam.
November 14, 2012
Though this book is not my usual type of book, after reading the synopsis I just couldn't pass it up. I love sarcasm, being highly sarcastic myself, and I love a different take on the vampire. And this book did not disappoint, I was wrapped in a nice fluffy sarcastic blanket from the minute I opened the book until the very end. I loved the idea of a blog dispelling the truths of vampirism, but there was a few things that Joe didn't count on, I can't tell you here though because that would spoil all the fun! And I think that if I ever were to become a vampire I would totally start a blog. Now I know vampires aren't real, but it would be cool non the less. This book was laugh out loud funny and a few times I found myself screaming TMI, but I enjoyed it all the same. This book is very descriptive and I really enjoyed getting inside Joe's head, it is kind of messed up, but still comfortable in a fleece blanket kind of way. Now go out and get your laugh on, go on, go forth and read, read and laugh!
May 14, 2012
What a clever book. Voice is super strong, and a bit self deprecating. I have a feeling I'm gong to really like this vampire story.
August 30, 2013
I think this is the funniest book I've ever read. I literally could not stop laughing. How did I wait so long to read it! So good and entertaining and light. Loved it!
May 3, 2019
Very funny, in a weird way
The story of Joe Vampire has humor but it also has a broken heart, fixed, fear of the unknown and danger.
The fear of the unknown could be the same for boys going through puberty. Lots of self doubt.
It has a lot of characters and they all play a part in Joe's development.
I would recommend this book to anyone to read.
The story of Joe Vampire has humor but it also has a broken heart, fixed, fear of the unknown and danger.
The fear of the unknown could be the same for boys going through puberty. Lots of self doubt.
It has a lot of characters and they all play a part in Joe's development.
I would recommend this book to anyone to read.
June 15, 2025
This is the story of how Joe comes to terms with being a vampire, and how he tries to live life without drawing attention to his vampirosity. This story is funny, sad, sarcastic, Jewish and heartwarming all at the same time.
May 4, 2012
4.5 of 5 Stars
I don't normally, okay ever, pick up a comedic book to read. It's just not my norm. Vampires, however, are very much my norm. I love them, can't get enough of them. Books, movies, television, whatever... if it has vampires there is a really good chance I am going to love it. Or, that was the case up until a couple of years ago, but we won't go into what caused my change. Kristen Stewart/Robert Pattinson
So, when I saw a tweet about Joe Vampire I headed over to Amazon to check out. Read the blurb and thought, 'eh, I'm not so sure'. Then I saw the price and thought, 'what the hell, if it sucks (no pun intended) I'm only out a buck'. Ninety-nine cent ebooks tend to get me really excited. Plus it has the vampire points previously mentioned, so I moved up to the top of the TBR pile. So glad I did!
If you don't know Joe, you need to. He's an average... well, Joe. He works at a not so exciting job, has a not so exciting love life, plays keyboards for a not so exciting band and when things in life get rough he camps out under his coffee table. Normal, right? All that changes when he is set up on a blind date with Dawn. Correct that, Don. Oops. It all goes downhill from there.
Joe Vampire is the tale (told through a blog) of a guy trying to figure out how to be a blood sucker while still holding on to his life, friends, family, and the girl he's been admiring at the copy machine for months. And though Joe is about the snarkiest smart ass around he's also caring and thoughtful and vulnerable. All of which make for a great character and nice story.
Add in some other interesting characters like the vampire hunter who can't understand why Joe doesn't sparkle or the granny prostitute/rock singer along with his accounts about how to deal with his pasty skin and sharp fangs or how the transition really happens and you are in for one fun ride!
Quick warning for the Young Adult audience....this book definitely needs approval from a parental figure before you pick it up. The language can be a bit much for a younger crowd. I, on the other hand, tend to talk like a Longshoreman so this was right up my alley.
I can't say enough about how funny this book was, I giggled the whole way through. Joe Vampire was money well spent, even if it were listed at a higher price. But it's not. It's only a buck!! Go buy it now ~ you won't be sorry!
I don't normally, okay ever, pick up a comedic book to read. It's just not my norm. Vampires, however, are very much my norm. I love them, can't get enough of them. Books, movies, television, whatever... if it has vampires there is a really good chance I am going to love it. Or, that was the case up until a couple of years ago, but we won't go into what caused my change. Kristen Stewart/Robert Pattinson
So, when I saw a tweet about Joe Vampire I headed over to Amazon to check out. Read the blurb and thought, 'eh, I'm not so sure'. Then I saw the price and thought, 'what the hell, if it sucks (no pun intended) I'm only out a buck'. Ninety-nine cent ebooks tend to get me really excited. Plus it has the vampire points previously mentioned, so I moved up to the top of the TBR pile. So glad I did!
If you don't know Joe, you need to. He's an average... well, Joe. He works at a not so exciting job, has a not so exciting love life, plays keyboards for a not so exciting band and when things in life get rough he camps out under his coffee table. Normal, right? All that changes when he is set up on a blind date with Dawn. Correct that, Don. Oops. It all goes downhill from there.
Joe Vampire is the tale (told through a blog) of a guy trying to figure out how to be a blood sucker while still holding on to his life, friends, family, and the girl he's been admiring at the copy machine for months. And though Joe is about the snarkiest smart ass around he's also caring and thoughtful and vulnerable. All of which make for a great character and nice story.
Add in some other interesting characters like the vampire hunter who can't understand why Joe doesn't sparkle or the granny prostitute/rock singer along with his accounts about how to deal with his pasty skin and sharp fangs or how the transition really happens and you are in for one fun ride!
Quick warning for the Young Adult audience....this book definitely needs approval from a parental figure before you pick it up. The language can be a bit much for a younger crowd. I, on the other hand, tend to talk like a Longshoreman so this was right up my alley.
I can't say enough about how funny this book was, I giggled the whole way through. Joe Vampire was money well spent, even if it were listed at a higher price. But it's not. It's only a buck!! Go buy it now ~ you won't be sorry!
April 28, 2012
Have you ever wanted to be a vampire? Who hasn't, right? With vampires like Edward Cullin (Twilight), Eric Northman (True Blood), Selene (Underworld), Aksha (Queen of the Damned), plus many more out there, we either want to be them...or be with them! *wink, wink* What if you didn't have a choice? What if you were just this average, everyday Joe and the choice to become a vampire had been taken from you and turned your somewhat normal life upside down? Well...that is exactly what "Joe Vampire" is all about, so pay attention!
Joe takes us on this crazy ride he calls his life. Dating, workplace politics, music, family and friendships...and this is all before his life gets sucked away from him! Literally! He writes in his blog, armed with his geek knowledge (Hello...Doctor Who!!!), snarky and sarcastic wit (that I completely and absolutely LOVE!) to share all the gory and gruesome details of this transformation. Trust me, they are...um...interesting.
Luna has put so much human emotion into crafting "Joe Vampire" that it is so hard to not get caught up in the story and all the ups and downs that Joe faces. You'll find yourself rooting for Joe time and time again. Even when being a sarcastic ass, you still feel for him...cause...well...it could easily be you instead of Joe, right?
I am always looking for a good book to read. This one kind of fell into my lap on a friend recommendation, so I thought I'd give it a chance. Another vampire book *eye roll*. If I can't get into a book, I generally don't finish it. Not only did I read "Joe Vampire" in 2 days (ok, really 2 nights), I've been chomping at the bit for a 2nd "Joe" book ever since! And that is without all your usual vampire gimmicks...the rock-hard abs, smoldering stares and best of all...no sparkles.
Joe takes us on this crazy ride he calls his life. Dating, workplace politics, music, family and friendships...and this is all before his life gets sucked away from him! Literally! He writes in his blog, armed with his geek knowledge (Hello...Doctor Who!!!), snarky and sarcastic wit (that I completely and absolutely LOVE!) to share all the gory and gruesome details of this transformation. Trust me, they are...um...interesting.
Luna has put so much human emotion into crafting "Joe Vampire" that it is so hard to not get caught up in the story and all the ups and downs that Joe faces. You'll find yourself rooting for Joe time and time again. Even when being a sarcastic ass, you still feel for him...cause...well...it could easily be you instead of Joe, right?
I am always looking for a good book to read. This one kind of fell into my lap on a friend recommendation, so I thought I'd give it a chance. Another vampire book *eye roll*. If I can't get into a book, I generally don't finish it. Not only did I read "Joe Vampire" in 2 days (ok, really 2 nights), I've been chomping at the bit for a 2nd "Joe" book ever since! And that is without all your usual vampire gimmicks...the rock-hard abs, smoldering stares and best of all...no sparkles.
July 14, 2024
This blog is not a fan site; it's an attempt to clear up several untruths about what it means to be a vampire…
Mid-3-ish stars. I found Steven Luna's "Joe Vampire (Joe Vampire Series Book 1)" to be a relatively well-written but decidedly uneven look into what it means to turn into one of the undead in this day and age. At the risk of causing all kinds of fandom to rush together in a snowy field setting (isn't that how the one 'Twilight' movie ended? I can only base my memory on walking in on my wife watching them, over and over again!), my impression of the entire shebang could be called "Bill the Vampire Lite" (with a natural nod to the Great Gualtieri). Snarky protagonists that are suckered (ha! puns…) into becoming members of the undead? Check. Good friends that eventually help them out with the transition? Check. A fully developed story moving forwards that takes us beyond the limited vision of just the one vampire going through It (hey, if Luna can write This that way, I can choose my own word to prettify, too!)? Yeah, not so much in this case. Trust me: spending that much time in ANYONE's head can really make your own hurt rather sharply when it comes down to it.
Holy fuck. I was attacked by a gay, drug-dealing, style-challenged vampire.
I will say up front that I found that this mostly single person blog approach just couldn't carry a book. Even Joe points out that his input is definitely not going to be "too sexy or romantic or transcendent." And he was absolutely right about all of those! Yes, I think it was an interesting decision by the author to base this tale around what essentially amounts to an electronic diary. But damn if some times it didn't get extremely dry and noticeably dull as Joe whined and lamented in great quantities about his fate. No, as we hear far too many times, his pecker did not get bigger and it is far from anywhere close to dragging the floor. No, he is not more beautiful and instantly desirable by anyone and everyone (not counting 'sucker fuckers'!). OK, yeah, he now has no blood pressure, no blood flow and no pulse… but apparently, he can read minds, which winds up not being all that great anyway. And don't forget the superhuman strength and the bonus that his hair isn't falling out as fast anymore. But really, the biggest change he focuses on is the bloodlust. And the severe problems with light. And the clammy, freezing skin. And the weird doll eyes. I'm rambling, yes, but so did he. I'm sure I've missed a bunch more things, but you'll see…
My farts smell like the dead now, so at least I’ve got that going for me.
Sure, there were times it worked, particularly the first quarter of the book and then the one and only real action sequence towards the end, but the middle bits had me chomping at the bit (hee hee) to move things along. Plus, one can only take so many descriptions about days on end of explosive diarrhea before it gets a bit overwhelming. I mean, I have a slew of weird intestinal ailments myself (diverticulitis combined with irritable bowel syndrome anyone?) but haven't we all had a stretch where we essentially camped out on the pot with a case of Gatorade standing by? And to be blunt: Joseph Aaron Asher, young-ish, jewish-ish neurotic dude from - hm, I didn't write that bit down, but he is from somewhere, that I know - is not the kind of character, before or after This, that really is geared up for surviving all of That (wait…). The fact that he's had 2 real relationships up to this point in his life (both disasters, whaa whaa), works in finance (blah blah blah), and that he's a perfect fit for a Duran Duran tribute band - keyboards no less - says it all really.
The one thing that spreads through this place quicker than fake boob gossip is a communicable disease.
Moving beyond just the world of Joe, I would have really liked to have seen more 'cross-pollination' with all his characters if that makes sense. I enjoyed his conversations with Hube (yep, rhymes with Pube), Bo, and for whatever odd reason even Louise, who wound up being my favorite character in the book (good topic for therapy later this week), but they were almost never in any situation where they interacted significantly with anyone except ol' Joe. In the aforementioned "Bill Is The Coolest Vampire Ever" series (yes, I'm receiving kickbacks for this), part of the fun is just seeing how everyone bounces off each other in a continuing calvacade of craziness (write that down Bo!). So yeah, sure, even if a story revolves around one person and their real or perceived problems doesn't mean it has to be quite so weighted to that centerpiece! Hell's bells, even with Hube jumping on the computer and posting blog entries himself, couldn't we have had a little more?
I’m just talking to people who’ve Googled “pink dogs with huge hairy balls”…
And good gravy but Joe does get whiny in some spots (yeah, I said that before but he was extra so!). I was so very, VERY thrilled when we eventually got to the point where he became accepting of his 'condition' and was going to work on making the best of the whole vampiration thing (also referred to as his "vampirical timeline" and "vampirizing" among other descriptives). But that took a loooooong and moan-y road to reach. I mean, if you're reading a story and have the desire to bully the protagonist along the way, it's not a good sign, but yeah, I kinda wanted to slap him a few times just to check in. Again, the whole "I'm telling you this through a blog" didn't help much in that regard either as for the longest stretch it was really nothing more than diarrhetic gobblety goop. I'm surprised so much in terms of external 'issues' wound up being attached to the blog itself, as I just couldn't imagine anyway wanting to follow something like that. I should know after running a blog myself for a few years albeit one that was focused on reporting about others and not myself! I'm still waiting to cash that 17 dollars in ad revenue I've yet to collect from Google by the way!
If you don’t want the vampire to take over your life then you need to take your life back from the vampire.
That's really about it. I don't regret reading "Joe Vampire" but I'm not exactly enthusiastic at this stage about continuing the series either. I know I definitely don't want to read another blog-based 'personal growth' demi-monologue again no matter how many books are left to go. Yeah, again, kudos to the author for taking a risk - and a respectably unique one at that. Just because it didn't necessarily work like gangbusters for me doesn't mean it won't work for others! Anyway, go wash your hoodies and don't forget your Ray-Bans! Bite ya later!
Mid-3-ish stars. I found Steven Luna's "Joe Vampire (Joe Vampire Series Book 1)" to be a relatively well-written but decidedly uneven look into what it means to turn into one of the undead in this day and age. At the risk of causing all kinds of fandom to rush together in a snowy field setting (isn't that how the one 'Twilight' movie ended? I can only base my memory on walking in on my wife watching them, over and over again!), my impression of the entire shebang could be called "Bill the Vampire Lite" (with a natural nod to the Great Gualtieri). Snarky protagonists that are suckered (ha! puns…) into becoming members of the undead? Check. Good friends that eventually help them out with the transition? Check. A fully developed story moving forwards that takes us beyond the limited vision of just the one vampire going through It (hey, if Luna can write This that way, I can choose my own word to prettify, too!)? Yeah, not so much in this case. Trust me: spending that much time in ANYONE's head can really make your own hurt rather sharply when it comes down to it.
Holy fuck. I was attacked by a gay, drug-dealing, style-challenged vampire.
I will say up front that I found that this mostly single person blog approach just couldn't carry a book. Even Joe points out that his input is definitely not going to be "too sexy or romantic or transcendent." And he was absolutely right about all of those! Yes, I think it was an interesting decision by the author to base this tale around what essentially amounts to an electronic diary. But damn if some times it didn't get extremely dry and noticeably dull as Joe whined and lamented in great quantities about his fate. No, as we hear far too many times, his pecker did not get bigger and it is far from anywhere close to dragging the floor. No, he is not more beautiful and instantly desirable by anyone and everyone (not counting 'sucker fuckers'!). OK, yeah, he now has no blood pressure, no blood flow and no pulse… but apparently, he can read minds, which winds up not being all that great anyway. And don't forget the superhuman strength and the bonus that his hair isn't falling out as fast anymore. But really, the biggest change he focuses on is the bloodlust. And the severe problems with light. And the clammy, freezing skin. And the weird doll eyes. I'm rambling, yes, but so did he. I'm sure I've missed a bunch more things, but you'll see…
My farts smell like the dead now, so at least I’ve got that going for me.
Sure, there were times it worked, particularly the first quarter of the book and then the one and only real action sequence towards the end, but the middle bits had me chomping at the bit (hee hee) to move things along. Plus, one can only take so many descriptions about days on end of explosive diarrhea before it gets a bit overwhelming. I mean, I have a slew of weird intestinal ailments myself (diverticulitis combined with irritable bowel syndrome anyone?) but haven't we all had a stretch where we essentially camped out on the pot with a case of Gatorade standing by? And to be blunt: Joseph Aaron Asher, young-ish, jewish-ish neurotic dude from - hm, I didn't write that bit down, but he is from somewhere, that I know - is not the kind of character, before or after This, that really is geared up for surviving all of That (wait…). The fact that he's had 2 real relationships up to this point in his life (both disasters, whaa whaa), works in finance (blah blah blah), and that he's a perfect fit for a Duran Duran tribute band - keyboards no less - says it all really.
The one thing that spreads through this place quicker than fake boob gossip is a communicable disease.
Moving beyond just the world of Joe, I would have really liked to have seen more 'cross-pollination' with all his characters if that makes sense. I enjoyed his conversations with Hube (yep, rhymes with Pube), Bo, and for whatever odd reason even Louise, who wound up being my favorite character in the book (good topic for therapy later this week), but they were almost never in any situation where they interacted significantly with anyone except ol' Joe. In the aforementioned "Bill Is The Coolest Vampire Ever" series (yes, I'm receiving kickbacks for this), part of the fun is just seeing how everyone bounces off each other in a continuing calvacade of craziness (write that down Bo!). So yeah, sure, even if a story revolves around one person and their real or perceived problems doesn't mean it has to be quite so weighted to that centerpiece! Hell's bells, even with Hube jumping on the computer and posting blog entries himself, couldn't we have had a little more?
I’m just talking to people who’ve Googled “pink dogs with huge hairy balls”…
And good gravy but Joe does get whiny in some spots (yeah, I said that before but he was extra so!). I was so very, VERY thrilled when we eventually got to the point where he became accepting of his 'condition' and was going to work on making the best of the whole vampiration thing (also referred to as his "vampirical timeline" and "vampirizing" among other descriptives). But that took a loooooong and moan-y road to reach. I mean, if you're reading a story and have the desire to bully the protagonist along the way, it's not a good sign, but yeah, I kinda wanted to slap him a few times just to check in. Again, the whole "I'm telling you this through a blog" didn't help much in that regard either as for the longest stretch it was really nothing more than diarrhetic gobblety goop. I'm surprised so much in terms of external 'issues' wound up being attached to the blog itself, as I just couldn't imagine anyway wanting to follow something like that. I should know after running a blog myself for a few years albeit one that was focused on reporting about others and not myself! I'm still waiting to cash that 17 dollars in ad revenue I've yet to collect from Google by the way!
If you don’t want the vampire to take over your life then you need to take your life back from the vampire.
That's really about it. I don't regret reading "Joe Vampire" but I'm not exactly enthusiastic at this stage about continuing the series either. I know I definitely don't want to read another blog-based 'personal growth' demi-monologue again no matter how many books are left to go. Yeah, again, kudos to the author for taking a risk - and a respectably unique one at that. Just because it didn't necessarily work like gangbusters for me doesn't mean it won't work for others! Anyway, go wash your hoodies and don't forget your Ray-Bans! Bite ya later!
February 13, 2016
"Joe Vampire" is one of the funnest books I've ever read. Gone is the illusion that vampires are all hot and sexy. Gone is the illusion that they glitter. Gone is the illusion that they have the ability to turn into bats. This book shatters every contemporary vision you might have of a vampire and it does it with grit and humor.
Joe Asher is a thirty-something single guy with a receding hairline, has an ordinary work-a-day job in a typical office where he has a crush on a girl named Chloe, and a musician in a band with his friend, Hube. One night he goes out with some friends, imbibes too much sake, and goes home with Dawn only to find out Dawn is Don and has turned him into a vampire.
The story is written in blog form with Joe telling his story. He goes to great lengths, talking about the physical transformation (he gets sort of graphic so beware!) and how he's trying to accommodate these changes. Light bothers him. Sun bothers him. He doesn't have a regular diet and refuses to feed from humans. He wants to give Chloe a "Hollywood" kiss but isn't sure how to do it because of his fangs. It's fun to read about him working around everything with his quick wit and stunning sense of humor.
But make no mistake; he's an emotional guy and is easily frustrated, hurt, and betrayed. He desperately wants to keep this vampire thing a secret from those closest to him but needs an outlet and turns to blogging about it. Unfortunately, that attracts some people he doesn't want to associate with.
This is a great story about acceptance, forgiveness, and being okay with who you are. It's well-written with no errors and well-thought out. A truly enjoyable read.
Joe Asher is a thirty-something single guy with a receding hairline, has an ordinary work-a-day job in a typical office where he has a crush on a girl named Chloe, and a musician in a band with his friend, Hube. One night he goes out with some friends, imbibes too much sake, and goes home with Dawn only to find out Dawn is Don and has turned him into a vampire.
The story is written in blog form with Joe telling his story. He goes to great lengths, talking about the physical transformation (he gets sort of graphic so beware!) and how he's trying to accommodate these changes. Light bothers him. Sun bothers him. He doesn't have a regular diet and refuses to feed from humans. He wants to give Chloe a "Hollywood" kiss but isn't sure how to do it because of his fangs. It's fun to read about him working around everything with his quick wit and stunning sense of humor.
But make no mistake; he's an emotional guy and is easily frustrated, hurt, and betrayed. He desperately wants to keep this vampire thing a secret from those closest to him but needs an outlet and turns to blogging about it. Unfortunately, that attracts some people he doesn't want to associate with.
This is a great story about acceptance, forgiveness, and being okay with who you are. It's well-written with no errors and well-thought out. A truly enjoyable read.
March 6, 2013
I took a shine to Joe from the moment I dipped into Joe Vampire, and although the novel is slow-moving, I nonetheless enjoyed Joe’s particular brand of humour, which is unintentional on the character’s part and very nicely expressed on author Steven Luna’s. Certainly the premise of a neurotic Jewish vampire coming to terms with his own “change of life” is a breath of fresh air in an otherwise saturated market.
Joe’s spent most of his life sort of chugging along without really engaging with anyone. He’s had two failed relationships and plays synth bass in what sounds like a truly dismal electro band with his best friend Hube. On top of things, just as it looks like girl number three, Chloe, is going to be “it” so far as relationships go, he gets turned into a vampire.
Joe Vampire is structured as a series of blog posts, and we get to share in Joe’s assorted misadventures, from his humorous coping mechanisms when it comes to overcoming the blood lust (with coconut water of all things) to his meetings with other vampires and his initial attempts at dating once his fangs have grown in. And, though you’d expect a story like this to remain low-key, Luna gives it a lovely little twist near the end in a way I did not quite expect.
Characters are all undeniably quirky, and I’ll wholeheartedly recommend this to anyone who’s exhausted by fangless glitterboys or manly fanged beasts with unstoppable appetites for blood and… other things. Luna unashamedly pokes sticks at the genre, much to my amusement and delivers an overall solid read.
Joe’s spent most of his life sort of chugging along without really engaging with anyone. He’s had two failed relationships and plays synth bass in what sounds like a truly dismal electro band with his best friend Hube. On top of things, just as it looks like girl number three, Chloe, is going to be “it” so far as relationships go, he gets turned into a vampire.
Joe Vampire is structured as a series of blog posts, and we get to share in Joe’s assorted misadventures, from his humorous coping mechanisms when it comes to overcoming the blood lust (with coconut water of all things) to his meetings with other vampires and his initial attempts at dating once his fangs have grown in. And, though you’d expect a story like this to remain low-key, Luna gives it a lovely little twist near the end in a way I did not quite expect.
Characters are all undeniably quirky, and I’ll wholeheartedly recommend this to anyone who’s exhausted by fangless glitterboys or manly fanged beasts with unstoppable appetites for blood and… other things. Luna unashamedly pokes sticks at the genre, much to my amusement and delivers an overall solid read.
August 11, 2013
Until I read Songs From The Phenomenal Nothing, I had never read any of the books written by Steven Luna. I got to read Songs From The Phenomenal Nothing as part of the ARC. I therefore told Steven Luna that I had not read any of his previous books and He was Awesome enough to gift a copy of both Joe Vampire books to me! Totally Awesome!!!
So now I've read Joe Vampire and I have to give it 5 stars out of 5 stars. The book is so cool. I thoroughly enjoyed it and couldn't wait to start book 2.
Steven Luna has done a fantastic job of writing this book and I was drawn in from the start.
I honestly thought that I was reading a blog of a real Vampire; even though Vampires don't exist; Or do they??!
The book has sarcasm, metaphors and puns throughout, it's packed with laugh out loud moments too. There are even times when Joe over shares some details; I can't quote them for spoiler reasons.
I love the way that Steven Luna makes you feel completely immersed in the events as your reading. And how He makes Joe Vampire have to deal with both human and Vampire problems too.
My Favourite Quote (location 2592, Kindle):
"Megan and I had more in common that just music:
• She likes reading; I've heard of books.
• She's studying fashion design; I wear clothes.
• She volunteers at an animal shelter; I eat animals.
The similarities were uncanny. "
Overall I thoroughly enjoyed this book and immediately started reading the second book:
Joe Vampire The Afterlife.
So now I've read Joe Vampire and I have to give it 5 stars out of 5 stars. The book is so cool. I thoroughly enjoyed it and couldn't wait to start book 2.
Steven Luna has done a fantastic job of writing this book and I was drawn in from the start.
I honestly thought that I was reading a blog of a real Vampire; even though Vampires don't exist; Or do they??!
The book has sarcasm, metaphors and puns throughout, it's packed with laugh out loud moments too. There are even times when Joe over shares some details; I can't quote them for spoiler reasons.
I love the way that Steven Luna makes you feel completely immersed in the events as your reading. And how He makes Joe Vampire have to deal with both human and Vampire problems too.
My Favourite Quote (location 2592, Kindle):
"Megan and I had more in common that just music:
• She likes reading; I've heard of books.
• She's studying fashion design; I wear clothes.
• She volunteers at an animal shelter; I eat animals.
The similarities were uncanny. "
Overall I thoroughly enjoyed this book and immediately started reading the second book:
Joe Vampire The Afterlife.
May 27, 2014
Reading Joe Vampire was the equivalent of reading a blog that was having a conversation directly with me. "What do you mean?" you say. I mean this: From the first paragraphs of the first entry of the blog, in which Joe confesses to the cyber-verse the ins and outs of becoming a vampire and how far removed it is from the fiction that has popularized the undead, he spoke directly at me, and called me out on all my vampire fan bullshit. Yes, I am female between the ages of 14 and 42. Yes, I'm a fan of the "Nightfall" novels. Yes, I play with a virtual farm on facebook. So sue me.
Steven Luna sucked me in and made me laugh out load, over and over again. Pop culture references are sprinkled throughout keeping the story present and solidifying the idea that Joe is a real person, who has really become a vampire.
The detail in the transformation from human to undead is disgusting, but intriguing because the physical process isn't explained away (or left to be just assumed) by magic.
Joe's relationships both before and after his transformation, are whole and real, even if they aren't always perfect.
And the best part, was there was no nonsense about what being a vampire meant for his soul and some higher or "lower" beings. It was a human story, about human decisions to be a good person even if it would be really easy to be "bad".
Already started book two, and looking forward to more.
Steven Luna sucked me in and made me laugh out load, over and over again. Pop culture references are sprinkled throughout keeping the story present and solidifying the idea that Joe is a real person, who has really become a vampire.
The detail in the transformation from human to undead is disgusting, but intriguing because the physical process isn't explained away (or left to be just assumed) by magic.
Joe's relationships both before and after his transformation, are whole and real, even if they aren't always perfect.
And the best part, was there was no nonsense about what being a vampire meant for his soul and some higher or "lower" beings. It was a human story, about human decisions to be a good person even if it would be really easy to be "bad".
Already started book two, and looking forward to more.
October 22, 2012
Read review & interview with Steven Luna at Geeks Unleashed.Me
Joe Vampire... a solid novel. And it's not so much a novel, really, as it is a... blog. Steven Luna chose to tell the story of Joe Vampire through the words of a vampire blog, and it was all very... brilliant, actually.
I found it to be kind of... gross, at times - the whole vampirism thing (in Luna's eyes) told from a realistic, man point of view. But it was very real, I mean Joe was this real kind of guy - not some romantic sap of a man - but a real guy and this was a real vampire blog. And I think we, as readers, can take something from the realistic nature of it all. It felt like we could be counted as intelligent people when reading this book, like there's some guy out there writing this blog that is going through real life like the rest of us, not just being a vampire. Luna makes the relationships work through friends, family, love - and he doesn't back down for anything. I think he's an excellent writer.
Joe Vampire... a solid novel. And it's not so much a novel, really, as it is a... blog. Steven Luna chose to tell the story of Joe Vampire through the words of a vampire blog, and it was all very... brilliant, actually.
I found it to be kind of... gross, at times - the whole vampirism thing (in Luna's eyes) told from a realistic, man point of view. But it was very real, I mean Joe was this real kind of guy - not some romantic sap of a man - but a real guy and this was a real vampire blog. And I think we, as readers, can take something from the realistic nature of it all. It felt like we could be counted as intelligent people when reading this book, like there's some guy out there writing this blog that is going through real life like the rest of us, not just being a vampire. Luna makes the relationships work through friends, family, love - and he doesn't back down for anything. I think he's an excellent writer.
December 28, 2012
I enjoyed Joe's story about how he became and vampire and what the change did to his everyday, typical life. This guy is really and truly an average Joe. The story is told as a blog so there is only's Joe's perspective of things but that was enough. Mostly Joe found the most humorous way to share his daily struggle but after awhile, the pain came through. Joe is not having a wonderful after-life. Things are happening to his body -- longer ears, canines keep growing back no matter how many times he files them down daily, and his skin is a nasty grey color. He even manages to get shorter due to loss of bodily fluids. Yeah, Joe is very pissed at the vampire romance world because he knows better.
Joe has a few good friends that see him through, not at first, but once he allows others to share his journey to discovery we get a decent HEA. This is not a novella and it's not a hop, skip, and jump either. I would consider this one more of a guy's guide to becoming a vampire as Joe really doesn't have a clue how a woman's mind works.
If you want to have some fun and are tired of the alpha vampire who has lived since the great flood, Joe is your vamp. Read It, it's cheap for Kindle.
Joe has a few good friends that see him through, not at first, but once he allows others to share his journey to discovery we get a decent HEA. This is not a novella and it's not a hop, skip, and jump either. I would consider this one more of a guy's guide to becoming a vampire as Joe really doesn't have a clue how a woman's mind works.
If you want to have some fun and are tired of the alpha vampire who has lived since the great flood, Joe is your vamp. Read It, it's cheap for Kindle.
May 27, 2014
Joe Vampire is a wonderfully hilarious novel about a regular guy living through vampirism suckery. Being a vampire is not as glamourous as they make it out to be in All Those Teen Novels, and Joe is basically having the worst day, week, year...ever.
The perspective in which the story is told is quite brilliant; the blog is a unique way for Joe to be himself without the overly exaggerated angst we find in traditionally-told supernatural/paranormal novels, and it works in Joe Vampire. It just flows.
It's an adult, fantasy TFIOS, if the cancer was vampirism and a corporate day job was Amsterdam. It is as witty as it is tragic, as distant as it is emotional. Through the people Joe comes in contact with--most of the time accidentally--there is some serious WTFery that goes on, and it's simultaneously painful and magnificent to watch.
It's a great spin on celebrity vampirism in pop-culture. It's a real kind of book that reminds me of that time my friend asked me to write a book about a fat vampire because none of the vampires in books are fat. (Not that Joe is fat. I think he's kind of pasty, though, for those like my friend who are looking for a more realistically-flawed protagonist.)
Bravo.
The perspective in which the story is told is quite brilliant; the blog is a unique way for Joe to be himself without the overly exaggerated angst we find in traditionally-told supernatural/paranormal novels, and it works in Joe Vampire. It just flows.
It's an adult, fantasy TFIOS, if the cancer was vampirism and a corporate day job was Amsterdam. It is as witty as it is tragic, as distant as it is emotional. Through the people Joe comes in contact with--most of the time accidentally--there is some serious WTFery that goes on, and it's simultaneously painful and magnificent to watch.
It's a great spin on celebrity vampirism in pop-culture. It's a real kind of book that reminds me of that time my friend asked me to write a book about a fat vampire because none of the vampires in books are fat. (Not that Joe is fat. I think he's kind of pasty, though, for those like my friend who are looking for a more realistically-flawed protagonist.)
Bravo.
February 5, 2013
Ha! This book had me cracking up.
Joe starts a blog to talk about how he turned into a vampire, and what he is going through to adjust to this huge change in his life. He starts by letting us all know its not all sparkly and sexy.
I really enjoyed this book, but there where a few times when it just seemed to drag a little to me (hence why only four stars). I would actually think to stop reading the book in general but then something would happen that would have me cracking up again so I would continue reading. But in the sense that life isn't going to be interesting all the time, I think pace is good. I really loved Joe, he goes through some really messed up stuff, but pulls through and continues on with his new half life. It was really nice to get a book that is not all about some sexy vampire roaming the night making women swoon with just a wink.
The end of the book seemed a little "Happily Ever After" to me, but not enough to give me a tooth ache.
Would I recommend this book? Yup! It was funny and real.
http://zephyrbookreviews.blogspot.com/
Joe starts a blog to talk about how he turned into a vampire, and what he is going through to adjust to this huge change in his life. He starts by letting us all know its not all sparkly and sexy.
I really enjoyed this book, but there where a few times when it just seemed to drag a little to me (hence why only four stars). I would actually think to stop reading the book in general but then something would happen that would have me cracking up again so I would continue reading. But in the sense that life isn't going to be interesting all the time, I think pace is good. I really loved Joe, he goes through some really messed up stuff, but pulls through and continues on with his new half life. It was really nice to get a book that is not all about some sexy vampire roaming the night making women swoon with just a wink.
The end of the book seemed a little "Happily Ever After" to me, but not enough to give me a tooth ache.
Would I recommend this book? Yup! It was funny and real.
http://zephyrbookreviews.blogspot.com/
December 29, 2012
What would you do if you woke up one morning and found yourself among the living dead? Try to make the best of it? Tell your loved ones? Start a blog?
Joe Vampire is the story of an average guy and how his life is rocked by one small mistake that turns him into a vampire and his attempt to continue a semi-normal life in spite of it, told in blog format.
I liked Joe and his story. It's funny as much as sad as you read about his mini-misadventures and mistakes, often in bulleted lists. After I finished I wanted to find him and give him a hug and say "It's all gonna be okay Joe" but that would be odd...and impossible.
If you're looking for a read that's funny and easy to do in small increments, or a change from the glamor of many turned-into-a-vampire stories this is a good one to pick up.
Joe Vampire is the story of an average guy and how his life is rocked by one small mistake that turns him into a vampire and his attempt to continue a semi-normal life in spite of it, told in blog format.
I liked Joe and his story. It's funny as much as sad as you read about his mini-misadventures and mistakes, often in bulleted lists. After I finished I wanted to find him and give him a hug and say "It's all gonna be okay Joe" but that would be odd...and impossible.
If you're looking for a read that's funny and easy to do in small increments, or a change from the glamor of many turned-into-a-vampire stories this is a good one to pick up.
December 24, 2012
Ive had this on my kindle for ages, and I forgot about it until today....wow! what took me so long?
Brutal, and bawdy, this well constructed tale by Joe, a vampire, who "lets us in " to his wild ride of a life(?) as an undead....
Joe's story is in blog form, very appropriate for this day and age. Unlike "Twitlite" this seems steeped in reality, and flew by,
inches from my brain, like that famous chainsaw being wielded by the psycho in the"Texas Chainsaw Massacre".
I felt like I had to jump out of the way every time a new blog got down and dirty with Vampire shenanigans!
One heck of a wild ride dude.... But what do you expect? It's Vampire style!
Brutal, and bawdy, this well constructed tale by Joe, a vampire, who "lets us in " to his wild ride of a life(?) as an undead....
Joe's story is in blog form, very appropriate for this day and age. Unlike "Twitlite" this seems steeped in reality, and flew by,
inches from my brain, like that famous chainsaw being wielded by the psycho in the"Texas Chainsaw Massacre".
I felt like I had to jump out of the way every time a new blog got down and dirty with Vampire shenanigans!
One heck of a wild ride dude.... But what do you expect? It's Vampire style!
July 2, 2013
Poor Joe
This is a funny telling of a vampire story with fun twists on the lore. On a very bad blind date Joe finds himself infected, but nothing that a shot of penicillin is going to cure. With no one to help him discover the nature of his affliction, Joe has to rely on trial and error to keep himself undead, his parents happy, his friends friendly, his music career alive and his girlfriend from leaving him. He also has a job.
The book is full of interesting takes on the vampire lifestyle and how it can complicate the live of a twentysomething year old as he tries to get along without biting his friends.
This is a funny telling of a vampire story with fun twists on the lore. On a very bad blind date Joe finds himself infected, but nothing that a shot of penicillin is going to cure. With no one to help him discover the nature of his affliction, Joe has to rely on trial and error to keep himself undead, his parents happy, his friends friendly, his music career alive and his girlfriend from leaving him. He also has a job.
The book is full of interesting takes on the vampire lifestyle and how it can complicate the live of a twentysomething year old as he tries to get along without biting his friends.
October 3, 2012
Besides the great writing, what moved this book into the 5 star category was the creative twist in the plot. The unique perspective of an unvoluntary vampire struggling to find his fit in the world. At first I wondered if the blog post style of the book was just a plot device that would become wear on me, but Steve's workcraft kept it fresh and engaging. I highly recommend this book, especially to any of you, like me, who don't read vampire books because everyone else does.
November 21, 2012
I'm not surprised that I loved this book because I know Steven Luna is a very talented writer. I don't usually read books about vampires but felt I needed to give this one a try because of Steven's writing style. I felt like I really got to know Joe and found myself agonizing over his issues. This book was written with such wit and humor in all the right places. Steven's mastery of words and telling a story is amazing. This book is a must read....even for non vampire lovers.
March 13, 2014
Funny witty sarcastic a fun read that had me laughing out loud. Not cool not hip not sexy not ready for dating or new dietary demands Joe finds being turned into a vampire is an unpleasent complication. Written in the form of a whinging blog of all the noisesome irrations of his new life with a snarky wit that is most entertaining. A fresh apporach to the vampire story that I can highly reccomend to anyone tired of sparkly teens with an overbite.
September 14, 2016
No sparkles!
Joe is such an understated guy, no mess, no fuss, simply telling it like it is.
I enjoyed reading this, the ups and downs, the disasters and the triumphs. I liked the simplicity of the story too, told in a down to earth way.
I'm especially glad there were none of those ridiculous sparkly vampires and soppy, inconceivable love scenes. Thanks for that, Mr Luna.
Joe is such an understated guy, no mess, no fuss, simply telling it like it is.
I enjoyed reading this, the ups and downs, the disasters and the triumphs. I liked the simplicity of the story too, told in a down to earth way.
I'm especially glad there were none of those ridiculous sparkly vampires and soppy, inconceivable love scenes. Thanks for that, Mr Luna.
December 4, 2012
I think this book was very well written and I was a huge fan of the humor and sarcasm!! I would totally read it again and definitely recommend it to anyone who is into the whole vampire thing :-) Good read.
March 22, 2012
Wonderful writing. I loved Joe's voice and the humor in his story. I have to admit I was a little bored after about 60 pages but the writing really carried the story.
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