Staked: A Vampire's Tale

by Kim Catanzarite

"An innovative take on the modern vampire story."—Kirkus Reviews

"Those who enjoyed The Historian, will delight in Gregorie's journey and eagerly anticipate his next adventure."—BlueInk Review (starred review)

STAKED is a startlingly warm and wholesome tale of love, found friendship, strength of will, and purity of heart—with enough horror to make the war between light and dark come to life.—IndieReader Approved

Can an angel also be a monster?

Gregorie Babin has existed in a gently lulling darkness for so long he’s not even sure he’s human anymore. Surrounded by four walls, without light or space in which to move, he has become what he envisions as a mollusk inside a shell. Is he alive or dead, or perhaps in some kind of purgatory or Hell? The answer lies in a past he no longer remembers. It is only when random forces break him out of this perpetual darkness that he can begin to know the devastating truth—and what it means for his future.

Written with the author’s signature talent for “psychological conflict . . . and emotional tension” (The Book Commentary), this is a speculative journey of a young man’s desperate desire to get back home to the ones he loves. Prepare to be captivated by a tale that tests the boundaries of your imagination and leaves you questioning the darkness that lies within us all.

Genres: Vampires, Fantasy, Fiction, Paranormal, Gothic

220 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 3, 2023

About the author

Kim Catanzarite writes character-driven science fiction and dark fantasy novels. Her books are a mix of heartfelt family and friendship drama, fast-paced adventure, engaging plot twists, and unique imagination. She is the author of the Jovian Universe series and the Angel of Death series. Kim lives in New Jersey with her husband and daughter.

Reviews

[Sudasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another excellent fantasy novel from Kim Catanzarite!

Though different from her novels I've read before, 'Staked' still kept the fantasy themes that Kim is so good at writing. Poignant and at times frightening, the novel tells the story of Gregorie Babin, a Frenchman who finds himself in a major predicament - he washed ashore after a long time at sea, and he has little to no recollection of how it came to be. We follow his journey as he struggles to regain his memories and finds himself confronted by strange happenings.

I really enjoyed Gregorie as the main protagonist; his story was a fresh take on vampire lore and I liked that. He was relatable and likable, and while this is not always necessary, it does make for a nicer reading experience. Even when faced with adversity, his character was commendable.

With a happily-for-now ending, we will hopefully get to see more of Gregorie soon. As usual, I can't wait for the next book in this new Catanzarite series!

[Kim Catanzarite · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am the author of this book, the idea for which came to me one morning as I woke. It was there, in my mind, waiting for me to grab pencil and paper and scribble it down before it disappeared. You know how that sort of thing happens? You get a great, fully formed idea but as soon as consciousness sets in, the dreamlike idea blows away as if on a breeze through an open window. Luckily, I caught this one before it could escape me and my conscious mind!

Staked is about a young Frenchman named Gregorie Babin, who wakes in a world he doesn't recognize. First of all, he's adrift in the ocean with no idea how he ended up there. As he swims to shore in the dark of night, small snippets of memory come to him but only leave him frustrated. Who is he? Why is here? What has happened to him? He collapses on the shore and when he gathers enough strength to move, a strange scent leads him frantically across the beach and into the woods. What happens next baffles him even more than waking in the ocean did.

As Gregorie regains his memories, the story leads to a small village in France, where he grew up with his Maman (the town healer) and the girl next door (Michaelangela Martineau), who he’d planned to marry. In front of him lies a dramatic, speculative journey led by his desperate desire to get back home to the ones he loves.

I hope you enjoy this novel as much as I enjoyed writing it. Staked is Book 1 in the Angel of Death series, and it works very well as a stand-alone.

[Jennifer Finken · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful story

I won this in a Goodreads giveaway and was pleasantly surprised at how beautiful a story this was. I am excited to see how Gregorie's story unfolds.

[Leighann Keith · Rating 1 out of 5]

So mad I wasted my time on this freebie.

[Ron D · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not A Fan

I was disappointed in this story for so many reasons. I felt the storyline/plot didn’t go anywhere. The characters were underdeveloped, and the scene settings were lacking. This was like a kid’s story on vampires. I’d look elsewhere before settling on this to read.

[Hel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy read. I liked it but the characters take s long time to build. A long book with a short story.

[The Book Nerd's Corner · Rating 2 out of 5]

A short book featuring a fledgling vampire who washes ashore with few memories of who he is or how he came to be there.

Gregorie Babin has been trapped in darkness for as long as he can remember. With no hope of escaping, Gregorie has given in to his fate. One day, a great force breaks him out of his prison and Gregorie finds himself afloat at sea. When he swims to shore, nothing looks familiar and he has no recollection of how he got there. Gregorie soon learns that many secrets lie just beneath the surface and that the reason he was trapped for so long is darker than he ever could have imagined.

Right away, I found this one to have a really funny premise. A newly formed vampire with partial memory loss has no idea that he is a vampire or how in the world he ended up in America. It was comical to see all the strange activities he did, such as dig holes to avoid sunlight and cram himself into strange boxes to rest during the day. I found Gregorie's exploits in the beginning to be humorous and enjoyable to read about.

However, nothing about Gregorie's predicament was all that surprising. About a fourth of the way in my boyfriend asked me what this book is about and I could pretty much rattle off everything one needed to know about Gregorie's past and how he got turned into a vampire without having read all that much of the book. I feel if this one would have been told in chronological order rather than set up as a half-done mystery, I could have found myself liking this one more. Nothing was surprising, so his lost memories didn't hold that much weight.

By the second half of this book, it really began to drag. Somehow, Gregorie is still in denial that he is a vampire even after drinking the blood from raw animals three times and he still hasn't figured out that he was sleeping for hundreds of years. I feel even an unintelligent character couldn't avoid those two fundamental truths for all that long. This book isn't lengthy by any standards, yet it was still a drag to get through the middle section.

The ending picked up a bit, but nothing shocking happened (well except for that one super random and disturbing detail that I'll talk about later). The other vampires that are introduced are highly stereotypical vampires, with the man being huge and deadly and the woman being demanding and beautiful. Also, it didn't shock me one bit that either of these characters appeared nor was I surprised with their relation to one another.

The one thing that did shock me about this one is that incest was brought into it. It is clear early on that one of the characters has a bad and abusive relationship with her family, but I wasn't expecting incest to be in the question. For rape between family members to come into this story and have little impact felt rather jarring to me and certainly took me out of the story for a bit. It turns out that some things happened between her brother and her, and I was shocked to see a thing like this appear out of the blue.

Long story short, there just wasn't anything all that special about this one. The characters are all lackluster, the plot barely plods along, and everything is super predictable. I fear this book may have suffered severely from book one syndrome, with the lore of the world being established and little else. Sadly though, the lore isn't all that unique or complicated, so this really shouldn't have been the case.

I'm so conflicted because I adore Catanzarite's newsletter and feel that her writing style is strong, but the structure of her novels and her characters just feel like they are extremely lacking something important. I will probably still read the next book in this series to see if it goes anywhere juicy, but it will sadden me if it is more mid than anything else.

Overall "Staked" is a pretty typical vampire tale that just happens to feature a very confused vampire in the first third or so. I found myself super engaged at the beginning, losing interest in the middle, and felt no surprise by anything that happened in the end. I seriously wish I could have liked this one more, but everything about it just screamed middle of the road. The characters weren't anything special, the plot hardly existed, and I found the split narrative to be rather ineffective. I'm definitely willing to give Catanzarite's work another chance, but I seriously need something to impress me in the next one if I'm going to commit to keep reading her books in the long run.

[Robin Goodfellow · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book for free. This does not impact my review in any shape or form.

Staked: A Vampire’s Tale, by Kim Catanzarite, is a historical horror about a man who uncovers the tragedy behind his disappearance, and attempts to reconcile with the being he’s become. Gregorie and Michaelangela have fallen in love with one another, and vowed that, when they both turn 18, they would marry and leave the tiny village they grew up in. Taking pride in his duties as an angel of death, Gregorie learns how to care for the people in his village from his mother, a healer. Despite his hopes for the future, things take a turn for the worse when Michaelangla disappears. Hundreds of years later, a man washes up on the beach with little sense of what’s happened. The nameless man meets three (two) kindhearted strangers whom he’s decided to protect, as he tries to remember how he got on that beach, where he came from, and ultimately, who he is.

Gregorie is a sweetheart. I like how innocent he is, and how, despite him discovering and reconciling with the uncomfortable secrets that, ordinarily, would’ve forced anyone into insanity. He stayed true to himself in spite of everything that’s happened and all the temptations he’s been presented with. This is a stark contrast to Michaelangela, who had fallen so far. And I’m not going to lie; whenever I picture Gregorie I imagine him crawling back into his coffin and sleeping like an awkward, introverted turtle who needs to recharge. He’s like a goodhearted natured child who wants everyone to be happy, even though it might not be very realistic. In this way he’s also Paul’s foil; while Paul is human, he has a very real understanding of how the world works (if I was Paul I’d be mad at Gentile too). Normally it’s the vampire who give humans a wakeup call, but in this case it’s rather refreshing to see a human having to save an immortal from their own naiveté.

Interestingly enough, this book reads like a YA novel. It’s as though Gregorie was trying to find his own identify, and reclaim what he was robbed of so many years ago. I don’t necessarily think he understands the gravity of his suggestions to Gentile or Liam, nor dos he understand the impact that homelessness has on Paul. He has a lot of dreams he wants to fulfill, and even though he had to let go of them, there’s hope that he’d be able to find a place for himself somewhere in the world, that he won’t be like Reynaud or Michaelangela. It’s a rather morose ending, but a fitting one nonetheless.

As such, I would give this book a 4.5 out of 5 stars.

[KATY K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kim Catanzarite's Staked: A Vampire's Tale is an exciting fantasy of vampires across time and continents, one of whom is endearing in his desperate efforts to find a way home.

When Gregorie wakes up to realize he has landed on a beach and craves the blood of an animal, his confusion is palpable: he is in an unknown land and needs to steer clear of others until he figures out what is happening. Still, he befriends a trio of local islanders who help him realize he is far from home—by distance and the passage of time. In fact, his memories stem from the 1700s. It is now present day. Unrecognizable objects (automobiles) pass by on the road and credit cards are a form of monetary payment. Gregorie is lost and needs to find his way home.

The story builds with flashbacks to Gregorie's early and fateful encounter with a vampire in the 18th century. In between, he comes into his own as he makes clear his urgent plight to return to France. A likeable and genuine main character, Gregorie wears his heart on his sleeve as he reminisces about his young love and feels sadness at her sudden disappearance long ago. As the crisp prose progresses, Gregorie’s story fills out in snippets, just as it might coming out of a multi-century amnesia. His determination to protect his newfound mortal friends from fear-inducing vampiric traits adds to his charm.

Suspense and revelations move chapters in quick rhythm, prompting a plot that is uncomplicated and easy to follow. Words and dialogue in French further add to its appeal and conjure authenticity of time and place. There is a surprising plot twist for a secondary character—a dilemma hinted at in subtle fashion throughout the book. And while this revelation sparks some surprise, it does clarify an emotional load that ran as an undercurrent in the secondary character’s story. Action-filled scenes in closing chapters result in a satisfying conclusion. Though the curtain on this part of Gregorie’s adventure has closed, it sets the stage well for a follow-on book.

A highly enjoyable read—whether fan of vampire books or not. It goes easy on the gore and relies instead on one’s innate fear as it also upholds traditional vampire storylines to make it relatable. A surprisingly enjoyable diversion into a unique fantasy realm between two worlds!

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Staked is about a young Frenchman named Gregorie Babin, who wakes in a world he doesn't recognize. First of all, he's adrift in the ocean with no idea how he ended up there. As he swims to shore in the dark of night, small snippets of memory come to him but only leave him frustrated. Who is he? Why is here? What has happened to him? He collapses on the shore and when he gathers enough strength to move, a strange scent leads him frantically across the beach and into the woods. What happens next baffles him even more than waking in the ocean did.

As Gregorie regains his memories, the story leads to a small village in France, where he grew up with his Maman (the town healer) and the girl next door (Michaelangela Martineau), who he’d planned to marry. In front of him lies a dramatic, speculative journey led by his desperate desire to get back home to the ones he loves.

My thoughts: In this captivating narrative, the elegance of the 18th century collides with the edgy allure of 1980’s lost boys. It crafts a tapestry where the angel of death intertwines with vampiric lore, and where personal traumas and histories either find solace in forgiveness and acceptance or remain shrouded in denial. The author's command of the written word is evident — the prose masterfully depicts a journey from confusion to understanding. The seamless integration of French phrases with English not only enriches a character's depth but also ensures that the reader isn't overwhelmed by overly ornate language. While I yearned for a few unpredictable plot twists, the book remains a compelling read.

Special thanks to the author or the eARC

[T.J. Wallace · Rating 4 out of 5]

**I received "Staked" for free from the author in exchange for an honest review.

This is the first book I have read by Kim Catanzarite, whose Instagram account I have enjoyed following for the past year or so, and I think it won't be the last. I really liked Catanzarite's writing, which was crisp but also played with language in creative and interesting ways.

"Staked" is a unique take on a vampire story with a mysterious and ancient MC who is nevertheless oddly relatable and even lovable. I appreciated how the layers of mystery surrounding Gregorie's past were slowly unwrapped, but my favorite part of the book was at the beginning, when I knew nothing and was befuddled by the creepiness of a man who crawls around like an animal and burrows into the sand like crab. I also loved all of the flashback scenes and the magical elements of Gregorie's past.

I struggled a little bit with some of the secondary characters in the contemporary storyline and feeling like their reactions were unrealistic. They accepted fantastical revelations with odd equanamity and just generally didn't feel well-rounded or believable. And there was a big, serious reveal about one of the secondary characters towards the end that felt forced and went mostly unexplored. Since it was mentioned, I was expecting more.

Overall, it was a quick and entertaining read. I was turning the pages quickly to find out what happened next, and I would like to read more about Gregorie and how he finds balance between the opposing forces within.

[Tricia LaRochelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Imagine not knowing who you are, where you came from, or even what you are for that matter. Strange? You have no idea. But that is precisely how Gregorie feels as he’s cast out of the ocean, his mind gripped with confusion. As he struggles to orient himself with time and place and strange new desires, three, free-spirited people approach: one woman and two men, each of them curious about this stranger with tattered clothes and blood stains on his hands and face.

Sensing his torment, the young woman named Gentille tries to help Gregorie; her two male companions less trusting, but willing to go along. It is only when the four find a cave—more importantly, what’s inside the cave—that Gregorie begins to remember.

Unbeknownst to him, a dark force draws near, one that can destroy him and everyone he cares about. Time is running out as he races toward the truth about his past, his purpose, and the powers that he possesses.

Author Kim Catanzarite has done it again with this compelling start to her new series. Staked is intriguing, heartfelt, and loaded with plot twists that will keep the reader guessing all the way to the end.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a unique twist to the vampire story. My interest was caught from the beginning, Kim set the stage very well. Gregorie, the main character, is French, at least a hundred years old I think, but naive, sweet, smart, caring and has a very strong moral compass. Not your typical vampire! The way he becomes conscious and ends up in the modern world is very well done.
His story flows so smoothly and moves quickly. Gregorie's concepts of the world and what constitutes safety to him are quirky, yet make sense as we get to know him. He's intriguing and likable and he grows and learns about himself and how to adapt to the world and his new "life." His interactions with the people he meets are poignant - humorous and genuine.
Kim's writing is so good. The characters and storyline are different and engaging - believable.
I've read the Jovian series and was excited to see what this world would be like. I received a free digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Next, please!

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was just an okay read for me. I thought the idea of the book was good - that's why I purchased it. And it got lot's of good reviews.
However, I found that the characters weren't very well developed. The author could have expounded more on Gregoire's home life and his relationship with Michaelangela and exactly what did happen to her.
I also found the way that Gentille, Liam and Paul befriended him so quickly and kind of glossed over the fact that he couldn't really answer many of their questions to be unrealistic. And Gregoire's reaction to being in the world 200 years or so after he was last aware to be unrealistic. He didn't react much to any of the new inventions that had to have happened since he left France.
Needless to say, I was disappointed in this book and won't be reading the next in the series.

[Micah Rosado · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this family oriented vampire story. I would love to continue the series as this had one of the few characters that follow the good guy vampire type that is pleasant to read about. Gregorie is likable to me, he is more heart than intellect which is a nice change of pace. Some of the vampires I've read think too much like philosophers. I appreciate how his decision making becomes more clear as he figures out who he is without his morals changing. A truly consistent character.

The worldbuilding for the vampire lore is nice. They are typical vampires and lore is not vomited out. It is incorporated naturally in the dialogue and descriptions. My favorite is Michaelangela and Reynaud talking about his maker. It's no more than 3-4 lines of dialogue but it is the perfect amount to suggest deeper mysteries while not becoming a distraction from the main conflict.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway.

I love vampire stories, so I was very excited to read this one. Gregorie washed up on a beach with no memory of how he got there. He meets some nice people and slowly starts to remember his life. He knows something is wrong with him, but he doesn't know what it is. He tries to understand this new world while finding a way back to France.

I liked that it wasn't a traditional vampire story, but I wanted more action/fighting. Why doesn't he drink human blood like everyone else? What exactly is an Angel of Death? The story was fairly slow, but the end felt rushed. I still have so many questions. Since this is Book 1, I'm hoping there will be more. Perhaps with more action next time. For those that don't like gore, this is perfect.

[John Morse · Rating 4 out of 5]

A young adult novel that captures the adventures of a reluctant vampire who has lived in a sealed trunk on the ocean floor for nearly 300 years before he surfaces on an unnamed island in the United States in 2023. What follows is a tangled story of fear, friendship, love, and the enduring attraction of the underworld. Multiple stories unfold along the past and the present and are skillfully told. In the final chapters, the author sensibly sorts out all the characters’ entanglements in a very satisfying way. Bram Stoker would be amused. Staked is billed as the first in the series, and there is plenty of grist for future stories spawned from this richly written tale.

[Zoë Routh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am thrilled to have received an advanced reader's copy. I opened this book and did not stop reading until it was done. And that's saying something as vampires are not my usual reading genre!

What I loved: visceral description that dropped me in the action and emotions and characters immediately. The pacing was fabulous, with a slow but not too slow reveal of our vampire's past, teasing the reader and keeping the pages turning.

It was a small and compelling cast with a satisfying ending, leaving me hungry for more.

A fabulous read and highly recommended.

[Annette Masters · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so excited to have another book by Kim Catanzarite, and Staked gave me everything I hoped for. This fresh take on Vampires gives readers an intriguing story about Gregorie, a vampire who is more lovable than scary, but there is plenty to fear in this novel. Beautifully written, this book immerses readers in Gregorie's worlds, both past and present, and I especially loved when the author took us back to 1724 France and the turbulent sea.

While the ending is satisfying, it also makes room for more stories about Gregorie's future, and I can't wait for the next book.

[Becky BEHRENS · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful vampire story!

I don't normally like vampire stories, but this one caught my interest and held it to the end.
The story is told from the viewpoint of the vampire, Gregorie, who was turned against his will and has a hard time accepting it.
Gregorie has a strong moral compass and must fight his new urges in order to be true to his inner self. His love for his mother and his childhood sweetheart drive him, as well as his desire to protect his new friends.
Fast paced and exciting, this is an intriguing story that does not disappoint.

[Ella Droste · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a thrilling ride through the supernatural. The author's unique take on vampires brings a fresh perspective to the genre. The characters are engaging, and the plot keeps you hooked from start to finish. It's a captivating blend of mystery and lore – perfect for anyone looking for a vampiric escape. Overall, a solid read that keeps the pages turning.

I'd like to express my gratitude for having received an online copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Laura Botten · Rating 5 out of 5]

Catanzarite weaves together two intriguing stories from 1700's France to the present day. By the mid-point I was on the edge of my seat. This is the first of a trilogy, and we're treated to an ending that will lead perfectly into Book Two. If you like dual timelines, vampires, and a touch of French finesse, this book is for you! Perfect for a slightly creepy read on a cool, fall night.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really, really great story, wonderfully told. Old style vampires, slinking around in the night and attacking people. A hero vampire and a villain vampire. Maidens in distress. Gregorie, our hero vampire, is engagingly innocent, someone you care about, someone in danger, someone who wants to protect his friends. in the beginning, he wakes up in the bottom of the ocean with no idea who he is or how he got there. Slowly he remembers his mother, the girl he loves, why he was on the ship that sank, why he no longer eats anything. A compelling story with a main character you an't help but root for.

[Freya · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really just could not get into this book. I DNF 35%. Characters were boring and everything seemed so repetitive. Thought this would be a great book with a different twist on the vampire genre but it felt short.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

#goodreadsgiveaway

Definitely a very different and interesting story, I'm already imagining what the next book will be like. Hopefully it won't make me want to cry. #goodreadsgiveaway

[Gwendolynn · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not a fan

Okay, I'm not saying you shouldn't get this book. Just my personal preference did not correlate with the book. The ending seemed rushed, and I personally prefer female MC books. Definitely a new take on vampires which was cool. Not your basic vampire story.

[Cierra · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this as a Goodreads giveaway a while back.

It was a fine short read, could’ve used a smidge more refining but was a quick and entertaining enough read. It was through kindle unlimited or only cost a few dollars, I wouldn’t consider it a loss.

[Ronald A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting twist on the vampire theme. Held my attention from start to finish. Looking forward to the next book in the series.

[Fiction Footprints · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading the story of Gregorie. It’s comical, heartwarming, and heart wrenching at times, Staked has all the thing I look for in a book.

[Kendra Desroches · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars