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Less Than Human
The town of Carruthers, Texas, has seen its share of drifters and lowlifes. But never anyone like Steven and Earl...
They move from town to town. Hustling the pool halls. Raising a little hell. Drinking a little blood. They sleep by day and hunt by night—the ultimate predators. The perfect life.
Until now.
A barroom brawl ends in disaster. The soil from Steven's grave has been stolen. And a young boy's death sparks an all-out war between vampires and mortals that will turn the local Frontier Day celebration into a bloodbath...
It's time to paint the town red.
They move from town to town. Hustling the pool halls. Raising a little hell. Drinking a little blood. They sleep by day and hunt by night—the ultimate predators. The perfect life.
Until now.
A barroom brawl ends in disaster. The soil from Steven's grave has been stolen. And a young boy's death sparks an all-out war between vampires and mortals that will turn the local Frontier Day celebration into a bloodbath...
It's time to paint the town red.
272 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published July 1, 1992
77 people are currently reading
312 people want to read
About the author
Gary Raisor
21 books31 followersI grew up on Eerie and Creepy magazines and Hammer movies with Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing. I love the work of Richard Matheson, Edgar Rice Burroughs, Joe Lansdale, and Stephen King.
When I'm not fishing or playing with my two dogs Wilbur and Maya, I write horror. I started out with short stories in The Horror Show and Night Cry. Then Cemetery Dance, appearing in the magazine many times and in their best of with Stephen King, Ray Bradbury, along with a who's who of horror.
I have two ebooks out from Cemetery Dance Publications. Sinister Purposes and Less Than Human, which was short-listed for the Stoker and praised by Joe Lansdale as "One of the Great Vampire Novels."
When I'm not fishing or playing with my two dogs Wilbur and Maya, I write horror. I started out with short stories in The Horror Show and Night Cry. Then Cemetery Dance, appearing in the magazine many times and in their best of with Stephen King, Ray Bradbury, along with a who's who of horror.
I have two ebooks out from Cemetery Dance Publications. Sinister Purposes and Less Than Human, which was short-listed for the Stoker and praised by Joe Lansdale as "One of the Great Vampire Novels."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
June 22, 2016
The cover of Less Than Human implies mindless, B-movie-style fun, but it's anything but. In fact, I'd put it up there with Salem's Lot, The Light at the End, and Let the Right One In as one of the best vampire novels I've ever read, and one of the best horror novels in general I've read in recent years.
One thing that's immediately apparent is that Raisor can write, with a prose style that sucks the reader in despite the many interweaving plotlines, somewhat reminiscent of fellow "splatterpunks" like early Lansdale or Skipp and Spector. While on the surface this is a novel about pool hustler vampire drifters invading a small Arizona rancher town and the psychic (who's also a pool shark) who stands against them, it also contains a number of stories within stories, jumping back and forth through time -- to the recent past, the wild west, ancient times, and back again -- in order to tell the tale of a very old evil that takes different forms throughout the years. A number of these little stories work amazingly well as stand alone short stories or novelettes on their own, though they do tie-in to the overall plot. There's one rat-infested flashback sequence early on that's particularly nightmarish and hallucinatory, and will probably stick with me for a while.
While parts of the story are told through the perspective of the big baddies -- who don't just consume your blood, but your very person, or "spirit" -- most of it is about the people who are terrorized by them. The characters are well-drawn, and Raisor has an ear for dialogue that few of his horror contemporaries could match. Same with his description. I felt like I was there in the desert heat and desolate landscape among the cowboys/ranchers and Native Americans. The tension remains ramped up throughout, even during seemingly normal scenes of barroom pool shooting, as there's always an undercurrent of fear, as well as a sense of "something very very bad is going to happen" just below the surface. It's also pretty gruesome at times, but no more so than other splatterpunk-style novels of the era.
Less Than Human is an ambitious, and at times quite scary, vampire novel. I loved the dark, western/southern noir vibe, and the only disappointing thing about finishing was finding out that Gary Raisor is the opposite of prolific. This should be more well-known than it is, and anybody looking for a different, fascinating take on the vampire myth should be more than satiated.
4.5 Stars
One thing that's immediately apparent is that Raisor can write, with a prose style that sucks the reader in despite the many interweaving plotlines, somewhat reminiscent of fellow "splatterpunks" like early Lansdale or Skipp and Spector. While on the surface this is a novel about pool hustler vampire drifters invading a small Arizona rancher town and the psychic (who's also a pool shark) who stands against them, it also contains a number of stories within stories, jumping back and forth through time -- to the recent past, the wild west, ancient times, and back again -- in order to tell the tale of a very old evil that takes different forms throughout the years. A number of these little stories work amazingly well as stand alone short stories or novelettes on their own, though they do tie-in to the overall plot. There's one rat-infested flashback sequence early on that's particularly nightmarish and hallucinatory, and will probably stick with me for a while.
While parts of the story are told through the perspective of the big baddies -- who don't just consume your blood, but your very person, or "spirit" -- most of it is about the people who are terrorized by them. The characters are well-drawn, and Raisor has an ear for dialogue that few of his horror contemporaries could match. Same with his description. I felt like I was there in the desert heat and desolate landscape among the cowboys/ranchers and Native Americans. The tension remains ramped up throughout, even during seemingly normal scenes of barroom pool shooting, as there's always an undercurrent of fear, as well as a sense of "something very very bad is going to happen" just below the surface. It's also pretty gruesome at times, but no more so than other splatterpunk-style novels of the era.
Less Than Human is an ambitious, and at times quite scary, vampire novel. I loved the dark, western/southern noir vibe, and the only disappointing thing about finishing was finding out that Gary Raisor is the opposite of prolific. This should be more well-known than it is, and anybody looking for a different, fascinating take on the vampire myth should be more than satiated.
4.5 Stars
July 18, 2019
The cover on Less than Human by Gary Raisor implies dated and corny B-grade horror - but that doesn't really do it justice. This is actually something of a lost gem from the period in which it was written, and perhaps it is down to the authors lack of recent output which has allowed Less Than Human to sit unnoticed.
The book is not your typical vampire fare, and although it comes with a hefty dose of the splatterpunk vibe prevalent at that time, the story itself is much more nuanced.
The author succeeds with blending a trio of genres: the western, vampires, and ancient entities which may or may not be gods. As the tale unfolds we are gifted with several historical jumps, and these changes in time period are actually some of my favorite pieces. And really nicely pieced together.
Set amid the unlikely world of small town American pool hustlers, the story revolves around a stolen pool cue (with a history of its own). Carrying a large cast of characters - most of whom come with flaws - the violence is delivered amid good beats. All of which makes this a fun read.
So, in summing up I'd advise that if you like your vampires to sparkle, then you'll do well to avoid Gary Raisor's Less Than Human. Otherwise, consider giving this one a go. It's an interesting story that unfolds at a good pace!
The book is not your typical vampire fare, and although it comes with a hefty dose of the splatterpunk vibe prevalent at that time, the story itself is much more nuanced.
The author succeeds with blending a trio of genres: the western, vampires, and ancient entities which may or may not be gods. As the tale unfolds we are gifted with several historical jumps, and these changes in time period are actually some of my favorite pieces. And really nicely pieced together.
Set amid the unlikely world of small town American pool hustlers, the story revolves around a stolen pool cue (with a history of its own). Carrying a large cast of characters - most of whom come with flaws - the violence is delivered amid good beats. All of which makes this a fun read.
So, in summing up I'd advise that if you like your vampires to sparkle, then you'll do well to avoid Gary Raisor's Less Than Human. Otherwise, consider giving this one a go. It's an interesting story that unfolds at a good pace!
December 22, 2019
Less than Human. More than Vampires.
Dripping as much with atmosphere as blood, "Less than Human" was Gary Raisor's first novel (deservedly nominated for a Bram Stoker Award in 1992) and also a very fresh take on the vampire mythos. It's also a setting we're not used to for a vampire story: the poolhalls, strip clubs and ranches of a backwater Texas town. These also aren't the vampires you may be used to - and that's a big part of what makes this novel work. The other part is the characters: these are fully realized, living, breathing humans (and some monsters). These are small town people who have heard all the stories, friends and enemies thrust into a situation much larger and darker than any of them (save a handful) have ever encountered. The banter is great - there's rarely a snippet of dialogue that feels boring, cliche or out of place. I think this is a book I'd be likely to appreciate more on a re-read because of the characters and their relationships to one another and the larger story. I could say more but I don't want to veer into spoiler territory. Definite recommend.
Dripping as much with atmosphere as blood, "Less than Human" was Gary Raisor's first novel (deservedly nominated for a Bram Stoker Award in 1992) and also a very fresh take on the vampire mythos. It's also a setting we're not used to for a vampire story: the poolhalls, strip clubs and ranches of a backwater Texas town. These also aren't the vampires you may be used to - and that's a big part of what makes this novel work. The other part is the characters: these are fully realized, living, breathing humans (and some monsters). These are small town people who have heard all the stories, friends and enemies thrust into a situation much larger and darker than any of them (save a handful) have ever encountered. The banter is great - there's rarely a snippet of dialogue that feels boring, cliche or out of place. I think this is a book I'd be likely to appreciate more on a re-read because of the characters and their relationships to one another and the larger story. I could say more but I don't want to veer into spoiler territory. Definite recommend.
March 16, 2016
My original Less Than Human audiobook review and many others can be found at Audiobook Reviewer.
Less Than Human is a novel about vampires, but it is not the normal vampire tale we’ve all become accustomed to. If you’re looking for a story about the common, romanticized vampire variety, look somewhere else. These vampires are mean and gruesome. Earl and Steven are a unique duo of wicked bloodsuckers who love a bit of pool hall hustling. When Steven’s very significant pool cue is stolen, the pair is set on a gory collision course with John Warrick, himself a pool hustler but also, and more importantly, a psychic.
Gary Raisor takes us to Texas and back in time to the old Wild West providing Earl and Steven’s back-stories and making this a really original setting for a vampire story. There are mythic elements, there are rats, rattlesnakes, and feathered serpents, there are cowboys and Native Americans. It is a gruesome horror story but the author skillfully blends the terror with a good dose of humor.
It took me a little while to get into the story, as there are plenty of characters to keep up with, and the story initially felt a bit disjointed. I had a feeling I got lost and had to catch up with the plot, but as you get further into the story, it all becomes clear and comes together nicely. Saying that, I was at no stage able to predict what would happen next, so Less Than Human will surprise you with its twists. The epilog was a really nice touch I thought and brought the story to a satisfying, clever ending. Along the way, I also learned a lot about playing pool. Gary Raisor’s descriptive passages were very vivid.
Bryan Reid’s narration was superb. He clearly defined each character making it so much easier to keep up with the large cast. His scary tone was particularly disturbing, perfect for a horror story. He also had a great way of delivering the humorous lines. There were no issues with the production.
I would recommend this to anybody who enjoys classic horror stories and also to listeners/readers who are looking for an offbeat story with refreshingly different characters.
Audiobook provided for review by the audiobookreviewer.com
Less Than Human is a novel about vampires, but it is not the normal vampire tale we’ve all become accustomed to. If you’re looking for a story about the common, romanticized vampire variety, look somewhere else. These vampires are mean and gruesome. Earl and Steven are a unique duo of wicked bloodsuckers who love a bit of pool hall hustling. When Steven’s very significant pool cue is stolen, the pair is set on a gory collision course with John Warrick, himself a pool hustler but also, and more importantly, a psychic.
Gary Raisor takes us to Texas and back in time to the old Wild West providing Earl and Steven’s back-stories and making this a really original setting for a vampire story. There are mythic elements, there are rats, rattlesnakes, and feathered serpents, there are cowboys and Native Americans. It is a gruesome horror story but the author skillfully blends the terror with a good dose of humor.
It took me a little while to get into the story, as there are plenty of characters to keep up with, and the story initially felt a bit disjointed. I had a feeling I got lost and had to catch up with the plot, but as you get further into the story, it all becomes clear and comes together nicely. Saying that, I was at no stage able to predict what would happen next, so Less Than Human will surprise you with its twists. The epilog was a really nice touch I thought and brought the story to a satisfying, clever ending. Along the way, I also learned a lot about playing pool. Gary Raisor’s descriptive passages were very vivid.
Bryan Reid’s narration was superb. He clearly defined each character making it so much easier to keep up with the large cast. His scary tone was particularly disturbing, perfect for a horror story. He also had a great way of delivering the humorous lines. There were no issues with the production.
I would recommend this to anybody who enjoys classic horror stories and also to listeners/readers who are looking for an offbeat story with refreshingly different characters.
Audiobook provided for review by the audiobookreviewer.com
September 3, 2016
I have had this one on my bookshelf for a while. I don’t know what took me so long to get around to it, but I am glad I finally dug it out!
Less Than Human is a very good vampire-ish, ancient Indian curse tale that cues up the blood and the building sense of dread as a few “nasties” come a calling and wreak havoc, in and out of the pool halls they haunt. They are playing for blood and winner takes all.
Less Than Human is a very good vampire-ish, ancient Indian curse tale that cues up the blood and the building sense of dread as a few “nasties” come a calling and wreak havoc, in and out of the pool halls they haunt. They are playing for blood and winner takes all.
February 21, 2013
This twenty-year old novel from Gary Raisor packs quite a punch. Released just a few months ago as an ebook, it reads as fresh as anything being published today.
Less Than Human starts with a couple of pool hustlers arriving at Leon's Pool Emporium in Carruthers, Texas looking for a game with local hot-shot D. A. Fontaine. The hustlers, Steven Adler and Earl Jacobs, were a bit disappointed when they discovered D. A. was actually Dorinda, a 17 year-old girl. When Steven and the girl were getting ready to play, "Dorinda felt a slight tingle of fear when she looked into his green eyes. Something wasn't right about them. They seemed way to old for his face. And there was some kind of hidden rage swirling around in their depths. She looked away, and when she looked back, his eyes were okay. It must have been the light, she decided." After a few games the two were asked to leave, which they did, but when Adler went to pick up his special cue stick, he found it was gone. Not a good thing for the people of Carruthers.
I found the whole first chapter in the pool hall to be tense, dark and totally entertaining and it only got better from there. Raisor does a very nice job of developing the characters who comprise this small Texas town, but the villains are what make the story. Steve and Earl are truly memorable characters and get some of the best dialog. Earl to Steve, "You killed the guy's daughter, cut off her hand and stuck it in a jar of pig's feet, and then you tell him you're not exactly human. I think he's already figured that out."
Less Than Human includes plenty of violence as well as an original take on a vampire-like character and no he doesn't "sparkle." Not recommended for the young'uns or easily offended, but it was right in my wheelhouse and a great way to spend a few nights reading.
If you haven't read it before, go ahead and take a chance on Less Than Human. It accomplishes what it sets out to do and does it rather well.
Less Than Human starts with a couple of pool hustlers arriving at Leon's Pool Emporium in Carruthers, Texas looking for a game with local hot-shot D. A. Fontaine. The hustlers, Steven Adler and Earl Jacobs, were a bit disappointed when they discovered D. A. was actually Dorinda, a 17 year-old girl. When Steven and the girl were getting ready to play, "Dorinda felt a slight tingle of fear when she looked into his green eyes. Something wasn't right about them. They seemed way to old for his face. And there was some kind of hidden rage swirling around in their depths. She looked away, and when she looked back, his eyes were okay. It must have been the light, she decided." After a few games the two were asked to leave, which they did, but when Adler went to pick up his special cue stick, he found it was gone. Not a good thing for the people of Carruthers.
I found the whole first chapter in the pool hall to be tense, dark and totally entertaining and it only got better from there. Raisor does a very nice job of developing the characters who comprise this small Texas town, but the villains are what make the story. Steve and Earl are truly memorable characters and get some of the best dialog. Earl to Steve, "You killed the guy's daughter, cut off her hand and stuck it in a jar of pig's feet, and then you tell him you're not exactly human. I think he's already figured that out."
Less Than Human includes plenty of violence as well as an original take on a vampire-like character and no he doesn't "sparkle." Not recommended for the young'uns or easily offended, but it was right in my wheelhouse and a great way to spend a few nights reading.
If you haven't read it before, go ahead and take a chance on Less Than Human. It accomplishes what it sets out to do and does it rather well.
June 23, 2014
Less Than Human by Gary Raisor takes vampires to a new and more importantly, original dimension. These aren’t the romantic, charismatic vampires that have invaded the pages of so many of today’s vampire novels. These vampires are scary. They are sadistic parasites that live not only on the blood of humans but their very souls. They bask in their victim’s fear, relishing every moment of their pain and torment. To top it off (and I know how this is going to sound) they are pool hustlers. Yep, you read that right. These vampires are extremely skilled pool hustlers. And as crazy as it sounds it really does add a new and refreshing twist to a genre that’s been tackled by every author under than sun (including myself) since Bram Stoker introduced us to Dracula well over a hundred years ago.
I really enjoyed this book. I’d put it right up there with John Steakley’s Vampire$. Mr. Raisor held my attention from beginning to end. His style is superb, his characters rich and deep. He does an excellent job of bringing his imagination to life. So much so that I could see his world perfectly in my mind’s eye. There was one scene involving a chase through the desert . . . I won’t give anything away, but in that moment it was like I was viewing the world through the eyes of that terrified kid. I cannot praise this book enough! If you are in anyway shape or form a fan of the vampire genre pick this book up. Or if you just like a good read that keeps your attention, pick this book up. Bottom line: Read this book. You won’t regret it.
I really enjoyed this book. I’d put it right up there with John Steakley’s Vampire$. Mr. Raisor held my attention from beginning to end. His style is superb, his characters rich and deep. He does an excellent job of bringing his imagination to life. So much so that I could see his world perfectly in my mind’s eye. There was one scene involving a chase through the desert . . . I won’t give anything away, but in that moment it was like I was viewing the world through the eyes of that terrified kid. I cannot praise this book enough! If you are in anyway shape or form a fan of the vampire genre pick this book up. Or if you just like a good read that keeps your attention, pick this book up. Bottom line: Read this book. You won’t regret it.
October 2, 2019
We read this novel as a Group Read for Literary Darkness, a most successful discussion ongoing for several weeks (2019). I fully agree with the five star reviews comments! One of the most - if not THE most outstanding vampire related novels I've ever read. Horrific without being extreme, with exceptional character developments and setting, a plot involving people you come to know pretty darn well. Some you'll feel sympathy for, a couple you'll despise. Less Than Human is a keeper!
July 9, 2018
There are some great reviews on Goodreads for this book, and I don't think I can add anything more. If the other reviews did not make you want to read this, then nothing I say will, either.
I very rarely give out 5 stars, even for one of my favorite genres - vampire horror. I've read hundreds, yes hundreds, of vampire stories over the last 50 years, and few have surprised me with being well-written, with characters that have depth, an interesting plot, and all the elements that make for a real page-turner. This book had all of that, and more.
There were some genuinely creepy moments, which made me have to forego reading this before falling asleep.
The author's ability to weave current characters' stories and lives with historical moments so smoothly, made it a pleasure to partake in the adventure, even though that adventure had some very terrifying moments.
I very rarely give out 5 stars, even for one of my favorite genres - vampire horror. I've read hundreds, yes hundreds, of vampire stories over the last 50 years, and few have surprised me with being well-written, with characters that have depth, an interesting plot, and all the elements that make for a real page-turner. This book had all of that, and more.
There were some genuinely creepy moments, which made me have to forego reading this before falling asleep.
The author's ability to weave current characters' stories and lives with historical moments so smoothly, made it a pleasure to partake in the adventure, even though that adventure had some very terrifying moments.
July 20, 2022
This book sucked. SUCKED!!!!
Raisnor doesn't handle prose poorly, he just doesn't know anything about what a protagonist is. Nor does he understand pacing or economy.
Somewhere in this mess is a horror novel. But, avoid coming too close. It isn't worth wading through.
Raisnor doesn't handle prose poorly, he just doesn't know anything about what a protagonist is. Nor does he understand pacing or economy.
Somewhere in this mess is a horror novel. But, avoid coming too close. It isn't worth wading through.
November 24, 2017
Intense, inventive, literate, and brutal. Plenty of dark action and more than a few memorable characters created along the way. Five stars for fans of intelligent graphic horror.
July 9, 2019
Weird Western meets vampirism meets the X-Files? Yes, with a side order of 1990s splatterpunk to keep things interesting. This may be one of the most unusual vampire novels I've ever read, though the vampire concept has to be stretched to describe what goes on in this one. Some familiarity with Mesoamerican mythology helps, too.
Beautifully but brutally written, Less Than Human combines a thriller plot (think Longmire without Longmire ) with the very real question of humans meeting the utterly inhuman. Bad things happen to bad people. Bad things happen to good people. And, just possibly, some of the good (or less bad?) people can overcome the worst of it, at a high price.
Fans of hard-edged or extreme horror will probably find this a five-star read. I stepped out of my comfort zone -- a well-received group read for Literary Darkness -- & ran into one of my Rather Not Read Abouts (maiming) more than once. If this is you, approach with caution.
Beautifully but brutally written, Less Than Human combines a thriller plot (think Longmire without Longmire ) with the very real question of humans meeting the utterly inhuman. Bad things happen to bad people. Bad things happen to good people. And, just possibly, some of the good (or less bad?) people can overcome the worst of it, at a high price.
Fans of hard-edged or extreme horror will probably find this a five-star read. I stepped out of my comfort zone -- a well-received group read for Literary Darkness -- & ran into one of my Rather Not Read Abouts (maiming) more than once. If this is you, approach with caution.
October 4, 2018
I remember that Gary Raisor's LESS THAN HUMAN got pretty good reviews when it was released in the early 1990's. There were some strong blurbs by a few of the notable authors of the day, and I know I picked up a copy around then in one of the many, many used paperback shops I frequented around the same time.
If you'd asked me a week ago if I'd read LESS THAN HUMAN before, I would've assured you that I had and that I thought it was a "pretty good vampire book." I probably would've dropped the subject right there and moved on to some of the other vampire books that came out around the same time. SUNGLASSES AFTER DARK, maybe. Or THE LIGHT AT THE END. I used to read vampire books ALL THE TIME. I have opinions about them. Trust me, you don't want to get me started.
So, anyway, a few days ago I was perusing my local HALF PRICE BOOKS, and I saw a copy of the cool, limited hardcover that OVERLOOK PRESS put out a few years after the paperback original was published. It was really reasonably priced, so I picked it up, figuring I could upgrade my copy, because I am a giant book nerd and that's a thing that I do.
When I got home, I picked it up and started reading it, expecting to just skim through the "pretty good vampire book" I remembered. About 10 pages in, I realized I didn't remember anything about it. Nothing. Nada. I was sucked in and hooked. Over the next few days, I picked it up whenever I had the chance. So . . . considering how much I liked it, and my nonexistent memories of it . . . it makes me wonder if I actually hadn't read it before, because it's really NOT just another "pretty good vampire book."
For one thing, Gary Raisor really knows how to write. Unlike some of the author horror writers of the day, he knows what to include and what to leave out. He makes the reader work for it -- there's connections and references throughout that resonate and echo throughout the book. He's also good at drawing a scene -- you get the feeling he's known some of these people, and been to some of these places. He can also create some good suspense. There were some scenes that made me speed up my reading, just so I could find out what happens. He's also a strong storyteller. Don't get me wrong -- this isn't one of those books where everyone winds up dead, but it's also not one of those books where everyone gets a happy ending. There's a lot of truth tied up in the backstories of the characters, but there's some grace, too.
Raisor hasn't been prolific -- one collection, SINISTER PURPOSES, and some scattered short stories, mostly in CEMETERY DANCE magazine -- and it's a shame, because this is a really strong novel. It's not perfect, and not everything holds together without a few creaks, but it's really, really good, and worth tracking down if you haven't already read it. (Or, maybe if you already have, or if you don't remember that you have, or if you maybe think you have and then it turns out you don't remember a darn thing about it because you thought you read it but now you don't have any idea if you did or not . . . )
Oh, the hardcover book itself is really well made, and I love the embossing and "feel" of the book. I'm not a huge fan of the cover illustration, but the actual BOOK is beautiful. Unfortunately, there's a bunch of random typos in it. I checked, and the typos don't appear to be in the original paperback version.
If you'd asked me a week ago if I'd read LESS THAN HUMAN before, I would've assured you that I had and that I thought it was a "pretty good vampire book." I probably would've dropped the subject right there and moved on to some of the other vampire books that came out around the same time. SUNGLASSES AFTER DARK, maybe. Or THE LIGHT AT THE END. I used to read vampire books ALL THE TIME. I have opinions about them. Trust me, you don't want to get me started.
So, anyway, a few days ago I was perusing my local HALF PRICE BOOKS, and I saw a copy of the cool, limited hardcover that OVERLOOK PRESS put out a few years after the paperback original was published. It was really reasonably priced, so I picked it up, figuring I could upgrade my copy, because I am a giant book nerd and that's a thing that I do.
When I got home, I picked it up and started reading it, expecting to just skim through the "pretty good vampire book" I remembered. About 10 pages in, I realized I didn't remember anything about it. Nothing. Nada. I was sucked in and hooked. Over the next few days, I picked it up whenever I had the chance. So . . . considering how much I liked it, and my nonexistent memories of it . . . it makes me wonder if I actually hadn't read it before, because it's really NOT just another "pretty good vampire book."
For one thing, Gary Raisor really knows how to write. Unlike some of the author horror writers of the day, he knows what to include and what to leave out. He makes the reader work for it -- there's connections and references throughout that resonate and echo throughout the book. He's also good at drawing a scene -- you get the feeling he's known some of these people, and been to some of these places. He can also create some good suspense. There were some scenes that made me speed up my reading, just so I could find out what happens. He's also a strong storyteller. Don't get me wrong -- this isn't one of those books where everyone winds up dead, but it's also not one of those books where everyone gets a happy ending. There's a lot of truth tied up in the backstories of the characters, but there's some grace, too.
Raisor hasn't been prolific -- one collection, SINISTER PURPOSES, and some scattered short stories, mostly in CEMETERY DANCE magazine -- and it's a shame, because this is a really strong novel. It's not perfect, and not everything holds together without a few creaks, but it's really, really good, and worth tracking down if you haven't already read it. (Or, maybe if you already have, or if you don't remember that you have, or if you maybe think you have and then it turns out you don't remember a darn thing about it because you thought you read it but now you don't have any idea if you did or not . . . )
Oh, the hardcover book itself is really well made, and I love the embossing and "feel" of the book. I'm not a huge fan of the cover illustration, but the actual BOOK is beautiful. Unfortunately, there's a bunch of random typos in it. I checked, and the typos don't appear to be in the original paperback version.
September 29, 2014
These Ain't Your Daughter's Vampires
Gary Raisor takes his vampires beyond the usual vampire mythos, grounding them in deep character development and redneck realism. Yes, it will remind you of the characters in the movie Near Dark, but these vampires are much more reprehensible. Steven Adler and Earl Jacobs scour the local pool halls in Carruthers, Texas for fresh victims to hustle.
The backstory is like taking a trip into the land of the Weird Western—at once hallucinatory and vivid. While the story reads much like Joe Lansdale, this work is painted in a style that makes these vampires Raisor’s own. The depth of plot and character make this novel rise above standard vampire fare. The rich details allow readers to immerse themselves in this violent and unpredictable world.
To give any of the plot away would be a disservice; however, the original hook of pool shark vampires and the stolen pool cue that sets off a series of nail-bitingly tense scenes will keep you reading long after dark.
Gary Raisor takes his vampires beyond the usual vampire mythos, grounding them in deep character development and redneck realism. Yes, it will remind you of the characters in the movie Near Dark, but these vampires are much more reprehensible. Steven Adler and Earl Jacobs scour the local pool halls in Carruthers, Texas for fresh victims to hustle.
The backstory is like taking a trip into the land of the Weird Western—at once hallucinatory and vivid. While the story reads much like Joe Lansdale, this work is painted in a style that makes these vampires Raisor’s own. The depth of plot and character make this novel rise above standard vampire fare. The rich details allow readers to immerse themselves in this violent and unpredictable world.
To give any of the plot away would be a disservice; however, the original hook of pool shark vampires and the stolen pool cue that sets off a series of nail-bitingly tense scenes will keep you reading long after dark.
July 15, 2014
This fast paced read is one of the greatest vampire novels I have ever read. Think Jim Thompson with a vampire fetish. If that doesn't have you frothing at the mouth then the fault rests in your horrible taste. I'm Just kidding. Many people have lumped Raisor with the splatterpunk movement, and I can see how it easily fits with the subgenre, but this novel is so unique that it's hard to classify. There's a real hardboiled element stylistically that drives the story forward. Raisor, like Lansdale, has a knack for bringing eccentric elements together to create something exceptional. I realize a lot of what one likes has to do with personal taste, but if you haven't read Less Than Human, I think you're missing out on something, so check it out.
March 12, 2013
I had already read "Less Than Human" - and loved it - so when the opportunity came to do the cover for Gary's "Sinister Purposes" I didn't hesitate. "Less Than Human" is required reading for anyone who is serious about Horror. I am glad there are new edition formats so now everyone can read it. Highly recommended!
June 30, 2019
Unique and original.
A genuinely original take on an overused genre, this book splits three genres, the vampire, the western and another that I won't mention (potential spoilers). This is the most original vampire novel since King and Rice introduced us to their vampires, you won't find the gothic or romantic vampires here. Instead it's an ancient evil that's a hustler invading a small and dying desert town in America. All of the characters are fully realised and show some characteristics that are as unpleasant as the vampire. A rollercoaster of a read, genuinely original and wonderful.
A genuinely original take on an overused genre, this book splits three genres, the vampire, the western and another that I won't mention (potential spoilers). This is the most original vampire novel since King and Rice introduced us to their vampires, you won't find the gothic or romantic vampires here. Instead it's an ancient evil that's a hustler invading a small and dying desert town in America. All of the characters are fully realised and show some characteristics that are as unpleasant as the vampire. A rollercoaster of a read, genuinely original and wonderful.
October 21, 2020
I'm admittedly not the biggest proponent of vampire fiction, much in the way, for many, zombies have carried the flag of monotony for a spell. Less Than Human by Gary Raisor came to me as a recommendation, and the premise promising billiards, vampires, blood-letting, and Southern discomfort brought to mind films like Near Dark and The Hustler. So in a sense, I was sold. Two drifters arrive via Greyhound one night to the small town of Carruthers, Texas, where they intend to challenge an enigmatic, talented pool shooter. Trouble brewing from the yokels causes a distraction, and in the clamor, a local swindler pilfers an encased pool cue left unattended during the turmoil. It turns out, these drifters are "less than human" and would like their property returned, not excluding violent and supernatural arbitration. The genre of the novel hovers above a 3-point precipice of Southern Gothic, vampire horror, and neo-Western. Through incredibly unique machinations, Gary Raisor has written an incredibly satisfying book. Lore is always being built upon and growing in Less Than Human. Soon after finishing, I re-read the first several chapters and slid my way throughout the book in portions, analyzing and digesting, feeding, if you will. Less Than Human contains many surprises. Many, I'm sure, would sell the book in its own right, but this deserves to be read. Steven Adler, Jesse Black Eagle, Amos Black Eagle, Earl, John Warrick, Leon, these are all characters I will never forget anytime soon. So many surprises within. All the stakes. Highly recommended and written very well. There does come a great sadness, though, with this novel. Raisor is politely ruthless, but the bigger picture is something for you to discover on your own. This novel is above the label of "vampire." Simply put, it's fantastic.
January 13, 2016
I have to say I really enjoyed this book. The narration was spot on, the character development thorough, and the descriptions epic. The bad guys are truly evil, but not in the typical James Bond villain way.
The ending scene in the pool hall was great, easily the best part of the book. It was pretty great too because normally I spend the whole book waiting for the other shoe to drop, but this book drops the shoe over and over. It's awesome.
That said, some of the transitions were a little jarring, and it wasn't toward the middle of the book where things really seemed like they came together. Still, as a person who doesn't read much horror, this was pretty great.
The ending scene in the pool hall was great, easily the best part of the book. It was pretty great too because normally I spend the whole book waiting for the other shoe to drop, but this book drops the shoe over and over. It's awesome.
That said, some of the transitions were a little jarring, and it wasn't toward the middle of the book where things really seemed like they came together. Still, as a person who doesn't read much horror, this was pretty great.
December 25, 2016
A modern day, old time western, vampire story
This was the strangest story I've read all year. Not in a bad way, but in a fairly unique way. I'm not even sure it qualifies as a vampire story but it sure is something. What do you call it when some ancient parasite uses humans as host bodies to do all sorts of horrendous things? I suppose the title covers that question pretty well. Less Than Human. The book could use some light editing mostly because of typographic errors but the story is fairly solid with interesting, if not actually likable characters. It's worth reading just because it's so different.
This was the strangest story I've read all year. Not in a bad way, but in a fairly unique way. I'm not even sure it qualifies as a vampire story but it sure is something. What do you call it when some ancient parasite uses humans as host bodies to do all sorts of horrendous things? I suppose the title covers that question pretty well. Less Than Human. The book could use some light editing mostly because of typographic errors but the story is fairly solid with interesting, if not actually likable characters. It's worth reading just because it's so different.
July 27, 2019
I placed this book in my vampire folder because everyone said it was a vampire book. I did not find it to be so. I took it more of demonology, parasitology, Indian folk lore and possession than vampire. I'll admit. I had some difficulty with this. It didn't flow well for me and I had trouble relating to or developing an interest in any of the characters. It wasn't a bad book, it just didn't really hold my interest.
May 23, 2024
Rather disappointing novel about a couple of unconventional vampires who travel around looking for trouble and a good game of pool. I give the author credit for coming up with a unique spin on vampire lore and working in some interesting Native American mythology to good effect, but the story relies too much on campy humor and is populated by too many unsympathetic characters (just about everybody) to be effective. Recommended only for vampire-lit completists.
September 6, 2016
think NEAR DARK meets LONESOME DOVE, someone steals a fancy pool cue and everything just go's to hell because of it. sure this is a vampire novel, but reading it I did not care , i was enjoying the ride so much! fans of weird western horror MUST READ THIS BOOK! to say anymore would spoil it, but the characters are rich with detail, the story paced well and the finale was awesome.
March 12, 2013
One of great underrated horror novels of a time when splatterpunks ruled the horror shelves.
Raisor raised the bar with this one with tremendous detail to characterization and nearly poetical descriptions of the gore.
Two decades later, this book still stands the test of time.
Raisor raised the bar with this one with tremendous detail to characterization and nearly poetical descriptions of the gore.
Two decades later, this book still stands the test of time.
July 10, 2019
Really enjoyed this vampire western. Vampires! Pool halls! Aztec mythology! Peyote dreams! Bit of a sausage fest but not atypical for its time. Super fun.
November 8, 2019
2.5 Really had a hard time wrapping my head around the story telling style and realizing what the lead was going through. Took the latter part of the book to feel like it came together and was a good story.
October 10, 2019
Love Gary Raisor, loved Less Than Human, had Chick Fil-A for lunch, loved that too.
February 18, 2025
Now Elliot couldn't decide if he was excited or scared. This was definitely the most exciting thing that had ever happened to him. "You like it okay, I mean, being a vampire and everything?"
"No, not really. The thing inside me makes me do things I don't really want to do."
"Like killing us."
"That's right." Bobby closed the trunk. The sound had a note of finality in it.
1.5 rounded down to 1.
Setting:
This takes place in two small towns in Texas.
Characters:
Steven: One of two vampires in this novel, Steven is the younger (in terms of his body’s biological age) and more violent of the pair.
Earl: Earl is the other vampire and is less vicious than his partner.
John: John is a native American and, more importantly, he possesses some small amount of supernatural ability to divine information he wouldn’t normally be able to get.
Plot:
While hustling pool, Steven’s special custom-made pool cue is stolen by John. John uses his power to witness Steven killing a young boy in the past and realize that these two men are no normal hustlers. Steven realizes his cue is missing and is interested in getting it back and he’s not overly concerned if he has to hurt a few (or several) people to do so.
My Thoughts:
This book has some interesting moments and the interpretation of the vampire myth is a bit different as a sort of parasitic creature or demonic possession. In that way it’s vaguely reminiscent of Black Ambrosia by Elizabeth Engstrom which is a far superior story. Unfortunately it doesn’t save the book.
The main problem with this book is that it's very messy in its organization. It’s all just so scattered and fragmented. So much of this book is at most tangentially related to the vampires if even that. One scene has John’s ex-wife waking up in her bed, trying to masturbate (which is some needlessly sexual stuff crammed in cause why not I guess), then thinking about a date she went on a while ago. Why is this here? Right down to the needless sexual content, it’s all of Steven King’s worst impulses. Eventually in this scene John does call her and warn her that the vampires are possibly on their way towards her but even that part of the scene is at best of questionable value. The whole thing is just completely pointless. There’s so much extraneous stuff crammed into this book. The actual story of the vampires is maybe half of everything you actually end up reading.
I kinda can’t recommend this book. If you really really like vampires and wanna see a different take on them then you should go read Elizabeth Engstrom’s Black Ambrosia instead of this. That novel is just criminally unknown for how good it is.
"No, not really. The thing inside me makes me do things I don't really want to do."
"Like killing us."
"That's right." Bobby closed the trunk. The sound had a note of finality in it.
1.5 rounded down to 1.
Setting:
This takes place in two small towns in Texas.
Characters:
Steven: One of two vampires in this novel, Steven is the younger (in terms of his body’s biological age) and more violent of the pair.
Earl: Earl is the other vampire and is less vicious than his partner.
John: John is a native American and, more importantly, he possesses some small amount of supernatural ability to divine information he wouldn’t normally be able to get.
Plot:
While hustling pool, Steven’s special custom-made pool cue is stolen by John. John uses his power to witness Steven killing a young boy in the past and realize that these two men are no normal hustlers. Steven realizes his cue is missing and is interested in getting it back and he’s not overly concerned if he has to hurt a few (or several) people to do so.
My Thoughts:
This book has some interesting moments and the interpretation of the vampire myth is a bit different as a sort of parasitic creature or demonic possession. In that way it’s vaguely reminiscent of Black Ambrosia by Elizabeth Engstrom which is a far superior story. Unfortunately it doesn’t save the book.
The main problem with this book is that it's very messy in its organization. It’s all just so scattered and fragmented. So much of this book is at most tangentially related to the vampires if even that. One scene has John’s ex-wife waking up in her bed, trying to masturbate (which is some needlessly sexual stuff crammed in cause why not I guess), then thinking about a date she went on a while ago. Why is this here? Right down to the needless sexual content, it’s all of Steven King’s worst impulses. Eventually in this scene John does call her and warn her that the vampires are possibly on their way towards her but even that part of the scene is at best of questionable value. The whole thing is just completely pointless. There’s so much extraneous stuff crammed into this book. The actual story of the vampires is maybe half of everything you actually end up reading.
I kinda can’t recommend this book. If you really really like vampires and wanna see a different take on them then you should go read Elizabeth Engstrom’s Black Ambrosia instead of this. That novel is just criminally unknown for how good it is.
October 11, 2019
sooo much potential, but such a mess
August 15, 2019
The last third or so of this book actually put the story together nicely enough that I was left with that satisfied feeling of having read a book, and not read a long aimless essay or something. The first two thirds meandered a bit and took a while to gel into the main idea that kept me going on the book. I like historical fiction and I like horror, so the last third was the interesting part of this book. Oftentimes the setup to the action can be boring since a writer has a great amount of exposition to try to bring all the plotlines to the table so to speak. The beginning of the book is almost always what is going on here and how is it relevant. It was interesting but it seemed to wander a bit, fleshing out characters that did not seem to fill much of a part in the book. Sometimes you can see a early scene or character as being laying the groundwork for something that will occur later. Ideally that is what should happen since very rarely, does an author lay out the action in the first chapter. Any action in the first chapter is to get their hooks into you to get your attention and lay the groundwork for the rest of the story. That being said this one was not filled with lots of gratuitous violence, instead it somewhat primly skirted around much of that type of stuff, perhaps as a first book by the author he felt that it was not called for. I guess the bottom line is would I read a sequel to this one, probably not, as this one was not catchy enough to fill me up with the questions of what happens next?
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