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The Stranger #1
The Stranger: Part Two
The Stranger is an epic three-part story that spans the history of vampires, from the slaying of their King in ancient Jerusalem, to their current day presence, skulking in the seedy alleys and byways of New York City.
Jeff Burns, ruthless vampire killer, has stumbled onto something huge. In the course of dispatching a particularly loathsome vampire named The Creep, Jeff intercepts an email exchange that refers to an ancient box, recently unearthed and shipped the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The Creep's orders were clear: steal the box.
Drawn in to Jeff's quest to discover the mystery of the box is Eamon Diaz, a young film student who inadvertently kills his first vampire one night walking home with remnants of his broken baseball bat.
Revenge, lust, and a growing body count follow Jeff and Eamon as they make their way closer to the truth—and nearer and nearer the ultimate source of evil.
Jeff Burns, ruthless vampire killer, has stumbled onto something huge. In the course of dispatching a particularly loathsome vampire named The Creep, Jeff intercepts an email exchange that refers to an ancient box, recently unearthed and shipped the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The Creep's orders were clear: steal the box.
Drawn in to Jeff's quest to discover the mystery of the box is Eamon Diaz, a young film student who inadvertently kills his first vampire one night walking home with remnants of his broken baseball bat.
Revenge, lust, and a growing body count follow Jeff and Eamon as they make their way closer to the truth—and nearer and nearer the ultimate source of evil.
ebook
First published September 19, 2012
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About the author
Larry Hama
1,955 books152 followersLarry Hama is an American writer, artist, actor and musician who has worked in the fields of entertainment and publishing since the 1960s.
During the 1970s, he was seen in minor roles on the TV shows M*A*S*H and Saturday Night Live, and appeared on Broadway in two roles in the original 1976 production of Stephen Sondheim's Pacific Overtures.
He is best known to American comic book readers as a writer and editor for Marvel Comics, where he wrote the licensed comic book series G.I. Joe, A Real American Hero, based on the Hasbro action figures. He has also written for the series Wolverine, Nth Man: the Ultimate Ninja, and Elektra. He created the character Bucky O'Hare, which was developed into a comic book, a toy line and television cartoon.
During the 1970s, he was seen in minor roles on the TV shows M*A*S*H and Saturday Night Live, and appeared on Broadway in two roles in the original 1976 production of Stephen Sondheim's Pacific Overtures.
He is best known to American comic book readers as a writer and editor for Marvel Comics, where he wrote the licensed comic book series G.I. Joe, A Real American Hero, based on the Hasbro action figures. He has also written for the series Wolverine, Nth Man: the Ultimate Ninja, and Elektra. He created the character Bucky O'Hare, which was developed into a comic book, a toy line and television cartoon.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
January 20, 2015
I grew up reading "G.I. Joe" comics written by Larry Hama, who developed amazing stories and characters from a relatively simplistic toy line. I've kept up with his works in one form or another over the years, and decided to read Part One of "The Stranger" for Halloween.
SUMMARY
Vampires are real, and they maintain a vast conspiracy and society hidden from the "normal" world. Jeff Burns is a dedicated vampire hunter who works up the chain toward the vampire "Queen". Eamon Diaz is a New Yorker high school student who is pretty typical until he runs across a group of vampires and is rescued by Jeff Burns. Together they learn about a mysterious box that has recently been transferred to New York that may be the key to the Queen's location, or the body of a vampire King.
OVERALL: 3.4 out of 5
I am going to be biased because, when I was a kid, Larry Hama was akin to deity for me. Years have passed, I've been exposed to tons of other authors and creators, and I tried to approach this effort with a critical eye.
I am not the biggest fan of vampire stories. I love "Dracula", but note that I don't actually rate it as high as "The Stranger"; it broke amazing ground, but Hama's story is simply better written, and it has the ingredient I usually want in my stories (a character that is proactive and confident). Mr. Stoker's work is beginning to show its age.
I couldn't help but notice the politics. I can almost always pick up on political thoughts of the writer (Stephen King is a real obvious one), but they're stronger here. One political party is only mentioned in negative light, and there are other things I noticed.
Mr. Hama's generation is also on display. Diaz is a well-written teenager, but as an example: an elderly lady considers John F. Kennedy the last "real man" president. This is something I see from a lot of people around Mr. Hama's age; they seem incapable of producing a middle-aged or elderly character that dislikes Kennedy; there is an unwritten rule that EVERYONE loved Kennedy, and characters with an opposing viewpoint may be alluded to, but never actually seen. Please note that I am not anti-Kennedy, it's just a trope that I am tired of.
New York City is a character in this story, not a place. Streets, subways, buildings, and local history are mentioned a lot. That can be a double-edged sword: though I have never been to New York City, the frequent references made it feel real and alive. On the other hand, each namedrop reminded me of a "Saturday Night Live" sketch called "The Californians", where streets, highways, and landmarks are peppered in every bit of dialogue. One character (after receiving instructions that only someone familiar with the locality would understand) replies; "I don't want to wind up in Malibu!"
I thought the story is good though. It's a refreshing take on familiar ground, filled with interesting characters, and going somewhere. The vampire threat is real, and their evil isn't just one character telling another that they're really bad and therefore have to die. The interludes about King Solomon are fun and (obviously) clues. I will definitely be reading Parts Two and Three.
RATING BY CATEGORY
CHARACTERS: 4 out of 5
The characters are interesting. Jeff Burns is an independent vampire hunter, and would be a prototypical "Punisher" type that was common in the 90s and early 2000s (such as "Blade") if not for what appears to be his older age, generally friendly attitude, and deeply religious nature. Eamon Diaz is so "typical" it's almost annoying, but it's always interesting to see a "normal guy" get caught up in extraordinary things. A third viewpoint character, a vampire dandy named Lucien Schauder provides the vampire's point-of-view.
Other characters feel like they take up real space in the world and have lives, but many exist (in Part One, at least) just for brief cameos (Jeff Burns has informants, Diaz has friends, etc.) I will say that I didn't like Eamon's mother at all; she was TOO realistic; the kind of mother that made me avoid some friends' houses when I was younger.
PACE: 3 out of 5
With everything I've gone through this year, pacing may be the most unfair thing for me to rate; I just may not be reliable in this case. This is part one of a larger story, so it's short and doesn't waste a lot of time. There are brief chapters that involve stories of King Solomon outwitting a demon and so forth, and I know they're important, but they did interrupt the main narrative. I had a hard time getting through the story, but I blame my own mental state more than the writing. I looked forward to the parts with Jeff Burns- as always, I am most interested in the character that is proactive as opposed to reactive.
STORY: 3 out of 5
I am not a fan of vampire stories except for the original "Dracula". The first "Blade" movie had its fun moments, but was overrated. "The Stranger" feels like Hama's own take on the "Blade" concept (awesome vampire hunter who uses guns and commando tactics), but it quickly proved to be something a bit different from the familiar template.
It's a "vigilante" story with the common vampire tropes (secret society, mysterious artifacts, evil queen, etc.), but it's the characters that really help set it apart.
DIALOGUE: 4 out of 5
I was expecting a lot of the dialogue I had grown up with in comics, and some of that does sneak in (Mr. Hama has a particular library of terms and words he likes to use a lot), but the dialogue was mostly fresh and realistic. The education of the characters (and thus of the author) is clear without talking down to the reader.
STYLE/TECHNICAL: 3 out of 5
I can't judge part of the technical execution at this point; I believe I would have to read Parts Two and Three to form solid opinions on that. In terms of the writing, Mr. Hama is clear and concise. His action scenes have a terrific flow. There was one section near the end (a conversation between Jeff Burns and the girlfriend/companion of an archaeologist) where the dialogue wasn't attributed enough and I wondered if I was reading it correctly.
Merged review:
I read the first part of “The Stranger” back in 2013. I enjoyed it, but I wasn’t in a rush to finish the series. After working my way through some bad apples, I decided to give the second part a try, and it made me a happy reader. I read Part Three in a single day.
Full disclosure: I grew up reading Larry Hama’s comics and I’m a big fan of the man’s work. This should not be misconstrued as hero worship though; we have our differences (probably on different ground, politically), but he’s still a smart guy, and I can understand where he’s coming from, even if I don’t always agree with him.
It should also be noted that Part Three was not available for the Kindle anymore; “The Stranger” is not listed at Amazon. This made me angry. I bought Part Three from Barnes & Noble and asked Larry Hama what was up. He actually sent me a document version of it without even asking if I had bought it elsewhere. That is a true gentleman entertainer who is mindful of a fan’s needs, and I think that is pretty cool. I’m glad I paid for it too.
SUMMARY
This is Part Three of a novel and not a standalone book. Readers need to go through Parts One and Two before they start on this one.
The primary characters are: Jeff Burns, vampire hunter. Eamon Diaz, teenager who got involved with Burns. Dr. Van Graaf, the daughter of the archaeologist who found a mysterious casket in Turkey. Tharon, the girl Eamon has a crush on. Lucien Schauder, an evil vampire who serves the Vampire Queen. Elise, the Vampire Queen who apparently wants the mysterious casket to resurrect the long dead Vampire King.
The Queen has infiltrated the home Diaz home with Lucien Schauder to recover Tharon, who has some special importance to her. Eamon is able to interrupt her attack with the assistance of an old woman in the apartment building he knows, and who was also a Soviet sniper during World War II.
Jeff Burns, accompanied by Doctor Van Graaf, is trying to recover the casket from the police when they learn the vampires have already taken it. They link up with Eamon Diaz and two other vampire hunters- Zach and Augie- to stage a final assault on the Queen’s lair. Eamon is motivated not only by the attacks on himself and his family, but by the desire to rescue Tharon who has also been captured by the vampires.
OVERALL: 4.2 out of 5
I started reading “The Stranger” with the expectation of a fun, short little adventure written by the guy who wrote a ton of comics that I enjoyed while growing up. I wasn’t sure how he would rate as an author of prose fiction, without the ability to lean on gifted artists, inkers, colorers, editors, and so forth.
The truth is... as much as I enjoy his comics, I fear the world has been cheated out of an extraordinary author.
If Mr. Hama’s time was devoted to writing books instead of comics, I think I would have an entire shelf of his works. “The Stranger” was a delight to read- a pure delight- and I fear there aren’t many books that make me feel that way.
I won’t discount his work in comics though. It’s an amazing medium, he’s produced amazing work, and he obviously enjoys it. He is 65 years old (as of this writing), and I would love it if he could crank out many more books in the coming years.
No one should discount “The Stranger” as a simple vampire story, or another derivative in a long and boring genre. It is concise, it doesn’t waste a second of the reader’s time, and it’s good. The characters are fun and the technical execution is top notch. I do not remember the last time I enjoyed a book as much as this one.
RATINGS BY CATEGORY
CHARACTERS: 4 out of 5
The characters in this story have a lot of opportunities to shine. The primary viewpoint characters are Eamon Diaz, Jeff Burns, and the vampire Lucien Schauder. They each have a distinct narration voice (the story being told in the first person), and I thought they were all excellent.
I liked Tharon, but thought her course was slightly predictable. I LOVED Ms. Blitnikov (the WWII Soviet Sniper). Her story made a lot more sense in this part of the novel.
Zach and Augie, are a pair of great characters. They’re both vampire hunters, and they have their own motivations, but they’re like the secondary characters that you wish you knew more about. They’re mysterious and cool. I am happy that Mr. Hama didn’t delve into them too much. They work well on the sidelines, but they would really shine in a book of their own as well.
PACE: 5 out of 5
Mr. Hama keeps things fast. I remember Part One being longer and slower (I could be mistaken), but Parts Two and Three are both going down on the rollercoaster; I had to pause a few times to make sure I was taking it all in and appreciating it properly. That wasn’t a bad thing though; I was never bored.
STORY: 4 out of 5
What started out as a fairly unoriginal concept (I thought) that was rendered in high quality turns into something else in Part Three. I suspected there might be a few plot reversals, and there are. I won’t offer any spoilers, but I can say that Mr. Hama does a good job of actually writing about one thing when the story is about something else. I was surprised and I loved it.
The combat assault of the vampire lair near the ending is great stuff. It’s “classic Hama”, and I also thought the entire finale was an amazing exercise in tension, terror, and great visuals.
I am still piecing the answers of the ending together. The author leaves a few things to the reader’s imagination (in a good way), though I do wish the exact origin and nature of the Jeff Burns character received a clearer explanation. I have my theories, and I think they’re right, but I am not positive.
DIALOGUE: 4 out of 5
Mr. Hama’s ear for dialogue is excellent. I thought some of the narration offered by Diaz was over-the-top at times, but I appreciated the modern references that a kid like him would be using (like the video games he’s played, the movies he likes, and the classic movies a film student would appreciate, etc.) Mr. Hama is obviously familiar with a ton of stuff that I don’t think most guys his age even know exist.
There were a few blocks of dialogue that didn’t feel as realistic. Some characters launch into semi-speeches of explanation or description. It wasn’t a major distraction though.
The best dialogue of this book may have been Lucien Schauder’s. He’s a vampire and a villain, but I got a kick out of reading his parts of the story. I particularly enjoyed his rude restraint while in the company of an art critic who has been particularly merciless toward his work.
STYLE/TECHNICAL: 4 out of 5
Part Three is well written. It didn’t have as many clever metaphors and similes as Part Two, but it’s still a pleasure to read through.
SUMMARY
Vampires are real, and they maintain a vast conspiracy and society hidden from the "normal" world. Jeff Burns is a dedicated vampire hunter who works up the chain toward the vampire "Queen". Eamon Diaz is a New Yorker high school student who is pretty typical until he runs across a group of vampires and is rescued by Jeff Burns. Together they learn about a mysterious box that has recently been transferred to New York that may be the key to the Queen's location, or the body of a vampire King.
OVERALL: 3.4 out of 5
I am going to be biased because, when I was a kid, Larry Hama was akin to deity for me. Years have passed, I've been exposed to tons of other authors and creators, and I tried to approach this effort with a critical eye.
I am not the biggest fan of vampire stories. I love "Dracula", but note that I don't actually rate it as high as "The Stranger"; it broke amazing ground, but Hama's story is simply better written, and it has the ingredient I usually want in my stories (a character that is proactive and confident). Mr. Stoker's work is beginning to show its age.
I couldn't help but notice the politics. I can almost always pick up on political thoughts of the writer (Stephen King is a real obvious one), but they're stronger here. One political party is only mentioned in negative light, and there are other things I noticed.
Mr. Hama's generation is also on display. Diaz is a well-written teenager, but as an example: an elderly lady considers John F. Kennedy the last "real man" president. This is something I see from a lot of people around Mr. Hama's age; they seem incapable of producing a middle-aged or elderly character that dislikes Kennedy; there is an unwritten rule that EVERYONE loved Kennedy, and characters with an opposing viewpoint may be alluded to, but never actually seen. Please note that I am not anti-Kennedy, it's just a trope that I am tired of.
New York City is a character in this story, not a place. Streets, subways, buildings, and local history are mentioned a lot. That can be a double-edged sword: though I have never been to New York City, the frequent references made it feel real and alive. On the other hand, each namedrop reminded me of a "Saturday Night Live" sketch called "The Californians", where streets, highways, and landmarks are peppered in every bit of dialogue. One character (after receiving instructions that only someone familiar with the locality would understand) replies; "I don't want to wind up in Malibu!"
I thought the story is good though. It's a refreshing take on familiar ground, filled with interesting characters, and going somewhere. The vampire threat is real, and their evil isn't just one character telling another that they're really bad and therefore have to die. The interludes about King Solomon are fun and (obviously) clues. I will definitely be reading Parts Two and Three.
RATING BY CATEGORY
CHARACTERS: 4 out of 5
The characters are interesting. Jeff Burns is an independent vampire hunter, and would be a prototypical "Punisher" type that was common in the 90s and early 2000s (such as "Blade") if not for what appears to be his older age, generally friendly attitude, and deeply religious nature. Eamon Diaz is so "typical" it's almost annoying, but it's always interesting to see a "normal guy" get caught up in extraordinary things. A third viewpoint character, a vampire dandy named Lucien Schauder provides the vampire's point-of-view.
Other characters feel like they take up real space in the world and have lives, but many exist (in Part One, at least) just for brief cameos (Jeff Burns has informants, Diaz has friends, etc.) I will say that I didn't like Eamon's mother at all; she was TOO realistic; the kind of mother that made me avoid some friends' houses when I was younger.
PACE: 3 out of 5
With everything I've gone through this year, pacing may be the most unfair thing for me to rate; I just may not be reliable in this case. This is part one of a larger story, so it's short and doesn't waste a lot of time. There are brief chapters that involve stories of King Solomon outwitting a demon and so forth, and I know they're important, but they did interrupt the main narrative. I had a hard time getting through the story, but I blame my own mental state more than the writing. I looked forward to the parts with Jeff Burns- as always, I am most interested in the character that is proactive as opposed to reactive.
STORY: 3 out of 5
I am not a fan of vampire stories except for the original "Dracula". The first "Blade" movie had its fun moments, but was overrated. "The Stranger" feels like Hama's own take on the "Blade" concept (awesome vampire hunter who uses guns and commando tactics), but it quickly proved to be something a bit different from the familiar template.
It's a "vigilante" story with the common vampire tropes (secret society, mysterious artifacts, evil queen, etc.), but it's the characters that really help set it apart.
DIALOGUE: 4 out of 5
I was expecting a lot of the dialogue I had grown up with in comics, and some of that does sneak in (Mr. Hama has a particular library of terms and words he likes to use a lot), but the dialogue was mostly fresh and realistic. The education of the characters (and thus of the author) is clear without talking down to the reader.
STYLE/TECHNICAL: 3 out of 5
I can't judge part of the technical execution at this point; I believe I would have to read Parts Two and Three to form solid opinions on that. In terms of the writing, Mr. Hama is clear and concise. His action scenes have a terrific flow. There was one section near the end (a conversation between Jeff Burns and the girlfriend/companion of an archaeologist) where the dialogue wasn't attributed enough and I wondered if I was reading it correctly.
Merged review:
I read the first part of “The Stranger” back in 2013. I enjoyed it, but I wasn’t in a rush to finish the series. After working my way through some bad apples, I decided to give the second part a try, and it made me a happy reader. I read Part Three in a single day.
Full disclosure: I grew up reading Larry Hama’s comics and I’m a big fan of the man’s work. This should not be misconstrued as hero worship though; we have our differences (probably on different ground, politically), but he’s still a smart guy, and I can understand where he’s coming from, even if I don’t always agree with him.
It should also be noted that Part Three was not available for the Kindle anymore; “The Stranger” is not listed at Amazon. This made me angry. I bought Part Three from Barnes & Noble and asked Larry Hama what was up. He actually sent me a document version of it without even asking if I had bought it elsewhere. That is a true gentleman entertainer who is mindful of a fan’s needs, and I think that is pretty cool. I’m glad I paid for it too.
SUMMARY
This is Part Three of a novel and not a standalone book. Readers need to go through Parts One and Two before they start on this one.
The primary characters are: Jeff Burns, vampire hunter. Eamon Diaz, teenager who got involved with Burns. Dr. Van Graaf, the daughter of the archaeologist who found a mysterious casket in Turkey. Tharon, the girl Eamon has a crush on. Lucien Schauder, an evil vampire who serves the Vampire Queen. Elise, the Vampire Queen who apparently wants the mysterious casket to resurrect the long dead Vampire King.
The Queen has infiltrated the home Diaz home with Lucien Schauder to recover Tharon, who has some special importance to her. Eamon is able to interrupt her attack with the assistance of an old woman in the apartment building he knows, and who was also a Soviet sniper during World War II.
Jeff Burns, accompanied by Doctor Van Graaf, is trying to recover the casket from the police when they learn the vampires have already taken it. They link up with Eamon Diaz and two other vampire hunters- Zach and Augie- to stage a final assault on the Queen’s lair. Eamon is motivated not only by the attacks on himself and his family, but by the desire to rescue Tharon who has also been captured by the vampires.
OVERALL: 4.2 out of 5
I started reading “The Stranger” with the expectation of a fun, short little adventure written by the guy who wrote a ton of comics that I enjoyed while growing up. I wasn’t sure how he would rate as an author of prose fiction, without the ability to lean on gifted artists, inkers, colorers, editors, and so forth.
The truth is... as much as I enjoy his comics, I fear the world has been cheated out of an extraordinary author.
If Mr. Hama’s time was devoted to writing books instead of comics, I think I would have an entire shelf of his works. “The Stranger” was a delight to read- a pure delight- and I fear there aren’t many books that make me feel that way.
I won’t discount his work in comics though. It’s an amazing medium, he’s produced amazing work, and he obviously enjoys it. He is 65 years old (as of this writing), and I would love it if he could crank out many more books in the coming years.
No one should discount “The Stranger” as a simple vampire story, or another derivative in a long and boring genre. It is concise, it doesn’t waste a second of the reader’s time, and it’s good. The characters are fun and the technical execution is top notch. I do not remember the last time I enjoyed a book as much as this one.
RATINGS BY CATEGORY
CHARACTERS: 4 out of 5
The characters in this story have a lot of opportunities to shine. The primary viewpoint characters are Eamon Diaz, Jeff Burns, and the vampire Lucien Schauder. They each have a distinct narration voice (the story being told in the first person), and I thought they were all excellent.
I liked Tharon, but thought her course was slightly predictable. I LOVED Ms. Blitnikov (the WWII Soviet Sniper). Her story made a lot more sense in this part of the novel.
Zach and Augie, are a pair of great characters. They’re both vampire hunters, and they have their own motivations, but they’re like the secondary characters that you wish you knew more about. They’re mysterious and cool. I am happy that Mr. Hama didn’t delve into them too much. They work well on the sidelines, but they would really shine in a book of their own as well.
PACE: 5 out of 5
Mr. Hama keeps things fast. I remember Part One being longer and slower (I could be mistaken), but Parts Two and Three are both going down on the rollercoaster; I had to pause a few times to make sure I was taking it all in and appreciating it properly. That wasn’t a bad thing though; I was never bored.
STORY: 4 out of 5
What started out as a fairly unoriginal concept (I thought) that was rendered in high quality turns into something else in Part Three. I suspected there might be a few plot reversals, and there are. I won’t offer any spoilers, but I can say that Mr. Hama does a good job of actually writing about one thing when the story is about something else. I was surprised and I loved it.
The combat assault of the vampire lair near the ending is great stuff. It’s “classic Hama”, and I also thought the entire finale was an amazing exercise in tension, terror, and great visuals.
I am still piecing the answers of the ending together. The author leaves a few things to the reader’s imagination (in a good way), though I do wish the exact origin and nature of the Jeff Burns character received a clearer explanation. I have my theories, and I think they’re right, but I am not positive.
DIALOGUE: 4 out of 5
Mr. Hama’s ear for dialogue is excellent. I thought some of the narration offered by Diaz was over-the-top at times, but I appreciated the modern references that a kid like him would be using (like the video games he’s played, the movies he likes, and the classic movies a film student would appreciate, etc.) Mr. Hama is obviously familiar with a ton of stuff that I don’t think most guys his age even know exist.
There were a few blocks of dialogue that didn’t feel as realistic. Some characters launch into semi-speeches of explanation or description. It wasn’t a major distraction though.
The best dialogue of this book may have been Lucien Schauder’s. He’s a vampire and a villain, but I got a kick out of reading his parts of the story. I particularly enjoyed his rude restraint while in the company of an art critic who has been particularly merciless toward his work.
STYLE/TECHNICAL: 4 out of 5
Part Three is well written. It didn’t have as many clever metaphors and similes as Part Two, but it’s still a pleasure to read through.
December 11, 2012
Larry Hama keeps the fast pace during this third part as he weaves together an impressive story line that keeps the pages turning.
The ending does not convince me. It leaves me with more questions than answers and the problem here is that in comic book land, the next issue is "usually" just 30 days away. In this case, Larry might take years to get a second novel out.
At almost 15 USD, I find the book a bit pricey but I would pay them again and I would pay the same for a sequel.
If you have read the book, please leave your comments. I think that reader feedback might have a lot to do with the chances of a second part coming out soon.
The ending does not convince me. It leaves me with more questions than answers and the problem here is that in comic book land, the next issue is "usually" just 30 days away. In this case, Larry might take years to get a second novel out.
At almost 15 USD, I find the book a bit pricey but I would pay them again and I would pay the same for a sequel.
If you have read the book, please leave your comments. I think that reader feedback might have a lot to do with the chances of a second part coming out soon.
January 20, 2015
I grew up reading Larry Hama comics, so of course I was going to read a novel by him. I read the first part of “The Stranger” back in late 2013 and enjoyed it (rated 3.4), but I wasn’t in the mood for vampire fiction afterwards. After working through a few books and short stories that weren’t very good, I decided to revisit his vampire tale.
SUMMARY
Note that this is not the second part of a novel series, but the second part of a novel. Readers should read Part One before they launch into this one.
Eamon Diaz is a fairly typical New York City teenager with plans to go to film school and romance his crush, Tharon. In Part One, he became involved with a vampire hunter named Jeff Burns. Despite all that madness, he now has the date of a lifetime with Tharon, but wonders if her parents may be vampires or if recent experiences have made him paranoid. When he’s attacked by a powerful vampire after leaving Tharon’s apartment, he contacts Jeff Burns for help.
Burns (also known as “the Stalker” by the vampires) has made contact with Doctor Van Graaf, the daughter of the archeologist who recovered a mysterious casket from a dig in Turkey. Their meeting is interrupted by the arrival of a pair of vampire thralls though. Later, the exact nature of Jeff Burns and how he came to be a vampire hunter is explored.
The different characters join forces again in time for the vampires to stage an attack on Jeff’s apartment, unaware of just how dangerous the Stalker is.
OVERALL: 4.2 out of 5
Maybe I wasn’t in the right mood for Part One, or maybe it was just a matter of getting the groundwork laid down (I still gave it a solid rating), but this part of the book was great to read. The characters feel like living people, I love the dynamic going on, and the origin of the vampire hunter. I also love the other vampire hunters- a “cowboy” and a “biker”. Perhaps the best part of the story is in the telling though; Mr. Hama has a great storyteller’s voice, even when he’s adopting the words and mannerisms of different viewpoint characters.
Unfortunately, I was disappointed to learn last night that Amazon does not carry the third part anymore. I am not sure what happened, but no parts of “The Stranger” are available at the Kindle store anymore. I bought it from Barnes & Noble instead, but it is an inconvenience.
RATINGS BY CATEGORY
CHARACTERS: 4 out of 5
Mr. Hama once again delivers realistic characters who narrate their stories with terrific, unique voices. The history of Jeff Burns is expanded and turns him into a unique and interesting character (whereas before I felt like he was cut from the same mold as “Blade” or even a vampire-hunting “Snake Eyes”). Without ruining anything, I want to say that I love how “modern” the character is, having adapted to military tactics and technology without formal training (as far as the reader knows).
The character of Lucien Schauder, a vampire in the service of the Vampire Queen, is fascinating. Though he’s clearly a villain, he is relatable to some degree. He thinks of self-preservation, and wonders about the degree of control his mistress has over him.
PACE: 5 out of 5
Nothing about this book is slow. Even Eamon’s date with Tharon (which takes place in the unlikely locale of a soup kitchen) moves fast and things stay interesting. This story was a perfect example of everything serving the story. I particularly love a part near the ending where an entire conversation between two viewpoint characters is only glossed over in the narration (this would be when Eamon wants to go rescue his family and Jeff Burns wants to go after the box that may or may not contain the dead body of the vampire king) because it just isn’t as important as what the characters actually do. This was brilliant execution of what might have been a tired and predictable conflict.
STORY: 3 out of 5
The story doesn’t have a lot of surprises in it, though there are some unexpected things popping up at the end (which has hooked me for Part Three). The story SEEMS to be a run-of-the-mill “vampire hunter and vampires attack each other while in pursuit of more important game”, but there’s nothing wrong with a somewhat generic plot when everything else is rendered in such amazing quality. The characters make the story unique, and I think there are probably a few surprises in store when I get to Part Three.
DIALOGUE: 4 out of 5
Hama has a great ear for dialogue and it shows here. Every character has their own speaking voice, and the viewpoint characters have great narration voices as well. I particularly like the way Eamon thinks one thing and says another; it’s accurate for a teenager with raging hormones, paranoia over past events, and enough caution not to just blurt everything out.
STYLE/TECHNICAL: 5 out of 5
The use of metaphors and similes in this book is excellent. It’s from the same college as Raymond Chandler, but different. The prose isn’t as eloquent as Sabatini, but it doesn’t need to be. It’s a delight to read in every possible way. Hama doesn’t lay it on too thick either- there’s a great mix of tongue-in-cheek narration and straight description.
SUMMARY
Note that this is not the second part of a novel series, but the second part of a novel. Readers should read Part One before they launch into this one.
Eamon Diaz is a fairly typical New York City teenager with plans to go to film school and romance his crush, Tharon. In Part One, he became involved with a vampire hunter named Jeff Burns. Despite all that madness, he now has the date of a lifetime with Tharon, but wonders if her parents may be vampires or if recent experiences have made him paranoid. When he’s attacked by a powerful vampire after leaving Tharon’s apartment, he contacts Jeff Burns for help.
Burns (also known as “the Stalker” by the vampires) has made contact with Doctor Van Graaf, the daughter of the archeologist who recovered a mysterious casket from a dig in Turkey. Their meeting is interrupted by the arrival of a pair of vampire thralls though. Later, the exact nature of Jeff Burns and how he came to be a vampire hunter is explored.
The different characters join forces again in time for the vampires to stage an attack on Jeff’s apartment, unaware of just how dangerous the Stalker is.
OVERALL: 4.2 out of 5
Maybe I wasn’t in the right mood for Part One, or maybe it was just a matter of getting the groundwork laid down (I still gave it a solid rating), but this part of the book was great to read. The characters feel like living people, I love the dynamic going on, and the origin of the vampire hunter. I also love the other vampire hunters- a “cowboy” and a “biker”. Perhaps the best part of the story is in the telling though; Mr. Hama has a great storyteller’s voice, even when he’s adopting the words and mannerisms of different viewpoint characters.
Unfortunately, I was disappointed to learn last night that Amazon does not carry the third part anymore. I am not sure what happened, but no parts of “The Stranger” are available at the Kindle store anymore. I bought it from Barnes & Noble instead, but it is an inconvenience.
RATINGS BY CATEGORY
CHARACTERS: 4 out of 5
Mr. Hama once again delivers realistic characters who narrate their stories with terrific, unique voices. The history of Jeff Burns is expanded and turns him into a unique and interesting character (whereas before I felt like he was cut from the same mold as “Blade” or even a vampire-hunting “Snake Eyes”). Without ruining anything, I want to say that I love how “modern” the character is, having adapted to military tactics and technology without formal training (as far as the reader knows).
The character of Lucien Schauder, a vampire in the service of the Vampire Queen, is fascinating. Though he’s clearly a villain, he is relatable to some degree. He thinks of self-preservation, and wonders about the degree of control his mistress has over him.
PACE: 5 out of 5
Nothing about this book is slow. Even Eamon’s date with Tharon (which takes place in the unlikely locale of a soup kitchen) moves fast and things stay interesting. This story was a perfect example of everything serving the story. I particularly love a part near the ending where an entire conversation between two viewpoint characters is only glossed over in the narration (this would be when Eamon wants to go rescue his family and Jeff Burns wants to go after the box that may or may not contain the dead body of the vampire king) because it just isn’t as important as what the characters actually do. This was brilliant execution of what might have been a tired and predictable conflict.
STORY: 3 out of 5
The story doesn’t have a lot of surprises in it, though there are some unexpected things popping up at the end (which has hooked me for Part Three). The story SEEMS to be a run-of-the-mill “vampire hunter and vampires attack each other while in pursuit of more important game”, but there’s nothing wrong with a somewhat generic plot when everything else is rendered in such amazing quality. The characters make the story unique, and I think there are probably a few surprises in store when I get to Part Three.
DIALOGUE: 4 out of 5
Hama has a great ear for dialogue and it shows here. Every character has their own speaking voice, and the viewpoint characters have great narration voices as well. I particularly like the way Eamon thinks one thing and says another; it’s accurate for a teenager with raging hormones, paranoia over past events, and enough caution not to just blurt everything out.
STYLE/TECHNICAL: 5 out of 5
The use of metaphors and similes in this book is excellent. It’s from the same college as Raymond Chandler, but different. The prose isn’t as eloquent as Sabatini, but it doesn’t need to be. It’s a delight to read in every possible way. Hama doesn’t lay it on too thick either- there’s a great mix of tongue-in-cheek narration and straight description.
December 8, 2012
I'm a bit biased considering this book was written by Larry Hama but I have enjoyed the story so far. The story starts a bit slow with the story being told from three points of view; the vampire hunter, the vampire and the teenager caught in the middle of things. These POVs overlap and it gives an interesting style of storytelling.
Regarding the vampires in this book, do not fear, they do not sparkle and they do not go out in the sun.
The story is not scary as far as I see it. I don't think it is written to be a terror novel. It has its action sequences which are well told. Larry handles the action like he always does. He gives a few interesting turns and I'm wondering where he will take it in the remaining two parts.
I'll have to see how it ends to give a better grade, but so far a very good quick read.
Regarding the vampires in this book, do not fear, they do not sparkle and they do not go out in the sun.
The story is not scary as far as I see it. I don't think it is written to be a terror novel. It has its action sequences which are well told. Larry handles the action like he always does. He gives a few interesting turns and I'm wondering where he will take it in the remaining two parts.
I'll have to see how it ends to give a better grade, but so far a very good quick read.
December 9, 2012
This second installment picks up the pace. The storytelling is crisp, fast paced and entertaining. The twists and turns are dynamic. The action meeting the supernatural is superb. I still don't consider it a terror novel.
It's simply what Larry Hama does best. Great storytelling; suspense, action, clever dialogue.
It's simply what Larry Hama does best. Great storytelling; suspense, action, clever dialogue.
March 13, 2013
Very cool modern action story about vampires in NYC, with some flashbacks to the past here and there. Interesting character work, great action, and good pacing all combine to make me want to read the next two parts right away.
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