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The Lightslayer: The Vampire Jack Townson
Prepare to be captivated by a dark fantasy epic that will consume your imagination.
Welcome to Draconia, a realm cloaked in shadows and intrigue, where ancient power struggles simmer beneath the surface. When the enigmatic Vampire Lord, Jack Townson, master of the Manor of Mystery, uncovers a sinister conspiracy threatening to ignite a supernatural war, he and his eclectic band of misfits-the Degenerates-must rise to the challenge. Together, they will navigate treacherous alliances, dangerous secrets, and a world filled with breathtaking magic and monsters.
Immerse yourself in a tale of supernatural action, dark romance, and fantasy adventure, where every page brims with danger, desire, and destiny. From spine-chilling battles to forbidden love, this novel takes you on a journey through a richly imagined universe where power comes at a price, and loyalty is tested at every turn.
Fans of spicy dark romance, vampire lore, and epic fantasy will be spellbound by Draconia's intricate world-building, unforgettable characters, and pulse-pounding twists. If you're a fan of Sarah J. Maas, Jay Kristoff, or Deborah Harkness, this is your next must-read.
Step into the shadows. Welcome to Draconia. Your adventure awaits. Mind your throat.
Welcome to Draconia, a realm cloaked in shadows and intrigue, where ancient power struggles simmer beneath the surface. When the enigmatic Vampire Lord, Jack Townson, master of the Manor of Mystery, uncovers a sinister conspiracy threatening to ignite a supernatural war, he and his eclectic band of misfits-the Degenerates-must rise to the challenge. Together, they will navigate treacherous alliances, dangerous secrets, and a world filled with breathtaking magic and monsters.
Immerse yourself in a tale of supernatural action, dark romance, and fantasy adventure, where every page brims with danger, desire, and destiny. From spine-chilling battles to forbidden love, this novel takes you on a journey through a richly imagined universe where power comes at a price, and loyalty is tested at every turn.
Fans of spicy dark romance, vampire lore, and epic fantasy will be spellbound by Draconia's intricate world-building, unforgettable characters, and pulse-pounding twists. If you're a fan of Sarah J. Maas, Jay Kristoff, or Deborah Harkness, this is your next must-read.
Step into the shadows. Welcome to Draconia. Your adventure awaits. Mind your throat.
700 pages, Hardcover
Published June 3, 2025
31 people are currently reading
3651 people want to read
About the author
Jack Townson
8 books108 followersA 2023 Witchy Award nominee, Jack Townson, a multi-talented artist, is the heart and soul of the thriving FangFam community across various social media platforms, including TikTok, Instagram, and Twitch. With an ever-expanding following that now exceeds four hundred thousand devoted fans, he’s left an indelible mark on the digital landscape, garnering an impressive 4.2 million likes under the #Fangfam hashtag.
Beyond his online presence, Jack is a versatile artist, encompassing the roles of actor, singer, and writer. His most celebrated work to date is “The Vampire Jack Townson,” an original story that first captivated audiences on TikTok and has been endorsed by New York Times bestselling author and 5-time Bram Stoker Award winner, Jonathan Maberry. This immersive narrative plunges into the hidden world of a supernatural being and the profound journey towards rediscovering one's humanity.
Jack extends an invitation to his followers, beckoning them to peer into the psyche of an undead bohemian—an artist and a creature of the night, eternally ensnared in a world of nightmares. It’s a life devoid of sunlight’s warmth and the enduring embrace of true love, offering a unique glimpse into the enigmatic existence he portrays through his creative endeavors.
Beyond his online presence, Jack is a versatile artist, encompassing the roles of actor, singer, and writer. His most celebrated work to date is “The Vampire Jack Townson,” an original story that first captivated audiences on TikTok and has been endorsed by New York Times bestselling author and 5-time Bram Stoker Award winner, Jonathan Maberry. This immersive narrative plunges into the hidden world of a supernatural being and the profound journey towards rediscovering one's humanity.
Jack extends an invitation to his followers, beckoning them to peer into the psyche of an undead bohemian—an artist and a creature of the night, eternally ensnared in a world of nightmares. It’s a life devoid of sunlight’s warmth and the enduring embrace of true love, offering a unique glimpse into the enigmatic existence he portrays through his creative endeavors.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
March 9, 2025
I went out of my comfort zone with this book and boy oh boy am I glad I did because I loved it!
I've dabbled with vampire books recently and when this book crossed my path, I couldn't say no.
This story grabs you by the collar immediately. I was drawn in by Jack and his degenerates. I absolutely loved all the characters, and not just the main ones. The side characters are all brilliant. I enjoyed Vaidrin's struggle to encompass his newly found immortality and the struggles that ensue in his father/son/mentor relationship with Jack. Jack is something else. I love how he has banded together a group of misfits and found such a wonderful family. He is fiercely protective and I liked getting to know different characters through his interactions with them.
The plot is fast paced, so much happens in each chapter and I think that's what kept me so engrossed in the story. I haven't read any of the other books in this universe but I didn't feel like I was at a disadvantage with this. I quickly understood that there were many side characters there who have come from the other books (if anything it makes me want to read all the others).
The story line is so good. When Jack and Vaidrin meet and things really take off. The simmering tensions between the realms hit boiling point as do tensions in the relationships of the characters. The fights and battles are well written. There's lots of blood and gore.
The magic in this book is so interesting and a vast array of vampires, witches, goblins, gargoyles, humans, beasts and lots of otherworldly creatures see to it that this world is as intriguing and entertaining as any other!
I loved how some really difficult subjects are tackled in this book, and how it's offset with lots of lighthearted humour. It's packed full of emotions and Jack doesn't shy away from showing his emotions to everyone around him.
There is so much entertainment packed into this book and I enjoyed every minute of his wild ride. Action, adventure, spice & found family. I really hope there is more to come from Draconia as I'm sad to leave!
Thank you to NetGalley, Jack Townson, and Xpresso Book Tours for the arc. This is my honest review of the book.
I've dabbled with vampire books recently and when this book crossed my path, I couldn't say no.
This story grabs you by the collar immediately. I was drawn in by Jack and his degenerates. I absolutely loved all the characters, and not just the main ones. The side characters are all brilliant. I enjoyed Vaidrin's struggle to encompass his newly found immortality and the struggles that ensue in his father/son/mentor relationship with Jack. Jack is something else. I love how he has banded together a group of misfits and found such a wonderful family. He is fiercely protective and I liked getting to know different characters through his interactions with them.
The plot is fast paced, so much happens in each chapter and I think that's what kept me so engrossed in the story. I haven't read any of the other books in this universe but I didn't feel like I was at a disadvantage with this. I quickly understood that there were many side characters there who have come from the other books (if anything it makes me want to read all the others).
The story line is so good. When Jack and Vaidrin meet and things really take off. The simmering tensions between the realms hit boiling point as do tensions in the relationships of the characters. The fights and battles are well written. There's lots of blood and gore.
The magic in this book is so interesting and a vast array of vampires, witches, goblins, gargoyles, humans, beasts and lots of otherworldly creatures see to it that this world is as intriguing and entertaining as any other!
I loved how some really difficult subjects are tackled in this book, and how it's offset with lots of lighthearted humour. It's packed full of emotions and Jack doesn't shy away from showing his emotions to everyone around him.
There is so much entertainment packed into this book and I enjoyed every minute of his wild ride. Action, adventure, spice & found family. I really hope there is more to come from Draconia as I'm sad to leave!
Thank you to NetGalley, Jack Townson, and Xpresso Book Tours for the arc. This is my honest review of the book.
May 2, 2025
This title was selected for IngramSpark's Indie Title Discovery Spotlight 2025!
dnf
March 15, 2025I have to DNF it. The blurb hooked me, but I had this constant feeling of being a few steps behind.
I read in another review that this is a sequel, so that clears up my confusion. I'm missing an entire book of context behind characters actions and relationships. When it's outcast and found family its a pretty substantial lack of information in my opinion.
Kudos to those who can read it and deduce what I cannot without having read the first book.
DNF at 21%
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pre-read
Received an arc in exchange for an honest review
Am I excited?
I read in another review that this is a sequel, so that clears up my confusion. I'm missing an entire book of context behind characters actions and relationships. When it's outcast and found family its a pretty substantial lack of information in my opinion.
Kudos to those who can read it and deduce what I cannot without having read the first book.
DNF at 21%
-----------
pre-read
Received an arc in exchange for an honest review
Am I excited?
June 17, 2025
You could say that I’ve been a fan of vampires since birth, because when I was a baby, my mom would watch Dark Shadows with me. That love of vampires continues to this day, and caused the algorithm on TikTok to bring me to the videos of The Vampire Jack Townson—and boy am I glad that they did. This handsome man with long, dark, curly hair, dressed as though he walked straight out of a dark fantasy vampire novel, caught my attention immediately. But it wasn’t until late last year when Jack mentioned that he was looking for reviewers for his new vampire fantasy novel, The Lightslayer, that I began to take a deeper dive into who this man is, beyond just the handsome vampire on TikTok. Boy am I glad that I did. Now on to the book.
The Lightslayer is the first book in the Everdusk series. It is a dark fantasy set in the world of Draconia, featuring the Vampire Lord Jack Townson and his delightful found family—a group of outcasts called the Degenerates who live in the Manor of Mystery. Draconia is a world shrouded in shadow—a world with vampire kingdoms, magic, giants, witches, banshees, werewolves, ogres, gargoyles, and pretty much anything you can imagine from fantasy lore. Life seems to be going fairly well for them until Jack stumbles upon a conspiracy that is about to plunge their world into chaos and destroy everything they love. Jack is determined to confront the enemy lurking in the light, but he doesn’t have to do it alone; he has his Degenerates and some unlikely alliances. Jack will do anything to protect his family, but to win this battle, will he have to use dangerous ancient magic that could change him forever? Will he and his Degenerates survive this epic battle? Will Draconia survive?
Jack and some of his friends aren’t from Draconia originally (check out the prequel The Vampire Jack Townson: Fame Has Its Price, which tells the story of how Jack was turned), which gives this fantasy epic a unique blend of urban fantasy and high fantasy. The language is more accessible and relatable than in some fantasy novels. The Lightslayer will make you laugh, gasp, and cry. It will keep you on the edge of your seat, eager to see what will happen next. You will fall in love with these amazing and beautifully flawed characters. Jack is charismatic and witty, at times dark and dangerous, and his non-beating heart is that of a hero.
While some might expect vampires and “monsters” to be the villains, Draconia is a world where heroes and villains aren’t what they seem. A world where the true sign of who is a hero and who is a villain is what is in their hearts, not what is on the outside—something very relatable to the real world that we live in. Jack Townson, the author, touches on many real-world issues within this fantasy story, presenting a surprisingly relatable world despite it being a fantasy one. Despite the darkness in this story, this world and its heroes also leave the reader with a feeling of hope. I love the tag line for Jack’s fictional worlds–When your world fails you, find a better one. Jack has constructed an intricate magical world that you will find yourself wanting to visit over and over again! His take on vampire lore is unique and fascinating. The world he has created is complex and described so vividly that it truly comes to life!
The size of this 700-page book might be a bit daunting, but The Lightslayer was so fast-moving and engaging that I couldn’t put it down. It is filled with bloody battles, personal struggles from past trauma, incredible characters, found family, forbidden love, spicy sex scenes, a beautiful and amazing magical talking horse, a chicken house (I kid you not), and so much more. There is still much more to learn and stories to tell about this world, and I can’t wait. More is coming in the form of more novels, side-quest novellas, and even a movie! For those who want to dive even deeper into this world, there is also an amazing website, loads of videos (on YouTube and TikTok), and music! And I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the amazing artwork also scattered throughout the book, created by various members of Jack’s fan group called the Fang-Fam. There’s even a map of Draconia! You can learn more about Jack in this interview I did with him https://kingsriverlife.com/06/07/the-...
If you love vampires, or Dungeons and Dragons, or fantasy, or even Beauty and the Beast, you will love this book! If this story doesn’t move you, nothing can. I have totally fallen in love with these characters and this world. The Lightslayer has moved up to the top of my list of favorite fantasy novels, right there with TJ Klune’s Cerulean Sea books and Jim Butcher’s Dresden Files. I highly recommend you give it a try—you won’t regret it! Step into Draconia and you may never want to leave!
While I did receive a review ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review, I loved it so much that I also purchased a print copy as well!
The Lightslayer is the first book in the Everdusk series. It is a dark fantasy set in the world of Draconia, featuring the Vampire Lord Jack Townson and his delightful found family—a group of outcasts called the Degenerates who live in the Manor of Mystery. Draconia is a world shrouded in shadow—a world with vampire kingdoms, magic, giants, witches, banshees, werewolves, ogres, gargoyles, and pretty much anything you can imagine from fantasy lore. Life seems to be going fairly well for them until Jack stumbles upon a conspiracy that is about to plunge their world into chaos and destroy everything they love. Jack is determined to confront the enemy lurking in the light, but he doesn’t have to do it alone; he has his Degenerates and some unlikely alliances. Jack will do anything to protect his family, but to win this battle, will he have to use dangerous ancient magic that could change him forever? Will he and his Degenerates survive this epic battle? Will Draconia survive?
Jack and some of his friends aren’t from Draconia originally (check out the prequel The Vampire Jack Townson: Fame Has Its Price, which tells the story of how Jack was turned), which gives this fantasy epic a unique blend of urban fantasy and high fantasy. The language is more accessible and relatable than in some fantasy novels. The Lightslayer will make you laugh, gasp, and cry. It will keep you on the edge of your seat, eager to see what will happen next. You will fall in love with these amazing and beautifully flawed characters. Jack is charismatic and witty, at times dark and dangerous, and his non-beating heart is that of a hero.
While some might expect vampires and “monsters” to be the villains, Draconia is a world where heroes and villains aren’t what they seem. A world where the true sign of who is a hero and who is a villain is what is in their hearts, not what is on the outside—something very relatable to the real world that we live in. Jack Townson, the author, touches on many real-world issues within this fantasy story, presenting a surprisingly relatable world despite it being a fantasy one. Despite the darkness in this story, this world and its heroes also leave the reader with a feeling of hope. I love the tag line for Jack’s fictional worlds–When your world fails you, find a better one. Jack has constructed an intricate magical world that you will find yourself wanting to visit over and over again! His take on vampire lore is unique and fascinating. The world he has created is complex and described so vividly that it truly comes to life!
The size of this 700-page book might be a bit daunting, but The Lightslayer was so fast-moving and engaging that I couldn’t put it down. It is filled with bloody battles, personal struggles from past trauma, incredible characters, found family, forbidden love, spicy sex scenes, a beautiful and amazing magical talking horse, a chicken house (I kid you not), and so much more. There is still much more to learn and stories to tell about this world, and I can’t wait. More is coming in the form of more novels, side-quest novellas, and even a movie! For those who want to dive even deeper into this world, there is also an amazing website, loads of videos (on YouTube and TikTok), and music! And I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the amazing artwork also scattered throughout the book, created by various members of Jack’s fan group called the Fang-Fam. There’s even a map of Draconia! You can learn more about Jack in this interview I did with him https://kingsriverlife.com/06/07/the-...
If you love vampires, or Dungeons and Dragons, or fantasy, or even Beauty and the Beast, you will love this book! If this story doesn’t move you, nothing can. I have totally fallen in love with these characters and this world. The Lightslayer has moved up to the top of my list of favorite fantasy novels, right there with TJ Klune’s Cerulean Sea books and Jim Butcher’s Dresden Files. I highly recommend you give it a try—you won’t regret it! Step into Draconia and you may never want to leave!
While I did receive a review ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review, I loved it so much that I also purchased a print copy as well!
May 19, 2025
First, I'd like to thank NetGalley and Across The Veil Books for allowing me the chance to read this ARC for my honest opinion. I really appreciate it. I'm sorry to say I DNF this novel at 11%. I was really looking forward to reading this cause I am a fan of the author (and TikToker Jack Townson). I read the previous novel in this series and it wasn't my favorite, but I managed to finish it. This novel is written in a similar fashion where the author describes the main character way too much and in more detail than is needed. I don't need to be constantly reminded about what color VJT's hair is or that it is curly. Nor do you have to keep mentioning that his body is well defined and his lips are luscious and his orbs are crimson. It has nothing to do with the story line. The other thing that bothered me about what I read was how many times the author referred to blood as 'vitae'. He did this in his previous book and it was unsettling in my honest opinion. From what I did read, the story itself had major promise. I would have loved to delve more into the world and VJT's kingdom. It was intriguing, but I just couldn't get into it.
May 14, 2025
This Novel is Brilliant! It has everything you could want in a Novel Horror, Fiction, Mystery, Fantasy, Fighting , Romance, Excitement! This Author Is very Expressive in his details ! He paints a picture of the Scenes so Descriptive that you can See the Scene Before you ! He is very passionate in his work and He puts so much energy into his work He amazes you with his storyline and He causes so many emotions to well up in you from crying to laughter and Being Angry or Fear or excitement! He gives you everything in a Novel you could ever want ! He is very Talented. I have already read his Prior Novel Fame has its Price, a Best Seller , as well as his Two Best seller Poetry books Blood and Roses and Death and Lilies! All of his Books have the same kind of passion and Description s allowing you to picture the Scene! This Author is Truly one of My Favorites ! This is a Must Read. IF This is not a novel you would normally choose I assure you after reading this one , You will Be Hooked! A Great Read! I give it A 10 !
February 16, 2025
Everdusk, The Lightslayer was beyond amazing. The way Jack writes his scenes with such detail, I can literally see it happening and feel the emotions. I have always loved vampire books and especially a good vampire series. This is the second book in Jack’s growing series, but the first book of Draconia. If you have read Fame Has It’s Price and loved it, you are gonna really love Everdusk.
The book starts out action packed and just continues to spiral down the world of Draconia. You meet soo many amazing new characters and get a little preview of their lives as you go on this journey with Jack and his Degenerates. You will fall in love with characters and some you will hate. But I promise you, the book will leave you wanting more. There is love, heartache, loss, spice, betrayal, and found family. This is going to be the best new vampire series to date.
The book starts out action packed and just continues to spiral down the world of Draconia. You meet soo many amazing new characters and get a little preview of their lives as you go on this journey with Jack and his Degenerates. You will fall in love with characters and some you will hate. But I promise you, the book will leave you wanting more. There is love, heartache, loss, spice, betrayal, and found family. This is going to be the best new vampire series to date.
June 7, 2025
The Lightslayer resembles a dark chocolate cake for your mind—sinfully rich, tantalizingly mysterious, and absolutely indulgent. Jack Townson, our brooding hero, straddles the line between enigmatic allure and relatable humanity, making you root for him amidst the swirling shadows of Draconia. The dance of light and darkness in this tale is as captivating as a dazzling fireworks show on a stormy night. You'll find yourself entangled in a web of ancient secrets and forbidden romance, yearning to be a part of Jack's found family in the Manor of Mystery. Dive into this world, buckle up for a ride of emotions!
June 12, 2025
Not gonna lie, it's hard for me to write review for books I adore like Lightslayer because I want to infodump all the spoilers. And yes, I want to squee about so much that if I wrote a full review I'd give away too many secrets of the book.
So all I'm saying is - READ IT!
Though I will give one minor spoiler for the people of Threads who were recently complaining about not seeing a lot of fat vampires represented in books, movies, etc with a few exceptions like the book trilogy by Andrew Fox, well, you'll be pleased to know, there is a fat vampire in this book. And she's not portrayed as slovenly like in movies like Blade.
So all I'm saying is - READ IT!
Though I will give one minor spoiler for the people of Threads who were recently complaining about not seeing a lot of fat vampires represented in books, movies, etc with a few exceptions like the book trilogy by Andrew Fox, well, you'll be pleased to know, there is a fat vampire in this book. And she's not portrayed as slovenly like in movies like Blade.
June 22, 2025
I pre-ordered this book in May, and waiting for it to arrive was the hardest part; it was well worth the wait.
From the first page, it draws you into a completely different world, where you feel as though you are going on an adventure of exploring the new world along with The Crimson King and his Degenerates.
From Fame Has It’s Price to The Lightslayer, I have become obsessed with this fantasy world and enjoy every moment of getting lost in it. I look forward to seeing what happens next.
My new favorite book series
From the first page, it draws you into a completely different world, where you feel as though you are going on an adventure of exploring the new world along with The Crimson King and his Degenerates.
From Fame Has It’s Price to The Lightslayer, I have become obsessed with this fantasy world and enjoy every moment of getting lost in it. I look forward to seeing what happens next.
My new favorite book series
August 8, 2025
4/5⭐
A detailed, action packed and fast pace - what would you like more from a book for vampires, witches, magic, and all kind of creatures.
The world building is great. The characters are incredible. The magic system is interesting.
The world of Draconia is worth investing your time in. With its 700 pages might be a bit intimidating but once you start reading you will fly through it very easy.
I recommend you reading this.
Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
A detailed, action packed and fast pace - what would you like more from a book for vampires, witches, magic, and all kind of creatures.
The world building is great. The characters are incredible. The magic system is interesting.
The world of Draconia is worth investing your time in. With its 700 pages might be a bit intimidating but once you start reading you will fly through it very easy.
I recommend you reading this.
Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
June 7, 2025
Absolutely amazing book. If you are looking for a new fantasy world to get into look no further. With a rich world of lore and world building you can truly get lost in the pages. It's colorful cast of characters breath life into this magical dark fantasy romance adventure. You want spice its got spice. It's a fantasy world unlike anything that has come before, cross the veil if you dare and enter the world of Draconia.
May 14, 2025
I LOVE his work! His books, music and videos are AMAZING 😍, and I can't wait to read all this!!! ❣️😍❣️ Hopefully in one day after it gets delivered ☺️ Fame Has it's Price was well worth it, so I know this will be, too. Hurry and pre-order yours today, and get Fame Has it's Price, too, and you'll be in Dark Romance Adventure HEAVEN!!!!
August 20, 2025
A delightful romp through a new world by a rising star. Join the Vampire Jack Townson and his Degenerates as they show us the world of Draconia in it full dark and beautiful glory. All that is light is not good and not all that is dark is evil. Magic, vampires, and epic storytelling await all who are willing to enter the Manor of Mystery.
Read
December 30, 2025I had to DNF this at 20%.
The premise sounded great but the delivery, not so much. The writing was wayyyyy too descriptive for things that shouldn't be. It could've been toned down quite a bit. Plus the author kept describing the MMC's looks every chance he got. It was starting to give me the ick.
Usually I love vampire novels, so I'm sad this didn’t hit the mark for me!
The premise sounded great but the delivery, not so much. The writing was wayyyyy too descriptive for things that shouldn't be. It could've been toned down quite a bit. Plus the author kept describing the MMC's looks every chance he got. It was starting to give me the ick.
Usually I love vampire novels, so I'm sad this didn’t hit the mark for me!
June 30, 2025
I just finished reading The Lightslayer on Netgalley yesterday. it is absolutely beautifully written, I am so excited to get it for my birthday next month. if you are a fan of vampires, adventure, dark romance and found family then this is definitely the book for you
June 3, 2025
AMAZING BOOK!
The action, the spice, everything in it is great.
The action, the spice, everything in it is great.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews