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The Name of Vampire
The chilling finale to the multi-award-winning "Blood of the Damned".
450 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 4, 2026
About the author
Antony J. Stanton
7 books65 followersMulti-award-winning author of the Blood of the Dragon series, a medieval vampire thriller saga, and the Blood of the Infected series, a post-apocalyptic vampire/zombie horror story.
2026 Winner of the prestigious IPPY Award, the International Book Award, and the BookFest Award in horror for "Blood of the Damned," book one of the Blood of the Dragon series.
Lives in London.
2026 Winner of the prestigious IPPY Award, the International Book Award, and the BookFest Award in horror for "Blood of the Damned," book one of the Blood of the Dragon series.
Lives in London.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
August 18, 2026
I really enjoyed the first book in this series but book 2 is where it’s at for me. This one picks up immediately where the first book leaves off so there’s no slow reset.
This is dark fantasy done right. There is SO much happening throughout this book but somehow it never felt overwhelming. The world building is incredibly immersive and I really enjoyed the way Antony Stanton blends history and fiction together. It gives the story this sense of realism while still letting the supernatural elements completely take over. And the atmosphere is absolutely eerie. There’s this constant darkness hanging over the story that fits the vampire lore perfectly.
I also really appreciated that the story doesn’t rely solely on the main plot. The additional subplots expand the world and give some of the characters more room to develop which made the overall story feel much bigger.
And listen, I will never get tired of vampire lore. Give me ancient vampires, mysterious histories, supernatural politics, creepy mythology and I’m in.
One thing I didn’t expect to love as much as I did was the found family aspect. For such a dark and brutal story those relationships brought in a much needed warmth and gave the characters something worth fighting for. It was such a nice contrast to all the darkness surrounding them.
If book 1 pulled me into this world, book 2 has officially sunk its fangs into me. I’m completely invested now and ready for more.
This is dark fantasy done right. There is SO much happening throughout this book but somehow it never felt overwhelming. The world building is incredibly immersive and I really enjoyed the way Antony Stanton blends history and fiction together. It gives the story this sense of realism while still letting the supernatural elements completely take over. And the atmosphere is absolutely eerie. There’s this constant darkness hanging over the story that fits the vampire lore perfectly.
I also really appreciated that the story doesn’t rely solely on the main plot. The additional subplots expand the world and give some of the characters more room to develop which made the overall story feel much bigger.
And listen, I will never get tired of vampire lore. Give me ancient vampires, mysterious histories, supernatural politics, creepy mythology and I’m in.
One thing I didn’t expect to love as much as I did was the found family aspect. For such a dark and brutal story those relationships brought in a much needed warmth and gave the characters something worth fighting for. It was such a nice contrast to all the darkness surrounding them.
If book 1 pulled me into this world, book 2 has officially sunk its fangs into me. I’m completely invested now and ready for more.
August 11, 2026
Overall, there's quite a lot to this one that works incredibly well. Most of this is tied into the stellar storyline that adopts a genuine dark fantasy route to real history by mixing mythologies together with genuine history, leaving this one to be incredibly immersive and engaging as this plays out. The exploits of the main vampire and his crusade across Europe are quite a strong start, making this come together with the kind of thrilling action where not only is this atmospheric with how the encounters come off but also provides the groundwork for the kind of mythical creature rampaging through everything here. The means through which these incidents start to provide evidence of a strange, vicious creature running around, hinting at the bloodthirsty lore of the creature overall, creates a kind of generally dark starting point for his search into finding out what is really responsible. This is incredibly well-handled and quite chilling, focusing on a clock to get through everything and solve the riddle about everything to stop the creature from striking further victims.
The second half of the storyline, bringing this hunter together with a slew of other survivors to try to bring down the vampire plague spreading across the country, is just as fun for slightly different reasons. Instead of being a thrilling race against time to unravel the clues buried in these ancient texts regarding the identity of the ancient being, this part goes for a more humanistic touch as we get in-depth regarding the team and their pasts coming together into this strange unit. The different figures are each given their part of the story to bring them closer together over the journey, not just adding heart and warmth to this gruesome story but also giving them relationships that are quite engaging throughout here. This becomes the main crux of the book as they continue on their quest and become closer as a unit, strengthening the connection between each other but also the reader as well, giving this enough to overcome a slight and unimportant issue in this being slightly too long for its own good, involving so much going on. However, this can be easily overlooked and ignored, creating an immensely likable read.
5/5
The second half of the storyline, bringing this hunter together with a slew of other survivors to try to bring down the vampire plague spreading across the country, is just as fun for slightly different reasons. Instead of being a thrilling race against time to unravel the clues buried in these ancient texts regarding the identity of the ancient being, this part goes for a more humanistic touch as we get in-depth regarding the team and their pasts coming together into this strange unit. The different figures are each given their part of the story to bring them closer together over the journey, not just adding heart and warmth to this gruesome story but also giving them relationships that are quite engaging throughout here. This becomes the main crux of the book as they continue on their quest and become closer as a unit, strengthening the connection between each other but also the reader as well, giving this enough to overcome a slight and unimportant issue in this being slightly too long for its own good, involving so much going on. However, this can be easily overlooked and ignored, creating an immensely likable read.
5/5
August 5, 2026
If you thought Blood of the Damned set a high bar for historical dark fantasy, The Name of Vampire takes everything that worked in book one and completely elevates the tension, emotional weight, and blood-curdling (ha) horror. Antony Stanton does a masterclass job of weaving real medieval history into supernatural lore. The setting feels deeply immersive, atmospheric, and grounded in reality, which only makes the creepy, unsettling moments hit twice as hard.
What truly elevates this installment, though, is the sheer amount of heart packed into such a dark story. There’s a found family element to the story, and the genuine bonds and relationships between the characters give the narrative so much soul, making it impossible not to get fully invested in their survival. Stanton wrote these bonds so beautifully that you feel connected to these friends. When the darker moments and casualties inevitably land, they are genuinely heartbreaking with real emotional weight.
The Name of Vampire strikes the perfect balance between quiet, eerie dread and pulse-pounding mystery. It’s dark, tense, and delivers a deeply satisfying finish to the first two books of this saga. If you love historically grounded dark fantasy with rich lore, chilling atmospheres, and characters you’ll inevitably become attached to, this is an absolute must-read.
What truly elevates this installment, though, is the sheer amount of heart packed into such a dark story. There’s a found family element to the story, and the genuine bonds and relationships between the characters give the narrative so much soul, making it impossible not to get fully invested in their survival. Stanton wrote these bonds so beautifully that you feel connected to these friends. When the darker moments and casualties inevitably land, they are genuinely heartbreaking with real emotional weight.
The Name of Vampire strikes the perfect balance between quiet, eerie dread and pulse-pounding mystery. It’s dark, tense, and delivers a deeply satisfying finish to the first two books of this saga. If you love historically grounded dark fantasy with rich lore, chilling atmospheres, and characters you’ll inevitably become attached to, this is an absolute must-read.
August 21, 2026
I Really enjoyed this book! A great sequel as we rarely see. I loved the dark Gothic vibes,the medieval setting, and the way the vampire story is put into the historical events. The characters were entertaining, the action kept things moving on, and there were plenty of tense and creepy moments. The world building makes you really feel like you are in the story in an amazing way. A great read for anyone who enjoys historical fiction with a darker tone. The vampires are dangerous and frightening, they are predators which made it more interesting. It was a nice change from the romanticised we read a lot.
Also thank you so much Anthony J Stanton for my name in the acknowledgements 🥺❤️
I got an arc but it hasn’t influenced my review!
Also thank you so much Anthony J Stanton for my name in the acknowledgements 🥺❤️
I got an arc but it hasn’t influenced my review!
Read
August 5, 2026The Name of Vampire was an incredible read that exceeded my expectations. Blood of the Damned (first book) was an excellent read but this sequel was something else and has cemented my interest and excitement in this series!
One of my favourite parts of the book was the friendship and bond between the characters. Their relationships felt genuine and gave the story so much heart, making it easy to become invested in what happened to each of them. Because of that, some of the deaths were genuinely heartbreaking. They had real emotional weight and stayed with me long after I finished reading.
I also think Antony J. Stanton did a fantastic job creating an eerie, unsettling atmosphere. The creepy moments were written so well that they added constant tension without taking away from the emotional side of the story. It struck a great balance between horror, mystery, and heartfelt character relationships.
I love history so the setting of this book is perfect for me. Even though the story is supernatural, it’s grounded in real history, which made the world feel immersive and believable. Blending historical events and settings with vampire lore gave the story a unique feel and made it even more engaging.
Without a doubt this book is 5⭐️
One of my favourite parts of the book was the friendship and bond between the characters. Their relationships felt genuine and gave the story so much heart, making it easy to become invested in what happened to each of them. Because of that, some of the deaths were genuinely heartbreaking. They had real emotional weight and stayed with me long after I finished reading.
I also think Antony J. Stanton did a fantastic job creating an eerie, unsettling atmosphere. The creepy moments were written so well that they added constant tension without taking away from the emotional side of the story. It struck a great balance between horror, mystery, and heartfelt character relationships.
I love history so the setting of this book is perfect for me. Even though the story is supernatural, it’s grounded in real history, which made the world feel immersive and believable. Blending historical events and settings with vampire lore gave the story a unique feel and made it even more engaging.
Without a doubt this book is 5⭐️
August 8, 2026
Mr. Stanton has done it again. Blood of the Damned came to me because the IG algorithm recommended it to me. At first, it was difficult for me to get the book, but once I did… WOW. Now comes, The Name of the Vampire. And if you thought that the ending of book one was impressive, action-packed and rewarding, this whole story takes all of that and elevates everything you could possibly feel to the absolutely next level.
To be able to understand this book more fully, it is highly recommended that you read the free novella “Speak of the Devil”, although you can understand everything without reading that, the fact that I read it, allowed me to fully understand and enjoy the things that happened in this story. Again, not entirely necessary, but the enjoyment of this whole story is much better if you read Speak of the Devil.
Now, when it comes to The name of the Vampire, Mr. Stanton takes the journey our main character goes through from book one and elevates that to the next level and beyond. We see our boy become a man in all the sense that the time period he lives in requires of him. I mean, this is a hard story, set in a harsh time, where the circumstances are difficult, and war, pain, struggle, fights and the expectations of “what one should be” are everything for the main character. And he, the main character, is able to manage all that and become more.
What he experiences not only makes him stronger, he also becomes wiser, but not just that. He becomes a leader, such a leader, that he is able to inspire people. And I think that that is his greatest feat, the ability to inspire others to do the right thing. In a world corrupted by blood and war, our main character is able to inspire others by actions and courage.
And such is the courage shown in the battle scenes in this book which are fast-paced, non-stop and almost impossible to stop reading. You have your vampire encounters, but please forget your vampires full of seduction and sex appeal, this a creature whose stench in the air is sickening and whose only purpose is to inflict pain and suffering, nothing more. And do not think that the vampire will be in every single page. Mr. Stanton is able to show you as much as is needed from this creature, without it becoming cliche, which in my opinion is better this way.
The story comes to a close, but continues in book three and it is clear that the stakes will be higher and the danger will be greater than ever because in the time period that this takes place, the name of your family is everything, but once some blood ties are broken, not even the forgiveness of God will reunite them.
Seriously, read this book.
To be able to understand this book more fully, it is highly recommended that you read the free novella “Speak of the Devil”, although you can understand everything without reading that, the fact that I read it, allowed me to fully understand and enjoy the things that happened in this story. Again, not entirely necessary, but the enjoyment of this whole story is much better if you read Speak of the Devil.
Now, when it comes to The name of the Vampire, Mr. Stanton takes the journey our main character goes through from book one and elevates that to the next level and beyond. We see our boy become a man in all the sense that the time period he lives in requires of him. I mean, this is a hard story, set in a harsh time, where the circumstances are difficult, and war, pain, struggle, fights and the expectations of “what one should be” are everything for the main character. And he, the main character, is able to manage all that and become more.
What he experiences not only makes him stronger, he also becomes wiser, but not just that. He becomes a leader, such a leader, that he is able to inspire people. And I think that that is his greatest feat, the ability to inspire others to do the right thing. In a world corrupted by blood and war, our main character is able to inspire others by actions and courage.
And such is the courage shown in the battle scenes in this book which are fast-paced, non-stop and almost impossible to stop reading. You have your vampire encounters, but please forget your vampires full of seduction and sex appeal, this a creature whose stench in the air is sickening and whose only purpose is to inflict pain and suffering, nothing more. And do not think that the vampire will be in every single page. Mr. Stanton is able to show you as much as is needed from this creature, without it becoming cliche, which in my opinion is better this way.
The story comes to a close, but continues in book three and it is clear that the stakes will be higher and the danger will be greater than ever because in the time period that this takes place, the name of your family is everything, but once some blood ties are broken, not even the forgiveness of God will reunite them.
Seriously, read this book.
Review of advance copy received from Author
What a sequel! I had such expectations for the second book in the Blood of the Dragon series and what the author achieved, went beyond my hopes. The world building, the narrative and the dynamics between the characters, plus the arc of each single character is so well thought out and written that I was enthralled for the entirety of the book, which I went back to reading every spare second I had.
The story starts right where the first book ended, seamlessly dropping the reader in the same medieval war period with war raging over Constantinople, all in the name of religion. But, for the reader this is only the historical background, because revenge and dark forces are really the focus of the story. Whilst the main thread is a cat and mouse game between a mysterious and powerful vampire and Darius, the author takes the reader into many directions, with parallel subplots that are as entertaining and as captivating. I loved the introduction of the Romani and the appreciation of their culture and ancient history and knowledge, plus all the vampire lore and the various interconnections with other beliefs and religions such as Egyptians’ gods and Christianity.
In all of this, I was glad to find again the same depth and introspection as book one, with a thorough exploration of the characters’ minds, fears, expectations and development. The element of the found family was also a pleasant and heartwarming surprise, although heartbreaking as well. There are so many emotions and feelings, and I was surprised to see how much I cared for all these characters. I mean, I felt emotional even for Toothless, and that’s saying something about the author and its ability to give life to such complex characters. Even the secondary ones are credible and written with care.
How can I not comment again on the prose, because it is so accurate, reflecting the historical period of the story and the various levels of education and status of the characters. The whole reading experience feels authentic and immersive and I can’t have enough! Hopefully I won’t have to wait long for the next book.
If you want to unlock your new favourite dark fantasy, medieval vampiric series, start this one now.
Thanks to the author for a copy and this is my honest opinion.
The story starts right where the first book ended, seamlessly dropping the reader in the same medieval war period with war raging over Constantinople, all in the name of religion. But, for the reader this is only the historical background, because revenge and dark forces are really the focus of the story. Whilst the main thread is a cat and mouse game between a mysterious and powerful vampire and Darius, the author takes the reader into many directions, with parallel subplots that are as entertaining and as captivating. I loved the introduction of the Romani and the appreciation of their culture and ancient history and knowledge, plus all the vampire lore and the various interconnections with other beliefs and religions such as Egyptians’ gods and Christianity.
In all of this, I was glad to find again the same depth and introspection as book one, with a thorough exploration of the characters’ minds, fears, expectations and development. The element of the found family was also a pleasant and heartwarming surprise, although heartbreaking as well. There are so many emotions and feelings, and I was surprised to see how much I cared for all these characters. I mean, I felt emotional even for Toothless, and that’s saying something about the author and its ability to give life to such complex characters. Even the secondary ones are credible and written with care.
How can I not comment again on the prose, because it is so accurate, reflecting the historical period of the story and the various levels of education and status of the characters. The whole reading experience feels authentic and immersive and I can’t have enough! Hopefully I won’t have to wait long for the next book.
If you want to unlock your new favourite dark fantasy, medieval vampiric series, start this one now.
Thanks to the author for a copy and this is my honest opinion.
Review of advance copy received from Author
5☆
I have laughed out loud, yelled in frustration and cried tears of sorrow while reading the second book of The Blood of the Dragon series! That, my friends is the sign of a Master storyteller, which Antony Stanton has proven to be.
The Name of Vampire picks up the narratives of Darius Nikolov and Sir George on their search for answers regarding the Vampire and the Order of the Dragon.
The personalities of Darius and his closest friends are more developed. Every character has his or her personality advanced to the degree that I felt as if I really knew him or her as a person not just a name on the page. Aidan's quick wit and turn of phrase made him more endearing to me. His levity helped to balance Darius's deep, brooding personality. Many characters I came to love and some I came to despise.
Darius has grown into a brute of a man. As the story unfolds he becomes a reluctant, but astute leader to his friends and Romani in the pursuit of the Vampire. Sir George joins Darius, but he too is a changed man; broken, angry and haunted.
Stanton has captured the cadence and vernacular of the common man, lords, stolid soldiers and Romani in a manner that flows naturally and is like being a part in the discussion. Stanton's ability to keep each character speaking in a manner fitting his station is perfect. There are no instances of a lord speaking like a farmer or a Romani taking the tone of a soldier.
Battles between the Christian armies and the Ottoman armies are fast-paced and brutal, as are the battles with the Vampire. Every attack and parry was told in detail that found me holding my breath.
I received a free advance review copy from the author and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you Antony for allowing me to take part in the journey!
If you like tales of vampires, dark and dangerous settings, folklore, battles, historical fiction, and a little bit of romance, Name of Vampire will give you hours of thrilling reading.
Favorite Quote:
"Bless you my friend. The only person I know for whom, two and two makes whore."
Darius to Aidan
I have laughed out loud, yelled in frustration and cried tears of sorrow while reading the second book of The Blood of the Dragon series! That, my friends is the sign of a Master storyteller, which Antony Stanton has proven to be.
The Name of Vampire picks up the narratives of Darius Nikolov and Sir George on their search for answers regarding the Vampire and the Order of the Dragon.
The personalities of Darius and his closest friends are more developed. Every character has his or her personality advanced to the degree that I felt as if I really knew him or her as a person not just a name on the page. Aidan's quick wit and turn of phrase made him more endearing to me. His levity helped to balance Darius's deep, brooding personality. Many characters I came to love and some I came to despise.
Darius has grown into a brute of a man. As the story unfolds he becomes a reluctant, but astute leader to his friends and Romani in the pursuit of the Vampire. Sir George joins Darius, but he too is a changed man; broken, angry and haunted.
Stanton has captured the cadence and vernacular of the common man, lords, stolid soldiers and Romani in a manner that flows naturally and is like being a part in the discussion. Stanton's ability to keep each character speaking in a manner fitting his station is perfect. There are no instances of a lord speaking like a farmer or a Romani taking the tone of a soldier.
Battles between the Christian armies and the Ottoman armies are fast-paced and brutal, as are the battles with the Vampire. Every attack and parry was told in detail that found me holding my breath.
I received a free advance review copy from the author and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you Antony for allowing me to take part in the journey!
If you like tales of vampires, dark and dangerous settings, folklore, battles, historical fiction, and a little bit of romance, Name of Vampire will give you hours of thrilling reading.
Favorite Quote:
"Bless you my friend. The only person I know for whom, two and two makes whore."
Darius to Aidan
Review of advance copy received from Author
Review of an advanced copy received from the author.
The Name of Vampier book two in The Blood of the Dragon Series.
The author has done it again. He keeps delivering chilling amazing stories and somehow turns them into something dark, gothic and really atmospheric. I love all of it.
In the last book we followed Sir George on his journey to becoming a knight. This time the story focuses more on Darius and his journey to seek revenge, to find and hunt the mysterious moroi, a vampire.
Darius joins Vlad Dracula’s army, faces the Ottomans, searches for the Romani, hunts wolves, falls in love and along the way finds both himself and a group of loyal friends, including Sir George. One of my favorite parts of the book was following the development of the group’s friendship and characters and seeing how they come to rely on each other and build trust.
"This is it. Darius looked at each fellows.
Their faces were pulled tight. Their eyes were open wide."
"There's no return and Darius had the overwhelming feeling of being trapped. He took a breath. Let it begin"
There’s also forbidden love and a longing for love, in the story. You get a glimpse into a soldier’s thoughts and feelings. Not just duty, but also desire and emotions during war.
It’s a slow tension building story. But in this story there’s more action too. With war combat moment and several intense life or death situations. I caught myself holding my breath more than once and I also did end up crying.
I really like the way the author writes. It is a fiction, but I love how he brings in mythical history and his own research of history in the book. But still a dark fantasy. I love it how he can capture you in the reading and keeps it all that way throughout the whole book.
A true storyteller.
I will recommend this book/series to everyone. Read the book.
Thank you so much Antony for giving me the opportunity to ARC read your book. I’m really looking forward to the next book and hope to be apart of arc too. I leave my review freely and all thoughts are my own.
The Name of Vampier book two in The Blood of the Dragon Series.
The author has done it again. He keeps delivering chilling amazing stories and somehow turns them into something dark, gothic and really atmospheric. I love all of it.
In the last book we followed Sir George on his journey to becoming a knight. This time the story focuses more on Darius and his journey to seek revenge, to find and hunt the mysterious moroi, a vampire.
Darius joins Vlad Dracula’s army, faces the Ottomans, searches for the Romani, hunts wolves, falls in love and along the way finds both himself and a group of loyal friends, including Sir George. One of my favorite parts of the book was following the development of the group’s friendship and characters and seeing how they come to rely on each other and build trust.
"This is it. Darius looked at each fellows.
Their faces were pulled tight. Their eyes were open wide."
"There's no return and Darius had the overwhelming feeling of being trapped. He took a breath. Let it begin"
There’s also forbidden love and a longing for love, in the story. You get a glimpse into a soldier’s thoughts and feelings. Not just duty, but also desire and emotions during war.
It’s a slow tension building story. But in this story there’s more action too. With war combat moment and several intense life or death situations. I caught myself holding my breath more than once and I also did end up crying.
I really like the way the author writes. It is a fiction, but I love how he brings in mythical history and his own research of history in the book. But still a dark fantasy. I love it how he can capture you in the reading and keeps it all that way throughout the whole book.
A true storyteller.
I will recommend this book/series to everyone. Read the book.
Thank you so much Antony for giving me the opportunity to ARC read your book. I’m really looking forward to the next book and hope to be apart of arc too. I leave my review freely and all thoughts are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
The Name of Vampire by Antony J. Stanton is the kind of sequel that doesn’t just continue the story—it deepens it, darkens it, and sharpens every emotional and thematic edge introduced in book one.
To kill a vampire… you must know its name.
The Name of Vampire pulled me into a dark, brutal 15th-century world of war, faith, and vengeance—and I think I loved it even more than book one.
Expect:
⚔️ Ottoman wars + gothic horror
🕯️ Slow-burn tension & eerie atmosphere
🩸 A relentless revenge quest
🤝 Brotherhood, sacrifice, and destiny
Stanton's writing is immersive, descriptive, and atmospheric. He shifts between high-tension horror and slower, dialogue-driven historical realism. Battles between the Christian armies and the Ottoman armies are epic and brutal, as are the battles with the Vampire.
The narrative flows through distinct character perspectives, punctuated by dark, poetic "Interludes" written from the perspective of the vampire's sinister desires.
The pacing is highly adaptive. Chapter One delivers a fast, claustrophobic burst of horror as it tracks a village boy named Avery being hunted and killed on a pitch-black open road. The story then transitions into a more deliberate, slow-building pace during the festival chapters, focusing heavily on world-building and social interactions before ramping up the romantic tension when Darius meets the Romani dancer.
Read more at https://www.summonfantasy.com/reviews...
To kill a vampire… you must know its name.
The Name of Vampire pulled me into a dark, brutal 15th-century world of war, faith, and vengeance—and I think I loved it even more than book one.
Expect:
⚔️ Ottoman wars + gothic horror
🕯️ Slow-burn tension & eerie atmosphere
🩸 A relentless revenge quest
🤝 Brotherhood, sacrifice, and destiny
Stanton's writing is immersive, descriptive, and atmospheric. He shifts between high-tension horror and slower, dialogue-driven historical realism. Battles between the Christian armies and the Ottoman armies are epic and brutal, as are the battles with the Vampire.
The narrative flows through distinct character perspectives, punctuated by dark, poetic "Interludes" written from the perspective of the vampire's sinister desires.
The pacing is highly adaptive. Chapter One delivers a fast, claustrophobic burst of horror as it tracks a village boy named Avery being hunted and killed on a pitch-black open road. The story then transitions into a more deliberate, slow-building pace during the festival chapters, focusing heavily on world-building and social interactions before ramping up the romantic tension when Darius meets the Romani dancer.
Read more at https://www.summonfantasy.com/reviews...
Review of advance copy received from Author
Well my five star prediction was correct!
I won’t say too much because this is the second in a series but the momentum just continue to build and build as we followed Darius on his journey! And I wow what a journey it was!
This one was action packed and Stanton has a way with words that makes you feel like the story has truly come alive and you are right there on the battlefield yourself witnessing the peril!
I loved the banter between characters, someone was always saying some random out of pocket that made me laugh out loud, and there were somber moments where we lost some beloved characters. This hasn’t been compared to Game of thrones meets Dracula for nothing, no one is safe much like GOT 😂
I loved the fleeting moments of romance we had intermingled in this book as well! You can still yearn as a side quest haha 😆
This is a fast paced fantasy thriller that not only throws you into the war zone of medieval times, but you can also cozy up in one of the watering holes with the characters and feel at home in the conversation.
Now in the beginning I said I wasn’t gonna say much and I’ve went on and blabbered but it’s hard to talk around the plot of a second book! Trying to be spoiler free as possible! All in all I would highly recommend this book and I cannot wait to get my shelf trophy to sit right next to Blood of the Damned! I need to annotate it physically too I have so many highlights on my kindle!! And here’s to waiting for book three.. as patient as possible! 😂
Thank you to the author for the eARC!
I won’t say too much because this is the second in a series but the momentum just continue to build and build as we followed Darius on his journey! And I wow what a journey it was!
This one was action packed and Stanton has a way with words that makes you feel like the story has truly come alive and you are right there on the battlefield yourself witnessing the peril!
I loved the banter between characters, someone was always saying some random out of pocket that made me laugh out loud, and there were somber moments where we lost some beloved characters. This hasn’t been compared to Game of thrones meets Dracula for nothing, no one is safe much like GOT 😂
I loved the fleeting moments of romance we had intermingled in this book as well! You can still yearn as a side quest haha 😆
This is a fast paced fantasy thriller that not only throws you into the war zone of medieval times, but you can also cozy up in one of the watering holes with the characters and feel at home in the conversation.
Now in the beginning I said I wasn’t gonna say much and I’ve went on and blabbered but it’s hard to talk around the plot of a second book! Trying to be spoiler free as possible! All in all I would highly recommend this book and I cannot wait to get my shelf trophy to sit right next to Blood of the Damned! I need to annotate it physically too I have so many highlights on my kindle!! And here’s to waiting for book three.. as patient as possible! 😂
Thank you to the author for the eARC!
Review of advance copy
I just finished The Name of Vampire and damnnnnn this book delivered!!
Antony does absolute justice to the genre: medieval vampire horror. I am absolutely horrified. Because of vampires. In the middle ages. Job well done.
The way of telling the story is like a friend, telling you a scary story by the campfire. It varies in writing style depending on just how scary, exciting or important that part is. It makes you read faster and slower just by the way the sentences are written, and that's absolutely genius!
One thing I loved about this book is how real it feels. Not only does it feel like someone you know is telling the story, it also contains real history facts. And who doesn't know the stories about Count Dracula? The way this book is written makes you believe that the main characters were just as real as him.
But what I may be loving most about this series is that this author does not shy away from death and ugly truths. Vampires and war are dangerous so ofcourse characters die. There is nothing romantic about killing, not every person you love lives through war and battle, not everyone is as fearless as they present themselves.
In this regard, this book also points out some very important life lessons. Discrimination is a very well addressed topic and I also deeply felt the pointlessness of war. Why would we do this to each other? Is a piece of land really worth so much pain, loss and destruction?
Antony does absolute justice to the genre: medieval vampire horror. I am absolutely horrified. Because of vampires. In the middle ages. Job well done.
The way of telling the story is like a friend, telling you a scary story by the campfire. It varies in writing style depending on just how scary, exciting or important that part is. It makes you read faster and slower just by the way the sentences are written, and that's absolutely genius!
One thing I loved about this book is how real it feels. Not only does it feel like someone you know is telling the story, it also contains real history facts. And who doesn't know the stories about Count Dracula? The way this book is written makes you believe that the main characters were just as real as him.
But what I may be loving most about this series is that this author does not shy away from death and ugly truths. Vampires and war are dangerous so ofcourse characters die. There is nothing romantic about killing, not every person you love lives through war and battle, not everyone is as fearless as they present themselves.
In this regard, this book also points out some very important life lessons. Discrimination is a very well addressed topic and I also deeply felt the pointlessness of war. Why would we do this to each other? Is a piece of land really worth so much pain, loss and destruction?
Review of advance copy received from Author
We were promised death in this story and death definitely occurs!
Instead of giving a synopsis of the story, which the author can do so much better than I can, I am telling you the way I felt when I read it and quite honestly, I can see myself reading this again and again and again. And I have the feeling I will find something different in each reading. When I first started watching horror films, the ones I watched and adored, were Hammer films. The ones with Bela Lugosi, Lon Chaney, Jr., and Boris Karloff. What I love about these films are that they are so atmospheric. The fog, the darkness of the night, the full moon and of course, the music. The music that got my heart racing, the music that let me know when something bad was going to happen. Not the shock value of the slasher films, the blood and the gore. I’ve never found that scary, just disgusting. The reason I bring this up is because author Antony J. Stanton writes a story that is just as atmospheric as The Wolfman, as creepy as Dracula, and as scary as Frankenstein. In my mind’s eye, I can see the Romani encampment, feel the despair and hopelessness in the besieged city of Constantinople, and hear the howling of the wolves. My heart races along with Darius’s, feels the happiness of friends, and being treated the way Darius was by his uncle. I cannot recommend this story highly enough and cannot wait for the next part to come out!
I received an advanced reader’s copy for free and am voluntarily leaving this review.
Instead of giving a synopsis of the story, which the author can do so much better than I can, I am telling you the way I felt when I read it and quite honestly, I can see myself reading this again and again and again. And I have the feeling I will find something different in each reading. When I first started watching horror films, the ones I watched and adored, were Hammer films. The ones with Bela Lugosi, Lon Chaney, Jr., and Boris Karloff. What I love about these films are that they are so atmospheric. The fog, the darkness of the night, the full moon and of course, the music. The music that got my heart racing, the music that let me know when something bad was going to happen. Not the shock value of the slasher films, the blood and the gore. I’ve never found that scary, just disgusting. The reason I bring this up is because author Antony J. Stanton writes a story that is just as atmospheric as The Wolfman, as creepy as Dracula, and as scary as Frankenstein. In my mind’s eye, I can see the Romani encampment, feel the despair and hopelessness in the besieged city of Constantinople, and hear the howling of the wolves. My heart races along with Darius’s, feels the happiness of friends, and being treated the way Darius was by his uncle. I cannot recommend this story highly enough and cannot wait for the next part to come out!
I received an advanced reader’s copy for free and am voluntarily leaving this review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Duty, Honor, and Revenge these are the themes that are imbedded in the book. Antony has woven a story that displays his mastery for storytelling, which distinguishes him from other authors. The question one must ask themselves, How many lives is the value for just one human soul?
Darius, a man that is out for revenge in hunting down the vampire that has slayed his mother. He is relentless at avenging her and this is the motivation he uses to drive him. Even through he may be relentless in his efforts he is torn by duty to her sister Elise, a loving and kind girl but she has a disability that doesn’t allow her to live the life she deserves. In his pursuit he must seek help from friends and an unlikely source. Will he prevail ? Or will he flounder ?
This book definitely made me feel a range of emotions. Some parts I cried, other parts I laughed. I celebrated their victories and felt every loss. This book is definitely is one my favorites. The book had an amazing flow which makes reading and engaging so much easier. I can’t recommend this book enough.
Thank you Antony, I am in debt to you. Thank you for allowing me to read this ARC and allowing me to share my thoughts with you as I was reading. That made the experience better.
Darius, a man that is out for revenge in hunting down the vampire that has slayed his mother. He is relentless at avenging her and this is the motivation he uses to drive him. Even through he may be relentless in his efforts he is torn by duty to her sister Elise, a loving and kind girl but she has a disability that doesn’t allow her to live the life she deserves. In his pursuit he must seek help from friends and an unlikely source. Will he prevail ? Or will he flounder ?
This book definitely made me feel a range of emotions. Some parts I cried, other parts I laughed. I celebrated their victories and felt every loss. This book is definitely is one my favorites. The book had an amazing flow which makes reading and engaging so much easier. I can’t recommend this book enough.
Thank you Antony, I am in debt to you. Thank you for allowing me to read this ARC and allowing me to share my thoughts with you as I was reading. That made the experience better.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Phew, that was a ride! Both of our boys Darius and George have become men and got closer to their respective goals. With war everywhere and some shady stuff within the Order though their missions get delayed and sometimes their efforts seem futile but they stubbornly continue their ordeals.
I must say that Darius picks up really great friends along the way BUT BUT BUT please for the sake of your sanity, do not get attached to anyone. Remember, vampires and war? Not a good combo for anyone to survive. ;-)
I like the depth the author went to when it came to his research because sometimes when you read historical fiction it feels very modern with just some phrases thrown in but here you can see how he researched the nomadic Roma lifestyle, his descriptions of castles and old cities are believable and you really feel like you are back in time.
On top of it all his characters really come to life with all their flaws and origin stories. And I kid you not, in this gloomy atmospheric book you even get a touch of romance and a whiff of chivalry that gives you a little bit of hope.
I can't wait for the third book to come out because I'm literally hanging at the edge of my seat. I need to know how it all turns out!
I must say that Darius picks up really great friends along the way BUT BUT BUT please for the sake of your sanity, do not get attached to anyone. Remember, vampires and war? Not a good combo for anyone to survive. ;-)
I like the depth the author went to when it came to his research because sometimes when you read historical fiction it feels very modern with just some phrases thrown in but here you can see how he researched the nomadic Roma lifestyle, his descriptions of castles and old cities are believable and you really feel like you are back in time.
On top of it all his characters really come to life with all their flaws and origin stories. And I kid you not, in this gloomy atmospheric book you even get a touch of romance and a whiff of chivalry that gives you a little bit of hope.
I can't wait for the third book to come out because I'm literally hanging at the edge of my seat. I need to know how it all turns out!
Review of advance copy received from Author
A truly epic historical vampire thriller. Join Darius and his friends in their quest to track down the vampire that took Darius' mother's life and destroy it. This is the sequel to the Blood of the Damned and second in the series, with more to come.
The Ottomans have sacked Constantinople, Ottoman raiding parties ravage the land and only the Christian armies of Vlad Dracula stand between the Ottoman hordes and Medieval Europe. With classic battle scenes and sword play, dark forbidding forests and roads. The Name of the Vampire is a must read for fans of historical vampire horror.
I've really enjoyed this book and at times couldn't put it down, wanting to see what happened next, a real page turner. Well deserving of the 5☆ review I've given it. You can see that Antony.J.Stanton has done his research into the era he's set his book in. He's also stuck to the classic vampire theme of powerful, predatory and seductive creatures, that make them beautiful but terrifying all at the same time.
I hope you enjoy The Name of the Vampire as much as I did.
The Ottomans have sacked Constantinople, Ottoman raiding parties ravage the land and only the Christian armies of Vlad Dracula stand between the Ottoman hordes and Medieval Europe. With classic battle scenes and sword play, dark forbidding forests and roads. The Name of the Vampire is a must read for fans of historical vampire horror.
I've really enjoyed this book and at times couldn't put it down, wanting to see what happened next, a real page turner. Well deserving of the 5☆ review I've given it. You can see that Antony.J.Stanton has done his research into the era he's set his book in. He's also stuck to the classic vampire theme of powerful, predatory and seductive creatures, that make them beautiful but terrifying all at the same time.
I hope you enjoy The Name of the Vampire as much as I did.
Review of advance copy received from Author
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Antony J. Stanton delivers another masterpiece!
Stanton raises the stakes in the next installment of the ‘Blood of the Dragon’ series! Revenge and redemption collide in ‘The Name of Vampire’. Destiny has brought Darius and George together again to hunt the vampire, avenge their losses, and quiet the darkness growing inside of them. Not only are their lives, and the lives of their friends on the line, but their souls. Damnation waits in the shadows along with the vampire.
In this must-read series, Stanton weaves a complex story founded in history and folklore that makes everything feel real, his writing style immersing you in medieval Europe. The characters feel real. The stakes—real. The vampires—real. And where there are vampires, there’s going to be blood. We were waiting for a face off and boy, did we get it! Stanton’s epic vision continues and it’s a tale any vampire fan would want to sink their teeth into! I can’t wait to see what he has in store for volume three!
Antony J. Stanton delivers another masterpiece!
Stanton raises the stakes in the next installment of the ‘Blood of the Dragon’ series! Revenge and redemption collide in ‘The Name of Vampire’. Destiny has brought Darius and George together again to hunt the vampire, avenge their losses, and quiet the darkness growing inside of them. Not only are their lives, and the lives of their friends on the line, but their souls. Damnation waits in the shadows along with the vampire.
In this must-read series, Stanton weaves a complex story founded in history and folklore that makes everything feel real, his writing style immersing you in medieval Europe. The characters feel real. The stakes—real. The vampires—real. And where there are vampires, there’s going to be blood. We were waiting for a face off and boy, did we get it! Stanton’s epic vision continues and it’s a tale any vampire fan would want to sink their teeth into! I can’t wait to see what he has in store for volume three!
Review of advance copy received from Author
The second book of the series and it did not disappoint, even better than the first. Some series start off with a great first book but then the author does not rediscover the magic but not in this case.
The first thing I liked was the book started off right where the first one finished,it was if you were just turning the next page. The writing is just brilliant and kept me hooked right from the start until the last page, I usually read books with plenty of blood and gore but this book does not overdo it and leaves much of this to your own imagination and it works.
Antony is not afraid to lose some of the characters that you have learned about and liked from the first book and bring in new ones for you to invest in.
All I can say is roll on 2027 to the next instalment of this great series.
The first thing I liked was the book started off right where the first one finished,it was if you were just turning the next page. The writing is just brilliant and kept me hooked right from the start until the last page, I usually read books with plenty of blood and gore but this book does not overdo it and leaves much of this to your own imagination and it works.
Antony is not afraid to lose some of the characters that you have learned about and liked from the first book and bring in new ones for you to invest in.
All I can say is roll on 2027 to the next instalment of this great series.
August 10, 2026
Even though the first book ended on a cliffhanger, it was satisfying because of the extensive character development and world building.
The second book is more action-packed but also narrower in scope. Many of the side characters from the first book only get a passing mention. In fact, one of the main characters from part 1, , gets much less attention, wasting what would otherwise be an interesting arc.
I get the impression that the story started out as a two-parter (it is billed as a "finale"), but the author decided to expand to a multi-part series during writing, and this book was cut short as a result. While I'm slightly underwhelmed by this part mainly due to expectations, I'm looking forward to the next instalment.
EDIT: That impression was unfounded. See the comments from the author below this review on how this was intended as a longer series all along.
The second book is more action-packed but also narrower in scope. Many of the side characters from the first book only get a passing mention. In fact, one of the main characters from part 1, , gets much less attention, wasting what would otherwise be an interesting arc.
I get the impression that the story started out as a two-parter (it is billed as a "finale"), but the author decided to expand to a multi-part series during writing, and this book was cut short as a result. While I'm slightly underwhelmed by this part mainly due to expectations, I'm looking forward to the next instalment.
EDIT: That impression was unfounded. See the comments from the author below this review on how this was intended as a longer series all along.
August 17, 2026
The Name of Vampire is where this series really finds its fangs. The vampire action scenes are genuinely edge-of-your-seat, and the crew works as a real team moving together against odds that look flat-out impossible. The author puts you *inside* the hunt: you feel the dread and the adrenaline right alongside them.
Darius and Joshua were the two I got most invested in, and that investment cost me. Without spoiling anything: this book isn't afraid to make you feel the losses, and the ending wrecked me in the best way with a hard cliffhanger, then a chilling turn to the villain's POV, waiting for what's left of this battered but determined crew.
Tight, sharp, and unafraid to break your heart. Highly recommend! Can't wait for Book 3!
Darius and Joshua were the two I got most invested in, and that investment cost me. Without spoiling anything: this book isn't afraid to make you feel the losses, and the ending wrecked me in the best way with a hard cliffhanger, then a chilling turn to the villain's POV, waiting for what's left of this battered but determined crew.
Tight, sharp, and unafraid to break your heart. Highly recommend! Can't wait for Book 3!
Review of advance copy received from Author
The saga continues, and Stanton does not disappoint. Great characters. Thorough research. A gripping plot. A perfect balance between a plot-driven story and one focused on character development, between the struggles against the Ottoman invaders and the creatures of the night.
This is a dark fantasy — as the author likes to define it — as well as a historical novel or a supernatural thriller set in 15th-century Eastern Europe. Whatever your reason for reading the series, these books are a must-read for all of us who love well-written books and vampire lore.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This is a dark fantasy — as the author likes to define it — as well as a historical novel or a supernatural thriller set in 15th-century Eastern Europe. Whatever your reason for reading the series, these books are a must-read for all of us who love well-written books and vampire lore.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Oh my word. I’ve been hanging on for this and it’s so good.
I’m rooting for Darius and his growing bravery.
His friends as his backbone and the darkness that is threatening his and their lives.
This book is showing true friendship and growing trust. As well as watching out and making sure your back is covered from the darkness.
It’s a trip to when vampire novels had battles and core. No light trip to the dark side, this is full on, get your armour and horse and let’s be going for it.
Excellent and very glad I found this author by accident
I’m rooting for Darius and his growing bravery.
His friends as his backbone and the darkness that is threatening his and their lives.
This book is showing true friendship and growing trust. As well as watching out and making sure your back is covered from the darkness.
It’s a trip to when vampire novels had battles and core. No light trip to the dark side, this is full on, get your armour and horse and let’s be going for it.
Excellent and very glad I found this author by accident
August 20, 2026
I was an ARC reader on this, and I absolutely loved it. I think it was better than the first book in that the characters were more proactive than in the first book. Plus, the supporting cast rounded out quite nicely. One character's fate surprisingly left me a bit teary.
Antony's skills grew, I believe, between the two books, and I'm very much looking forward to his next project.
Antony's skills grew, I believe, between the two books, and I'm very much looking forward to his next project.
Review of advance copy
Was given a copy of this and finished this in 2 days - absolutely rollocking read...A great mix of horror, historical fiction and outright adventure with some excellent humour thrown in as well...climaxes in a brilliant finale and now cant wait to know what happens next! Thoroughly recommend!
August 24, 2026
This was a great continuation to this intriguing dark fantasy/horror series. The main character Darius is steadfast in avenging his mother's death. The story is fast-paced and entertaining with a host of interesting characters.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book is all it was promised to be. I recommend it to everyone.
Review of advance copy received from Author
A seriously grotesquely lovely follow-up to Blood of the Damned. If you loved the first one, you'll want a bite of this one.
August 5, 2026
I really enjoyed this book. The story moves at a good pace and i loved the characters. Definitely recommended.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received an ARC from the author (this is after my 2nd read through) and am leaving this review voluntarily.
The first book in this series was good and set a solid stage for the series. This one (the 2nd book in the series) was even better and absolutely fantastic. I am not one for typically rereading books even those I absolutely loved, but this one was just as great the second time and was enthralled by characters, setting, and storyline as if it was my first time through it.
Antony J. Staton does not disappoint and immerses the reader into his novels through exceptional characters, settings, and their storylines.
I cannot wait to get my eyes on Book #3 to see what is in store for Darius and company.
The first book in this series was good and set a solid stage for the series. This one (the 2nd book in the series) was even better and absolutely fantastic. I am not one for typically rereading books even those I absolutely loved, but this one was just as great the second time and was enthralled by characters, setting, and storyline as if it was my first time through it.
Antony J. Staton does not disappoint and immerses the reader into his novels through exceptional characters, settings, and their storylines.
I cannot wait to get my eyes on Book #3 to see what is in store for Darius and company.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Captivating from the First Page to the Last I was completely swept away by The Name Of Vampire. Antony J Stanton has crafted a gorgeous, gothic tapestry of medieval court intrigue and immortal bloodlines. Blending perfectly medieval history with vampire mythology.
The chemistry between Darius and Manisha longing to defy the boundaries of class. I loved how the historical setting amplified the drama—the shadowy castles and flickering torchlight made the perfect backdrop for secrets and betrayal
The vampires here aren't modernized or watered down; they feel ancient, dangerous, and perfectly woven into the historical backdrop of castles and superstition. you love dark fantasy and visceral lore.
This is an absolute must-read. Five enthusiastic stars! I couldn't put it down and anxiously wait for the next adventure in the beloved characters lives.
The chemistry between Darius and Manisha longing to defy the boundaries of class. I loved how the historical setting amplified the drama—the shadowy castles and flickering torchlight made the perfect backdrop for secrets and betrayal
The vampires here aren't modernized or watered down; they feel ancient, dangerous, and perfectly woven into the historical backdrop of castles and superstition. you love dark fantasy and visceral lore.
This is an absolute must-read. Five enthusiastic stars! I couldn't put it down and anxiously wait for the next adventure in the beloved characters lives.
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