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NYV: PUNK is a dark and sexy coming of age story of adventure, music and horror set in the harsh 1980s New York Punk scene. (UF / NA)
With only his mother for company, rural isolation in East Texas was as boring and bleak a life as Christian could imagine. The most exciting thing to look forward to were monthly visits from the nice old lady who took his mother shopping in town. After being subjected to a bizarre and humiliating birthday ritual, Christian leaves home to think things through, and when the opportunity for adventure presents itself, he jumps at the chance. But being on his own is more terrifying than a sheltered and naïve teenager would ever have dreamed.
Miraculously surviving a brutal attack in a bus station restroom, Christian finds himself being hunted across the country by an ancient, bloodthirsty evil, putting him and those he cares for in mortal peril. Homeless and alone, he is befriended by a group of streetwise kids but danger still lurks around every corner.
He must quickly learn to navigate the hazards of the gritty streets of New York City if he is going to survive the tough Punk music scene long enough to discover his destiny. Can he survive on the street? Will he find the life of adventure he hoped for? And what the hell does OMFUG mean anyway?
Oh… and there’s vampires.
**Due to mature subject matter, this book is intended for readers 18 years of age or older.**
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list...
With only his mother for company, rural isolation in East Texas was as boring and bleak a life as Christian could imagine. The most exciting thing to look forward to were monthly visits from the nice old lady who took his mother shopping in town. After being subjected to a bizarre and humiliating birthday ritual, Christian leaves home to think things through, and when the opportunity for adventure presents itself, he jumps at the chance. But being on his own is more terrifying than a sheltered and naïve teenager would ever have dreamed.
Miraculously surviving a brutal attack in a bus station restroom, Christian finds himself being hunted across the country by an ancient, bloodthirsty evil, putting him and those he cares for in mortal peril. Homeless and alone, he is befriended by a group of streetwise kids but danger still lurks around every corner.
He must quickly learn to navigate the hazards of the gritty streets of New York City if he is going to survive the tough Punk music scene long enough to discover his destiny. Can he survive on the street? Will he find the life of adventure he hoped for? And what the hell does OMFUG mean anyway?
Oh… and there’s vampires.
**Due to mature subject matter, this book is intended for readers 18 years of age or older.**
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First published September 1, 2015
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About the author
K.D. McQuain
5 books81 followersKD McQuain grew up in the Alphabet City neighborhood of Manhattan’s Lower East Side. In the spring of 1985 he became involved in the early Hardcore Punk scene and always kept a dog-eared paperback in the cargo pocket of his fatigues. KD graduated from the Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts and received his BFA in sculpture. He worked as a glass bender in the neon industry for several years before starting his own record label, Skully Records, which became widely known for popularizing the Gothabilly genre. He now lives in Virginia with his wife, son and a menagerie of loving but continuously underfoot animals.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
December 19, 2015
3.5 OMFUG stars
NYV: Punk is an urban fantasy throwback to the 1980's, where we follow a sheltered fifteen year old boy find his place in the city that never sleeps. Christian leaves the isolation of his home in search of something more... he finds trouble along the way, taking for granted just how lucky he was to walk away. In NY he meets a bunch of street kids who take him under his wing and show him the ropes, being alone isn't easy, but he'd rather he live on the street than going back home to his Mom and Bible as his only companion. Asleep or awake, he is plagued with disturbing visions, causing him to fear not only for himself but those he cares about. Sooner than later he has to learn to defend himself, to not only protect himself but anyone who gets close enough to him.
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This was an interesting read for me as this was outside my genre norm, it's a coming to age story mixed in with some urban fantasy. I think if I had to describe this story using five words or less, I would say that this is just the beginning. Like any fantasy reads, the time to build up the story and ensure that those reading would fully understand the world you have built. The author did this quite well, but quite so well that I somewhat forgot that there was a bigger story to it all than a boy finding himself amongst the masses. There was a slow build to it all, sometimes putting me at ease and then ripping it all away. The paranormal came more towards the end, and that is when I felt the story picked up, just sad that it was at the end so I couldn't live it all out. While there was a sense of an ending, Christian has a whole other story to tell, one that I wish will get him the peace and freedom he deserves.
ARC kindly provided by the author, in exchange for an honest review.
***Quotes above are taken from the ARC version of the book and may differ upon publication.
“If you kin walk through the darkness of this earth you can be the light of the world.”
NYV: Punk is an urban fantasy throwback to the 1980's, where we follow a sheltered fifteen year old boy find his place in the city that never sleeps. Christian leaves the isolation of his home in search of something more... he finds trouble along the way, taking for granted just how lucky he was to walk away. In NY he meets a bunch of street kids who take him under his wing and show him the ropes, being alone isn't easy, but he'd rather he live on the street than going back home to his Mom and Bible as his only companion. Asleep or awake, he is plagued with disturbing visions, causing him to fear not only for himself but those he cares about. Sooner than later he has to learn to defend himself, to not only protect himself but anyone who gets close enough to him.
[image error]
This was an interesting read for me as this was outside my genre norm, it's a coming to age story mixed in with some urban fantasy. I think if I had to describe this story using five words or less, I would say that this is just the beginning. Like any fantasy reads, the time to build up the story and ensure that those reading would fully understand the world you have built. The author did this quite well, but quite so well that I somewhat forgot that there was a bigger story to it all than a boy finding himself amongst the masses. There was a slow build to it all, sometimes putting me at ease and then ripping it all away. The paranormal came more towards the end, and that is when I felt the story picked up, just sad that it was at the end so I couldn't live it all out. While there was a sense of an ending, Christian has a whole other story to tell, one that I wish will get him the peace and freedom he deserves.
ARC kindly provided by the author, in exchange for an honest review.
***Quotes above are taken from the ARC version of the book and may differ upon publication.
July 15, 2017
NYV: Punk by KD McQuain
I'm not sure what I thought of this novel. It seemed awesome via the cover, the synopsis and what some of my reader friends said about the book but overall this book wasn't a hit with me.
This novel follows Christian, our lead who goes off in search of a coming of age story for himself. This book twists into an interesting fantasy novel that not only follows Christian growing as a character but involves some vampires and fantasy all splashed into these fine pages of this book.
I found this book to be super slow at the start, which made me drift off as I read it. Eventually, near the very end of the book, it picked up and finally peaked my interests but it just didn't hit well with me. I love a book that's fast paced or hooks me instantly, not one that takes ages for me to finally feel like I want to read it (not that I have to).
The writing style is great, though. The descriptions (in general, characters, violence, sex, all of them really) were truly unbelievable. For someone's first book, it's really memorizing. You almost felt like you were in the story - and I applaud KD for that. To be able to write and describe so beautifully on your first novel? Bonus points for you sir!
I really enjoyed reading K.D's take on this story. The language and style fits right with the tone of the novel. I thought this novel was going to be a Young Adult novel, but then it got quite explicit at some times... Perhaps a better rating for this novel is needed? I saw it in an indie book store floating in the YA section... Maybe not?
This book is a series, and I do think it's a worthy read. I just wanted something a little more fast paced. I found it to be a unique take on vampires and I really hope more people pick up this author! There's talent waiting, and imagine what this author can do once he starts writing more? This is only one of the first books for this guy! Talent normally goes up, and this book was definitely well written.
I would definitely want to read the second book if I can ever get my hands on it. While this book bored me at the beginning, I'm definitely hooked now. Fantastic read!
Four out of five stars - due to the slow start of the novel.
I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.
I'm not sure what I thought of this novel. It seemed awesome via the cover, the synopsis and what some of my reader friends said about the book but overall this book wasn't a hit with me.
This novel follows Christian, our lead who goes off in search of a coming of age story for himself. This book twists into an interesting fantasy novel that not only follows Christian growing as a character but involves some vampires and fantasy all splashed into these fine pages of this book.
I found this book to be super slow at the start, which made me drift off as I read it. Eventually, near the very end of the book, it picked up and finally peaked my interests but it just didn't hit well with me. I love a book that's fast paced or hooks me instantly, not one that takes ages for me to finally feel like I want to read it (not that I have to).
The writing style is great, though. The descriptions (in general, characters, violence, sex, all of them really) were truly unbelievable. For someone's first book, it's really memorizing. You almost felt like you were in the story - and I applaud KD for that. To be able to write and describe so beautifully on your first novel? Bonus points for you sir!
I really enjoyed reading K.D's take on this story. The language and style fits right with the tone of the novel. I thought this novel was going to be a Young Adult novel, but then it got quite explicit at some times... Perhaps a better rating for this novel is needed? I saw it in an indie book store floating in the YA section... Maybe not?
This book is a series, and I do think it's a worthy read. I just wanted something a little more fast paced. I found it to be a unique take on vampires and I really hope more people pick up this author! There's talent waiting, and imagine what this author can do once he starts writing more? This is only one of the first books for this guy! Talent normally goes up, and this book was definitely well written.
I would definitely want to read the second book if I can ever get my hands on it. While this book bored me at the beginning, I'm definitely hooked now. Fantastic read!
Four out of five stars - due to the slow start of the novel.
I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.
November 1, 2015
I received this ebook from the author in exchange for an honest review
3.5 stars
I have no idea what to say about this book. I have so many questions. This book made me question everything but in a good way.
I liked how this book was written, the writing style was really good, but at times it was vague and I couldn't really grasp what was going on. The prologue has a header saying it's taking place in Mexico City, 1984 but chapter one doesn't say anything about what year it is or the location. It was little things like that messed me up.
I did start this book thinking it was YA but some scenes kind of made me wonder what genre NYV: Punk actually is. I think the combination of the main character's age and the scenes with explicit sex and violence wasn't the best fit. I didn't have a problem with the sex and violence but paired with a 15 year old main character, I had a hard time making sense of everything.
The vampire aspect was actually pretty cool. I'm not a big fan of vampires but I really liked K.D. McQuain's version of them.
3.5 stars
I have no idea what to say about this book. I have so many questions. This book made me question everything but in a good way.
I liked how this book was written, the writing style was really good, but at times it was vague and I couldn't really grasp what was going on. The prologue has a header saying it's taking place in Mexico City, 1984 but chapter one doesn't say anything about what year it is or the location. It was little things like that messed me up.
I did start this book thinking it was YA but some scenes kind of made me wonder what genre NYV: Punk actually is. I think the combination of the main character's age and the scenes with explicit sex and violence wasn't the best fit. I didn't have a problem with the sex and violence but paired with a 15 year old main character, I had a hard time making sense of everything.
The vampire aspect was actually pretty cool. I'm not a big fan of vampires but I really liked K.D. McQuain's version of them.
September 17, 2015
I received this ebook for free from the author in exchange for an honest review.
If I read this book not knowing that this was the author's first book I never would have guessed. The writing is fantastic! You can really see the huge amount of time and effort that was put into writing this novel.
I read this quite a while ago now but it still sticks with me, for me that's a sign of a great book!
As a member of an alternative subculture this book really appealed to me and was a very original idea. There's so many aspects to this book, so many twists and turns and events that will get into your head and really make you think.
I really liked all of the characters and would love to see how the story continues.
Its hard to say much without spoiling anything so all I'm going to say is read this book!
If I read this book not knowing that this was the author's first book I never would have guessed. The writing is fantastic! You can really see the huge amount of time and effort that was put into writing this novel.
I read this quite a while ago now but it still sticks with me, for me that's a sign of a great book!
As a member of an alternative subculture this book really appealed to me and was a very original idea. There's so many aspects to this book, so many twists and turns and events that will get into your head and really make you think.
I really liked all of the characters and would love to see how the story continues.
Its hard to say much without spoiling anything so all I'm going to say is read this book!
October 31, 2017
I love this book, but then again I am biased, it took me a long time to write. The second book in the New York vampire series, AMYM: The Mamluk Who Defied Death, is now available and I am actively working on the next installment which I hope to have out in the summer of 2017. Until then I would love to hear what you think of books 1 and 1.5. As a new author I am especially interested in your feedback. If you have the time, please write an honest review here on Goodreads, or on Amazon, or wherever you got your copy. Good (I hope), bad or otherwise, I would appreciate your opinions.
February 18, 2016
This book was odd - but in a good way. On the one hand, it is a coming-of-age story of a fifteen year old sheltered boy leaving his over-religious mother ending up in New York. This subject was very interesting in its own way, especially the detailed description of the Punk scene in New York, with all the ugliness of the rough and dirty town, but also the variety and deep loyalty going on in the scene. It all felt very real and it was obvious that the author spoke from his own experience instead of making up some colorful background for his story. While there was a certain level of repetitiveness and sometimes too much detail surprisingly it never became boring reading about it.
The only thing that really got on my nerves were the many different names listed every time our main character went somewhere and met up with people. Most of them didn't have any meaning for the story anyway, so it would have sufficed if he just met a 'group' or 'bunch' of people instead of giving yet another list of irrelevant names. But that's just peanuts compared to the otherwise mysteriously compelling story.
But wait, this book was also supposed to be about vampires, wasn't it? While the appearances of the vampire creature were relatively sparse, they were impressive and with enough bloodshed to sate my demands. Also, the origin and history were described sufficiently to create a believable and original background.
The writing was fluent and skillful with only a few negligible errors and quite impressive for a debut novel which was a lot of fun to read.
(I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review)
The only thing that really got on my nerves were the many different names listed every time our main character went somewhere and met up with people. Most of them didn't have any meaning for the story anyway, so it would have sufficed if he just met a 'group' or 'bunch' of people instead of giving yet another list of irrelevant names. But that's just peanuts compared to the otherwise mysteriously compelling story.
But wait, this book was also supposed to be about vampires, wasn't it? While the appearances of the vampire creature were relatively sparse, they were impressive and with enough bloodshed to sate my demands. Also, the origin and history were described sufficiently to create a believable and original background.
The writing was fluent and skillful with only a few negligible errors and quite impressive for a debut novel which was a lot of fun to read.
(I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review)
February 1, 2019
Fusing one of the archetypal devourers of life with a culture defined by the raw expression of being alive, McQuain creates a visceral take on both vampirism and modern society.
Palestine, Texas, is as far from metropolitan excess as one might get. Yet even that rural isolation is too polluting for Christian’s mother to allow him out of the house. Taking advantage her monthly shopping trip into town, he sets out on an old bicycle to explore his surroundings. However, first misfortune and then choice turn a few hours freedom into an overnight excursion and then a journey across the country. After surviving a random attack in a bus-station bathroom, he falls into the New York punk and hardcore scene. Life is hard for all of his new friends, but Chris is also plagued by nightmares of his attacker; nightmares that might be visions of true events.
McQuain uses an explanation-heavy narrative style, sometimes to the point of bracket definitions of terms. This allows the prose to reflect the appropriate density of slang in a counterculture without burying the reader under a burden of inference, so is likely to make the book more accessible to those without a background in New York punk.
However, this ease of understanding also isolates the reader from the confusion that people often face in real life when encountering an alien subculture, so works against McQuain’s efforts to portray Christian as a lost innocent struggling to fit in.
This potential disjunction of style and subject aside, McQuain skilfully evokes the crude vitality and mix of pragmatism and idealism that both punk and adolescence lived on the streets display.
The metaphysical half of the story is also both fresh and raw: as the title reveals, there are vampires; however, rather than hungering corpses or urbane lovers based on Eastern European legend, they are pre-Columbian horrors, embodying both the brutality and fanatical self-justification of human sacrifice. In addition to providing an interesting shift in origin and style of vampirism, this shift from cursed to sacred provides a plausible reason for Christian to be connected after surviving an attack without also becoming tainted.
There are also intimations that Christian is special for reasons other than his brush with vampirism or the usual exceptionalism of protagonists; certain aspects of his mother’s world view are confirmed later in the story. Unfortunately, this mystical resonance that Christian possesses receives neither the level of explanation nor the impact of other areas; thus, some readers might feel it crosses the line from broader arc into deliberate sequel bait.
This dangling thread aside, McQuain balances action and metaphysics, creating a story that has depth in both the metaphysical and the mundane without sacrificing pace.
Christian is a sympathetic character. While naiveté and pragmatism both lead him into less than legal situations, he doesn’t succumb to laziness or selfishness making him at worst the equal of many roguish protagonists and with arguably better cause.
The supporting cast of punks, straight-edgers, Goths, and street kids are similarly rough yet engaging, displaying the varying balances of brittle pretence and embraced difference that mark a burgeoning subculture built by the socially excluded.
This conscious effort at showing difference and disdaining normality is absent from those characters with mystical knowledge; like all who have power, these display no care about the opinions of others or justifying their actions.
Overall, I enjoyed this book greatly. I recommend it to readers seeking a gritty vampire tale or a perspective on American punk.
I received a copy of this book through a community offering free review copies of books.
Palestine, Texas, is as far from metropolitan excess as one might get. Yet even that rural isolation is too polluting for Christian’s mother to allow him out of the house. Taking advantage her monthly shopping trip into town, he sets out on an old bicycle to explore his surroundings. However, first misfortune and then choice turn a few hours freedom into an overnight excursion and then a journey across the country. After surviving a random attack in a bus-station bathroom, he falls into the New York punk and hardcore scene. Life is hard for all of his new friends, but Chris is also plagued by nightmares of his attacker; nightmares that might be visions of true events.
McQuain uses an explanation-heavy narrative style, sometimes to the point of bracket definitions of terms. This allows the prose to reflect the appropriate density of slang in a counterculture without burying the reader under a burden of inference, so is likely to make the book more accessible to those without a background in New York punk.
However, this ease of understanding also isolates the reader from the confusion that people often face in real life when encountering an alien subculture, so works against McQuain’s efforts to portray Christian as a lost innocent struggling to fit in.
This potential disjunction of style and subject aside, McQuain skilfully evokes the crude vitality and mix of pragmatism and idealism that both punk and adolescence lived on the streets display.
The metaphysical half of the story is also both fresh and raw: as the title reveals, there are vampires; however, rather than hungering corpses or urbane lovers based on Eastern European legend, they are pre-Columbian horrors, embodying both the brutality and fanatical self-justification of human sacrifice. In addition to providing an interesting shift in origin and style of vampirism, this shift from cursed to sacred provides a plausible reason for Christian to be connected after surviving an attack without also becoming tainted.
There are also intimations that Christian is special for reasons other than his brush with vampirism or the usual exceptionalism of protagonists; certain aspects of his mother’s world view are confirmed later in the story. Unfortunately, this mystical resonance that Christian possesses receives neither the level of explanation nor the impact of other areas; thus, some readers might feel it crosses the line from broader arc into deliberate sequel bait.
This dangling thread aside, McQuain balances action and metaphysics, creating a story that has depth in both the metaphysical and the mundane without sacrificing pace.
Christian is a sympathetic character. While naiveté and pragmatism both lead him into less than legal situations, he doesn’t succumb to laziness or selfishness making him at worst the equal of many roguish protagonists and with arguably better cause.
The supporting cast of punks, straight-edgers, Goths, and street kids are similarly rough yet engaging, displaying the varying balances of brittle pretence and embraced difference that mark a burgeoning subculture built by the socially excluded.
This conscious effort at showing difference and disdaining normality is absent from those characters with mystical knowledge; like all who have power, these display no care about the opinions of others or justifying their actions.
Overall, I enjoyed this book greatly. I recommend it to readers seeking a gritty vampire tale or a perspective on American punk.
I received a copy of this book through a community offering free review copies of books.
October 12, 2016
NYV:PUNK-A Novel by KD McQuain
I enjoyed this Novel. I'm from New York so the many places described in this story are familiar, which made NYV:PUNK all that more enjoyable for me.
The story starts off with the Prologue that describes a gruesome ritual, an offering of blood to Quetzalcoah.
The story is about a boy named Christian who has been sheltered all of his life by his mother. They live in rural Texas and Christian has nothing to do with the outside world. No school, no friends, no T.V., only has his mother who preaches the bible to him.
One day he takes off after his mother performs some weird ritual on his 15th birthday. Christian gets attacked by some strange naked guy in a train station. From there the story takes off as he makes his way to New York where he finds himself engulfed in the Punk scene. Strange things begin to happen to Christian as he finds out more about the man that attacked him.
Christian meets many colorful characters and makes friends for the first time. There are disturbing situations that make the novel intense at times but only add to the excitement of the book.
My favorite parts where revisiting The Rocky Horror Picture Show with Christian and his friends. I spent many a midnight hours at the same shows.
Christian meets Amym and Joyce towards the end of the book and they will help him learn who he is now and prepare him for what's to come. With an explosive ending that will leave you wanting more. You can read the rest of Christians story in NYV:GOTH.
I give NYV:PUNK 4 stars for its lively and original tale of Vampire and Punk.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Paranormal.
I enjoyed this Novel. I'm from New York so the many places described in this story are familiar, which made NYV:PUNK all that more enjoyable for me.
The story starts off with the Prologue that describes a gruesome ritual, an offering of blood to Quetzalcoah.
The story is about a boy named Christian who has been sheltered all of his life by his mother. They live in rural Texas and Christian has nothing to do with the outside world. No school, no friends, no T.V., only has his mother who preaches the bible to him.
One day he takes off after his mother performs some weird ritual on his 15th birthday. Christian gets attacked by some strange naked guy in a train station. From there the story takes off as he makes his way to New York where he finds himself engulfed in the Punk scene. Strange things begin to happen to Christian as he finds out more about the man that attacked him.
Christian meets many colorful characters and makes friends for the first time. There are disturbing situations that make the novel intense at times but only add to the excitement of the book.
My favorite parts where revisiting The Rocky Horror Picture Show with Christian and his friends. I spent many a midnight hours at the same shows.
Christian meets Amym and Joyce towards the end of the book and they will help him learn who he is now and prepare him for what's to come. With an explosive ending that will leave you wanting more. You can read the rest of Christians story in NYV:GOTH.
I give NYV:PUNK 4 stars for its lively and original tale of Vampire and Punk.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Paranormal.
October 3, 2015
Really enjoyed it! Book contains plenty of explicit sex and violence.
The author is off to a ripping start on a rather unique new adventure-with-vampires series. Like some other good adventure/thriller books, the story links interesting (bloody and creepy) historical material with current -- set in the 80's -- action. In this case a coming of age protagonist and his friends, adrift on the surprisingly violent streets of Manhattan, encounter characters with seemingly-magical abilities bent on our hero's demise. Hints within and the prologue itself suggest even more back story to unfold in future books. McQuain has set the table for a blood- and sex-drenched sequel to his well-plotted opener. And the bonus is, if you remember the Punk Rock and Goth era in the East Village of Manhattan, or just envy it from afar, you're gonna spend a lot of time there savoring the locations, fashion, music, squatting and panhandling comaraderie. The author writes as though he did indeed actually live it.
I gave it 4 stars but wish there were a 4.5. Looking forward to the next one.
The author is off to a ripping start on a rather unique new adventure-with-vampires series. Like some other good adventure/thriller books, the story links interesting (bloody and creepy) historical material with current -- set in the 80's -- action. In this case a coming of age protagonist and his friends, adrift on the surprisingly violent streets of Manhattan, encounter characters with seemingly-magical abilities bent on our hero's demise. Hints within and the prologue itself suggest even more back story to unfold in future books. McQuain has set the table for a blood- and sex-drenched sequel to his well-plotted opener. And the bonus is, if you remember the Punk Rock and Goth era in the East Village of Manhattan, or just envy it from afar, you're gonna spend a lot of time there savoring the locations, fashion, music, squatting and panhandling comaraderie. The author writes as though he did indeed actually live it.
I gave it 4 stars but wish there were a 4.5. Looking forward to the next one.
October 15, 2015
I very much enjoyed this book. It started off a bit like a YA novel when we meet up with our innocent young hero, Christian, accidentally running away from his strict God-fearing home in the American South. The story rapidly grows darker and more explicit as Christian is conveniently absorbed into the early 1980's punk scene in New York.'s Lower East Side. We eventually find out that nothing that happens to him is a coincidence and that his destiny is mapped out in a completely different path as he discovers a hidden race of ancient vampires preying on the lost souls of New York City.
The descriptive passages were very well written and I enjoyed all the period detail of the clothes, clubs and characters; it all made for a very readable experience.
The kindle version I have has a excerpt of the next volume in the series and I am thoroughly looking to discovering more.
The descriptive passages were very well written and I enjoyed all the period detail of the clothes, clubs and characters; it all made for a very readable experience.
The kindle version I have has a excerpt of the next volume in the series and I am thoroughly looking to discovering more.
January 19, 2019
A fun read, a great setting, and a different take on vampires. Not as polished as his other work, but that is typical for a debut novel from even the best Authors. I LOVE Amym as a character and I like Christian, I have a feeling this kid is something different and that is going to keep me reading into the series. I'd like to follow Amym more in the stories as who is and what he does is fascinating to me, Chris flits about the Punk scene in NYC and does what a 15 year old boy is expected to do, he's fun to read about. I'm hoping all these folks come together a bit more cohesively in the next novel in the series so we can get a sense of where they are going. I enjoyed the novel, though, and the punk scene was fun to read about. I'm interested to see where this goes.
October 2, 2015
this book is odd but in a I cant put this down/up until 12:30 reading just one more chapter. Chris has an overzealous religious nut for a mother who teaches him how to "cleanse" himself. He turns 15 then up and leaves. Ends up in NYC after a traumatic event in a bus station terminal bathroom. this book has made me NEVER EVER want to go to NY. gross/dirty/crime uggg. for a "vampire" book its very vague as to who is or is not a vampire and then BAM the dirty vamps show up in force. excited to see where the author takes this story.
October 7, 2016
This was an amazing read, the storyline is very well thought out and written. The main characters are very well developed. I got totally immersed in this this book it kept me guessing as we went along and the author totally made me feel like I was right there feeling the punk scene. I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series. K.D McQuain did an awesome job writing this book. I received this book from the author.
April 19, 2018
This book had me wanting more and more throughout it. I would stay up late to read just one more chapter to see what happens next. It takes a lot to grab my attention with a book and this one took and has me wanting more. I can't wait to read the books that K.D. comes up with next.
October 13, 2016
The story opens in Mexico City, 1984, at a recently uncovered ruin of an Aztec temple. Itzel, a high priest, is performing a gruesome sacrifice to Quetzalcoatl, the old god of his people. The blood of the sacrifice runs down through the cracks and seams of the old structure to deep under the temple to what has lain in wait for centuries.
Fifteen-year-old Christian Leclères had lived all his life in the rural East Texas home with his mother. Home-schooled and never allowed off the home place alone, he is unaware of the workings of the world around him: no friends, no other family, no television, radio, telephone, or car. Their only visitor is Mrs. Brooks who came in her big Buick Electra to take his mother to town for groceries every 3rd Friday of the month. Christian knows nothing about his father or mother’s family other than they live in Louisiana. He thinks he remembers meeting his grandmother when he was very young but he’s unsure if that is an actual memory or one he’s developed from hearing his mother talk about it. For whatever reason, his mother’s family was devastated when he was born a boy rather than a girl.
On the eve of his 15th birthday, Christian’s mother has him perform a cleansing ritual, anointing his body with oils, and thanking God for his attainment of this milestone. The next day, Christian’s birthday, happens to be the 3rd Friday of the month and when his mother leaves to get groceries, he rides off on a bicycle he’d found in a shed on their property to clear his head and enjoy a bit of freedom while she’s away. He ends up lost and is eventually given a ride by a senior couple living the RV lifestyle. Talking to the couple, Christian decides to go to New York City. But before he can get on a bus to The Big Apple, he is attacked and stabbed in the chest by a creepy, old man. He is taken to the local hospital where he is patched up and begins to heal miraculously well. He begins to have nightmares or visions from the viewpoint of his attacker killing more people. Terrified, he escapes the hospital, makes his way to New York, and falls in with other kids his age living on the street. He does not, however, escape the monster in his dreams.
The descriptions of the life and times of the punk scene were most interesting. The New York City setting with detailed street information was fun. Also, it was interesting and entertaining to note the changes in our culture, trends, and technology - payphones, boom boxes, cassettes – present in the 1984 time frame. Bravo to the author for these touches; they were fun. The weaving of Chris’ life and the visions were frightening and intense. There are sexual situations and descriptions in the story that make this one a story for mature readers.
This is a very different sort of vampire story: the vampire element not being the major focus of much of the novel, yet underlying and being the cause for much of the action. The addition of Aztec angle was new to me and I liked that. This appears to be a first book in a series. There are a lot of unanswered questions and plotlines left hanging by the end of the book. I look forward to the next installment to see where those go. I recommend this book for its young adult, coming of age theme, its depiction of the 1980s punk scene, and the unusual Aztec storyline.
Fifteen-year-old Christian Leclères had lived all his life in the rural East Texas home with his mother. Home-schooled and never allowed off the home place alone, he is unaware of the workings of the world around him: no friends, no other family, no television, radio, telephone, or car. Their only visitor is Mrs. Brooks who came in her big Buick Electra to take his mother to town for groceries every 3rd Friday of the month. Christian knows nothing about his father or mother’s family other than they live in Louisiana. He thinks he remembers meeting his grandmother when he was very young but he’s unsure if that is an actual memory or one he’s developed from hearing his mother talk about it. For whatever reason, his mother’s family was devastated when he was born a boy rather than a girl.
On the eve of his 15th birthday, Christian’s mother has him perform a cleansing ritual, anointing his body with oils, and thanking God for his attainment of this milestone. The next day, Christian’s birthday, happens to be the 3rd Friday of the month and when his mother leaves to get groceries, he rides off on a bicycle he’d found in a shed on their property to clear his head and enjoy a bit of freedom while she’s away. He ends up lost and is eventually given a ride by a senior couple living the RV lifestyle. Talking to the couple, Christian decides to go to New York City. But before he can get on a bus to The Big Apple, he is attacked and stabbed in the chest by a creepy, old man. He is taken to the local hospital where he is patched up and begins to heal miraculously well. He begins to have nightmares or visions from the viewpoint of his attacker killing more people. Terrified, he escapes the hospital, makes his way to New York, and falls in with other kids his age living on the street. He does not, however, escape the monster in his dreams.
The descriptions of the life and times of the punk scene were most interesting. The New York City setting with detailed street information was fun. Also, it was interesting and entertaining to note the changes in our culture, trends, and technology - payphones, boom boxes, cassettes – present in the 1984 time frame. Bravo to the author for these touches; they were fun. The weaving of Chris’ life and the visions were frightening and intense. There are sexual situations and descriptions in the story that make this one a story for mature readers.
This is a very different sort of vampire story: the vampire element not being the major focus of much of the novel, yet underlying and being the cause for much of the action. The addition of Aztec angle was new to me and I liked that. This appears to be a first book in a series. There are a lot of unanswered questions and plotlines left hanging by the end of the book. I look forward to the next installment to see where those go. I recommend this book for its young adult, coming of age theme, its depiction of the 1980s punk scene, and the unusual Aztec storyline.
May 6, 2019
NYV: Punk is the first novel in a vampire series that's set in the New York 1980s punk scene. Although the writing has some rough spots, KD McQuain is a talented emerging author with a fascinating story to tell.
The book starts with a theme of dark rituals, and then we meet the protagonist. Christian is a typical teen boy in a small Texan town, who survives an upbringing with bizarre rituals imposed by his single mother. Don't be fooled by the lull of a small town. There's plenty of foreshadowing and Christian's family history is all connected to the plot. You don't want to miss a word.
Once Christian gets to New York City, things happen fast.
The novel reminded me that I've forgotten how vivid and diverse the punk scene was in 1984, when the city had a beautiful, perfect skyline and pop culture was ruled by Miami Vice.
After surviving a viscous attack in a bus station (remember the ritual theme?), Christian is soon adopted by a group of street punks. Each character is unique and fully fleshed out. I felt their excitement, disgust, love, pain, and grief.
Meanwhile, a violent creature lurks in the shadows.
Christian has the unfortunate luck (or fortunate depending on your point of view) of living through growing pains at the same time as something inhuman grows inside of him. The parallel between events like falling in love for the first time and witnessing supernatural violence, makes for a well-rounded story.
Christian fights to survive his rapid development, and a deadly yet ancient vampire.
Because we like our vampires dark.
In internet publishing, it's become sadly common for authors to cheat when writing a series by slapping on “to be continued” at the end of a book. The plot of NYC: Punk naturally shifts from punk to goth. And what's the title of the next book? NYC: Goth.
Now excuse me, I need to finish reading a series.
The book starts with a theme of dark rituals, and then we meet the protagonist. Christian is a typical teen boy in a small Texan town, who survives an upbringing with bizarre rituals imposed by his single mother. Don't be fooled by the lull of a small town. There's plenty of foreshadowing and Christian's family history is all connected to the plot. You don't want to miss a word.
Once Christian gets to New York City, things happen fast.
The novel reminded me that I've forgotten how vivid and diverse the punk scene was in 1984, when the city had a beautiful, perfect skyline and pop culture was ruled by Miami Vice.
After surviving a viscous attack in a bus station (remember the ritual theme?), Christian is soon adopted by a group of street punks. Each character is unique and fully fleshed out. I felt their excitement, disgust, love, pain, and grief.
Meanwhile, a violent creature lurks in the shadows.
Christian has the unfortunate luck (or fortunate depending on your point of view) of living through growing pains at the same time as something inhuman grows inside of him. The parallel between events like falling in love for the first time and witnessing supernatural violence, makes for a well-rounded story.
Christian fights to survive his rapid development, and a deadly yet ancient vampire.
Because we like our vampires dark.
In internet publishing, it's become sadly common for authors to cheat when writing a series by slapping on “to be continued” at the end of a book. The plot of NYC: Punk naturally shifts from punk to goth. And what's the title of the next book? NYC: Goth.
Now excuse me, I need to finish reading a series.
April 1, 2016
Omagod Omagod Omagod! This book was awesome. First, I'm a New Yorker to the marrow, and the author did such a fantastic job of portraying a vintage NYC. I could see it all so clearly- the glitter and the grime, the bustle and the danger, and the endless possibility for adventure. Secondly, the characters are well-written. Even the ones who make brief cameos here and there have distinct personalities and pepper the moments with their presence. This book does not drag, no need to skip a few pages ahead because the author has become wordy in a reach toward sentimentality. In fact, the writing is lovely in its simplicity. I often felt like I was peering over the shoulder of the main character.
Who doesn't love a solid coming of age story? Chris, the teenage protagonist, runs away from a very sheltered life and winds up in NYC for the first time. He has no money, friends or life experience to draw upon, so he must figure out how to survive. And Fast. Watching Chris learn to navigate the urban landscape while maturing into a young man is thrilling. The author brilliantly illustrates the teenage experience, and adults will find themselves transported back to that time- the awkwardness, the curiosity, the mind-numbing discovery of sex and its vitality to your existence- it's all here and beautifully packaged. Oh yeah, and this book is also scary as hell.
Who doesn't love a solid coming of age story? Chris, the teenage protagonist, runs away from a very sheltered life and winds up in NYC for the first time. He has no money, friends or life experience to draw upon, so he must figure out how to survive. And Fast. Watching Chris learn to navigate the urban landscape while maturing into a young man is thrilling. The author brilliantly illustrates the teenage experience, and adults will find themselves transported back to that time- the awkwardness, the curiosity, the mind-numbing discovery of sex and its vitality to your existence- it's all here and beautifully packaged. Oh yeah, and this book is also scary as hell.
November 12, 2016
Thank you Goodreads for sending me this book. Not a book I would choose to read from the bookshelf, but I’m really pleased that I read it. I can’t believ it was the authors first novel – the style of writing is impressive. I have only ever visited New York once, but I suppose if you lived there you could truly relate to the streets and the frantic pace of life that New York portrays through the pages of this novel. The story is set in the 1980’s and is all about the punk scene. You can learn a great deal about the vibe from the story which is set around Christian, who has led a protected and insular life with his mother. This is also a vampire story which makes it quite scary at times and the story follows Christian as he runs away from his protected home life aged 15 and ends up in Ney York City. Christian learns to fend for himself and the story follows his transition. Along the way there are lots of thrills.
February 23, 2016
First of all, I would like to say that this is not typically the genre I read. Second of all, I will say this book has seriously made me reconsider my stance on that.
I truly enjoyed this book. The entire reading experience was interesting from page one. The writing style really grabbed my attention and kept me wanting more.
The characters are all quite fascinating and I can't wait to find out more about them. I will say that there is a fair amount of sex and violence that may not appeal to all readers but the overall story was quite interesting. I did, at times, find myself slightly lost and confused but by continuing to read on I found that I was able to piece it all together. Overall, a really good start to a series.
I definitely recommend this book. It has a good balance between reality and fantasy that I feel could appeal to a variety of readers.
I truly enjoyed this book. The entire reading experience was interesting from page one. The writing style really grabbed my attention and kept me wanting more.
The characters are all quite fascinating and I can't wait to find out more about them. I will say that there is a fair amount of sex and violence that may not appeal to all readers but the overall story was quite interesting. I did, at times, find myself slightly lost and confused but by continuing to read on I found that I was able to piece it all together. Overall, a really good start to a series.
I definitely recommend this book. It has a good balance between reality and fantasy that I feel could appeal to a variety of readers.
August 25, 2016
I received a copy of this book through the Goodreads Giveaway program for an open and honest review. I have to say, this was an awesome book for a debut novel! While it wasn't a genre I would typically go with, I was hooked from the first page and learned lots about the New York punk scene in the 1980s. The main character was well-developed and I think there was a good mix of action, romance (note that there are a few fairly steamy scenes!) and "vampire-ness". Looking forward to reading NYV: Goth when it comes out!
January 13, 2022
To see more reviews check out MI Book Reviews.
I got an ARC of this book from the author.
I have just had a string of books lately that couldn’t hold my attention. I was afraid to start this series, because I was in a bad reading mood. Nothing could satisfy me after so many books that just didn’t do it for me. I held off reading trying to get into a better head space, so I am sorry to say this book got delayed a few times.
I love books where nothing happens, but EVERYTHING happens. This book very much had that feel to it. Not all that much happened, at least it didn’t feel like anything really happened. Chris ran away from home, fell into the punk scene, and got attacked by a vampire. So there were clearly things happening, but also it just felt like a kid trying to find his place in a new group.
There was so much detail about things that seemed so mundane, but it really made the vampire plots and the horror of that pop so well. Did I really need to read a scene where he baths in the fountain and shaves the head of a skinhead? No. Did I enjoy every second of that scene for some strange reason? Yes. I have no idea what it was, but that drastic juxtaposition of Chris coming to terms with his new place in the world and the nightmares was just thrilling.
I do have to warn that there is quite a bit of transphobic language in the book. Since the author approached me to ask for a review, so I feel like that was included intentionally to set the mood and the behavior of the characters instead of being a personal view of the author. It still was not something I wanted to read. Between that and the great deal of swastikas (though no Nazi activities per say, though a mention of a certain famous autobiography) and homophobic language, the book last a star. If you are at all triggered by those things, please pass this book up. There is extreme violence and rape in the book. There is drug use, there is swearing, and there is a lot of other adult themes. All of that fits so well into the story that without it the story wouldn’t be what it is. The tranphobia and homophobia didn’t really fit into the story still. There was really no need for it or the trans character at all. The punks themselves seem cool with her, but then they say he behind her back all the time and don’t really defend her when people attack her. I don’t really get why she was a character. Without the trans issues, this book would have been a lot smoother of a read for me and I would have been able to overlook the homophobia, which just seems to exist in language and not behavior among the main group of the book, which is more of a setting of ignorant teenage boys than one of hatred.
The vampire plot is so much different than the other books I have read. So much is still unrevealed. Chris didn’t die and then get a ton of powers instantly. It is more like he noticed small changes, but those could also just be nightmares and puberty. So there really is no way to judge where this series is going yet. I am excited to find out. I will be starting the next book, which tells the past of the character that seems to actually know what is happening. I feel like there will be quite a bit of vampire lore introduced in that one.
Punk music has been an interest of mine for years, but I never really got involved in the scene, partially because there wasn’t a punk scene where I was. I fell into the super small goth scene (read two goth girls at my high school) instead. Never gave up my love of punk music, so seeing the bands I love in a book as normal was wonderful. If you are newer to punk, then this will give you some good places to start listening and will give you some history thrown about in the narrative.
It was a great choice of a setting and scene. It explains so much of the story and why things are happening. So many of the teen hero books tend to forget that parents exist and that teens get noticed. Punk kids, especially homeless punk kids aren’t high on anyone’s radar and when they gang up together they create this family. Without them, Chris probably would not have survived. It created this backdrop that made the story believable. There is a reason Chris survived in New York, despite his Carrie upbringing. It works so well and is so fascinating.
I got an ARC of this book from the author.
I have just had a string of books lately that couldn’t hold my attention. I was afraid to start this series, because I was in a bad reading mood. Nothing could satisfy me after so many books that just didn’t do it for me. I held off reading trying to get into a better head space, so I am sorry to say this book got delayed a few times.
I love books where nothing happens, but EVERYTHING happens. This book very much had that feel to it. Not all that much happened, at least it didn’t feel like anything really happened. Chris ran away from home, fell into the punk scene, and got attacked by a vampire. So there were clearly things happening, but also it just felt like a kid trying to find his place in a new group.
There was so much detail about things that seemed so mundane, but it really made the vampire plots and the horror of that pop so well. Did I really need to read a scene where he baths in the fountain and shaves the head of a skinhead? No. Did I enjoy every second of that scene for some strange reason? Yes. I have no idea what it was, but that drastic juxtaposition of Chris coming to terms with his new place in the world and the nightmares was just thrilling.
I do have to warn that there is quite a bit of transphobic language in the book. Since the author approached me to ask for a review, so I feel like that was included intentionally to set the mood and the behavior of the characters instead of being a personal view of the author. It still was not something I wanted to read. Between that and the great deal of swastikas (though no Nazi activities per say, though a mention of a certain famous autobiography) and homophobic language, the book last a star. If you are at all triggered by those things, please pass this book up. There is extreme violence and rape in the book. There is drug use, there is swearing, and there is a lot of other adult themes. All of that fits so well into the story that without it the story wouldn’t be what it is. The tranphobia and homophobia didn’t really fit into the story still. There was really no need for it or the trans character at all. The punks themselves seem cool with her, but then they say he behind her back all the time and don’t really defend her when people attack her. I don’t really get why she was a character. Without the trans issues, this book would have been a lot smoother of a read for me and I would have been able to overlook the homophobia, which just seems to exist in language and not behavior among the main group of the book, which is more of a setting of ignorant teenage boys than one of hatred.
The vampire plot is so much different than the other books I have read. So much is still unrevealed. Chris didn’t die and then get a ton of powers instantly. It is more like he noticed small changes, but those could also just be nightmares and puberty. So there really is no way to judge where this series is going yet. I am excited to find out. I will be starting the next book, which tells the past of the character that seems to actually know what is happening. I feel like there will be quite a bit of vampire lore introduced in that one.
Punk music has been an interest of mine for years, but I never really got involved in the scene, partially because there wasn’t a punk scene where I was. I fell into the super small goth scene (read two goth girls at my high school) instead. Never gave up my love of punk music, so seeing the bands I love in a book as normal was wonderful. If you are newer to punk, then this will give you some good places to start listening and will give you some history thrown about in the narrative.
It was a great choice of a setting and scene. It explains so much of the story and why things are happening. So many of the teen hero books tend to forget that parents exist and that teens get noticed. Punk kids, especially homeless punk kids aren’t high on anyone’s radar and when they gang up together they create this family. Without them, Chris probably would not have survived. It created this backdrop that made the story believable. There is a reason Chris survived in New York, despite his Carrie upbringing. It works so well and is so fascinating.
unfinished
June 16, 2017DNF'd at 22%, start of Chapter 8
This is a classic case of this book just wasn't for me.
It's a shame because the writing is great! I thought there was a great flow to it despite being very detailed at times. As a reader, it is super easy to visualize everything that is happening and the world itself.
I'm not one for adventure stories--I find them to be slow even if things are happening--and that's how I felt about this book. While Chris' story is interesting, I found it wasn't moving at a pace to keep me interested. I also think I wanted the vampire aspect of the plot to happen earlier and not just the little horror aspects we got earlier in the book.
But if you love coming of age stories with a twist and are comfortable with mature subject matter, this 80s throwback is an adventure worth checking out!
**I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and not influenced by my source.**
Check out more spoiler-free book and series reviews on my blog SERIESousBookReviews.com as well as read book series recaps!
Full Review: N/A
Actual Rating: DNF
This is a classic case of this book just wasn't for me.
It's a shame because the writing is great! I thought there was a great flow to it despite being very detailed at times. As a reader, it is super easy to visualize everything that is happening and the world itself.
I'm not one for adventure stories--I find them to be slow even if things are happening--and that's how I felt about this book. While Chris' story is interesting, I found it wasn't moving at a pace to keep me interested. I also think I wanted the vampire aspect of the plot to happen earlier and not just the little horror aspects we got earlier in the book.
But if you love coming of age stories with a twist and are comfortable with mature subject matter, this 80s throwback is an adventure worth checking out!
**I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and not influenced by my source.**
Check out more spoiler-free book and series reviews on my blog SERIESousBookReviews.com as well as read book series recaps!
Full Review: N/A
Actual Rating: DNF
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews