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Blood Kiss
To macabre painter Dorian Wilde, art is a weapon. Dissatisfied with life and where it is leading him, he looks to himself and to his partner, Leland, for answers that cannot be.
Tyria Vane is a spoken word poet who has never felt part of any clique or crowd. She is haunted by dreams of an abusive childhood that she can only make sense of through words, and with the help of her lover, Adelaide.
An unexpected introduction sparks new promise in Dorian's creative heart, in Tyria's poetic soul, and they begin to understand that only together are they able to satiate their weird lusts and personal tortures.
Is art love or is love art? Set between the shadows of Manhattan and Brooklyn, what could have been a masterpiece in paint and prose might end up being the worst thing that anyone can imagine.
Tyria Vane is a spoken word poet who has never felt part of any clique or crowd. She is haunted by dreams of an abusive childhood that she can only make sense of through words, and with the help of her lover, Adelaide.
An unexpected introduction sparks new promise in Dorian's creative heart, in Tyria's poetic soul, and they begin to understand that only together are they able to satiate their weird lusts and personal tortures.
Is art love or is love art? Set between the shadows of Manhattan and Brooklyn, what could have been a masterpiece in paint and prose might end up being the worst thing that anyone can imagine.
- GenresFiction
325 pages, Paperback
Published October 31, 2016
6 people are currently reading
479 people want to read
About the author
J. Daniel Stone
24 books90 followersNYC born and raised J. Daniel Stone writes urban horror with a queer focus. He sold his first story when he was 22-years-old and has since written four novels (The Absence of Light, Blood Kiss, Stations of Shadow and Daubed in Darkness), as well as a short story collection (Lovebites & Razorlines) and a novella (I Can Taste The Blood). He writes under a pseudonym to keep the wolves at bay.
Visit him at www.SolitarySpiral.com and all socials @SolitarySpiral
Visit him at www.SolitarySpiral.com and all socials @SolitarySpiral
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
October 31, 2016
This is an excerpt, read the full review at: http://gingernutsofhorror.com/fiction...
Since I started writing reviews, I’ve encountered many great authors that might well have flown under my radar in other circumstances. As a reviewer, I’ve often been pushed outside my comfort zone when it comes to reading material and, as a result, I’ve had the opportunity to experience some of the best horror fiction I’ve read in my lifetime by some of the most talented young writers in the business. And many of them have become favorites of mine, people I turn to time and again in my quest for a satisfying escapist experience, authors such as Jonathan Janz, Lucy Taylor and, most recently, Jasper Bark, have become go-to choices for me and they’re only getting better with each passing story or novel that they write. Another one that falls into the category of new favourites is the phenom that is J. Daniel Stone. His voice is as dark and piercing as early Clive Barker, as poetic and haunting as the great Kathe Koja, and it’s loud and clear as it’s ever been in his newest novel, Blood Kiss, from Villipede Publications.
Since I started writing reviews, I’ve encountered many great authors that might well have flown under my radar in other circumstances. As a reviewer, I’ve often been pushed outside my comfort zone when it comes to reading material and, as a result, I’ve had the opportunity to experience some of the best horror fiction I’ve read in my lifetime by some of the most talented young writers in the business. And many of them have become favorites of mine, people I turn to time and again in my quest for a satisfying escapist experience, authors such as Jonathan Janz, Lucy Taylor and, most recently, Jasper Bark, have become go-to choices for me and they’re only getting better with each passing story or novel that they write. Another one that falls into the category of new favourites is the phenom that is J. Daniel Stone. His voice is as dark and piercing as early Clive Barker, as poetic and haunting as the great Kathe Koja, and it’s loud and clear as it’s ever been in his newest novel, Blood Kiss, from Villipede Publications.
August 6, 2017
I have been a fan of J. Daniel Stone’s ever since I discovered his work through his short stories “Wormhole” (Dark Visions – Volume Two) and “Metamorphosis” (Ominous Realities) from Grey Matter Press’ stellar collection of anthologies. While I enjoyed those stories a lot, it was Stone’s contribution to last year’s I Can Taste the Blood that sticks with me the most and made me a fan for life. The story focuses on Bok and Jared, lovers who meet a mysterious filmmaker known as Laurenz and are quickly tangled up in his web of secrets and depravity. The story takes some truly dark and violent turns, and Stone makes some truly bold choices that pushes his contribution into extreme horror territory. Why do I bring up this story? Besides the fact that I think it is a brilliant novella, I feel like it shares similar ideas with Stone’s sophomore novel, Blood Kiss. If you haven’t already grabbed a copy of I Can Taste the Blood, I urge you to order a copy along with Blood Kiss so you can get the full experience of this brilliant story.
Blood Kiss is a unique novel where Stone takes readers on a voyage into the world of art and the processes that drive it. Not to say that every artist is driven by darkness or trauma, but this novel feels like a love letter to the art of creating and those who pursue their passions at any cost. I have said it before in previous reviews of Stone’s work, but he really is a master of setting, which is an underrated quality of authors in my opinion. Stone’s depiction of New York City leaps off the page and he infuses the city with life with views from someone who lives there and allows his readers to experience the city first hand. It’s not the sanitized version we get from movies and TV shows, but the gritty and vibrant reality. I could literally quote section after section of Blood Kiss to illustrate this point, but trust me, you will want to read them for yourself.
Blood Kiss is an enthralling work of art that honestly left me as mesmerized as some of the people who witnessed Tyria and Dorian’s art, though with much less serious consequences. It’s a haunting and lyrical book that makes you question the reality of the events that unfold throughout the course of the story. It is full of lust, darkness, art, shadows and figures outside the realm of reality.
Stone’s Blood Kiss opens from Dorian Wilde’s point of view. He is an artist that specializes in the contrast of beauty and darkness, creating visceral works of art. His upbringing was rough as his parents never showed him any sort of affection, but he was able to accept this and it fueled him to become the man we meet in the book. While he was angry growing up when he reached his teens he channeled his anger into his creative endeavors. He is attracted to solitude and fell completely into the world of art and literature. He was constantly searching for his own path and growing up he frequently received beatings and insults from his father for being different. The day after his father caught him wearing his mothers underwear, he found a suitcase by the door with some money in it, effectively being kicked out of his own home.
It was shortly after being kicked out of his childhood home that Dorian began to notice things change. He saw his first sketch move, actually brought to life by the passion in which Dorian distilled into it. He has a boyfriend named Leland, an art dealer who is also a notorious party-boy. When he paints, Dorian loses control himself to the images that are fighting to break free, he compares it to an out-of-body experience. There is something more unique to Dorian’s artwork than just the dark images that spring forth, but even the tools he utilizes set him apart and show his dedication to his craft. He makes his own paint with blood and other bodily fluids, breathing his own living essence into the forms that spill from his imagination. Is Dorian’s work capable of coming to life? That is only one of the many questions that pops up throughout Blood Kiss.
Stone does an amazing job bringing Dorian’s dark, surreal works to life and they conjure up dark images that are extremely creative and original. Take this description from one of Dorian’s works, “A bony paunch balances on chitinous legs; carrion arms spread as if inviting a passerby to sit within its darkly beaded depths; a slack-jaw skull screams with no voice; xylophone ribs glow like the most intricate spider webs under moonlight; a hand curled into a fist has no arm to support it.” Despite the nature of Dorian’s art and the fact that it very well may be alive, he makes a pretty comfortable living selling his art at fancy galleries.
The other major character of Blood Kiss is Tyria Vane, a spoken word poet whose prose is incredibly powerful. Despite her writing talent, she struggles with emotions and trying to use her art to convey those feelings that most will never feel in the same way. Tyria has an obsession with words and language, stockpiling books in a way most other bibliophiles can immediately relate to. She has a self-published collection that sits on her shelf and she sees it as a failure, but it also serves as an affirmation of her art and fuels her drive to improve her craft. She has a partner named Adelaide, a drug dealer who is friends with Leland from years ago. Their relationship is one of co-dependence, Adelaide is perfect for her because she believes in Tyria’s talent and always has and that coupled with her listening abilities are what bonds them despite them being polar opposites in almost every way. Tyria’s relationship with Adelaide also fuels her use of cocaine because it is easy to come by thanks to Adelaide’s connections. She went through many phases to cope with her loneliness, but cocaine is the one that stuck because it makes her feel powerful. Tyria channels all of her rage and trauma from throughout her brutal upbringing and uses them in her performances, using her voice and delivery style as a weapon. Changes in pitch and unfiltered emotion drive her performances and leave anyone who witnesses her work changed. Her performances have an almost magical quality about them.
The moment Dorian and Tyria meet each other at an art gallery for one of Dorian’s exhibitions, their lives will be changed forever. They were brought together by their respective lovers, but I have a feeling neither Adelaide or Leland knew the consequences of this fateful meeting. Dorian gets a hold of Tyria’s personal notebook and it doesn’t take long for him to be consumed by the thought of her. It goes far beyond sexuality, the obsession and pull they feel is tied to the art and their similar backgrounds. It isn’t long before they are drawn together to combine their artistic gifts in the hopes that they can create something truly mesmerizing. They begin to gather a rather rabid local following and soon the power of their two creative energies will unleash something that defies logical explanation.
The character work in Blood Kiss is brilliant, as each one comes to life and feels like a living breathing person, complete with their own fears, desires, and past mistakes. Even the secondary characters are vibrant and help elevate the story. I also like that most of Blood Kiss focuses on alternative culture and art. I was never very artistic, but punk and alternative music was a huge part of my life and some of my best memories were going to those shows and Stone captures the feeling of those shows perfectly throughout Blood Kiss. It’s a small touch, but I loved the musical touchstones Stone sprinkles throughout the novel. I feel like we both are into the same sort of music as I loved all the references and nearly shouted with glee when I saw a Glassjaw mentioned (if you don’t know who they are, look them up. It’s worth it).
To be honest, I had a difficult time summing up Blood Kiss when I sat down to write this review. Not because it’s confusing, but because it is intricately layered and there are so many revelations that it is difficult to avoid spoilers. One thing that is for certain is that J. Daniel Stone has a unique voice and is stunningly talented. His stories are daring and original, and there is no doubt in my mind that he is a special talent in the dark fiction field. Each time I read one of his works, I am totally enthralled in his story and blown away by the sheer talent on display. Had I read this one sooner, there is no doubt in my mind it would have been near the top of my best of the year list for 2006. Blood Kiss is a towering achievement and the scary thing is, Stone is just getting started. Do yourself a favor and grab a copy of this book, you won’t regret it.
Blood Kiss is a unique novel where Stone takes readers on a voyage into the world of art and the processes that drive it. Not to say that every artist is driven by darkness or trauma, but this novel feels like a love letter to the art of creating and those who pursue their passions at any cost. I have said it before in previous reviews of Stone’s work, but he really is a master of setting, which is an underrated quality of authors in my opinion. Stone’s depiction of New York City leaps off the page and he infuses the city with life with views from someone who lives there and allows his readers to experience the city first hand. It’s not the sanitized version we get from movies and TV shows, but the gritty and vibrant reality. I could literally quote section after section of Blood Kiss to illustrate this point, but trust me, you will want to read them for yourself.
Blood Kiss is an enthralling work of art that honestly left me as mesmerized as some of the people who witnessed Tyria and Dorian’s art, though with much less serious consequences. It’s a haunting and lyrical book that makes you question the reality of the events that unfold throughout the course of the story. It is full of lust, darkness, art, shadows and figures outside the realm of reality.
Stone’s Blood Kiss opens from Dorian Wilde’s point of view. He is an artist that specializes in the contrast of beauty and darkness, creating visceral works of art. His upbringing was rough as his parents never showed him any sort of affection, but he was able to accept this and it fueled him to become the man we meet in the book. While he was angry growing up when he reached his teens he channeled his anger into his creative endeavors. He is attracted to solitude and fell completely into the world of art and literature. He was constantly searching for his own path and growing up he frequently received beatings and insults from his father for being different. The day after his father caught him wearing his mothers underwear, he found a suitcase by the door with some money in it, effectively being kicked out of his own home.
It was shortly after being kicked out of his childhood home that Dorian began to notice things change. He saw his first sketch move, actually brought to life by the passion in which Dorian distilled into it. He has a boyfriend named Leland, an art dealer who is also a notorious party-boy. When he paints, Dorian loses control himself to the images that are fighting to break free, he compares it to an out-of-body experience. There is something more unique to Dorian’s artwork than just the dark images that spring forth, but even the tools he utilizes set him apart and show his dedication to his craft. He makes his own paint with blood and other bodily fluids, breathing his own living essence into the forms that spill from his imagination. Is Dorian’s work capable of coming to life? That is only one of the many questions that pops up throughout Blood Kiss.
Stone does an amazing job bringing Dorian’s dark, surreal works to life and they conjure up dark images that are extremely creative and original. Take this description from one of Dorian’s works, “A bony paunch balances on chitinous legs; carrion arms spread as if inviting a passerby to sit within its darkly beaded depths; a slack-jaw skull screams with no voice; xylophone ribs glow like the most intricate spider webs under moonlight; a hand curled into a fist has no arm to support it.” Despite the nature of Dorian’s art and the fact that it very well may be alive, he makes a pretty comfortable living selling his art at fancy galleries.
The other major character of Blood Kiss is Tyria Vane, a spoken word poet whose prose is incredibly powerful. Despite her writing talent, she struggles with emotions and trying to use her art to convey those feelings that most will never feel in the same way. Tyria has an obsession with words and language, stockpiling books in a way most other bibliophiles can immediately relate to. She has a self-published collection that sits on her shelf and she sees it as a failure, but it also serves as an affirmation of her art and fuels her drive to improve her craft. She has a partner named Adelaide, a drug dealer who is friends with Leland from years ago. Their relationship is one of co-dependence, Adelaide is perfect for her because she believes in Tyria’s talent and always has and that coupled with her listening abilities are what bonds them despite them being polar opposites in almost every way. Tyria’s relationship with Adelaide also fuels her use of cocaine because it is easy to come by thanks to Adelaide’s connections. She went through many phases to cope with her loneliness, but cocaine is the one that stuck because it makes her feel powerful. Tyria channels all of her rage and trauma from throughout her brutal upbringing and uses them in her performances, using her voice and delivery style as a weapon. Changes in pitch and unfiltered emotion drive her performances and leave anyone who witnesses her work changed. Her performances have an almost magical quality about them.
The moment Dorian and Tyria meet each other at an art gallery for one of Dorian’s exhibitions, their lives will be changed forever. They were brought together by their respective lovers, but I have a feeling neither Adelaide or Leland knew the consequences of this fateful meeting. Dorian gets a hold of Tyria’s personal notebook and it doesn’t take long for him to be consumed by the thought of her. It goes far beyond sexuality, the obsession and pull they feel is tied to the art and their similar backgrounds. It isn’t long before they are drawn together to combine their artistic gifts in the hopes that they can create something truly mesmerizing. They begin to gather a rather rabid local following and soon the power of their two creative energies will unleash something that defies logical explanation.
The character work in Blood Kiss is brilliant, as each one comes to life and feels like a living breathing person, complete with their own fears, desires, and past mistakes. Even the secondary characters are vibrant and help elevate the story. I also like that most of Blood Kiss focuses on alternative culture and art. I was never very artistic, but punk and alternative music was a huge part of my life and some of my best memories were going to those shows and Stone captures the feeling of those shows perfectly throughout Blood Kiss. It’s a small touch, but I loved the musical touchstones Stone sprinkles throughout the novel. I feel like we both are into the same sort of music as I loved all the references and nearly shouted with glee when I saw a Glassjaw mentioned (if you don’t know who they are, look them up. It’s worth it).
To be honest, I had a difficult time summing up Blood Kiss when I sat down to write this review. Not because it’s confusing, but because it is intricately layered and there are so many revelations that it is difficult to avoid spoilers. One thing that is for certain is that J. Daniel Stone has a unique voice and is stunningly talented. His stories are daring and original, and there is no doubt in my mind that he is a special talent in the dark fiction field. Each time I read one of his works, I am totally enthralled in his story and blown away by the sheer talent on display. Had I read this one sooner, there is no doubt in my mind it would have been near the top of my best of the year list for 2006. Blood Kiss is a towering achievement and the scary thing is, Stone is just getting started. Do yourself a favor and grab a copy of this book, you won’t regret it.
October 18, 2017
Surely, one of the best voices in modern transgressive fiction - I mean, who comes close? Poppy Z.Brite and Kathe Koja eat your heart out!
June 14, 2017
If William Burroughs and Anne Rice had a child, his name would be J. Daniel Stone. This book is so unique, which is what makes it memorable. Kathe Koja was right with her praise. This book is fierce, this book is wild, this book explore the depths of pain, of yearning, and of metamorphosing away from it all. We are pulled into Stone's gritty world of a NYC that was once here, but is now long gone. We meet the city's worst, the city's most creative, the city's population who thrive in the fringe. Artists, poets, bums. The characters are so well developed I felt like they were my friends by the end.
This book is like an anthem for everybody who does not have a voice. I really enjoyed it. A delicious read! Can't wait to come back to this book again.
This book is like an anthem for everybody who does not have a voice. I really enjoyed it. A delicious read! Can't wait to come back to this book again.
May 23, 2018
Blood Kiss introduces me to one of the most poetic writers of horror and the surreal writing today; I was reminded of the daring and dark, subversive short fictions of Lucy A. Snyder (i.e., Soft Apocalypses). Although the book fits within the horror genre, for there is a looming, terryifying force at work that I never fully understood, the story ended up being a lot more philosophical than I imagined it could be. It's both a meditation on the mysteries of desire and a wild fantasy about the many-armed monster (or angel) that is Art.
Both of the main characters of Blood Kiss, Dorian and Tyria, are off-the-grid, emotionally marginalized (and likeable) characters; as such, they traverse a landscape of experience that is both a wonder and a fascination to everyone else in this fictional world. Their suffering is sometimes painful to read, even when the stories goes all-in outrageous—and it does!
Blood Kiss represents a kind of horror literature that also comes from the margins of our society—dark, subversive, surreal. But even at its rawest and grittiest, it is also celebratory of human experience, champion especially of those dark angels we call artists, who dare to imagine uneasy, strange worlds that provoke and transcend. 'Where do they come up with this shit?' we ask; yet we are glad that they did.
This was certainly a wild, outrageous ride that leaves me kind of dizzy and perhaps confused; but it also makes me want to read a whole lot more like it.
Both of the main characters of Blood Kiss, Dorian and Tyria, are off-the-grid, emotionally marginalized (and likeable) characters; as such, they traverse a landscape of experience that is both a wonder and a fascination to everyone else in this fictional world. Their suffering is sometimes painful to read, even when the stories goes all-in outrageous—and it does!
Blood Kiss represents a kind of horror literature that also comes from the margins of our society—dark, subversive, surreal. But even at its rawest and grittiest, it is also celebratory of human experience, champion especially of those dark angels we call artists, who dare to imagine uneasy, strange worlds that provoke and transcend. 'Where do they come up with this shit?' we ask; yet we are glad that they did.
This was certainly a wild, outrageous ride that leaves me kind of dizzy and perhaps confused; but it also makes me want to read a whole lot more like it.
November 7, 2016
“IF PAPER COULD BLEED”
Blood Kiss will … become a scar upon your mind, to paraphrase the author. This tale will toss you onto the frigid streets of New York with the certain knowledge that you are young, destined to live forever, and that you can own the night, with the right friends and the right connections.
The author states it well, though he did not mean to be speaking of himself, “He writes the dark prose of the future.” Blood Kiss easily crosses the border from gritty reality to the surreal and back. I confess, washed in waves of prose so perfect I read half the book aloud, I not only lost track of what was real, I no longer cared whether or not paintings can float in the air or if they move and stare or if you should fear a work of art. I no longer cared if there could be a scream so loud it killed a rat and exploded insects into ash or if words could become smoke.
Tyria was a poet whose words shattered glass to dust. Dorian fed on power; he’d often tear open flesh for the blood. His paintings were drenched with blood, and peopled by shadows, monsters, and ghosts--as was Tyria’s guilty past. Leland and Adelaide brought their lovers together to perform on stage; they all needed the money.
Tyria bled, roared, and screamed her poetry while Dorian painted with her blood; the two artists fed off each other. Were they confused by art? Were their feelings deeper than art? Were they acting against nature? Were they evil? Would they be punished?
They became obsessed. Then they disappeared.
As Blood Kiss ended, I held my breath and bit my lip and appropriately, a drop of blood fell on the page.
Don’t miss this one!
Blood Kiss will … become a scar upon your mind, to paraphrase the author. This tale will toss you onto the frigid streets of New York with the certain knowledge that you are young, destined to live forever, and that you can own the night, with the right friends and the right connections.
The author states it well, though he did not mean to be speaking of himself, “He writes the dark prose of the future.” Blood Kiss easily crosses the border from gritty reality to the surreal and back. I confess, washed in waves of prose so perfect I read half the book aloud, I not only lost track of what was real, I no longer cared whether or not paintings can float in the air or if they move and stare or if you should fear a work of art. I no longer cared if there could be a scream so loud it killed a rat and exploded insects into ash or if words could become smoke.
Tyria was a poet whose words shattered glass to dust. Dorian fed on power; he’d often tear open flesh for the blood. His paintings were drenched with blood, and peopled by shadows, monsters, and ghosts--as was Tyria’s guilty past. Leland and Adelaide brought their lovers together to perform on stage; they all needed the money.
Tyria bled, roared, and screamed her poetry while Dorian painted with her blood; the two artists fed off each other. Were they confused by art? Were their feelings deeper than art? Were they acting against nature? Were they evil? Would they be punished?
They became obsessed. Then they disappeared.
As Blood Kiss ended, I held my breath and bit my lip and appropriately, a drop of blood fell on the page.
Don’t miss this one!
March 10, 2017
The truest definition of horror is something that is twisted, dark, bleak, nasty and violent. That being said, this book is true horror at it's finest. The prose is deeply poetic and unsettling, absorbing the reader into the cheerless story that revolves primarily around Dorian, an artist of wretchedly horrific imagery and Tyria, a depressed and troubled poet. Separate and unknowing of each other, both characters find solace and structure within their work and some comfort in their relationships. However after being thrown together for a stage show Dorian and Tyria's lives are crudely shattered and their mental stability put to test. Their coming together sends out an emotional shock wave that draws in and affects both their inner circle of friends and lovers but also the crowds that gather to see the enigmatic pair and their unpredictable stage act. What follows is madness and violence where mental wounds refuse to heal, history bleeds into the present and unexplainable terror and sanity destroying events and actions occur with unnerving frequency.
I enjoyed the utter bleakness of this book. Every page was another nightmare that whilst horrible to read did not deter me from flipping the page. The characters are so unique and well written that you cannot help but be engrossed and the general tone of the book is so completely hopeless that you have to continue to read even though you dread what may come next.
Uncompromisingly raw and undeniably grim in every way but a brilliant read.
I enjoyed the utter bleakness of this book. Every page was another nightmare that whilst horrible to read did not deter me from flipping the page. The characters are so unique and well written that you cannot help but be engrossed and the general tone of the book is so completely hopeless that you have to continue to read even though you dread what may come next.
Uncompromisingly raw and undeniably grim in every way but a brilliant read.
January 11, 2017
If you've read any of author J. Daniel Stone's other work, you know he has a great knack for engaging the reader through his descriptive imagery and his unique characters, and Blood Kiss is no different, only better. The four main characters are not just some of the best i've read from him, they are some of the best i've read in ages from any writer. Very developed and very believable; I love and hate them equally. The imagery in Blood Kiss is in the same vein as Stone's previously work, but much more mature. At the rate his work has been evolving, I'm already excited for whatever he's writing next! Must read!
December 29, 2019
This is another book I won from First Reads. I'm not sure what to say about this book. There are parts that are extremely dark and disturbing, passages that describe the importance of art, and beautifully detailed descriptions. I'm sure I missed some of the themes the book was trying to share. The characters were intense and interesting, but I'm not sure I could say I liked them. There is some seriously obsessive behavior in the story. Definitely an interesting look at the dark side of life and art.
November 25, 2016
I don't really know how to describe this book. Original comes to mind. Poetic. Frightening. Deep. Dark. Disturbing. Thrilling. Insightful. Important. Unique. Downward Spiral.
Overall, Blood Kiss is stunning piece of literature. The characters are vividly drawn out and this reader fell in love with them. Plot is fantastic, unique. I would read this novel again for sure. It's like an experience, or a high, that you need to relive over and over.
Overall, Blood Kiss is stunning piece of literature. The characters are vividly drawn out and this reader fell in love with them. Plot is fantastic, unique. I would read this novel again for sure. It's like an experience, or a high, that you need to relive over and over.
March 25, 2017
The very descriptive writing in Blood Kiss immediately draws you into the book. Although the world in which the characters live is very dark and disturbing you want to keep reading to follow their journey. The characters came alive to me with all of their their flaws and desires.
April 8, 2017
Read a review of Blood Kiss in Rue Morgue #175 (March/April 2017).
November 27, 2016
Blood Kiss is like a Russian Doll, or an onion. Maybe it's an amalgamation of both. All I know is that every time you turn the page, the story reveals something new, something fascinating. I loved this book cover to cover. I hope to see more of JDS books in the future.
September 26, 2023
Blood Kiss is quite a dark and stylistic bit of fiction. A typhoon of words, music, and art. With the tongue spitting out phrases as aggressively as a brush slashing through canvas. And while I had a bit of trouble connecting wholly with the cast on a personal level, the bleak lives of the diverse, all-inclusive characters and other-side-of-the-tracks landscape was pretty gorgeous and rather immersive. It's a whole new world through the looking glass. These oily streets are hypnotizing, the dingy souls inhabiting it magnetized yet resistant to each other, this is a dangerous world that readers are traveling into and there are no safety bars to hold on to, nor is there anyone to show you the way, proceed cautiously.
J. Daniel Stone has an obtuse writing style that serves the subject matter well. It's challenging, labyrinthine. Sexy and tragic. Lyrical and layered, not always straight forward.. or is it? Truth and metaphor are subjective, and it's up to you to decode the words to see how they fit. You will have to earn this read, but you will be rewarded for doing so. The depths of which Stone takes his constructs (pain and pleasure), and the entities conjured from these depths, is something to behold. The devil's snare that entwines main characters Dorian Wilde (get it?) and Tyria Vane, ever constricting the two, feels like a living thing. Bringing lives together, perhaps not the way they wanted, whilst tearing lives apart, also perhaps not the way the wanted. Not only for these two suns but also for everyone else in the eclipse. Love is pain. So is a life worth living.
My favorite moment in Blood Kiss is the journey Tyria takes Dorian on, The Path to the Books. A dreamlike segment, It's the moment that I felt fully entwined to the novel. How much of this jaunt is "real" and how much is metaphor? What's in there? Only what you take with you. This is a wonderful, magical moment that I wish I could walk into. It is also the moment that makes me question if I've taken everything that has preceded the "wrong" way. Cryptic, isn't it? Yeah, Blood Kiss is.
I am an outsider looking in on this mesmerizing world of Blood Kiss. I don't feel safe, but I am helpless to look away.
Zakk is a big dumb animal.
https://zdubbzattmom.wordpress.com/20... for the full review.
J. Daniel Stone has an obtuse writing style that serves the subject matter well. It's challenging, labyrinthine. Sexy and tragic. Lyrical and layered, not always straight forward.. or is it? Truth and metaphor are subjective, and it's up to you to decode the words to see how they fit. You will have to earn this read, but you will be rewarded for doing so. The depths of which Stone takes his constructs (pain and pleasure), and the entities conjured from these depths, is something to behold. The devil's snare that entwines main characters Dorian Wilde (get it?) and Tyria Vane, ever constricting the two, feels like a living thing. Bringing lives together, perhaps not the way they wanted, whilst tearing lives apart, also perhaps not the way the wanted. Not only for these two suns but also for everyone else in the eclipse. Love is pain. So is a life worth living.
My favorite moment in Blood Kiss is the journey Tyria takes Dorian on, The Path to the Books. A dreamlike segment, It's the moment that I felt fully entwined to the novel. How much of this jaunt is "real" and how much is metaphor? What's in there? Only what you take with you. This is a wonderful, magical moment that I wish I could walk into. It is also the moment that makes me question if I've taken everything that has preceded the "wrong" way. Cryptic, isn't it? Yeah, Blood Kiss is.
I am an outsider looking in on this mesmerizing world of Blood Kiss. I don't feel safe, but I am helpless to look away.
Zakk is a big dumb animal.
https://zdubbzattmom.wordpress.com/20... for the full review.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews