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Kevin The Vampire
Kevin is pretty cool with being uncool. Back in the '80s, he did it all. The spiked mohawk, the chains, the stompin' boots, the punk rock clubs. Brawl by brawl, he made name for himself as the most kickass vampire in Lower Manhattan. But after his friends got staked, he decided to lay low. Today he lives in an abandoned church in rural Ohio. His hobbies include playing Billy Joel on the organ and painting the statuary with nail polish from Walgreens. And, yes, it's Kevin. Just Kevin, thanks. But now, an odd figure from his past brings troubling news. A rogue vampire has launched a plan to turn the world into a hell for living and undead alike. And the Council of Ancients will do nothing to stop it. The visitor proposes an alliance. Stomp out this miscreant, seize power from the old order, and rule with an iron fist. Sounds dreadful! But what choice does Kevin have? Stay behind and continue his affair with colorful handknit socks? Can Kevin save both the world and the things he loves about it most? Or must darkness consume him, whether he becomes a hero or not? This unique vampire tale is full of strange characters, offbeat humor, intrigue, and plot twists. Check it out today!
88 pages, Paperback
Published October 7, 2016
6 people are currently reading
296 people want to read
About the author
Will Madden
5 books23 followersWill Madden lives in Baltimore, Maryland, originally from the Bronx, New York. He holds a degree in something ridiculous from a fancy institution of higher education. His hobbies include cool bugs, early 20th century painting, streaming cartoons in languages he doesn't understand particularly well, and collecting broken clocks. All his children are pets, and all his pets are plants.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
March 3, 2018
Weirdly good
Kevin is no average vampire. He is done with the partying and wild life. He is settled in an old unused church and made it home until an old friend comes to town claiming to be a vampire hunter. Every thing goes wrong from there...cute story.
Kevin is no average vampire. He is done with the partying and wild life. He is settled in an old unused church and made it home until an old friend comes to town claiming to be a vampire hunter. Every thing goes wrong from there...cute story.
March 20, 2017
Instead of running with any traditional vampiric themes the author, Will Madden, has taken a unique approach centering on one main character, Kevin, the vampire. Kevin is neither a dashing vampire exuding attraction to admiring women nor is he an abomination with a bloodlust killing scores of humans in his path. The reader gets to know him best through his inner dialogue and the authors ability to describe his still very human quirks, not to imply that Kevin has any desire to live a human life, he is very happily a vampire.
The introduction of Grackle, the only other vampire with an active role in this story, gives the reader the opportunity to really discover the sort of man Kevin is. We learn a lot through his dialogue with Grackle but more importantly what thoughts he keeps to himself. He is faced with an life or death deliema not just affecting himself but other vampires and humans alike. At the end he shows his true colors which I leave the reader to discover for themselves.
But for the sparse use of a few curse I would've wholeheartedly recommend it for YA readers and given it 4 stars for that venue, as is I leave it up to the parent to decide. For adults it's an interesting light quick read. The end was left in a way to easily allow for a sequel and it'd be interesting to see with further development where the "life" of Kevin might lead!
The introduction of Grackle, the only other vampire with an active role in this story, gives the reader the opportunity to really discover the sort of man Kevin is. We learn a lot through his dialogue with Grackle but more importantly what thoughts he keeps to himself. He is faced with an life or death deliema not just affecting himself but other vampires and humans alike. At the end he shows his true colors which I leave the reader to discover for themselves.
But for the sparse use of a few curse I would've wholeheartedly recommend it for YA readers and given it 4 stars for that venue, as is I leave it up to the parent to decide. For adults it's an interesting light quick read. The end was left in a way to easily allow for a sequel and it'd be interesting to see with further development where the "life" of Kevin might lead!
April 20, 2019
Will Madden has created a delightful short novella about a vampire called Kevin. No longer known as Gaius Serverus, Guy, Cevinus, or Qehveenoz; now it's just Kevin. Being Kevin is entirely appropriate for his new environs within the Greater American Corn Belt. Almost by accident, Kevin the Vampire takes up residence in an old abandoned church, St. Agnews. The church is still furnished with long abandoned furniture and an organ which Kevin uses to sing Billy Joel parody songs with a vampire twist. Engaging in staring contests with the crucified Christ (always a draw until Kevin gets bored), checking out any new nail polish colors at the local Walgreens (the only store open at night), or sampling the pedestrian fare of corn-fed blood, Kevin has an idyllic existence until a vampire hunter comes to town. Edvard von Heusen, said vampire hunter, has come specifically to find Kevin and make him an offer he'd best not refuse. No matter what happens next, Kevin's life (or death?) will never be the same.
I enjoyed Kevin the Vampire from beginning to end. Will Madden's witty approach to telling Kevin's story kept me engaged throughout. Flawlessly constructed, the story is well-told and fresh, a standout from the often-worn genre of common vampire stories. The ending was unexpected and interesting; altogether what you would expect from the Kevin you come to know. If you enjoy vampire stories which don't take themselves too seriously and are easy to read within a couple of hours, Kevin the Vampire is a fine choice! (Reviewed for Readers' Favorite)
I enjoyed Kevin the Vampire from beginning to end. Will Madden's witty approach to telling Kevin's story kept me engaged throughout. Flawlessly constructed, the story is well-told and fresh, a standout from the often-worn genre of common vampire stories. The ending was unexpected and interesting; altogether what you would expect from the Kevin you come to know. If you enjoy vampire stories which don't take themselves too seriously and are easy to read within a couple of hours, Kevin the Vampire is a fine choice! (Reviewed for Readers' Favorite)
March 3, 2017
Kevin The Vampire by Will Madden
I found “Kevin the Vampire” a smartly written novelette with a unique plot. Kevin faces the dilemma of a scheme which may or may not be the rantings of a madman. Kevin has known Crackle for years, he’s an old vampire who has tested his skills beyond its measure, perhaps to his mental deficit. Grackle, posing as a vampire hunter to the human world, has come to recruit Kevin to mount an assault against a plot to turn the whole world into a hell for living and undead alike. Grackle has an extensive battle plan and Kevin must decide whether to join forces with him or not.
Kevin has found himself a nice little existence in an abandoned church in rural Ohio. He’s not lazy, he redecorates his surroundings regularly by painting the icons with nail polish in gauche colors. He also repaired the organ so he could play Billy Joel songs. He is also smart, has a wicked sense of humor, and a conscience.
I enjoyed the complex storyline and watching the verbal sparring match between Kevin and Grackle. It’s going to be interesting to see what comes next. While the ending came to a satisfying close, I’m sure we haven’t seen the last of Kevin.
FYI: Only one F-bomb. **Originally written for "BigAl’s Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy.** February 17, 2017
Format/Typo Issues: A small number of proofing errors.
I found “Kevin the Vampire” a smartly written novelette with a unique plot. Kevin faces the dilemma of a scheme which may or may not be the rantings of a madman. Kevin has known Crackle for years, he’s an old vampire who has tested his skills beyond its measure, perhaps to his mental deficit. Grackle, posing as a vampire hunter to the human world, has come to recruit Kevin to mount an assault against a plot to turn the whole world into a hell for living and undead alike. Grackle has an extensive battle plan and Kevin must decide whether to join forces with him or not.
Kevin has found himself a nice little existence in an abandoned church in rural Ohio. He’s not lazy, he redecorates his surroundings regularly by painting the icons with nail polish in gauche colors. He also repaired the organ so he could play Billy Joel songs. He is also smart, has a wicked sense of humor, and a conscience.
I enjoyed the complex storyline and watching the verbal sparring match between Kevin and Grackle. It’s going to be interesting to see what comes next. While the ending came to a satisfying close, I’m sure we haven’t seen the last of Kevin.
FYI: Only one F-bomb. **Originally written for "BigAl’s Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy.** February 17, 2017
Format/Typo Issues: A small number of proofing errors.
May 25, 2019
( Format : Audiobook )
"Never been a better time not to be alive."
Gaius Severus has grown bored with the gaudy New York vampire life (243 people eaten) and retired quietly to a delightfully little bijou church in Nowhereville, rural Ohio, where the food is corn fed and only one store is open at night. Here he buys his new shades of nail polish to decorate his statuary, enjoys his interplay with the crucified Christ figure, plays lol finds on the self repaired organ whilst revealing his hand knitted colourful socks. A pleasurable, indolent life and, giving up the Gaius lifestyle, has reverted to the simple name of Kevin. Until he reads in the local newspaper the an Edvard von Heusen, vampire hunter, is in town - and he's knocking on the church door.
A short, sweet, often funny novella which looks at vampires somewhat differently. With only two main protagonists, characterisation is good and Kevin's nature is gleaned mostly from his inner dialogue in the earlier chapters, then his conversation later with his visitor.The whole is great fun, made even more enjoyable in being read to us by the author, Will Maddon, himself. He has both a deliciously quirky sense of humour as a writer and gives an excellent verbal performance.
The whole book is a delight.
"Never been a better time not to be alive."
Gaius Severus has grown bored with the gaudy New York vampire life (243 people eaten) and retired quietly to a delightfully little bijou church in Nowhereville, rural Ohio, where the food is corn fed and only one store is open at night. Here he buys his new shades of nail polish to decorate his statuary, enjoys his interplay with the crucified Christ figure, plays lol finds on the self repaired organ whilst revealing his hand knitted colourful socks. A pleasurable, indolent life and, giving up the Gaius lifestyle, has reverted to the simple name of Kevin. Until he reads in the local newspaper the an Edvard von Heusen, vampire hunter, is in town - and he's knocking on the church door.
A short, sweet, often funny novella which looks at vampires somewhat differently. With only two main protagonists, characterisation is good and Kevin's nature is gleaned mostly from his inner dialogue in the earlier chapters, then his conversation later with his visitor.The whole is great fun, made even more enjoyable in being read to us by the author, Will Maddon, himself. He has both a deliciously quirky sense of humour as a writer and gives an excellent verbal performance.
The whole book is a delight.
May 18, 2017
An odd yet compelling read. Gaius, who changed his name back to Kevin, is a vampire living in a podunk town in Ohio. He is tired of eating corn fed meals, but enjoys his chapel home. He shops at Walgreen's because it is the only store opened after dark. He buys nail polish of many colors, whichever strikes his fancy. He has painted the statuary, learned to repair the pipe organ, and has been making spending hours on end laying on the dais, with his brightly colored socks to see if Jesus on the cross has a comment about them. He watches the apostles pushing Mary up towards heaven and he says heave ho.
He reads the local paper saying a vampire hunter is coming. What will Kevin do? nothing at all he finds it amusing, until he shows up and destroys his front door and when he finally pays attention to the idiot, he finds it is fellow vampire Grackle.
What will he do when he finds out Grackle has a plan and wants to take over the counsel of elders? Will he help or will he kill or be killed by his former friend?
He reads the local paper saying a vampire hunter is coming. What will Kevin do? nothing at all he finds it amusing, until he shows up and destroys his front door and when he finally pays attention to the idiot, he finds it is fellow vampire Grackle.
What will he do when he finds out Grackle has a plan and wants to take over the counsel of elders? Will he help or will he kill or be killed by his former friend?
April 10, 2017
Not Kindle Unlimited, but giveaway win from LibraryThing. Liked it definitely but not loved it but it was more of in between like goodreads really liked so put 5. For goodreads the stars mean something different than amazon but whereas amazon has 4 mean liked it goodreads says really liked it, and that's a bit better, then decided to make amazon match goodreads better so just gave it a 5.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews