What if vampires were not the undead, but rather the dying? What if there were two factions among the sustained and the unsustainable? And what if those factions were at war with one another over the life of a young woman who promised them a future? Vampyrie brings the myth of the vampire into the realm of possibility. Phoebe Angelina Delaney is a reluctant genius and compassionate hothead. She finds herself in a pitch-dark underground and doesn’t remember how she got there. Did she drink too much alcohol and wander off in a stupor, or was she kidnapped by a malicious element determined to make her life a living hell? Sir Michael Alan David is a vampire – an enigma, charismatic and mysterious, who weaves in and out of Phoebe’s life. Does he intend to use his title as a ruse to draw her closer to an unearthly fate, or is he a cloak-and-dagger knight in shining armor? Too many secrets have been kept for too long. Phoebe must unravel the mystery in order to survive. Two major characters from the author’s first novel, Plateau join forces with Phoebe to battle the demons in Vampyrie.
Tina Frisco is an author, singer-songwriter, RN, activist, and student of shamanism. Born in Pennsylvania USA, she attended nursing school in New York and lives in California. She began writing as a young child and received her first guitar at age 14, which launched her passion for music and songwriting. She has performed publicly in many different venues. Her publishing history includes book reviews; essays; articles in the field of medicine; her début novel, PLATEAU; her children's book, GABBY AND THE QUADS; and her latest novel, VAMPYRIE. She enjoys writing, reading, music, dancing, arts and crafts, exploring nature, and frequently getting lost in working crossword puzzles.
When all the December 21st 2012 doomsday documentaries hit the screen, Tina was compelled to write a novel of hope. Thus Plateau: Beyond the Trees, Beyond 2012 was born. The protagonist in PLATEAU is a 15-year-old tribal female who, through great adversity and while honoring the wisdom of her elders, discovers her strengths and destiny. Her will is tested relentlessly, daring her to face her fears and trust blindly without fully knowing why she was born the Keeper of the Crystal Heart, the key to the Great Mosaic of Life. She ultimately comes face-to-face with herself in a battle that would shrink the will of the most intrepid warrior, unaware that realizing her destiny will irrevocably impact all beings on earth and beyond. Her people inject humor and wisdom throughout this tale of mystery and adventure. Will love prevail over fear? Millions are asking this question. PLATEAU offers hope with its underlying message: We must keep our hearts open and act from love instead of reacting from fear, we must practice gratitude and compassion within every moment and with every breath, so that we might help elevate the human species to a higher consciousness and facilitate both personal and global peace.
Tina was inspired to write GABBY AND THE QUADS when her niece had quadruplets. A child's moral compass develops early, and she wanted to write a book that was ethically as well as traditionally educational. Gabby is an only child who is about to become big sister to quadruplets! How will she handle this? Her parents decide on a unique approach to introduce her to and help her accept this awesome experience. Follow Gabby as she learns all about babies and the joy of loving.
Tina has always been fascinated by the myth of the vampire and often wondered if the phenomenon actually could exist. Her background in medicine led me to speculate about how this might have a basis in reality. If rooted in science, how might this myth come to life? The most likely answer would be as a physical disorder or disease. All this musing gave rise to her latest novel, VAMPYRIE: Origin of the Vampire. What if vampires were not the undead, but rather the dying? What if there were two factions among vampires: the sustained and the unsustainable? And what if those factions were at war with one another over the life of a young woman who promised them a future? VAMPYRIE brings the myth of the vampire into the realm of possibility. Phoebe Angelina Delaney is a reluctant genius and compassionate hothead. She finds herself in a pitch-dark underground and doesn’t remember how she got there. Did she drink too much alcohol and wander off in a stupor, or was she kidnapped by a malicious element determined to make her life a living hell? Sir Michael Alan David is a vampire – an enigma, charismatic and mysterious, who weaves in and out of Phoebe’s life. Does he intend to use his title as a ruse to draw her closer to an unearthly fate, or is he a cloak-and-dagger knight in shining armor? Too many secrets have been kept for too long. Phoebe must unravel the mystery in order to survive. Two major characters from the author’s first novel, PLATEAU, join forces with Phoebe to battle the demons in VAMPYRIE.
This story will change your perceptions of vampires.
Like many growing up, I read about and watched the films that featured vampires. Apart from the odd comedy, all painted those with fangs and a craving for blood as evil creatures that deserved a stake to the heart. After watching these demons, most of us opted to keep the lights on at night and wear clusters of garlic around our necks. No wonder some of us were never asked to the prom.
However, thanks to Tina Frisco’s book, it is clear that not all is as it seems when it comes to Vampires. As with humans there are good and evil walking amongst this element of society, and as you meet the various characters of the story, discovering more about their backgrounds, you will find yourself warming to the idea that most Vampires are good people.
Unfortunately, Phoebe Angelina Delaney suddenly finds herself in the hands of the rogue element of this ancient peoples. To this point she has been totally unaware of the forces at play within herself, or around her that have made her a target. She meets the enigmatic Michael who rescues her and then sets in motion an unravelling of the secrets that have been woven to protect her life. Close friends that have been part of her world since childhood are not as they seemed, and her frustration mounts as she tries to make sense of the increasingly complex deviations from her original path in life.
There are some wonderful characters, whose emerging backgrounds bring colour and context to the darkness surrounding Phoebe. Apart from her father Mitchell and Michael, you will meet Master Po at the dojo where she studies martial arts, Hannah a lifelong friend and work colleague and her best friend Lunah. Bringing their own kind of ancient and mystical element to the story are W’Hyani and RoDinjah, major characters from Frisco’s book Plateau.
As the forces of light and darkness within the Vampire peoples comes to a head, Phoebe and her friends must train tirelessly to prepare for the battle to come. What Phoebe does not realise, is that her growing mental and physical strength, are not just going to be needed in the fight against evil, but will lead to even more startling revelations. One of these being the true origins of those who have walked amongst us for 200,000 years.
The book is listed as horror and occult but I do think that it has a much wider appeal with action and adventure culminating in a brilliantly orchestrated final battle sequence. There are some scenes of violence but I would recommend for young adults upwards.
I enjoyed the story very much, the writing and plot flow easily throughout the book and from the middle of the book onwards, you will find yourself being drawn in and engaged in the build up to the ultimate battle against evil. I am sure that if you read this book, like me, your previous perceptions about vampires will be challenged in a very enlightening way.
I never participated in the vampire reading craze that took over the fantasy genre after the successes of the famous books, "Twilight" or "Interview with the Vampire." There was always too much blood and lust for my taste. Now upon deeper reflection, I may have missed out on some fascinating stories.
I also never considered the intriguing literary possibilities behind the disease of vampirism. Yet, that is exactly what attracted me to Tina Frisco's hit novel, Vampyrie.
The protagonist, Phoebe Angelina Delaney is portrayed as a strong compassionate woman with a reputation for facing peril head-on. She is a fierce defender of her friends and loved ones. I immediately connected with Phoebe's character and loved that she was written like a real person, filled with flaws and fears just like the rest of us.
Why did Phoebe's father keep their family history a secret? Why did her mother disappear when Phoebe was a child? The story unravels, bit by bit, guiding the reader along on Phoebe's journey where she must confront the secrets of her past and come to grips with the reality of her true identity. It's not easy to face the real world when it turns upside down, but Phoebe shows us what's she made of.
I was pleasantly surprised to see the character, W’Hyani, from one of the author's prior novels, "Plateau, Beyond the Trees," play an important role in this novel. The tie-in of characters was a brilliant addition by the author. What W'Hyani brings to this novel is the same thing she brought to the first novel - a sense of hope for the future of humanity; even though the characters find themselves embroiled in the midst of a war that must be won.
"Vampyrie" stands out from other supernatural tales because the vampire theory we have all come to expect has been rewritten with a twist where medical science skillfully revises the history of vampirism. This hypothesis holds a credibility that lends a sense of realism to the story I didn't expect. It was a great divergence that kept me totally engaged in the mystery.
Yes, there was blood, and fangs, and some gore; but it wouldn't be a vampire novel without those elements. I can only say I found myself pleasantly surprised when I discovered the fundamental theme of the book bestowed a philosophical message of growth, strength, and change.
If you think you know vampire novels, think again. Vampyrie rewrites the stereotypes and character archetypes you've come to expect into something fresh and new. I bet even the vampires approve!
MY RATING: Character Believability: 5 Flow and Pace: 5 Reader Engagement: 5 Reader Enrichment: 5 Reader Enjoyment: 5 Overall Rate: 5 out of 5 Stars
I Couldn't Put it Down! I have always had a fondness for Vampire stories. It began with Dracula. Twilight was mesmerizing. Vampire Diaries captivated me from the start, and The Originals, my favorite, enthralled me. Vampyrie is a complex, contemporary page-turner that I couldn't put down! Phoebe, the protagonist is a strong, intelligent, compassionate and fearless character and her passion and perseverance make her a compelling character. What makes this story especially fascinating is the in-depth science, woven in with such elegance that it never detracts from the thrilling suspense. I can totally see this book becoming the next off-the-chart TV series. Well done Tina Frisco
Frisco is a gifted writer who knows how to snare the interest of her reader from the very first page and to maintain that interest until the very last word. Although it is a vampire story with a unique twist, it is so much more. I was fascinated with the growth and maturation that the main character, Phoebe, experienced throughout the story. As I reached the end of the book I realized that this tale of human growth wasn't just Phoebe's, it applies to all of us as we struggle with self-awareness and acceptance. Frisco teaches us that our hearts, minds, spirits, and souls contribute to this journey of awareness and fulfillment and that none of us journey alone. This is not just another vampire story. I highly recommend this great book.
A brilliant theory that Frisco brings to this story - good vs. bad (rogue) vampires and a story that takes us through fast-paced action with the protagonist, the impetuous Phoebe who finds herself abducted by a vampire in the beginning of this curious tale.
Although the story revolves around the theme of vampires, the story is a twist on the vampire theory, bringing unpredictable action with the characters who find themselves entangled in this alternative world of secret vampires.
Throughout the story we'll find ourselves wondering why Phoebe's father kept their vampire history secret, and why did her mother mysteriously disappear out of her life when Phoebe was a young child. But the events that follow the story keep us engaged and waiting to find out about - The Origin of the Vampyrie and how all the characters involved came to be part of the Vampyrie circle. Through this journey Phoebe discovers who she really is as we watch her grow through the learning process.
This book is far from the average vampire story containing blood and gore, but a delight to read with Frisco's quick witted writing and her uncanny knack to be able to insert love and compassion even in a story about vampire lore. A recommended read.
This story by talented author, Tina Frisco, is anything but a normal Vampire story. The characters come alive and leap from the pages. I liked the Protagonist, Phoebe, but fell in love with her best friend, Lunah. Phoebe uncovers layer upon layer of secrets that have been withheld from her for her entire life. I don't want to give away what they are, I will just say that the author kept me guessing. And, not only do we get a riveting story, but we get the backstory on how Vampires came to live on earth and the chemistry of their makeup. I have never read anything like this with such intricate detail and accuracy. There was plenty of action to keep me interested and turning pages and it comes to a climactic conclusion with final big secrets being revealed. I also loved that the author brought two characters into this story from her first book, Plateau. It is a multi-dimensional story layered with spiritual wisdom as well as the character drama. If you love a fast-paced story with lots of surprises, you'll love this book.
This one grabbed me in the first few paragraphs. Occasionally, you’ll find tweaks on the vampire genre. This story has more than one, but I won’t offer any spoilers here. It’s well-written–with believable characters and dialogue. Tension and suspense grows as conflicts arise between the protagonist and her supporters. Secrets and more secrets are revealed like an onion being peeled. The last few offer unexpected twists. If you like the genre–with accompanying suspense, you’ll love this one as I did.
Right from the beginning I really enjoyed Vampyrie Origin of The Vampire and found it to be a new and mysterious slant on the vampire story which has always fascinated me. This interest kept me reading throughout. It was a confident, well written story with excellent plotting, characterisation, dialogue and setting. I particularly enjoyed the martial art slant with Master Po and the emphasis on friendships and family relationships. On a personal note I would have liked more detail of the rogue's in battle (and wouldn't be adverse to more gore,) in the battle scenes but that's just me! Ha ha. At times long passages of dialogue made me impatient for the forthcoming battle! Yes I can be a bit bloodthirsty! This novel would really appeal to readers who like vampire stories where the emphasis is less on the sexy lore of the vampire. Instead challenge your perceptions with this unique, and thoughtful read - questioning the legend, secrets and the nature of the choices we make with regard to good and evil. There are revelations to keep the reader on his or her toes too. Definitely recommended reading. My rating: 4 stars.