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Rebel Vampires #1
Blood Dragons
Librarian note: An older cover for this edition can be found here: 14-Aug-2016.
How do you rebel in a family of vampires..?
In a divided paranormal London, Light is the bad boy vampire of the Blood Lifer world with a photographic memory, a Triton motorbike, and a love for the hunt. Since Victorian times he’s hidden in the shadows with Ruby - a savage Elizabethan Blood Lifer. But he’s keeping a secret from her that breaks every rule.
1960s London. Kathy is a seductive singer but she’s also human. Light is tempted by the danger, even though their romance is forbidden. When the two worlds collide, it could mean the end. For both species.
When Light discovers his ruthless family’s horrifying experiments, he questions whether he should be slaying or saving the humans he’s always feared. Unless Light plays the part of hero, he risks losing everything. Including the two women he loves.
A rebel, a red-haired devil and a Moon Girl battle to save the world – or tear it apart.
“INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE MEETS TRUE BLOOD.”
Fans of Night Huntress, Immortals After Dark, Anita Blake, Fever and Blood Dagger Brotherhood will LOVE the spellbinding secret world of Blood Life.
Blood Dragons is the explosive bestselling first instalment of the supernatural suspense series Rebel Vampires from the award-winning fantasy author Rosemary A Johns. Experience a thrilling new adventure with vampires, unputdownable surprises and dark romance.
Welcome to the Rebel Age!
How do you rebel in a family of vampires..?
In a divided paranormal London, Light is the bad boy vampire of the Blood Lifer world with a photographic memory, a Triton motorbike, and a love for the hunt. Since Victorian times he’s hidden in the shadows with Ruby - a savage Elizabethan Blood Lifer. But he’s keeping a secret from her that breaks every rule.
1960s London. Kathy is a seductive singer but she’s also human. Light is tempted by the danger, even though their romance is forbidden. When the two worlds collide, it could mean the end. For both species.
When Light discovers his ruthless family’s horrifying experiments, he questions whether he should be slaying or saving the humans he’s always feared. Unless Light plays the part of hero, he risks losing everything. Including the two women he loves.
A rebel, a red-haired devil and a Moon Girl battle to save the world – or tear it apart.
“INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE MEETS TRUE BLOOD.”
Fans of Night Huntress, Immortals After Dark, Anita Blake, Fever and Blood Dagger Brotherhood will LOVE the spellbinding secret world of Blood Life.
Blood Dragons is the explosive bestselling first instalment of the supernatural suspense series Rebel Vampires from the award-winning fantasy author Rosemary A Johns. Experience a thrilling new adventure with vampires, unputdownable surprises and dark romance.
Welcome to the Rebel Age!
296 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 3, 2016
106 people are currently reading
1295 people want to read
About the author
Rosemary A. Johns
72 books1,028 followersUSA Today Bestselling Author of Addictive Romance
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Award-winning and #1 Amazon bestselling paranormal and romance author.
WINNER OF SILVER AWARD in National Wishing Shelf Book Awards.
Shortlisted in International Rubery Book Awards.
Winner in the IAN Book of the Year Awards: awarded Finalist
A music fanatic and anti-hero addict. Rosemary writes savage vampires, snarky demons, and epic battles. She's always been a rebel.
Discover enemies-to-lovers, swoonworthy book boyfriends, and shifters! Don't miss her steamy and action-packed REBEL series, including REBEL GODS, REBEL WEREWOLVES, and REBEL ACADEMY.
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Rosemary-A-Joh...
FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/rosem...
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rosemaryajohn...
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rosemaryann...
FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/RosemaryAnnJ...
Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/rosemaryajohns/sub...
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/rosem...
Website: https://rosemaryajohns.com
Audible: https://www.audible.com/author/Rosema...
Award-winning and #1 Amazon bestselling paranormal and romance author.
WINNER OF SILVER AWARD in National Wishing Shelf Book Awards.
Shortlisted in International Rubery Book Awards.
Winner in the IAN Book of the Year Awards: awarded Finalist
A music fanatic and anti-hero addict. Rosemary writes savage vampires, snarky demons, and epic battles. She's always been a rebel.
Discover enemies-to-lovers, swoonworthy book boyfriends, and shifters! Don't miss her steamy and action-packed REBEL series, including REBEL GODS, REBEL WEREWOLVES, and REBEL ACADEMY.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
February 27, 2017
This review and more can be seen at GothicMoms.blogspot.com
When I initially read the synopsis for this title I thought there would be a lot of fang baring, blood slinging, and a bunch of vampire sex. Yes, we all know my mind works differently than most. But, that is not what this book is, though it is still a great read. Think Interview With a Vampire meets Confessions of a Lost Soul. Yes, Rosemary A. Johns does bring to mind the writing style of the great Anne Rice.
In Blood Dragons the vampires are referred to as Blood Lifers, and humans as First Lifers. Light as a first lifer had a photographic memory, which for those of you who have such know can be both a blessing and a curse. In this tale he is actually recalling the life that he lived as a blood lifer, and that of his first life, confessing all to the human woman that he loves. And no, not just confessions of sleeping with other women; confessions of blood lust, temptation, of mad scientists doing experiments on behalf of his blood family, of loving a woman who had a twisted version of what love is, confessions of love, betrayal, and doomed friendship. Each event causing him almost as much pain as he tells it, as it did when he lived it. And as he watches her while he does so, there is only one word she utter's, Advance. The night club that not only brought them together, but the one that almost claimed their very lives.
Light is torn between two worlds, that of the living and that of the blood, the woman he loves, and the woman who truly loves him. And while all stories can't end with a happy ever after, it's good to know some end with a man who keeps his word.
Looking for a paranormal read that takes you into mind of the vampire that's filled with more than just blood and lust, look no further. Rosemary A. Johns creates a world so real it makes you wonder...
When I initially read the synopsis for this title I thought there would be a lot of fang baring, blood slinging, and a bunch of vampire sex. Yes, we all know my mind works differently than most. But, that is not what this book is, though it is still a great read. Think Interview With a Vampire meets Confessions of a Lost Soul. Yes, Rosemary A. Johns does bring to mind the writing style of the great Anne Rice.
In Blood Dragons the vampires are referred to as Blood Lifers, and humans as First Lifers. Light as a first lifer had a photographic memory, which for those of you who have such know can be both a blessing and a curse. In this tale he is actually recalling the life that he lived as a blood lifer, and that of his first life, confessing all to the human woman that he loves. And no, not just confessions of sleeping with other women; confessions of blood lust, temptation, of mad scientists doing experiments on behalf of his blood family, of loving a woman who had a twisted version of what love is, confessions of love, betrayal, and doomed friendship. Each event causing him almost as much pain as he tells it, as it did when he lived it. And as he watches her while he does so, there is only one word she utter's, Advance. The night club that not only brought them together, but the one that almost claimed their very lives.
Light is torn between two worlds, that of the living and that of the blood, the woman he loves, and the woman who truly loves him. And while all stories can't end with a happy ever after, it's good to know some end with a man who keeps his word.
Looking for a paranormal read that takes you into mind of the vampire that's filled with more than just blood and lust, look no further. Rosemary A. Johns creates a world so real it makes you wonder...
November 1, 2016
Voluntary review of Advance Reader Copy. I was given a complimentary copy of this book by the publisher.
I must admit, that while I write this, I feel quite bad.
As stated above, I volunteered to read and review this book, no one forced me to. And yet, I really did not enjoy reading it.
There are a number of reasons for this, the least of which, that I couldn’t connect with the narrator.
I will grant you, this book is very well marketed. Possibly too well, as that is where most of my grievance lies.
“A hidden paranormal London lies beneath our own. Escape into the supernatural world of the Blood Lifers”
“Escape into a supernatural world of love, revenge and redemption, where vampires are both predator and prey.”
For me, this implies various activities, politics, political maneuvering, rivalries between factions etc. It says to me, that we are leaving known society, and entering into a world which differs from ours.
This story did not.
There are all of five or six supernaturals in the story, and one more that is only ever mentioned.
The only rivalries were that of siblings.
“A rebel, a red-haired devil and a Moon Girl battle to save the world – or tear it apart.”
I must have missed this entirely.
This implies that all parties mentioned were actively involved in said battle.
Whereas Ruby honestly didn’t seem to give a rats arse about what was happening either way, and “Moon Girl” wasn’t even aware of it, until it was all over, and Light told her the bare basics.
“For fans of Night Huntress, Immortals After Dark, Anita Blake, Fever and Blood Dagger Brotherhood take a deep breath and dive into the spellbinding secret world of Blood Life.”
Perhaps it was this that raised my expectations, as I have read, and enjoyed just about all of the listed series. Sadly, Blood Dragons didn’t deliver.
Where the synopsis promises action, I found very little of it.
It states there is a love triangle – I must have missed it (thankfully).
Instead, I got a recollection of a scant few scattered events, from a narrator who couldn’t decide who he was narrating to. Sometimes it read like a diary entry, sometimes, as though the narrator is addressing an internal audience, and then others where the narrator could be addressing the reader.
A narrator, who is supposedly from the Victorian period, but (to me) speaks sort of like' Joe Strummer' from “The Clash”? Loves to say “Here’s the thing” and has an almost obsessive love of the words “wanker” and “wankery”.
I seriously struggled to read “Blood Dragons”, and had I not agreed to write a review, I most likely would have given up on it halfway through.
The over use of colloquialisms, the number of confusing jumps in timeline, jarring switches between perspectives and my inability to wrap my head around WHY Light would behave and speak in the way he does, when he is supposed to hail from a much earlier period all accumulated in my being a rather frustrated reader.
I must admit, that while I write this, I feel quite bad.
As stated above, I volunteered to read and review this book, no one forced me to. And yet, I really did not enjoy reading it.
There are a number of reasons for this, the least of which, that I couldn’t connect with the narrator.
I will grant you, this book is very well marketed. Possibly too well, as that is where most of my grievance lies.
“A hidden paranormal London lies beneath our own. Escape into the supernatural world of the Blood Lifers”
“Escape into a supernatural world of love, revenge and redemption, where vampires are both predator and prey.”
For me, this implies various activities, politics, political maneuvering, rivalries between factions etc. It says to me, that we are leaving known society, and entering into a world which differs from ours.
This story did not.
There are all of five or six supernaturals in the story, and one more that is only ever mentioned.
The only rivalries were that of siblings.
“A rebel, a red-haired devil and a Moon Girl battle to save the world – or tear it apart.”
I must have missed this entirely.
This implies that all parties mentioned were actively involved in said battle.
Whereas Ruby honestly didn’t seem to give a rats arse about what was happening either way, and “Moon Girl” wasn’t even aware of it, until it was all over, and Light told her the bare basics.
“For fans of Night Huntress, Immortals After Dark, Anita Blake, Fever and Blood Dagger Brotherhood take a deep breath and dive into the spellbinding secret world of Blood Life.”
Perhaps it was this that raised my expectations, as I have read, and enjoyed just about all of the listed series. Sadly, Blood Dragons didn’t deliver.
Where the synopsis promises action, I found very little of it.
It states there is a love triangle – I must have missed it (thankfully).
Instead, I got a recollection of a scant few scattered events, from a narrator who couldn’t decide who he was narrating to. Sometimes it read like a diary entry, sometimes, as though the narrator is addressing an internal audience, and then others where the narrator could be addressing the reader.
A narrator, who is supposedly from the Victorian period, but (to me) speaks sort of like' Joe Strummer' from “The Clash”? Loves to say “Here’s the thing” and has an almost obsessive love of the words “wanker” and “wankery”.
I seriously struggled to read “Blood Dragons”, and had I not agreed to write a review, I most likely would have given up on it halfway through.
The over use of colloquialisms, the number of confusing jumps in timeline, jarring switches between perspectives and my inability to wrap my head around WHY Light would behave and speak in the way he does, when he is supposed to hail from a much earlier period all accumulated in my being a rather frustrated reader.
August 21, 2016
Light is a rebel rocker vampire with a studded leather jacket who rides a Triton motorbike. And boy, does he have attitude! In his call-a-spade-a-spade way of talking, he debunks a couple of vampire myths straight off the bat: Holy water, entry by invitation only and crucifixes - all “bollocks” apparently. Fair enough. But aficionados of vampire fiction will be pleased to know that Light doesn’t sparkle in the sun.
There are two women in Light’s life. Ruby is a sexy Elizabethan red-head who elected Light into the Blood Life in the mid nineteenth century She remembers the Inquisition from the first time round and isn’t afraid to employ some of its methods. Kathy is a free-spirited singer from Yorkshire who has escaped to 1960’s swinging London and is enjoying life to the full. From the docks of Victorian London to the vibrant life of Carnaby Street, the sensuous settings provide the perfect backdrop to the colourful characters.
The story opens in the present day when Kathy, now an old woman, is dying from dementia. Light tells her their story in an effort to help her remember. He also admits to things that he’s never told anyone before. The themes of the book are love, memory and redemption. The story explores deep human emotions with insight and wry observation.
What makes this book so exceptional is the quality of the writing. The story is narrated in the first-person by Light. Rosemary Johns has created a voice for him that effortlessly blends the colloquial with the literary and the poignant. The author handles voices particularly well. Ruby, being Elizabethan, occasionally uses words like “prithee” whilst Kathy’s father talks in a strong Yorkshire dialect as if he’d just stepped out of the pages of The Secret Garden.
The pacing is also spot on. For a story dealing with memory and redemption, there is never a sense that Light is merely navel gazing. The narrative has a strong forward momentum and there are plenty of dramatic action scenes.
Ultimately, it’s the character of Light that makes this novel so compelling and makes me want to read more in the series. He’s is a bit of a cynic, but he’s also tender and passionate with a self-deprecating sense of humour. He might be a vampire but he has a strong moral code. If I was going to fall in love with a vampire, it would have to be Light.
There are two women in Light’s life. Ruby is a sexy Elizabethan red-head who elected Light into the Blood Life in the mid nineteenth century She remembers the Inquisition from the first time round and isn’t afraid to employ some of its methods. Kathy is a free-spirited singer from Yorkshire who has escaped to 1960’s swinging London and is enjoying life to the full. From the docks of Victorian London to the vibrant life of Carnaby Street, the sensuous settings provide the perfect backdrop to the colourful characters.
The story opens in the present day when Kathy, now an old woman, is dying from dementia. Light tells her their story in an effort to help her remember. He also admits to things that he’s never told anyone before. The themes of the book are love, memory and redemption. The story explores deep human emotions with insight and wry observation.
What makes this book so exceptional is the quality of the writing. The story is narrated in the first-person by Light. Rosemary Johns has created a voice for him that effortlessly blends the colloquial with the literary and the poignant. The author handles voices particularly well. Ruby, being Elizabethan, occasionally uses words like “prithee” whilst Kathy’s father talks in a strong Yorkshire dialect as if he’d just stepped out of the pages of The Secret Garden.
The pacing is also spot on. For a story dealing with memory and redemption, there is never a sense that Light is merely navel gazing. The narrative has a strong forward momentum and there are plenty of dramatic action scenes.
Ultimately, it’s the character of Light that makes this novel so compelling and makes me want to read more in the series. He’s is a bit of a cynic, but he’s also tender and passionate with a self-deprecating sense of humour. He might be a vampire but he has a strong moral code. If I was going to fall in love with a vampire, it would have to be Light.
November 1, 2016
Blood Dragons (Rebel Vampires Book 1)
Written by Rosemary A. Johns
Genre: Paranormal Romance; Vampire
I have read many paranormal romance novels including many vampire romance. I have to say that Ms. Johns really blew me out of the water with the way that she told this story. The writing of this story is that of a journal. The main character, Light, is struggling with the fact that his lover is dying and no longer remembers him. So he decides to re-tell their story hoping that she will remember.
This was a very interesting take on paranormal. It takes a bit to get used to the way that the main character Light speaks, but once you are able to understand the book flows very, very well. The characters are very well defined, the author was able to make me feel the pain that he was going through. At times this novel was just gut wrenching, but beautiful in its own way.
I would recommend Blood Dragons if you are looking for a very interesting take on the whole vampire romance. Very well written and leaves you ready for the next book. I highly recommend this book.
***I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher****
Written by Rosemary A. Johns
Genre: Paranormal Romance; Vampire
I have read many paranormal romance novels including many vampire romance. I have to say that Ms. Johns really blew me out of the water with the way that she told this story. The writing of this story is that of a journal. The main character, Light, is struggling with the fact that his lover is dying and no longer remembers him. So he decides to re-tell their story hoping that she will remember.
This was a very interesting take on paranormal. It takes a bit to get used to the way that the main character Light speaks, but once you are able to understand the book flows very, very well. The characters are very well defined, the author was able to make me feel the pain that he was going through. At times this novel was just gut wrenching, but beautiful in its own way.
I would recommend Blood Dragons if you are looking for a very interesting take on the whole vampire romance. Very well written and leaves you ready for the next book. I highly recommend this book.
***I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher****
March 13, 2017
Blood Dragons is a beautifully written tale from the perspective of Light, born Thomas, a Blood Lifer, (what we know as a vampire), as he reflects on his life to his soul mate Kathy, a first lifer (a human) who is suffering from either dementia or alzheimer's and on her last days. While it is not exactly spelled out for us, we plainly see that she is barely present in Light's retelling of his life, in an almost "The Notebook" kind of fashion.
Light makes a promise to never leave Kathy, and by her side during her final moments on earth, he tells of his life, in a no holds barred autobiographical memoir. Written provocatively, challenging, and what comes across as 1920's era British slang, he tells of his life before he became a Blood Lifer, the incident that turned him Blood Lifer, of being bonded to Ruby, his author, muse and liberator. He tells of his deep seeded love for Ruby, how he followed her almost unquestioningly for a century, of meeting Kathy and wanting to shake any remnants of his life before her, of the way their love helped him blossom to become a man he had always envisioned for himself.
Johns uses a distinct voice to give us a memoir of a vampire who has struggled with his self identity, who has found the love of his life only to have to watch her die before him. We watch Light blossom through his account of his relationship with Kathy because of their mutual love, respect and acceptance of one another. We are given an alternate take on a typical vampire novel that goes above and beyond to create a love story that doesn't leave out the pitfalls of life.
Light makes a promise to never leave Kathy, and by her side during her final moments on earth, he tells of his life, in a no holds barred autobiographical memoir. Written provocatively, challenging, and what comes across as 1920's era British slang, he tells of his life before he became a Blood Lifer, the incident that turned him Blood Lifer, of being bonded to Ruby, his author, muse and liberator. He tells of his deep seeded love for Ruby, how he followed her almost unquestioningly for a century, of meeting Kathy and wanting to shake any remnants of his life before her, of the way their love helped him blossom to become a man he had always envisioned for himself.
Johns uses a distinct voice to give us a memoir of a vampire who has struggled with his self identity, who has found the love of his life only to have to watch her die before him. We watch Light blossom through his account of his relationship with Kathy because of their mutual love, respect and acceptance of one another. We are given an alternate take on a typical vampire novel that goes above and beyond to create a love story that doesn't leave out the pitfalls of life.
March 20, 2017
Beautifully written, imaginative, and intense. I don't normally read this genre, but this held my attention from start to finish. I became intertwined with the characters and excited by the action. I really enjoyed it. I thank the Author for providing a copy to voluntarily review.
~~~Erika, Book Haven Book Blog
~~~Erika, Book Haven Book Blog
October 1, 2016
I received this book from the author for an honest review.
I really enjoyed this 1st in a series book. It was so in dept I didn't want to put it down.
Light is the Blood Lifer (Vampire) and he is sitting with his love Cathy, a First Lifer, who is dying of old age. He started as her husband, her son, her boy toy, now her grandson. He is telling his life story to her and to us in great detail. She is practically gone but he won't leave her. You will enjoy this book because it is a different Vampire story no crosses, no holy water, sun is still a bad thing but there are some other things different. There are other Vampires and several plots going on through out. I have the next in series to read and can't wait to get started.
I really enjoyed this 1st in a series book. It was so in dept I didn't want to put it down.
Light is the Blood Lifer (Vampire) and he is sitting with his love Cathy, a First Lifer, who is dying of old age. He started as her husband, her son, her boy toy, now her grandson. He is telling his life story to her and to us in great detail. She is practically gone but he won't leave her. You will enjoy this book because it is a different Vampire story no crosses, no holy water, sun is still a bad thing but there are some other things different. There are other Vampires and several plots going on through out. I have the next in series to read and can't wait to get started.
November 1, 2016
Have you ever understood what you do to me? 4 GOLD FANGS
You were my blood. Inside me. My Soul. You had me at VAMPIRE!! Now I confess to being drawn to this book for 2 reasons - vampires and VAMPIRES!! Okay, and that GORGEOUS cover! I didn't even fully read the blurb! I already knew I would read it. It had "vampire" and that truly was all I did need to know! I started it feeling a touch lost, so I went and read the description, realized his name IS Light, then continued reading, reading and even more reading straight through to the end, stopping only for a bite of sleep! This is ABSO-FANGING-LUTELY one of the most unique & ingenious Vampire books I have EVER read! That being said, it is VERY different, thought-provoking even, almost making you reflect on Humanity as a whole from someone who is no longer purely Human. It almost was a “heavy” read for me, not in a bad way or anything, but not something I “breezed” through. Although it very easily could've been a long, hard read. But with Rosemary's exceptionally creative writing style (for lack of a better term) it COMPLETELY captured me in its fangs, NEVER letting me go! (Thankfully no harm came to this reader!) Actually the very descriptive, almost poetic writing style reminded me very much of Anne Rice's The Vampire Chronicles. This is so intriguingly well-written! The story flow, the characters, the unique angles & viewpoints of us mere humans, the First Lifers vs the Blood Lifers, it is all truly VAMPTACULAR!!! PURE GENIUS!! The first-person point of view is so much more than "just" a point of view! It's more like reading your own memoir that you penned by hand through the years, but now you are suffering from memory loss in your advanced age and don't remember it. But as you are reading it feels familiar, deja vu, like you experienced it, truly lived it all, but now you think it’s just a fiction novel you picked up to read. I wish that Rosemary had included a glossary/definition/translation because I did have a bit of trouble following the language/terms in the beginning (nut = head, mush = face, bird = female/lady/woman, etc.) which slowed me down a bit, in some places I felt like I didn't grasp it at all, so I was backtracking to read the part over again, but I quickly realized that by continuing to read, the words/parts that confused me settled out. And just because I'm not used to these words, phrases, terminology doesn't mean everyone else will have the same "issues". It's all English to me! bwahahaha There was one part I came to that I just couldn't grasp the wording to understand what was going on, so I backtracked a bit and re-read that section, still didn't think I had the correct thing so I decided to just keep reading. HA! That did the trick! I DID get the meaning the first time! So from that point on, I just kept reading and before I was even maybe 10 or 15% in (of a close to 600 page story!), I realized that I was understanding almost everything and the story fluidly moved forward... until I reached the end of course! Wink This is obviously my first taste of Rosemary's writings, but consider me a Lifer - preferably a Blood Lifer! wink Her FANGNOMENAL talent shines through as bright as the sun on Light in his garage! Now that I timed this to finish as book 2 is being delivered to my hot little hands as we speak, I am SUPER eager to see where Light will take me next! Life’s like that: it bites you where it hurts. The dawn came and you weren’t there. The dawn came and you weren’t…
You were my blood. Inside me. My Soul. You had me at VAMPIRE!! Now I confess to being drawn to this book for 2 reasons - vampires and VAMPIRES!! Okay, and that GORGEOUS cover! I didn't even fully read the blurb! I already knew I would read it. It had "vampire" and that truly was all I did need to know! I started it feeling a touch lost, so I went and read the description, realized his name IS Light, then continued reading, reading and even more reading straight through to the end, stopping only for a bite of sleep! This is ABSO-FANGING-LUTELY one of the most unique & ingenious Vampire books I have EVER read! That being said, it is VERY different, thought-provoking even, almost making you reflect on Humanity as a whole from someone who is no longer purely Human. It almost was a “heavy” read for me, not in a bad way or anything, but not something I “breezed” through. Although it very easily could've been a long, hard read. But with Rosemary's exceptionally creative writing style (for lack of a better term) it COMPLETELY captured me in its fangs, NEVER letting me go! (Thankfully no harm came to this reader!) Actually the very descriptive, almost poetic writing style reminded me very much of Anne Rice's The Vampire Chronicles. This is so intriguingly well-written! The story flow, the characters, the unique angles & viewpoints of us mere humans, the First Lifers vs the Blood Lifers, it is all truly VAMPTACULAR!!! PURE GENIUS!! The first-person point of view is so much more than "just" a point of view! It's more like reading your own memoir that you penned by hand through the years, but now you are suffering from memory loss in your advanced age and don't remember it. But as you are reading it feels familiar, deja vu, like you experienced it, truly lived it all, but now you think it’s just a fiction novel you picked up to read. I wish that Rosemary had included a glossary/definition/translation because I did have a bit of trouble following the language/terms in the beginning (nut = head, mush = face, bird = female/lady/woman, etc.) which slowed me down a bit, in some places I felt like I didn't grasp it at all, so I was backtracking to read the part over again, but I quickly realized that by continuing to read, the words/parts that confused me settled out. And just because I'm not used to these words, phrases, terminology doesn't mean everyone else will have the same "issues". It's all English to me! bwahahaha There was one part I came to that I just couldn't grasp the wording to understand what was going on, so I backtracked a bit and re-read that section, still didn't think I had the correct thing so I decided to just keep reading. HA! That did the trick! I DID get the meaning the first time! So from that point on, I just kept reading and before I was even maybe 10 or 15% in (of a close to 600 page story!), I realized that I was understanding almost everything and the story fluidly moved forward... until I reached the end of course! Wink This is obviously my first taste of Rosemary's writings, but consider me a Lifer - preferably a Blood Lifer! wink Her FANGNOMENAL talent shines through as bright as the sun on Light in his garage! Now that I timed this to finish as book 2 is being delivered to my hot little hands as we speak, I am SUPER eager to see where Light will take me next! Life’s like that: it bites you where it hurts. The dawn came and you weren’t there. The dawn came and you weren’t…
July 22, 2017
Blood Dragons is a novel that completely surprised me. The story is written in a two-fold manner - Light, the main character tells a confession type story to Light’s human female companion, Kathy, while also trying to jog her memories. In Rosemary A. Johns’ novel, vampires are Blood Lifers and humans are First Lifers. Relationships between the two are forbidden but the connection between Light and Kathy is strong and their devotion to one another becomes unwavering. As the story progresses, the reader will be shown how Light is pushed and pulled between the immortal world and the human world.
His character is complex, as is the plot. The world building is spectacular. Light’s storytelling is romantic and full of different emotional tales of his life - some to remind Kathy of him and their time together, others a confessional of sorts. As Light relays his stories we are provided vivid descriptions of each time period and the characters and life he lived within each. The book moved along at a pretty steady pace that kept me glued to the pages.
I was captivated from the beginning, drawn into the Light as it were. Light’s life hasn’t been easy and continues in a downward spiral, especially now that his love, Kathy, is near the end of life. As an immortal, Light is forced to watch Kathy slowly deteriorate to the depths of the dementia. For those who’ve watched a loved one go down that road I know it’s long, painful, sad, and ugly. I watched my grandmother battle Alzheimer’s disease for five year before succumbing to the dreadful ailment. It’s not pretty, it’s not without pain (on the part of the patient and the caregivers/family), and it rips a part of your soul away that you’ll never get back. The part taken from me is among her buried cremated ashes. Eventually, Kathy will take that turn and Light will be left to roam with earth without her physically. He will get to take with him the memories of the love they shared and the life they built together.
Some of the language (not swearing or anything inappropriate but dialect, words used, etc.) was unfamiliar to me. The author used words and phrases that are clearly European, which makes sense since the setting is London, but it was distracting to me because I didn't know what they meant. Some I could figure out, others I had to look up - hey, I learned something new pretty much throughout the entire book.
If you are looking for a different sort of vampire book, grab a copy of Blood Dragons.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.
His character is complex, as is the plot. The world building is spectacular. Light’s storytelling is romantic and full of different emotional tales of his life - some to remind Kathy of him and their time together, others a confessional of sorts. As Light relays his stories we are provided vivid descriptions of each time period and the characters and life he lived within each. The book moved along at a pretty steady pace that kept me glued to the pages.
I was captivated from the beginning, drawn into the Light as it were. Light’s life hasn’t been easy and continues in a downward spiral, especially now that his love, Kathy, is near the end of life. As an immortal, Light is forced to watch Kathy slowly deteriorate to the depths of the dementia. For those who’ve watched a loved one go down that road I know it’s long, painful, sad, and ugly. I watched my grandmother battle Alzheimer’s disease for five year before succumbing to the dreadful ailment. It’s not pretty, it’s not without pain (on the part of the patient and the caregivers/family), and it rips a part of your soul away that you’ll never get back. The part taken from me is among her buried cremated ashes. Eventually, Kathy will take that turn and Light will be left to roam with earth without her physically. He will get to take with him the memories of the love they shared and the life they built together.
Some of the language (not swearing or anything inappropriate but dialect, words used, etc.) was unfamiliar to me. The author used words and phrases that are clearly European, which makes sense since the setting is London, but it was distracting to me because I didn't know what they meant. Some I could figure out, others I had to look up - hey, I learned something new pretty much throughout the entire book.
If you are looking for a different sort of vampire book, grab a copy of Blood Dragons.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.
August 14, 2016
There are three people in this affair – and two of them aren’t human…
From The Book Junkie Reads . . . Blood Dragons (Rebel Vampires, #1) . . .
Dragons. . . need I say more. I love dragons. Vampires. . . I love them too. Could I possibly go wrong with reading about dragons and vampires? Well I guess it all depends on how you view it. Things are not always the way they are presented at first light. I was wanting and expecting one thing from the title. I got most of what I wanted and very little of what I was expecting.
Light, Ruby, and Kathy all have their own lives to live until fate or fortune brings them all to the crossing point of each other. As one woman made him, used him and then discarded him. The other woman captivated him and urged him to question life around him. Light has something that was forbidden to him in his hands. Then a secret falls upon him and creates doubts of his existence. Through it all he has this love for two women both in a different way. Till one has nearly reached the end of life and he wants to give that gift of memories. Light recounts events that captures the lives around the three (Light, Ruby, and Kathy).
Most certainly an adult themed book and not for having voracious sexual or sensual encounters. Mainly because it spoke to you on a deeper level. It gives another viewpoint of vampires and the origin and existence. The characters were rich with depth. The lore alluring. The schemes entrancing. Minor romantic theme but now overwhelming. There are aspects of romance but not for a diehard lover of romance. This romance was on a different realm. I found the romance or love story to be tragic in events and lacking in all that it encompassed.
I believe this series has gotten off to a good start and may have many future followers. The richness of what was offered behind the lore, the affair, the secrets, the lies, and the hidden world leaves more to be explored and the need for another novel.
**This ARC was provided via Bewitching Book Tours in exchange for an honest review.**
From The Book Junkie Reads . . . Blood Dragons (Rebel Vampires, #1) . . .
Dragons. . . need I say more. I love dragons. Vampires. . . I love them too. Could I possibly go wrong with reading about dragons and vampires? Well I guess it all depends on how you view it. Things are not always the way they are presented at first light. I was wanting and expecting one thing from the title. I got most of what I wanted and very little of what I was expecting.
Light, Ruby, and Kathy all have their own lives to live until fate or fortune brings them all to the crossing point of each other. As one woman made him, used him and then discarded him. The other woman captivated him and urged him to question life around him. Light has something that was forbidden to him in his hands. Then a secret falls upon him and creates doubts of his existence. Through it all he has this love for two women both in a different way. Till one has nearly reached the end of life and he wants to give that gift of memories. Light recounts events that captures the lives around the three (Light, Ruby, and Kathy).
Most certainly an adult themed book and not for having voracious sexual or sensual encounters. Mainly because it spoke to you on a deeper level. It gives another viewpoint of vampires and the origin and existence. The characters were rich with depth. The lore alluring. The schemes entrancing. Minor romantic theme but now overwhelming. There are aspects of romance but not for a diehard lover of romance. This romance was on a different realm. I found the romance or love story to be tragic in events and lacking in all that it encompassed.
I believe this series has gotten off to a good start and may have many future followers. The richness of what was offered behind the lore, the affair, the secrets, the lies, and the hidden world leaves more to be explored and the need for another novel.
**This ARC was provided via Bewitching Book Tours in exchange for an honest review.**
November 3, 2016
This is the best vampire book I have ever read! The central character [called Light] although obviously a vampire, has humour, charm, style and if not a hero exactly , does the right thing when it matters.he was 'turned' in Victorian England, by his author Ruby, herself from Elizabethan England, and the book allows flashbacks to the 19th century as well as being mainly set in the 1960's in London, where the world of the swinging sixties is well under way [even vampires are getting in on the act of recording studios]. Light meets and falls for Kathy, a human, who has come down from Yorkshire to try and make it as a singer in London, and Kathy becomes the love of his life[and her life being human, doesn't last past old age] the aging theme is actually dealt with here, and sensitively and beautifully dealt with as well.This book, although fantasy, is also part thriller, and you get sucked into it as if it's all happening and you are part of it.It's dark , edgy, and a page turner.Books with a paranormal theme aren't always well written, but this one really is.I ordered the next in the series and have devoured it in four days, so will review that one next. it's called Blood Shackles.
August 15, 2016
I really enjoyed the format of the book being mainly in the past with Light telling the story of his life and then having interludes on the present to being it all together. It took me a bit to get use to Lights slang, however once you catch on to it is makes the reading a bit more fun and enjoyable.
Life as a Blood Lifer has never been an easy road for Light as he doesn't just fall into line and do as he is told, he likes to rebel at times and does not like to be told what to do. In Blood Dragons you see how conflicted his life becomes when he meets Kathy who doesn't want a bar of him and Ruby who is his maker and whom he loves changes to someone he doesn't know anymore. Light must not only decide what to do about Kathy and Ruby but also about the dark secret he has found and not everyone may make it out alive. There is a lot to take in while reading this book but it never feels rushed and you can really picture what you are reading.
I look forward to reading the next book in the series!
Assassins reading reviewing group
Life as a Blood Lifer has never been an easy road for Light as he doesn't just fall into line and do as he is told, he likes to rebel at times and does not like to be told what to do. In Blood Dragons you see how conflicted his life becomes when he meets Kathy who doesn't want a bar of him and Ruby who is his maker and whom he loves changes to someone he doesn't know anymore. Light must not only decide what to do about Kathy and Ruby but also about the dark secret he has found and not everyone may make it out alive. There is a lot to take in while reading this book but it never feels rushed and you can really picture what you are reading.
I look forward to reading the next book in the series!
Assassins reading reviewing group
August 18, 2016
Rebel Vampires 1: Blood Dragons by Rosemary A. Johns is the memoir of Light, a good guy turned bad-boy vampire. Light tells his story, Notebook-style, to the love of his life, failing in health, he reveals all of the skeletons in his closet in hopes to reach her one last time. Light has known the best and worst of civilization and for many a millennia felt much more comfortable creating chaos and terror with his maker until she decides it’s time to return to the vampire family she left behind. Feeling scorned and rejected, Light finds his way back his own humanity and sets to make things right and falls in love in the process.
This was an interesting story, told from the male protagonist perspective, Light is very English and speaks with strong colloquialisms, which made the story that much more interesting to read. Written as a biography to his love, to explain his back-story in measures to reach her, just one last time. Despite what Light has done during his fevered years, you can’t help but root for him to have a win.
This was an interesting story, told from the male protagonist perspective, Light is very English and speaks with strong colloquialisms, which made the story that much more interesting to read. Written as a biography to his love, to explain his back-story in measures to reach her, just one last time. Despite what Light has done during his fevered years, you can’t help but root for him to have a win.
January 4, 2017
This is an autobiography of the life of a Blood Lifer (aka Vampire). Light (fka Thomas) decided to write his story. At the same time, he's telling his dying human mate everything that he never told her in an attempt to bring her mind back so she'll remember him.
What I loved: The story it self was great and I loved the idea of it all. The characters were well written and had their own personalities.
What I hated: English Slang! Like slang from England. OMG! It was really bad in the beginning of the book. I couldn't understand most of the sentences. I had to fumble through it and reread it several times to understand what the author was trying to say. The book could have really used a glossary for all of the terms. Then, when I finally figured out what a word meant, she'd use a different word.
BUT after all that, a VERY fascinating story.
What I loved: The story it self was great and I loved the idea of it all. The characters were well written and had their own personalities.
What I hated: English Slang! Like slang from England. OMG! It was really bad in the beginning of the book. I couldn't understand most of the sentences. I had to fumble through it and reread it several times to understand what the author was trying to say. The book could have really used a glossary for all of the terms. Then, when I finally figured out what a word meant, she'd use a different word.
BUT after all that, a VERY fascinating story.
February 6, 2017
5 STARS From Underground Book Reviews!
A unique book told from the point of view of a vampire addressing his dying wife, whilst looking back on the drama they’ve left behind. Quirky, amusing, frightening and dark, Rebel Vampires, Volume One offers a brilliant story, with plenty of twists and turns, romance and gore. For anyone who already enjoys vampire or supernatural horror style stories or for anyone who is just looking for something a bit different, a bit edgy, something that will amuse you, frighten you and take you on one hell of a journey into love, death, humanity, and monsters, then I highly recommend this book
...read the complete review at UndergroundBookReviews.org !
A unique book told from the point of view of a vampire addressing his dying wife, whilst looking back on the drama they’ve left behind. Quirky, amusing, frightening and dark, Rebel Vampires, Volume One offers a brilliant story, with plenty of twists and turns, romance and gore. For anyone who already enjoys vampire or supernatural horror style stories or for anyone who is just looking for something a bit different, a bit edgy, something that will amuse you, frighten you and take you on one hell of a journey into love, death, humanity, and monsters, then I highly recommend this book
...read the complete review at UndergroundBookReviews.org !
November 2, 2016
A brilliant start to a unique paranormal romance series. It's rare to read a book like this that stretches across a range of genres and works. Here we have action, drama, thriller, romance all in one book, all brought together with some exceptional page turning writing and darkly witty humour. There is a review below that comments on the overambundence of old English colloquialisms - well bollocks to them - I love Light's internal dialogue and who doesn't love the word "wankery?" Sink your fangs into this one, R A Johns has a bright future.
August 14, 2016
As a fan of paranormal romance, I found this book is a very unique. This love affair of the hero caring for his elderly love will have fans’ hearts pulling hard. I mean ugly crying.
I enjoyed all the characters, which had great development. I found this tale to be more of an adult read with a very strong tragedy theme. Fans will appreciate a good twist on vampire knowledge. Love the outstanding imagination on the vampire myth, looking forward to the next book.
I enjoyed all the characters, which had great development. I found this tale to be more of an adult read with a very strong tragedy theme. Fans will appreciate a good twist on vampire knowledge. Love the outstanding imagination on the vampire myth, looking forward to the next book.
October 9, 2016
Not your typical mushy love story.
This is a story about the struggle of a soul... and it really delivers!
The main character deliciously flawed and it made him all the more relatable. I also enjoyed the frailties of the love interest - despite her unwavering strength.
Absolutely fantastic writing!
Definitely recommend.
This is a story about the struggle of a soul... and it really delivers!
The main character deliciously flawed and it made him all the more relatable. I also enjoyed the frailties of the love interest - despite her unwavering strength.
Absolutely fantastic writing!
Definitely recommend.
February 7, 2017
A unique book told from the point of view of a vampire addressing his dying wife, whilst looking back on the drama they’ve left behind. Quirky, amusing, frightening and dark, Rebel Vampires, Volume One offers a brilliant story, with plenty of twists and turns, romance and gore.
Read the rest of this review and many others at UndergroundBookReviews.org
Read the rest of this review and many others at UndergroundBookReviews.org
March 17, 2018
This read was good, the style was flawless and greatly descriptive.
This book is written as a story is told to the other person from perspective of Light - main character. It's told to Katy - his love, who doesn't remember their story (we don't know what had happened to her).
Interesting form of telling the story, but I'm more into dairy or normal way of telling.
This book is written as a story is told to the other person from perspective of Light - main character. It's told to Katy - his love, who doesn't remember their story (we don't know what had happened to her).
Interesting form of telling the story, but I'm more into dairy or normal way of telling.
January 19, 2017
Dark and tragic love story told from the point of view of a 200 year old vampire. A lot of beautiful philosophies about life and death and what really matters. The Brit slang can be exhausting (mush/mouth, peepers/eyes, nut/head) but I got used to it eventually.
July 4, 2017
This book was so different from other books in the vampire genre and it was refreshing! Its written entirely in Lights point of view and it reads like a journal so you get much more of his inner thoughts and character. I can't wait to see where the story takes him in book 2!
February 7, 2017
I was tired of vampire stories, until I read this one. Written as a monologue to the vampire's dying lover, Blood Dragons recounts the story of a vampire's journey in a refreshingly original voice.
May 27, 2017
I’m not a fan of vampire novels. Twilight created an influx of vampire stories and, while each is special in its own way, I’ve grown tired of blood-suckers. This book is completely different. It stands next to Anne Rice, all-time writer of vampire fiction, and holds its own.
The story is written as a letter to the woman he loves, talking about the present and the past. After decades together, Light has watched the all-too-human love of his life wither and grow old. Her dementia adds a devastating aspect to the story, but is far from the only soul wrenching part of the book.
A large portion of the story is dedicated to his life with his Author, in other words maker, Ruby, the red-haired devil. She introduces him to Blood Life when he is on the way out from his First Life. Immediately drawn in by the connection of creator and creation, he cannot separate himself from her and they spend over a hundred years together, wreaking havoc and killing indiscriminately. It isn’t until the late 1960’s that he sees another side to Ruby. She is controlling and punishing, then she forces him to live with their “family”, brothers from the same vampire lineage. This change alters everything about their lives. No longer is she his angel and savior; she becomes the one who holds him back.
In walks the incredible Kathy. From the get-go she is a strong, hard-headed character who is easy to love. She’s a perfect counterpoint to Light, our hero who continually comments on his lack of hero status, all the while performing acts that require bravery. By the time the story begins, he is a man looking to live a life in harmony with humans, not as a selfish vampire who believes he is worthy of worship. I fell in love with him right away. He’s entertaining and brutally honest. His insight into human nature is astounding and forced me to open my eyes and honestly look at our ideas and behaviors. Overall, the book is a tremendous observation of humanity. This is why Kathy is so important to Light. She stands for all that is good with humans: honesty, loyalty, independence, strength, and the basic need for love. She accepts and loves Light for all that he is, even though he has committed atrocious acts. That is why they were able to make a happy life together, even though she grew old while he remained eternally young.
The story has a vocabulary all its own. The novel originates from the UK and has a thick accent, but the unique vernacular creates a fantastic setting that is unlike anything else I have ever read. It took a few chapters to fall into the groove, but before I knew it I was reading it with the accent flowing smoothly in my imagination. For the majority, I do not care for stories that fluctuate constantly in time, but this book handled it flawlessly. At times I could not wait to return to the era that I had just been diving into, but it was so fast-paced that I was back to the 1960’s before I knew it, a hundred years passing in less than half an hour. This is the first story in a very long time that strikes me as perfect. At no point did I find myself floundering or distracted.
For the rating:
Genre and general reading age – Fantasy for adults and possibly older teens.
Level of sexuality – There are references to it, in some new and exciting verbage, but it is light and the deed is never spoken of in detail.
Is there graphic language? Not that I noticed.
Did I cry? I didn’t, but there were many moments that made my heart hurt.
Did I laugh? Not really, but Light is extremely entertaining and a joy to read.
Is this part of a series? Yes, it is book one of the Rebel Vampire Series.
Level of character development – The characters are amazingly well-written. It is easy to fall into the arms of Light with his open and endearing storytelling. Ruby is an evil being that you love to hate. Kathy is the heart-warming bridge to the human world for Light. Even the other vampires are so well-done that they are easily envisioned and each forms a tight emotional tie to the reader.
This is one of the finest vampire novels I have ever read. The pages flew by and I cannot wait until I can delve into book two. I suggest this to readers of all genres; this is not just a vampire tale. This is a real look at human nature and the first-person view of a man’s honest introspection into his life as a vampire and his desire to be part of the human world. I am thrilled to give this book ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ shiny stars.
The story is written as a letter to the woman he loves, talking about the present and the past. After decades together, Light has watched the all-too-human love of his life wither and grow old. Her dementia adds a devastating aspect to the story, but is far from the only soul wrenching part of the book.
A large portion of the story is dedicated to his life with his Author, in other words maker, Ruby, the red-haired devil. She introduces him to Blood Life when he is on the way out from his First Life. Immediately drawn in by the connection of creator and creation, he cannot separate himself from her and they spend over a hundred years together, wreaking havoc and killing indiscriminately. It isn’t until the late 1960’s that he sees another side to Ruby. She is controlling and punishing, then she forces him to live with their “family”, brothers from the same vampire lineage. This change alters everything about their lives. No longer is she his angel and savior; she becomes the one who holds him back.
In walks the incredible Kathy. From the get-go she is a strong, hard-headed character who is easy to love. She’s a perfect counterpoint to Light, our hero who continually comments on his lack of hero status, all the while performing acts that require bravery. By the time the story begins, he is a man looking to live a life in harmony with humans, not as a selfish vampire who believes he is worthy of worship. I fell in love with him right away. He’s entertaining and brutally honest. His insight into human nature is astounding and forced me to open my eyes and honestly look at our ideas and behaviors. Overall, the book is a tremendous observation of humanity. This is why Kathy is so important to Light. She stands for all that is good with humans: honesty, loyalty, independence, strength, and the basic need for love. She accepts and loves Light for all that he is, even though he has committed atrocious acts. That is why they were able to make a happy life together, even though she grew old while he remained eternally young.
The story has a vocabulary all its own. The novel originates from the UK and has a thick accent, but the unique vernacular creates a fantastic setting that is unlike anything else I have ever read. It took a few chapters to fall into the groove, but before I knew it I was reading it with the accent flowing smoothly in my imagination. For the majority, I do not care for stories that fluctuate constantly in time, but this book handled it flawlessly. At times I could not wait to return to the era that I had just been diving into, but it was so fast-paced that I was back to the 1960’s before I knew it, a hundred years passing in less than half an hour. This is the first story in a very long time that strikes me as perfect. At no point did I find myself floundering or distracted.
For the rating:
Genre and general reading age – Fantasy for adults and possibly older teens.
Level of sexuality – There are references to it, in some new and exciting verbage, but it is light and the deed is never spoken of in detail.
Is there graphic language? Not that I noticed.
Did I cry? I didn’t, but there were many moments that made my heart hurt.
Did I laugh? Not really, but Light is extremely entertaining and a joy to read.
Is this part of a series? Yes, it is book one of the Rebel Vampire Series.
Level of character development – The characters are amazingly well-written. It is easy to fall into the arms of Light with his open and endearing storytelling. Ruby is an evil being that you love to hate. Kathy is the heart-warming bridge to the human world for Light. Even the other vampires are so well-done that they are easily envisioned and each forms a tight emotional tie to the reader.
This is one of the finest vampire novels I have ever read. The pages flew by and I cannot wait until I can delve into book two. I suggest this to readers of all genres; this is not just a vampire tale. This is a real look at human nature and the first-person view of a man’s honest introspection into his life as a vampire and his desire to be part of the human world. I am thrilled to give this book ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ shiny stars.
August 30, 2017
I've read it and reviewed for the Scaffolding Magazine, Issue #1. Here's what I had to say:
"Blood Dragons is one of those books that keeps revealing itself even after you finish reading it. And it is the kind of a book you are likely to pick up for the second time, finding new dimensions and contexts. This is an empowering book, although it talks about slavery. This is a book about a true love, although a lot of it is unfolding at the backdrop of betrayal.
Light is a vampire from London who fell in love with the 1960s, filled with music and rebellious spirit. He also fell in love with a human girl Kathy. His vampire mistress and Author Ruby did not take to this news lightly.
On the surface, it is a book about vampires with a few novel twists to the genre. Upon closer inspection, it is a book that stands behind causes, that advocates inclusion, that denounces walls and barriers.
It is also a book with a formidable literary ambition. Rosemary A. Johns constructed a consistent language pattern for each character in order to grant them unmistakable voice.
Rebel to the core, Rosemary trailblazes through the stigma of mental illness and disability in some of the most authentic ways we've ever seen. When she talks about dementia, she does not soft-sell it. Mental illness of this kind has no mercy. It is another form of slavery, that creates a prison inside your own body.
When Rosemary writes about autism, she creates not a disability narrative, but a narrative of heroic accomplishments.
Through the character of Light, Rosemary breaks the silence of male sexual victimization, giving the character space and dignity - almost as if this character is a real victim.
Why after all of this does Light still care about the human species, so different and so alien to him? A species that could be only described as commodities? He doesn't know it yet, but he is convinced that all the myths about humans being inferior, being a dead-end of evolution, are bollocks; much like all the vampire myths constructed by the humans.
If so much of what we hold true is simply a myth, what does it tell about us and our reality?
Light clings to reality through abstaining from killing and the hunger that comes with this decision; through a 'blinding leather coat' that is worth risking a life for; through a fragile and oh-so-strong in her own way human Kathy, who has the chops for blood life times over, but chooses not to be elected, because once liberated in a human life, liberation of blood life holds little promise.
In conclusion, Blood Dragons is an interesting spin on the vampire genre, with some timely inclusive themes. It is highly recommended, especially for fans of literary fiction."
"Blood Dragons is one of those books that keeps revealing itself even after you finish reading it. And it is the kind of a book you are likely to pick up for the second time, finding new dimensions and contexts. This is an empowering book, although it talks about slavery. This is a book about a true love, although a lot of it is unfolding at the backdrop of betrayal.
Light is a vampire from London who fell in love with the 1960s, filled with music and rebellious spirit. He also fell in love with a human girl Kathy. His vampire mistress and Author Ruby did not take to this news lightly.
On the surface, it is a book about vampires with a few novel twists to the genre. Upon closer inspection, it is a book that stands behind causes, that advocates inclusion, that denounces walls and barriers.
It is also a book with a formidable literary ambition. Rosemary A. Johns constructed a consistent language pattern for each character in order to grant them unmistakable voice.
Rebel to the core, Rosemary trailblazes through the stigma of mental illness and disability in some of the most authentic ways we've ever seen. When she talks about dementia, she does not soft-sell it. Mental illness of this kind has no mercy. It is another form of slavery, that creates a prison inside your own body.
When Rosemary writes about autism, she creates not a disability narrative, but a narrative of heroic accomplishments.
Through the character of Light, Rosemary breaks the silence of male sexual victimization, giving the character space and dignity - almost as if this character is a real victim.
Why after all of this does Light still care about the human species, so different and so alien to him? A species that could be only described as commodities? He doesn't know it yet, but he is convinced that all the myths about humans being inferior, being a dead-end of evolution, are bollocks; much like all the vampire myths constructed by the humans.
If so much of what we hold true is simply a myth, what does it tell about us and our reality?
Light clings to reality through abstaining from killing and the hunger that comes with this decision; through a 'blinding leather coat' that is worth risking a life for; through a fragile and oh-so-strong in her own way human Kathy, who has the chops for blood life times over, but chooses not to be elected, because once liberated in a human life, liberation of blood life holds little promise.
In conclusion, Blood Dragons is an interesting spin on the vampire genre, with some timely inclusive themes. It is highly recommended, especially for fans of literary fiction."
June 18, 2017
What a different take on a vampire story. Not really a romance or the usual telling of a story or a back story, its more like a journal or memoir. The book is actually Light trying to reach Kathy by sharing with her the past she has forgotten. Between that and the very British slang everywhere, I found it to be an odd/different way to write a book but the story works. It is told this way because the story opens up with Light caring for dementia ridden Kathy. I found it interesting the way Johns distinguishes between First life and Blood life. Also liked how rebel Life ends up being a hero in spite of himself. Plus you have the required crazy vampires and random others thrown in for fun. I loved how Light referred to Kathy's caregivers. That made me laugh hysterically every time. I received a copy of this book from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review.
July 9, 2019
This is the story of Light and his Kathy…his true love that saved him from the darkness. The book starts out with her suffering from dementia. Light is still true to their once-in-a-lifetime love no matter the consequences. He writes to her their story! He writes about before he met her and his time with Ruby. He writes about the love and passion she invokes from him. He writes about what affects her in her last days…his hopes, his dreams, and most of all how he will fight to stay true to her. The book evokes many emotions from the reader. Ms. Johns once again displays her in-depth writing through Light’s POV. Her writing resembles that of Anne Rice’s Lestat series. He is a very profound observer of life, that has lived in darkness and light. He loves and feels deeply…yet he conforms to nobody’s desires except his true love’s. It is a delightful and insightful character analogy that will leave you expressing many emotions. You will want to start reading this book right away to lose yourself into Light’s world!
July 2, 2017
I had never read this author before so was very interested in how she would write about vampires in a different way. At first I found her style of writing difficult to read but I persevered and I am so glad that I did. The story of light the vampire is seen through his eyes and his story about his maker, his vampire family and his first love who is not a vampire and known as a first blood called Kathy. The author is very descriptive which helps set the scene and shows the relationship between each character well. The story is mainly a tragic love story with his first love who he only realises after his violent and demanding relationship with his maker ruby. His relationship with ruby his maker he believes is love but soon realises that she is using him and controlling him. When he moves on from this relationship you see a very different side of light and he begins to rebel against what he knows about vampires and explodes the myths, this is when you see the lighter side of light and his relationship with Kathy grows and they have a positive and caring and each share what each other is with no fears. It is a tragic love story written by light and the author does an excellent job of writing it from his perspective and even though he has done some awful things you still Feel for him at the end. Would recommend this book as it shows another side of the vampire
April 2, 2017
Blood Dragons is different than every vampire story you have ever read. It is fresh and new and Amazingly written. Light's journey is filled with ups and downs, twists and turns, love and hate. He is so tragically flawed that you can totally relate to him in one way or another. I am excited to read Book 2. Rosemary Johns is definitely a one click Author to me!!!
June 15, 2017
Different kind of vampire book to be sure. But I couldn't put it down.
Light is a Blood Lifer. He has two loves. Ruby his maker and Kathy his first lifer love. I recommend this if you're tired of the other vampire stories.
Light is a Blood Lifer. He has two loves. Ruby his maker and Kathy his first lifer love. I recommend this if you're tired of the other vampire stories.
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