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The Last Hellfighter
Ben Harker, Harlem native. WWI veteran. Vampire slayer.
In the year 2044, reporters from the Public Relations Ministry gather at the home of Benjamin Harker, the last surviving member of the Harlem Hellfighters. At the age of 144, he is the oldest recorded man alive.
Hidden among them, Clyde Bruner is looking for a different kind of story. Across the United States, despite the Great Walls and patrol drones built to keep America secure, something has found its way in. And now towns are vanishing during the night. Entire populations, gone. Only to return after the sun sets, changed, unholy, and lethal. And whatever this evil is, its spreading west.
According to a bedtime story Bruner’s grandfather told him when he was a boy, Benjamin Harker has seen this before. He’s faced this scourge. Fought this evil. Survived them. Killed them. From the trenches of the Great War to the jungles of Vietnam to the sands of Iraq, Harker will search his past to save our future.
But as each city light extinguishes across the country, is there no time left to stop what’s coming?
In the year 2044, reporters from the Public Relations Ministry gather at the home of Benjamin Harker, the last surviving member of the Harlem Hellfighters. At the age of 144, he is the oldest recorded man alive.
Hidden among them, Clyde Bruner is looking for a different kind of story. Across the United States, despite the Great Walls and patrol drones built to keep America secure, something has found its way in. And now towns are vanishing during the night. Entire populations, gone. Only to return after the sun sets, changed, unholy, and lethal. And whatever this evil is, its spreading west.
According to a bedtime story Bruner’s grandfather told him when he was a boy, Benjamin Harker has seen this before. He’s faced this scourge. Fought this evil. Survived them. Killed them. From the trenches of the Great War to the jungles of Vietnam to the sands of Iraq, Harker will search his past to save our future.
But as each city light extinguishes across the country, is there no time left to stop what’s coming?
399 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 10, 2018
104 people are currently reading
93 people want to read
About the author
Thomas S. Flowers
34 books122 followersThomas S. Flowers is an Operation Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom Army veteran who loves scary movies, BBQ, and coffee. Ever since reading Remarque’s "All Quiet on the Western Front" and Stephen King’s "Salem’s Lot" he has inspired to write deeply disturbing things that relate to war and horror, from the paranormal to his gory zombie infested PLANET of the DEAD series, to even his recent dabbling of vampiric flirtation in The Last Hellfighter readers can expect to find complex characters, rich historical settings, and mind-altering horror. Thomas is also the senior editor at Machine Mean, a horror movie and book review site that hosts contributors in the horror and science fiction genre.
PLANET of the DEAD and The Last Hellfighter are best-sellers on Amazon's Top 100 lists for Apocalyptic Fiction and African American Horror.
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You can follow Thomas and get yourself a FREE eBook copy of FEAST by joining his newsletter. Sign up by vising his website at www.ThomasSFlowers.com.
PLANET of the DEAD and The Last Hellfighter are best-sellers on Amazon's Top 100 lists for Apocalyptic Fiction and African American Horror.
__________________________________
You can follow Thomas and get yourself a FREE eBook copy of FEAST by joining his newsletter. Sign up by vising his website at www.ThomasSFlowers.com.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
August 2, 2018
Review: THE LAST HELLFIGHTER by Thomas S. Flowers
THE LAST HELLFIGHTER is an extraordinarily enthralling novel which weaves from contemporaneous society into the future and back to the early 20th century American culture and the Great War, and points in between. Commencing with a blow-me-out-of-the-water reader's hook, set in the Port of Jerusalem, Maine (a beginning that rendered me speechless), THE LAST HELLFIGHTER wings us forward to the ugly and dismaying political climate of 2044 in the United States. The central figure is Benjamin Harker, native of Harlem, black WWI soldier, later Oklahoma homesteader--and vampire-fighter. I love this character (and James Reese Europe, jazz musician and WWI Lieutenant). I love and admire them, for their character, integrity, and truth is what I've always aspired to.
Author Flowers loves history as do I, and always brings it to us, alive and very present. I found a lot here astonishing (and terribly sad), but I've come away with improved understanding, knowledge, and empathy. I now have a new set of favorite fictional characters, and a new best-loved book.
THE LAST HELLFIGHTER is an extraordinarily enthralling novel which weaves from contemporaneous society into the future and back to the early 20th century American culture and the Great War, and points in between. Commencing with a blow-me-out-of-the-water reader's hook, set in the Port of Jerusalem, Maine (a beginning that rendered me speechless), THE LAST HELLFIGHTER wings us forward to the ugly and dismaying political climate of 2044 in the United States. The central figure is Benjamin Harker, native of Harlem, black WWI soldier, later Oklahoma homesteader--and vampire-fighter. I love this character (and James Reese Europe, jazz musician and WWI Lieutenant). I love and admire them, for their character, integrity, and truth is what I've always aspired to.
Author Flowers loves history as do I, and always brings it to us, alive and very present. I found a lot here astonishing (and terribly sad), but I've come away with improved understanding, knowledge, and empathy. I now have a new set of favorite fictional characters, and a new best-loved book.
January 2, 2019
It takes a lot to get a vampire novel up to five stars these days. They've been done so many different ways so many times. So it's a lot for me to say that I love this one. And I do.
The author manages to make this an homage to the original Dracula while making this both unique and epic. And it is epic storytelling, taking us around the world, into both war zones and blood zones. I was enthralled!
At times I wanted to weep for our characters. Other times, I wanted to join them in some righteous retribution.
An excellent read!
*Downloaded via KU
The author manages to make this an homage to the original Dracula while making this both unique and epic. And it is epic storytelling, taking us around the world, into both war zones and blood zones. I was enthralled!
At times I wanted to weep for our characters. Other times, I wanted to join them in some righteous retribution.
An excellent read!
*Downloaded via KU
November 20, 2018
This was an enjoyable read. It's a unique take on Vampires and the Harker lore, which I thoroughly enjoyed!!
The plot centers on Ben Harker, a man who has lived a very long time,.....144yrs to be exact, seen a lot and done even more. He is telling his story to a reporter and the story goes back and forth from present day to past. He has lived through many wars, both with man and beast and has a lot to tell the young reporter, some of which is hard to believe, but as the tale unfolds, we start to see that Ben has been trying to kill one Vampire for a long time. Time is coming to an end for Ben, will he finish his lifes work before it's too late.
For the most part, there's a lot to love about this, but for me, what brought it down was that there was a lot of filler. I know everything was necessary to tell the story, but there seemed to be an awful lot of detail and not a lot of action. I became bored half way through and was tempted to skip to the end, but I didn't, and in a weird way I'm glad I didn't. While it was long, it was also unique and I was invested enough to find out what happened.
Ben was a good character. He has so much information and memories in his head, and I loved finding them out along with the reporter. I also loved how the author made Ben pick out certain music to trigger his memories, it worked really well.
Rick Gregory read this well. He was clear and easy to follow and had a good array of tones and voices.
I was given this audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review. This in no way affected nor influenced my thoughts.
The plot centers on Ben Harker, a man who has lived a very long time,.....144yrs to be exact, seen a lot and done even more. He is telling his story to a reporter and the story goes back and forth from present day to past. He has lived through many wars, both with man and beast and has a lot to tell the young reporter, some of which is hard to believe, but as the tale unfolds, we start to see that Ben has been trying to kill one Vampire for a long time. Time is coming to an end for Ben, will he finish his lifes work before it's too late.
For the most part, there's a lot to love about this, but for me, what brought it down was that there was a lot of filler. I know everything was necessary to tell the story, but there seemed to be an awful lot of detail and not a lot of action. I became bored half way through and was tempted to skip to the end, but I didn't, and in a weird way I'm glad I didn't. While it was long, it was also unique and I was invested enough to find out what happened.
Ben was a good character. He has so much information and memories in his head, and I loved finding them out along with the reporter. I also loved how the author made Ben pick out certain music to trigger his memories, it worked really well.
Rick Gregory read this well. He was clear and easy to follow and had a good array of tones and voices.
I was given this audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review. This in no way affected nor influenced my thoughts.
September 11, 2018
Let's go ahead and add this book as yet another contender for Best Book of the Year.
Genre - Horror/Vampire/History
Year Published - 2018
Published by Darker Worlds Publishing
Length - 394 pages
Written by +Thomas S Flowers
Plot Summary:
In the year 2044, reporters from the Public Relations Ministry gather at the home of Benjamin Harker, the last surviving member of the Harlem Hellfighters.
At the age of 144, he is the oldest recorded man alive. Hidden among them, Clyde Bruner is looking for a different kind of story.
Across the United States, despite the Great Walls and patrol drones built to keep America secure, something has found its way in. And now towns are vanishing during the night.
Entire populations, gone. Only to return after the sun sets, changed, unholy, and lethal. And whatever this evil is, its spreading west.
According to a bedtime story Bruner’s grandfather told him when he was a boy, Benjamin Harker has seen this before. He’s faced this scourge. Fought this evil. Survived them. Killed them.
From the trenches of the Great War to the jungles of Vietnam to the sands of Iraq, Harker will search his past to save our future. But as each city light extinguishes across the country, is there no time left to stop what's coming?
Review:
Before I review the book, how about the cover? I love this cover - it gets my vote for best book cover of the year. Simple yet terrifying! (for the curious, the cover is by author +Michael Bray)
Thomas S. Flowers (author of Lanmó, The Incredible Zilch Von Whitstein, and Planet of the Dead) has created a riveting story reminiscent of my favorite book of 2016 - Brett McBean's The Awakening. (Reminiscent as to the style of storytelling)
Rich in character development, this is a character-driven story. Being completely honest, I will say that the "horror" within the story is minimal, but when it is there, it is pulse-pounding! (If the Intro to the story doesn't rivet you to the edge of your seat, I don't know what will.)
I thoroughly enjoyed how Flowers takes us back and forth in time, through the memories of the main character, Benjamin Harker. They are kick-started with music from the era that he is remembering. (Brilliant)
Another unique aspect that Flowers has come up with (aside from the surprising revelation of King Tutankhamen) is that his nosferatu/vampires feed off of the mass bloodshed of war. (a very interesting concept)
Flowers has written a truly immersive story that puts you directly into the setting and into the shoes of the characters. Superbly done!
Genre - Horror/Vampire/History
Year Published - 2018
Published by Darker Worlds Publishing
Length - 394 pages
Written by +Thomas S Flowers
Plot Summary:
In the year 2044, reporters from the Public Relations Ministry gather at the home of Benjamin Harker, the last surviving member of the Harlem Hellfighters.
At the age of 144, he is the oldest recorded man alive. Hidden among them, Clyde Bruner is looking for a different kind of story.
Across the United States, despite the Great Walls and patrol drones built to keep America secure, something has found its way in. And now towns are vanishing during the night.
Entire populations, gone. Only to return after the sun sets, changed, unholy, and lethal. And whatever this evil is, its spreading west.
According to a bedtime story Bruner’s grandfather told him when he was a boy, Benjamin Harker has seen this before. He’s faced this scourge. Fought this evil. Survived them. Killed them.
From the trenches of the Great War to the jungles of Vietnam to the sands of Iraq, Harker will search his past to save our future. But as each city light extinguishes across the country, is there no time left to stop what's coming?
Review:
Before I review the book, how about the cover? I love this cover - it gets my vote for best book cover of the year. Simple yet terrifying! (for the curious, the cover is by author +Michael Bray)
Thomas S. Flowers (author of Lanmó, The Incredible Zilch Von Whitstein, and Planet of the Dead) has created a riveting story reminiscent of my favorite book of 2016 - Brett McBean's The Awakening. (Reminiscent as to the style of storytelling)
Rich in character development, this is a character-driven story. Being completely honest, I will say that the "horror" within the story is minimal, but when it is there, it is pulse-pounding! (If the Intro to the story doesn't rivet you to the edge of your seat, I don't know what will.)
I thoroughly enjoyed how Flowers takes us back and forth in time, through the memories of the main character, Benjamin Harker. They are kick-started with music from the era that he is remembering. (Brilliant)
Another unique aspect that Flowers has come up with (aside from the surprising revelation of King Tutankhamen) is that his nosferatu/vampires feed off of the mass bloodshed of war. (a very interesting concept)
Flowers has written a truly immersive story that puts you directly into the setting and into the shoes of the characters. Superbly done!
September 6, 2018
What an unique take on the Dracula legend with some great historical aspects to it. I also chuckled at the usage of two characters from Buffy the Vampire Slayer being thrown in the story. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys the vampire/horror genre.
November 28, 2018
I did not want to put this one down! When lackeys for the government arrive to interview the 144 year old man,they don't really want HIS story.They want a parise piece for the current president.A straggler wants the truth,about everything,from war to vampires.Sit down for a long rememberance! Rick Gregory was a great narrator! I was given this book by the narrator,author or publisher free for an honest review.
September 18, 2018
The year 2044, the place The United States Of America. There is no more so called fake news, there is only gossip and fear mongering. Any and all “real” news is strictly controlled and allowed out of one government approved source only. There is no more free press. There is no trust or protection from the government. The officials in this government are a bunch of scaredy cats and have locked themselves away in a highly secured mountain in the middle of no where. They offer the people nothing, no military protection, no valid or helpful information is disseminated about what is happening to small towns and its people in over half the country. They let the fear of the unknown rule the land. That fear grows everyday. And by night the Vampyre’s get stronger and stronger, destroying lives, towns and cities. The Vampyre’s are fearsome, the Head Vampyre is even worse. True evil personified.
I like the reworking of the traditional names in Bram Stokers “Dracula” and given to these new and amazingly brave and fascinating characters. There is a couple of fun “easter eggs” sprinkled through out this book, celebrating other past vampire stories, ie: a small port town in Maine called Jerusalem.
I am enjoying the true military history woven through out this book. 144 years of history, military battles, archeological finds, blood, death and life seen through the eyes of the main character Benjamin Harker is truly amazing and eye opening.
So funny every time I read “corncob pipe” the song for Frosty The Snowman plays in my head. It’s somewhat distracting, but very funny, LOL.
I like the reworking of the traditional names in Bram Stokers “Dracula” and given to these new and amazingly brave and fascinating characters. There is a couple of fun “easter eggs” sprinkled through out this book, celebrating other past vampire stories, ie: a small port town in Maine called Jerusalem.
I am enjoying the true military history woven through out this book. 144 years of history, military battles, archeological finds, blood, death and life seen through the eyes of the main character Benjamin Harker is truly amazing and eye opening.
So funny every time I read “corncob pipe” the song for Frosty The Snowman plays in my head. It’s somewhat distracting, but very funny, LOL.
September 11, 2018
Real vampires!
Oh Thomas Flowers, you have made my day! Such a fantastic book! Definitely reminiscent of the horror classics. This was a grand tale spanning decades told in cinematic fashion, full of humanity and character driven in the best way. And Vampires! Real Vampires, not slick ,romantic, drivel, but dirty, evil, blood sucking undead! Way to go sir!!!!!
Oh Thomas Flowers, you have made my day! Such a fantastic book! Definitely reminiscent of the horror classics. This was a grand tale spanning decades told in cinematic fashion, full of humanity and character driven in the best way. And Vampires! Real Vampires, not slick ,romantic, drivel, but dirty, evil, blood sucking undead! Way to go sir!!!!!
December 22, 2018
The Last Hellfighter is an excellent vampire that takes place in the year 2044. Benjamin Harker is now 144 years old, and the oldest man alive. He has been chasing after an ancient evil vampire queen for a very long time! This story is very different than any other vampire story I've read, it's not really gory either! Great story by Thomas Flowers and great narration by Rick Gregory!
December 26, 2018
Unique
Well written, moved at a good pace. I loved the uniqueness of this story, it gave me some thrilling chills. This is what you get, when you combine, Dean Koontz and Stephen King. Highly recommend!
Well written, moved at a good pace. I loved the uniqueness of this story, it gave me some thrilling chills. This is what you get, when you combine, Dean Koontz and Stephen King. Highly recommend!
December 15, 2018
Awesome book. A historical fiction with a splash of vampire lore. What’s not to love?
May 27, 2019
History and vampires, what could be better? This book was a pleasant surprise and those kind of surprises are pretty rare. There are always many plot questions that could be asked, but I think you have to suspend belief from the start so don't get hung up on some obvious holes. I enjoyed the lead character and his story was interesting and a bit scary at times. A fun read.
May 14, 2019
Loved it
What can i say i love my history with horror. To know a person hunting the vermin vampyre countess for 144 years is awesome. I won't spoil the book with a review so i give this 5 vampyre fangs out of 5
What can i say i love my history with horror. To know a person hunting the vermin vampyre countess for 144 years is awesome. I won't spoil the book with a review so i give this 5 vampyre fangs out of 5
January 21, 2019
Review
A good vampire story incorporated with touches history. I would recommend it if you like that genre and like war and history books
A good vampire story incorporated with touches history. I would recommend it if you like that genre and like war and history books
December 29, 2018
Familiar yet Horrifying!
From the beginning which was taken from Eddie Murphy's "A Vampire in Brooklyn" to the subtle hints of David Soul. ..this was a great read! Thoroughly loved the Black characters and the Jazz Age twist! Looking forward to future works.
From the beginning which was taken from Eddie Murphy's "A Vampire in Brooklyn" to the subtle hints of David Soul. ..this was a great read! Thoroughly loved the Black characters and the Jazz Age twist! Looking forward to future works.
January 6, 2019
3 solid stars. I was thinking at one point I might eventually get to a rating over 3.5 stars so I could think about rounding my rating up, but after a painfully inadequate ending, I think the 3-star rating is more than fair.
Don't get me wrong, this is not a bad book. Flowers has undertaken quite a task trying to cover not only 125+ years of African-American history but also all that America placed on their shoulders for far too long. However, in the end, he can't seem to make up his mind if its so much about the struggle of our fellow citizens or vampire lore or even one man's quest to end the scourge once and for all. It eventually becomes a jumble of different tangents where often we learn of someone's fate (oh, he was murder by the KKK on the way home, end of scene) just with snippets of information. To put it ironically: too abrupt. It's a shame this book wasn't broken down into sections a la David Wellington's fantastic '13 Bullets' and the rest of the Lara Caxton series, as what we got here was just far too rushed, superficial and ultimately failed to fully satisfy. It had the potential, yes, but...
The book is indeed strongest when we are following various phases - real life sections mind you, including locations, struggles and more - of Harker's life. His journey from Harlem to Charleston on his way to entering The War is by far the strongest portion of the book. This could have been expanded on and been very entertaining, noting that's coming from someone that generally does not like historical fiction. Mind you, at this point we haven't even met our first vampire yet, which in itself only heightened the drama for me. Unfortunately though, once battle scenes start arriving - including in France and Viet Nam and even much, much later in Iraq - they are presented with a flimsy staccato pacing and as mentioned before a lack of real completion. I just find it difficult to comprehend why we spent more time dealing with the Dust Bowl action sequences - which were good and scary for the time they lasted - than we do throughout at least 4 or more wars!
I am also disappointed that nothing of any original mythos was added to the overall lore of vampires. OK, ha ha, we all get the Helwing and Renfeld jokes, as well as I believe what someone said was a reference to the Buffy the Vampire Slayer tv show (never saw it, sorry) and ultimately the respect for Stoker's original tale. But here, the pacing rapidly gets out of hand (and the typographical errors begin to pile up, too, btw) and I just felt like we all should be trying to finish ASAP.
Seriously, I know that I have to zoom in on my Kindle in order to be able to SEE the pages but shouldn't the ultimate conclusion last more than 4 and half pages? If this were on film, I'd say that far too much was left on the cutting room floor. Oh well, not bad as far as Kindle Unlimited selections go but I'm glad the monthly fee covered things.
Don't get me wrong, this is not a bad book. Flowers has undertaken quite a task trying to cover not only 125+ years of African-American history but also all that America placed on their shoulders for far too long. However, in the end, he can't seem to make up his mind if its so much about the struggle of our fellow citizens or vampire lore or even one man's quest to end the scourge once and for all. It eventually becomes a jumble of different tangents where often we learn of someone's fate (oh, he was murder by the KKK on the way home, end of scene) just with snippets of information. To put it ironically: too abrupt. It's a shame this book wasn't broken down into sections a la David Wellington's fantastic '13 Bullets' and the rest of the Lara Caxton series, as what we got here was just far too rushed, superficial and ultimately failed to fully satisfy. It had the potential, yes, but...
The book is indeed strongest when we are following various phases - real life sections mind you, including locations, struggles and more - of Harker's life. His journey from Harlem to Charleston on his way to entering The War is by far the strongest portion of the book. This could have been expanded on and been very entertaining, noting that's coming from someone that generally does not like historical fiction. Mind you, at this point we haven't even met our first vampire yet, which in itself only heightened the drama for me. Unfortunately though, once battle scenes start arriving - including in France and Viet Nam and even much, much later in Iraq - they are presented with a flimsy staccato pacing and as mentioned before a lack of real completion. I just find it difficult to comprehend why we spent more time dealing with the Dust Bowl action sequences - which were good and scary for the time they lasted - than we do throughout at least 4 or more wars!
I am also disappointed that nothing of any original mythos was added to the overall lore of vampires. OK, ha ha, we all get the Helwing and Renfeld jokes, as well as I believe what someone said was a reference to the Buffy the Vampire Slayer tv show (never saw it, sorry) and ultimately the respect for Stoker's original tale. But here, the pacing rapidly gets out of hand (and the typographical errors begin to pile up, too, btw) and I just felt like we all should be trying to finish ASAP.
Seriously, I know that I have to zoom in on my Kindle in order to be able to SEE the pages but shouldn't the ultimate conclusion last more than 4 and half pages? If this were on film, I'd say that far too much was left on the cutting room floor. Oh well, not bad as far as Kindle Unlimited selections go but I'm glad the monthly fee covered things.
April 9, 2021
The Last Hellfighter by Thomas S. Flowers starts out with a lot of promise: a riveting opening scene, a 144 year-old black former vampire hunter and soldier, vampires who have feasted on the victims of human wars over the centuries, and a Vampire Queen who is leading a horde of the undead that is threatening to destroy America.
The first third of this book is great. It is a very vivid detailing of early 1900s America and World War I from a black soldier’s perspective; the racism, hostility and unacceptance of black soldiers in America even as they tried to fight for their country was well detailed, thought provoking and difficult to read at times (in a necessary way). Unfortunately, once the story moves past the historical fiction part of things and focuses on the vampire lore and the current vampire threat, it begins to fall apart. This is mainly due to characters doing irrational things in order to forcefully create tension or bring about a twist. This led to some action-packed scenes which, unfortunately, lacked substance and believability.
I enjoyed the story for the most part. I appreciated the amount of research the author put in, as well as the fact that he didn’t shy away from the tough subjects as a white writer discussing topics which are typically looked at as black issues. I only wish the purely fictional portions of this story felt as thorough, cohesive and logical as the parts drawn from actual history. Still, Thomas S Flowers is a talented writer and I intend to read more of his work in the future.
The first third of this book is great. It is a very vivid detailing of early 1900s America and World War I from a black soldier’s perspective; the racism, hostility and unacceptance of black soldiers in America even as they tried to fight for their country was well detailed, thought provoking and difficult to read at times (in a necessary way). Unfortunately, once the story moves past the historical fiction part of things and focuses on the vampire lore and the current vampire threat, it begins to fall apart. This is mainly due to characters doing irrational things in order to forcefully create tension or bring about a twist. This led to some action-packed scenes which, unfortunately, lacked substance and believability.
I enjoyed the story for the most part. I appreciated the amount of research the author put in, as well as the fact that he didn’t shy away from the tough subjects as a white writer discussing topics which are typically looked at as black issues. I only wish the purely fictional portions of this story felt as thorough, cohesive and logical as the parts drawn from actual history. Still, Thomas S Flowers is a talented writer and I intend to read more of his work in the future.
August 26, 2019
all reviews in one place:
night mode reading ;
skaitom nakties rezimu
About the Book: Harker is now 144, WWI veteran, the last of the Harlem Hellfighters who fought and killed enemy and vampire alike. And the nightmare never left him, all these years. For just because you return from war, doesn’t mean the war has stopped. In fact, sometimes, the nightmare becomes reality when you finally reach the imagined safety and peace of your home. For with a mere cloud of dust evil comes to Harker’s home, and his pregnant wife Mina is killed by no other than Vampire Countess herself. He, thus, vows to slay her, no matter the price.
My Opinion: Author chose the straightest, smoothest road towards the goal. He made no risks making any turns, and didn’t bother searching for more logical sequence of events, trusting instead the good old chewed up gum that is a plot like this. Characters, Countess included, generally only served the purpose of letting Harker talk, or letting Harker get closer to Countess. And why a divine creature who lived from the dawn of time chose to be a mere countess is a secret never to be told either.
This was a bad cup of tea. I can only give a 2 out of 5, and that mostly because writing was smooth enough to get you through this.
night mode reading ;
skaitom nakties rezimu
About the Book: Harker is now 144, WWI veteran, the last of the Harlem Hellfighters who fought and killed enemy and vampire alike. And the nightmare never left him, all these years. For just because you return from war, doesn’t mean the war has stopped. In fact, sometimes, the nightmare becomes reality when you finally reach the imagined safety and peace of your home. For with a mere cloud of dust evil comes to Harker’s home, and his pregnant wife Mina is killed by no other than Vampire Countess herself. He, thus, vows to slay her, no matter the price.
My Opinion: Author chose the straightest, smoothest road towards the goal. He made no risks making any turns, and didn’t bother searching for more logical sequence of events, trusting instead the good old chewed up gum that is a plot like this. Characters, Countess included, generally only served the purpose of letting Harker talk, or letting Harker get closer to Countess. And why a divine creature who lived from the dawn of time chose to be a mere countess is a secret never to be told either.
This was a bad cup of tea. I can only give a 2 out of 5, and that mostly because writing was smooth enough to get you through this.
December 14, 2018
This book was clearly written by a white man with good intentions (I guess), and he failed.
It was an interesting idea for a story (besides the random Magical Negro that is somehow 144 years old- can we please get another narrative?), but I wish it were executed by someone else.
This book was painful. We don't think or talk like that and the narrator (for the audiobook) was HORRIBLE.
It was an interesting idea for a story (besides the random Magical Negro that is somehow 144 years old- can we please get another narrative?), but I wish it were executed by someone else.
This book was painful. We don't think or talk like that and the narrator (for the audiobook) was HORRIBLE.
June 12, 2024
slow beginning but then it ramps up nicely
It takes about half the book to get somewhere good, but then the horror begins and it’s very enjoyable. Would recommend.
It takes about half the book to get somewhere good, but then the horror begins and it’s very enjoyable. Would recommend.
October 30, 2018
There is so much I want to say about this book, but no matter how many words I come up with, I still feel like I could never truly do it justice. The Last Hellfighter was PHENOMENAL. Hands down one of the best vampire books I’ve ever read.
I’ve come to enjoy the writing style of Thomas S. Flowers. He can be mild and calm or he can hit you with a ton of bricks, or even both, where you think everything is calm and moving along and the next thing you know, BAM! You’re whacked in the brain with a story you can’t put down, leaves you dying inside, and wanting more even though it’s just not possible.
The Last Hellfighter follows Ben. He’s the oldest living man in the US and is telling his story to the grandson of a now dead soldier whose life he saved decades before. He’s fought in several major wars and has lived much longer than anyone (including him) has ever expected or wanted. He’s been searching for a way to kill the vampire Queen and she’s just been toying with him over the very, very long years.
I loved the music selections mentioned in this book. It helps to place the time and mood to some degree and it’s something I, for one, appreciated immensely.
Overall, there is really only so much I can say without giving away too much of the story. I will say this, if you overlook this book you are doing yourself a great disservice.
I’ve come to enjoy the writing style of Thomas S. Flowers. He can be mild and calm or he can hit you with a ton of bricks, or even both, where you think everything is calm and moving along and the next thing you know, BAM! You’re whacked in the brain with a story you can’t put down, leaves you dying inside, and wanting more even though it’s just not possible.
The Last Hellfighter follows Ben. He’s the oldest living man in the US and is telling his story to the grandson of a now dead soldier whose life he saved decades before. He’s fought in several major wars and has lived much longer than anyone (including him) has ever expected or wanted. He’s been searching for a way to kill the vampire Queen and she’s just been toying with him over the very, very long years.
I loved the music selections mentioned in this book. It helps to place the time and mood to some degree and it’s something I, for one, appreciated immensely.
Overall, there is really only so much I can say without giving away too much of the story. I will say this, if you overlook this book you are doing yourself a great disservice.
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December 5, 2018Could not get into it. l Stopped at a hundred pages.
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