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Void City #.5
Knock: A Void City Novella
In Void City, the vampires run the town, the cops are on the take, and the werewolves have found religion.
KNOCK is the first of a series of novellas following the adventures of Greta, a lovably insane vampire, and Kyle, her brother in undeath, in the spans of time where they aren't necessarily on panel in the main books. As a set up for book five in the Void City series, expect madness, mayhem, and more than a little of the unexpected.
KNOCK is the first of a series of novellas following the adventures of Greta, a lovably insane vampire, and Kyle, her brother in undeath, in the spans of time where they aren't necessarily on panel in the main books. As a set up for book five in the Void City series, expect madness, mayhem, and more than a little of the unexpected.
- GenresUrban Fantasy
102 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 30, 2018
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39 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
September 15, 2020
I love the Void City books, and this novella was a fun re-visit to the series.
Greta is Greta, to her very core. And it's been long enough since I read the last book in the series that I didn't remember too much of Kyle beyond him existing, so he was like a brand new character to me. It'll be interesting to see how he is seen by others in the series now that I know what he's like from his own (on-page) POV. I saw in the notes about the book that his true self is a set up for book 5, so I'm very excited to see where the author takes us next.
As for this story specifically, I think you have to have read book 1 to truly be able to appreciate the novella to it's fullest. It's glorious. But, without the worldbuilding set up in Staked, without knowing Eric and how much he influences everything around him, without his insight into Greta and Kyle, and without a complete storyline of it's own (cause wow, that ending was abrupt) ... Knock may come across to a new reader as just a gory, slice-of-life tale with a monster at the helm. They won't see how amazing a character Greta is, or the nuances in this story that make it so fabulous.
I LOVED seeing so much from Greta's POV. I binged these stories years ago, so forgive me if I'm wrong, but I don't remember reading from her POV in any of the novels. Her thought process was fascinating. She is certifiable, yes. But when you consider who she is, what she is, and all that she becomes ... wow ... she's really got it more together than I thought.
This is really a companion side-story to the first book, and I strongly recommend reading it as book 1.5 instead of a prequel. If you're a fan of the series then you'll love this.
Greta is Greta, to her very core. And it's been long enough since I read the last book in the series that I didn't remember too much of Kyle beyond him existing, so he was like a brand new character to me. It'll be interesting to see how he is seen by others in the series now that I know what he's like from his own (on-page) POV. I saw in the notes about the book that his true self is a set up for book 5, so I'm very excited to see where the author takes us next.
As for this story specifically, I think you have to have read book 1 to truly be able to appreciate the novella to it's fullest. It's glorious. But, without the worldbuilding set up in Staked, without knowing Eric and how much he influences everything around him, without his insight into Greta and Kyle, and without a complete storyline of it's own (cause wow, that ending was abrupt) ... Knock may come across to a new reader as just a gory, slice-of-life tale with a monster at the helm. They won't see how amazing a character Greta is, or the nuances in this story that make it so fabulous.
I LOVED seeing so much from Greta's POV. I binged these stories years ago, so forgive me if I'm wrong, but I don't remember reading from her POV in any of the novels. Her thought process was fascinating. She is certifiable, yes. But when you consider who she is, what she is, and all that she becomes ... wow ... she's really got it more together than I thought.
This is really a companion side-story to the first book, and I strongly recommend reading it as book 1.5 instead of a prequel. If you're a fan of the series then you'll love this.
January 24, 2021
I definitely suggest reading this book after Staked, book one in the the Void City series. It was interesting to get more insight to Greta and Kyle, Eric’s ‘kids’ and see what was going on in their world during the 1st 2/3 of Staked. I missed Eric and I am not sure I completely get anything about Kyle, but it was definitely an intriguing story.
August 7, 2020
This is a new author to me. Boy, was this book weirdly out there. The world and word building was crazy. The banter was wild and over the top. I am glad I tried this author as it was a recommendation, however, it is not for. I definitely have friends that would love this book!
February 14, 2021
A couple of whacked out characters drive this fantasy. I haven't decided if I like Greta yet. I have to say she never bores me. But she has a strong need to please her father. Even when he isn't around. Unfortunately, Greta is the one who decides what will please him, and she has a very squeed sense of right and wrong.
Perception is a big part of this book. How Greta perceives her brother, as well as the way her brother sees his world. And Oh, yeah they aren't brother and sister. Not that it matters to Greta. She had decided they are. So no more touchy-feely. Even if the connection is off the charts.
I wish I had read the book in the series that came before Knock. It would have put this story into context and increased my enjoyment.
I recommend this novella to anyone who likes a crazy character that won't fail to entertain you.
Perception is a big part of this book. How Greta perceives her brother, as well as the way her brother sees his world. And Oh, yeah they aren't brother and sister. Not that it matters to Greta. She had decided they are. So no more touchy-feely. Even if the connection is off the charts.
I wish I had read the book in the series that came before Knock. It would have put this story into context and increased my enjoyment.
I recommend this novella to anyone who likes a crazy character that won't fail to entertain you.
January 5, 2021
I was so engrossed in this Novella that I couldn't put it down. I haven't read the main Void City books yet and had no issues following along with the story. Greta was psychotic and yet so very badass. She scared me with how bloodthirsty and crazy she comes off, but her love for Kyle and her pithy attitude made me want to like her. Watching her battle the "puppies" was intense, gruesome, and humorous. Kyle was fascinating. I wanted so much to figure out all of his vampiric secrets, but it was also fun to just go along for the ride. I will definitely be picking up the first in the series after this short story!
October 1, 2020
I wasn't sure what to think about this book. It was technically sound but I was left with a lot of questions. I know this was the prequel to the series, however, I felt I needed a little more backstory to fully grasp the meaning of some of the things that occurred.
September 11, 2018
I read the Void City novels as they came out. I can sympathize with Eric because my memory leaves a lot to be desired. I was worried that I'd be lost reading Knock, but this was actually a great way to get me back into the series.
Greta is...unusual. The bits we see of her in the novels are weird, funny, and disturbing. Being in her head is all those things and enlightening. All I'd remembered of Kyle was that he was weak and a disappointment. Now I want more about him because he's neither of those things.
It's always fun when an author gives readers another viewpoint to add in details to a story we've already read. Knock gives us a whole new background that's not even hinted at. It's totally worth the read and works no matter what your familiarity with the series.
Greta is...unusual. The bits we see of her in the novels are weird, funny, and disturbing. Being in her head is all those things and enlightening. All I'd remembered of Kyle was that he was weak and a disappointment. Now I want more about him because he's neither of those things.
It's always fun when an author gives readers another viewpoint to add in details to a story we've already read. Knock gives us a whole new background that's not even hinted at. It's totally worth the read and works no matter what your familiarity with the series.
September 21, 2018
Man, I've missed Void City. It's been six years since
Burned
and for a while it looked like that was "it" for this series. But if Void City #5 is now on the way, "Knock" is a fun appetizer. Not quite a prequel to
Staked
, "Knock" is a meanwhile story that details what was going on with the rest of the Courtney vampire clan during the first half of that novel... right up to the point where Greta first appears in the series proper. (Ah, Greta... simultaneously the funniest and scariest vampire you can imagine.)
"Knock" details the attacks on Greta and her brother Kyle by the same religious werewolf cult that gave their vampire "father" Eric trouble in Staked. Kyle is a character that never got a spotlight in the original series, and he's the real revelation in this novella. Thought to be a mere "drone"-level vampire by his family, Kyle has actually taken steps to become a Vrykolakas - a type of Greek vampire with a very particular set of rules and powers. One thing I've loved in this series is the way Lewis brings in a wider range of vampire folklore than most authors, and here he continues to expand his story world.
"Knock" doesn't have an ending so much as a "To be continued..." But that's fine - the story of Greta, Eric, and the werewolves got wrapped up already in Staked. It's where Kyle's story goes next that I'm interested in, so I'm looking forward to the next novella in this Void City side-project.
"Knock" details the attacks on Greta and her brother Kyle by the same religious werewolf cult that gave their vampire "father" Eric trouble in Staked. Kyle is a character that never got a spotlight in the original series, and he's the real revelation in this novella. Thought to be a mere "drone"-level vampire by his family, Kyle has actually taken steps to become a Vrykolakas - a type of Greek vampire with a very particular set of rules and powers. One thing I've loved in this series is the way Lewis brings in a wider range of vampire folklore than most authors, and here he continues to expand his story world.
"Knock" doesn't have an ending so much as a "To be continued..." But that's fine - the story of Greta, Eric, and the werewolves got wrapped up already in Staked. It's where Kyle's story goes next that I'm interested in, so I'm looking forward to the next novella in this Void City side-project.
September 17, 2018
The story introduces a number of new concepts in a fairly short period of time. No spoilers, but it took a bit to get into the rhythm and then it was over. Not up to the standard of the full-length stories.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews