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Himura Saga #1
Dinner at Dawn
“It’ll be fine,” he said.
“It’s not so bad,” he said.
Well, he’s wrong. Immortality sucks.
Life for Silas can be summed up in four words: Broke. Homeless. Hungry. Trash.
One stolen wallet at a time is how Silas and his best friend Remy manages to survive each day. A desperate hunt for food ends with a death sentence by a group of violent thugs. On the brink of unconsciousness, death shows up in the flesh. And holy hell, who knew death was so damn hot?
Rich, powerful, and undead, Eclipse has everything he could ever wish for and more. When a redirected flight leaves him wandering the streets of New Orleans, he finds himself looming over the near lifeless body of a mouthy street urchin, and against his better judgment makes a decision that may just come back and bite him in the ass.
Waking up to a new life in a new world with a new kind of hunger is bittersweet for Silas. He’s surrounded by wealth and power, but none of it feels right without Remy.
Like your gay romance witty and your vampires steamy? You’ll love Dinner at Dawn, the first in the Himura Saga by Mariska Slieker!
Warning! You might have stumbled onto your next reading fix. The author will not be held accountable for hours spent reading while neglecting other responsibilities! Otherwise, go up and click Read Now or Buy Now to find out what happens when street urchins and vampires meet.
“It’s not so bad,” he said.
Well, he’s wrong. Immortality sucks.
Life for Silas can be summed up in four words: Broke. Homeless. Hungry. Trash.
One stolen wallet at a time is how Silas and his best friend Remy manages to survive each day. A desperate hunt for food ends with a death sentence by a group of violent thugs. On the brink of unconsciousness, death shows up in the flesh. And holy hell, who knew death was so damn hot?
Rich, powerful, and undead, Eclipse has everything he could ever wish for and more. When a redirected flight leaves him wandering the streets of New Orleans, he finds himself looming over the near lifeless body of a mouthy street urchin, and against his better judgment makes a decision that may just come back and bite him in the ass.
Waking up to a new life in a new world with a new kind of hunger is bittersweet for Silas. He’s surrounded by wealth and power, but none of it feels right without Remy.
Like your gay romance witty and your vampires steamy? You’ll love Dinner at Dawn, the first in the Himura Saga by Mariska Slieker!
Warning! You might have stumbled onto your next reading fix. The author will not be held accountable for hours spent reading while neglecting other responsibilities! Otherwise, go up and click Read Now or Buy Now to find out what happens when street urchins and vampires meet.
435 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 15, 2019
64 people are currently reading
155 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
October 9, 2020
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I have mixed feelings about this book... But it was a nice discovery.
For starters, I can't write this review without noting how horrible the cover is. Is it just me? It's pretty ugly and if not because I found this book for free @ Amazon, I probably wouldn't give it a chance because it would never get my attention in the midst of all the books available out there.
But the thing is I found it, I read it and I found it pleasantly surprising. It's a nice story about vampires that shines due to its nicely developed characters. Yes, the author made a pretty nice job creating every one and each of them, and that makes the story truly good to read.
Silas is a young guy who grew homeless and poor. When he dies, he gets turned into a vampire by Eclipse... And let's just say their relationship its bumpy in its beginnings. Silas misses his brother Remmy and worries about him being alone and still wandering on the streets. He blames himself for abandoning him and Eclipse for making him leave his brother behind.
Silas need time to adjust to his new self and to get to know the vampire's social etiquette and laws. He's fun in his bantering and nice in his fight for his brother. But he kind of gets a little boring as the story goes.
This is not just on Silas, but on the story as a whole. It kind of stalls and turns less interesting. It starts pretty strong but gets downhill towards the middle to the end.
This is not an independent read. The second book is also starred by Silas and Eclipse while the third book is starred by Remmy and Raenef. I found the ending or this first book... Abrupt. The story, as said before, lacks plot in the second half and it's more about Silas vampire sexuality awakening than anything, but the end left me thinking: OK, meh.
It's a pity, since this could have been an epic read for me
I loved how the author didn't focus mainly on the romance (there very little of this), but I must also say I don't like the open sexuality concept the author introduced. Everything between Eclipse and Silas felt more physical than romantic, and I hope the second book amends this because if not I won't be able to feel their relationship as something something romantic at all.
But well, I'm happy I discovered this and as the book are available with KU, I will definitely keep reading the series!
I have mixed feelings about this book... But it was a nice discovery.
For starters, I can't write this review without noting how horrible the cover is. Is it just me? It's pretty ugly and if not because I found this book for free @ Amazon, I probably wouldn't give it a chance because it would never get my attention in the midst of all the books available out there.
But the thing is I found it, I read it and I found it pleasantly surprising. It's a nice story about vampires that shines due to its nicely developed characters. Yes, the author made a pretty nice job creating every one and each of them, and that makes the story truly good to read.
Silas is a young guy who grew homeless and poor. When he dies, he gets turned into a vampire by Eclipse... And let's just say their relationship its bumpy in its beginnings. Silas misses his brother Remmy and worries about him being alone and still wandering on the streets. He blames himself for abandoning him and Eclipse for making him leave his brother behind.
Silas need time to adjust to his new self and to get to know the vampire's social etiquette and laws. He's fun in his bantering and nice in his fight for his brother. But he kind of gets a little boring as the story goes.
This is not just on Silas, but on the story as a whole. It kind of stalls and turns less interesting. It starts pretty strong but gets downhill towards the middle to the end.
This is not an independent read. The second book is also starred by Silas and Eclipse while the third book is starred by Remmy and Raenef. I found the ending or this first book... Abrupt. The story, as said before, lacks plot in the second half and it's more about Silas vampire sexuality awakening than anything, but the end left me thinking: OK, meh.
It's a pity, since this could have been an epic read for me
I loved how the author didn't focus mainly on the romance (there very little of this), but I must also say I don't like the open sexuality concept the author introduced. Everything between Eclipse and Silas felt more physical than romantic, and I hope the second book amends this because if not I won't be able to feel their relationship as something something romantic at all.
But well, I'm happy I discovered this and as the book are available with KU, I will definitely keep reading the series!
March 21, 2019
I really loved this book! It doesn't happen often that you run into a m/m novel that has a story, action, and steamy vampires. But what I like best is the witty dialogue that brings the characters to life.
April 15, 2019
**ARC WAS KINDLY GIVEN VIA BOOKSPROUT FOR AN HONEST REVIEW**
Wow! This story was absolutely amazing. It is every thing I ever wanted in a mm vampire book. I was instantly hooked from the moment I started this story. It never once dragged or bored me. We follow Silas a street kid from the New Orleans Bayou as he navigates his life as a newly turned vampire. He struggles with his new life of luxury and wealth following the rules of vampire society and his pull for wanted to keep his old human life with his brother/friend Remy. I think what really made this story for me was the witty dialog. Loved the banter between Silas and his Vampire master Eclipse. These two were fantastic together and the chemistry was smoking hot. 🔥 This is the start of a series from the newly published author and I eagerly await reading more.
Many thanks again to booksprout and Mariska Slieker. 😊
Wow! This story was absolutely amazing. It is every thing I ever wanted in a mm vampire book. I was instantly hooked from the moment I started this story. It never once dragged or bored me. We follow Silas a street kid from the New Orleans Bayou as he navigates his life as a newly turned vampire. He struggles with his new life of luxury and wealth following the rules of vampire society and his pull for wanted to keep his old human life with his brother/friend Remy. I think what really made this story for me was the witty dialog. Loved the banter between Silas and his Vampire master Eclipse. These two were fantastic together and the chemistry was smoking hot. 🔥 This is the start of a series from the newly published author and I eagerly await reading more.
Many thanks again to booksprout and Mariska Slieker. 😊
April 27, 2019
Dinner at Dawn by Mariska Slieker s a wonderful story to read. I really loved reading this story alot and if you like M/M and vampires in your story then I highly recommend this story for you to read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 20, 2019
Loved it
Rarely do I give a 5 star but this book hit all the right notes for me.Characters were well developed as was the history into the vampire world. Loved the snarky sassy human and the patient tolerant vampire. Lots of humour but not over the top. A lot of mm genre books seem to focus on the wham bam thank you Ram And if that is what a reader likes then this may not be for everyone...that being said,I might've liked a little bit more smut...But still loved it. I would recommend this book and will definitely buy from this author again.
Rarely do I give a 5 star but this book hit all the right notes for me.Characters were well developed as was the history into the vampire world. Loved the snarky sassy human and the patient tolerant vampire. Lots of humour but not over the top. A lot of mm genre books seem to focus on the wham bam thank you Ram And if that is what a reader likes then this may not be for everyone...that being said,I might've liked a little bit more smut...But still loved it. I would recommend this book and will definitely buy from this author again.
April 24, 2019
*3.5 stars*
August 2, 2019
This was an okay book. I feel like my expectations might have been set a little too high for it though.
It wasn't bad per se, there are some grammar and spelling errors littered throughout the book, though they personally didn't bother me too much. My biggest gripes involved our MC Silas, who is in his early twenties (I'm pretty sure they gave his exact age but I can't recall, like 22 or 23), yet proceeds to act far younger and his voice comes across as very juvenile. He makes poor decisions and choices throughout the book. For example, For a street kid, I was hoping he would be a little smarter with his choices.
This makes for a quick and easy read. I just...did not enjoy Silas as a character. When I don't enjoy the MC, the whole book takes a toll on me. I wish Remy had been the lead instead, because he actually acts mature and comes across as being able to handle situations better and HE DOESN'T GO AROUND SHOUTING LIKE THIS EVERY TIME HE'S SHOCKED OR UPSET . I don't know if I'll pick up the next book. It's up in the air right now.
It wasn't bad per se, there are some grammar and spelling errors littered throughout the book, though they personally didn't bother me too much. My biggest gripes involved our MC Silas, who is in his early twenties (I'm pretty sure they gave his exact age but I can't recall, like 22 or 23), yet proceeds to act far younger and his voice comes across as very juvenile. He makes poor decisions and choices throughout the book. For example, For a street kid, I was hoping he would be a little smarter with his choices.
This makes for a quick and easy read. I just...did not enjoy Silas as a character. When I don't enjoy the MC, the whole book takes a toll on me. I wish Remy had been the lead instead, because he actually acts mature and comes across as being able to handle situations better and HE DOESN'T GO AROUND SHOUTING LIKE THIS EVERY TIME HE'S SHOCKED OR UPSET . I don't know if I'll pick up the next book. It's up in the air right now.
November 11, 2020
Great, unique story on vampires and their fledglings
This was a great book. I loved Silas, the mouthy street urchin turned vampire, who through many errors, finally understands what family and love is. I loved Eclipse and his twin brother Raenef, two very strong vampires, heads of their clan, but show such kindness, love and patience toward Silas as he struggles to adjust. This book was a slow burn, which can be frustrating, but here was perfect as Silas has a hard time throughout the story with letting his human life go and understanding what it means to be a part of a major vampire clan. The world building was good, but not too much. We see the vampire clans and elders, how their views differ and strict rules they must adhere to, but this does not take up too much of the story. Conflicts between the clans is touched on, but left open for future books, adding a spice of conflict that can yet be touched on. This story is about Silas and his relationship with Eclipse, through all their ups and many downs. No worries though, there is a HEA and hopefully much more to come!
This was a great book. I loved Silas, the mouthy street urchin turned vampire, who through many errors, finally understands what family and love is. I loved Eclipse and his twin brother Raenef, two very strong vampires, heads of their clan, but show such kindness, love and patience toward Silas as he struggles to adjust. This book was a slow burn, which can be frustrating, but here was perfect as Silas has a hard time throughout the story with letting his human life go and understanding what it means to be a part of a major vampire clan. The world building was good, but not too much. We see the vampire clans and elders, how their views differ and strict rules they must adhere to, but this does not take up too much of the story. Conflicts between the clans is touched on, but left open for future books, adding a spice of conflict that can yet be touched on. This story is about Silas and his relationship with Eclipse, through all their ups and many downs. No worries though, there is a HEA and hopefully much more to come!
July 5, 2023
Wished things worked out differently
I wanted to give a higher rating. Book one of this series caught my attention and held it until half through the book. Then I developed a strong dislike for a particular character (Silas), and my interest went downhill. I started skipping pages, and at one point I didn't know if It was worth finishing this book. If the objective of this story was to make the readers feel angst and extreme dislike for one of the main characters, then it effectively met the goal. The problem for me was that the character didn't experience repercussions for his behavior, but others undeserving characters did. This book has intriguing world building and the other characters in this book I enjoyed their storyline. Just wished things were written differently. I read the sneak peek for book 2, which started with the character that I truly dislike. Looks like he hasn't changed and I don't want to continue reading another book centered around this character's irredeemably actions.
I wanted to give a higher rating. Book one of this series caught my attention and held it until half through the book. Then I developed a strong dislike for a particular character (Silas), and my interest went downhill. I started skipping pages, and at one point I didn't know if It was worth finishing this book. If the objective of this story was to make the readers feel angst and extreme dislike for one of the main characters, then it effectively met the goal. The problem for me was that the character didn't experience repercussions for his behavior, but others undeserving characters did. This book has intriguing world building and the other characters in this book I enjoyed their storyline. Just wished things were written differently. I read the sneak peek for book 2, which started with the character that I truly dislike. Looks like he hasn't changed and I don't want to continue reading another book centered around this character's irredeemably actions.
December 19, 2019
Not bad but.....
This book was well written and it was engaging.. I think the thing that is throwing me is that these vampires seem to human for me.. where is the super speed, the strength, anything that says their vampire but the immortality...I thought this was going to be something dark and vampires fighting or something but it’s not... now what really kept me reading was the humor in this book is LOL funny.. I like Silas enough he’s a little annoying tho and Eclipse doesn’t seem like an all powerful vampire to me either.. were told he is powerful but not shown... another thing is Remy... if ur on the streets and your brother has gotten good Fortune why are you still on the streets?? That part of the story just doesn’t make sense to me at all and totally unrealistic...
I haven’t decided if I’m going to continue to read the series even after reading the sneak peak of book 2... Again not bad but.....
This book was well written and it was engaging.. I think the thing that is throwing me is that these vampires seem to human for me.. where is the super speed, the strength, anything that says their vampire but the immortality...I thought this was going to be something dark and vampires fighting or something but it’s not... now what really kept me reading was the humor in this book is LOL funny.. I like Silas enough he’s a little annoying tho and Eclipse doesn’t seem like an all powerful vampire to me either.. were told he is powerful but not shown... another thing is Remy... if ur on the streets and your brother has gotten good Fortune why are you still on the streets?? That part of the story just doesn’t make sense to me at all and totally unrealistic...
I haven’t decided if I’m going to continue to read the series even after reading the sneak peak of book 2... Again not bad but.....
December 26, 2019
I enjoyed this book and at times couldn't wait to find out what happens next. I like the street urchin taking in by a rich vampire. Most of the times this book leaned heavier on the rich guy taking in a poor one. Silas read a great deal younger than his age and often felt like a bratty teenager than a true love interest to Eclipse. It is also really hard to believe that Silas is a naive as he is after being on the streets for all of his life. The one thing that really bothered me was the Remy aspect of the book. Even though Remy wasn't suppose to be turned it is hard to believe that Eclipse and Silas couldn't have done something to get him off the streets and safe. Silas spends time visiting him and that just seems weird when Remy is living on the streets. I'm never really fond of the year long time slips in this book and it seems strange that they could do nothing but leave the guy to fend for himself during those times.
February 3, 2021
Vou começar dizendo que superou minhas expectativas! Tem autores independentes que fazem boas histórias ( até melhores que autores com editora e tal). Tava procurando uma história queer com vampiros, me deparei com a sinopse sobre um garoto de rua chamado Silas..que enquanto pegava comida no lixo..foi atacado por um bdf que o deixou entre a vida e a morte, chega eclipse ( não é crepúsculo 😅) mais um com nome esquisito, o cara é um vampiro ( graças a Deus não igual o que brilha no sol) 😅 eclipse tem pena do garoto e decide transformá-lo. Sim, vamos acompanhar a vida de Silas se adaptando num clã de vampiros japoneses.. O clã himura! O universo vampiro dessa história me agradou, fui percebendo que não caberia tudo num livro só, comecei a ler sem pensar que teria outros livros.. Fiquei feliz em saber que tem mais livros.. O Silas e o eclipse tem uma química absurda! Quero maaaais
July 31, 2023
Silas and Remy are homeless; when a food search becomes a fight for their lives, they almost lose, but just as Silas goes unconscious, a guy that looks like death appears. Eclipse takes out the thugs attacking the boys, then decides to try and save Silas. Silas wakes up far from home and with a couple of strange men, but he is also attracted to one of the men.
This starts Silas and Eclipse on a roller coaster of a ride with so many ups and downs that you never know what is coming. While I understand why Eclipse did what he did to save Silas, Silas was an ass for a good chunk of the book; some of that is the circumstances he finds himself in, and other parts of it are him being a brat and not thinking about how is actions might affect others. Overall, I enjoyed the characters and the story, even if I wanted Silas to stop his whining at times.
This starts Silas and Eclipse on a roller coaster of a ride with so many ups and downs that you never know what is coming. While I understand why Eclipse did what he did to save Silas, Silas was an ass for a good chunk of the book; some of that is the circumstances he finds himself in, and other parts of it are him being a brat and not thinking about how is actions might affect others. Overall, I enjoyed the characters and the story, even if I wanted Silas to stop his whining at times.
July 1, 2019
Killer Urban Fantasy
What a wild ride! Sexy vampires? Check! Intrigue? Check! Slow burn romance? Check! While I enjoyed this book, I will say that I had a hard time relating to Silas. I felt like he was 2 years old at times. Silas is young, it's true, but also immature to the extreme. He fell into a almost perfect situation, but rebelled constantly. The other unbelievable thing was all the ado about Reme. Why did Eclipse just take the other boy, too? Made him a servant or kept him close by...reminded me of teenaged angst.
Phenomenal world building and character development. I loved the world setting. And the idea behind a new and different concept of vampires. Overall I'm looking forward to the next installment!
What a wild ride! Sexy vampires? Check! Intrigue? Check! Slow burn romance? Check! While I enjoyed this book, I will say that I had a hard time relating to Silas. I felt like he was 2 years old at times. Silas is young, it's true, but also immature to the extreme. He fell into a almost perfect situation, but rebelled constantly. The other unbelievable thing was all the ado about Reme. Why did Eclipse just take the other boy, too? Made him a servant or kept him close by...reminded me of teenaged angst.
Phenomenal world building and character development. I loved the world setting. And the idea behind a new and different concept of vampires. Overall I'm looking forward to the next installment!
June 10, 2019
This is the first book in the Himura Saga
Man this was such a good start to a new Vampire series I adore all of these characters even the bad one's and Silus such a contrasting character at times I wanted to scream at my kindle for the stupid things he did than at other times I understood what motivated to do those things . Than there's Remy although life has been so shitty to him to took care of Silus since he was practically a toddler on the streets and homeless . But I have to wonder can Remy be that selfless did he really find Silus as he said he did to me Remy is a mystery I hope that we find out more about him in the next book .
Man this was such a good start to a new Vampire series I adore all of these characters even the bad one's and Silus such a contrasting character at times I wanted to scream at my kindle for the stupid things he did than at other times I understood what motivated to do those things . Than there's Remy although life has been so shitty to him to took care of Silus since he was practically a toddler on the streets and homeless . But I have to wonder can Remy be that selfless did he really find Silus as he said he did to me Remy is a mystery I hope that we find out more about him in the next book .
May 18, 2020
Couldn’t finish it
I made it 57% through this book but had to put it down. Between the slow story,whinny MC, wimpy vampires,and inconsistent plot I just couldn’t get into it. I hated Silas and Eclipse. Silas is somehow an urchin but entitled, spoiled, and easily placated while Eclipse bemoans being a vampire but has no reference for humanity and constantly babies Silas yet we’re supposed to believe he’s some powerful “ancient” vampire.
I was also hoping for a much darker story. The blurb hinted at dark themes, and maybe they’re at the end of the book, but I couldn’t read it anymore.
I made it 57% through this book but had to put it down. Between the slow story,whinny MC, wimpy vampires,and inconsistent plot I just couldn’t get into it. I hated Silas and Eclipse. Silas is somehow an urchin but entitled, spoiled, and easily placated while Eclipse bemoans being a vampire but has no reference for humanity and constantly babies Silas yet we’re supposed to believe he’s some powerful “ancient” vampire.
I was also hoping for a much darker story. The blurb hinted at dark themes, and maybe they’re at the end of the book, but I couldn’t read it anymore.
January 16, 2022
I didn't think I would like this book as much as I did, mainly because it took some getting used to, the writing style amongst other things.
The back and forth between Silas and Eclipse is what makes this book, I like that it's not sex with a story around.
Remy is the unknown that impacts the story a lot, wish we got to know the reason why he made his decisions also, we never get to know how the Elders found out.
The back and forth between Silas and Eclipse is what makes this book, I like that it's not sex with a story around.
Remy is the unknown that impacts the story a lot, wish we got to know the reason why he made his decisions also, we never get to know how the Elders found out.
June 4, 2019
No Thanks
First there are typos, grammatical and syntax errors and so on and so forth.Here is a particularly egregious one, "blinding light blinded him" The author would also make you aware of something and then do the exact same thing a second time as if it were the first time. Aaaahhhhhh! Meanwhile, cool characters suffer and we along with them.
First there are typos, grammatical and syntax errors and so on and so forth.Here is a particularly egregious one, "blinding light blinded him" The author would also make you aware of something and then do the exact same thing a second time as if it were the first time. Aaaahhhhhh! Meanwhile, cool characters suffer and we along with them.
July 16, 2019
DNF
I wanted to like this but I couldn't stand the characters. Everyone is so flat and unlikable.
I wanted to like this but I couldn't stand the characters. Everyone is so flat and unlikable.
June 14, 2021
Loved!
August 20, 2025
I absolutely loved this book, it's very easy to read and very entertaining. Of you like sexy vampires, definately a must-read!
Want to read
June 2, 2023🎁 FREE on Amazon today (12/16/2019)! 🎁
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews