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The Vampire Society Christopher And Gaspar
143 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2018
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About the author
Vicky Calzo
6 books89 followersI am a born-again believer in Jesus Christ, and an out and proud lesbian. Besides writing, my hobbies include beading jewelry, drawing, reading, watching TV, and playing my favorite games on my cell phone, and also hanging out on social media. Follow me on amazon.com/author/vickycalzo Twitter @CalzoVicky, on Instagram butchboi_foreverluv, on Medium Vicky Calzo, on Litsy tvscag
Check out my YouTube interview!
https://youtu.be/vpR0CVTO1Ds
Check out my YouTube interview!
https://youtu.be/vpR0CVTO1Ds
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
January 2, 2020
Vicky Calzo’s The Vampire Society: Christopher and Gaspar is a romantic vampire novel that follows the rules of the vampire films (vampires not stepping into sunlight). Though the only vampire novel I’ve read is Bram Stoker’s Dracula, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that Calzo has created a world in which vampires’ existence is not only acknowledged but accepted and respected by the human population. It is clear that Calzo’s heart rests at the center of this novel, writing vampirism as a metaphor for homosexuality, and that what’s at stake for her characters is also at stake for her—how do queer individuals navigate a world that shuns and hates them, and how do they find happiness in spite of that fact?
The erotic elements aren’t quite my cup of tea, and the vampire novel isn’t one I’d typically choose, but I did find myself invested in the main character, Christopher, whose journey from humanity to vampirism (from the heterosexual world to the queer one) is not an easy one in light of his father’s ignorance and bigotry.
(Spoilers to follow)
There are moments of brilliant clarity—the close zoom-in moments to the science of the vampire. The ways in which they fall asleep and recharge over night. The fact that they each have their own unique fruity or spicy scent is delightful. Calzo also skillfully switches from one characters’ point of view to another, which is necessary with her cast of characters. She also captures brilliantly the angst of teens discovering life and themselves.
I found myself frustrated with the fact that we don’t know why Gaspar’s family is being hunted, or what the vampires’ true “agenda” is. I also found myself somewhat antsy at the start. I wish Chris and Gaspar’s love and relationship would have developed alongside the main action with the evil vampires coming to take Christopher away. At the same time, Chris and Gaspar’s love felt almost too quick, too easy. Why isn’t Christopher terrified to transform into a vampire? Clearly, vampires have done some things that have made his father wary about them. What are those things? I want to know more about the world they’re inhabiting. If there’s one main criticism I have, it’s that Chris is just too comfortable around vampires and inhabiting these new corporeal experiences. He’s only 13. How can he be so comfortable in his body and when in contact with a new race? I’m almost expecting this to change in Calzo’s sequel, for he’s got a lot to learn and experience as he matures.
The lead up to Tom meeting Gaspar’s family is so built up that the non-event is a bit of a let down. I wanted more sparks sooner. More tension, too. On the whole, it feels that characters leap from one emotional state to the other—Calzo doesn’t guide us or show us how those emotions develop (Chris suddenly in love, Tom suddenly accepting of vampires and his son). Calzo is writing about difficult things, but it feels as though she is reluctant to go to all those dark places, to expose how it feels to be rejected by one’s parents, to learn that you are different from ones family and community. I expect her to explore these themes further in future installments of The Vampire Society.
With that said, Calzo captures anger impeccably. Tom’s rage is pleasantly terrifying and believable. Christy’s anger and indignation toward Tom ring true as well.
I’m thrilled that Tom comes around by the end of the novel, which clears the stage for more exclusively vampire-centered events in Calzo’s sequels. It’s refreshing to see Chris’ mother call Tom out for his bullshit and go to bat for her son. Finally a queer story with a redemptive ending. I’m curious to see if all vampire families are queer, or if there is variation among them just as there is variation among humans.
I am looking forward to reading the sequel to see where this story goes. Calzo’s whole heart is in this book, and that can only make for a wonderful story.
The erotic elements aren’t quite my cup of tea, and the vampire novel isn’t one I’d typically choose, but I did find myself invested in the main character, Christopher, whose journey from humanity to vampirism (from the heterosexual world to the queer one) is not an easy one in light of his father’s ignorance and bigotry.
(Spoilers to follow)
There are moments of brilliant clarity—the close zoom-in moments to the science of the vampire. The ways in which they fall asleep and recharge over night. The fact that they each have their own unique fruity or spicy scent is delightful. Calzo also skillfully switches from one characters’ point of view to another, which is necessary with her cast of characters. She also captures brilliantly the angst of teens discovering life and themselves.
I found myself frustrated with the fact that we don’t know why Gaspar’s family is being hunted, or what the vampires’ true “agenda” is. I also found myself somewhat antsy at the start. I wish Chris and Gaspar’s love and relationship would have developed alongside the main action with the evil vampires coming to take Christopher away. At the same time, Chris and Gaspar’s love felt almost too quick, too easy. Why isn’t Christopher terrified to transform into a vampire? Clearly, vampires have done some things that have made his father wary about them. What are those things? I want to know more about the world they’re inhabiting. If there’s one main criticism I have, it’s that Chris is just too comfortable around vampires and inhabiting these new corporeal experiences. He’s only 13. How can he be so comfortable in his body and when in contact with a new race? I’m almost expecting this to change in Calzo’s sequel, for he’s got a lot to learn and experience as he matures.
The lead up to Tom meeting Gaspar’s family is so built up that the non-event is a bit of a let down. I wanted more sparks sooner. More tension, too. On the whole, it feels that characters leap from one emotional state to the other—Calzo doesn’t guide us or show us how those emotions develop (Chris suddenly in love, Tom suddenly accepting of vampires and his son). Calzo is writing about difficult things, but it feels as though she is reluctant to go to all those dark places, to expose how it feels to be rejected by one’s parents, to learn that you are different from ones family and community. I expect her to explore these themes further in future installments of The Vampire Society.
With that said, Calzo captures anger impeccably. Tom’s rage is pleasantly terrifying and believable. Christy’s anger and indignation toward Tom ring true as well.
I’m thrilled that Tom comes around by the end of the novel, which clears the stage for more exclusively vampire-centered events in Calzo’s sequels. It’s refreshing to see Chris’ mother call Tom out for his bullshit and go to bat for her son. Finally a queer story with a redemptive ending. I’m curious to see if all vampire families are queer, or if there is variation among them just as there is variation among humans.
I am looking forward to reading the sequel to see where this story goes. Calzo’s whole heart is in this book, and that can only make for a wonderful story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 18, 2022
The path of true love never did run smooth, not even when one of the boys is literally made for the other, as in this wonderful story. I had a totally terrific time with these teenboy vampires, and their struggles against old prejudices and bad guys.
December 26, 2019
The Vampire Society by Vicky Calzo combines elements of supernatural & human worlds into one character-driven story. The author develops the relationship between Christopher and Gaspar throughout the book & includes a satisfying Epilogue to conclude this chapter of the tale, as well as create the possibility for further exploration of the series.
I do not often read supernatural/paranormal stories, but I enjoyed the romantic angle Calzo took in her writing. I would definitely recommend The Vampire Society for 18+. The relationship descriptions were sensual and more New Adult than Young Adult despite how young the characters appear on the cover.
No spoilers, but there are some interesting twists in the plot that will keep you engaged. Thanks for a fun read, Vicky Calzo!
I do not often read supernatural/paranormal stories, but I enjoyed the romantic angle Calzo took in her writing. I would definitely recommend The Vampire Society for 18+. The relationship descriptions were sensual and more New Adult than Young Adult despite how young the characters appear on the cover.
No spoilers, but there are some interesting twists in the plot that will keep you engaged. Thanks for a fun read, Vicky Calzo!
December 30, 2019
I love a story about a destined love! That is what first drew me to Christopher and Gaspar even though I’m not a fan of vampire stories. But I fell in love with this! This story keeps you on the edge of your seat as you live along with Christopher and Gaspar. And I’m on the edge of my seat waiting for book 2!
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews