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Kindred
Lewis Kindred, a Vietnam veteran cursed by the loss of his legs but blessed with the unearthly immortality of a vampire, senses the presence of others like himself, but unlike the rest of his kin, Kindred refuses to surrender the last of his humanity
1 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published August 1, 1994
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
January 1, 2023
Kindred had a lot of potential, and a really creepy monster, but never quite lived up to what it could have been. Our main protagonist, Lewis Kindred, starts off the book as a lieutenant in Vietnam circa 1970. We follow him and his platoon for a bit and one day they call in a interrogator to get some info from a small village. The interrogator, with one eye blue and the other brown, is a scary dude to be sure, who obviously takes pleasure in inflicting pain and terror. Lewis finally stops him when he is on the verge of breaking a small girl's back (this is after some waterboarding). A few days later, the interrogator (Cartee) and Lewis are in a poker game (Lewis is mad for poker) and Cartee cleans everyone out. Finally, Cartee shows Lewis a strange red marble that seems to glow and with that, Lewis wins a last challenge hand. What is it about the red marble? Who is this Cartee guy? A few days later at a whorehouse, Cartee is transformed into a monster that kills a 'lady' of the house brutally in front of Lewis. Lewis then is determined to kill Cartee because he is just evil and manages to do so in the field, but shortly thereafter eats a grenade and is horribly wounded, loosing both his legs and the use of one arm.
The main story kicks off in Portland, Oregon, where Lewis now lives circa 1990s. Gideon introduces some new characters here, a couple of teenagers, one of which lives above Lewis in the apartment house. While walking back from a concert, the two teenagers are jumped by some skinheads and only saved by a beautiful, mysterious woman, who gives the kid a strange red marble to give to Lewis along with a few phrases that Lewis will obviously recognize from Vietnam...
This is not a vampire story, at least in any traditional sense (despite the cover blurb). Yes, the monster lives on human flesh, usually consumed while having brutal sex with the victim, but they are more like demons. Poker plays a major role in the story which was fun, with myself enjoying playing every now and then. The monster was spooky and nasty. So, why the mediocre rating? Part of it was pacing issues and a very rushed ending. Gideon uses lots of flashbacks here to round out the various characters that mostly felt like padding. Still, I thought this would be more like a four star read until the last 100 pages or so and the ending? WTF? 3 stars.
The main story kicks off in Portland, Oregon, where Lewis now lives circa 1990s. Gideon introduces some new characters here, a couple of teenagers, one of which lives above Lewis in the apartment house. While walking back from a concert, the two teenagers are jumped by some skinheads and only saved by a beautiful, mysterious woman, who gives the kid a strange red marble to give to Lewis along with a few phrases that Lewis will obviously recognize from Vietnam...
This is not a vampire story, at least in any traditional sense (despite the cover blurb). Yes, the monster lives on human flesh, usually consumed while having brutal sex with the victim, but they are more like demons. Poker plays a major role in the story which was fun, with myself enjoying playing every now and then. The monster was spooky and nasty. So, why the mediocre rating? Part of it was pacing issues and a very rushed ending. Gideon uses lots of flashbacks here to round out the various characters that mostly felt like padding. Still, I thought this would be more like a four star read until the last 100 pages or so and the ending? WTF? 3 stars.
April 18, 2014
This was one of those second hand bookstore impulse buys. It reads like Stephen King or Dean Koontz, back in the day with an interesting good vs evil horror story revolving around vampires and a wounded Vietnam veteran.
The first part of takes place in Vietnam and it is there in the jungle that Lewis Kindred confronts for the first time the horror that will haunt him for the next twenty-five years. Following him back to his home in Portland Oregon and ultimately almost destroying his very soul. The evil known as the man, Gamaliel Cartee.
Back in the world Lewis bears the scars of war, now crippled and bitter he befriends his neighbour, a teenager named Josh. Josh ultimately becomes a main character as he and his friend Nicole pursue the destructive Gamaliel in his new form that of the beautiful Millie, all the while trying to gather information about a supposed murder. Poker plays a huge role in this story as does a red orb which has powers all of its own. Both will eventually change Lewis’ life forever.
The huge cast of secondary characters are all well-developed and the many POV'S made for a highly entertaining read. The mystery all comes together very nicely in the end with quite a few surprises along the way.
Kindred is a unique vampire tale with a good bad guy, well characterized secondary characters and a hero that you'll most certainly empathize with.
The first part of takes place in Vietnam and it is there in the jungle that Lewis Kindred confronts for the first time the horror that will haunt him for the next twenty-five years. Following him back to his home in Portland Oregon and ultimately almost destroying his very soul. The evil known as the man, Gamaliel Cartee.
Back in the world Lewis bears the scars of war, now crippled and bitter he befriends his neighbour, a teenager named Josh. Josh ultimately becomes a main character as he and his friend Nicole pursue the destructive Gamaliel in his new form that of the beautiful Millie, all the while trying to gather information about a supposed murder. Poker plays a huge role in this story as does a red orb which has powers all of its own. Both will eventually change Lewis’ life forever.
The huge cast of secondary characters are all well-developed and the many POV'S made for a highly entertaining read. The mystery all comes together very nicely in the end with quite a few surprises along the way.
Kindred is a unique vampire tale with a good bad guy, well characterized secondary characters and a hero that you'll most certainly empathize with.
February 19, 2024
I guess I’m just a sucker for old war horror stories mixed with the supernatural and poker. Yes, lots of poker.
This is my first Gideon book and man it was really good. The story telling is fantastic, and the images flow through your brain quickly and with ease.
Some of the scenes are graphic but need I remind you that you’re reading horror… it’s also not real.
Anyway… this book had a great hook in the beginning and the only thing I think could have benefitted is maybe shortening up the book. Other than that, it was a lot better than I thought it would be.
This is my first Gideon book and man it was really good. The story telling is fantastic, and the images flow through your brain quickly and with ease.
Some of the scenes are graphic but need I remind you that you’re reading horror… it’s also not real.
Anyway… this book had a great hook in the beginning and the only thing I think could have benefitted is maybe shortening up the book. Other than that, it was a lot better than I thought it would be.
February 8, 2018
I read this book a long time ago. I guess I missed the part where they were vampires, I thought they were werewolves, so I've been trying to search for this book everywhere. Finally found it tonight, and I am really excited. I really enjoyed this book.
February 13, 2018
4.5 stars
This book is very obscure. I got it from a charity shop, thinking it'd be one of those average shlock novels, but I was wrong. I ploughed through six hundred pages in three days, as it was just too gripping.
I really haven't read anything like it so far, and a relatively common concept in horror is executed very well here. Bizarrely, it's been published under two different titles by different publishers, so if you have Gideon's book 'Kindred', don't buy this one. They're exactly the same.
The characters, especially Lewis Kindred himself, are very memorable. Lewis, a Vietnam War veteran, is given a red crystal orb by a man known as Gamaliel, who's part of a strange race of demonic beings that feed on human flesh. Years later, in Portland, Lewis's friend Josh receives a similar red crystal from a woman called Millie. From then onwards, the horror escalates as more suspicions are raised about Millie. Lewis himself starts to fall under the evil spell of the red orb.
The 'horror' parts of this book are carefully placed. It's slow paced up to around the last 150 pages. As a warning, this book contains graphic sex that's often interwoven with extreme violence. Nevertheless, it's very well written. I definitely recommend it.
This book is very obscure. I got it from a charity shop, thinking it'd be one of those average shlock novels, but I was wrong. I ploughed through six hundred pages in three days, as it was just too gripping.
I really haven't read anything like it so far, and a relatively common concept in horror is executed very well here. Bizarrely, it's been published under two different titles by different publishers, so if you have Gideon's book 'Kindred', don't buy this one. They're exactly the same.
The characters, especially Lewis Kindred himself, are very memorable. Lewis, a Vietnam War veteran, is given a red crystal orb by a man known as Gamaliel, who's part of a strange race of demonic beings that feed on human flesh. Years later, in Portland, Lewis's friend Josh receives a similar red crystal from a woman called Millie. From then onwards, the horror escalates as more suspicions are raised about Millie. Lewis himself starts to fall under the evil spell of the red orb.
The 'horror' parts of this book are carefully placed. It's slow paced up to around the last 150 pages. As a warning, this book contains graphic sex that's often interwoven with extreme violence. Nevertheless, it's very well written. I definitely recommend it.
October 30, 2014
** donated to CCU 30/10/2014
* Inherited from Mum's shelves.
* Inherited from Mum's shelves.
October 20, 2014
Very good Stephen King-esque story of a guy who encounters a demonic entity in Vietnam during the war, then has it follow him back to the USA because it has plans for him.... A bit slow in parts, but a great read.
April 12, 2022
It was simply exquisite.
I found the book at a thrift shop in my spare time between my bus exchange and was drawn in by the books thoroughly broken spine, which I took as a sign that meant that the book was loved. Then I was further drawn in by the rather frightening front cover (which is different to the one displayed in the picture, as my novel was called ‘RED BALL’) with the contrasting colours between the green lettering of the title and the peculiar picture, which now I realise, is of the 'red orb' which caused me to buy the book that only cost me $2 which was AMAZING!! I bought the book without even giving a test of the first few pages which, when I opened the book on the bus, gave me a surprise!
I read this book through a 12-day period, using up my spare time to indulge myself in the world of the text. I have never read a story that included war, or more specifically, a Vietnamese war, and it took me a while to understand certain terms but once I understood, the rest was smooth sailing, the words of the text flowing like a velvety butter (minus the greasy feel it leaves on your fingertips). Personally, I thoroughly enjoyed this novel, the end did feel rather unclimactic (if that’s the right word you can use) and I still have some minor lingering questions but overall am more than satisfied with not only the text, but my use of time and money. I was always engaged by the texts excellent use of many perspectives which broadened my understanding of what was happening, and the vivid descriptions of some rather gruesome moments which caused me to never once looked away!
I would definitely invest in this book.
Thankyou John Gideon :)
76
I found the book at a thrift shop in my spare time between my bus exchange and was drawn in by the books thoroughly broken spine, which I took as a sign that meant that the book was loved. Then I was further drawn in by the rather frightening front cover (which is different to the one displayed in the picture, as my novel was called ‘RED BALL’) with the contrasting colours between the green lettering of the title and the peculiar picture, which now I realise, is of the 'red orb' which caused me to buy the book that only cost me $2 which was AMAZING!! I bought the book without even giving a test of the first few pages which, when I opened the book on the bus, gave me a surprise!
I read this book through a 12-day period, using up my spare time to indulge myself in the world of the text. I have never read a story that included war, or more specifically, a Vietnamese war, and it took me a while to understand certain terms but once I understood, the rest was smooth sailing, the words of the text flowing like a velvety butter (minus the greasy feel it leaves on your fingertips). Personally, I thoroughly enjoyed this novel, the end did feel rather unclimactic (if that’s the right word you can use) and I still have some minor lingering questions but overall am more than satisfied with not only the text, but my use of time and money. I was always engaged by the texts excellent use of many perspectives which broadened my understanding of what was happening, and the vivid descriptions of some rather gruesome moments which caused me to never once looked away!
I would definitely invest in this book.
Thankyou John Gideon :)
76
October 9, 2020
For what it is, it’s good. It’s early nineties B-movie-esque horror. Is it the a revelation for the genre? Absolutely not. Is it a decent story that’s worth the two bucks I spent at a used book store? Yeah.
The writing style was a bit bloated for me. It honestly could have cut down by 100 pages and nothing would have been lost except unnecessary details and backstory of the large cast of secondary characters.
The story itself was pretty cool though. The mythology built up around the creature was different and interesting especially the “allies” needed to destroy it.
Are there moments of graphic violence (occasionally of a sexual variety)? Yes. There were three accounts of women being raped by the monster and ripped apart with the first two being described with two or three paragraphs of detail. I mostly get the first time. It sets up how evil these creatures are, but the second could have been a lot more vague with the details like the final one. And on a side note, why do the male victims get to have awesome sex with a gorgeous woman before being killed? I demand equality!
The writing style was a bit bloated for me. It honestly could have cut down by 100 pages and nothing would have been lost except unnecessary details and backstory of the large cast of secondary characters.
The story itself was pretty cool though. The mythology built up around the creature was different and interesting especially the “allies” needed to destroy it.
Are there moments of graphic violence (occasionally of a sexual variety)? Yes. There were three accounts of women being raped by the monster and ripped apart with the first two being described with two or three paragraphs of detail. I mostly get the first time. It sets up how evil these creatures are, but the second could have been a lot more vague with the details like the final one. And on a side note, why do the male victims get to have awesome sex with a gorgeous woman before being killed? I demand equality!
June 25, 2019
I didn’t finish this book. In fact, I stopped reading it when I got to an utterly disgusting part that made it clear this isn’t fiction, but vampire rape porn. No thank you. I have nothing to learn from this gratuitous piece of crap. I literally threw the book in the trash (actually, the recycling, so at least something good might come of it when it’s ground into a pulp and made into toilet paper).
September 12, 2019
I would put this in the same category of a lot of Stephen King wanna be horror from the 80's and 90's. Nothing outstanding as far as the plot of the characters. I did like the poker angle that ran through it. The one female character (Tran) …. is pretty obvious as to who she really is (although she doesn't know it either). Easy read and a better read if I were younger and less well read. Fair used book store find.
July 9, 2021
Decent read for the dollar I spent on it at a used book store. I definitely wouldn’t categorize this as vampires though.
August 12, 2016
While the plot did slow down considerably at times (where I wished it would have picked up) and the slight misnomer of it being a 'vampire' novel (perhaps more a 'psychic vampire' - I found the words 'succubus' and 'incubus' coming more to mind than the stereotypical 'vampire'), I found this novel to be quite engaging. I got emotionally invested in the characters and their lives, and I couldn't wait to finish it. A great look at how memory isn't all what we think it is, and how sometimes 'miracles' aren't all as they seem.
March 15, 2016
overall a decent read...strong start but the ending is a bit weak and feels rushed together.
the one drawback with the backcover promo is that the copywriter assigns it to vampire fiction and this is not a vampire novel...the antagonist is a variety of demon which is presumed to have inspired the vampire, werewolf, ghoul and a host of other mythical creature stories.
the one drawback with the backcover promo is that the copywriter assigns it to vampire fiction and this is not a vampire novel...the antagonist is a variety of demon which is presumed to have inspired the vampire, werewolf, ghoul and a host of other mythical creature stories.
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February 2, 2008This is possibly the worst book I have ever read, released by an actual publisher. It's written poorly, but more importantly, it's about a poker-playing Vietnam veteran who becomes a vampire, kills and rapes women, then gets cured and lives happily ever after.
June 21, 2009
In England, this is entitled Red Ball!
March 24, 2014
Didn't like it at all.
I don't like see Vampires get transformed in disgusting things.
I don't like see Vampires get transformed in disgusting things.
September 29, 2015
It has some slow sections. It is a good story though the ending seems rather anti-climatic.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews