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The old Empire has fallen, and humanity is losing the war against powerful vampires. Kaiden, once the pathetic town drunk, is now a thrall, a mindless servant driven only by bloodlust and his master’s orders.
But when his master orders Kaiden to kill a vampire hunter, Kaiden disobeys.
Hunter Johann has spent years studying old lore and killing thralls, but he’s never seen one like Kaiden, intelligent and capable of free will. If he can convince Kaiden to help him, he might reclaim something thought lost forever: a chance for humankind. But he isn’t sure if Kaiden can be trusted, much less become a tool to kill the vampire who created him.
Kaiden doesn’t know who he is or what he truly wants beyond blood. Most of his memories are shadows, and nothing will bring back the life he lost.
Not a vampire, not a mindless thrall, capable of using the old magics, Kaiden is something completely different.
And being different means being alone.
But when his master orders Kaiden to kill a vampire hunter, Kaiden disobeys.
Hunter Johann has spent years studying old lore and killing thralls, but he’s never seen one like Kaiden, intelligent and capable of free will. If he can convince Kaiden to help him, he might reclaim something thought lost forever: a chance for humankind. But he isn’t sure if Kaiden can be trusted, much less become a tool to kill the vampire who created him.
Kaiden doesn’t know who he is or what he truly wants beyond blood. Most of his memories are shadows, and nothing will bring back the life he lost.
Not a vampire, not a mindless thrall, capable of using the old magics, Kaiden is something completely different.
And being different means being alone.
240 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2019
3 people are currently reading
21 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
August 31, 2021
I absolutely loved this book and the characters made me so badly want to find out what happens next. Luckily there is another book coming out and I hope that this becomes a lovely long series. The world building is fantastic and the idea is one that I don’t think I have come across in this form, at least in a book about vampires. Lost bits of history come out slowly throughout the story about this place that was once a mighty empire with a benevolent deity that everyone prayed to and who had priests and shrines. All that seem to be left after some unknown catastrophic event are clues to what happened and as Kaiden tries to figure out what has happened to him he comes across various sources who may or may not be able to help with finding out about himself as well as the wider question about what happened to this society. The pacing is great and the action scenes are fast paced and well balanced with other parts of the story. I feel like I have gone on a bit about the technical parts of the book and I want to say that this is a marvelous read as a tale although it is definitely a rather bleak one. There is definitely interest between Kaiden and Johann but nothing much actually happens that way if that is something that might put you off reading this book. I definitely recommend this book.
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
October 7, 2019
This was a really good book. Another little twist about vampires I so enjoyed. I love to see people’s different interpretations of things. For the most part, some things remain the same, but with each person there can be little twists that put things in a whole new light. And I liked how this one turned out.
Kaiden couldn’t remember anything about his life before. He didn’t even know his own name. All he knew is that his master wanted them to go kill this person traveling the road. They had all set up to do so, but for some reason Kaiden was a bit slower. Maybe because he was only two months turned and the others were older. Whatever the reason, it saved his ‘life’. The person on the wagon was a hunter and had used a solar flare that killed the rest of his fellow thralls. Once he could see and knew he was somewhat safe, he went to go after the hunter. But seeing the hunter pointing the crossbow at his heart, he did one thing no other thrall could do. He fought against the master’s compulsion and ran. And immediately, Johann, the hunter, knew this thrall was different. Kaiden’s master wasn’t happy he was still alive as well as the hunter, but gave him another chance. But Johann got to him first and wanted to try his theories on him. His fellow hunters thought he was nuts and wanted to kill Kaiden immediately, but Johann had encouraged them just to talk to Kaiden. And even though they didn’t trust him, they knew he was different and in control of his mind. For no thrall could speak as a normal. They were mindless. As time went on, Johann taught him to fight and to use weapons, so they could kill his master, even going so far to break the spell on him. But Kaiden’s master wanted him back and he did everything he could to keep him bound to him again. Even tried to torture him with fresh blood of the one woman he remembered, who had cared for him. But Kaiden fought it. He couldn’t save the woman, but he tried. He fought and fought. Things were hard between him and Johann, because Johann almost believed him capable of killing this woman. And in order for them to kill the vamp and move forward, Johann had to learn no matter what form Kaiden was or took, Kaiden could still be trusted. But until then, nothing would ever change. And that may cost them everything. Even their lives.
During the times of Kaiden’s life, life was much harder. Being born to a whore and not knowing who his father was was bad enough. But he was constantly picked on for it and he eventually gave up on life. Especially when his mother died of a sickness. He drank and drank to take away the pain of everyone and everything. But one woman refused to give up on him. Matilda. Even as a thrall, he couldn’t remember everything about her, but he could remember enough. And he remembered warmth and love and so much more that what he had now. He was so lonely. Even with Johann, he was lonely, because no one fully trusted him. Even after he proved himself time and time and time again. It wasn’t fair to him and I hated it for him. Yeah, maybe when his master had made him a thrall he wanted to die. Or part of him did. He felt like nothing but a loser anyway. No one wanted him around. But part of him wanted to live. Even more so now. Everything was so hard. I felt so bad for everything that he had to go through. Constantly.
Maybe with Johann’s knowledge and his strength, things could change. He hoped they could. He wanted people not to live in fear anymore. Even if it meant he was lonely for the rest of his life.
http://lovebytesreviews.com/
Kaiden couldn’t remember anything about his life before. He didn’t even know his own name. All he knew is that his master wanted them to go kill this person traveling the road. They had all set up to do so, but for some reason Kaiden was a bit slower. Maybe because he was only two months turned and the others were older. Whatever the reason, it saved his ‘life’. The person on the wagon was a hunter and had used a solar flare that killed the rest of his fellow thralls. Once he could see and knew he was somewhat safe, he went to go after the hunter. But seeing the hunter pointing the crossbow at his heart, he did one thing no other thrall could do. He fought against the master’s compulsion and ran. And immediately, Johann, the hunter, knew this thrall was different. Kaiden’s master wasn’t happy he was still alive as well as the hunter, but gave him another chance. But Johann got to him first and wanted to try his theories on him. His fellow hunters thought he was nuts and wanted to kill Kaiden immediately, but Johann had encouraged them just to talk to Kaiden. And even though they didn’t trust him, they knew he was different and in control of his mind. For no thrall could speak as a normal. They were mindless. As time went on, Johann taught him to fight and to use weapons, so they could kill his master, even going so far to break the spell on him. But Kaiden’s master wanted him back and he did everything he could to keep him bound to him again. Even tried to torture him with fresh blood of the one woman he remembered, who had cared for him. But Kaiden fought it. He couldn’t save the woman, but he tried. He fought and fought. Things were hard between him and Johann, because Johann almost believed him capable of killing this woman. And in order for them to kill the vamp and move forward, Johann had to learn no matter what form Kaiden was or took, Kaiden could still be trusted. But until then, nothing would ever change. And that may cost them everything. Even their lives.
During the times of Kaiden’s life, life was much harder. Being born to a whore and not knowing who his father was was bad enough. But he was constantly picked on for it and he eventually gave up on life. Especially when his mother died of a sickness. He drank and drank to take away the pain of everyone and everything. But one woman refused to give up on him. Matilda. Even as a thrall, he couldn’t remember everything about her, but he could remember enough. And he remembered warmth and love and so much more that what he had now. He was so lonely. Even with Johann, he was lonely, because no one fully trusted him. Even after he proved himself time and time and time again. It wasn’t fair to him and I hated it for him. Yeah, maybe when his master had made him a thrall he wanted to die. Or part of him did. He felt like nothing but a loser anyway. No one wanted him around. But part of him wanted to live. Even more so now. Everything was so hard. I felt so bad for everything that he had to go through. Constantly.
Maybe with Johann’s knowledge and his strength, things could change. He hoped they could. He wanted people not to live in fear anymore. Even if it meant he was lonely for the rest of his life.
http://lovebytesreviews.com/
October 1, 2019
This is a story full of magic and vampires. The old empire has fallen into ruin and vampires and thralls are overrunning the land. Kaiden was once the village drunk. Now, he’s a thrall—servant to a vampire master and driven by his thirst for blood. And yet, he’s different from the other thrills. Unlike them, he still has a mind. When his master orders him to kill Johann, a vampire hunter, Kaiden resists the order. Johann sees this and realizes that Kaiden is not a mindless bloodsucker. He takes Kaiden back to his compound, much to the consternation of the other hunters. With Johann’s help, Kaiden breaks free from his master, but he can never be human again. However, he might be able to turn into something more—a vampire master. Kaiden and Johann set out to find out about the old empire and the old magics, and find much more along the way.
Things I liked: This isn’t your normal vampire story. It’s about a young man who was made into a slave, but he fights to retain a bit of his humanity. The characters are well-drawn, believable (yes, they’re vampires and hunters – but it’s a fantasy), and have issues. They’re good and bad, with hopes and dreams. The setting is detailed enough that you feel like you’re there without being overbearing. The author makes good use of all the senses. I liked the plot—the reasons for everything that happened. Yes, I’m being vague—I will not give away an author’s story—but the author set things up and followed those points in an acceptable manner. I liked the ending. It’s not a romance. There’s no HEA. But it’s a good ending—as good as it can be with what the author set up. And from the ending, I can believe there’s a chance for further stories in this universe.
Things I didn’t like: Honestly? I thought it was a little slow. And yet… everything that happened needed to happen.
Recommendation: This is an epic fantasy which means there’s a lot going on so don’t expect a quick read. If you’re up for a book that is long, has vampires, hunters, magic, and just a touch of romance, then this book is for you.
Thanks to the publisher for providing this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
Things I liked: This isn’t your normal vampire story. It’s about a young man who was made into a slave, but he fights to retain a bit of his humanity. The characters are well-drawn, believable (yes, they’re vampires and hunters – but it’s a fantasy), and have issues. They’re good and bad, with hopes and dreams. The setting is detailed enough that you feel like you’re there without being overbearing. The author makes good use of all the senses. I liked the plot—the reasons for everything that happened. Yes, I’m being vague—I will not give away an author’s story—but the author set things up and followed those points in an acceptable manner. I liked the ending. It’s not a romance. There’s no HEA. But it’s a good ending—as good as it can be with what the author set up. And from the ending, I can believe there’s a chance for further stories in this universe.
Things I didn’t like: Honestly? I thought it was a little slow. And yet… everything that happened needed to happen.
Recommendation: This is an epic fantasy which means there’s a lot going on so don’t expect a quick read. If you’re up for a book that is long, has vampires, hunters, magic, and just a touch of romance, then this book is for you.
Thanks to the publisher for providing this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
August 30, 2021
4.5 stars
This is an intriguing take on vampirism, and Kaiden is a deeply sympathetic character. He’s defined by his struggles, and the weight of them is epic, but he manages somehow to keep going. The relationship between thrall and hunter isn’t, as you might expect, one of easy or boundless trust, but that just makes it more rewarding to watch the gradual development. I liked how layered and nuanced everything was: the characters, the setting, etc. It’s definitely a world of grey areas and not everything ends with a shiny happily ever after, but it’s worth immersing yourself in all the same.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is an intriguing take on vampirism, and Kaiden is a deeply sympathetic character. He’s defined by his struggles, and the weight of them is epic, but he manages somehow to keep going. The relationship between thrall and hunter isn’t, as you might expect, one of easy or boundless trust, but that just makes it more rewarding to watch the gradual development. I liked how layered and nuanced everything was: the characters, the setting, etc. It’s definitely a world of grey areas and not everything ends with a shiny happily ever after, but it’s worth immersing yourself in all the same.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 1, 2021
Thrall is my first book of Ravon Silvius and I'm in love. I love the world building. I love the characters. And best of all, I love the strong women in this novel. Usually in mm gay romance, women are portrayed as evil, deranged or just a simple side character.
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.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews