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Vampire Earth #8
Winter Duty
Major David Valentine and his fugitive battalion are the remnants of an expeditionary force shattered in its long retreat from disaster in the Appalachians. Between a raging blizzard, bands of headhunters, and the need to recover wounded soldiers lost during the retreat, Valentine is in for the toughest winter of his life. And Valentine is losing allies fast. Some of the clans in the region have declared themselves in favor of the Kurians, throwing Kentucky into civil war. But the Kurian overlords have determined that the region isn't worth the effort of another conquest. Their order: extermination.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published May 5, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
October 23, 2014
2.5 rounded up to 3 stars because I have enjoyed the series so much over the years. In a way, it's very realistic, perhaps too much so. It's not going anywhere very fast. Valentine is becoming a beat up, used up, old man & still hasn't hit 30. Considering what he's facing, that does make sense, but it's not making for a great story especially after the build up of the first few books where he gained extra powers. I keep expecting to see some more of that to help the story along, but I've been waiting for at least 3 books now. He started as a Wolf, became a Cat & seemed like he'd go Bear, like his father, but then took a different direction to become a reviled hero.
That's another thing that's getting a bit old. As heroic & good at his job as he is, he's still not recognized as such & is falling further into disrepute with every book. Again, it's almost too realistic.
BUT, the seeds have been planted in each book for things to turn around. I keep hoping they will & in this book
I'm sure hoping that things get back on track soon. The last few books have been a real downer. It probably hasn't helped that so many years & books have gone by since I read the first one in 2003 without a reread, but without something popping soon, I may just give up.
That's another thing that's getting a bit old. As heroic & good at his job as he is, he's still not recognized as such & is falling further into disrepute with every book. Again, it's almost too realistic.
BUT, the seeds have been planted in each book for things to turn around. I keep hoping they will & in this book
I'm sure hoping that things get back on track soon. The last few books have been a real downer. It probably hasn't helped that so many years & books have gone by since I read the first one in 2003 without a reread, but without something popping soon, I may just give up.
October 23, 2014
More of a 3.5 or a bit better. Knight handles quite a few different themes & plot lines in this book, as the rest. We're back in Kentucky with the leg worms & their clans. Not as much about them, but he has a lot of other issues to deal with, especially at the end. Wow. Nonstop.
I didn't like a couple of things. Don't read further if you haven't read the previous books.
---------- Danger, spoilers for earlier in the series ------
Complaint: He got half-assed turned into a bear. He's a wolf, cat, & now kind of a bear, but that isn't mentioned much in this book. Again, he's too self-effacing.
Excellent: He also faces something else that we've met before & it's a spoiler to say more, just want to say it's very well done. Seriously, you can't get meaner than that.
In this day of too many vampires, zombies, & paranormal powers, usually with a ridiculously clad, kick-ass heroine (Hey, I read a lot of them & like them too, but it is pretty ridiculous.) Valentine is a hero worth noticing & Knight's world is so grittily real that it hurts, but still has the PNR/UF fun to it. Excellent.
I didn't like a couple of things. Don't read further if you haven't read the previous books.
---------- Danger, spoilers for earlier in the series ------
Complaint: He got half-assed turned into a bear. He's a wolf, cat, & now kind of a bear, but that isn't mentioned much in this book. Again, he's too self-effacing.
Excellent: He also faces something else that we've met before & it's a spoiler to say more, just want to say it's very well done. Seriously, you can't get meaner than that.
In this day of too many vampires, zombies, & paranormal powers, usually with a ridiculously clad, kick-ass heroine (Hey, I read a lot of them & like them too, but it is pretty ridiculous.) Valentine is a hero worth noticing & Knight's world is so grittily real that it hurts, but still has the PNR/UF fun to it. Excellent.
July 23, 2015
The story wasn't any better or worse than any of the other stories, but the long arc feels like it's stalled.
January 10, 2018
I’ve read every book in the series up to this one, and loved them all...this one? Major disappointment. I felt like it was disjointed, and barely did anything. Never enough exposition, and very short on development. Very, very disappointing. I’m gonna finish the series, but I sure hope they aren’t like this one. David
November 10, 2017
$$$$
I would give it a higher rating, but you pay the price of a book and get a novel instead for all his books. My friends from Laos would not be pleased. My author friend from Laos (Ken McAlpine) has many books with the correct pricing.
I would give it a higher rating, but you pay the price of a book and get a novel instead for all his books. My friends from Laos would not be pleased. My author friend from Laos (Ken McAlpine) has many books with the correct pricing.
April 20, 2018
David's adventures in the aftermath of the Kentucky retreat. General Martinez continuing to undermine Valentine and his efforts. Valentine's story still fascinates, read it straight through.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 29, 2021
Audio Book
Book about Dystopian future where aliens have control and the humans are trying fight back
Book about Dystopian future where aliens have control and the humans are trying fight back
January 3, 2023
My favorite so far, and I’ve enjoyed them all. I am really looking forward to the next one. I strongly recommend this series.
October 10, 2011
This is the first book in this series that really disappointed me. Most of the other books are interesting, thought out quests of somewhat epic scope. Traveling across the country, fighting unbelievable odds, putting up with ungodly smells, deprivations, and corruptions of the human spirit.
This one is pretty much "take mix of characters who have popped up from last book, add conniving manipulative mother with a thirst for power, go run around in the snow with some werewolf zombies, and at the end, ZOWY, we have a traitor in our midst, and you wouldn't believe who it is!"
It took me a while to catch back up in the series. Now I'm kinda sad I did. The first six books held a very warm place in my heart over the past several years. Book seven was a decent addition to the series. This...feels rushed, and has very little plot advancement. Nothing really CHANGES for the world in this book, unlike every other book in the series. There's a new disease that, by magic, they already have the proper anti-ravies shot for, if you got it in time. Oh wow, there's a leak somewhere on one side or other! We already knew that. And boom, half of a state is dead, and everyone hates the evil alien overlords...again, very little has changed. Minus one character who popped in fresh in this novel, and a couple of B-roll characters brought in on the last book, no one we actually know about dies. "half of the people we know died, minus the people in this convoy in the heart of enemy territory, and the friends we have back at base camp, lucky us" is not a viable plot point.
This one is pretty much "take mix of characters who have popped up from last book, add conniving manipulative mother with a thirst for power, go run around in the snow with some werewolf zombies, and at the end, ZOWY, we have a traitor in our midst, and you wouldn't believe who it is!"
It took me a while to catch back up in the series. Now I'm kinda sad I did. The first six books held a very warm place in my heart over the past several years. Book seven was a decent addition to the series. This...feels rushed, and has very little plot advancement. Nothing really CHANGES for the world in this book, unlike every other book in the series. There's a new disease that, by magic, they already have the proper anti-ravies shot for, if you got it in time. Oh wow, there's a leak somewhere on one side or other! We already knew that. And boom, half of a state is dead, and everyone hates the evil alien overlords...again, very little has changed. Minus one character who popped in fresh in this novel, and a couple of B-roll characters brought in on the last book, no one we actually know about dies. "half of the people we know died, minus the people in this convoy in the heart of enemy territory, and the friends we have back at base camp, lucky us" is not a viable plot point.
February 28, 2016
Winter Duty was not quite as good as the the other books in Vampire Earth. Maybe it was that it didn't feel as epic as some of the other books. Valentine decides to stay behind when Southern Command pulls out of Kentucky. He gets wrapped up in going back down the army's route picking up the wounded that they left with their allies across Kentucky. There are a few action scenes, but nothing as exciting or crazy as any of the other books.
We hear mention of Ahn-Kha but he still isn't in the book.
We do get to see another ravies outbreak in this book, which is exciting because the only other time that we see ravies victims was in the first book at the beginning. It was neat to see them again and learn a little bit more.
The only other thing that I wondered about was the rogue reaper. He got away and followed Valentine for a little while before getting chased away. I am wondering if we are going to ever see him again since he didn't killed and wasn't mentioned again.
4.5 stars out of 5.
We hear mention of Ahn-Kha but he still isn't in the book.
We do get to see another ravies outbreak in this book, which is exciting because the only other time that we see ravies victims was in the first book at the beginning. It was neat to see them again and learn a little bit more.
The only other thing that I wondered about was the rogue reaper. He got away and followed Valentine for a little while before getting chased away. I am wondering if we are going to ever see him again since he didn't killed and wasn't mentioned again.
4.5 stars out of 5.
June 23, 2011
** "Winter Duty" (VE8) by E. E. Knight continues exploits of brave David Valentine, helped by fellow Cat (espionage skilled warrior), Alyssa after a 2022 alien invasion. I like straightforward combat and clever outwitting, not repeated treachery, or sidetracking reminiscences. I am ambivalent on his softer side, good to recruit allies, bad to leave danger open. Why are the good guys always pushed down more?
[First his trademark rescue of bandit captives. Then typical reward, night ambush beating by soldiers supposedly on his side, angry that he trained up ex-traitors into a fighting unit when Val was trashed alongside the rejects. The resulting face scars add to lopsided jaw and other long cheek gash from previous betrayals.
When Val resists losing arms to those retreating, I cheered. The peak is freeing hostages at a power plant takeover. Retribution for ravies plague attacks in a blizzard, hooray. Resolving sabotage, sad. I hope the reporter now cognizant of the truth helps Val in a future book.]
Val never seems to surface from drowning, just pulled deeper and longer. I feel more tired than triumphant.
[First his trademark rescue of bandit captives. Then typical reward, night ambush beating by soldiers supposedly on his side, angry that he trained up ex-traitors into a fighting unit when Val was trashed alongside the rejects. The resulting face scars add to lopsided jaw and other long cheek gash from previous betrayals.
When Val resists losing arms to those retreating, I cheered. The peak is freeing hostages at a power plant takeover. Retribution for ravies plague attacks in a blizzard, hooray. Resolving sabotage, sad. I hope the reporter now cognizant of the truth helps Val in a future book.]
Val never seems to surface from drowning, just pulled deeper and longer. I feel more tired than triumphant.
September 6, 2010
EE Knight is like a young Bernard Cornwell who exists in the SF/Fantasy universe. His Age of Fire and Vampire Earth series are enthralling.
I hate to say this, however, but "Winter Duty" and "Fall with Honor" seemed somehow lacking in plot. Valentine is getting old and tired (at the age of 30). These books lack the neat plot structure which made "Tale of the Thuderbolt" and "Valentine's Rising" such great reads.
I think Knight should do like Steve Perry did in the "Matador" series and start switching up his character's point of views with each subsequent tale. Valentine's friends or even new characters in other places in the world could have their limited third person point of view as the diplay window for future stories to let the readers further explore Knight's amazing world of Vampre Earth. Valentine could even make appearances or provide the point of view in future tales.
Please, Mr. Knight, continue this series!
I hate to say this, however, but "Winter Duty" and "Fall with Honor" seemed somehow lacking in plot. Valentine is getting old and tired (at the age of 30). These books lack the neat plot structure which made "Tale of the Thuderbolt" and "Valentine's Rising" such great reads.
I think Knight should do like Steve Perry did in the "Matador" series and start switching up his character's point of views with each subsequent tale. Valentine's friends or even new characters in other places in the world could have their limited third person point of view as the diplay window for future stories to let the readers further explore Knight's amazing world of Vampre Earth. Valentine could even make appearances or provide the point of view in future tales.
Please, Mr. Knight, continue this series!
June 8, 2013
E.E. Knight’s Vampire Earth is one of the most interesting military fantasy series around. Watching the maturation and evolution of the main character David Valentine has been very intriguing because Knight has done the right things. Val has been through the proverbial wringer in terms of losing friends, getting hurt, and dealing with leaders who are more concerned with their own career than doing the right things for the Soldiers they lead. In many ways, Knight’s tongue-in-cheek commentary on bureaucrats and indictment of self-serving Officers has been his most powerful theme.
Winter Duty does even more. Once again Val is taking great personal risk on a mission which he feels is important, but which is not being supported by Southern Command. He lacks resources, qualified Soldiers and still he’s willing to roll the dice to... Read More:
http://www.fantasyliterature.com/revi...
Winter Duty does even more. Once again Val is taking great personal risk on a mission which he feels is important, but which is not being supported by Southern Command. He lacks resources, qualified Soldiers and still he’s willing to roll the dice to... Read More:
http://www.fantasyliterature.com/revi...
May 1, 2014
It feels like Knight had a new editor on this book. The wording, the phrasing, all were different from previous books. While it was rather distracting, I can overlook that but this series has been a great read from the start. Alas, it seems that it might be running out of steam. Knight seemed to back away from the action scenes in this book, where in the others, he ran into them full steam. The title was appropriate-- not much really happened. There was a lot of potential here and 'Jack in the Box' really revved me up, but then... nothing.
I'll read the next one because I can't stop till I've read the whole series, but this is the first time I really considered ditching the series. I hope Knight returns with force in the next book or I may be a ravies victim.
I'll read the next one because I can't stop till I've read the whole series, but this is the first time I really considered ditching the series. I hope Knight returns with force in the next book or I may be a ravies victim.
April 18, 2011
I am a huge fan of the series, and my expectations for this sequel were high. So you can imagine how disappointed I was after reading the first half and finding it...boring. David Valentine has become old and tired, and the story is going slow as if in winter sleep.
But then, just when I was starting to get angry with the author for presenting such a lolame w story, I found myself thrown into a new gripping adventure. I really loved the end where the ravies are brought in, leaving so many possibilities for further sequels and extensions to the Vampire Earth universe. Still a great series and still one of my favourites.
But then, just when I was starting to get angry with the author for presenting such a lolame w story, I found myself thrown into a new gripping adventure. I really loved the end where the ravies are brought in, leaving so many possibilities for further sequels and extensions to the Vampire Earth universe. Still a great series and still one of my favourites.
July 16, 2014
Well, it's sad to say but I haven't enjoyed the last two entries in this series as much as the first few books...seems like there is a lot more time spent on setting up the action and that the action is very brief and simple with a majority if the events happening away from valentine and just mentioned in passing. I find myself reminiscing about the great events of the past books as much as valentine. Also, the resistance doesn't seem to be accomplishing much against the kurian order...maybe that's the point but it seems a bit discouraging for readers
July 20, 2009
Not much to say, I've absolutely adored every other E.E. Knight book I've come upon. This was a real disappointment, the climax didn't feel like the climax, just part of the build up. There was a huge amount of suspense, large warnings about danger and ruin-and where was it? There was a final small skirmish to end the book.
I love Knight's other work, but comparing Winter Duty to his other Vampire Earth books is just embarrassing.
I love Knight's other work, but comparing Winter Duty to his other Vampire Earth books is just embarrassing.
August 31, 2009
Another solid entry in the VAMPIRE EARTH series. I have enjoyed this series since day one. I really like the character of David Valentine and the near future he inhabits. I did feel a little like the book while moving along nicely didn't really kick into high gear until the end. That said, the book left me anxious to read the next volume when it comes out.
July 25, 2010
This is a fair book made better by being part of the continuing story of this series. The characters did not seem to develop as much as in previous books, it seemed that maybe the author has decided he has a good thing going and wants to just extend the series as opposed to moving it forward to a possible conclusion.
December 15, 2010
This series just doesn't seem to ever get anywhere. All that really happens is Valentine gets more scars/limps or whatever. I suppose some areas that Kurians used to inhabit are now neutral or free territory, but still. I doubt I'll ever come back to this series. I read to current, and am left blah-ed out.
February 13, 2011
It's decent action/adventure mil-SF. If you liked his last few books, you'll like this one. If you thought the last few books were just dragging things out without accomplishing much of anything, you'll feel the same about this one.
Unfortunately, I fall into the latter camp, so I think I'm done with this series for a while.
Unfortunately, I fall into the latter camp, so I think I'm done with this series for a while.
November 9, 2011
I read the entire book because I didn't want to miss something that might be important in the rest of the series. Winter Duty was dissapointing it was like it was a bridge to something that was going to happen later. The end revealed that there was a story going on the entire time that we were unaware of. I hope his next book is better.
August 2, 2013
I am waiting to see what kind of trouble David Valentine and friends can get into this time. Old enemies are showing up again and things could get harry in a hurry.
I am marking this one as read because I will finish it later today. I am a little bored with this as the same things keep happening over and over again. I will probably read something else after this one.
I am marking this one as read because I will finish it later today. I am a little bored with this as the same things keep happening over and over again. I will probably read something else after this one.
May 2, 2013
Yet another fine Vampire Earth novel. David Valentine continues to find himself in the most trouble possible. Still plenty of military and adventure action as the previous. Will continue to read the series.
March 5, 2016
Still decent, exciting at points, but it feels more like filler to put in between the last and next book. Hard to recommend, but if you've read the rest of the series you'll probably read this anyways.
July 22, 2009
Another excellent book by this author - continuing saga that brings action in the face of adversity. Recommended read.
November 28, 2009
Set in Kentucky.
December 13, 2013
Enjoy the entire series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews