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Dark Vigil
Calico Meagher refused to believe in dark creatures, until they tore her world apart.
Now she's coming for the bastards.
Born into a family of monster-hunting druids, Calico turned her back on the "family business." It was ridiculous. Monsters weren't real. That’s what she believed even as her older sister Tabitha prepared for her dark vigil to hunt the impossible. But after her sister disappears, 22-year-old Calico races to save her from a fate worse than death.
Welcome to book one of the Bandruí Chronicles, an urban fantasy/monster hunting series. Through the millennia, the legendary bandruí gaiscíoch, Irish druid warriors of which Tabitha is one, hunted dark creatures. But while the bandruí are strong and fearless, what if the very evil that created the dark creatures in the first place has returned?
Contains graphic violence
Now she's coming for the bastards.
Born into a family of monster-hunting druids, Calico turned her back on the "family business." It was ridiculous. Monsters weren't real. That’s what she believed even as her older sister Tabitha prepared for her dark vigil to hunt the impossible. But after her sister disappears, 22-year-old Calico races to save her from a fate worse than death.
Welcome to book one of the Bandruí Chronicles, an urban fantasy/monster hunting series. Through the millennia, the legendary bandruí gaiscíoch, Irish druid warriors of which Tabitha is one, hunted dark creatures. But while the bandruí are strong and fearless, what if the very evil that created the dark creatures in the first place has returned?
Contains graphic violence
- GenresUrban FantasyFantasy
346 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 7, 2020
16 people are currently reading
3 people want to read
About the author
Gary Piserchio
7 books7 followersI started writing when I was about six years old. I loved this one children's book and I rewrote it. Oh, I didn't add or change a thing. Rewrote it verbatim. When I showed my older brother (eleven years old), he told me I hadn't written it. I copied it. I was so confused. Of course I'd written it, it's on the paper in my handwriting. Geez.
Next, thanks to my mom who read to me pretty much every night growing up, and to my big brother Jeff who had shelves lined with comics, Burroughs (Edgar Rice, not William S. - though I do enjoy reading the Beat writers), Heinlein, Tolkien, Asimov, Bradbury, Robeson (Lester Dent), and so on and so forth, I fell in love with reading from an early age.
Following that, thanks to my friend Steve and my fifth grade teacher Mr. Rogers (no, not that one), I started writing almost all the time (my own stories, not copies of other books). You see, Steve told Mr. Rogers about something a teacher did back in Seattle where he'd just come from: free-writing for ten minutes during class. That's how I came to write my first novel in fifth grade in Big Chief notepads. It was a Doc Savage/Tarzan mashup. (Wish I could find those notepads ... or maybe I don't.)
Fast forward and I'm now much (much) older than my fifth-grade self, but I still love the genre of the fantastic. I've published six books (three under a pen name) and a smattering of short stories.
I live in Denver with two Chihuahuas, where by day I write user guides for a software company and by night, or rather by early evening because, you know, late nights are a thing of the past, I write about an Irish family of monster hunters.
Don't let my last name fool you, I'm half Irish-y (with dabs of Welsh, Scottish, and English mixed in).
And now we're all caught up. Thanks and take care.
Next, thanks to my mom who read to me pretty much every night growing up, and to my big brother Jeff who had shelves lined with comics, Burroughs (Edgar Rice, not William S. - though I do enjoy reading the Beat writers), Heinlein, Tolkien, Asimov, Bradbury, Robeson (Lester Dent), and so on and so forth, I fell in love with reading from an early age.
Following that, thanks to my friend Steve and my fifth grade teacher Mr. Rogers (no, not that one), I started writing almost all the time (my own stories, not copies of other books). You see, Steve told Mr. Rogers about something a teacher did back in Seattle where he'd just come from: free-writing for ten minutes during class. That's how I came to write my first novel in fifth grade in Big Chief notepads. It was a Doc Savage/Tarzan mashup. (Wish I could find those notepads ... or maybe I don't.)
Fast forward and I'm now much (much) older than my fifth-grade self, but I still love the genre of the fantastic. I've published six books (three under a pen name) and a smattering of short stories.
I live in Denver with two Chihuahuas, where by day I write user guides for a software company and by night, or rather by early evening because, you know, late nights are a thing of the past, I write about an Irish family of monster hunters.
Don't let my last name fool you, I'm half Irish-y (with dabs of Welsh, Scottish, and English mixed in).
And now we're all caught up. Thanks and take care.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
July 10, 2021
Dark Vigil
I read the blurb more as a chance to see something different. I spoke to the author who was wondering why he was having difficulty selling the book. The blurb is not very forthcoming and the first few chapter shows the same lack of elligant writing style as the blurb.
I think the premise of the book was solid. The chapters are very short and don't seem to start at the beginning of the story.
The blurb really doesn't seem to have the same information as the book. I so think that it just misrepresents itself. I feel kind of let down because the blurb showed more of a chance to be unique but it seems like the blurb part isn't really dealt with in the book.
The writing felt more juvenile like it was for a younger audience even though it has more adult themes.
The named kind of also took away from the story as well though the characters did seem to be fairly well thought out and interesting.
The book has my favourite mystical creatures in it. Vampires are very amazing for me and while I loved the aspect of vampires being here and also about seeing story about druids I felt that they needed more work.
I also found them using the language as Irish very difficult as here we don't here it as such but they call it more Gaelic. I think I would have enjoyed it more if it didn't sound strange to me.
Some areas has a lot of repetition which made it feel awkward. However I do enjoy the characters like Callico even if the name makes me giggle.
This book had a great concept however I find the execution didn't work well as it could have. I also had also issues with description calling someone a black chick as it is very sexist style of comment and I don't think it fits with the style.
With some work I would say this would be a solid book
I read the blurb more as a chance to see something different. I spoke to the author who was wondering why he was having difficulty selling the book. The blurb is not very forthcoming and the first few chapter shows the same lack of elligant writing style as the blurb.
I think the premise of the book was solid. The chapters are very short and don't seem to start at the beginning of the story.
The blurb really doesn't seem to have the same information as the book. I so think that it just misrepresents itself. I feel kind of let down because the blurb showed more of a chance to be unique but it seems like the blurb part isn't really dealt with in the book.
The writing felt more juvenile like it was for a younger audience even though it has more adult themes.
The named kind of also took away from the story as well though the characters did seem to be fairly well thought out and interesting.
The book has my favourite mystical creatures in it. Vampires are very amazing for me and while I loved the aspect of vampires being here and also about seeing story about druids I felt that they needed more work.
I also found them using the language as Irish very difficult as here we don't here it as such but they call it more Gaelic. I think I would have enjoyed it more if it didn't sound strange to me.
Some areas has a lot of repetition which made it feel awkward. However I do enjoy the characters like Callico even if the name makes me giggle.
This book had a great concept however I find the execution didn't work well as it could have. I also had also issues with description calling someone a black chick as it is very sexist style of comment and I don't think it fits with the style.
With some work I would say this would be a solid book
August 7, 2021
I really enjoyed this book. This is a dark fantasy story with Irish folklore, demons, and vampires. I was impressed with the new twist on the old folktales and the unique nature of the vampires.
The beginning is a little confusing, and it took me a minute to sort things out, but then the story really started to rock. Calico, the main character, is not happy with her family's mission. She thinks they are delusional. But when things go bad, she's ready to step up. I like her character. She is sassy and determined. She can really kick ass. Plus she makes some growth, but leaves a lot of room to grow more.
The story moved quickly and there was a lot of action. I wasn't ever bored, and although I wasn't up reading all night, I found the book to be interesting. Like all books, my metric on how good it is is will I read the sequel? The answer to that is yes!
If you like action, folklore, vampires, or just a fun read, pick this up!
The beginning is a little confusing, and it took me a minute to sort things out, but then the story really started to rock. Calico, the main character, is not happy with her family's mission. She thinks they are delusional. But when things go bad, she's ready to step up. I like her character. She is sassy and determined. She can really kick ass. Plus she makes some growth, but leaves a lot of room to grow more.
The story moved quickly and there was a lot of action. I wasn't ever bored, and although I wasn't up reading all night, I found the book to be interesting. Like all books, my metric on how good it is is will I read the sequel? The answer to that is yes!
If you like action, folklore, vampires, or just a fun read, pick this up!
July 31, 2021
I really enjoyed the premise of this story- I felt it an an interesting take on the beginning of monsters (vampires especially for this book) and the tie into druid roots. The story itself was also very strong.
That being said, the book would benefit from an editor. There was some repetition to the story, and the first couple chapters really threw me off as to who the main character was and what was going on. The pacing at times of the story also threw me for a loop. I think the writing improved the further I read, but there are some areas that could use some work.
I will probably read the second book as I am interested to find out what happens to the main character.
That being said, the book would benefit from an editor. There was some repetition to the story, and the first couple chapters really threw me off as to who the main character was and what was going on. The pacing at times of the story also threw me for a loop. I think the writing improved the further I read, but there are some areas that could use some work.
I will probably read the second book as I am interested to find out what happens to the main character.
August 12, 2021
This is a really interesting book that introduces the reader to families of superhero druidic women Who work to vanquish “dark ones”. Only one of these heroes is born into each family and another sibling becomes the library and a researcher for their powerful sister. In the story we Introduced to the reluctant Calico and follow her as she evolves from nonbeliever to active fighter in the supernatural world. The story is fast pace and engaging… It jumps a little and can be somewhat predictable but overall I really enjoyed it. It’s definitely set up for a multi book series and I’m looking forward to reading them all.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews