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The Survivors
Everyone knows vampires aren't real, and the vampires need it to stay that way. Adrian has managed their Human Resources department for over a century, keeping their true activities hidden from human eyes.
Journalist Clare can barely contain her eye roll when asked to do an article on the Heliophiles. It's indulgent to play to the delusions of people who change their lifestyle based on a belief in vampires.
But when Clare's work is flagged by the vampire organization, she has to depend on the rules in The Survivor's Handbook to stay alive.
The publication of The Survivor's Handbook has thrown the vampire organization into chaos. They have to find the authors and silence them before too much damage is done. The chaos suits Adrian just fine. He's got plans of his own, but Clare's investigation for her article is complicating things.
Adrian and Clare don't trust each other, they're both just trying to survive, but to do that, they have to might just have to help each other.
Journalist Clare can barely contain her eye roll when asked to do an article on the Heliophiles. It's indulgent to play to the delusions of people who change their lifestyle based on a belief in vampires.
But when Clare's work is flagged by the vampire organization, she has to depend on the rules in The Survivor's Handbook to stay alive.
The publication of The Survivor's Handbook has thrown the vampire organization into chaos. They have to find the authors and silence them before too much damage is done. The chaos suits Adrian just fine. He's got plans of his own, but Clare's investigation for her article is complicating things.
Adrian and Clare don't trust each other, they're both just trying to survive, but to do that, they have to might just have to help each other.
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Published April 13, 2021
11 people are currently reading
51 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
July 29, 2025
This is a book written by a local author that I sort of accidentally found. It’s really good, super well written and interesting worldbuilding. Takes the vampire genre and goes in a direction that I don’t think I’ve really seen, all while still sticking to the typical conventions of vampires. There were a few spots where it felt like this book could’ve gone a cliche direction but it never quite did. Took a bit to really get into it, but once it got going it was hard to put it down.
March 21, 2022
Charming prose, compelling characters, hilarious dialogue, twisty plot, and vampires run an Italian restaurant. Edward Cullen could never.
September 13, 2024
A cute romp
June 13, 2021
Thank you so much to the Author Ms. J. E Kraft (@jekraftbooks) for providing me with an ARC copy of this book.
🧛🧛🧛🧛🧛🧛🧛🧛🧛🧛
Do vampires exist? And if so, how do we survive their attacks?
Clare, a journalist, is tasked to write an article on the 'Heliophiles'. The Heliophiles are a group of human survivors of vampire attacks who supposedly created the 'Vampire's Handbook to Survival'. But are vampires really that careless to leave behind their victims with their memories of the attack intacted? Now the vampires must investigate who could be so careless, or was it a leak in the Organization?
Adrian, a centuries old vampire, comes face-to-face with the 'light-bearer'. Light-bearers are rare and are dangerous to the survival of vampires. Needing her blood to understand and study the light-bearer, Adrian breaks into Clare's home, which sets off a chain of dangerous events. Clare must now fight for her own survival using the tips provided in the Handbook.
Perry, Adrian's best friend and a werewolf, seeks to investigate how Clare's blood can be weaponized to aid in their fight against the vampires
🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺
I'm now convinced that a vampire book can exist where there isn't a love story between the main characters but rather the focus is solely on the cause. Where has this book been all my life?
Adrian comes off as a super arrogant but as the story progresses we understand why he is that way. I feel for Adrian, having to live with that huge guilt for all of eternity is definitely not an easy burden to bear.
I was fully immersed in this story learning about each character and their background. The brotherly relationship between Adrian and Perry was so heart-warming especially since these two species are at rivalry with each other.
I liked Clare for the majority of the book until she made a reckless decision which Adrian had opposed. This resulted in a totally unforeseeable event which made me angry at her. Clare has me convinced that she doesn't see reason in a situation.
🧛🧛🧛🧛🧛🧛🧛🧛🧛🧛
Do vampires exist? And if so, how do we survive their attacks?
Clare, a journalist, is tasked to write an article on the 'Heliophiles'. The Heliophiles are a group of human survivors of vampire attacks who supposedly created the 'Vampire's Handbook to Survival'. But are vampires really that careless to leave behind their victims with their memories of the attack intacted? Now the vampires must investigate who could be so careless, or was it a leak in the Organization?
Adrian, a centuries old vampire, comes face-to-face with the 'light-bearer'. Light-bearers are rare and are dangerous to the survival of vampires. Needing her blood to understand and study the light-bearer, Adrian breaks into Clare's home, which sets off a chain of dangerous events. Clare must now fight for her own survival using the tips provided in the Handbook.
Perry, Adrian's best friend and a werewolf, seeks to investigate how Clare's blood can be weaponized to aid in their fight against the vampires
🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺
I'm now convinced that a vampire book can exist where there isn't a love story between the main characters but rather the focus is solely on the cause. Where has this book been all my life?
Adrian comes off as a super arrogant but as the story progresses we understand why he is that way. I feel for Adrian, having to live with that huge guilt for all of eternity is definitely not an easy burden to bear.
I was fully immersed in this story learning about each character and their background. The brotherly relationship between Adrian and Perry was so heart-warming especially since these two species are at rivalry with each other.
I liked Clare for the majority of the book until she made a reckless decision which Adrian had opposed. This resulted in a totally unforeseeable event which made me angry at her. Clare has me convinced that she doesn't see reason in a situation.
November 2, 2023
I was completely drawn into the world of THE SURVIVORS, which is saying a lot since I'm not usually a fan of vampire novels. (Why I read it isn't relevant here.) The characters are well-developed, and the plot is engaging. The prose is friendly and accessible, but does require some thought on the part of the reader (which I love). Not everything is spelled out. The reader needs to make some inferences, which are confirmed not too long after. Since I don't read a lot of vampire novels, I can't say if Kraft has a unique view of the creatures, but I appreciated their presentation and history. They aren't romanticized, which, to me, is refreshing.
The novel ends with hints of a sequel brewing. This non-vampire-genre-reader will seek out the next SURVIVORS book if J.E.Kraft sees fit to offer one.
The novel ends with hints of a sequel brewing. This non-vampire-genre-reader will seek out the next SURVIVORS book if J.E.Kraft sees fit to offer one.
April 27, 2021
I literally cannot wait to read what happens next. The characters and their backstories are so beautifully and intricately written you begin to view them as part of your own circle and I found myself fully invested in their experiences. One I started this book I couldn’t put it down. The juxtaposition of having two different species who are polar opposites and dislike each other on principle have to come together to work against a common enemy for the greater good- enthralling. I laughed, I cried, and I have read it fully more than once.
July 6, 2021
I lost so much sleep because of this book playing the “just one more chapter” game every night. The characters have great depth and the plot sucks you in and then suddenly spins you around with a twist you didn’t see coming (but the clues were there and it makes sense, it was just sneaky and you missed them because you were so engrossed!) I don’t even want to say much more because I don’t want to give anything away. Needless to say, I need a sequel like yesterday. Oh, and just a warning, these are most certainly not the sparkly “romantic” vampires. They’re the real deal.
May 10, 2021
Both my spouse and I really enjoyed this book and can’t wait to read more from this author! We took turns reading chapters and discussing what happened and what the possibilities of the next chapter were. I don’t want to give too much away so I’ll just say it’s a must read if you enjoy supernatural storylines and characters and will have you excited to read the next chapter. When we finished the found our selves asking the question “ what’s next?”
March 8, 2024
If you have a space in your chest that has been empty since Kelley Armstrong finished the Women of the Otherworld series, then this is the book for you. Filled with plot twists that delight and other twists that will have you in tears- it is a beautifully balanced emotional journey of laughing and grieving. Looking forward to reading future books set in this world. Can't wait to see what J. E. Kraft comes up with next!
April 27, 2021
This is an amazing story!! The story is engaging and nearly impossible to guess what will happen next. I stayed up until 3am two nights in a row because I couldn’t put it down. After reading The Survivors you’ll wonder if vampires really do exist... maybe they do.
June 9, 2024
This book kept me on the edge of my seat. Adrian, the protagonist is a fascinating character and the ensemble of characters just enhances the already enchanting story. If you love vampire/fantasy books, this world bending will suck you in (no pun intended). Can't wait for the sequel!
May 4, 2025
A fun read that sucks you in
I intended that pun with my whole chest. J.E. Kraft has created a world familiar yet new. Characters where you can find empathy, and ones you want to reach through the page and "handle" yourself.
I intended that pun with my whole chest. J.E. Kraft has created a world familiar yet new. Characters where you can find empathy, and ones you want to reach through the page and "handle" yourself.
January 7, 2022
Absolutely loved it! Mysterious, intriguing, captivating and ooooh my gosh!
June 9, 2024
Big fan of vampire and fantasy books and this fits nicely in my collection. The world is very creative and takes unique twists and turns while staying heartfelt. Dark, brooding and wonderful.
February 2, 2022
I absolutely love the world-building in this book! And the story is so compelling. Based on my personal reading experience, it seems like it's hard to do both of those things well, but Kraft nails it! I also love the idea that vampires and werewolves can be best friends.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews