Blood Moon

Vampire Vigilante #1

by Nazri Noor, Nick Podehl (Narrator)

All vampires suck. Sterling just happens to be very good at it.

Vainglorious vampire Sterling is forced to trade his big city hedonism for a trip to a sleepy mountain town, where mangled dead bodies have been discovered. Soon he’s entangled with snooty vampire nobles, territorial werewolves, and a society of law-enforcing sorcerers.

The locals aren’t so bad, like the luscious young lady at the fruit shop, or the hunky electrician whose smile sends out sparks. But they’re distractions from the hunt for the mountain murderer. And then there’s the eerie enigma: why are all these corpses missing their faces?

Genres: Urban Fantasy, Fantasy, Vampires, Paranormal, M M Romance, LGBT, Audiobook

7 pages, Audible Audio

First published May 24, 2021

About the author

Hi, I'm Nazri, a Filipino-Malaysian author based in California. I’m trilingual, but I really only write in English. I can also speak just enough Sindarin and Valyrian to impress absolutely no one. My urban fantasy novels focus on realistic heroes who use wits, style, and their wildly unpredictable magic to (try) and save the day. Think sass and class, while kicking ass.

My influences come from horror and fantasy: HP Lovecraft, Anne Rice, George R.R. Martin, Chuck Palahniuk, Terry Pratchett, and Neil Gaiman. Growing up I was shaped by the Blood Sword, Fighting Fantasy, Lone Wolf, and Grey Star game book universes. I'm also inspired by video games, specifically the Castlevania, Final Fantasy, and Persona series.

TL;DR: I'm a huge nerd. And yes, that's my real hair. I try to donate it to the American Cancer Society as often as I can. Also, have you heard? You can get a free book at www.NazriNoor.com.

Reviews

[Kit (Metaphors and Moonlight) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poor Sterling. Life is hard when you’re attracted to everyone. Man couldn’t take three steps without finding another person to flirt with. 😄 I jest, he wasn’t quite that bad, but he was definitely crushing on two people. And I’m genuinely here for it. I love characters who are shameless flirts.

This book was fun! Short (less than seven hours in audio), but fun. Punchy and attention-grabbing. I am not always a fan of first person POVs that break the fourth wall and talk casually to the reader, but the combination of Sterling’s personality with the audiobook narration made it work here. Sterling is just a fun character, full of sassy quips and opinions. But never in a way that felt hurtful, if that makes sense. And he also has his deeper side, though he tries to keep that hidden from his friends.

There was also queer rep, since Sterling is pan. No romance or sex in the story though. Just some flirting and maaaaybe a hint at feelings that could eventually become something, but that’s still unclear.

This is a spin-off of the Darkling Mage series, but it definitely works as its own separate story. I think I enjoyed it more because I was already familiar with the characters, and it doesn’t really explain certain things about the world, but I think you could get by without that if you want to jump in here.

My only kind of issue was the mystery, I guess? They were trying to solve it, so they did a few things, and then the reveal just sorta happened to them. I feel like I’m being harsh, there was some explanation for why things happened that way afterward, and these aren’t meant to complex mystery books. The pacing just threw me off and the reveal felt a little out of nowhere at first.

The audiobook narration by Nick Podehl was great! He brought Sterling to life wonderfully. As I said, he really made the “talking to the reader” POV work. And he made every character sound different. Some characters drifted a bit toward exaggerated, but I can excuse that when it helps set the characters apart. I definitely recommend the audio.

Overall, this was fun and one of those books that is just so readable (or listenable, in my case)!

*Rating: 4 Stars // Read Date: 2024 // Format: Audiobook*

Recommended For:
Anyone who likes snappy paranormal/urban fantasy, vampires, conversational POV, nice friendships, and characters who are flirty, quippy, and fun.

Original Review @ Metaphors and Moonlight

[Paul · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn't finish the book. Although I appreciated that Sterling was also openly attracted to men, he spent too much time gawking after women for me to keep reading. It's a real shame because he was really funny otherwise, but there wasn't enough chemistry in the core cast and not enough draw in the plot for me to keep going.

[Connie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yay! Sterling gets his own series!

Vampire Sterling, Werewolf Gil and Necromancer Asher are in the sleepy town of Silverapolis. They're on the hunt for a murderer who leaves the victim's without their faces. Is this just some random psycho or are there darker forces at work?

Sterling is one of my favourite characters from the Darkling Mage stories, and I was excited to see him get his own series. And it doesn't disappoint.
As with Nazri Noor's other books, this is high action fast paced Urban fantasy. If you haven't read any, then you don't know what you're missing.

Carpe Noctum!

[Monique · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️ 3.5/4 stars ⭐️

[Mandy (MP Book Reviews) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vampire Sterling has to trade the big city for a trip to a sleepy mounting town where mangled dead bodies have been discovered. Soon he is entangled with snooty vampire nobles, territorial werewolves and law-enforcing sorcerers. The locals don't appear to be so bad from the young lady at the fruit shop to the hunky electrician with the beautiful smile. But they are distractions from the hunt for the murderer. Either way, none of this explains why the corpses are missing their faces. Can Sterling, Gil and Asher get to the bottom of the mystery?

When I started to read this book I realised just how much I had missed Sterling, Gil and Asher and the magical world and characters that this author has created. Certainly in this book, Sterling has lost none of his attitudes as he encounters the different people and seems to aggravate and wind up everybody so that he has to fight them. Through all of that, they manage to solve the mystery (although at times I did wonder if he really wanted to or just to really irritate everyone so he could have an argument with them). Either way, I found myself laughing at him at times when I probably shouldn't have. Well written and easy to read and understand. I loved the start of this series and can't wait to find out what happens to them next.

[Dolorianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved it. Sterling has been a favorite since the very first Darkling Mage/Dustin book, and getting his POV was a treat. He's much more chill that Dustin, Mason, or Quilliam, probably since he's been around a while and is already comfortable with his life. The boys are on the road for this one, and it made for some interesting reunions and reveals. Liked the twists a lot. Excited to see what they get up to next.

[Lee Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blood Moon

Sterling gets his own books! Nazri Noor has a wonderfully unique writing style that engages me fully in his books! Each one is unique, with unique characters and fantastic situations. I truly enjoyed reading this book! Highly recommended

[Jason · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

I really enjoyed this book. It was a very quick and easy read. I liked the character interactions as well as the humor.

[Tina G. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blood Moon (Vampire Vigilante, Book One) by Nazri Noor and narrated by Nick Podehl is a world I am loving! If you’re looking for a book with awesome supernatural characters, a nicely written story, and top-notch narration, this is for you. This is a world you’ll crave more of and chances are you will listen to the entire book in one sitting.

What’s it about? Three friends, Sterling the vampire with an amusing mouth, Gil the handsome werewolf, and Asher the young necromancer, are sent to investigate some gruesome murders in a small California town. There’s a variety of supernaturals, magic, action, twists and turns, friendship, humor, engaging characters, and more. The minor characters bring entertainment to the story and Tabitha steals the scenes. Not gonna lie, I would love to see her in her own series. One thing’s for sure, it’s a fun ride in Sterling’s world and I want more.

The narrator, Nick Podehl, does a fabulous job. Characters are distinct and consistent. Pace is good with the emphases in all the right places. The female characters voices aren’t aggravating (thank you Nick).

Highly recommend this one. This is the first book for both author and narrator I’ve listened to and it won’t be the last. I hope there are more books in the works, hint hint…

~ “Smoke form,” the witch cried out.
“What is this, a video game?” I turned to the others. “Am I nuts? Why is she calling out her spells?”
The witch answered by giving me the finger.
~ Thor ducked as an imp flew past his head, tooting on its stupid f*** flute, nearly burning off the ends of his hair.

Parental guidance/trigger warnings: deaths, weapons (swords), fighting. Language used: Sx57, F an impressive 106 times.

*I requested this audiobook from Audiobook Boom! at my request and have voluntarily left this review. Thank you for allowing me to listen and review the book.

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the first book I have listened to by Nazri Noor and it will not be my last. Blood Moon is a follow-up series to the Darkling Mage series. The primary characters are introduced as secondary characters in the Darkling Mage series. In this series, the Vampire Vigilante series, the focus is on Sterling, a vain, cocky vampire who likes the finer things in life, include brand name clothes. He finds himself, along with his werewolf and necromancer friends, in a backwater town with a mysterious past, strange locals, and victims who have their faces eaten off in the woods. Add in the search for a magical artifact, a snarky vampire who is constantly hungry (for both blood and romance – with either gender) and you have a humerous, non-t.raditional paranormal not-so urban fantasy. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was funny and Sterling’s snarky sense of humor kept me laughing. The plot had adequate twists and turns to keep you guessing. It was just the right light fun read I was looking for.

This was also the first book I listened to narrated by Nick Podehl. He did a great job! I enjyed listening to him. He imbued his characters with the appropriate fun and humor demanded by this book and each character’s voice was distinct and easy to follow. I will certainly look for him again.

If you like urban fantasy, I recommend checking out this series and the previous Darkling Mage series. Nazri Noor brings a fresh flavor to this genre.

***I received a free copy of this audiobook in exchange for my own, unbiased, review.***

[Lee]

I guess I should have read the other series first, but this one is on audible plus, so.. guess I'll just keep fumbling along? It's fine on its own and does a good job of reintroducing characters, but a lot of the info does FEEL like a recap, like ah, I'm supposed to know this already.

Undecided on whether I'll continue onto the next book. Sterling was fun as a main character, but I wasn't too interested in any of the other characters or the overall plot.

Ngl, called Olivia (I think that was her name??) from the very beginning simply from the fact that Sterling was simping for her when there was literally nothing interesting, attractive or appealing about her. So we're supposed to take note of her, but there's nothing for us to actually LIKE about her.

Roth being Thor and Odin having this tavern in the middle of bumfuck nowhere U.S.A. was kinda meh (unless it's like some kinda magical shows-up-wherever-it's-needed thing, I guess). Always feel that way when gods n stuff are brought into modern settings, especially American ones. Like, why is a god of norse mythology is hanging out in the US? Unfortunately it seems Roth/Thor is going to be sticking around AND having some kind flirtation with Sterling, which I'm the opposite of interested in. Where did Vilmas go?? Bring him back instead.

[Wide Eyes, Big Ears! · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wily vampire, Sterling knows he’s impossibly handsome and a competent, determined fighter, but even he recognises that his smart mouth gets him into a lot of unnecessary trouble—at least that what his companions, the long suffering werewolf, Gil, and the innocent, talented necromancer, Asher, keep telling him! They’re in sleepy Silveropolis to track down the monster that’s eating people’s faces and they’re not endearing themselves to the locals. While they’re at it, they might as well track down the Filigree Mask, a magical artefact that gives the wearer extra powers—it will give Sterling an extra bargaining chip.

This is my first Nazri Noor novel and I really enjoyed it, especially Sterling’s snide humour and the magical world he operates in. Having said that, I was surprised to find this isn’t a romance at all. Sterling flirts with everyone (or eyes them as a potential snack) but he falls for no one. This is purely an entertaining fantasy adventure: I liked the world-building, I liked the characters, I liked the magical action scenes, and I’m happy to join these guys on more escapades. 🎧 Voice actor Nick Podehl was also new to me and I thoroughly enjoyed his arch and playful rendition of Sterling!

[Kaylee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was alright. I definitely felt like I was missing something during multiple times, like it was a part of a series or that I had skipped books.

Well, my fault. Saw it was free on Audible and needed a new book to start. Found out after the fact that it was a spin-off of the Darkling Mage series. It worked well enough on its own but, like I said, sometimes I felt like something was missing.

Nick Podehl did a decent job. I really had to get used to his voice for Sterling and his female voices... They were really hit and miss.

All that to say, that this was interesting overall and an enjoyable enough read. I liked quite a bit of the humor and most of the side characters. The plot was rather obvious and didn't move much for a while.

Sterling barely had blood. He was starving the entire time and mostly subsisted on food with a supplementation of very little blood. That was... an interesting take. I liked how each person's blood literally had a story with it, though.

As with other free series on Audible that are decent, finished this a few days ago, already started the next so don't want to give anything away and wish I could remember more at the moment. If I do, I'll add it here, however, record shows that that rarely happens...

[Buttercupp77 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blood Moon is the first entry in another spin-off series from the Darkling Mage books. This series focuses on Sterling - the hedonistic vampire. Sent to investigate a series of murders in a small town, Sterling, Gil (the werewolf) and Asher (the necromancer) encounter an interesting cast of characters as they try to get to the root of the killings.

As I've come to expect from this author, the pacing is excellent. There's plenty of snark and sarcasm to go around. The world-building is also well-executed.

I thought the character development was very well-done, although I did find myself a little disappointed that Sterling's thoughts were so...modern and youthful. I would have anticipated some more archaic expressions or ideology in his thought patterns. However, this didn't detract from my enjoyment of the novel.

I look forward to the next installment.


I received an ARC via the author.

[Ememel]

This book suffers from insufficient categorising. I've listened one Nazri Noor prior to this, and it's a solid MM urban fantasy/ paranormal romance. This is found under the general LGBTQ section on Audible and while it doesn't promise a romantic plot, my expectations were already going in that direction. Something that's just compounded by the main character who's horny af from the get go.

But it's just a confusing mess. We have this supposedly hedonistic main character who thirsts (pun intended) for everyone and we're thrown into the fast-paced story without sufficient background information or introductions. Halfway into the book I'm starting to get annoyed, on top of the still persisting confusion. I dislike all kind of clickbaits, teasers, bait-and-switches, interrupted moments, cockblocking, edging etcetc and that's what this mostly ends up feeling like.

It would be a service to everyone to just categorise / label it better.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was wondering how a story involving Sterling as the hero would turn out and now I know. It was fabulous! Sterling, Gil and Asher are heading to a small town, Silverdopulous, in the mountains to seek out a serial killer who leaves his victims faceless. The twists and turns of the clues leave them clueless as to what is going on. Sterling is short tempered as he doesn't have a way of getting a good meal of blood and so is more mouthy than usual and causing problems. A dusty, run down house, new friends, fights, murder, the Lorica showing up, old frenemies showing up, violence, and not enough clues, so of course not enough answers. An excellent book that I hope is going to be a new series. Sit or lay down and don't worry about the potato salad being made for the Memorial Day picnic as you will want to read this one for sure. I voluntarily read and reviewed this ARC book.

[Audrey Cienki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blood Moon by Nazri Noor is just what I had been hoping to read-Sterling’s story. It is really great to have a story with Sterling, Gil and Asher in it. We did not see enough of them in the other series snd there is lots to learn about about all three.
For example, Sterling is so much more than just the good looking, nonchalant persona, that he hides behind. I’ve really enjoyed getting to know him a bit better in this book. And a couple of fun surprises.
And, I learned so much. A couple of new words. Something that I used to cook when I was a child (I called it leftovers), actually has a name.
Plus, Nazri just included a new kind of crazy-evil. Yep. Remember, fear can create monsters.
I just loved the ending and I am very excited that we will be seeing the guys in more adventures. Carpe noctem.

[Tom Intiso · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carpe Noctum!

This is Sterling’s catch-phrase come up and believe me, it shows up often in this book… However, it never gets tiresome or odious.

This book was, and the series offers to be, a lot more fun then the previous series. That’s not to say they weren’t fun, because they were, but this one,…. Wow.

Centered on the character of Sterling, as it is, this book has both more of a frenetic feel and a deeply tragic, feel all at the same time. We get a very real and earnest glimpse into Nazri’s take on the downside to immortality. Sterling pain is all too palpable, which makes his sarcasm all the more relatable, and twice as funny.

This book has so many different things going on, it’s amazing that Noor was able to keep it all in line. Hell, this book even has walking fried chicken drumsticks. Go figure!

Enjoy!

[GG · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sterling has his own book; Sterling has his own book!

This was a fun romp with Sterling and company. This spinoff book features a favorite vampire and his friends off on an adventure of their own trying to track down what has been killing and ripping the faces off in lovely, rural Silveropolis.

The banter between the characters, the fast-paced story, and the overall plot drew me in and kept me reading way past my bedtime. Characters from other books in this world showed up but while it enriches the reading to be familiar with the rest of this intricate world, the book can be quite enjoyable without it. (But do go read the other books; they're worth it.)

Darn it, Author Noor, you've done it again!

I read an ARC of this book and have chosen to review it.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun story where three supernaturals come to a small town to investigate some unusual slayings. Sterling is our vampire narrator, and while he is at the core, our LGBTQ+ character flirting with every handsome/beautiful hottie he runs across, he's also quite asexual since the relationship between him and humans is a food thing, rather than a sex thing. That's an aspect I really enjoyed in this book. This book is not a romance, it's a mystery with magic and horror elements while also being fairly comedic in nature. Fun characters and some unexpected twists. Massive amounts of flirting, but zero sexy times. A nice break from all the "fated mates" vampire tropes out there with a vampire MC that actually understands the consequences of "turning" someone to assuage the loneliness.

[MyDoRyS · Rating 2 out of 5]

Audio: No Stars...what an awful voice narrator.

Story: The story is ridiculous, which I expected so it made me laugh. As long as you keep that in mind, you might enjoy it. I don't mind the sassy vampire but HATED the narrator, so I dropped it and read the book instead. The characters' chemistry is a bit odd. Also, the vampire should be a long living creature but his personality is quite immature. He also comes not prepared with enough blood? ANYWAY, it is a quick read so if you have the time is ok. I don't get the incredibly high reviews though. It also has an MM tag, which does not really define this book as the vamp is bi? but more interested in females?!

[thatchickuh8 · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF @ 55%. I wanted to like this, but it was just TOO much. The MC is TOO immature for a vampire and TOO quirky/snarky and humourous for a story lacking in humour, the Narrator hits the quirky/snarky humour angle TOO hard, the plot is TOO derivative, and sadly, I read this author's other book, Hex and the City, first, the MC and plot of which are TOO similar. Also, wasn't this supposed to be an MM Romance? Maybe the MC is bi, but I didn't find anybody to have chemistry with him, and how could they when he's so in love with his own voice? The author seems to like this type of MC, but Urban Fantasy is not the right genre for it.

[K. Gabaldon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book.

Blood moon is an engaging story from the perspective of Sterling, a vampire we have previously met in Noor's Darkling Mage series. This book is full of snarky sass, witty banter and relatable characters wrapped up in a fun adventure filled plot - the hallmarks of a Nazri Noor series. But just as Sterling is older and wiser than Dust or Mason, Noor's writing has also matured. I really feel this is the best book yet. And if you haven't read the others, why not? Why read this review when you could be reading more novels by Nazri Noor? Go! Go!

[Trish Klebolt-pearson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great series from Nazri Noor

As a member of the Arcane Underground and big fan of all of Nazri Noor's books, especially the Darkling Mage Series, I looked forward to this new series. He did not disappoint. It was wonderful to see characters from the Darkling Mage series. Love Asher & Gil! At the beginning, I had to get over Sterling's bratty behavior, but he grows on you. We get to see that there is more to him than his attitude shows. I look forward to reading more of his stories. (I still think of Spike from Buffy when I picture Sterling, lol)

[Sherry Vaughan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Series to savor.

Sterling is having his own series of adventures. This first one is a doozie. In the town of Silverapolis, people's faces are being eaten off. Sterling, Gil, and Asher are investigating the sinister crime.
This book, like most of his books, is full of sarcastic humor and diabolical acts. I like that he has taken characters from one series, placed them in a new setting, and let them react to what they discover. A new series to savor.

[Tara Ramanatarakindal.Com · Rating 5 out of 5]

Could not put it down

There are few books that you just can't stop reading til the end, no matter what. This is one of them. Sterling Asher and Gil are back and with friends. The story never stalls. The action is non stop. Sprinkled with witty humor. Absolutely a must read. Nazri hits another home run

[Mark Lucas-Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blood Moon

A werewolf a vampire and a necromancers walk into a bar not just any bar but a werewolf one.
Gil, Sterling our narrator and Asher arrive in Silveropolis to solve and sort out a series of unnatural murders where all the victims have had their faces removed.
A not so cosy urban fantasy mystery.
Fast paced, well written, snarky and witty.

[Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

CARPE NOCTUM!!!

Sterling is a sassy, wonderful vampire for whom the world is a buffet. Sent with his werewolf and necromancer Bugzilla to investigate arcane murders. Surprises around every corner and loads of action!

[Cindy Deporter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who Knew.....

That a vampire a werewolf snd a necromancer were independent agents and worked together to help maintain equilibrium in the supernatural world. Great storyline fast paced with lots of twists snd turns.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Swooning for Sterling

What can you say, it's Sterling! He is just amazing. Loyal and funny and always trying to do the right thing. I loved the book and hope to see more of Sterling's story in the future .