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Hunter of the Dead
Someone has begun targeting vampires.
Vampire leaders of the thirteen Houses attribute the string of recent losses to over-zealous vampire hunters. Only Cicatrice, the most ancient and powerful vampire in the world, suspects that the semi-legendary Hunter of the Dead may be the real culprit.
Carter Price, a vampire hunter who despises the way his profession is becoming centralized and corporatized, begins to suspect the Hunter of the Dead is back, too—and no longer distinguishing between vampires and mortals. Against his better judgment, Price agrees to work with Cicatrice.
The uneasy allies attempt to uncover the truth about the Hunter, while a vampire civil war brews in the background. But perhaps most difficult of all, they must contend with their new apprentices, who seem to be falling in love with each other against every rule of man and monster…
Vampire leaders of the thirteen Houses attribute the string of recent losses to over-zealous vampire hunters. Only Cicatrice, the most ancient and powerful vampire in the world, suspects that the semi-legendary Hunter of the Dead may be the real culprit.
Carter Price, a vampire hunter who despises the way his profession is becoming centralized and corporatized, begins to suspect the Hunter of the Dead is back, too—and no longer distinguishing between vampires and mortals. Against his better judgment, Price agrees to work with Cicatrice.
The uneasy allies attempt to uncover the truth about the Hunter, while a vampire civil war brews in the background. But perhaps most difficult of all, they must contend with their new apprentices, who seem to be falling in love with each other against every rule of man and monster…
389 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 14, 2016
15 people are currently reading
436 people want to read
About the author
Stephen Kozeniewski
46 books437 followersStephen Kozeniewski (pronounced "causin' ooze key") is a Splatterpunk Award-winning author and two-time World Horror Grossout Contest champion. His published work has also been nominated for the Voice Arts and Indie Horror Book Awards, among other honors. He lives in Pennsylvania with his fiancée and their two cats above a fanciful balloon studio.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
October 26, 2016
I am a huge fan of Stephen Kozeniewski's writing. Basically, he is a writer who isn't afraid to create entire new worlds with their own mythologies, ideas, and concepts before letting them stand on their own. I recommend BRAINEATER JONES and BILLY AND THE CLONEASAURUS if you want to see some of his other works.
Hunter of the Dead is the story of a world where vampires live in the shadows and are opposed by a secret cabal of hunters. This not-uncommon setting for this world is one which Stephen breathes fresh-life into by making it one of the most grimdark, brutal, and nasty places I've read in fiction. It's easily up there with Mark Lawrence and Richard K. Morgan for a world of interesting but irredeemable characters. Both vampires and hunters.
The premise of the books is the vampires of the world are divided into houses which have nearly unlimited authority to do whatever they want. They kill with impunity across the world and lose all their humanity when they're turned into monsters. The vampire hunters, called Inquisitors, are a bunch of sadistic psychopaths either traumatized by their sights into becoming monsters themselves or simply being that awful to begin with.
The book follows a newly changed vampire named Idi Han (not her real name), an idealistic young vampire hunter named Nico, and his mentor in a crazy old hunter in Pryce. All three of them have deep personality flaws with Idi being insanely overconfidant, Nico being all too quick to believe vampires are just people too (especially when hot), and Pryce having thrown away his soul in the fires of his crusade. The three of them become embroiled in a conflict between the vampires of Las Vegas and a mysterious monster called The Hunter of the Dead. All of them are going to attempt to take advantage.
A warning for those who are squeamish, this book is both dark and gory. It's as if someone combined The Evil Dead films with John Carpenter's Vampyres. The vampires causally murder everyone from children to each other in grotesque ways. It's a grand guginol of murder and those who don't like a little splatter with their horror probably won't get as much out of this book as most.
The warning also extends to those who expect anything resembling redeeming features from the protagonists. They are a bunch of complete monsters or those who are on the road to becoming so. This will appeal to as many readers as it pushes away but it's good to get this fact out of the way at the beginning. No one in particularly interested in doing the right thing but just inflicting as much damage on the enemy as possible. This includes, ironically, making deals with the other side to inflict said damage.
I also give this book credit for nicely deconstructing the teenage vampire romance. A pair of starcrossed lovers hook up in this game from both sides of the war then, after some steamy sex, discover that one of them is an inhuman murderous horror with no soul while the other ISN'T a homicidal cannibal. It's such a lovely bit that I had to laugh at the black humor of it. It's like Twilight ending with Edward ripping Bella's throat out in the woods.
My favorite character of the book is undoubtedly Topan. A Malyasian vampire who was once the Golden BoyTM of his house, he's fallen in stature and is soon going to be replaced. He's a slimy, murderous little pervert but I think he deserves to be King of the Vampires more than anyone else in the group. I hope he shows up in the next book because he's too good of a character to die and I loved how he managed to show just how serious the vampires were when they wanted to make a "truce."
In conclusion, Hunter of the Dead is a great novel if you like your urban fantasy jet black and cold-blooded. These are some truly nasty vampires and genuinely distasteful antiheroes but watching them go up against each other is epic.
9/10
Hunter of the Dead is the story of a world where vampires live in the shadows and are opposed by a secret cabal of hunters. This not-uncommon setting for this world is one which Stephen breathes fresh-life into by making it one of the most grimdark, brutal, and nasty places I've read in fiction. It's easily up there with Mark Lawrence and Richard K. Morgan for a world of interesting but irredeemable characters. Both vampires and hunters.
The premise of the books is the vampires of the world are divided into houses which have nearly unlimited authority to do whatever they want. They kill with impunity across the world and lose all their humanity when they're turned into monsters. The vampire hunters, called Inquisitors, are a bunch of sadistic psychopaths either traumatized by their sights into becoming monsters themselves or simply being that awful to begin with.
The book follows a newly changed vampire named Idi Han (not her real name), an idealistic young vampire hunter named Nico, and his mentor in a crazy old hunter in Pryce. All three of them have deep personality flaws with Idi being insanely overconfidant, Nico being all too quick to believe vampires are just people too (especially when hot), and Pryce having thrown away his soul in the fires of his crusade. The three of them become embroiled in a conflict between the vampires of Las Vegas and a mysterious monster called The Hunter of the Dead. All of them are going to attempt to take advantage.
A warning for those who are squeamish, this book is both dark and gory. It's as if someone combined The Evil Dead films with John Carpenter's Vampyres. The vampires causally murder everyone from children to each other in grotesque ways. It's a grand guginol of murder and those who don't like a little splatter with their horror probably won't get as much out of this book as most.
The warning also extends to those who expect anything resembling redeeming features from the protagonists. They are a bunch of complete monsters or those who are on the road to becoming so. This will appeal to as many readers as it pushes away but it's good to get this fact out of the way at the beginning. No one in particularly interested in doing the right thing but just inflicting as much damage on the enemy as possible. This includes, ironically, making deals with the other side to inflict said damage.
I also give this book credit for nicely deconstructing the teenage vampire romance. A pair of starcrossed lovers hook up in this game from both sides of the war then, after some steamy sex, discover that one of them is an inhuman murderous horror with no soul while the other ISN'T a homicidal cannibal. It's such a lovely bit that I had to laugh at the black humor of it. It's like Twilight ending with Edward ripping Bella's throat out in the woods.
My favorite character of the book is undoubtedly Topan. A Malyasian vampire who was once the Golden BoyTM of his house, he's fallen in stature and is soon going to be replaced. He's a slimy, murderous little pervert but I think he deserves to be King of the Vampires more than anyone else in the group. I hope he shows up in the next book because he's too good of a character to die and I loved how he managed to show just how serious the vampires were when they wanted to make a "truce."
In conclusion, Hunter of the Dead is a great novel if you like your urban fantasy jet black and cold-blooded. These are some truly nasty vampires and genuinely distasteful antiheroes but watching them go up against each other is epic.
9/10
September 16, 2017
A big thank you to the author for the free copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.
I must say I found myself liking this book overall, but I had a couple of issues with plot. I was immediately sucked into this new world of vampires where they live in gambling dens and pick their heirs like the Mafia. I followed right along. But how can the book be titled for a character that pops up twice in the whole book? He has the potential to blow this world wide open, but he's relegated to a bit part-completely inexcusable. Also a female character that holds a constant place in about the first two-third of the book suddenly disappears until the last chapter or so? Did the author forget about her? It just seemed so odd to suddenly not read about her as if he decided to start another angle then at the end figured out he had to now somehow bring all of these disparate subplots together. It felt a bit contrived.
Again if I take the book at face value and try not to judge, it's really an entertaining read. I just think think it didn't live up to its promise.
I must say I found myself liking this book overall, but I had a couple of issues with plot. I was immediately sucked into this new world of vampires where they live in gambling dens and pick their heirs like the Mafia. I followed right along. But how can the book be titled for a character that pops up twice in the whole book? He has the potential to blow this world wide open, but he's relegated to a bit part-completely inexcusable. Also a female character that holds a constant place in about the first two-third of the book suddenly disappears until the last chapter or so? Did the author forget about her? It just seemed so odd to suddenly not read about her as if he decided to start another angle then at the end figured out he had to now somehow bring all of these disparate subplots together. It felt a bit contrived.
Again if I take the book at face value and try not to judge, it's really an entertaining read. I just think think it didn't live up to its promise.
December 13, 2016
He is a legend, no one has lived to describe him. He is the HUNTER OF THE DEAD and the dark world of vampires are being brought to their eternal and a final death by either this dark legend or a group of over-zealous vampire hunters. Cicatrice, the oldest, most powerful and most vile of the vampires is not the only one to believe the HUNTER OF THE DEAD is back. Carter Price, a hunter himself also believes but he feels the hunter is now killing with little thought to who or what he kills. Price must make a deal with the devil he knows and an uneasy allegiance is born between vampire and hunter, but will it be enough to stop this legend?
In a dark world where vampires are the undead monsters of old, challenges for power, backstabbing and deceit will run rabid among the clans. Already distrustful and egocentric, both tentative allies and apprentices will come forth as the war between the vampires brings eternal death and destruction. As if the waters haven’t been bloodied enough, and the lines between vampire and hunter become blurred as two bitter enemies find an attraction that is an abomination to both humanity and the undead.
Will Price become part of an ala carte vampire meal? Will Cicatrice use him for more than his knowledge of the hunter? Will the HUNTER OF THE DEAD find them both and see them as enemies or will he recognize another hunter and fight as brothers? Blood and body parts will fly, in well described scenes of battle and posturing. So many scenes, so many subplots, all woven together into a tale that takes no prisoners with its relentless pace and numerous twists.
Who is fooling who? Who can be trusted? In a world where blood is commonplace and brutal dismemberment is the norm, save any snacks for later if you have a gentile digestive system because author Stephen Kozniewski is holding nothing back to display his vampires as the brutal monster of days gone by. No sparkle, no shimmer, no hearts and flowers, just the blood-thirsty, power-hungry, sword wielding nightmares that explode with their vicious, cold and unfeeling hearts. Learn a few new facts and fable of vampire destruction, yes, holy water works, garlic is only good to mask human scent. Wood is good, silver is great. You may want to keep your travels to sunny days.
I received this copy from Stephen Kozeniewski in exchange for my honest review.
Publisher: Sinister Grin Press (August 15, 2016)
Publication Date: August 15, 2016
Genre: Paranormal | Dark Urban Fantasy
Print Length: 314 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com
In a dark world where vampires are the undead monsters of old, challenges for power, backstabbing and deceit will run rabid among the clans. Already distrustful and egocentric, both tentative allies and apprentices will come forth as the war between the vampires brings eternal death and destruction. As if the waters haven’t been bloodied enough, and the lines between vampire and hunter become blurred as two bitter enemies find an attraction that is an abomination to both humanity and the undead.
Will Price become part of an ala carte vampire meal? Will Cicatrice use him for more than his knowledge of the hunter? Will the HUNTER OF THE DEAD find them both and see them as enemies or will he recognize another hunter and fight as brothers? Blood and body parts will fly, in well described scenes of battle and posturing. So many scenes, so many subplots, all woven together into a tale that takes no prisoners with its relentless pace and numerous twists.
Who is fooling who? Who can be trusted? In a world where blood is commonplace and brutal dismemberment is the norm, save any snacks for later if you have a gentile digestive system because author Stephen Kozniewski is holding nothing back to display his vampires as the brutal monster of days gone by. No sparkle, no shimmer, no hearts and flowers, just the blood-thirsty, power-hungry, sword wielding nightmares that explode with their vicious, cold and unfeeling hearts. Learn a few new facts and fable of vampire destruction, yes, holy water works, garlic is only good to mask human scent. Wood is good, silver is great. You may want to keep your travels to sunny days.
I received this copy from Stephen Kozeniewski in exchange for my honest review.
Publisher: Sinister Grin Press (August 15, 2016)
Publication Date: August 15, 2016
Genre: Paranormal | Dark Urban Fantasy
Print Length: 314 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com
August 28, 2016
Review copy
Hunter of the Dead is a sprawling, epic tale of vampire houses, the Inquisitors who seek to destroy them, and the one both vampires and Inquisitors fear the most, simply known as The Hunter.
Kozeniewski wastes no time setting the bloody tone for the tale which follows. I have never read anything like this. At times mesmerizing and breathtaking, Hunter of the Dead is every bit as entertaining as The Strain, but dissimilar in many ways. Multiple story-lines woven together in a complex tapestry of blood and violence No sparkly vampires here, these undead are definitely hardcore.
"My intellect tells me there is no chance that The Hunter of the Dead has emerged from centuries of sleep. That he disappeared all those years ago. But my heart screams out that he is back. And if he is, then, yes, mankind and immortals both are in existential danger. He is vicious, soulless, relentless. A killing machine without mercy, without fear. He destroys the undying the same way a man swats a fly. He is indestructible. And he is very, very real."
It there are any negatives with Hunter of the Dead it would be in the way the story moves from the past to the present and back again which I did find a bit tricky to follow, but overall, The Hunter of the Dead is a read that is well worth your time.
Published by Sinister Grin Press, Hunter of the Dead is available in both paperback an Kindle formats. If you subscribe to Kindle Unlimited you may read it at no additional charge and if you're an Amazon Prime member you can read Hunter of the Dead for FREE through the Kindle Owners Lending Library.
From the author's bio - Stephen Kozeniewski (pronounced "causin' ooze key") lives in Pennsylvania, the birthplace of the modern zombie. During his time as a Field Artillery officer, he served for three years in Oklahoma and one in Iraq, where due to what he assumes was a clerical error, he was awarded the Bronze Star. He is also a classically trained linguist, which sounds much more impressive than saying his bachelor's degree is in German.
Hunter of the Dead is a sprawling, epic tale of vampire houses, the Inquisitors who seek to destroy them, and the one both vampires and Inquisitors fear the most, simply known as The Hunter.
Kozeniewski wastes no time setting the bloody tone for the tale which follows. I have never read anything like this. At times mesmerizing and breathtaking, Hunter of the Dead is every bit as entertaining as The Strain, but dissimilar in many ways. Multiple story-lines woven together in a complex tapestry of blood and violence No sparkly vampires here, these undead are definitely hardcore.
"My intellect tells me there is no chance that The Hunter of the Dead has emerged from centuries of sleep. That he disappeared all those years ago. But my heart screams out that he is back. And if he is, then, yes, mankind and immortals both are in existential danger. He is vicious, soulless, relentless. A killing machine without mercy, without fear. He destroys the undying the same way a man swats a fly. He is indestructible. And he is very, very real."
It there are any negatives with Hunter of the Dead it would be in the way the story moves from the past to the present and back again which I did find a bit tricky to follow, but overall, The Hunter of the Dead is a read that is well worth your time.
Published by Sinister Grin Press, Hunter of the Dead is available in both paperback an Kindle formats. If you subscribe to Kindle Unlimited you may read it at no additional charge and if you're an Amazon Prime member you can read Hunter of the Dead for FREE through the Kindle Owners Lending Library.
From the author's bio - Stephen Kozeniewski (pronounced "causin' ooze key") lives in Pennsylvania, the birthplace of the modern zombie. During his time as a Field Artillery officer, he served for three years in Oklahoma and one in Iraq, where due to what he assumes was a clerical error, he was awarded the Bronze Star. He is also a classically trained linguist, which sounds much more impressive than saying his bachelor's degree is in German.
October 18, 2016
I am a huge fan of vampires - books, movies - and feel great disappointment when they fall flat. When this came across my desk, I was both excited and a little weary. I am a big fan of Stephen Kozeniewski's writing... and definitely had high hopes with this one.
This was, hands down, an amazing vampire book. It was different, but gave me that warm feeling I get when I read about authentic vampires. You know what I'm talking about. The ones that are pompous and vicious, who have no soul and don't care... the depraved and evil ones. All wrapped up with that sarcasm I love from Stephen's characters.
Cicatrice is my favorite in the book. He reminds me a lot of Viktor from Underworld, but with enough differences to make me truly intrigued. Carter, the Vampire Hunter, is perfect. Both are extremely well written.
And the one targeting the vampires?! Just wow.
There is action and adventure. There is heart-pounding, suspense-filled moments... that all end in ways that you don't expect them to. And the end of the book left me wanting so much more from this story. So good. And a definite NEED TO READ for this holiday season.
Note: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.
This was, hands down, an amazing vampire book. It was different, but gave me that warm feeling I get when I read about authentic vampires. You know what I'm talking about. The ones that are pompous and vicious, who have no soul and don't care... the depraved and evil ones. All wrapped up with that sarcasm I love from Stephen's characters.
Cicatrice is my favorite in the book. He reminds me a lot of Viktor from Underworld, but with enough differences to make me truly intrigued. Carter, the Vampire Hunter, is perfect. Both are extremely well written.
And the one targeting the vampires?! Just wow.
There is action and adventure. There is heart-pounding, suspense-filled moments... that all end in ways that you don't expect them to. And the end of the book left me wanting so much more from this story. So good. And a definite NEED TO READ for this holiday season.
Note: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.
September 15, 2016
I DO NOT WRITE REVIEWS, EVER.
But I came across a recent blog post written by Stephen Kozeniewski listing the reasons reviews written by ordinary people (even the so called "bad" ones) are important and valuable to authors and I was so impressed by what Mr. K had to say that I was compelled to leave a review for his book Hunter of the Dead.
I've read a lot of vampire books, everything from Twilight (Cheesy) to Interview With a Vampire (Epic) and quite honestly, Hunter of the Dead was one of the best. If you are looking for a fast paced, well written, engrossing read, give this book a shot. You will not be disappointed.
Also, check out Mr. K's blog post about reviewing. If you are one of those people that give a reviewer shit for leaving a one or 2 star review, this blog will leave you with a better understanding of why ALL RATINGS - not just the 5 star ones - are important and helpful to authors.
Thanks Mr. K for the great book & the professional & enlightening blog post. I will be reading more of your books.
But I came across a recent blog post written by Stephen Kozeniewski listing the reasons reviews written by ordinary people (even the so called "bad" ones) are important and valuable to authors and I was so impressed by what Mr. K had to say that I was compelled to leave a review for his book Hunter of the Dead.
I've read a lot of vampire books, everything from Twilight (Cheesy) to Interview With a Vampire (Epic) and quite honestly, Hunter of the Dead was one of the best. If you are looking for a fast paced, well written, engrossing read, give this book a shot. You will not be disappointed.
Also, check out Mr. K's blog post about reviewing. If you are one of those people that give a reviewer shit for leaving a one or 2 star review, this blog will leave you with a better understanding of why ALL RATINGS - not just the 5 star ones - are important and helpful to authors.
Thanks Mr. K for the great book & the professional & enlightening blog post. I will be reading more of your books.
October 7, 2016
Hunter Of The Dead is a throwback to when vampires were monsters, not sparkly emo teenagers full of angst. This book is chock full of bloody, violent action and enough witty dialogue to keep me glued to the pages with a maniacal grin on my face until I finished the last page. I love Nico and Price. Price is a grizzled veteran vampire hunter who prefers to go it alone. Nico is perfect as the apprentice that just found out the hard way that vampires are real. The vampires are full of traitorous back-stabbing villains and even the seemingly good guys aren't trustworthy. Both The Hunter and The Damned were awesomely creepy, boogymen for vampires and hunters alike. I highly recommend this fun filled rollercoaster ride. A solid 5 star read.
September 12, 2016
I was given a copy of this book to review and I did enjoy it.
Mr Kozeniewski's Vampires are delightfully gruesome. I was a little confused at first, be bothered with all the Vampire politics but once I understood, who was who, and who was on who's side, things got quite interesting. There's also a couple of humans in the mix and some entertaining wisecracks. Oh and a really nice twist.
A satisfying ending, with just enough questions left to be answered in future books.
Mr Kozeniewski's Vampires are delightfully gruesome. I was a little confused at first, be bothered with all the Vampire politics but once I understood, who was who, and who was on who's side, things got quite interesting. There's also a couple of humans in the mix and some entertaining wisecracks. Oh and a really nice twist.
A satisfying ending, with just enough questions left to be answered in future books.
April 9, 2017
Hunter of the Dead does its best to shed new light into vampire mythology with a story spanning the ages from the early days of vampires and the inquisitors who wage a constant war with them to today, when a strange monster, shrouded in mystery, has come forth, slaying both vampires and inquisitors alike.
The story passes through multiple time periods, flashing back into the history of characters both significant and petty, while the main story focuses on events occuring in present day Las Vegas. Cicatrice, the strongest immortal in the world and leader of the most powerful house of vampires, is locked in a war with all other rival houses, including house Signari, led by Father Otto, Cicatrice’s greatest rival. Cicatrice has just found his true heir, Idi Han, a freshly turned but incredibly powerful young vampire who shows remarkable skills and control over her powers. We are also introduced to Nico Salazar, night manager of a convenience store who is thrust into the world of night dwellers when his store gets attacked by a strange, vampire-like creature and only by luck and the assistance of an employee does he manage to survive. It turns out that his ragged compatriot is Carter Price, an inquisitor who looks like he’s been run through mill a few too many times to be classified as much of a vampire slayer.
There is a lot going on in this story, with the authors own unique take on the world of vampires and immortality being shared on its pages. Kozeniewski does bring some fresh takes to the genre, with his own brand of dark humor steeped in heavy doses of gore drenched horror. The main characters are solidly developed-in particular Idi Han-the young vampire whose powers are growing at a far more rapid rate than normal, along with her resentment toward being seen as some sort of savior of her kind. Also intriguing is Carter Price, the washed out, rough and tumble inquisitor that likes to go it alone in a profession that typically requires massive teamwork to survive given how much power immortals wield.
This story is jam packed with characters and flashbacks that lend a healthy appreciation for the history of the immortal bloodlines and the wars they’ve waged with one another and humankind. The advantage with that is that the story moves at a very fast clip-there is very little downtime in its pages. Unfortunately, this also means that some of the flesh on its bones I would have liked to have seen within the pages is hard to find. This is a tale that could have been further developed with a much larger work, or perhaps sliced into multiple novels about the diverse characters populating its pages. The Hunter, a malignant and yet fascinating monster, could have garnered for more pages and storyline here, but so to could have Idi Han, Cicatrice, and Carter Price. It is clear that there is more to tell with each of them and given that the author has left the door open for a sequel (or a series of books), perhaps we will see a great deal more of each of them in later works.
Overall, the writing here, as is typically the case with Kozeniewski, is rock solid. He knows how to weave a creative, darkly funny, and diabolical tale. Perhaps it isn’t much of a criticism that his story could have been more fleshed out-after all, leaving the audience wanting more isn’t the worst sin in the world.
The story passes through multiple time periods, flashing back into the history of characters both significant and petty, while the main story focuses on events occuring in present day Las Vegas. Cicatrice, the strongest immortal in the world and leader of the most powerful house of vampires, is locked in a war with all other rival houses, including house Signari, led by Father Otto, Cicatrice’s greatest rival. Cicatrice has just found his true heir, Idi Han, a freshly turned but incredibly powerful young vampire who shows remarkable skills and control over her powers. We are also introduced to Nico Salazar, night manager of a convenience store who is thrust into the world of night dwellers when his store gets attacked by a strange, vampire-like creature and only by luck and the assistance of an employee does he manage to survive. It turns out that his ragged compatriot is Carter Price, an inquisitor who looks like he’s been run through mill a few too many times to be classified as much of a vampire slayer.
There is a lot going on in this story, with the authors own unique take on the world of vampires and immortality being shared on its pages. Kozeniewski does bring some fresh takes to the genre, with his own brand of dark humor steeped in heavy doses of gore drenched horror. The main characters are solidly developed-in particular Idi Han-the young vampire whose powers are growing at a far more rapid rate than normal, along with her resentment toward being seen as some sort of savior of her kind. Also intriguing is Carter Price, the washed out, rough and tumble inquisitor that likes to go it alone in a profession that typically requires massive teamwork to survive given how much power immortals wield.
This story is jam packed with characters and flashbacks that lend a healthy appreciation for the history of the immortal bloodlines and the wars they’ve waged with one another and humankind. The advantage with that is that the story moves at a very fast clip-there is very little downtime in its pages. Unfortunately, this also means that some of the flesh on its bones I would have liked to have seen within the pages is hard to find. This is a tale that could have been further developed with a much larger work, or perhaps sliced into multiple novels about the diverse characters populating its pages. The Hunter, a malignant and yet fascinating monster, could have garnered for more pages and storyline here, but so to could have Idi Han, Cicatrice, and Carter Price. It is clear that there is more to tell with each of them and given that the author has left the door open for a sequel (or a series of books), perhaps we will see a great deal more of each of them in later works.
Overall, the writing here, as is typically the case with Kozeniewski, is rock solid. He knows how to weave a creative, darkly funny, and diabolical tale. Perhaps it isn’t much of a criticism that his story could have been more fleshed out-after all, leaving the audience wanting more isn’t the worst sin in the world.
January 13, 2023
I'd like to thank the author for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for a review.
I've always been a fan of vampire stories and while in my twenties the ones I read the most were centered more around romantic plots, I'm also a lover of horror and therefore also enjoyed this horror-centric storyline.
This story was fast-paced and action packed with no chances of getting bored. I liked getting bits of history on how the vampires came to be where they are through some flashback sections at the start of some of the chapters. At first I did wonder about the hunter of the dead but quickly realized that he was not the main character of the story but rather a myth, with some believing he was real and others believing he was fiction-- like bigfoot. The few appearances he does make in the book are impactful, and while this character never actually speaks a word throughout the entirety of the novel we still lean about him and who he is through how he is perceived by others and his few interactions we see with them.
I thought this story was entertaining. Although warning: there is a lot of gratuitous violence, some of which is aimed at children (a bit too much of my personal liking in fact), so if that sort of thing bothers you you might want to skip this one.
If you like action horror though, this definitely fits the bill and I recommend giving this book a go!
I've always been a fan of vampire stories and while in my twenties the ones I read the most were centered more around romantic plots, I'm also a lover of horror and therefore also enjoyed this horror-centric storyline.
This story was fast-paced and action packed with no chances of getting bored. I liked getting bits of history on how the vampires came to be where they are through some flashback sections at the start of some of the chapters. At first I did wonder about the hunter of the dead but quickly realized that he was not the main character of the story but rather a myth, with some believing he was real and others believing he was fiction-- like bigfoot. The few appearances he does make in the book are impactful, and while this character never actually speaks a word throughout the entirety of the novel we still lean about him and who he is through how he is perceived by others and his few interactions we see with them.
I thought this story was entertaining. Although warning: there is a lot of gratuitous violence, some of which is aimed at children (a bit too much of my personal liking in fact), so if that sort of thing bothers you you might want to skip this one.
If you like action horror though, this definitely fits the bill and I recommend giving this book a go!
November 17, 2016
I never pass up a chance to read one of Kozy's books. He's one of the few authors that I keep funds set aside for. That way, as soon as a new one is released, I can immediately order it.
Now, because Kozy is one of my favorite authors, I know for sure that I'll love the book. So, I don't bother reading what it's about. I just pick it up and begin devouring. You can get an idea of what sort of book it is by the book cover. If I had to give you a quick plot summary, I'd say that we have vampires, Inquisitors, and the Hunter of the Dead. He's the real star of the book, even though we rarely see him. He doesn't seem to care who he kills.
I am not, nor have I ever been, a Twihard. Now, that's not to say that I'm against vampires that have emotion. P. Ambroziak's work is a perfect example of how 'good' or 'moral' vampires can exist in a way that I'm not frustrated and angry. It's believable. It's not simpering idiot vampires who's only job in life is to find someone they can obsess about. There are no sparkles and no bad acting. Anyway! I digress! In THIS book, Kozy brings back the horrific side of vampires. These aren't simpering fools who are out for a good time with their beloved. These are artful, intelligent creatures of destruction. People are food. It's that simple. They give no more thought to dismemberment than a hunter would field-dressing a stag. It's scary! It's what vampires are supposed to be! A master race that only needs us to feed off of!
Though I've come to expect unusual plot lines from Kozy, I wasn't a bit disappointed with this. I won't say he reinvented the vampire because that would be both silly and untrue. What he has done is undo some of the damage that Twilight and similar silly fodder has done. He's brought vampires back to their respectable place. He's made me stop hating them. #VampireLivesMatter. Yeah....my first hashtag ever and it was caused by reading this book. Now I feel corrupted.
As always, Kozy brings perfect balance to horror, drama and humor. You don't have a chance to be overloaded by any of them. Instead, you find yourself riding a wave that you don't want to ever stop. Speaking of which, the end of this book leaves it wide open for a sequel...possibly even a series. I am putting in my vote now that that not happen. I would read it, happily. However, I love that everything Kozy writes is unusual and I'd hate for him to stick with one thing and get in a rut. He's far too talented for that. Keep bringing the fresh plots that I adore you for!
Oh yes! Horror! Drama! Humor! I haven't read such terror since Poppy Z. Brite! I was really impressed by the fact that I was almost grossed out! Now, had this been a movie instead of a book, I probably would have only made it through about two minutes! Luckily, my brain loves gore. It's just that my eyes seem to be more tender towards such things. My favorite character is Price. He makes Harry Dresden look like a chump. I'd follow Price into the depths of Hell without blinking. Well that's not true. I'd make sure I had a babysitter first. But after that I'd follow without blinking! He's imperfect and wonderful! I truly believe he's one of the best characters Kozy has created to date.
This was another great read by Kozy and worth every penny. I'll definitely pull it down and read it again, but not until after the kids all get a chance to read it. Grown-uppish kids. I'd never let a little kid read this. My goodness! We'd have serial killers all over! 'Look at me! I'm the Hunter of the Dead!' *POW* *SPLAT* We don't need that. However, I bet the older kids will get some great Halloween costume ideas from this! If you can handle the darker side of vampires, this is a bloody good ride!!
Now, because Kozy is one of my favorite authors, I know for sure that I'll love the book. So, I don't bother reading what it's about. I just pick it up and begin devouring. You can get an idea of what sort of book it is by the book cover. If I had to give you a quick plot summary, I'd say that we have vampires, Inquisitors, and the Hunter of the Dead. He's the real star of the book, even though we rarely see him. He doesn't seem to care who he kills.
I am not, nor have I ever been, a Twihard. Now, that's not to say that I'm against vampires that have emotion. P. Ambroziak's work is a perfect example of how 'good' or 'moral' vampires can exist in a way that I'm not frustrated and angry. It's believable. It's not simpering idiot vampires who's only job in life is to find someone they can obsess about. There are no sparkles and no bad acting. Anyway! I digress! In THIS book, Kozy brings back the horrific side of vampires. These aren't simpering fools who are out for a good time with their beloved. These are artful, intelligent creatures of destruction. People are food. It's that simple. They give no more thought to dismemberment than a hunter would field-dressing a stag. It's scary! It's what vampires are supposed to be! A master race that only needs us to feed off of!
Though I've come to expect unusual plot lines from Kozy, I wasn't a bit disappointed with this. I won't say he reinvented the vampire because that would be both silly and untrue. What he has done is undo some of the damage that Twilight and similar silly fodder has done. He's brought vampires back to their respectable place. He's made me stop hating them. #VampireLivesMatter. Yeah....my first hashtag ever and it was caused by reading this book. Now I feel corrupted.
As always, Kozy brings perfect balance to horror, drama and humor. You don't have a chance to be overloaded by any of them. Instead, you find yourself riding a wave that you don't want to ever stop. Speaking of which, the end of this book leaves it wide open for a sequel...possibly even a series. I am putting in my vote now that that not happen. I would read it, happily. However, I love that everything Kozy writes is unusual and I'd hate for him to stick with one thing and get in a rut. He's far too talented for that. Keep bringing the fresh plots that I adore you for!
Oh yes! Horror! Drama! Humor! I haven't read such terror since Poppy Z. Brite! I was really impressed by the fact that I was almost grossed out! Now, had this been a movie instead of a book, I probably would have only made it through about two minutes! Luckily, my brain loves gore. It's just that my eyes seem to be more tender towards such things. My favorite character is Price. He makes Harry Dresden look like a chump. I'd follow Price into the depths of Hell without blinking. Well that's not true. I'd make sure I had a babysitter first. But after that I'd follow without blinking! He's imperfect and wonderful! I truly believe he's one of the best characters Kozy has created to date.
This was another great read by Kozy and worth every penny. I'll definitely pull it down and read it again, but not until after the kids all get a chance to read it. Grown-uppish kids. I'd never let a little kid read this. My goodness! We'd have serial killers all over! 'Look at me! I'm the Hunter of the Dead!' *POW* *SPLAT* We don't need that. However, I bet the older kids will get some great Halloween costume ideas from this! If you can handle the darker side of vampires, this is a bloody good ride!!
February 6, 2017
Absolutely fantastic!!!
Hunter of the Dead is a unique twist on the vampire story. When these vampires are strong enough, they don't even need the blood to survive. They can steal a person's life essence. The people that aren't strong enough to be turned into vampires, or the ones that are not turned properly, turn into ghouls. The purpose of the ghouls is that they eat the leftovers from the vampire's meals.
The vampires live by a code, and have organized themselves into great houses. The balance is a tenuous one, and when Idi Han comes to the fold, things turn upside down very quickly. She's a competent heir, the likes of which they've never seen.
On the other hand are Inquisitors, who hunt the vampires. They also live tenuously, and can't seem to decide between going rogue or staying in cells. After a vicious attack at the convenience store where he works, Nico's whole life is changed. He goes from being a shift manager, to apprenticing with Price, who was an under cover Inquisitor.
As the Inquisitors and vampires clash, fighting for superiority, the Hunter of the Dead arrives. He was thought to be no more than a cautionary tale for vampires. But when he arrives, not only his he real, but he's every bit the boogeyman the vampires were worried he would be.
This book is absolutely fantastic. I recommend it to everyone who likes horror, and especially to those that don't like vampire stories. This one is different, and breathes new life into an overly-used monster.
Hunter of the Dead is a unique twist on the vampire story. When these vampires are strong enough, they don't even need the blood to survive. They can steal a person's life essence. The people that aren't strong enough to be turned into vampires, or the ones that are not turned properly, turn into ghouls. The purpose of the ghouls is that they eat the leftovers from the vampire's meals.
The vampires live by a code, and have organized themselves into great houses. The balance is a tenuous one, and when Idi Han comes to the fold, things turn upside down very quickly. She's a competent heir, the likes of which they've never seen.
On the other hand are Inquisitors, who hunt the vampires. They also live tenuously, and can't seem to decide between going rogue or staying in cells. After a vicious attack at the convenience store where he works, Nico's whole life is changed. He goes from being a shift manager, to apprenticing with Price, who was an under cover Inquisitor.
As the Inquisitors and vampires clash, fighting for superiority, the Hunter of the Dead arrives. He was thought to be no more than a cautionary tale for vampires. But when he arrives, not only his he real, but he's every bit the boogeyman the vampires were worried he would be.
This book is absolutely fantastic. I recommend it to everyone who likes horror, and especially to those that don't like vampire stories. This one is different, and breathes new life into an overly-used monster.
January 16, 2023
I loved this book!!! I gave it 4 stars because it was a little hard to get into and confused me a little bit lol but man did this book tell an amazing story about vampires and vampire hunters!!! I love the fact that there were different ways that the vampires fed and that there were different houses for the vampires to be a part of. I also liked how when the vampires were being turned, they either turned into a vampire or turned into this monster called a ghoul instead of them dying if they didn't make it through the vampire transition. The ending makes me want a second book tho so hopefully we get one haha. This was a great vampire book and you should definitely read it!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 18, 2023
3.5 Starts
I'm struggling to rate this book because some aspects I loved, like the action and the carnage, which was excellent and unique, and the characters were well developed, while other aspects were not my sort of thing, like some of the obscure words used, I had to look up, which distracted my from the story a bit, and the book seamed to shift focus at the last 1/4 of the story.
Overall I enjoyed it, it reminded me a bit of the 2003 movie Underworld, which delves into vampire politics between different groups and vampire legends.
I'm struggling to rate this book because some aspects I loved, like the action and the carnage, which was excellent and unique, and the characters were well developed, while other aspects were not my sort of thing, like some of the obscure words used, I had to look up, which distracted my from the story a bit, and the book seamed to shift focus at the last 1/4 of the story.
Overall I enjoyed it, it reminded me a bit of the 2003 movie Underworld, which delves into vampire politics between different groups and vampire legends.
March 11, 2023
I want to thank the author for giving me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I love vampire stories which is why I was interested in reading this book. It was an interesting twist on the vampire genre and introduced new aspects of the vampire mythos I hadn’t seen before. There is quite a lot of action and carnage but the level of violence is not over the top but just about right for the story. It would make an interesting movie. I definitely recommend it for fans of vampires and horror.
August 29, 2017
I really enjoyed this book! It's graphic and gory but I expected it so it was okay. The characters are interesting and the concept of vampires is unique and I love that! I would highly recommend for any vampire lovers
September 16, 2016
Let’s get something out of the way right up front: after the post-Twilight vampire craze, I was pretty burnt out on vampire fiction. While I know that great improvements and new takes have come out recently (Jonathan Janz’s Dust Devils and Kristopher Rufty’s Vampire of Plainsfield come to mind), it’s just been hard for me to get into anything once I see the “V” word in the description.
I’m pleased to say that Kozeniewski has managed to reverse my thinking on the matter.
We’re thrown in right away, with the prologue introducing us to all the factions we’re going to need to know about later in the story. There’s the vampires, of course, split into thirteen houses that are filled with political intrigue and in-fighting amongst each other; the fixers, who function the way they would for the mob, only they’re undead; the Inquisitors, fighting against the bloodsucking legions; and then the eponymous Hunter of the Dead, who doesn’t seem to much care which of those factions he’s killing so long as doing so fulfills his mysterious purpose.
When the story itself kicks off, playing out over the course of four nights, all of these elements come together in something that’s as filled with fun as it is adventure.
The characters here were well-crafted, from the lone-wolf Inquisitor to his erstwhile apprentice and the parallels with the head of House Cicatrice, most powerful of the vampire lords, and his new get. All of these characters get their moment in the spotlight, and all of them manage to shine. Even the protagonists of the story aren’t typical moustache-twirling bad guys. Like true villains, they all believe that what they’re doing is the right thing, even if their motivations are not exactly pure. The Inquisitors, who you might think should be the heroes here due to their mandate to fight the evil bloodsuckers, aren’t even spared from fault, and make some decisions that end up with decidedly unpleasant consequences for the city of Las Vegas.
There’s a depth and history to the ancient characters, too. There’s a danger when exploring that kind of thing to bog down and become mired in exposition hell, but Kozeniewski manages to avoid that here, making what amounts to a history lesson feel exciting.
I also feel the need to mention that the way the vampire’s code is laid out, the way they’ve split themselves into different houses, all felt very familiar to me as a former player of White Wolf’s old Vampire: The Masquerade roleplaying game. The biggest difference, though, is that Kozeniewski presents lore done the right way, and not something that becomes bogged down on itself after a while. Still, I think I’ll be very surprised if I discover he wasn’t influenced by that old game, at least in some small way.
Overall, Hunter of the Dead is one of those books that delivers on every front. While the ending had me swearing out loud, it does seem to promise more from these characters, and more for this world. At least I seriously hope so! I, for one, cannot wait for the chance to lose myself again in the world Kozeniewski has created sometime soon.
I’m pleased to say that Kozeniewski has managed to reverse my thinking on the matter.
We’re thrown in right away, with the prologue introducing us to all the factions we’re going to need to know about later in the story. There’s the vampires, of course, split into thirteen houses that are filled with political intrigue and in-fighting amongst each other; the fixers, who function the way they would for the mob, only they’re undead; the Inquisitors, fighting against the bloodsucking legions; and then the eponymous Hunter of the Dead, who doesn’t seem to much care which of those factions he’s killing so long as doing so fulfills his mysterious purpose.
When the story itself kicks off, playing out over the course of four nights, all of these elements come together in something that’s as filled with fun as it is adventure.
The characters here were well-crafted, from the lone-wolf Inquisitor to his erstwhile apprentice and the parallels with the head of House Cicatrice, most powerful of the vampire lords, and his new get. All of these characters get their moment in the spotlight, and all of them manage to shine. Even the protagonists of the story aren’t typical moustache-twirling bad guys. Like true villains, they all believe that what they’re doing is the right thing, even if their motivations are not exactly pure. The Inquisitors, who you might think should be the heroes here due to their mandate to fight the evil bloodsuckers, aren’t even spared from fault, and make some decisions that end up with decidedly unpleasant consequences for the city of Las Vegas.
There’s a depth and history to the ancient characters, too. There’s a danger when exploring that kind of thing to bog down and become mired in exposition hell, but Kozeniewski manages to avoid that here, making what amounts to a history lesson feel exciting.
I also feel the need to mention that the way the vampire’s code is laid out, the way they’ve split themselves into different houses, all felt very familiar to me as a former player of White Wolf’s old Vampire: The Masquerade roleplaying game. The biggest difference, though, is that Kozeniewski presents lore done the right way, and not something that becomes bogged down on itself after a while. Still, I think I’ll be very surprised if I discover he wasn’t influenced by that old game, at least in some small way.
Overall, Hunter of the Dead is one of those books that delivers on every front. While the ending had me swearing out loud, it does seem to promise more from these characters, and more for this world. At least I seriously hope so! I, for one, cannot wait for the chance to lose myself again in the world Kozeniewski has created sometime soon.
September 24, 2016
There are more vampires in the world then anyone knows about. The most powerful vampire in the world is Cicatrice and he secretly rules the city of Las Vegas. The vampires are being killed off though and not just by the vampire hunters who have pledged their lives to destroy the undead. There is a supernatural serial killer on the loose and Cicatrice believes it could be the legendary and ancient Hunter Of The Dead.
A vampire civil war has begun and when there are too many vampires in the same area the hunter of the dead rises to destroy all supernatural creatures. Cicatrice decides the best way to handle it is to team up with vampire hunter Carter Price. Together they form a plan that will kill several vampires and put an end to the Hunter Of The Dead. With a bloody vampire war in full swing and Cicatrice and Carter’s apprentices falling in love, stopping the hunter may be an impossible task.
Hunter Of The Dead by Stephen Kozeniewski is a blood drenched treat for vampire fans. This horror novel creates a great spin on vampire mythology and has some great action scenes. The mythology behind the hunter is fascinating and the way he is described in this book makes him sound like he could make the four horseman run away in fear. The prologue to this book is like a self-contained story that really hooks you into reading the full book. The imagery is creepy with scenes like a ghoul eating someone and a battle between vampires and the hunter which is beautifully done. The beginning of this book would make a great horror film.
The problem I had with this book was that there was too much going on. There was enough material in this book for three books and I didn’t like how the story kept switching to different locations, characters and time periods. What I liked most was the relationship between Cicatrice and his apprentice Idi-Han and Carter Price and his assistant Nico. Whenever the focus changed to someone else I was just wanting to get back to those four. There was also a romantic relationship between Nico and Idi that could have been good but seemed too rushed. I enjoyed this book but I felt it would have been better if it just focused on Idi, Cicatrice, Nico and Carter dealing with the hunter and left out the civil war and vampire politics.
Hunter Of The Dead has the feel of a comic book. What I mean is you can easily visualize the action in your head and the story moves along at the speed of a freight train. Stephen Kozeniewski does an excellent job describing violent battle scenes. I loved how the vampires do severe damage to each other such as breaking bones and crushing organs only to heal instantly. It also has some good humor to it such as when a human tied to a table is offered as a birthday cake to a vampire who takes a bite and then offers all the other vampires a bite. It also has some moments of great horror such as when a recently turned vampire realizes that she is eating her father without knowing it. Hunter Of The Dead is a book that vampire fans should not pass up.
A vampire civil war has begun and when there are too many vampires in the same area the hunter of the dead rises to destroy all supernatural creatures. Cicatrice decides the best way to handle it is to team up with vampire hunter Carter Price. Together they form a plan that will kill several vampires and put an end to the Hunter Of The Dead. With a bloody vampire war in full swing and Cicatrice and Carter’s apprentices falling in love, stopping the hunter may be an impossible task.
Hunter Of The Dead by Stephen Kozeniewski is a blood drenched treat for vampire fans. This horror novel creates a great spin on vampire mythology and has some great action scenes. The mythology behind the hunter is fascinating and the way he is described in this book makes him sound like he could make the four horseman run away in fear. The prologue to this book is like a self-contained story that really hooks you into reading the full book. The imagery is creepy with scenes like a ghoul eating someone and a battle between vampires and the hunter which is beautifully done. The beginning of this book would make a great horror film.
The problem I had with this book was that there was too much going on. There was enough material in this book for three books and I didn’t like how the story kept switching to different locations, characters and time periods. What I liked most was the relationship between Cicatrice and his apprentice Idi-Han and Carter Price and his assistant Nico. Whenever the focus changed to someone else I was just wanting to get back to those four. There was also a romantic relationship between Nico and Idi that could have been good but seemed too rushed. I enjoyed this book but I felt it would have been better if it just focused on Idi, Cicatrice, Nico and Carter dealing with the hunter and left out the civil war and vampire politics.
Hunter Of The Dead has the feel of a comic book. What I mean is you can easily visualize the action in your head and the story moves along at the speed of a freight train. Stephen Kozeniewski does an excellent job describing violent battle scenes. I loved how the vampires do severe damage to each other such as breaking bones and crushing organs only to heal instantly. It also has some good humor to it such as when a human tied to a table is offered as a birthday cake to a vampire who takes a bite and then offers all the other vampires a bite. It also has some moments of great horror such as when a recently turned vampire realizes that she is eating her father without knowing it. Hunter Of The Dead is a book that vampire fans should not pass up.
October 10, 2023
If you like your vampires falling in love with each other or other mortal beings then this book isn’t for you.
If you do like them sick, twisted, deranged then this one is.
This tells the story of factions of vampires and vampire hunters called the inquisition, delving into their histories at times, weaving the legend of the Hunter Of The Dead throughout the story line which is anything but conventional.
Worth a read if you’re after a non-traditional vampire novel.
If you do like them sick, twisted, deranged then this one is.
This tells the story of factions of vampires and vampire hunters called the inquisition, delving into their histories at times, weaving the legend of the Hunter Of The Dead throughout the story line which is anything but conventional.
Worth a read if you’re after a non-traditional vampire novel.
August 25, 2016
The gloves are off!
Up to now, Kozeniewski's books have been funny with a side order of gore but this one is just straight up gore with a side order of horror. People get their faces eaten off and children are being fed to ancient demons.
If I had to guess the biggest influence of this novel, I'd probably go with From Dusk Til Dawn. The vampires aren't glittery and sexy and the hunters aren't angsty and indestructible and there are Tarantino levels of ick in this book, so it's a breath of fresh air on that count.
The story progresses at a fast pace, each chapter dedicated to a different character and perspective which is something I really enjoy - especially with immortal characters, you know you're going to get some great flashbacks to add to the current story-line.
The Hunter of the Dead is an ancient legend come back to cull the undead in Vegas as their numbers have grown too high, the trouble is that he's not really that picky about who he kills. This leads to a very uneasy truce between the vampires and the hunters before all hell breaks loose.
Could there be anywhere better for a vampire showdown than Las Vegas? I think not.
My favourite character has to be Idi-Han, the precocious baby vampire who's sick of taking everyone's shit. She's finally in a position of power after a lifetime of being a pawn in everyone else's game and she's going to use it to make sure no one else can control her fate from now on, which is something I think we'd all do if we could make people's heads explode with one hand.
What really makes this book stand out for me has to be the whole new level of gore, I don't think I've ever read anything so shamelessly horrifying before and it was AWESOME.
If real horror vamps and gritty vampire hunters are your thing, then you really can't read this book soon enough.
Up to now, Kozeniewski's books have been funny with a side order of gore but this one is just straight up gore with a side order of horror. People get their faces eaten off and children are being fed to ancient demons.
If I had to guess the biggest influence of this novel, I'd probably go with From Dusk Til Dawn. The vampires aren't glittery and sexy and the hunters aren't angsty and indestructible and there are Tarantino levels of ick in this book, so it's a breath of fresh air on that count.
The story progresses at a fast pace, each chapter dedicated to a different character and perspective which is something I really enjoy - especially with immortal characters, you know you're going to get some great flashbacks to add to the current story-line.
The Hunter of the Dead is an ancient legend come back to cull the undead in Vegas as their numbers have grown too high, the trouble is that he's not really that picky about who he kills. This leads to a very uneasy truce between the vampires and the hunters before all hell breaks loose.
Could there be anywhere better for a vampire showdown than Las Vegas? I think not.
My favourite character has to be Idi-Han, the precocious baby vampire who's sick of taking everyone's shit. She's finally in a position of power after a lifetime of being a pawn in everyone else's game and she's going to use it to make sure no one else can control her fate from now on, which is something I think we'd all do if we could make people's heads explode with one hand.
What really makes this book stand out for me has to be the whole new level of gore, I don't think I've ever read anything so shamelessly horrifying before and it was AWESOME.
If real horror vamps and gritty vampire hunters are your thing, then you really can't read this book soon enough.
September 19, 2016
Return to a time where vampires don’t sparkle, but instead hunger for the life that flows through our veins. In Kozeniewski’s 5th novel, we enter a world that feels like Bram Stroker’s Dracula and Hideyuki Kikuchi’s Vampire Hunter D. A world where blood and gore are the clothes of the undead.
This story takes you back to the roots of vampirism, where gothic horror is the genre vampirism was meant to be. There is tons of blood, guts, and creepy night crawling things to keep you awake at night.
And…of course, there is the quintessential Kozeniewski character that keeps you smiling with his light and jokey remarks even in the face of battle. However, it was more subdued in this novel compared to his others.
I have nothing bad to say about this story. I found it entertaining, engrossing, disgusting, funny, and completely appropriate for the genre that it is meant to fit into. It was way more engaging than the original Dracula was, since that bored me to tears. And I think it is a perfect addition to the gothic horror genre and a refreshing throwback to the vampires of old.
However, please make note, while I keep referring to Dracula, this story is nothing like Dracula and is a complete and unique body of work. I only reference Dracula because that was one of the first gothic horror vampire novels.
If you’re a horror/vamp fan, then I only see one outcome, and that is you loving this story.
This story takes you back to the roots of vampirism, where gothic horror is the genre vampirism was meant to be. There is tons of blood, guts, and creepy night crawling things to keep you awake at night.
And…of course, there is the quintessential Kozeniewski character that keeps you smiling with his light and jokey remarks even in the face of battle. However, it was more subdued in this novel compared to his others.
I have nothing bad to say about this story. I found it entertaining, engrossing, disgusting, funny, and completely appropriate for the genre that it is meant to fit into. It was way more engaging than the original Dracula was, since that bored me to tears. And I think it is a perfect addition to the gothic horror genre and a refreshing throwback to the vampires of old.
However, please make note, while I keep referring to Dracula, this story is nothing like Dracula and is a complete and unique body of work. I only reference Dracula because that was one of the first gothic horror vampire novels.
If you’re a horror/vamp fan, then I only see one outcome, and that is you loving this story.
October 10, 2016
This book is gruesome, entertaining, and as with all of Kozeniewski's novels, it has imprinted into my memory and will not soon be forgotten. The vampires are extremely brutal monsters and it does get very gory, very quickly. I was intrigued by female vampire's story, but she wasn't a character I could root for so I wasn't truly hooked until Price and Nico arrived. Those two were just awesome characters; particularly Price. Everything really took off from there, and the suspense really started to amp up the closer the book got to the end. I got thoroughly immersed in this book. I would highly recommend it to fans of real blood-drenched edge-of-seat horror! And I hope that there will be a sequel.
May 6, 2020
It's been a while since I've read a novel by Stephen Kozeniewski. As usual in his work, a lot of thought has gone into the background to create a fictional universe that readers will enjoy immersing themselves in. In "Hunter of the Dead," Kozeniewski ingeniously weaves together vampire legends with Aztec mythology, Catholic culture, and his own imagination to create a frightening and gruesome tale of inquisitors battling immortals. Be forewarned, some scenes are not for the faint of heart—I was occasionally sick to my stomach while reading this, especially in the early chapters. But there is also a healthy dose of satire to leaven the mood.
Fans of "The Bard of Enola" will love this book. So will horror fans looking for something a bit edgier more modern than Bram Stoker.
Fans of "The Bard of Enola" will love this book. So will horror fans looking for something a bit edgier more modern than Bram Stoker.
September 25, 2017
It has been quite some time since I've read a vampire book. It was refreshing to not see the Anne Rice, Charlaine Harris, Stephanie Meyer clones. The book suffers in a few areas, none so much as pieces of the ending (not all of it). The characters are interesting and compelling (mostly), but some of their arcs (one in particular) don't quite come full circle according to how the character's mentality is established earlier in the work. Awesome action and fast-paced though! These aren't the defanged (this joke will be funnier when you read Hunter) Twilight prototypes. The twist at the end you may see coming, but it still makes the story worth it. Happy hunting.
September 13, 2016
A very enjoyable book. Left me wanting more of the universe and characters. Not your typical vampire story which was a relief.
January 6, 2023
Wow! I went into this not knowing exactly what to expect, but it certainly wasn't this! I thoroughly enjoyed this whole new lore about vampires/immortals. The plot was very well done, and the characters were amazingly fleshed out that I felt like I knew them. Between the vampires and the humans, I can't bring myself to choose a favorite character...Price and Nico definitely, and probably Idi Han as well. I certainly hope this is the beginning of a whole series, because I want to read more about this world and these "people" I've come to know. Great book!
January 20, 2023
Hunter of the Dead
Where to start with this one...
Dispelling everything you thought you knew about vampires and their slayers, this book is jam-packed with everything you need to keep you turning pages. From the political upheaval between the undead to the romantic liaisons; I need more. I find myself drawn to Google to search out everything else Kozeniewski has written!
Where to start with this one...
Dispelling everything you thought you knew about vampires and their slayers, this book is jam-packed with everything you need to keep you turning pages. From the political upheaval between the undead to the romantic liaisons; I need more. I find myself drawn to Google to search out everything else Kozeniewski has written!
November 3, 2021
He had all the appearance of a blob of fresh black ink that had somehow been smeared on the landscape. He held a bastard sword in noe hand, and in the other, seemingly defying the laws of physics: he held a long, pointed lance weighed down with with what had to be a dozen corpses.
What I liked:
- a good cast of interesting characters
- captivating story with great pacing
- gory and violent when it needs to be
What I didn't like:
- some weird decisions by characters towards the ending seem senseless
- a few truly corny dialogues and action scenes end up feeling silly
- a bit too open-ended for my liking
Final thoughts:
This one started strong and dives right away into action while delivering interesting tidbits of lore about its characters and setting. The mistery behind the "hunter" is also fascinating, as is the whole vampire world I was eventually presented with.
Sadly the last third of the book was a bit disappointing though. Some sudden choices and actions make little sense, even more so when done by certain characters: it's as if some of them suddendly did a 360 and started acting the opposite way just to propel the plot along.
The ending feels unsatisfying simply due to the many plot points left unresolved as stuff it still happening: it's as if we'd have to wait for a second book but I don't think anything's planned.
As a whole I had fun with this one despite my criticism, it's a fun and proper vampire romp with tons of action, violence and scheming.
What I liked:
- a good cast of interesting characters
- captivating story with great pacing
- gory and violent when it needs to be
What I didn't like:
- some weird decisions by characters towards the ending seem senseless
- a few truly corny dialogues and action scenes end up feeling silly
- a bit too open-ended for my liking
Final thoughts:
This one started strong and dives right away into action while delivering interesting tidbits of lore about its characters and setting. The mistery behind the "hunter" is also fascinating, as is the whole vampire world I was eventually presented with.
Sadly the last third of the book was a bit disappointing though. Some sudden choices and actions make little sense, even more so when done by certain characters: it's as if some of them suddendly did a 360 and started acting the opposite way just to propel the plot along.
The ending feels unsatisfying simply due to the many plot points left unresolved as stuff it still happening: it's as if we'd have to wait for a second book but I don't think anything's planned.
As a whole I had fun with this one despite my criticism, it's a fun and proper vampire romp with tons of action, violence and scheming.
April 22, 2024
Hunter of the Dead ultimately tried to cram too much into not enough time. I feel like it should have been longer or split into more than one book. There’s a lot of lore, a lot of gore, and just too much plot to really make that much of an impact. And then it devolves into all-out chaos so… yeah.
Well I’m amused at Twilight being used as a “sacred text.” That and the Harry Potter reference tell me this author is truly a ‘90’s child. Or at least one that grew up in the 2000’s.
This business of vampires having heirs is a little hilarious to me. Heirs are there to take over if something happens to the head of the family. Theoretically, nothing should happen to the head of a vampire family so there should be no reason for an heir. Just need a second in command to take some of the “head of the family” edge off. But nah, apparently even the super-long-lived vamps like Cicatrice and Otto have heirs. Just very weird and funny to me that they apparently except to die at some point. Foreshadowing, don’t ya know.
“Idi Han, after eight hundred long years of life my power is limited only by the laws of physics.” - Cicatrice says this and I am just sitting here, shaking my head. The laws of physics, you say? Limiting, you say? Then how the fuck are you as strong as you are, or as fast? I would think those powers wouldn’t be a thing if the laws of physics held sway. Especially not the whole crazy regeneration thing these vamps have going on. But sure, physics are the limit.
There is a point where I’m extremely glad I’m not a “visual” reader. So much gore. Gratuitous gore. For, like, zero reason other than just to be gross. Maybe drive home that the vampires are frickin strong and don’t care about mortals. Whatever. It was too much for too little pay off.
I have zero investment in the apparent Idi Han/Nico “romance.” They’ve barely met and it’s just boring crap. Honestly, they’re both fairly boring by themselves. I’m really not sure about either of their motivations and then Idi Han seems to do this 360 that’s just bleh… Not impressed.
I feel like the character work really suffered for the sake of the plot. I didn’t really get a feel for Idi Han or Nico’s motivations. Would have liked to know more about Price and Cicatrice’s relationship or Price and Bonaparte or both. Would have really liked to get to know the characters better, so maybe I would have really cared what happened to them in the end.
Honestly, I was just racing toward the end for the last 80-some-odd pages. Just so much chaos and not enough of me caring. I ultimately didn’t even give a crap about The Hunter reveal. None of that was my cup of tea.
Well I’m amused at Twilight being used as a “sacred text.” That and the Harry Potter reference tell me this author is truly a ‘90’s child. Or at least one that grew up in the 2000’s.
This business of vampires having heirs is a little hilarious to me. Heirs are there to take over if something happens to the head of the family. Theoretically, nothing should happen to the head of a vampire family so there should be no reason for an heir. Just need a second in command to take some of the “head of the family” edge off. But nah, apparently even the super-long-lived vamps like Cicatrice and Otto have heirs. Just very weird and funny to me that they apparently except to die at some point. Foreshadowing, don’t ya know.
“Idi Han, after eight hundred long years of life my power is limited only by the laws of physics.” - Cicatrice says this and I am just sitting here, shaking my head. The laws of physics, you say? Limiting, you say? Then how the fuck are you as strong as you are, or as fast? I would think those powers wouldn’t be a thing if the laws of physics held sway. Especially not the whole crazy regeneration thing these vamps have going on. But sure, physics are the limit.
There is a point where I’m extremely glad I’m not a “visual” reader. So much gore. Gratuitous gore. For, like, zero reason other than just to be gross. Maybe drive home that the vampires are frickin strong and don’t care about mortals. Whatever. It was too much for too little pay off.
I have zero investment in the apparent Idi Han/Nico “romance.” They’ve barely met and it’s just boring crap. Honestly, they’re both fairly boring by themselves. I’m really not sure about either of their motivations and then Idi Han seems to do this 360 that’s just bleh… Not impressed.
I feel like the character work really suffered for the sake of the plot. I didn’t really get a feel for Idi Han or Nico’s motivations. Would have liked to know more about Price and Cicatrice’s relationship or Price and Bonaparte or both. Would have really liked to get to know the characters better, so maybe I would have really cared what happened to them in the end.
Honestly, I was just racing toward the end for the last 80-some-odd pages. Just so much chaos and not enough of me caring. I ultimately didn’t even give a crap about The Hunter reveal. None of that was my cup of tea.
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