The Girls with Games of Blood

Rudolfo Zginski #2

by Alex Bledsoe

Listen to what I tell you, son, every word is true
The sisters haunt the night, and might fight over you
Nothing can steal your soul and stamp it in the mud
Like being the new play-pretty for the girls with the games of blood . . .

The old song warns of the beautiful Bolade sisters, Patience and Prudence, whose undying rivalry was said to stretch even beyond the grave. But Count Rudolfo Vladimir Zginski has never heard the song. A suave Continental vampire, staked to death more than sixty years ago, he has risen to stalk the Southern nights of Memphis, Tennessee, circa 1975. Although new to the modern world, he has quickly developed a taste for its hot blood, willing women, and high-speed automobiles.

Yet the seventies are not without their perils, even for so cunning and ruthless a predator. Zginski's insistent pursuit of a cherry 1973 Mach 1 Ford Mustang soon brings him into conflict with a legendary redneck sheriff with a short temper and a big baseball bat. His dangerous fascination with an enticing undead chanteuse and her equally seductive sister, threatens not only his own ageless existence, but that of the small group of modern-day vampires he has grudgingly taken under his wing. Zginski has already escaped limbo once, but can he free himself from the tangled web of the girls who play games of blood?

Alex Bledsoe, author of Blood Groove, returns to he world of the undead with a tale of fast cars and vengeance that never dies. . . .

Genres: Horror, Vampires, Fantasy, Audiobook, Fiction, Urban Fantasy

301 pages, Paperback

First published May 31, 2010

About the author

I grew up in west Tennessee an hour north of Graceland (home of Elvis) and twenty minutes from Nutbush (home of Tina Turner). I've been a reporter, editor, photographer and door-to-door vacuum cleaner salesman. I now live in a big yellow house in Wisconsin, write before six in the morning and try to teach my two kids to act like they've been to town before.

I write the Tufa novels (The Hum and the Shiver, Wisp of a Thing, Long Black Curl and Chapel of Ease), as well as the Eddie LaCrosse series (The Sword-Edged Blonde, Burn Me Deadly, Dark Jenny, Wake of the Bloody Angel and He Drank, and Saw the Spider). the Firefly Witch ebook chapbooks, and two "vampsloitation" novels set in 1975 Memphis (Blood Groove and The Girls with Games of Blood).

Reviews

[Soo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Notes:

Yay for libraries!

I recommend reading (listening) to the books close together. Book #2 follows directly after #1. In many ways, #2 was darker due to the contrast of vampires having mortal moments between monstrous acts. While I would label #1 as an UF with grim dark elements, #2 is a solid stance in the horror genre.

I was startled and taken back by a few of the pivotal scenes. It makes me want to bump up the rating from 4 stars to 4.5/5. I may bump up the rating on a re-read.

The duology would be a great choice for a spree of stormy weather reading or eerie Halloween nights.

[J.A. Ironside · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aside from the same problem I had with Blood Groove - namely Faurvette's eternal virginity and the vampire sex powers - I really enjoyed this one. Prudence and Patience Bolaide have been in a state of sibling rivalry since the civil war and anyone who gets caught up in their sisterly bickering ends up as bloody collateral damage. Enter Rudolph Zakinski, still getting his feet under him in the new world, who finds each sister fascinating with disastrous results. If you're looking for a straight forward plot with characters to root for, you won't find it here. If you like your fiction a little darker and are willing to engage with creatures who are predators in every sense of the word set in a episode of a vampire's long life, then this is probably for you.

[Johnathan Clayton · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot of my critiques from the first book seemed to be resolved. It’s still very clearly written by a straight man and there’s a certain air of misogyny folks may find off-putting. It makes sense for the characters, but still left me kinda feeling a bit icky. Storyline was good, twists and turns happened, and I definitely sat slack-jawed a few times.

[Fraser Sherman · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5. This vampire ensemble drama in 1975 Tennessee makes good use of period detail and it's well written. The low rating is purely because I find vampires way overdone (I was reading it mostly for the historical aspects); if you're into them, you might like this much better.

[Jim Moore · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked the first book in this series, but this one was definitely a step down.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

[Kristin (MyBookishWays Reviews) · Rating 4 out of 5]

You may also read my review here: http://www.mybookishways.com/2011/08/...

A creature I love to hate,Rudy Zginski,former count,current vamp,is back in The Girls With Games of Blood,and this time,his object of desire is a 1973 Mach 1 Mustang. He sees the car in a movie and must have it,so when he finally tracks one down,he go to any lengths to get it. What he doesn’t count on is former sheriff and dubious “movie star” Byron Cocker,is after the same car,and isn’t about to let this foreigner take it from him. Meanwhile,sweet vampire Fauvette,forever stuck in the body of a 14 year old (but almost 50 years old),and haunted my the memory of her turning,tends bar and pines for Zginski,who saved her and her friends from an animalistic life of death and bloodshed,and showed them that being vampire does not have to be a miserable existence as well. When Patience Bolade,a dark haired vixen with pipes that will put you under her spell,blows into town and lands a gig at Fauvette’s bar,she gives Fauvette hope that maybe there are more ways then one for a vampire to feed,but also turns the head of Count Zginski,who’s feelings for Fauvette may be turning out to be more than he bargained for. What no one knows,however,is that Patience’s sister Prudence is also nearby,and she’s nursing a grudge that can only be satisfied with flesh…and blood.

I love this series,and was just as entertained by “Girls With Games” as I was by Blood Groove. Alex Bledsoe creates vampire stories that are violent,strange,yet also very human in their nature. These vamps are motivated by exactly the same things that humans are,yet are compelled to act out their vengeance in very different ways. Zginski softens up just a bit in this one,however,don’t expect a complete turnaround. His racism and sexism are still on display at times,but the kindness that he shows his thrall,a woman dying of cancer,and his growing tenderness for Fauvette,definitely shows a softer side of Mister Z. He is “other” though,through and through,and will not hesitate to enact vengeance on those he feels have wronged him. I also like how Bledsoe’s vamps,while pretty cold and calculating (with the exception of the yearning Fauvette),sometimes let little slivers of humanity through. The cracks are small,but they are there,and it really adds an element to the novels that I enjoy. These Southern vamps are not your momma’s sparklers,and if you like your horror stories dark,gritty,and with plenty of Memphis spice,this series is for you. Buckle up.

[lynne fireheart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Be warned: Zginsky is so NOT the namby pamby sparkly vampire that seems to be infecting the young adult book world recently. And I LOVE Alex Bledsoe for it!

The Girls with Games of Blood is Bledsoe's second vampire-in-Memphis outing: this time around, Baron Zginski's decision to purchase a cherry 1973 Ford Mustang precipitates a conflict between him and a redneck sheriff. At the same time, an undead gets-sustenance-via-singing chanteuse gets mixed up with Zginski's crew, as does the chanteuse's sister. The hijinks that ensue are relatively predictable with some good twists and turns thrown in.

Then you come to the last page or so and you are reminded once again how NOT like a teenage angst novel this is, and I mean that in a very good way. I closed the book reeling from the cold nastiness that is Zginski (I remember having the same left field surprise at the end of Blood Groove too): funnily enough it is this shock that has me looking forward to more books in this series -- maybe I want to see just how nasty Mr Bledsoe is going to paint Zginski?

Bottom line: recommended for those who are not Team Sparkles

[Craig · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the first book in this series, BLOOD GROOVE, very much, but this one didn't have quite the same kick. One of the strengths of the first was the comparison and competition of the human and vampire characters, but there weren't any strong human characters here. Most of the surviving vampires from the first book return, but didn't seem as strong somehow; I wasn't convinced that that Count Zginski would be so captivated by a muscle car, for example. The '70s style and flavor and Southern Gothic setting are most entertaining, and the brief flashes of occasionally very dark humor are great. The one big thing that really ruined it for me was that the book winds down and ends, everything is is tied up neatly, and then, completely out of nowhere, there's a deus ex machina time travel twist introduced that tacks on a whole different ending. I got the feeling that the author came up with two conclusions that he liked and couldn't decide which one to use so he tossed them both in. It was still fun to read, but I think it could used a strong editorial hand.

[Amanda Waley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another book hard to put down, but the ending did disturb me somewhat. Rudolfo could've handled things a little better with Fauvette instead of trapping her in limbo like he was until she cools off. If I was her, I'd pretend to be changed to get out of limbo and then kill him as soon as I was healed. I feel like Fauvette would be smoldering in her need for vengeance for a very long time, and learn to hate him with a passion.

Rudy Zginski still has a lot to learn about the modern world, and needs to change his archaic way of thinking if he's going to survive an eternity.

I would also like to know more about where Mark went, and why he left. I figured it had something to do with Fauvette's relationship with the Baron, but I thought it was childish of him to leave all of a sudden without a word to anyone else. Is there going to be another book, and if so will Mark return to let the others know what's been going on with him?

[Nick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not nearly as good as Blood Groove, the first one in the series. The premise about the two sisters was fantastic, but it didn't live up to its potential. The human characters were not compelling, except for the woman dying of cancer, but we don't get enough about her. As for the vampires, I still love Leonardo and Fauvette, but the rest of them--not so much. Especially Zginsky, whom I can't stand and don't feel much interest in. Can anyone tell me what is the author trying to do with Rudy? We begin to feel that he is becoming more "human", but he then commits horrible acts (towards his own kind) that are kind of hard to square with his evolving character. I hated the ending. But I have to say, I would probably read the next one when it comes out. By the way, in response to one of the other reviewers, I have to say that the sexual content is one of the best things about this series.

[Vika · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a more realistic way to view vampires.. (compared to other books i've read) They are cold-blooded! And I think that if they ever existed, Zginski would be an ideal vampire. He is so self-centered, he uses his 'gifts' to his advantage. He even back-stabs his own kind to get what he wants, and feels no remorse.
I definitely wanted 'more' out of the story, I didn't exactly understand "how" someone becomes a vampire; or anything else about them.
And since the name of the book is "The Girls with Games of Blood" I was hoping for more rivalry between the sisters.
I got this book for free through Goodreads First Reads giveaway.

[Will Gardner · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this novel from a Goodreads giveaway.

The Girls with Games of Blood was a well written piece of southern flavored Vamp goth fiction.

Nothing terribly exciting about the novel however, it seemed to me that there were some wonderful plot points and ideas that deserved follow up and details. However the ending did feel realistic, if you can do that with Vampires, and I was not terribly disappointed.

I would hope that Mr. Bledsoe decides to write a follow up or two in this little world of 1970's Memphis and his Vampires.

[Kelly Bryson]

The writing is fantastic, the story is compelling, but I had to stop reading because the story got very sexual a few chapters in. Thus the blank rating. I am admittedly very turned off by sexual content, err, you know what I mean. I'm careful about what I read, is all. People who read Sookie will have no problem with Girls with the Games of Blood, might even find it tame by comparison, but they'll like it.

[Anca Popescu · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed the writing - fun and intelligent - but found that there was no plot development, really and thought the ending was a bit disapppointing. But then again, I did not read the first one in the series - maybe there's n overall development.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book was cool
no heros, just villians, its not always the idea i like but something about discreet and ambivalent monsters was every kind of cool
it was also cool not to see a bunch of whiny and shiny ass vampires

[Casey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Picked this one up at the library based on the title and write up, and I'm really glad I did. A darkly funny take on Southern vampires set in 1975, Baron "Rudy" Zginski is up against a sociopathic ex-sheriff with a baseball bat and battling vampire sisters. Wins the title of "total baller book."

[Kaylee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book from goodreads giveaways and I liked it.It was really good,but i didnt like the ending that much.But things don't always end the way you want them too so...I'm glad i read it.

[T. Frohock · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one really rocks with action from beginning to end. A full Booklove review will be coming soon, so stay tuned . . .

[Katie]

I'm not even sure what I just read. Crazy!

[Judi · Rating 2 out of 5]

I did not finish it. Just couldn't get into the story, though it is well written.

[Alison Beightol · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was just as awesome as Blood Groove. You won't be disappointed.

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read from 9/26 - 9/28.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

a very unique and intriguing book...a perfect sequel to the first one Blood Groove...worth reading, for sure...

[Carrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't think I'd like it so much, but the characters really grabed me and now I'll go back and read the first book.

[Brandt Anderson · Rating 1 out of 5]

Extremely disappointed by the follow up novel to Blood Grove. Did not have the same tone and had such a disappointing ending. It was very similar to "it was all a dream" plot device.

[Maurynne Maxwell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wow. Creepy.

[Rachel · Rating 1 out of 5]

Depressing.

[Janet Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm going to have to find the prequel to this terrific vampire tale.

[Eddie D. Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the end of this book and that is all I'm going to say about it.