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Vampire Earth #5
Valentine's Exile
David Valentine is revered as a hero for his part in fighting to regain Earth's freedom. When a former Quisling traitor is badly wounded, he asks Valentine to find his wife, who has vanished into the darkness of the Kurian Order. With the help of old friends and new allies, Valentine traces her to a mysterious, heavily guarded compound in Ohio. And what Valentine finds within will shake his sanity to its very core.
355 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2006
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
October 23, 2014
This is the 5th book in the series. If you haven't read the previous ones, don't read this review.
At first read, it's not quite as good as the first books, but Knight brings up a theme that is haunting - why do people fight the Kurians? This isn't a black & white world, but a very real one in many ways. Most people do the best they can with what they have. The very real problems of eating regularly versus being ruled by monsters & there are monsters on both sides. More on the Kurian side, but life is often generally better, too.
Why does Valentine fight? I wasn't all that thrilled with the way he just let Martinez take the credit for the last fight & now it's bit him in the ass in a big way. Very realistically, too. The politics were excellent. His continuing faith to The Cause & adherence to Southern Command is barely understandable. He doesn't seem to be pissed off by the way he's been screwed, just goes on.
When I first read it, that hurt the book. On this re-read (listen) I decided it wasn't that bad. It was a great counterpoint to those who live in the Kurian zone & those that have opted out of both sides.
In addition, more real estate was added to the world. We get to explore Kentucky a bit & more about the leg worms. There's more, too, but that would be a spoiler.
All told, it was a pretty good read. Again, there is a short introduction by Knight in the audio edition & the reader was excellent. I have a little trouble with a voice or two & some of the whispering when I'm operating machinery, but it was pretty minor. I'm looking forward to listening to the next.
At first read, it's not quite as good as the first books, but Knight brings up a theme that is haunting - why do people fight the Kurians? This isn't a black & white world, but a very real one in many ways. Most people do the best they can with what they have. The very real problems of eating regularly versus being ruled by monsters & there are monsters on both sides. More on the Kurian side, but life is often generally better, too.
Why does Valentine fight? I wasn't all that thrilled with the way he just let Martinez take the credit for the last fight & now it's bit him in the ass in a big way. Very realistically, too. The politics were excellent. His continuing faith to The Cause & adherence to Southern Command is barely understandable. He doesn't seem to be pissed off by the way he's been screwed, just goes on.
When I first read it, that hurt the book. On this re-read (listen) I decided it wasn't that bad. It was a great counterpoint to those who live in the Kurian zone & those that have opted out of both sides.
In addition, more real estate was added to the world. We get to explore Kentucky a bit & more about the leg worms. There's more, too, but that would be a spoiler.
All told, it was a pretty good read. Again, there is a short introduction by Knight in the audio edition & the reader was excellent. I have a little trouble with a voice or two & some of the whispering when I'm operating machinery, but it was pretty minor. I'm looking forward to listening to the next.
July 25, 2016
Taking up shortly after the events of the last book Valentine's Rising, wherein we saw David Valentine play a major role in saving the Southern Command from the Kurians in this post-apocalyptic/post-alien-invasion series, I expected this 5th book to find him finally reaping some rewards from his leadership under extremely difficult conditions. But not so. Instead he finds himself screwed over once again and on the run.
This series is certainly unpredictable. This novel is more of a “journey” book as Valentine makes his way northward through Kentucky and into Ohio, an area occupied by the enemy, where Valentine discovers that life isn’t necessarily all that bad under their leadership. He has faced so many foes on his own side that he begins to question why he is fighting the Kurian Order at all. The ending was a complete surprise and would seem to throw the rest of the series in a whole new direction.
This series is certainly unpredictable. This novel is more of a “journey” book as Valentine makes his way northward through Kentucky and into Ohio, an area occupied by the enemy, where Valentine discovers that life isn’t necessarily all that bad under their leadership. He has faced so many foes on his own side that he begins to question why he is fighting the Kurian Order at all. The ending was a complete surprise and would seem to throw the rest of the series in a whole new direction.
November 3, 2010
E.E. Knight’s Valentine’s Exile begins shortly after the events of Valentine’s Rising. David Valentine and his platoon of Razorbacks have just finished playing the key role in saving Southern Command from complete destruction. Valentine’s troops are mobilized to Dallas, a city currently held by the Kurians. When the Razorbacks save the day again, Valentine is promoted and is given three months leave. Unfortunately, Valentine hardly sets out before he discovers himself exiled from his homeland under suspicion of murder.
Valentine’s Exile is a standard addition to the VAMPIRE EARTH series. Like the rest of the series, it is a violent romp through a post-apocalyptic war zone of gooey vampires and enemy agents. The VAMPIRE EARTH series does many things extremely well. The cast is colorful and unique, and they almost always return for another adventure. The stories are just shallow enough to leave you wanting to read the next installment. However, there are some things they do very poorly, and Valentine’s Exile just happens to be one of the clearest examples of some things I don’t like about VAMPIRE EARTH.
Characters have a tendency to act out of character in order to move the plot along in a certain directions. E.E. Knight also likes to use courtroom drama to make major plot shifts in the overall story. So far there have been at least three courtroom battles that have generated major plot twists. In VAMPIRE EARTH, it seems you cannot change direction in a story without one an act of random homicidal violence or a trumped up criminal charge.
Despite a few “what the hell?” moments, I did enjoy Vampire’s Exile. Once again I listened to Knight’s story on Brilliance Audio CD. Christian Rummel is the voice talent, and he is, as always, superb. Some day, I will do a recorded interview with Rummel and make him do the entire piece in his Alessa Duvalier voice. —Justin for fantasyliterature.com
Valentine’s Exile is a standard addition to the VAMPIRE EARTH series. Like the rest of the series, it is a violent romp through a post-apocalyptic war zone of gooey vampires and enemy agents. The VAMPIRE EARTH series does many things extremely well. The cast is colorful and unique, and they almost always return for another adventure. The stories are just shallow enough to leave you wanting to read the next installment. However, there are some things they do very poorly, and Valentine’s Exile just happens to be one of the clearest examples of some things I don’t like about VAMPIRE EARTH.
Characters have a tendency to act out of character in order to move the plot along in a certain directions. E.E. Knight also likes to use courtroom drama to make major plot shifts in the overall story. So far there have been at least three courtroom battles that have generated major plot twists. In VAMPIRE EARTH, it seems you cannot change direction in a story without one an act of random homicidal violence or a trumped up criminal charge.
Despite a few “what the hell?” moments, I did enjoy Vampire’s Exile. Once again I listened to Knight’s story on Brilliance Audio CD. Christian Rummel is the voice talent, and he is, as always, superb. Some day, I will do a recorded interview with Rummel and make him do the entire piece in his Alessa Duvalier voice. —Justin for fantasyliterature.com
October 17, 2017
Still mainlining these books. But...I think I'm slowing down.
I know how annoying everything going right is, but, like, seriously? Court-martialing him seems over the top. Then there's the fact that this amazing Cat - the one who trained him and was so pedantically badass while doing it that other Cats razzed her - is getting them all in trouble for absolutely no reason. The tiniest of saving graces about that fact is .
Also, I am getting tired of his mad sex appeal, although at least the cougar lady seemed less implausible than some.
Positives: the wormriders were kind of fun. The final reveal of what was going on is extremely intriguing. Of course I got book 6 immediately.
I know how annoying everything going right is, but, like, seriously? Court-martialing him seems over the top. Then there's the fact that this amazing Cat - the one who trained him and was so pedantically badass while doing it that other Cats razzed her - is getting them all in trouble for absolutely no reason. The tiniest of saving graces about that fact is .
Also, I am getting tired of his mad sex appeal, although at least the cougar lady seemed less implausible than some.
Positives: the wormriders were kind of fun. The final reveal of what was going on is extremely intriguing. Of course I got book 6 immediately.
November 25, 2010
I think I might be a little bit tired of Valentine's own side's politics and backbiters kicking his butt. That might be why I'm giving it a 3 instead of another 4 for the series. I'm continuing in it, but it wasn't All That.
December 6, 2010
What a strange ending! These stories are good. --From A Reader's Journal, by d r melbie.
May 28, 2018
Not a romance. Valentine is on the run, but determined to keep his promise to try to find Post's wife. Making new friends and uncovering what the Kurians are doing with special women. I like this series and the ending made me want to rush to the next book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 23, 2019
While the books remain at least mildly entertaining I am beginning to feel as if the series should have ended. Excluding a few things, there were no surprises in the book and it read pretty much like previous books. Overall still alright but nothing groundbreaking.
October 21, 2022
It’s been years since I read a Vampire Earth book. I think I skipped number four so I’ll have to find it. Happy to have E.E. Knight in the local library, couldn’t find him in Hong Kong. The ending of this book was interesting and I’m looking forward to the next one.
June 6, 2017
I read an abridged version that isn't showing up here on Goodreads, but it was still enjoyable.
December 29, 2021
Audio Book
Book about Dystopian future where aliens have control and the humans are trying fight back
Book about Dystopian future where aliens have control and the humans are trying fight back
April 5, 2025
The series continues to be great
June 23, 2011
** "Valentine's Exile" (Vampire Earth 5) by E. E. Knight starts slow, reviewing the setting and cast. I first listened to the audio, before the book was available. Never again. Hours - was it 18?. I thought I knew what was coming the first time, the second pass was not nice, I held my breath over crude, crud, and stink, even humor bits. The hero is stuck in horrible pits. Parts were not credible, such as that he saddles student-free old swamp teacher Eveready (from book #1) for months with a nuisance prisoner and helpless girls. I like the last chapters, legworm ranchers, and their inspiration in the final escape, genius.
First trouble, a sudden air attack, takes out a third of Val's men, part of the siege around Dallas. After the city surrenders, the regiment is ordered disbanded. Post (#3), badly wounded, asks Val, now 27 and overdue for leave, to find his ex-wife. Missing for years, Gail has turned up on a special list. Females who test positive are sent on, priority to Memphis, according to Molly (#1). Condemned to hang on trumped up charges (#4), Val is doomed unless friends (#2) flame-hair beauty Cat Alessa, and giant blonde-fur Grog Ahn-kah (the silly spelling bothers me too, but does sound out pronunciation) get inside help. When the faithful Golden One stays back as diversion, I hope to see him in future. Gate guards who trash their report because one sees a big tattooed Negro, the other a tiny gold-toothed Chinaman is one funny moment.
Goal, girl. Incentive, gallows. Go.
[Spoiler - I could see the end coming, but when he feeds the baby monster vampire, ouch.]
First trouble, a sudden air attack, takes out a third of Val's men, part of the siege around Dallas. After the city surrenders, the regiment is ordered disbanded. Post (#3), badly wounded, asks Val, now 27 and overdue for leave, to find his ex-wife. Missing for years, Gail has turned up on a special list. Females who test positive are sent on, priority to Memphis, according to Molly (#1). Condemned to hang on trumped up charges (#4), Val is doomed unless friends (#2) flame-hair beauty Cat Alessa, and giant blonde-fur Grog Ahn-kah (the silly spelling bothers me too, but does sound out pronunciation) get inside help. When the faithful Golden One stays back as diversion, I hope to see him in future. Gate guards who trash their report because one sees a big tattooed Negro, the other a tiny gold-toothed Chinaman is one funny moment.
Goal, girl. Incentive, gallows. Go.
[Spoiler - I could see the end coming, but when he feeds the baby monster vampire, ouch.]
June 29, 2019
Another adventure with David Valentine. Unfortunately for Valentine, he gets arrested not very far into the book and is preparing to hang for crimes that he supposedly helped perpetrate in the last book. Not to worry though, he has friends all over the place that will save him! As he is on the run, he decides to help his friend William Post find his missing wife. What Valentine discovers along the way will change the fight against the Kurians. This book was more suspenseful than exciting since Valentine and Ahn-Kha are back undercover for most of the book. The end of this book was sad and left me wanting to jump into the next book so I could find out what happened next. .
Overall another very exciting book of the Vampire Earth. 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Overall another very exciting book of the Vampire Earth. 4.5 out of 5 stars.
June 8, 2013
.E. Knight’s Valentine’s Exile begins shortly after the events of Valentine’s Rising. David Valentine and his platoon of Razorbacks have just finished playing the key role in saving Southern Command from complete destruction. Valentine’s troops are mobilized to Dallas, a city currently held by the Kurians. When the Razorbacks save the day again, Valentine is promoted and is given three months leave. Unfortunately, Valentine hardly sets out before he discovers himself exiled from his homeland under suspicion of murder.
Valentine’s Exile is a standard addition to the Vampire Earth series. Like the rest of the series, it is a violent romp through a post-apocalyptic war zone of gooey vampires and enemy agents. The Vampire Earth series does ... Read More:
http://www.fantasyliterature.com/revi...
Valentine’s Exile is a standard addition to the Vampire Earth series. Like the rest of the series, it is a violent romp through a post-apocalyptic war zone of gooey vampires and enemy agents. The Vampire Earth series does ... Read More:
http://www.fantasyliterature.com/revi...
October 28, 2011
Lot slower than the other books in the series. I'd call this the (hopefully) quiet before the storm. Still, a visit with an old friend is always welcome. Knight paints such a wonderful picture in my mind that I can't quit this series. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go buy the next 2 Valentine stories.
April 29, 2013
I finished this one last night before going to bed. How I managed to not have nightmares is beyond me. The story line seems to be repeating itself again and again. I have one more book to go in this set of 3 and then I will take a break from Vampire Earth. What I will read next is anyone's guess.
July 15, 2011
Wonderful continuation, though doesn't make much sense if you haven't read the others. I think E. E. Knight has managed to put every single type of thriller novel and archetype into this series: military ranger, secret agent, escaped prisoner, battlefield commander, etc. Pretty ridiculous.
November 9, 2011
Val cannot catch a break. The guy just wants to serve the cause to the best of his ability and stuff keeps happening. Stuff happens here too - and he (of course) manages to overcome it. Sort of. Nice cliff-hanger ending.
April 30, 2012
More solid writing and well-spun storytelling from the master of military vamp hunters E.E. Knight. He draws tension like a 120-lb bow before loosing a deliciously twisty arrow at the end. I love this guy's stuff !!!
July 5, 2013
I had no idea that this was the 5th book in a series. I had many questions that I know would be answered in the previous volumes. Might have to go back and read the first four. This was still a great story, even without the background information.
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May 7, 2015E.E knight always delivers. engaging characters, grand schemes and twisting and turning plots. the reapers an excellent take on the vampire race..its no author has undertaken such a science fiction/fantasy world since the days of h g wells. this series is totally recommended.
December 13, 2007
A nice, light read. One thing I like about this series is that Knight isn't afraid to change his world or characters in fairly drastic ways. You don't find that much in serial fiction.
February 21, 2008
It just keeps getting better! Man, I wish I could tell you some of the stuff that happens in here. Kept me up most of the night because i couldn't put it down. I can't WAIT for the next one!
March 7, 2008
Very, very good book, awesome action sequences but also spying, again great book.
April 21, 2008
being a man of action and not of politics, valentine is forced into exile because of the choices he has made... ENDING IS FANTASTIC!!!
September 16, 2008
still liking it
January 22, 2009
Another fantastic book, I couldn't put it down, waiting to see what happened next. The ending was...I don't know a little scary, in what Valentine might do. Can't wait for the next book.
July 27, 2011
I love this series. I am not a huge Sci fi/fantasy fan, but I can't wait to pick up the next book in this series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews