What do you think?
Rate this book
Vamp Camp #1
Vamp Camp
Who knew that being a gay vampire could be loving and tender? This is a blazingly fast adventure and all the scary / creepy / freaky drama you'd expect from a vampire tale. You also get the wicked wit of Mårten Larsson as he learns to live (no, not 'live' exactly) as a vampire. From steamy sex to hunting rogue goons, Mårten masters the art and science of vampirism. Did he want to be a vamp? Not so much. He wanted it as much as he asked to have a sissy circle over the 'å' in his name. His mother didn't ask him about the name, and his Maker didn't ask if he wanted to be a vampire. He just woke up dead one day with a piece of paper that said, "Dude, you're a vampire. Drink some blood." The instructions were in a language he didn't even know. Another vampire found Mårten and agreed to teach him how to be a vamp with the proper amount of suction. Mårten tells us how he did it at VAMP CAMP. He has to survive without getting staked or baked. He gloats that he and his boyfriend can make love levitating on the topside of a cumulus cloud. Just don't ever mention that circle over the 'å' in his first name. He goes from zero to Viking Vampire in about a second, and he keeps breaking things before he calms down. Join Mårten as he learns how to mainstream with fangs and a blood-lust. VAMP CAMP is tender, funny, sexy, and fast-paced.
240 pages, Paperback
First published April 14, 2010
2 people are currently reading
225 people want to read
About the author
Wynn Wagner
18 books26 followersWynn Wagner is the author of numerous books on several topics. You can find books on tarot, liturgy, science fiction, fantasy, and gay romance.
His fiction is usually funny and sometimes snarky. One of his books — Brent the Heart Reader — was the 2012 entry into the Gay Book Hall of Fame. Another fiction work is TIME FLIES, a coming out story in the science fiction genre.
Since 2010, Wagner has lived without a pancreas (Whipple procedure), which means his body no longer produces insulin or digestive enzymes. He says it makes nutrition a real science project. And because he had several books in the pipeline, readers got new releases throughout his 5-months in the hospital.
He and his husband are both retired. They live in Dallas, Texas (USA).
Dr. Wagner received a Th.D from St. Wolbodo Seminary and elsewhere a Masters of Liberal Arts and undergraduate degrees in English and Philosophy. “Ancient history,” he said. “The earth has cooled significantly since all that.”
He is a retired archbishop and former president of the World Conference of Old Catholic Churches and Coadjutor of the North American Old Catholic Church.
He has written numerous gay and spiritual books. The author Patricia Nell Warren calls him a “powerhouse in GLBT publishing.”
Before that, he was a programmer who helped write the tax software used by some of the world’s largest corporations. He also wrote Opus-CBCS, a computer bulletin board system that was wildly popular in the 1980s. Opus generated millions of dollars for HIV and AIDS, back when almost nobody was helping fund research or caring for those suffering from the disease. He also wrote a short piece called “HIV: Day One” for those who have just learned they have HIV. “Day One” is hosted by AEGiS, an HIV web service operated by a religious order in San Juan Capistrano, CA (USA).
Before programming and writing, Wynn worked in radio in Texas and New York. Before that, he was a pimply-faced teenager.
He was awarded a key to the city by the mayor of Corpus Christi, Texas. It was a key to the city of Tulsa, Oklahoma, a town Wynn has never visited. “No respect, I tell you,” he says.
Wynn is the son of Swedish immigrants who was adopted at birth. He sang as a boy soprano in the Texas Boys Choir and appeared on such television shows as Ed Sullivan and Perry Como. His singing took him to Carnegie Hall, to Europe, and to record dates like the last recording conducted by Igor Stravinsky.
Wynn Wagner is a member of The Authors Guild.
His fiction is usually funny and sometimes snarky. One of his books — Brent the Heart Reader — was the 2012 entry into the Gay Book Hall of Fame. Another fiction work is TIME FLIES, a coming out story in the science fiction genre.
Since 2010, Wagner has lived without a pancreas (Whipple procedure), which means his body no longer produces insulin or digestive enzymes. He says it makes nutrition a real science project. And because he had several books in the pipeline, readers got new releases throughout his 5-months in the hospital.
He and his husband are both retired. They live in Dallas, Texas (USA).
Dr. Wagner received a Th.D from St. Wolbodo Seminary and elsewhere a Masters of Liberal Arts and undergraduate degrees in English and Philosophy. “Ancient history,” he said. “The earth has cooled significantly since all that.”
He is a retired archbishop and former president of the World Conference of Old Catholic Churches and Coadjutor of the North American Old Catholic Church.
He has written numerous gay and spiritual books. The author Patricia Nell Warren calls him a “powerhouse in GLBT publishing.”
Before that, he was a programmer who helped write the tax software used by some of the world’s largest corporations. He also wrote Opus-CBCS, a computer bulletin board system that was wildly popular in the 1980s. Opus generated millions of dollars for HIV and AIDS, back when almost nobody was helping fund research or caring for those suffering from the disease. He also wrote a short piece called “HIV: Day One” for those who have just learned they have HIV. “Day One” is hosted by AEGiS, an HIV web service operated by a religious order in San Juan Capistrano, CA (USA).
Before programming and writing, Wynn worked in radio in Texas and New York. Before that, he was a pimply-faced teenager.
He was awarded a key to the city by the mayor of Corpus Christi, Texas. It was a key to the city of Tulsa, Oklahoma, a town Wynn has never visited. “No respect, I tell you,” he says.
Wynn is the son of Swedish immigrants who was adopted at birth. He sang as a boy soprano in the Texas Boys Choir and appeared on such television shows as Ed Sullivan and Perry Como. His singing took him to Carnegie Hall, to Europe, and to record dates like the last recording conducted by Igor Stravinsky.
Wynn Wagner is a member of The Authors Guild.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
May 24, 2010
Sick of the same old tired, uber powerful vamps but can’t quite let go of those sexy suckers? Definitely give Vamp Camp a try then. This hilarious, witty, sly, entertaining, sexy, and flat out laugh out loud funny romp hits so many high points that the flatter notes are somewhat forgiven. Not without its missteps, the story sets a pretty high bar for itself that is incredibly difficult to maintain. It mostly succeeds with only a few frustrating moments and ultimately the book is simply total fun to read. There are some annoying contrivances you have to forgive and the romance angle is sacrificed for hot sex, which is unfortunate. Yet, I eagerly await book two in the series to see what this engaging cast is up to next.
Right away you’re introduced to the first person narrator, Mårten. Mårten talks to you, the reader, as he explains that he’s going to tell you a story as he remembers it. He starts with his background and childhood with a mom that gave him a three dollar bill to show him how queer he is. Oh and she always reminds him to eat his cereal. From this absent but caring in its own way home to joining the military, Mårten is not your average person let alone sailor. When he’s taken prisoner and eventually turned into a vampire, his manual is a bunch of crudely drawn figures and a circle with an x threw it. First attempting to learn on his own, Mårten’s life changes when he meets fellow vampire, Menz who agrees to show him how to be a successful vampire. Sex, revenge, romance, true love, floating lessons, epic vampire fights, and lots of twinks in tiny shorts all converge to give Mårten a new life.
The writing is immediately irreverent, sarcastic, and engaging. Mårten starts off talking to the reader and although this falls away when he gets into story telling, there is always an aspect of this that is present. Comic timing in books is incredibly difficult to pull off and attempting to give 250 pages of that is a near impossible mission. The initial jokes and sarcastic tone can start to wear thin pretty quickly without a deft hand and so I have a lot of respect for the author for attempting it and mostly succeeding. It’s not entirely successful and there are a few contrivances that did annoy me. There are some editing mistakes and repetitive phrasing and prose that stand out, but for the most part aside from these few stutters, the writing is pretty engaging. These annoyances are also likely to vary from reader to reader.
The first is that the narrator likes to make the following comment or some variation “if you ask me. Which you did since you bought the book.” The first time is humorous but repeated comments just jar me out of the story. I’m reminded that I’m reading not just the narration of the speaker, but also an author that is manipulating the story. I prefer to be totally engaged in the story and not be reminded I’m reading what someone wrote. Similar annoyances come in notes and aside about the writing process within the text of the story. For example there is a comment about adding information for editors and the note about why the narrator uses the term “homosexual” versus gay. None of this information is really necessary and feels as though the author is justifying any qualms before you can raise them.
The sarcastic tone of Mårten carries well and never gets tired due to a deft handle of action, sex, and vampire politics. Mårten reminds me of an irreverent teenager that wants all the cool toys and only discovers the responsibility through trial and error. His characterization is decent but all of the characters in the rather large, entertaining cast are somewhat superficial without a lot of depth. None are boring from Menz and his teenager looks but sophisticated style to the bevy of twinks in tiny shorts running around as blood donors and named after Shakespeare’s characters. Mårten’s lover Oberon is a mystery and little is ever revealed about him. This is one of the weakest aspects of the book since Oberon and Mårten fall in love due to compatible sex – and lots of it. Mårten even mentions that they rarely talk, they mostly have sex so their instant love has little basis. Yet their sex scenes are pretty hot, keeping in line with the lighter tone and purpose of the story.
For all the stutters and missteps, the narrator’s voice held the book for me. The plot is sometimes over the top with very powerful vampires but the wonder and awe are clear as is Mårten’s point of view. Here’s an example of the dialogue carrying the quick back and forth that hallmarks the strengths of the story:
“Why is there a circle over the ‘å’ in my name?” I asked mother.
“You’re Swedish,” mother said.
“Guys at school think it’s sissy.”
“Good, it’ll make you grow up tough.”
My own mother. I always thought about suing her over that name. Shouldn’t there be some kind of maternal malpractice?
“I’m taking you to court,” I told her once.
“Eat your cereal,” she said.
“I’m gay, you know.”
“I’m not blind,” she said.
“It makes me sensitive.”
“That’s nice, dear. Eat your cereal.”
Whether it’s a disconnected mother or a gracious smiling butler with impeccable fashion sense, the cast of characters shine in this light, entertaining, and hilarious romp. There may not be a lot of depth to each but really it doesn’t matter. The story and men are engaging, interesting, and offer something fresh in the over saturated world of super powerful vampires. I’m eagerly awaiting book two and really hope it is about Menz and Paco. I’m incredibly curious what kind of voice either would have and the age difference, thousand year old vampire and 19 y/o twink. No matter who the narrator of the next story is, it promises to be fun so pick up Vamp Camp now and enjoy a light, easy, funny time.
Right away you’re introduced to the first person narrator, Mårten. Mårten talks to you, the reader, as he explains that he’s going to tell you a story as he remembers it. He starts with his background and childhood with a mom that gave him a three dollar bill to show him how queer he is. Oh and she always reminds him to eat his cereal. From this absent but caring in its own way home to joining the military, Mårten is not your average person let alone sailor. When he’s taken prisoner and eventually turned into a vampire, his manual is a bunch of crudely drawn figures and a circle with an x threw it. First attempting to learn on his own, Mårten’s life changes when he meets fellow vampire, Menz who agrees to show him how to be a successful vampire. Sex, revenge, romance, true love, floating lessons, epic vampire fights, and lots of twinks in tiny shorts all converge to give Mårten a new life.
The writing is immediately irreverent, sarcastic, and engaging. Mårten starts off talking to the reader and although this falls away when he gets into story telling, there is always an aspect of this that is present. Comic timing in books is incredibly difficult to pull off and attempting to give 250 pages of that is a near impossible mission. The initial jokes and sarcastic tone can start to wear thin pretty quickly without a deft hand and so I have a lot of respect for the author for attempting it and mostly succeeding. It’s not entirely successful and there are a few contrivances that did annoy me. There are some editing mistakes and repetitive phrasing and prose that stand out, but for the most part aside from these few stutters, the writing is pretty engaging. These annoyances are also likely to vary from reader to reader.
The first is that the narrator likes to make the following comment or some variation “if you ask me. Which you did since you bought the book.” The first time is humorous but repeated comments just jar me out of the story. I’m reminded that I’m reading not just the narration of the speaker, but also an author that is manipulating the story. I prefer to be totally engaged in the story and not be reminded I’m reading what someone wrote. Similar annoyances come in notes and aside about the writing process within the text of the story. For example there is a comment about adding information for editors and the note about why the narrator uses the term “homosexual” versus gay. None of this information is really necessary and feels as though the author is justifying any qualms before you can raise them.
The sarcastic tone of Mårten carries well and never gets tired due to a deft handle of action, sex, and vampire politics. Mårten reminds me of an irreverent teenager that wants all the cool toys and only discovers the responsibility through trial and error. His characterization is decent but all of the characters in the rather large, entertaining cast are somewhat superficial without a lot of depth. None are boring from Menz and his teenager looks but sophisticated style to the bevy of twinks in tiny shorts running around as blood donors and named after Shakespeare’s characters. Mårten’s lover Oberon is a mystery and little is ever revealed about him. This is one of the weakest aspects of the book since Oberon and Mårten fall in love due to compatible sex – and lots of it. Mårten even mentions that they rarely talk, they mostly have sex so their instant love has little basis. Yet their sex scenes are pretty hot, keeping in line with the lighter tone and purpose of the story.
For all the stutters and missteps, the narrator’s voice held the book for me. The plot is sometimes over the top with very powerful vampires but the wonder and awe are clear as is Mårten’s point of view. Here’s an example of the dialogue carrying the quick back and forth that hallmarks the strengths of the story:
“Why is there a circle over the ‘å’ in my name?” I asked mother.
“You’re Swedish,” mother said.
“Guys at school think it’s sissy.”
“Good, it’ll make you grow up tough.”
My own mother. I always thought about suing her over that name. Shouldn’t there be some kind of maternal malpractice?
“I’m taking you to court,” I told her once.
“Eat your cereal,” she said.
“I’m gay, you know.”
“I’m not blind,” she said.
“It makes me sensitive.”
“That’s nice, dear. Eat your cereal.”
Whether it’s a disconnected mother or a gracious smiling butler with impeccable fashion sense, the cast of characters shine in this light, entertaining, and hilarious romp. There may not be a lot of depth to each but really it doesn’t matter. The story and men are engaging, interesting, and offer something fresh in the over saturated world of super powerful vampires. I’m eagerly awaiting book two and really hope it is about Menz and Paco. I’m incredibly curious what kind of voice either would have and the age difference, thousand year old vampire and 19 y/o twink. No matter who the narrator of the next story is, it promises to be fun so pick up Vamp Camp now and enjoy a light, easy, funny time.
February 11, 2012
Hmm, I kept reading other reviews saying that there was so much sex, but I was kinda disappointed honestly. Ya'll had gotten my hopes up!
I thoroughly enjoyed this one and I'm looking forward to reading the sequels :)
I thoroughly enjoyed this one and I'm looking forward to reading the sequels :)
January 18, 2014
Mårten (pronounced Morton) is a good ole boy from Texas. He has a stable home life and parents that love him and they know he’s gay. In fact, when he was a teenager, his mother gave him a three dollar bill to show him how queer he was. Although his parents are caring and understanding, they aren’t always emotionally available. When he graduates college he joins the Navy and ends up in a POW camp after he is captured by the Germans. Mårten has never been one to shy away from a fight, and his defiant behavior lands him in solitary confinement, of sorts. It’s while he’s confined that one of the guards rapes, assaults and bites him. Mårten wakes up in a cave with a note pinned to his shirt, “You’re a vampire, drink some blood and stay out of the sun.”
Mårten is trying to decipher why it is the sun hurts him, he can fly and jump really high and likes to drink animals dry when he meets another vampire. Menz is a centuries old vampire that lives on an estate that he runs much like a gay Peyton Place. Filled with lots of young, beautiful, sexy men (both gay and straight) that are willing blood donors. In exchange for their donation, these men live a life of luxery under the protection of Menz.
Menz takes Mårten under his wing and trains him to be a proper vampire. Menz himself is gay so he recognizes the trait in his new young trainee. On Mårten first night at the estate, Menz sets him up with a tall, handsome donor with long black hair and gorgeous blue eyes. Oberon and Mårten are instantly and insanely attracted to each other, and though they actively participate in all manners of threesomes, foursomes and orgies, they only have eyes for each other. The two start making plans to be together forever. But when one of the donors winds up slaughtered on the front lawn, their plans are put on hold. Mårten and his new found family are forced to face his demons together, and not everyone will make it out alive, much less get a ‘Happy Ever After’.
Okay so, the narration was so terrible that it was good. This kid that tells Mårten’s story goes so overboard with the Texas twang, that it’s at times laughable. But I couldn’t take out my ear plugs! The storyline was so engrossing, and Mårten’s dry, witty sense of humor coupled with Menz’s proper british appearance made for some very intriguing reading. The sex scenes between Mårten and Oberon are some of the tamest, yet hottest scenes I’ve ever read. The story at times was a bit disjointed and the fact that it was obviously an adult book, but the main character would teeter between the words but and ass drove me a little crazy, but for whatever reason I just loved this story!
This was just a fast, fun read with a young spitfire of a main character that was forced to grow up way too soon. Seriously, his favorite curse is ‘Holy!’. That’s it, just Holy! I can’t wait to see what happens next for Mårten, Oberon and Menz. Not sure if I’ll grab the second book, or wait for it to come out on audible. Stay tuned.
Mårten is trying to decipher why it is the sun hurts him, he can fly and jump really high and likes to drink animals dry when he meets another vampire. Menz is a centuries old vampire that lives on an estate that he runs much like a gay Peyton Place. Filled with lots of young, beautiful, sexy men (both gay and straight) that are willing blood donors. In exchange for their donation, these men live a life of luxery under the protection of Menz.
Menz takes Mårten under his wing and trains him to be a proper vampire. Menz himself is gay so he recognizes the trait in his new young trainee. On Mårten first night at the estate, Menz sets him up with a tall, handsome donor with long black hair and gorgeous blue eyes. Oberon and Mårten are instantly and insanely attracted to each other, and though they actively participate in all manners of threesomes, foursomes and orgies, they only have eyes for each other. The two start making plans to be together forever. But when one of the donors winds up slaughtered on the front lawn, their plans are put on hold. Mårten and his new found family are forced to face his demons together, and not everyone will make it out alive, much less get a ‘Happy Ever After’.
Okay so, the narration was so terrible that it was good. This kid that tells Mårten’s story goes so overboard with the Texas twang, that it’s at times laughable. But I couldn’t take out my ear plugs! The storyline was so engrossing, and Mårten’s dry, witty sense of humor coupled with Menz’s proper british appearance made for some very intriguing reading. The sex scenes between Mårten and Oberon are some of the tamest, yet hottest scenes I’ve ever read. The story at times was a bit disjointed and the fact that it was obviously an adult book, but the main character would teeter between the words but and ass drove me a little crazy, but for whatever reason I just loved this story!
This was just a fast, fun read with a young spitfire of a main character that was forced to grow up way too soon. Seriously, his favorite curse is ‘Holy!’. That’s it, just Holy! I can’t wait to see what happens next for Mårten, Oberon and Menz. Not sure if I’ll grab the second book, or wait for it to come out on audible. Stay tuned.
July 31, 2016
I consider myself an astute reader. Okay, since reviewers are supposed to be honest, I consider myself a very astute reader...well, except for my general inability to figure out “whodunnit” in a mystery before the detective tells all.
Yet after reading and enjoying all four books of the Vamp Camp trilogy...yes, you’re reading that right...I am still uncertain where “Vamp Camp” came from. For me, the title inevitably carries the mental image of an at-night “summer camp” for vampires, complete with counselors and fun activities. I came across the title by accident and looked at the first book just because of the title. The blurb cured me of the summer camp imagery, but got me intrigued. So much so, I bought all four books. (Moi? An impulsive buyer of a whole series when the first one hasn’t been sampled, much less read? C’est impossible!)
I’m glad I did.
I read all four, one after the other, over a couple of days.
The narrator is a snarky American vampire telling his dead story (well, it couldn’t be his “life” story, now could it?) from growing up to becoming a vampire during World War I, and onward.
The author has created an unusual world-wide vampire society that’s entirely believable. Marten (I can’t duplicate the little “o” over the “a” in his name) is fun to listen to as he tells his tale, sometimes directly talking to those of us who have bought his books and are in the process of reading, and occasionally threatening: “If I told you what Obscurati really meant, I’d have to kill you, so don’t ask and I won’t tell.” (Not a quote, just a sort-of imitation.)
There’s an interesting take on how vampires are made. There’s love and laughter and snark by the gallon. Plenty of gore in a sense...hey, it’s a vampire series!...but not so much so that those of us with more delicate stomachs get queasy. Twists and turns of plot...and some really unexpected stuff in the last book. All of it well-written and fun to read.
Anyone remember the potato chip commercials where you can’t eat just one?
Same here, in terms of the books.
Although for me, the reality was that I was only a chapter or so into the first book when I knew I’d made the right, logical, eminently rational, reasonable, entirely lacking in any hint of impulsivity, decision to buy all four.
You should, too.
Yet after reading and enjoying all four books of the Vamp Camp trilogy...yes, you’re reading that right...I am still uncertain where “Vamp Camp” came from. For me, the title inevitably carries the mental image of an at-night “summer camp” for vampires, complete with counselors and fun activities. I came across the title by accident and looked at the first book just because of the title. The blurb cured me of the summer camp imagery, but got me intrigued. So much so, I bought all four books. (Moi? An impulsive buyer of a whole series when the first one hasn’t been sampled, much less read? C’est impossible!)
I’m glad I did.
I read all four, one after the other, over a couple of days.
The narrator is a snarky American vampire telling his dead story (well, it couldn’t be his “life” story, now could it?) from growing up to becoming a vampire during World War I, and onward.
The author has created an unusual world-wide vampire society that’s entirely believable. Marten (I can’t duplicate the little “o” over the “a” in his name) is fun to listen to as he tells his tale, sometimes directly talking to those of us who have bought his books and are in the process of reading, and occasionally threatening: “If I told you what Obscurati really meant, I’d have to kill you, so don’t ask and I won’t tell.” (Not a quote, just a sort-of imitation.)
There’s an interesting take on how vampires are made. There’s love and laughter and snark by the gallon. Plenty of gore in a sense...hey, it’s a vampire series!...but not so much so that those of us with more delicate stomachs get queasy. Twists and turns of plot...and some really unexpected stuff in the last book. All of it well-written and fun to read.
Anyone remember the potato chip commercials where you can’t eat just one?
Same here, in terms of the books.
Although for me, the reality was that I was only a chapter or so into the first book when I knew I’d made the right, logical, eminently rational, reasonable, entirely lacking in any hint of impulsivity, decision to buy all four.
You should, too.
July 8, 2015
Vamp Camp was very different than I was expecting. For one, there is no camp involved. Just a mansion where a master vampire resides. Second, it's historical! That was actually a bonus since I always wanted to read an LGBT Historical Romance. Although this is really more of a Paranormal Romance in a historical setting, but whatever. Mårten was in the US Navy during WWI and wound up as a prisoner-of-war. One of the guards turned him into a vampire and left him in the woods. Luckily, Metz finds Mårten and teaches him the ways of the vampires.
I kind of liked Vamp Camp, but for the most part I was bored. There is no plot whatsoever, but it's not like there was no plot because the focus was on the romance. The story is told by Mårten as a book. Like he acknowledges that he is writing his story and we are reading it. I do love second person POV, but for some reason the book awareness angle rarely works for me. But that wasn't really the problem. It was that it read more like a vampire instruction manual than as Mårten's thoughts on the subject. Every conversation with Metz was a lesson, so I wasn't quite as invested in the story as I could have been if they were doing something else.
The romance was sweet though. Mårten and his "donor" Oberon are super sappy and super in love and super all lover each other. I also thought it was cute how they gave each other language lessons, since Mårten speaks English and Oberon speaks German. However, they understand each other perfectly most of the time despite the language barrier. They also have lots of sexy times.
Vamp Camp was just okay for me. The lack of anything happening and the type of humor used didn't resonate with me. I'm not a fan of the repetitive line as a recurring joke thing. I find it annoying, and sadly it was used a lot. Something exciting does happen toward the end, but by then it was too late. While I did enjoy the romance, I don't think it's enough for me to continue the series.
Read more of my reviews at Pinkindle Reads & Reviews.
I kind of liked Vamp Camp, but for the most part I was bored. There is no plot whatsoever, but it's not like there was no plot because the focus was on the romance. The story is told by Mårten as a book. Like he acknowledges that he is writing his story and we are reading it. I do love second person POV, but for some reason the book awareness angle rarely works for me. But that wasn't really the problem. It was that it read more like a vampire instruction manual than as Mårten's thoughts on the subject. Every conversation with Metz was a lesson, so I wasn't quite as invested in the story as I could have been if they were doing something else.
The romance was sweet though. Mårten and his "donor" Oberon are super sappy and super in love and super all lover each other. I also thought it was cute how they gave each other language lessons, since Mårten speaks English and Oberon speaks German. However, they understand each other perfectly most of the time despite the language barrier. They also have lots of sexy times.
Vamp Camp was just okay for me. The lack of anything happening and the type of humor used didn't resonate with me. I'm not a fan of the repetitive line as a recurring joke thing. I find it annoying, and sadly it was used a lot. Something exciting does happen toward the end, but by then it was too late. While I did enjoy the romance, I don't think it's enough for me to continue the series.
Read more of my reviews at Pinkindle Reads & Reviews.
November 26, 2010
Vamp Camp is an entertaining and irreverent novel about a young man who was turned against his will and finds himself a vampire abandoned by his maker. Our young hero has no idea how to survive until he meets a true master vampire and is taken under his wing. The blurb alone was hilarious and the humor continues throughout the book as Morten learns the basics of being a good blood sucker. The secondary characters are colorful and it was so easy to suspend belief and imagine myself amongst the young men learning the ancient secrets of the vampire world. I look forward to the next book in this series and I'm delighted to add Wynn Wagner to my list of favorite authors.
January 5, 2011
2.5 stars
Really, really wanted to like this one. It started off great, but then just got boring. There were some strange inconsistencies (example: Marten is captured by the Germans during WW1 and held in underground solitary confinement for punching a jailer. During that time another soldier comes in and has sex with him. Marten thought about objecting but decided he liked it. So much so that he deliberately got in trouble in order to get placed back in that cell. The soldier appears later in the story & Marten is adamant that he wants revenge on his rapist. WTF???)
Really, really wanted to like this one. It started off great, but then just got boring. There were some strange inconsistencies (example: Marten is captured by the Germans during WW1 and held in underground solitary confinement for punching a jailer. During that time another soldier comes in and has sex with him. Marten thought about objecting but decided he liked it. So much so that he deliberately got in trouble in order to get placed back in that cell. The soldier appears later in the story & Marten is adamant that he wants revenge on his rapist. WTF???)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 15, 2017
This is a riotous comedy with lots of horny vampires.
June 1, 2010
3.5 Oh why are there no half stars?
This has a much cuter goth boy on the cover of the paper version. Mårten is an American naval officer who is captured by the Germans in WWI. He is raped and turned into a vampire by one of the guards who dumps him in the with only the most basic of information. He manages to get by and meets Menz, another vampire who takes him to his estate where he learns about being a vampire from Menz and manages to fall in love with Oberon, one of the multitude of twink donors he keeps. The guard who turned him against his will manages to elude execution and is out to get Mårten and Menz as well. This is book one and is told as if Mårten knows he's telling you the story, he's got a wry voice, and there is lots of random hot smexin' amongst the donors and vamps and you get to know about the vamp council and how their culture works. I enjoyed it as it doesn't take itself too seriously and is just fun and sexy. However I had a very difficult time purchasing a pdf version, perhaps in part due to the site and I found a fair number of spelling errors through the book, but not enough to really detract from the overall story. I'll definitely be checking out the next one.
This has a much cuter goth boy on the cover of the paper version. Mårten is an American naval officer who is captured by the Germans in WWI. He is raped and turned into a vampire by one of the guards who dumps him in the with only the most basic of information. He manages to get by and meets Menz, another vampire who takes him to his estate where he learns about being a vampire from Menz and manages to fall in love with Oberon, one of the multitude of twink donors he keeps. The guard who turned him against his will manages to elude execution and is out to get Mårten and Menz as well. This is book one and is told as if Mårten knows he's telling you the story, he's got a wry voice, and there is lots of random hot smexin' amongst the donors and vamps and you get to know about the vamp council and how their culture works. I enjoyed it as it doesn't take itself too seriously and is just fun and sexy. However I had a very difficult time purchasing a pdf version, perhaps in part due to the site and I found a fair number of spelling errors through the book, but not enough to really detract from the overall story. I'll definitely be checking out the next one.
May 2, 2016
This is a witty, tale of an irreverent young Texan who's turned into a vampire after becoming a POW during the great war. Never taking his tale too seriously, the narrator tells of his ill-fated career as a soldier, his internment in a POW camp and his subsequent conversion into a vampire. He hooks up with German vampire soon after the war ends and learns what every young vampire should know (including how to please, use and NOT abuse the stable of gorgeous young men who are willing to become blood donors and sex partners with him)
The narrator frequently breaks the "fourth wall" and comments directly to the reader in a way that is charming and this is only one way in which this book is unlike most of the other gay vamp tales out there. The scenes are delightedly carnal and the sex is as inventive as the rest of the tale. By all means check out this book.
Not sure where the title Vamp Camp comes from but Mårten Larsson is one "camp vamp" (at least at times)
The narrator frequently breaks the "fourth wall" and comments directly to the reader in a way that is charming and this is only one way in which this book is unlike most of the other gay vamp tales out there. The scenes are delightedly carnal and the sex is as inventive as the rest of the tale. By all means check out this book.
Not sure where the title Vamp Camp comes from but Mårten Larsson is one "camp vamp" (at least at times)
January 29, 2012
I can see why some people didn't like this book. It is the journal of a vampire - approximately the first year of his unlife, if you will - and it is really a journal. Each chapter reads like an entry, and Mårten's opinions on everything from how to fly to terrific sex are entertaining. All the side comments, unnecessary editing, and various other personal stuff would probably get left out by a good publishing house. We would miss so much of the personality of the read if that had been done!
So don't read this expecting to be blown away or awestruck. Expect to chuckle, roll your eyes (at times Mårten can be exasperating), and entertained. Enjoy.
So don't read this expecting to be blown away or awestruck. Expect to chuckle, roll your eyes (at times Mårten can be exasperating), and entertained. Enjoy.
March 26, 2012
There... was no plot. Literally, no plot. Not that there's anything to spoil, but for safety:
Points for setting development, though, and I did manage to read the whole thing. So 1.5 stars.
Points for setting development, though, and I did manage to read the whole thing. So 1.5 stars.
December 4, 2013
Loved it! A friend loaned this story to me knowing I like Vampire stories best. I got so involved in the story line and sometimes I would forget it was set during the first World War. I liked all the characters and would not mind reading more about each of them as they all have interesting aspects in their personalities. A Texan turned Vampire in the country of Germany is certainly different and it spoke to me. I liked Marten very much and loved Oberon's name, lovely couple and their relationship is somewhat different, but I liked that very much. Bravo!! One thing and I'm sorry, but I did not like the title.
January 11, 2019
This book kind of threw me a little bit with the title. I had expected something a little bit more modern and filled with a bunch of vampires. Instead it was set during the WWII and involve more a mentor/protege type thing with a harem of beautiful boys for the two vampires. I never had the camp feeling from this book.
As for the story itself not a lot of substance but fun to read as long as you don't look too closely at the plot. The narrator has a lot of fun and the most important thing is that the story doesn't take itself to seriously. For me the make the plot holes forgivable as I just sit back and watch Marten learn about being a vampire while having copious amounts of sex.
As for the story itself not a lot of substance but fun to read as long as you don't look too closely at the plot. The narrator has a lot of fun and the most important thing is that the story doesn't take itself to seriously. For me the make the plot holes forgivable as I just sit back and watch Marten learn about being a vampire while having copious amounts of sex.
November 30, 2011
This is probably the best and funniest and most tender vampire book ever. It is the right mix of action and love and insecurity and sex. Lots of hot sex.
What I like best is that the story is told by one of the characters. There is a bit of German because it takes place in Bavaria. I saw one person mention that the German isn't perfect, which is true. The narrater tries to do lots of things but often falls short. It is his quirks and snips that I find the most endearing.
This book had me rolling around on the floor laughing.
What I like best is that the story is told by one of the characters. There is a bit of German because it takes place in Bavaria. I saw one person mention that the German isn't perfect, which is true. The narrater tries to do lots of things but often falls short. It is his quirks and snips that I find the most endearing.
This book had me rolling around on the floor laughing.
September 6, 2015
This was an interesting read. The vampires aren't all that original but the setting was different for me since it was set near the Great War. I really enjoyed a lot of the snark by the main character, Marten. The book is more of a background read than anything. We find out all about Marten and his beginnings as a vampire. I must admit to the thought that there isn't really a plot but with the quality of the writing I have high hopes for the next in the series.
July 22, 2015
I really enjoyed the first 3 books in this series (there are 4 and you can read my review on the 4th book there).
This is the first book and sets the stage for the entire series. These really need to be read in order.
Lots of hot sex and sarcastic humor. A unique vampire world and intriguing characters. Very entertaining.
This is the first book and sets the stage for the entire series. These really need to be read in order.
Lots of hot sex and sarcastic humor. A unique vampire world and intriguing characters. Very entertaining.
October 4, 2010
read this and liked it. cute.. not realistic but that is not a requirement for my entertainment! I do question whether this book is the same as the one that is released from DSP or if it was expanded. re-written at all.. seems like there will be a sequel.. exciting!
October 20, 2010
Awful writing style - the narration goes in circles, jumping over present and past, with a lot of digressions. The story is told by over 100-years old vampire, who speaks like pretentious, snarky teenager. I had enough after reading 20 pages.
August 5, 2011
This was what I needed. Different, in a good way. Sexual, sweet, romantic, lots-o-sucking, hilarious, and kick ass. Yup, needed that.
IDK, but every time I see the cover of this book, I think of Prince (resemblance). What is that? Just me, I guess.
IDK, but every time I see the cover of this book, I think of Prince (resemblance). What is that? Just me, I guess.
June 18, 2014
Just 2 1/2 Stars. Too much sex without adding to plot. Could have passed for a Youth novel except for the gratuitous sex romps. A fairly simplistic and difficult to believe view of vampirism. I guess I am in the minority.
Want to read
January 7, 2011DNF
November 3, 2010
This is a cute story about a neophyte vampire who is taken under the wing of an experienced vampire. I liked the book and I look forward to reading another of the author's books.
December 9, 2010
This is a funny, fast-paced book. Definitely looking forward to the sequel!
December 3, 2010
Sly, scintillating, sexy...Wynn Wagner's 1st novel in the Vamp Camp trilogy absolutely nails all the really fun "S" words, and leaves you --dare I say starving?-- for more. Yum.
January 5, 2011
Most of the German sentences and expressions used in the book were entirely wrong... As a German native speaker it totally irked me since a fluent reading wasn't possible at all.
Read
April 17, 2011to-read
July 4, 2011
You may not say it's a masterpiece, but this book is fun, fresh, and lovely. Still, I'm not tempted to follow the story in the second book of the series. A very light read.
February 26, 2012
Really enjoyed the way this was written, with Marton telling us his story.. Not heavy, over the top just fun..and sexy to boot. Can't wait to read the other two in the series!
February 12, 2014
It turned into a fun romp after I managed to disregard the numerus linguistic and historial inaccuracies.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews