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Knights of the Blood #1
Knights of the Blood
Captain John Drummond of the LAPD is investigating an unsolved murder from more than thirty years ago-six unidentified men, bearing Nazi SS tattoos, drained of blood-that echoes a series of unexplained deaths around the world.
But these murders go back further than he expected-to World War II, to the time of the Crusades, and to a group of Knights Templar who have lived for centuries...
But these murders go back further than he expected-to World War II, to the time of the Crusades, and to a group of Knights Templar who have lived for centuries...
352 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1993
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
March 11, 2014
Apart from the rather ridiculous basic idea of the story and the tedious and boring way it was executed, I simply could not get beyond the bad German that the author apparently felt an unquenchable need to insert.
Author, if you want to write dialogue in a language that you don't know, either get someone with native-level skill to look at it, or just don't. If you can't get a phrase as simple as "Can I help you?" right in German, why not just write it in English and add "he asked in German", or something like that? I think there were perhaps one or two bits of dialogue that didn't have any mistakes, and then there were highlights such as this:
"Joachim, nehmen sie an der Generalszimmer das Gepack des Herr Drummond, bitte." -> which should correctly be "Joachim, bitte bringen Sie Herrn Drummonds Gepäck ins Generalszimmer." (and yes, that was a German-language native speaker saying it)
I suppose for someone who doesn't know the language, having an occasional "Herr" or "Fraulein" (which, even if spelled correctly, modern-day women wouldn't exactly rejoice at being called, in contrast to the character) makes the story look more authentic. For a native speaker, it causes near-terminal eyerolling because it destroys any immersion. And good grief, "Tannhaüser"? For once, there's an umlaut in a word that should have one, but it's on the wrong vowel.
As with a lot of other things in writing and life: If you can't be bothered to do it properly, why do it at all?
Author, if you want to write dialogue in a language that you don't know, either get someone with native-level skill to look at it, or just don't. If you can't get a phrase as simple as "Can I help you?" right in German, why not just write it in English and add "he asked in German", or something like that? I think there were perhaps one or two bits of dialogue that didn't have any mistakes, and then there were highlights such as this:
"Joachim, nehmen sie an der Generalszimmer das Gepack des Herr Drummond, bitte." -> which should correctly be "Joachim, bitte bringen Sie Herrn Drummonds Gepäck ins Generalszimmer." (and yes, that was a German-language native speaker saying it)
I suppose for someone who doesn't know the language, having an occasional "Herr" or "Fraulein" (which, even if spelled correctly, modern-day women wouldn't exactly rejoice at being called, in contrast to the character) makes the story look more authentic. For a native speaker, it causes near-terminal eyerolling because it destroys any immersion. And good grief, "Tannhaüser"? For once, there's an umlaut in a word that should have one, but it's on the wrong vowel.
As with a lot of other things in writing and life: If you can't be bothered to do it properly, why do it at all?
May 31, 2008
This was not a great book. I thought that author Scott MacMillan wasted a good premise. He didn't take the time to develop characters. His characters were little more than sketches.
Motivations were unclear. Skepticism was set aside too easily. The villains were too stereotypically evil. A set of characters was introduced at the beginning, and then poorly introduced in the final 75 pages.
I was disappointed because this is a premise created by one of my favorite authors, Katherine Kurtz. However the idea suffered in the hands of Mr MacMillan.
Motivations were unclear. Skepticism was set aside too easily. The villains were too stereotypically evil. A set of characters was introduced at the beginning, and then poorly introduced in the final 75 pages.
I was disappointed because this is a premise created by one of my favorite authors, Katherine Kurtz. However the idea suffered in the hands of Mr MacMillan.
June 7, 2008
This is cliched - Nazi vampires meet quasi-Templar vampires with LAPD cop in the middle. But its written with some verve and, if you need a bit of pulp fiction to get you through the night, this will do. My wife calls it Mills & Boon for boys. That's about right. I'll probably buy the next one and sod the literati.
July 27, 2014
This is a new release from Event Horizon EBooks, an e-book reprint of the original 1993 ROC printed edition. Note that the rating is posted by the publisher.
June 9, 2020
I need first to acknowledge a disappointingly unnamed artist for the impressive cover of the 1993 Roc edition, made a bit gaudy by the cardstock's bas-relief, which is appropriate for the pageantry depicted.
As for the text! I rarely abandon a book, certainly not when I've already read a full half of it. But when I realized that I had no obligation to read another literally blow-by-blow account of violence--this time two thugs against a defenseless old man, the first time having been an interminable and confusing one of a smallish group action--I decided I was going no further. (All right,so I did almost inadvertently read the last 3 pages and was delighted to find out how consecrated wine and these particular got along. 1 star restored for interesting world-building.)
I also wasn't happy about the investigator's gormless attempt at identifying a coat of arms--even in '91, before the Net, there were amateur networks he could have tapped--tho I suspected the authors needed to get him to the pro in Austria. But that wasn't what knocked this one down to 2 stars for me. It was that I was enjoying perhaps 1 page out of 10 despite perfectly adequate writing. (Note the 1 star added above, total 3.)
I shouldn't leave without testifying to my enjoyment of Katherine Kurtz's Deryni work, despite Ursula K. Le Guin trashing its entire genre in From Elfland to Poughkeepsie.
As for the text! I rarely abandon a book, certainly not when I've already read a full half of it. But when I realized that I had no obligation to read another literally blow-by-blow account of violence--this time two thugs against a defenseless old man, the first time having been an interminable and confusing one of a smallish group action--I decided I was going no further. (All right,so I did almost inadvertently read the last 3 pages and was delighted to find out how consecrated wine and these particular got along. 1 star restored for interesting world-building.)
I also wasn't happy about the investigator's gormless attempt at identifying a coat of arms--even in '91, before the Net, there were amateur networks he could have tapped--tho I suspected the authors needed to get him to the pro in Austria. But that wasn't what knocked this one down to 2 stars for me. It was that I was enjoying perhaps 1 page out of 10 despite perfectly adequate writing. (Note the 1 star added above, total 3.)
I shouldn't leave without testifying to my enjoyment of Katherine Kurtz's Deryni work, despite Ursula K. Le Guin trashing its entire genre in From Elfland to Poughkeepsie.
October 6, 2018
I've been on a Kathrine Kurtz kick lately and enjoying some of her Templar books. This book crossed my path because it's set in the same world and I wanted more. I rarely read books not by the author but this one seemed like a nice bet so I read it.
I enjoyed it. It's not about the Knight Templar but an offshoot with a different focus: vampire Nazis. That is simply too fun not to read! There's a bit of time bouncing but, because we're dealing with vampires, the reader still has to keep up with the characters because they'll be seen during the different time periods.
There were still a couple of holes that I'm hoping will be covered in the second book. Unfortunately, there are only two books in the series. I'm disappointed. I wanted more.
I enjoyed it. It's not about the Knight Templar but an offshoot with a different focus: vampire Nazis. That is simply too fun not to read! There's a bit of time bouncing but, because we're dealing with vampires, the reader still has to keep up with the characters because they'll be seen during the different time periods.
There were still a couple of holes that I'm hoping will be covered in the second book. Unfortunately, there are only two books in the series. I'm disappointed. I wanted more.
August 28, 2025
Great potential. Horrible writing and execution.
The most implausible piece of unbelievable fantasy in this book is that a cop could have a BMW, a Rolex and a Gucci wardrobe.
Oh, and the rest of the story is a hackneyed chunk of pulpy tripe.
The most implausible piece of unbelievable fantasy in this book is that a cop could have a BMW, a Rolex and a Gucci wardrobe.
Oh, and the rest of the story is a hackneyed chunk of pulpy tripe.
August 23, 2017
Starts off strong and then takes a huge swan dive off a cliff.
July 13, 2019
Interesting premise, but the writing was a bit clunky at times.
September 26, 2021
good read, and good start to a series, will probably not read anymore of them, was not that good, as to go hunt for the rest.
November 28, 2021
Starts off slow but picks up nicely. Dwells in multiple genres very essily.
July 6, 2022
Oh, my Lord, this is bad. I enjoyed Deryni, many years ago. This is just awful. Crusader vampires, Nazi vampires, and LAPD cops. And it sets up for a sequel which I absolutely will not read.
October 14, 2024
DNF - knew this one was going to be dicy, but the crux of the plot didn’t make sense.
January 11, 2013
This is my second reading of this book. The first time I read it was when I was a kid back in the 1980s, pre-Twilight, when vampires were dark and scary and not all vegetarian and gay (now a days you can't slay them, you have to f**kin' marry them). The book had an interesting premise back then, Nazi vampires, but that was all I could remember about it so I thought I'd give it another try. Overall, the style of the pulpy prose is good (and violent); the descriptions are straightforward and concise. The book, however, is three hundred and fifty pages long with the first one hundred pages dedicated to only exposition on the knights, vampires and Nazi's (our antagonist). Finally, at one hundred pages in (really late to introduce a main character, don't you think?) you meet the main character, an L.A. police detective named Drummond. For the next two hundred or so pages Drummond does his detective work (flying to the East Coast and Europe) with coincidences a plenty. The battle royal takes place within the last fifty pages where Drummond, the knights, and the Nazi's go at it. It's decent action but guess what, it is left WIDE open for a sequel. It makes me think that perhaps the series was written as a whole first and then broken down into individual books. I mean who in there right mind would introduce a main character a third of the way into a book? Anyways, I was left completely unsatisfied at the climax. I do not recommend reading this book unless you are positively going to continue on with the series (which I have no clue about and really no interest since this book was so lacking).
November 25, 2016
I think that your enjoyment of Knights of the Blood is dependant on two factors: your expectations and whether or not you are familiar with the author's previous work. When I picked up Knights of the Blood, I was completely unfamiliar with either author, and had no expectations other than to be entertained for a few hours, so I ended up fairly happy with the book.
Knights of the blood benefits from an interesting concept, namely an ancient order of Crusader Knights-turned-vampires battling a sinister order of Nazi vampires - what's not to like? I love a good vampire story, and this had the makings of a great one. Unfortunately the book suffers from poor execution. The writing is at times clumsy, the research seems a bit weak, the characters aren't as developed as they could be, etc. Given the subject matter I didn't expect greatness. After all, Salem's Lot and Vampire$ are the exceptions, not the rule. Still, a bit more professionalism would have helped.
In the end, Knights of the Blood delivered exactly what I expected - a fun book to occupy a few hours of my time. If you're into this kind of story, and aren't expecting high literature, you'll probably enjoy the book as well. It's not one you'll find yourself reaching for again, though. This one is strictly a "read it and trade it in" book.
Knights of the blood benefits from an interesting concept, namely an ancient order of Crusader Knights-turned-vampires battling a sinister order of Nazi vampires - what's not to like? I love a good vampire story, and this had the makings of a great one. Unfortunately the book suffers from poor execution. The writing is at times clumsy, the research seems a bit weak, the characters aren't as developed as they could be, etc. Given the subject matter I didn't expect greatness. After all, Salem's Lot and Vampire$ are the exceptions, not the rule. Still, a bit more professionalism would have helped.
In the end, Knights of the Blood delivered exactly what I expected - a fun book to occupy a few hours of my time. If you're into this kind of story, and aren't expecting high literature, you'll probably enjoy the book as well. It's not one you'll find yourself reaching for again, though. This one is strictly a "read it and trade it in" book.
December 23, 2011
I have only read about 20% (ah ereaders) and have so far found this book to be super gory and way too long winded. The cool flyleaf description hasn't even begun to come to fruition. I'm rarely one to drop a book mid way through, but this isn't even interesting so far. The only reason I'm continuing I for the description of the book I thought I was reading. Don't think I'll give it much longer though.
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Finished it in the loosest sense of the meaning. For chapters at a time I read only the first sentence of each paragraph. Why did I bother? I have no idea. I can firmly tell you that with an awesome premise the authors completely dropped the ball. I want someone to write this book again but make it good. Please don't waste your time.
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Finished it in the loosest sense of the meaning. For chapters at a time I read only the first sentence of each paragraph. Why did I bother? I have no idea. I can firmly tell you that with an awesome premise the authors completely dropped the ball. I want someone to write this book again but make it good. Please don't waste your time.
June 5, 2016
Fantastic read! Imagine a story about vampires without wimpy females who are in love with them! This is more of a crime/detective novel. Men will like all of the detail about the cars and weapons; women will enjoy the story itself which is full of twists and surprises as to who is actually helping and who is hindering the hero.
The ending of this book leaves much of the story unresolved, but there is a sequel that I plan to order later this week. I can hardly wait for it to arrive.
The ending of this book leaves much of the story unresolved, but there is a sequel that I plan to order later this week. I can hardly wait for it to arrive.
February 12, 2008
It's a bit dark, and missing some of Kurtz's style, plus it was somewhat predictable (I was not at all surprised by the "twist" with the identities of some of the villans), but overall, I enjoyed it.
April 30, 2015
I've been picking some losers lately and this was one of them. 75 pages in and finished. Not that it was badly written, just extremely mediocre. Story was predictable and the detective banter was overtly common. Overall a boring endeavor that could have been much better.
October 10, 2007
A good novel which I read originally in 1993. This is a timely reprint. I can't wait for the next in line to come out in November.
February 11, 2008
uughhhhh....lousy, lousy, lousy!
May 30, 2008
I kept complaining, but I also kept reading because I wanted to see if it would turn out to be as predictably not to my taste as I thought. It was.
March 11, 2014
Loved the Crusades part of the book. Looking forward to the next time frame.
Time frames work really well in this book - following the storyline through history makes this a really interesting read!
Time frames work really well in this book - following the storyline through history makes this a really interesting read!
December 4, 2012
[Full Review to Follow]
Re-reading this book (and series) for review purposes.
Re-reading this book (and series) for review purposes.
September 29, 2014
I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/12375133
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/12375133
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September 25, 2014Nazi Vampires vs. Medieval Knights. This was a very interesting book.
April 21, 2023
Read both if you can.
I just like the book. The 2nd. One is just as good . Hope they write more, although Katherine Kurtz was pretty old in the last picture I saw. Great read 📚
I just like the book. The 2nd. One is just as good . Hope they write more, although Katherine Kurtz was pretty old in the last picture I saw. Great read 📚
November 20, 2007
Light and quick read. Entertaining subject although written quite thin.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews