Posts Tagged ‘Vampires’

Even monsters like the vampire Thomas Raith do a good deed occasionally and Jim Butcher’s twelve-thousand word limited edition novelette “Backup” from the incomparable Subterranean Press details one of Thomas’s more altruistic deeds. Based on Butcher’s bestselling Dresden Files series, “Backup” is a rare event in the Dresden universe. Unlike the novels which are told exclusively from Harry Dresden’s perspective, “Backup” is told by Raith. It’s a behind-the-scenes type story in which the narrating character’s actions secretly help a hero accomplish his objective. Without the narrator’s intervention, the hero would normally be in grave peril, an unknowing damsel-in-distress. Playing the damsel-in-distress here (minus the melodramatic fainting) is Harry, who just happens to be Raith’s younger brother.

So proving that blood is thicker than mayhem-making, Thomas is lead into goodness in order to look out for Harry. Things start out innocently enough with an email to Thomas from the White Court. Something very urgent that requires his immediate attention has come up, forcing Thomas to meet with a courier who will fill him in on all the juicy details.

On meeting the courier, Thomas finds out that his good-hearted brother has taken on a new case. Harry believes that he’s helping a woman find her kidnapped child, but instead he’s being unknowingly set up by the Stygian Sisterhood. Now the Sisterhood and vampires have a rather intense hatred of each other; the two groups currently engaged in a silent war. So finding and destroying members of the Stygian Sisterhood is high up on Thomas’s to-do list. But he also wants to watch his brother’s back, hopefully keeping Harry out of hot water with the Sisterhood. Frustrated, Thomas only hopes these two objectives aren’t mutually exclusive.

Make no mistake; even though “Backup” is told from Thomas’s point of view, Butcher’s novelette is pure Dresden Files. Filled with the combination of goofy humor and fast-paced action that Butcher’s novels have become famous for, “Backup” starts quickly and equally ends quickly. The biggest disappointment, in fact, is how fast the whole reading experience goes. It would have been nice to see the story fleshed out more. The ending, in particular, was abrupt, which was a shame since it featured the novelette’s best scene as Thomas playacted the worse stereotypical villain imaginable.

And Thomas’s playacting isn’t the only memorable scene in the story. There’s another great scene featuring Thomas conversing with Bob, a confidante of Harry’s who happens to be a spirit living in a human skull. The interaction between Bob and Thomas is fantastic, making for an utterly entertaining scene. (But then again, just about any scene with Bob in it has a high entertainment index.)

Other than the abbreviated nature of the story, “Backup” is quite enjoyable. If you’ve never read any of the Dresden Files books, “Backup” would serve as a fine introduction to the series; however, it may not be engaging enough to coax new readers into trying Butcher’s Dresden Files novels. Butcher’s previous fans will undoubtedly love it even though it’s not a Harry-centric story.

Artist Mike Mignola, the creator of Hellboy, contributes some solid black and white art to the novelette. Mignola’s work is always unique and stylistic; nothing else looks quite like it. However, while the art is interesting, I didn’t find it adding much to the proceedings. It is the type of quality artwork though which Subterranean Press has become known for in its limited editions, so the inclusion of Mignola’s drawings is more a matter of presentation than narrative function.

Last Word:
“Backup” is a wonderful little jaunt through the Dresden Files universe, most noticeable for the fact that it is told from the perspective of Harry’s older brother, Thomas Raith. Filled with one great scene after another, the novelette’s biggest drawback is that it’s over so quickly. Still, it’s pure Dresden Files, which means that both fans and non-fans alike will find this a very entertaining and humorous read.

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Succubus Blues

by Richelle Mead, Kensington, 2007

Georgina, a reluctant succubus, is a demon with a conscience. Like others in the lower demon community she was once mortal, but now lives forever and never ages. Humans, male or female, feel drawn to her succubus charms, a trait which comes in handy as she works her day job as an assistant manager at the Emerald City Book Store and Cafe.

As a rule Georgina loathes vampires (although it turns out two of her best friends, Peter and Cody, are undead), “Most vampires were arrogant, devoid of social skills, and obsessed with territoriality.” The sleazy Duane is an exceptional example. One night when Georgina has had enough of him. She forms her hand into a claw and manages to scratch his face before his lightening reflex kick in. Her boss, the arch-demon Jerome confronts her the next day.

Very bad manner on her part, striking another immortal, she is told. But things get really sticky when Duane turns up truly dead. Someone has killed an immortal. Something not possible, or so it was thought. Now it’s feared all are in peril.

The myriad creatures of earth, heaven and hell make their appearance. Each character, even the minor ones are so well drawn that Mead seems to have achieved the literary equivalent of 3D. The angel Carter, who, like Jerome, has been around from the beginning of time, is a brilliant addition by the author. Why does an angel hang around with demons? The jaded Georgina does not trust him at first, but he has a moral strength she slowly comes to appreciate. And then there is Seth Mortensen, the shy, brilliant author whom she adores. They meet one day when he comes to the bookstore for a signing.

Some seriously bad things happen. We catch glimpses of a Biblical horror involving angels and human women. But Mead knows how to lighten the mood with humorous scenes and plenty of witty repartee.

I found this book to be in the I-don’t-want-this-to-end category. Mead creates such an imaginative, captivating world. I had no desire to leave it.

Succubus Blues was recommended to me by a bookseller at Barnes and Noble. Bless her! After reading it I went out and bought five books in the series. The sixth and last will be published in 2011.

The Succubus Blues

… and other Books by Richelle Mead

Succubus Blues (Georgina Kincaid, Book 1)

Succubus on Top (Georgina Kincaid, Book 2)

Succubus Dreams (Georgina Kincaid, Book 3)

Succubus Heat (Georgina Kincaid, Book 4)

Succubus Shadows (Georgina Kincaid, Book 5)

Unannounced Title Book 6 will be published in 2011

Patricia Altner is a freelance writer, researcher, and bibliographer with a special interest in vampire and paranormal fiction. Her book Vampire Readings: An Annotated Bibliography was published by Scarecrow Press in 1998. She recently researched vampire fiction for a law firm engaged in a suit.

Visit Patricia’s Vampire Notes for the latest information on vampire and paranormal literature.

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Succubus blues

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