Never again shall I be disheartened by a lack-lustre cover or the done-to-death cliché on the blurb that goes, “Sometimes Truth is Stranger than Fiction”. Had I done so, I would have missed out on a zippy and engaging vamp read.The author had me hooked at her dedication page. She offers her story to “those of you who have ever fallen in love with a character in a book”. I immediately meandered into a happy daydream starring Mr.Darcy/ Sirius Black/ Aragorn/ Michael Moscovitz. Every once in a while, literature (lofty/ fluffy as the case may be) throws up a character that sucks you right in. You become emotionally invested in their achievements and despairs. You cheer raucously as they deliver crackling dialogue or a well-aimed left hook. You blush dreamily or snort indelicately over their “affaires de coeur”. And today, in the tradition of the best net fiends, you plague the innumerable fan sites and whip up alternate endings and gratifying fan fiction.
The Vampire Stalker is the story of one such fan, Amy. Amy, like a gazillion others, is an ardent follower of The Otherworld Series. The Otherworld Series is a popular bit of vamp-lit based in an alternate, slightly quainter Chicago. It’s a Chicago that is plagued by vampires and the most feared amongst them is Vigo. The only person who can keep Vigo’s murderous exploits in check is Alexander Banks (and Amy’s favourite character). Alexander Banks is an extraordinarily talented vampire hunter and the main character which has kept Amy hooked to the books. Calling herself 'MrsAlexanderBanks8021' on a fansite pretty much sums up Amy’s adulation.
But what happens when Amy is suddenly attacked in present-day Chicago by a blonde haired miscreant who is eerily familiar to a ruthless fictional vampire and just as quickly rescued by a vigilante who bears a striking resemblance to a certain fictional vampire hunter? How does Amy face the chilling fact that baby-faced, vile villain Vigo has crossed over to her Chicago, determined to wreck untold damage in her oblivious neighbourhood? More interestingly, how does shy Amy deal with the fact that her biggest literary crush is now a living breathing handsome young boy catching a quick nap in her spare room??
The book had potential for greatness. According to me, it could have easily joined the ranks of addictive, million-tween and teen-fans-ripping-their-hair-out-in-feverish-enchantment vamp-lit. Amy was a sharp cookie with a soft centre. The main hero is NOT a vampire (thank the Gods!). He comes with enough baggage and just the right amount of oomph. The vampire in the story is not out for redemption, riddled with shades of grey. He is a dark character who is staying true to his evil side.
My biggest grouse was that there was a blink-and-you-miss-it explanation as to how the literary characters wandered out of the pages of a book. It was an interesting premise which could have been fledged out to greater effect. Moreover, all problems appear to be resolved with nary a struggle. There wasn’t much conflict....soul-searching......undead b**-kicking.....pangs of unrequited love....nothing. The absence of all these tried-and-tested ploys makes you feel that The Vampire Stalker was a cake that was pulled out of the oven much before it’s allotted time.
As a stand-alone book, it’s readable. As a continuing series, it has LOADS of potential. It could be *the.next.big.thing*. I hope the author comes out with a sequel. I sincerely do. I would read it.With unbridled Glee.
