Fantasy Book ReView of ReVamped by J.F. Lewis

Eric is dead. He’s deader than dead. Hmmn. What do you call a dead vampire? The dead Undead?

In J.F. Lewis’ first urban fantasy book Staked (Void City, Book 1), Eric, a powerful Vlad-level vampire was killed in an explosion masterminded by his ex-business partner. Except, since he’s a tough-as-nails Vlad vampire he can’t really be killed. Again. So he’s hovering around the scene of the crime as a ghost.

His vampire family and friends (as well as a talented mage) realize that Eric’s not permanently gone, but they have a hard time figuring out how to bring him back. Eventually it’s his girlfriend Rachel who discovers the solution:

“Cars eat,” she said. “Cars run on gas. Vampires have different needs but they still require fuel.” Rachel paused and shook the gas can as she spoke, blood sloshing up the side and seeping back down. “Eric runs on blood. Feed the car what Eric needs and you nourish Eric through their connection.”

That (along with one more trick which you’ll have to read about in the book) successfully restores Eric to his body and all is well. Until he learns that the love of his life, a human named Marilyn, didn’t survive the explosion. It appears that his business partner sold Marilyn’s soul to a demon who’s holding it in limbo. Thus begins Eric’s mission to free Marilyn and bring her back to life.

There’s a lot going on in this book and it has several great subplots which center around some of the characters from the first book:

Tabitha: Eric’s estranged ex-girlfriend, has moved into a fancy apartment building owned by a powerful vampire. Although she initially flirted with the idea of a relationship with him she soon discovered that his sexual proclivities were a bit “exotic” and eventually begins a “friends with benefits” relationship with a werecat named Talbot. It’s blatantly clear that Tabitha still loves Eric but she’s too proud and stubborn to admit it. However she can’t help but be concerned about Eric’s current girlfriend, Rachel, who bears a striking resemblance to Tabitha’s dead sister.

Rachel: let’s just say that there’s something odd about this woman. Whenever Eric is near her he hears voices in his head. Voices that tell him to love her, to care for her, to trust her. He knows something’s amiss but can’t seem to figure out what it is. Rachel’s up to something and we’re not quite sure if she’s for or against Eric.

Phillip: the vampire who owns the building where Tabitha is staying, shows Eric that the use of magic isn’t limited to mages. I think of Phillip as a shrewd and manipulative “puppet master.” Phillip knows a lot about the course of events that lead to Eric’s first rebirth as a Vlad vampire.

ReVamped also introduces some new characters:

J’iliol’lth: the demon who trapped Marilyn’s soul. He makes Eric an offer that no vampire could refuse.

Ebon Winter: a powerful vampire with a penchant for singing show tunes. He’s a notorious gambler but his interests don’t lie in cards or horses. Instead his wagers focus on the outcome and fate of others. It’s clear that Ebon knows more about Eric’s near death and Marilyn’s fate than he’s admitting.

Eric’s mission leads to his introduction to vampire society and politics. Because Eric spent most of his vampire life as a loner, keeping primarily to his strip club, he’s not necessarily privy to the subtleties and refinements of the vampire upper crust. He’s very much a brute and doesn’t take fit in with the vampire aristocracy. This makes for some incredibly funny scenes.

The climax of the book is a startling scene full of surprises, deceptions, and betrayals. I like to think that I’m good at figuring out story conclusions but to be honest, I didn’t see this one coming. Just know that there’s a conspiracy afoot that’s much more organized and diabolical than you’d ever guess.

As with Staked, Lewis does a superb job with character development and pacing. Additionally ReVamped has action, mystery, and liberal doses of wit and humor which I’ve come to expect from Lewis. Just like Staked, ReVamped doesn’t glamorize vampirism like some other fantasy books but instead provides a more realistic insight into the violence and inhumanity associated with the undead. I for one appreciate a more candid storyline and think you will as well. Get ReVamped!

See also:

Staked by J.F. Lewis: A Vampire Book Winner

Vampire Books for Men