BOOK REVIEW: The Hunted by Kristy Berridge

Vampires drain a new vein

OR

Don’t judge a blood sucker by its coffin

Vampires are not uncommon in the realm of fiction. They’re not uncommon in the realm of reality either, in a way. Lots of people douse themselves in the lifestyle. Fang implants are a thing. Vampire fiction, therefore, is a genre all its own.

In vampire fiction, dark beings sparkle, they become rock gods, they attend special academies, and so on. Some are monsters, creepy things to be feared and hunted, while others just want to find their one true love and live happily forever after. There’s private eye vamps, doctor vamps, southern vamps, queen vamps and everything in between. You’d think it would get old, but it doesn’t. Even the old Marvel Comics series, Tomb of Dracula, is fun to read.

And some vampire stories suck you in better than others, while others just plain suck.

In Kristy Berridge’s pleasurable novel “The Hunted,” vampires aren’t the only creatures around. There’s the Vanators (werewolves) and a fair share of magic. Not only that, but the novel’s Australian setting and first-person narrative, while not unheard of in vampire fiction, creates a sense of rich creativity that other vampire books lack. Add a flair for sarcasm and you’ve got a damn peppy story.

Here’s a personal aside; I could tell the author had a fun time writing Elena’s story, as that sense of energy and excitement is obvious to the reader. This is never a bad thing.

And like any thrilling tale of vampiric prowess, Berrdige’s novel is the first in a series of stories. If a strong mix of violence and humor sound too good to be true, then you haven’t sampled this mix. Fun, easy, and creative, The Hunted would be a good addition to any blood sucking freak’s gory red library.