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Redlaw
They live among us, abhorred, marginalised, despised. They are vampires, known politely as Sunless. The job of policing their community falls to the men and women of the Sunless Housing and Disclosure Executive – SHADE. Captain John Redlaw is London’s most feared and respected SHADE officer.
But when the vampires start rioting in their ghettoes, and angry humans respond with violence of their own, even Redlaw may not be able to keep the peace. Especially when political forces are aligning to introduce a radical answer to the Sunless problem, one that will resolve the situation once and for all...
Redlaw is New York Times best selling author James Lovegrove at his very best.
But when the vampires start rioting in their ghettoes, and angry humans respond with violence of their own, even Redlaw may not be able to keep the peace. Especially when political forces are aligning to introduce a radical answer to the Sunless problem, one that will resolve the situation once and for all...
Redlaw is New York Times best selling author James Lovegrove at his very best.
393 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 27, 2011
11 people are currently reading
268 people want to read
About the author
James Lovegrove
151 books669 followersJames Lovegrove is the author of several acclaimed novels and books for children.
James was born on Christmas Eve 1965 and, having dabbled in writing at school, first took to it seriously while at university. A short story of his won a college competition. The prize was £15, and it had cost £18 to get the story professionally typed. This taught him a hard but necessary lesson in the harsh economic realities of a literary career.
Straight after graduating from Oxford with a degree in English Literature, James set himself the goal of getting a novel written and sold within two years. In the event, it took two months. The Hope was completed in six weeks and accepted by Macmillan a fortnight later. The seed for the idea for the novel — a world in microcosm on an ocean liner — was planted during a cross-Channel ferry journey.
James blew his modest advance for The Hope on a round-the-world trip which took him to, among other places, Thailand. His experiences there, particularly what he witnessed of the sex industry in Bangkok, provided much of the inspiration for The Foreigners.
Escardy Gap was co-written with Pete Crowther over a period of a year and a half, the two authors playing a game of creative tag, each completing a section in turn and leaving the other to carry the story on. The result has proved a cult favourite, and was voted by readers of SFX one of the top fifty SF/Fantasy novels of all time.
Days, a satire on consumerism, was shortlisted for the 1998 Arthur C. Clarke Award (losing to Mary Doria Russell’s The Sparrow). The book’s genesis most probably lies in the many visits James used to make as a child to the Oxford Street department store owned by his grandfather. It was written over a period of nine months while James was living in the north-west suburbs of Chicago.
Subsequent works have all been published to great acclaim. These include Untied Kingdom, Worldstorm, Provender Gleed, The Age Of Ra and the back-to-back double-novella Gig. James has also written for children. Wings, a short novel for reluctant readers, was short-listed for several awards, while his fantasy series for teens, The Clouded World, written under the pseudonym Jay Amory, has been translated into 7 other languages so far. A five-book series for reluctant readers, The 5 Lords Of Pain, is appearing at two-monthly intervals throughout 2010.
He also reviews fiction for the Financial Times, specialising in the Young Adult, children’s, science fiction, fantasy, horror and graphic novel genres.
Currently James resides in Eastbourne on the Sussex Coast, having moved there in August 2007 with his wife Lou, sons Monty and Theo, and cat Ozzy. He has a terrific view of the sea from his study window, which he doesn’t sit staring out at all day when he should be working. Honest.
James was born on Christmas Eve 1965 and, having dabbled in writing at school, first took to it seriously while at university. A short story of his won a college competition. The prize was £15, and it had cost £18 to get the story professionally typed. This taught him a hard but necessary lesson in the harsh economic realities of a literary career.
Straight after graduating from Oxford with a degree in English Literature, James set himself the goal of getting a novel written and sold within two years. In the event, it took two months. The Hope was completed in six weeks and accepted by Macmillan a fortnight later. The seed for the idea for the novel — a world in microcosm on an ocean liner — was planted during a cross-Channel ferry journey.
James blew his modest advance for The Hope on a round-the-world trip which took him to, among other places, Thailand. His experiences there, particularly what he witnessed of the sex industry in Bangkok, provided much of the inspiration for The Foreigners.
Escardy Gap was co-written with Pete Crowther over a period of a year and a half, the two authors playing a game of creative tag, each completing a section in turn and leaving the other to carry the story on. The result has proved a cult favourite, and was voted by readers of SFX one of the top fifty SF/Fantasy novels of all time.
Days, a satire on consumerism, was shortlisted for the 1998 Arthur C. Clarke Award (losing to Mary Doria Russell’s The Sparrow). The book’s genesis most probably lies in the many visits James used to make as a child to the Oxford Street department store owned by his grandfather. It was written over a period of nine months while James was living in the north-west suburbs of Chicago.
Subsequent works have all been published to great acclaim. These include Untied Kingdom, Worldstorm, Provender Gleed, The Age Of Ra and the back-to-back double-novella Gig. James has also written for children. Wings, a short novel for reluctant readers, was short-listed for several awards, while his fantasy series for teens, The Clouded World, written under the pseudonym Jay Amory, has been translated into 7 other languages so far. A five-book series for reluctant readers, The 5 Lords Of Pain, is appearing at two-monthly intervals throughout 2010.
He also reviews fiction for the Financial Times, specialising in the Young Adult, children’s, science fiction, fantasy, horror and graphic novel genres.
Currently James resides in Eastbourne on the Sussex Coast, having moved there in August 2007 with his wife Lou, sons Monty and Theo, and cat Ozzy. He has a terrific view of the sea from his study window, which he doesn’t sit staring out at all day when he should be working. Honest.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
April 5, 2024
1,5/2 Roman değil bu, 5. sınıf Hollwood film senaryosu taslağı olabilir ancak. Karakter diye bir şeyden söz etmem mümkün değil, karikatürize tiplemeler var sadece. İyilik timsali bir kahraman kof kötü tiplemelere karşı. Televizyonda anlamsız bir filme takılıp kalırmışçasına okuyup bitirdim, 1,5 puanı da bitirilebilir oluşuna verdim ama bir daha ne ikincisine ne yazarının başka bir kitabına el sürerim.
December 13, 2014
A vampire story based in England. Redlaw is a Shadie (part of an organization policing vampires, who are put on "reservation" type areas. Add corrupt politicians and corporation owners, and you get a crisis. Good story, no romantization.
November 8, 2021
I first read this years ago as a review copy. Back then, I really enjoyed it; this time I didn't enjoy it as much.
The plot: It seems that an overpopulation of vampires (the PC term is 'the Sunless') in eastern Europe has led to thousands of bloodsuckers fleeing west. Around a thousand or so have arrived in the UK and been settled in government provided 'reservations', walled off from the human population for their protection and provided with a nightly delivery of cows blood. They are policed by the SHADE department - the Sunless Housing and Disclosure Executive, who are armed and authorised to 'dust' any Sunless who tries to escape the reservation. As an aside, I was amused to see that all the Sunless 'ghettos' were set in the worst parts of the country.
Our hero is Captain John Redthorn, a SHADE officer who ticks the boxes of the 'gruff lawman with a tragedy in his past' stereotype. Naturally, he gets involved with Illyria, a shtriga (a sort of super-vampire who watches over the lesser vampires), and ends up investigating a plot when the Sunless riot and the humans respond with violence.
The plot is action packed and fast moving. Reading it again now, it is somewhat predictable, possibly because of more action heavy books featuring vampires as villains rather than brooding romantic leads. So, it's okay, but not brilliant.
I've seen other readers comment there's a political lecture in this book, with the vampires taking the place of immigrants/refugees/asylum seekers and how we should treat them. I'm not sure if I can agree with that, although once it had been pointed out I couldn't un-see it. I'm not sure because the vampires are portrayed as near animal-like beings rather than noble undead - they live in estates where every human appliance has been destroyed and the vampires live (or unlife) among their own filth - hardly a flattering view, even without their unpleasant habit of drinking blood - preferably human - and I find it hard to feel any sympathy for them.
So, if you like action heavy books that stray towards the horror end of the urban fantasy genre, you may enjoy this novel. Cautiously recommended.
The plot: It seems that an overpopulation of vampires (the PC term is 'the Sunless') in eastern Europe has led to thousands of bloodsuckers fleeing west. Around a thousand or so have arrived in the UK and been settled in government provided 'reservations', walled off from the human population for their protection and provided with a nightly delivery of cows blood. They are policed by the SHADE department - the Sunless Housing and Disclosure Executive, who are armed and authorised to 'dust' any Sunless who tries to escape the reservation. As an aside, I was amused to see that all the Sunless 'ghettos' were set in the worst parts of the country.
Our hero is Captain John Redthorn, a SHADE officer who ticks the boxes of the 'gruff lawman with a tragedy in his past' stereotype. Naturally, he gets involved with Illyria, a shtriga (a sort of super-vampire who watches over the lesser vampires), and ends up investigating a plot when the Sunless riot and the humans respond with violence.
The plot is action packed and fast moving. Reading it again now, it is somewhat predictable, possibly because of more action heavy books featuring vampires as villains rather than brooding romantic leads. So, it's okay, but not brilliant.
I've seen other readers comment there's a political lecture in this book, with the vampires taking the place of immigrants/refugees/asylum seekers and how we should treat them. I'm not sure if I can agree with that, although once it had been pointed out I couldn't un-see it. I'm not sure because the vampires are portrayed as near animal-like beings rather than noble undead - they live in estates where every human appliance has been destroyed and the vampires live (or unlife) among their own filth - hardly a flattering view, even without their unpleasant habit of drinking blood - preferably human - and I find it hard to feel any sympathy for them.
So, if you like action heavy books that stray towards the horror end of the urban fantasy genre, you may enjoy this novel. Cautiously recommended.
March 11, 2012
Policing the Damned
They live among us, abhorred, marginalised, despised. They are vampires, known politely as Sunless. The job of policing their community falls to the men and women of the Sunless Housing and Disclosure Executive SHADE. Captain John Redlaw is London’s most feared and respected SHADE officer, a living legend.
But when the vampires start rioting in their ghettoes, and angry humans respond with violence of their own, even Redlaw may not be able to keep the peace. Especially when political forces are aligning to introduce a radical answer to the Sunless problem, one that will resolve the situation once and for all…
When it comes to a horror staple like vampires, there is so much existing fiction that anything new needs to offer some sort of unique hook, or it won’t hold my attention. Redlaw by James Lovegrove goes the political route and makes vampires an immigration issue.
Over subsequent decades everyone’s favourite blood-suckers have migrated from mainland Europe to Great Britain. Throughout the country, various segregated communities have been set up to try and contain their rising numbers, but as the novel begins things have finally reached a tipping point. The general public are starting to voice their displeasure at the growing number of undead that live right on their doorstep.
The situation is far from perfect, and it is up to the men and women who work for SHADE (I do love a good acronym) to protect humans from vampires and vice-versa. The ‘shadies’ spend their nights trying to keep the peace. They are drawn from different religions and this gives the author an opportunity to include some social commentary regarding how the different shadies view their role. For some it is a just a job, for others a calling.
The heart of the novel is the character of John Redlaw himself. His stoic demeanor and tough as nails attitude are a sight to behold. Driven by the need to do the right thing, Redlaw may come across as harsh but is ultimately always fair. He is a man of faith and this is what drives him to always try and do right. As far as vampire community is concerned he is the law. I have to admit that Redlaw does remind me a little of another well-known lawman who was known for his granite like exterior. Anyone who has ever read 2000AD will see similarities between Redlaw and Joe Dredd, both exist to deliver their own unique brand of justice. I think it is fair to say that Clint Langley’s striking cover art does little to dispel this this feeling.
It would be wrong, however, to think of Redlaw as simply a clone of Judge Dredd though. For me Dredd has always been a little two-dimensional, Redlaw is far more than that. The continuing persecution of the vampires plays a pivotal role in Redlaw’s character development. Through the course of the novel, he suffers a crisis of faith and is severely tested by the situations he finds himself in. I’m not religious but even I can appreciate that the trials he faces would push any one to the limit.
I’m a big fan of James Lovegrove’s existing body of work. The ongoing Pantheon series in particular is a firm favourite. James Lovegrove has shown with those novels that he has the rare gift of being able to successfully reinvent mythologies and ancient cultures in a modern and thought provoking way. He has managed the self same feat with Redlaw. He has taken the legends and folklore of vampires, that your average horror fan is already familiar with, and tweaked them to fit snuggly in the confines of a fast paced political thriller. This novel features vampires that are still nightmarish creatures to be feared, due to their endless bloodlust, but Lovegrove has also managed to cast them in a sympathetic light.
Redlaw is published by Solaris Books and is available now.
They live among us, abhorred, marginalised, despised. They are vampires, known politely as Sunless. The job of policing their community falls to the men and women of the Sunless Housing and Disclosure Executive SHADE. Captain John Redlaw is London’s most feared and respected SHADE officer, a living legend.
But when the vampires start rioting in their ghettoes, and angry humans respond with violence of their own, even Redlaw may not be able to keep the peace. Especially when political forces are aligning to introduce a radical answer to the Sunless problem, one that will resolve the situation once and for all…
When it comes to a horror staple like vampires, there is so much existing fiction that anything new needs to offer some sort of unique hook, or it won’t hold my attention. Redlaw by James Lovegrove goes the political route and makes vampires an immigration issue.
Over subsequent decades everyone’s favourite blood-suckers have migrated from mainland Europe to Great Britain. Throughout the country, various segregated communities have been set up to try and contain their rising numbers, but as the novel begins things have finally reached a tipping point. The general public are starting to voice their displeasure at the growing number of undead that live right on their doorstep.
The situation is far from perfect, and it is up to the men and women who work for SHADE (I do love a good acronym) to protect humans from vampires and vice-versa. The ‘shadies’ spend their nights trying to keep the peace. They are drawn from different religions and this gives the author an opportunity to include some social commentary regarding how the different shadies view their role. For some it is a just a job, for others a calling.
The heart of the novel is the character of John Redlaw himself. His stoic demeanor and tough as nails attitude are a sight to behold. Driven by the need to do the right thing, Redlaw may come across as harsh but is ultimately always fair. He is a man of faith and this is what drives him to always try and do right. As far as vampire community is concerned he is the law. I have to admit that Redlaw does remind me a little of another well-known lawman who was known for his granite like exterior. Anyone who has ever read 2000AD will see similarities between Redlaw and Joe Dredd, both exist to deliver their own unique brand of justice. I think it is fair to say that Clint Langley’s striking cover art does little to dispel this this feeling.
It would be wrong, however, to think of Redlaw as simply a clone of Judge Dredd though. For me Dredd has always been a little two-dimensional, Redlaw is far more than that. The continuing persecution of the vampires plays a pivotal role in Redlaw’s character development. Through the course of the novel, he suffers a crisis of faith and is severely tested by the situations he finds himself in. I’m not religious but even I can appreciate that the trials he faces would push any one to the limit.
I’m a big fan of James Lovegrove’s existing body of work. The ongoing Pantheon series in particular is a firm favourite. James Lovegrove has shown with those novels that he has the rare gift of being able to successfully reinvent mythologies and ancient cultures in a modern and thought provoking way. He has managed the self same feat with Redlaw. He has taken the legends and folklore of vampires, that your average horror fan is already familiar with, and tweaked them to fit snuggly in the confines of a fast paced political thriller. This novel features vampires that are still nightmarish creatures to be feared, due to their endless bloodlust, but Lovegrove has also managed to cast them in a sympathetic light.
Redlaw is published by Solaris Books and is available now.
January 15, 2013
Future where vampires are a reality not a myth. They have been either thrown out of their countries or have been placed in designated safe areas. Redlaw is a member of SHADE, basically a group of cops who keep vamps in their "ghettos" and humans out of those same places. The vampires are kept in check by SHADE and by deliveries of cows blood to satisfy their hunger. There are a series of riots during these deliveries that Redlaw begins investigating which leads to corrupt politicians, greedy businessmen and dirty cops. Nothing really new here, Redlaw has a couple of interesting vamp killing weapons but not really enough happening to bring me back for the next book.
February 23, 2022
3.5
Pure brain candy. It almost deals with themes of immigration and asylum seekers etc, in a very British way but it never quite gets there cuz this is a book about a grizzled old guy who shoots vampires. There's plenty of interesting ideas. I think if you go into this expecting anything more than what it is, you will probably be disappointed. I went in expecting the pulp factor to be at 11 and everything else just sprinkles and enjoyed my time reading about John Redlaw.
I will dock it some points cuz there is a paragraph I had to read about an MP having just had "bum sex" with a prostitute and then having to need to wash shit from under his foreskin. Could have done without that, sir. And also, there's a Muslim character named Khalid who borders on racist stereotype, and that is being, frankly, generous.
I enjoyed the ride.
Pure brain candy. It almost deals with themes of immigration and asylum seekers etc, in a very British way but it never quite gets there cuz this is a book about a grizzled old guy who shoots vampires. There's plenty of interesting ideas. I think if you go into this expecting anything more than what it is, you will probably be disappointed. I went in expecting the pulp factor to be at 11 and everything else just sprinkles and enjoyed my time reading about John Redlaw.
I will dock it some points cuz there is a paragraph I had to read about an MP having just had "bum sex" with a prostitute and then having to need to wash shit from under his foreskin. Could have done without that, sir. And also, there's a Muslim character named Khalid who borders on racist stereotype, and that is being, frankly, generous.
I enjoyed the ride.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 12, 2022
Think Judge Dredd with vampires and Jesus.
John Redlaw is an officer with "SHADE"
A silly acronym made up for cops who police "the Sunless".
The non menacing name for vampires.
The vampire population across Eastern Europe has exploded( it is revealed that Eastern Europe is the ancient birthplace of vampires) and these newly made vampires are fleeing into the rest of the continent.
Where they meet a less than warm welcome.
France has a no tolerance policy. They shoot them dead.
The UK rounds them up into ghettos and feeds them cows blood to keep them placated and out of trouble.
This of course does not work.
Blood riots ; mobs of Stokers wanting to kill the vampire menace ; conspiracies.
All add up a perfect storm of mayhem.
And only Redlaw can save the innocents.
Fun light reading that waffles in the third act....
But still a good romp.
John Redlaw is an officer with "SHADE"
A silly acronym made up for cops who police "the Sunless".
The non menacing name for vampires.
The vampire population across Eastern Europe has exploded( it is revealed that Eastern Europe is the ancient birthplace of vampires) and these newly made vampires are fleeing into the rest of the continent.
Where they meet a less than warm welcome.
France has a no tolerance policy. They shoot them dead.
The UK rounds them up into ghettos and feeds them cows blood to keep them placated and out of trouble.
This of course does not work.
Blood riots ; mobs of Stokers wanting to kill the vampire menace ; conspiracies.
All add up a perfect storm of mayhem.
And only Redlaw can save the innocents.
Fun light reading that waffles in the third act....
But still a good romp.
March 25, 2019
Pros: Overall, a decent supernatural police procedure due to the well-paced plot. There is some cinematic quality to the narrative, and I would probably enjoy the movie a lot more, with all of the blood and gore and violence (because I require very little depth in a movie if there is a lot of action and fire and a good soundtrack. Liam Neeson will probably have to play Redlaw because I don't think Bruce Willis can do the accent.)
Cons: No sympathetic characters, or indeed characters with much depth. There were a few opportunities where Khalid's inner monologue could have foreshadowed the surprise ending and developed him into less of a racist stereotype. Similar wasted opportunity with Macarthur.
Cons: No sympathetic characters, or indeed characters with much depth. There were a few opportunities where Khalid's inner monologue could have foreshadowed the surprise ending and developed him into less of a racist stereotype. Similar wasted opportunity with Macarthur.
August 13, 2019
I enjoy Lovegrove's work, but it took me a while to get around to this one. It's an interesting take on a vampire story. They vampires don't really figure into it much. It's more about human reactions and morality, with a good dose of bashing at politics / politicians and the "powerful". The story is that modern rarity - a one off. Which is probably just as well. While I was left thinking I wouldn't be adverse to reading more about John Redlaw, the ending doesn't require it, or even really lend itself to sequels. Satisfying read.
January 2, 2020
Amazing read!
I had no idea what to expect and it was absolutely brilliant! We follow Redlaw a member of SHADE who stumbles into a conspiracy that puts him and his friends in danger. This was a good read!
I had no idea what to expect and it was absolutely brilliant! We follow Redlaw a member of SHADE who stumbles into a conspiracy that puts him and his friends in danger. This was a good read!
December 28, 2024
The book was a decent read. I wanted a detective novel but got more of a judge dread. The book did well with pacing and I felt as if I was watching a movie. I did like the development of the romance. The book seemed to be trying to get me to hate capitalism for some reason.
January 13, 2023
Fun read, let's hope the second one delivers an upgraded story.
February 7, 2026
The ending didn't do any justice to the story as a whole. Maybe the fill punishment will be revealed in the next book. In my opinionnot one of James best book!
September 22, 2013
At a glance:
Plot: * * *
Characters/Character Development: * * *
Grip/Feeling: * * * * *
Original concepts: * * *
Summary/Verdict (Not an average): * * *
A few words about the book
Hello my friends! Vampires live among us, but segregated to walled areas called SRA's and referred to as "Sunless". For London SRA's, SHADE is the organization tasked with protecting the human population from the Sunless, but also protect the Sunless from human persecution. Captain John Redlaw is SHADE's best officer, a mix of 1/3 priest, 2/3rds Dirty Harry. This novel details one of his cases.
Plot: * * *
The plot is good and fairly original but as reader/reviewer I got sometimes the feeling that I was jumping from place to place without a connection in between. What I mean is that I could do with a bit more "plot advancing dialogue" for filler. Do not mistake me: This book IS A PAGE TURNER and I love this type of action. What I would like however is more detail in everything.
Characters/Character Development: * * *
John Redlaw is developed fairly well. I have noticed that lots of text is dedicated in introspection as well as his conversations with the other characters like his comrade Ilyria Strakosha, or his priest. But I could with more. I felt I NEEDED MORE from Lovegrove. MORE pages for character development. What exists there, feeds my hunger...adequately...but does not satiate me. However all characters are distinct and interesting.
Grip/Feeling: * * * * *
Here, this book excels. Trully. You will not be able to put it down. I found myself skipreading some fight sequences to reach the end. Then I returned to read the "skipped" fight scenes and I have to say Lovegrove knows his fight scenes.
Original concepts: * * *
What is original is a crime fighting unit called SHADE. But I would like more description of its HQ, resources, training etc. It is not well fleshed out but it is original. The segregation of the vampires is something we have seen before. When the final conspiracy is unveiled, the reader will think "Now THAT is something". However the feeling that the book could be juuuust a few pages larger, mitigated the effect. What I find very brave and original from the author's point of view is how he weaved together the horror strand with the racism thread and created a quite original tapestry for us to view. It is just that the colors are not quite vivid.
Summary/Verdict (Not an average): * * *
All and all a good book that I liked. That is just what three stars mean: "I liked it". More close to 3.5 I think.
A WORD OF ADVICE
Suitable read for fans of the supernatural who want a quick exciting summer read and who don't care too much for "book enhancing" filler pages.
Plot: * * *
Characters/Character Development: * * *
Grip/Feeling: * * * * *
Original concepts: * * *
Summary/Verdict (Not an average): * * *
A few words about the book
Hello my friends! Vampires live among us, but segregated to walled areas called SRA's and referred to as "Sunless". For London SRA's, SHADE is the organization tasked with protecting the human population from the Sunless, but also protect the Sunless from human persecution. Captain John Redlaw is SHADE's best officer, a mix of 1/3 priest, 2/3rds Dirty Harry. This novel details one of his cases.
Plot: * * *
The plot is good and fairly original but as reader/reviewer I got sometimes the feeling that I was jumping from place to place without a connection in between. What I mean is that I could do with a bit more "plot advancing dialogue" for filler. Do not mistake me: This book IS A PAGE TURNER and I love this type of action. What I would like however is more detail in everything.
Characters/Character Development: * * *
John Redlaw is developed fairly well. I have noticed that lots of text is dedicated in introspection as well as his conversations with the other characters like his comrade Ilyria Strakosha, or his priest. But I could with more. I felt I NEEDED MORE from Lovegrove. MORE pages for character development. What exists there, feeds my hunger...adequately...but does not satiate me. However all characters are distinct and interesting.
Grip/Feeling: * * * * *
Here, this book excels. Trully. You will not be able to put it down. I found myself skipreading some fight sequences to reach the end. Then I returned to read the "skipped" fight scenes and I have to say Lovegrove knows his fight scenes.
Original concepts: * * *
What is original is a crime fighting unit called SHADE. But I would like more description of its HQ, resources, training etc. It is not well fleshed out but it is original. The segregation of the vampires is something we have seen before. When the final conspiracy is unveiled, the reader will think "Now THAT is something". However the feeling that the book could be juuuust a few pages larger, mitigated the effect. What I find very brave and original from the author's point of view is how he weaved together the horror strand with the racism thread and created a quite original tapestry for us to view. It is just that the colors are not quite vivid.
Summary/Verdict (Not an average): * * *
All and all a good book that I liked. That is just what three stars mean: "I liked it". More close to 3.5 I think.
A WORD OF ADVICE
Suitable read for fans of the supernatural who want a quick exciting summer read and who don't care too much for "book enhancing" filler pages.
December 9, 2024
First off, let me say that, although I gave this a 2, it is not a bad book. Unfortunately, it is as far from being a good book as is excusable.
Also, just to keep things into perspective, I have to say that I read this after finishing Sergey Vasilievich Lukyanenko's series of Watches. It had a lot to live up to. & it failed. In more than a handful of ways.
I said that it is not a bad book so, let me first say what's good about it: the action and the pace. Specifically the second one. Pace. It's borderline frantic.
Also, some of Lovegrove's vocabulary is just beautiful. Especially coming from a series of 4 books that had been translated by someone who clearly is not a writer himself (or, shouldn't be), it was nice to read some beautiful words. Also, the plethora of Hellenic rooted words added to that.
That concludes the good points.
Now, the bad. Everything else and then some.
Character development. The vampires in the book feel more alive than any of the main characters. With the exception perhaps of one. The MP.
Plot. Nothing new. Twists? Not unless you're in primary school & this is the first book you read. I really do hope that Lovrgrove realizes how pathetic his attempt to surprise the reader really is.
Plausibility? Lovegrove has a solid foundation on which to erect his story. A plausible scenario, well formed & presented. But the story goes nowhere.
There were moments when I felt like "WTH?" when a description made no sense or the sense of time or consistency went out the window.
I could possibly go on but I think I can summarize what the book feels like in just our sentence: the book starts with a bang, a bit more than was welcome (feels like a forced attempt to lay down the basics), calms down & picks up the pace wonderfully midway, feels promising for great things ahead and, then, it's all downhill from there till the last 100 pages which, honestly, are a joke.
It's a pity really. It could have been so much better. But it just isn't.
Had I not been so disappointed, I might had given this a 3. As it is however, I feel 2 is only fair.
Also, just to keep things into perspective, I have to say that I read this after finishing Sergey Vasilievich Lukyanenko's series of Watches. It had a lot to live up to. & it failed. In more than a handful of ways.
I said that it is not a bad book so, let me first say what's good about it: the action and the pace. Specifically the second one. Pace. It's borderline frantic.
Also, some of Lovegrove's vocabulary is just beautiful. Especially coming from a series of 4 books that had been translated by someone who clearly is not a writer himself (or, shouldn't be), it was nice to read some beautiful words. Also, the plethora of Hellenic rooted words added to that.
That concludes the good points.
Now, the bad. Everything else and then some.
Character development. The vampires in the book feel more alive than any of the main characters. With the exception perhaps of one. The MP.
Plot. Nothing new. Twists? Not unless you're in primary school & this is the first book you read. I really do hope that Lovrgrove realizes how pathetic his attempt to surprise the reader really is.
Plausibility? Lovegrove has a solid foundation on which to erect his story. A plausible scenario, well formed & presented. But the story goes nowhere.
There were moments when I felt like "WTH?" when a description made no sense or the sense of time or consistency went out the window.
I could possibly go on but I think I can summarize what the book feels like in just our sentence: the book starts with a bang, a bit more than was welcome (feels like a forced attempt to lay down the basics), calms down & picks up the pace wonderfully midway, feels promising for great things ahead and, then, it's all downhill from there till the last 100 pages which, honestly, are a joke.
It's a pity really. It could have been so much better. But it just isn't.
Had I not been so disappointed, I might had given this a 3. As it is however, I feel 2 is only fair.
February 21, 2015
It says a lot about a book when the positive review blurb on the front page is for the author's other book and not specifically the one it's printed on. Slick SOBs, the publishers and everyone else who does this should get a gold metal for most mediocre marketing ploy! But by all means, continue to do it. Cause it probably works.
Well, I really was looking forward to this book. I thought Redlaw's concept was awesome. Hell, just the name itself is cool. The whole idea about vampires being treated as immigrants was pretty neat too, if not a little awkward for straying so far from the usual sideshow. I also love gory vampires, and I love the dark atmosphere of the city's underworld.
Perhaps I set my expectations too high.
I was sooorely disappointed. What I read was a bad attempt at Hollywood, a bunch of tropes that were attempted to be rehashed into something brilliant but was poorly executed, missed opportunities, and a plot that overall fell flat in part because of all the characters' thinking to themselves about how shitty politics and people are. Though that last bit is a common way for us readers to get a good sense of a character's mindset and attitude, it got annoying really fast because the characters themselves are really annoying. I will give the author props for the ability to write people who are genuinely flawed and full of shit, but the story's execution couldn't give the characters the sparkling platform on which to shine.
Now don't get me wrong. One star does NOT equate to god awful for me. That would be like, -5 stars. Others might like this book if they're into, say, the Resident Evil movies, or some other crap like that. Bad special effects, good cast but poor production team, and low budget. You must either have hella low standards, be very tolerant, or are super forgiving...
Whatever the case, I still do actually recommend you read this. This book could have been great, and you should seize the opportunity to see why.
Well, I really was looking forward to this book. I thought Redlaw's concept was awesome. Hell, just the name itself is cool. The whole idea about vampires being treated as immigrants was pretty neat too, if not a little awkward for straying so far from the usual sideshow. I also love gory vampires, and I love the dark atmosphere of the city's underworld.
Perhaps I set my expectations too high.
I was sooorely disappointed. What I read was a bad attempt at Hollywood, a bunch of tropes that were attempted to be rehashed into something brilliant but was poorly executed, missed opportunities, and a plot that overall fell flat in part because of all the characters' thinking to themselves about how shitty politics and people are. Though that last bit is a common way for us readers to get a good sense of a character's mindset and attitude, it got annoying really fast because the characters themselves are really annoying. I will give the author props for the ability to write people who are genuinely flawed and full of shit, but the story's execution couldn't give the characters the sparkling platform on which to shine.
Now don't get me wrong. One star does NOT equate to god awful for me. That would be like, -5 stars. Others might like this book if they're into, say, the Resident Evil movies, or some other crap like that. Bad special effects, good cast but poor production team, and low budget. You must either have hella low standards, be very tolerant, or are super forgiving...
Whatever the case, I still do actually recommend you read this. This book could have been great, and you should seize the opportunity to see why.
February 26, 2015
I attended a con recently, and they were giving out this book for free at the badge pickup table. I figured I might as well read it.
You can't judge a book by its cover, but that cover can prepare you for what's within. Like here: the cover artist gave Our Hero the worst "douchebag bro" frown and a ridiculous body. Instead of looking tough, he just looks like Frankenstein's monster with a much smaller head. Also, the review on the cover is for a different book—was the publisher hoping that the reader would assume it was for this book and not wonder why they couldn't find a review good enough?
If you want every plot point and character motivation plainly spelled out for you, as if you were reading the Wikipedia summary, then this is the book for you! Lovegrove pretty much leads you by the hand along a rather straight plot path; many out-of-character moments are the result.
There's really only one redeeming quality: the SRAs and vampire policing units were an interesting idea to add to the vampire genre. Not "wow" ideas, but enough to be (slightly) different from a lot of vampire novels. So Redlaw wasn't completely boring.
Unless you read every vampire novel as a rule, you shouldn't pick this up.
You can't judge a book by its cover, but that cover can prepare you for what's within. Like here: the cover artist gave Our Hero the worst "douchebag bro" frown and a ridiculous body. Instead of looking tough, he just looks like Frankenstein's monster with a much smaller head. Also, the review on the cover is for a different book—was the publisher hoping that the reader would assume it was for this book and not wonder why they couldn't find a review good enough?
If you want every plot point and character motivation plainly spelled out for you, as if you were reading the Wikipedia summary, then this is the book for you! Lovegrove pretty much leads you by the hand along a rather straight plot path; many out-of-character moments are the result.
There's really only one redeeming quality: the SRAs and vampire policing units were an interesting idea to add to the vampire genre. Not "wow" ideas, but enough to be (slightly) different from a lot of vampire novels. So Redlaw wasn't completely boring.
Unless you read every vampire novel as a rule, you shouldn't pick this up.
February 2, 2021
Redlaw is a vampire story with a difference. The premise of the story is that vampires have become numerous and spread across many countries and are known as the Sunless. In Britain they are restrict to specified nominated areas (SRA) and are not allowed outside of these. Here they receive regular deliveries of cow’s blood as a by-product of existing slaughterhouses and within the SRA are permitted to ‘govern’ themselves although there is not much of this going on. Over a period of time a growing uneasiness within the SRAs develops into out and out riots that on occasion spreads outside of these camps.
Into this mix steps John Redlaw a member of SHADE the organisation established to monitor the Sunless and keep the uneasy peace between the Sunless and general population. He gets suspicious about the riots and believes they are being deliberately instigated reasons too obscure for him to guess at. As he investigates his suspicions he finds himself shut out from the SHADE hierarchy and having to risk his job and maybe his soul to find the truth.
The novel reaches a tension filled conclusion with one or two nice twists and is a thoroughly well written and enjoyable novel.
Into this mix steps John Redlaw a member of SHADE the organisation established to monitor the Sunless and keep the uneasy peace between the Sunless and general population. He gets suspicious about the riots and believes they are being deliberately instigated reasons too obscure for him to guess at. As he investigates his suspicions he finds himself shut out from the SHADE hierarchy and having to risk his job and maybe his soul to find the truth.
The novel reaches a tension filled conclusion with one or two nice twists and is a thoroughly well written and enjoyable novel.
July 25, 2016
I liked this book, it wasn't bad, but it wasn't really thought through. There were these little things that made me feel as if it was a cartoon, or a hastily put together story.
For example, the guy had been a "vampire hunter" sort of thing for 15 years but he knew almost nothing of vampires. We had to find out with him during the book. But how is it possible that he hadn't known all this earlier.
And also there was this problem in the book, that while they were delivering the cow blood to the vampires, sometimes they went berserk and killed the delivery people. So why didn't they deliver it during the day? They could have.
These are just small things, but they bothered me.
And there are also bigger things: the whole problem in the book could have been solved easily, but instead the main caracter did some crazy things and made the whole business difficult.
And the caracters were very black and white.
For example, the guy had been a "vampire hunter" sort of thing for 15 years but he knew almost nothing of vampires. We had to find out with him during the book. But how is it possible that he hadn't known all this earlier.
And also there was this problem in the book, that while they were delivering the cow blood to the vampires, sometimes they went berserk and killed the delivery people. So why didn't they deliver it during the day? They could have.
These are just small things, but they bothered me.
And there are also bigger things: the whole problem in the book could have been solved easily, but instead the main caracter did some crazy things and made the whole business difficult.
And the caracters were very black and white.
September 8, 2016
In Redlaw, vampires are now metaphorically identical to poor, huddled masses of refugees being taken advantage of by venal (conservative) politicians and sociopathic rich people. Beat on by law enforcement and rightwing thugs, forced to live in squalid tenements on government assistance, vampires have no voice, no champion...
Enter Redlaw. Without diving into spoilers, Redlaw has a choice: be the same as the everyone else, or see the light and see vampires as victims. (Despite their tendency to want to kill people and suck their blood.)
The only thing that redeems the novel is the character of Redlaw himself. Following his journey is entertaining enough to sustain the book. Just be prepared for the oh-god-not-again cliché pile of anti-capitalist, globalist rhetoric thinly disguised as a vampire novel.
Enter Redlaw. Without diving into spoilers, Redlaw has a choice: be the same as the everyone else, or see the light and see vampires as victims. (Despite their tendency to want to kill people and suck their blood.)
The only thing that redeems the novel is the character of Redlaw himself. Following his journey is entertaining enough to sustain the book. Just be prepared for the oh-god-not-again cliché pile of anti-capitalist, globalist rhetoric thinly disguised as a vampire novel.
July 20, 2016
Lovegrove writes smooth, surprising, muscular prose that's a joy to read. The guy's a pro.
This story does have a lot of drawbacks, though. There aren't a lot of characters at all so the environment is somewhat sterile, and although the Sunless dilemma does clearly echo the anti-immigrant drama in the UK, it never really develops any relevant depth or emotion. Lovegrove's (or his characters') pontifications about politics and social justice feel ham-handed and elementary. The central plotline is weak and has few surprises although it moves like a well-oiled machine. Action sequences are tight and hard-hitting and even pedestrian scenes have grit and style.
This story does have a lot of drawbacks, though. There aren't a lot of characters at all so the environment is somewhat sterile, and although the Sunless dilemma does clearly echo the anti-immigrant drama in the UK, it never really develops any relevant depth or emotion. Lovegrove's (or his characters') pontifications about politics and social justice feel ham-handed and elementary. The central plotline is weak and has few surprises although it moves like a well-oiled machine. Action sequences are tight and hard-hitting and even pedestrian scenes have grit and style.
May 18, 2014
Imagine mixing a British Dirty Harry with Men In Black (only with vampires, instead of aliens). The story’s solid, convincing, and keeps you wanting to know what comes next. The characters were well thought-out and the plot (while simple) has its share of surprises. I’ve gotta get my hands on the next book because I want to know what happens next. What I admire most about the author's tale is that he fights the temptation to make this guy into a superhuman badass. Redlaw's just a man . . . a very dangerous man.
November 13, 2015
Not a bad book, but very predictable. Other than the different take on vampires in general, there was nothing overly exciting or interesting about the story. Despite several confrontations between the main character, Redlaw, and various villains, and a few riots, the action felt very lite and tame. There was a lot of personal growth drama, but it seemed to stop the story more often than it moved the story forward.
The ending was very TV/Action movie incomplete.
Not sure if I will look for the sequel or not.
The ending was very TV/Action movie incomplete.
Not sure if I will look for the sequel or not.
December 12, 2011
I realy wanted to love this book but couldn't. It was a bit too shallow in character development for that. The action kept things going but I found the characters a bit cardboard. I want to say "You can tell a man wrote this book." but that would be too dismissive since it is an interesting story and the world contained within the book is interesting. I just was not happy with the way the characters were left without any depth.
July 11, 2015
Ah Redlaw you are so old school! I loved you, if anyone remembers the policing of the old shows like The Professionals or the Sweeney, Redlaw reminds me so much of these British classics.
He's old school and a believer to boot, in a world with little morals or belief - other than in the greed is good school of thinking.
Loved SHADE, and the Vampires here are an interesting blend of creature and also something other.
Great work, and I can't wait to read more of Redlaw.
He's old school and a believer to boot, in a world with little morals or belief - other than in the greed is good school of thinking.
Loved SHADE, and the Vampires here are an interesting blend of creature and also something other.
Great work, and I can't wait to read more of Redlaw.
March 5, 2012
Very disappointing. I could tell pretty quickly that this wasn't going to be a great book, but I hoped it would at least be good. It wasn't. It wasn't even adequate, although I suppose if you really like tough guy cops and vampires then this might be for you. I've reviewed it for The Zone here: http://www.zone-sf.com/wordworks/redl...
March 2, 2012
To me, this book was like a bowl of vanilla ice cream. I liked it, but couldn't help but wish it was something more, or different - or there was chocolate sauce.
If you like grim, actiony stories with stoic lone gunman heroes, you'll probably like it.
December 7, 2014
This book hit me from page 1 , John Redlaw Policing the Vampire society. The story hits the ground running on great story and excellent action . The characters are very in depth and not boring at all . A great start to what could be an excellent book saga
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September 29, 2016This is a tiny bit silly, I was not surprised by (any? most?) of the plot twists. I also think they talked too much and in too tight a time frame. It was okay for a plane read, which is why I picked it up, so mission accomplished.
May 11, 2012
Interesting premise, horrible executed with bland characters.
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