Dawn of the Vampire

by William Hill

Arising from the underwater depths, an ancient evil, armed with new power and an unquenchable thirst, awakens and vows to seek vengeance on the human race for trapping the vampires in a watery grave. Reissue.

Genres: Horror, Vampires, Supernatural, Fiction

480 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 1991

About the author

William Hill is a native of Indianapolis, Indiana, and first learned to read through comic books and adventure and science fiction novels.

Since realizing that the corporate world stifled creative thought and discouraged personal imagination, Bill has been employed as an alchemist in South Lake Tahoe and an EMT/Ski Patroller at a North Lake Tahoe resort.

Although his first writing love is magic-oriented fantasy, Hill's first and second novels - Dawn of the Vampire and Vampire's Kiss - were supernatural thrillers published by Pinnacle. The Magic Bicycle and California Ghosting were published by Otter Creek Press.

Bill and his lovely wife, Kat, and their son, Brin, currently reside in the beautiful Carson Valley of Nevada. Bill intends to write imaginative fiction and fantasy until dirt is shoveled upon his coffin. (And friends have joked, beyond, to the supernatural author state.)

Reviews

[Wade · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have a soft spot for this book for the simple fact that the setting is my hometown. I do not know the author personally, but I do appreciate the fact that he seems to have an affection for the area and I imagine he grew up here or has friends nearby. Frankly, the writing is so-so. I am reasonably certain this is the author's first novel. If high-end prose is important to you, you can skip this one. I might not have stuck it out to the end myself if the setting had been different. However, part of the plot involves a town that was purposely flooded due to a TVA dam project. Again, part of the history of my region, and that really kept me involved in the story. In a genre full of clichés, the sunken town aspect seemed original and fresh to me.

[Cassandra Glissadevil · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.3 stars

“We enjoy the night, the darkness, where we can do things that aren't acceptable in the light. Night is when we slake our thirst.”
― William Hill

Big Chill/ Jacques Cousteau/Vampire mashup plunged me into the middle of a testosterone fueled, high school reunion on a lake. Water skiing, scubba diving, bloodsucking, grudges, betrayal, and intense action.

William Hill's masculine style may put off folks who crave dulcet Gothic melancholy and sensitive vampires. "Dawn of the Vampire" lacks the vivid velvet hues of Anne Rice interviews, Kostova's historians, and Poppy Z. Brite's boy toy vampires. That said, Hill's novel is scarier than Brite, Rice, and Kostova.

Excellent addition to any horror collection.
Essential for collectors who like their vampires evil, scary and mean.

[Robert Riley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun read during the month of October some years ago. Gave a nice spook for halloween. Many vampire stories abound in print and video. This one was well written with a strong story and enough cliff hangers to keep you interested. It was hard to put down. Even if you are not into vampires or the horror genre--this story is will interest you.

[Redsteve · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm giving up on this one. Writing and dialogue really wooden. Master vampire named Victor Von Damme. Started out like an Appalachian SALEM'S LOT. Only made it to page 373 because I was feeling sick and wanted something mindless to read.

[Michelle · Rating 1 out of 5]

Too many indistinguishable characters. Didn't like the writing style (very factual and event-based storytelling, no flair or artistry). A chore and a bore to read. No real story-moving action until 400 pages into the 480 page novel. These last 80 pages should have been the meat of the novel and spread out and expanded in the previous 400 pages. Missed opportunities and lost potential. More could have been done to extend the political climate of the feuding vampire factions. Didn't even really know what was going on until the end. Tried this out because of the synopsis and some decent reviews on here, but would not recommend this book or author.

[Tome Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was meh. It starts off interesting enough then it just moves along at a snails pace. Way to may characters! We are introduced to SO many and we really only are concerned with 3 or 4 of them. And all the characters kinda blend in together. Why introduce so many if they all are not going to have a bigger part or at least feel different? What was up with the sapphire ring!? Why was it so powerful at the end!? Not really explained. In fact at the end the vampire Elsa says I’ll explain later and never does! Idk some parts were good some had me literally shaking my head in anger and screaming wtf! Lol. 2.5 stars but rounding up to 3 for goodreads.

[Rhys McPeake · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this in middle school and honestly it stick with me for some reason, like bits and pieces, not the whole thing. This is one that I think I may need to read again to make a proper assessment of it, but the fact that it's stuck with me all these years, is a big deal, because most books fade from mind and don't stand out in the long run. Just my silly brain.

[Michael Mcnichols · Rating 4 out of 5]

A typical vampire novel, but with mostly fleshed out characters, an interesting twist on vampire mythology, much suspense, and, surprisingly, fast-paced, well-written prose.

[Marsha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this one :-) Entertaining, and pretty creepy. After reading this, every time I go to South Holston Lake, I think of this book.

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It was scary. I picked it up because of the cover, but I was not disappointed. I purchased it several years ago, and I still have it on my shelf with plans to reread someday soon!

[Mark Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

one of the most original vampire stories I've read and I've read a lot

[Zoe Wall · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe 3.5?
This is not a particularly well written book and there are cliches galore but it’s thoroughly entertaining and well paced for a vampire horror. Genuinely creepy moments throughout 👌🏼🐺🦇📚🖤

[Laekyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have grown up and lived on South Holston Lake so I'm not sure I could say I would have finished this book if I didn't live here. I read this book this summer even during fishing tournaments on the lake at night, so I had the perfect setting possible to read this book. So with that note I will always remember this story and think about the book while I'm on the lake at night. I think the writing could have been better and a little more explanations with maybe less characters and nicknames. I lean more towards 3 stars instead of 4 because I feel as if the first half of the book was long. Overall this book will probably stick with me for a long time because it takes place in my hometown.

[Matthew Schiller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome throwback to classic vampire tales, the cover says it all! Definitely had to persuade my parents to buy this when I was a teen. Re-reading it now in my thirties, it reminds me of a 70’s made-for-tv movie with a 90’s twist (think Point Break meets Salem’s Lot). Instead of feeling dated, it feels like this is what is missing from more contemporary vampire stories, action and more importantly horror. Need more of this type of story nowadays. Loved every page.

[Ben Newton]

Enjoyed reading a book about the area that I lived in at the time. So much so, that it took me a couple of years before I would swim in South Holsten Lake again. This book would also come back to haunt me on nights that I heard strange noises when I lived near the lake and the closest neighbor was almost a mile away.

[Kelsey Fish · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up

The story is good, but the writing is all over the place. Changing characters unintentionally, typos galore. BUT, I love the premise, and because it’s setting is my home town, it added an element of neatness to it I haven’t experienced in any other book. I read this when I was 13 and I loved it; this time I had to chuckle at a good portion of it. Overall though, it’s an enjoyable read, and very quick!

[Theresa Prichard · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fun late 80’s/early 90’s concept. The writing is terrible and many plot lines are left unresolved. Also, there are too many and unnecessary characters.

Don’t take it too seriously, and you might enjoy this as a quick summer read.

[Cari Resh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read this book more times than I can count. Definite comfort read for me. Love it!

[Alicia Waters · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little hard to keep up with characters. A lot of nicknames. Jumped around a lot. Other than that a good read.

[Rachel Shannon · Rating 1 out of 5]

Too many characters to keep up with.

[Elke · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was among the first real vampire horror books that I've read. The story was not bad and presented some original ideas about vampires, but there was something about the whole story I did not like, however I can't put my finger on it. Maybe it was the writing which seemed kind of lurid and cheesy. So the only memory that remains from reading this one is a slightly unpleasant feeling - which is the reason I finally through it out to make room for new stuff.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just loved it when I read it in Junior high. Of course that was when I was into the Buffy the Vampire phase. It was fun to read and very descriptive which I like. Plus I read it while we were visiting our family friends who have property on a lake just like the place described in the book.

[Dana · Rating 2 out of 5]

Its an old book i found while cleaning out my childhood closets. Its not a horrible book but you can tell its old. The writing is scattered, the story is cheesy and sometimes jumps around. Its a good time waster, but im thinking its headed to the thrift store now..;)

[Jessica · Rating 1 out of 5]

Okay, I couldn't even finish this. I thought the narrative was just goofy, and I couldn't get into the story or characters.

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story takes place in my hometown. It is a true story and it is creepy.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book! I think it is really cool that the setting is around the area that I live in (Bristol, TN). It is a great weekend read!

[Tracey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this book a long time ago. It was ok

[Marcie Leigh Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book. Wonderful. I live here.