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The Templar Chronicles #3
Jack Templar and the Lord of the Vampires
After fighting a goblin army, befriending an ancient werewolf, and battling two fire breathing dragons during his adventures at the Monster Hunter Academy, Jack Templar hoped for a rest. No such luck.
In this third adventure of the Jack Templar Monster Hunter series, Jack embarks on a quest to track down and acquire the first of five mythical Jerusalem Stones, an ancient power source found by his ancestors, the Templar Knights. Only the reunited Stones can stop Ren Lucre, the Dark Lord who holds Jack’s father hostage and prepares for an all-out war against an unsuspecting human world.
A different Creach Lord holds each Stone, and recovering them will not be easy. Jack and his friends begin their quest by seeking out a powerful and terrifying adversary, the Lord of the Vampires. The fate of the world rests on Jack’s shoulders and he will be tested like never before.
Join Jack Templar on his most dangerous journey yet, but remember that doing so makes you part of his world. Read this book only if you are prepared to battle the Creach and live by the monster hunter motto. Because to survive, you must...
Do your duty, come what may!
In this third adventure of the Jack Templar Monster Hunter series, Jack embarks on a quest to track down and acquire the first of five mythical Jerusalem Stones, an ancient power source found by his ancestors, the Templar Knights. Only the reunited Stones can stop Ren Lucre, the Dark Lord who holds Jack’s father hostage and prepares for an all-out war against an unsuspecting human world.
A different Creach Lord holds each Stone, and recovering them will not be easy. Jack and his friends begin their quest by seeking out a powerful and terrifying adversary, the Lord of the Vampires. The fate of the world rests on Jack’s shoulders and he will be tested like never before.
Join Jack Templar on his most dangerous journey yet, but remember that doing so makes you part of his world. Read this book only if you are prepared to battle the Creach and live by the monster hunter motto. Because to survive, you must...
Do your duty, come what may!
360 pages, Paperback
First published September 28, 2013
8 people are currently reading
609 people want to read
About the author
Jeff Gunhus
27 books550 followersJeff Gunhus is the USA TODAY bestselling author of thriller and horror novels for adults and the middle grade series, The Jack Templar Chronicles. The first book, Jack Templar Monster Hunter, was written in an effort to get his reluctant reader eleven-year old son excited about reading. It worked and a new series was born. His books are available in several languages, been Foreword Reviews Book of the Year Finalists, and reached the USA TODAY bestseller list.
After his experience with his son, he is passionate about helping parents reach young reluctant readers and is active in child literacy issues. As a father of five, he leads an active lifestyle in Maryland with his wife Nicole by trying to constantly keep up with their kids. In rare moments of quiet, he can be found in the back of the City Dock Cafe in Annapolis working on his next novel.
After his experience with his son, he is passionate about helping parents reach young reluctant readers and is active in child literacy issues. As a father of five, he leads an active lifestyle in Maryland with his wife Nicole by trying to constantly keep up with their kids. In rare moments of quiet, he can be found in the back of the City Dock Cafe in Annapolis working on his next novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
April 4, 2016
This is the third book of the series, and I fear I must now declare myself addicted. I rapidly read this book and was depressed when I realized I now have to wait for the next book. with each book I read my recommendation to others goes up and up.
Jack and company (Eva, T-Rex, Will and Daniel) set off to begin their search for the Jerusalem Stones. Their first stop is to get more information from a man named Gregor. And what a story he has to share! We get new monsters in this one too. Naturally though, as the title suggests, vampires play a large role in this. From a small Arabic village to Paris the friends journey.
Jack's leadership and self-confidence is put to the test in this book and so does Xavier. Daniel's grudge list gets longer and longer and he is still arrogant. I would have thought the last book would have humbled him some but not much. Eva seems to realize the attention she gets from Jack and Daniel and even plays them off each other. Honestly she sort of had me upset with her a couple times.
We get a lot more history or Ren Lucre and his family. We also get to learn more of Jack's ancestry. Daniel knows more than he is sharing (although his attitude has Jack a bit unwilling to listen). Secrets come in and other revealed so there is some new excitement.
I loved how wild the battle scene at Notre Dame plays out. Very cool and creatively stimulating! And the sacrifice in this book was saddening and has me curious how it will affect the group in the next book.
Overall, if you like fantasy or paranormal, go read this. There is a bit more romantic implication than the past two books but still mild and clean. Lots of action sequences and great stories to keep you riveted to the pages. I devoured this book in a day! If you have not read the previous books, go start with them. I doubt you'll be disappointed.
**I received this book in exchange for a fair, honest review**
Jack and company (Eva, T-Rex, Will and Daniel) set off to begin their search for the Jerusalem Stones. Their first stop is to get more information from a man named Gregor. And what a story he has to share! We get new monsters in this one too. Naturally though, as the title suggests, vampires play a large role in this. From a small Arabic village to Paris the friends journey.
Jack's leadership and self-confidence is put to the test in this book and so does Xavier. Daniel's grudge list gets longer and longer and he is still arrogant. I would have thought the last book would have humbled him some but not much. Eva seems to realize the attention she gets from Jack and Daniel and even plays them off each other. Honestly she sort of had me upset with her a couple times.
We get a lot more history or Ren Lucre and his family. We also get to learn more of Jack's ancestry. Daniel knows more than he is sharing (although his attitude has Jack a bit unwilling to listen). Secrets come in and other revealed so there is some new excitement.
I loved how wild the battle scene at Notre Dame plays out. Very cool and creatively stimulating! And the sacrifice in this book was saddening and has me curious how it will affect the group in the next book.
Overall, if you like fantasy or paranormal, go read this. There is a bit more romantic implication than the past two books but still mild and clean. Lots of action sequences and great stories to keep you riveted to the pages. I devoured this book in a day! If you have not read the previous books, go start with them. I doubt you'll be disappointed.
**I received this book in exchange for a fair, honest review**
October 30, 2013
Jeff Gunhus does not disappoint with the third installment in The Templar Chronicles. I once again ignored the warning directed to the reader that comes at the start of each book in the series, hunkered down, and tore my way through Jack Templar and the Lord of the Vampires. From my perspective, Jack Templar and the Lord of the Vampires is a fast-paced, action-packed joyride that continues in the same vein as the first two books in the series. If you loved Books 1 & 2, Book 3 will keep you hooked into the adventures of Jack Templar and his friends.
As always, Jack Templar is the hero of the story, bravely leading his loyal friends, Will and T-Rex, and the cool-as-a-cucumber and fellow monster hunter Eva, on their quest to obtain the first Jerusalem stone from the Lord of the Vampires. To add to the mix this time around and to make things more interesting, Daniel, Jack's rival (as monster hunter as well as for Eva's affections) joins the crew on their quest. I felt that the addition of Daniel to the group was a great idea as this created an additional dimension to the group dynamics. I look forward to seeing how this dynamic develops.
As with the previous installments, the book features the Creach which come in various breeds. In this book, the focus is on the djinn or desert spirits and of course, vampires. I like how Gunhus introduces a new Creach in the djinn and gives a bit of background on the mythology surrounding them. Given their appearance in the Arabic or Islamic culture and that the group find themselves in Morocco, this felt like a great fit for the story. The descriptions and interactions with the djinn were fantastic.
I am a big, big fan of Anne Rice and in particular her Vampire Chronicles. The opening scene in this book reminded me of some of the scenes from Anne Rice's books. In Jack Templar and the Lord of the Vampires the story begins with a flashback to how Ren Lucre and his family are transformed into vampires. For those of us paying attention, we see that the opening scene becomes relevant as the story progresses. Let's just say that there is a big, big revelation that will change the course of Jack's destiny. It takes a lot to get my jaw to drop, but this was a jaw-dropping moment! Well done, Jeff Gunhus, well done! Oh, and then there's Eva ... Seriously, some of the most engaging, leaning-forward-in-bed, eyes-glued-to-my-tablet, speed-reading-to-get-to-the-end, not-going-to-sleep-until-I-finish-the-book final 50 pages I have read in a long time. Phew...
All that being said, I do have to share my opinion regarding the appropriateness of this book for children. I've been clear in my reviews of the first two books that the story features monsters and contains significant violence and death. I do feel that this book contains more mature themes and feels darker than the previous books. It could be because the opening scene is particularly macabre, but I feel this third book is solidly a young adult book and is not appropriate for a middle grade audience. Also, each book is getting longer! The first book is 204 pages, the second is 330, and the third is now 361. At the end of the day, I cannot imagine my 10-year-old reading this book. I, on the other hand, loved it!
My Bottom Line:
Jack Templar and the Lord of the Vampires is a fast-paced, action-packed joyride that continues in the same vein as the first two books in the series. If you loved Books 1 & 2, Book 3 will keep you hooked into the adventures of Jack Templar and his friends. The cliffhanger alone has me impatiently waiting for Book 4, so get writing Jeff Gunhus! Up next for Jack and his friends? Werewolves. I highly recommend this book as well as the previous books in the series for a young adult reading level (12+).
*** Jack Templar and the Monster Hunter Academy was provided to us free-of-charge by the author through the Jack Templar Blog Tour organized by Kathy from I am a Reader Not a Writer in exchange for an honest review.***
As always, Jack Templar is the hero of the story, bravely leading his loyal friends, Will and T-Rex, and the cool-as-a-cucumber and fellow monster hunter Eva, on their quest to obtain the first Jerusalem stone from the Lord of the Vampires. To add to the mix this time around and to make things more interesting, Daniel, Jack's rival (as monster hunter as well as for Eva's affections) joins the crew on their quest. I felt that the addition of Daniel to the group was a great idea as this created an additional dimension to the group dynamics. I look forward to seeing how this dynamic develops.
As with the previous installments, the book features the Creach which come in various breeds. In this book, the focus is on the djinn or desert spirits and of course, vampires. I like how Gunhus introduces a new Creach in the djinn and gives a bit of background on the mythology surrounding them. Given their appearance in the Arabic or Islamic culture and that the group find themselves in Morocco, this felt like a great fit for the story. The descriptions and interactions with the djinn were fantastic.
I am a big, big fan of Anne Rice and in particular her Vampire Chronicles. The opening scene in this book reminded me of some of the scenes from Anne Rice's books. In Jack Templar and the Lord of the Vampires the story begins with a flashback to how Ren Lucre and his family are transformed into vampires. For those of us paying attention, we see that the opening scene becomes relevant as the story progresses. Let's just say that there is a big, big revelation that will change the course of Jack's destiny. It takes a lot to get my jaw to drop, but this was a jaw-dropping moment! Well done, Jeff Gunhus, well done! Oh, and then there's Eva ... Seriously, some of the most engaging, leaning-forward-in-bed, eyes-glued-to-my-tablet, speed-reading-to-get-to-the-end, not-going-to-sleep-until-I-finish-the-book final 50 pages I have read in a long time. Phew...
All that being said, I do have to share my opinion regarding the appropriateness of this book for children. I've been clear in my reviews of the first two books that the story features monsters and contains significant violence and death. I do feel that this book contains more mature themes and feels darker than the previous books. It could be because the opening scene is particularly macabre, but I feel this third book is solidly a young adult book and is not appropriate for a middle grade audience. Also, each book is getting longer! The first book is 204 pages, the second is 330, and the third is now 361. At the end of the day, I cannot imagine my 10-year-old reading this book. I, on the other hand, loved it!
My Bottom Line:
Jack Templar and the Lord of the Vampires is a fast-paced, action-packed joyride that continues in the same vein as the first two books in the series. If you loved Books 1 & 2, Book 3 will keep you hooked into the adventures of Jack Templar and his friends. The cliffhanger alone has me impatiently waiting for Book 4, so get writing Jeff Gunhus! Up next for Jack and his friends? Werewolves. I highly recommend this book as well as the previous books in the series for a young adult reading level (12+).
*** Jack Templar and the Monster Hunter Academy was provided to us free-of-charge by the author through the Jack Templar Blog Tour organized by Kathy from I am a Reader Not a Writer in exchange for an honest review.***
October 25, 2013
I want to thank the author, Jeff Gunhus, for once again providing me with a copy of one of his books to read and review. Since I started this series I have been pulled right in by Jeff's writing. So given the opportunity to read the third book in this series after having read the first two, you can imagine I jumped at it. Receiving this book for free has in no way altered my opinion or review.
Blurb from Goodreads:
After fighting a goblin army, befriending an ancient werewolf, and battling two fire breathing dragons during his adventures at the Monster Hunter Academy, Jack Templar hoped for a rest. No such luck.
In this third adventure of the Jack Templar Monster Hunter series, Jack embarks on a quest to track down and acquire the first of five mythical Jerusalem Stones, an ancient power source found by his ancestors, the Templar Knights. Only the reunited Stones can stop Ren Lucre, the Dark Lord who holds Jack’s father hostage and prepares for an all-out war against an unsuspecting human world.
A different Creach Lord holds each Stone, and recovering them will not be easy. Jack and his friends begin their quest by seeking out a powerful and terrifying adversary, the Lord of the Vampires. The fate of the world rests on Jack’s shoulders and he will be tested like never before.
Join Jack Templar on his most dangerous journey yet, but remember that doing so makes you part of his world. Read this book only if you are prepared to battle the Creach and live by the monster hunter motto. Because to survive, you must...
Do your duty, come what may!
So, do you know how much I like this series? So much so that I just purchased books 1 and 2 in paperback for my son because I know he's going to love following Jack around. And do you know why I love this series, because despite it's juvenile humor and theme, it really does hit my Harry Potter spot on!
This book picks up pretty much where the last book left off. The crew has traveled to Europe to find the first of the Jerusalem stones. Of course, along the way they are sure to meet up with some crazy characters, or else this would not be a Jack Templar book! And as with the first two books, Gunhus is able to interject a bit of humor in to make you giggle when things get too serious. I truly love his style! He throws you into the thick of it, making your mind spin with action, and then smooths it out and brings you down at just the right moment.
The crew is hunting the lord of the vampires. As you can guess there are lots of creatures who don't want to see him succeed. They want the Creach to rule the world. But Jack is having none of that. He's taking his quest to save the world seriously. And, despite his young age, he has committed himself to making sure humanity remains intact. Does he succeed? I'm not going to spoil that for you, you'll have to read that for yourself. But I will tell you that he learns a lot about his family along the way and you get some shockers for sure!
And, despite the fact that this book is really written for middle graders, I can't see how any adult would not enjoy this series. It's fun and funny, scary and heart stopping, and most of all, it make you appreciate your world.
If you enjoy Percy Jackson and Harry Potter, then this series is something you need to dive right into. This is face paced and action packed. I promise you will laugh, you will gasp, heck, you might even cry a bit, but you will definitely have a good time throughout it all!
Blurb from Goodreads:
After fighting a goblin army, befriending an ancient werewolf, and battling two fire breathing dragons during his adventures at the Monster Hunter Academy, Jack Templar hoped for a rest. No such luck.
In this third adventure of the Jack Templar Monster Hunter series, Jack embarks on a quest to track down and acquire the first of five mythical Jerusalem Stones, an ancient power source found by his ancestors, the Templar Knights. Only the reunited Stones can stop Ren Lucre, the Dark Lord who holds Jack’s father hostage and prepares for an all-out war against an unsuspecting human world.
A different Creach Lord holds each Stone, and recovering them will not be easy. Jack and his friends begin their quest by seeking out a powerful and terrifying adversary, the Lord of the Vampires. The fate of the world rests on Jack’s shoulders and he will be tested like never before.
Join Jack Templar on his most dangerous journey yet, but remember that doing so makes you part of his world. Read this book only if you are prepared to battle the Creach and live by the monster hunter motto. Because to survive, you must...
Do your duty, come what may!
So, do you know how much I like this series? So much so that I just purchased books 1 and 2 in paperback for my son because I know he's going to love following Jack around. And do you know why I love this series, because despite it's juvenile humor and theme, it really does hit my Harry Potter spot on!
This book picks up pretty much where the last book left off. The crew has traveled to Europe to find the first of the Jerusalem stones. Of course, along the way they are sure to meet up with some crazy characters, or else this would not be a Jack Templar book! And as with the first two books, Gunhus is able to interject a bit of humor in to make you giggle when things get too serious. I truly love his style! He throws you into the thick of it, making your mind spin with action, and then smooths it out and brings you down at just the right moment.
The crew is hunting the lord of the vampires. As you can guess there are lots of creatures who don't want to see him succeed. They want the Creach to rule the world. But Jack is having none of that. He's taking his quest to save the world seriously. And, despite his young age, he has committed himself to making sure humanity remains intact. Does he succeed? I'm not going to spoil that for you, you'll have to read that for yourself. But I will tell you that he learns a lot about his family along the way and you get some shockers for sure!
And, despite the fact that this book is really written for middle graders, I can't see how any adult would not enjoy this series. It's fun and funny, scary and heart stopping, and most of all, it make you appreciate your world.
If you enjoy Percy Jackson and Harry Potter, then this series is something you need to dive right into. This is face paced and action packed. I promise you will laugh, you will gasp, heck, you might even cry a bit, but you will definitely have a good time throughout it all!
July 13, 2023
This is the third novel in the middle grade Templar Chronicles. This is the most serious to date, while still retaining the charm and adventure of the prior two novels. This one ended on a sad, yet still hopeful note. While the main character is still a 14 year old boy, you can track the changes he is undergoing and the true strength of his character, as well as his weaknesses. This series also includes a strong female character who does nothing to diminish the male lead character. This is a series that should appeal to both male and female middle graders. I am really enjoying it as an adult and am sure this would have been one of my favorite series as a middle grade child. I am looking forward to the next one in this six book series.
July 9, 2017
Great story
How these books aren't widely known is beyond me.
Very exciting story with a great cast of characters which have all been carefully created, so well in fact that you genuinely care what happens to them.
The story is very well thought out and leaves just the right amount of unanswered questions to make you want more, can't wait to start the next one.
How these books aren't widely known is beyond me.
Very exciting story with a great cast of characters which have all been carefully created, so well in fact that you genuinely care what happens to them.
The story is very well thought out and leaves just the right amount of unanswered questions to make you want more, can't wait to start the next one.
September 14, 2022
Excellent book
Entertaining, realistic characters and a twist ending I didn't see coming. I would recommend to kids and adults alike. Action emotion and humor mixed all together.
Entertaining, realistic characters and a twist ending I didn't see coming. I would recommend to kids and adults alike. Action emotion and humor mixed all together.
July 27, 2014
Jack Templar has discovered he is a monster hunter, (book 1) and been trained at the Monster Hunter Academy in book 2. Now he has to set off on his quest in earnest, to collect five Jerusalem Stones in order to save the world from destruction by the lord of all the monsters, known as Creach, who come in five types. This book deals with the vampiric kind. It’s full of action and puzzles and thrills and lightning and “will he, won’t he” types of questions.
The writing is terrific. I was totally enthralled by the descriptions of Marrakech; the desert storm; the travel through Spain (especially the “barrel-chested Spaniard with a hearty laugh and thick arms that looked better suited for wrestling bulls than creating delicate morsels of food”); the arrival in Paris, and the flying buttresses of Notre Dame. I have to confess I am a big fan of Notre Dame’s flying buttresses. If you ever go to Paris, do not miss a walk round the back of Notre Dame - preferably at midnight, which is a perfectly reasonable hour to be walking around Paris if you're over 18 or with your parent(s). The cathedral will be lit up and the flying buttresses look superb. So do the gargoyles. Jack Templar finds both buttresses and gargoyles far from superb as he battles with them during a furious thunderstorm. But such is the life of a monster hunter.
It’s not just description and monsters and fighting. There is an excellent team of well-rounded (or rather sharp) characters, including a rival for the object of Jack’s (suppressed) affection. Mr Gunhus must have lost a few early loves to write this so well! It’s a team with a wonderful mix of skills, too, including the nerdish inventor.
I confess I didn’t enjoy the climax of the book as much as the earlier scenes, since the fighting with the vampires is quite prolonged and involves a lot of revelations about Jack’s ancestry to drive the next stage of the series forward, but it is entirely forgivable. It doesn’t stop me looking forward to the next in the series. I don’t think I need to read the first two now, as I think most of the back story is covered here. I’m sure I’d enjoy them, though.
I’d like to thank Mr Gunhus for making it perfectly possible to start with book 3 in the series, but I suspect at least four more are planned, and I wouldn’t start any later if I were you! And I definitely recommend you start, if you haven’t already.
A fast and furious adventure, full of disgusting monsters, gory detail, a lot of fighting, and clever inventions, but a lot of real life incidents too. Roll on book 4 – the Lord of the Werewolves!
The writing is terrific. I was totally enthralled by the descriptions of Marrakech; the desert storm; the travel through Spain (especially the “barrel-chested Spaniard with a hearty laugh and thick arms that looked better suited for wrestling bulls than creating delicate morsels of food”); the arrival in Paris, and the flying buttresses of Notre Dame. I have to confess I am a big fan of Notre Dame’s flying buttresses. If you ever go to Paris, do not miss a walk round the back of Notre Dame - preferably at midnight, which is a perfectly reasonable hour to be walking around Paris if you're over 18 or with your parent(s). The cathedral will be lit up and the flying buttresses look superb. So do the gargoyles. Jack Templar finds both buttresses and gargoyles far from superb as he battles with them during a furious thunderstorm. But such is the life of a monster hunter.
It’s not just description and monsters and fighting. There is an excellent team of well-rounded (or rather sharp) characters, including a rival for the object of Jack’s (suppressed) affection. Mr Gunhus must have lost a few early loves to write this so well! It’s a team with a wonderful mix of skills, too, including the nerdish inventor.
I confess I didn’t enjoy the climax of the book as much as the earlier scenes, since the fighting with the vampires is quite prolonged and involves a lot of revelations about Jack’s ancestry to drive the next stage of the series forward, but it is entirely forgivable. It doesn’t stop me looking forward to the next in the series. I don’t think I need to read the first two now, as I think most of the back story is covered here. I’m sure I’d enjoy them, though.
I’d like to thank Mr Gunhus for making it perfectly possible to start with book 3 in the series, but I suspect at least four more are planned, and I wouldn’t start any later if I were you! And I definitely recommend you start, if you haven’t already.
A fast and furious adventure, full of disgusting monsters, gory detail, a lot of fighting, and clever inventions, but a lot of real life incidents too. Roll on book 4 – the Lord of the Werewolves!
October 21, 2013
I love the way this series is turning out! If you read my reviews of the first two books in the series, you'll know that Jack Templar is a 14 year old boy who was living a normal life until right before his 14th birthday. That's when he discovered that all sort of Creach live in our world, and that he is destined to hunt and destroy them. Creach is the name given to all of the monsters living in our world. And if you didn't know about the monsters, don't say we didn't warn you! Spoilers ahead for those of you who haven't read the first two books! Let me highly recommend that you stop here and read the first two books! If you have, carry on with the reading please :)
SPOILERS FROM BOOKS 1 and 2 ahead!
SPOILERS FROM BOOKS 1 and 2 ahead!
October 17, 2013
Right before Jack turned 14, he learned that he came from a long line of monster hunters. His adventures so far have brought him to the point where he needs to reunite the five mystical Jerusalem Stones so he can defeat Ren Lucre, the Lord of the Creach who holds his father hostage and threatens to start a war against all humans. Jack needs to recapture the stones from each of the Creach Lords, who rule over the vampires, zombies, werewolves, demons and the pile of monsters collectively known as the Lesser Creach.
We start off learning more about Ren Lucre and his family and the lengths he will go to "save" them. Something horrific happens which makes him who he is and we learn what happened with the rest of his family.
To start his quest, Jack needs to find Gregor of the Black Watch, a famous vampire hunter. Tiberon and Aquinas had each given him information so he decided that would be the best place to start. It's not easy but he is able to locate him and is surprised at what he learns about Gregor and is given some helpful information to find the Lord of the Vampires. He takes that information and starts his quest. There are plenty of creatures that don't want him to succeed and will do whatever it takes to stop him.
This series is getting better and better! So far, this is my favorite book. It's still pretty action packed, but we get more answers as to who Jack is and why his mission is so important. Jack is likable and easy to root for. His friends each find their own way to contribute to help him and he even finds a way to work with Daniel, who he doesn't like but realizes he needs him to succeed.
Towards the end, Jack learns the truth about his parents, which leaves him stunned and then something else happens which makes it imperative for him and his friends to succeed at their mission (which will involve several more books in this series--yay!). This is a fun series to read, with plenty of surprises, and I highly recommend it!
Mel's Shelves
We start off learning more about Ren Lucre and his family and the lengths he will go to "save" them. Something horrific happens which makes him who he is and we learn what happened with the rest of his family.
To start his quest, Jack needs to find Gregor of the Black Watch, a famous vampire hunter. Tiberon and Aquinas had each given him information so he decided that would be the best place to start. It's not easy but he is able to locate him and is surprised at what he learns about Gregor and is given some helpful information to find the Lord of the Vampires. He takes that information and starts his quest. There are plenty of creatures that don't want him to succeed and will do whatever it takes to stop him.
This series is getting better and better! So far, this is my favorite book. It's still pretty action packed, but we get more answers as to who Jack is and why his mission is so important. Jack is likable and easy to root for. His friends each find their own way to contribute to help him and he even finds a way to work with Daniel, who he doesn't like but realizes he needs him to succeed.
Towards the end, Jack learns the truth about his parents, which leaves him stunned and then something else happens which makes it imperative for him and his friends to succeed at their mission (which will involve several more books in this series--yay!). This is a fun series to read, with plenty of surprises, and I highly recommend it!
Mel's Shelves
October 21, 2013
First my disclaimer. I wasn’t just provided a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review, I edited the book. Here’s the deal. I took error notes on my Kindle starting with book one. Errors bug me, so I always let the authors know. I’d sure want to know. Anyway, after I sent Jeff Gunhus an error list for the first book, he asked me about editing the second. I was disappointed that our schedules didn’t mesh. Later, I jumped on the chance to edit book three because I would get to read it earlier than the rest of the public. Here I am, old enough to be Jack Templar’s grandma, and I was exited!
See, along the way, I got hooked on the series in spite of some juvenile humor. Does that mean I have juvenile tastes? Maybe I am a little young at heart. But I think it's more a sign of Jeff Gunhus's storytelling skill. T-Rex’s nose-picking habit – yes, I was glad when he got over it in book two – was a minor flaw in a gem of a series crafted with enough depth and polish for adults.
I can’t promise I found every error because I was too engrossed to do a proper edit the first time around. I stayed up most of the night more than once because I didn’t want to stop reading. Plot, pacing, story structure, characterization, internal and external conflict, all well done. I loved the book for the characters and their relationships as much as for the nonstop action and plot twists even before I went through again and got to work on typos, grammar, all those nitpicky details, including inconsistencies. Voila, monstrous fun for humans and Creach.
This time around I got to find out some of the history and motivations of the monsters as well as the humans. I cried at heart-wrenching losses. There were some events I guessed but not as many as the ones where my mouth dropped open and I said to myself, “I did not see that coming!” I doubt you will either. Want to know what I mean? Read! But start at the first book to get the full significance of the revelations in this one. I hope you enjoy the book as much as I did.
See, along the way, I got hooked on the series in spite of some juvenile humor. Does that mean I have juvenile tastes? Maybe I am a little young at heart. But I think it's more a sign of Jeff Gunhus's storytelling skill. T-Rex’s nose-picking habit – yes, I was glad when he got over it in book two – was a minor flaw in a gem of a series crafted with enough depth and polish for adults.
I can’t promise I found every error because I was too engrossed to do a proper edit the first time around. I stayed up most of the night more than once because I didn’t want to stop reading. Plot, pacing, story structure, characterization, internal and external conflict, all well done. I loved the book for the characters and their relationships as much as for the nonstop action and plot twists even before I went through again and got to work on typos, grammar, all those nitpicky details, including inconsistencies. Voila, monstrous fun for humans and Creach.
This time around I got to find out some of the history and motivations of the monsters as well as the humans. I cried at heart-wrenching losses. There were some events I guessed but not as many as the ones where my mouth dropped open and I said to myself, “I did not see that coming!” I doubt you will either. Want to know what I mean? Read! But start at the first book to get the full significance of the revelations in this one. I hope you enjoy the book as much as I did.
October 18, 2013
I love these Jack Templar books. In fact, I just recommended them to one of my students when he asked, "I just finished reading the whole Percy Jackson series. What can I read that is similar?" These books are similar because the kids are on a quest and battling magical creatures, but they are more action-packed, darker, and don't spend quite as much time on character and world development.
This book, the third in the series, picks up the story right where book 2 left off. The group of protagonists encounter danger right from the start. They find themselves battling a horde of creepy creatures and discovering an uncomfortable truth about monster hunting hero. The action continues in Paris, where the Lord of the Vampires has an entire community of underground, slightly psycho vampires. When one of our favorite characters is captured, Jack and his friends devise a dangerous rescue plan.
My favorite thing about this book is that Jeff Gunhus strengthened the series by adding more character development and starting to flesh out the backstories of Jack, Ren Lucre, and the Vampire Lord. The characters and setting all feel more complete and their interactions are believable. Although there was one scene where the teenage protagonists got a bit "teenage-y," Gunhus did well not to linger on this. These characters know they have to save the world, and that's their main focus.
My only real concern with this book is that the cover seems a bit racy for a middle grades novel.
On a final note - I was so glad to see Xavier back. He fights creatures through math, science, and technology. Xavier reminds us that smart people can be awesome too.
I highly recommend this series!
This book, the third in the series, picks up the story right where book 2 left off. The group of protagonists encounter danger right from the start. They find themselves battling a horde of creepy creatures and discovering an uncomfortable truth about monster hunting hero. The action continues in Paris, where the Lord of the Vampires has an entire community of underground, slightly psycho vampires. When one of our favorite characters is captured, Jack and his friends devise a dangerous rescue plan.
My favorite thing about this book is that Jeff Gunhus strengthened the series by adding more character development and starting to flesh out the backstories of Jack, Ren Lucre, and the Vampire Lord. The characters and setting all feel more complete and their interactions are believable. Although there was one scene where the teenage protagonists got a bit "teenage-y," Gunhus did well not to linger on this. These characters know they have to save the world, and that's their main focus.
My only real concern with this book is that the cover seems a bit racy for a middle grades novel.
On a final note - I was so glad to see Xavier back. He fights creatures through math, science, and technology. Xavier reminds us that smart people can be awesome too.
I highly recommend this series!
October 23, 2013
5 stars
I hated every time I had to put the book down. This is full of drama, action, danger and history. The worst part of reading this series is my memory of the previous books. I just could not take the time to read the other books again right now. The story went from one drama action scene to another the whole way. It did not slow down the pace.
I liked the characters. Even the monsters. When we see some of them by their selves you can see their personality in them. The human characters are growing with their experiences but also staying true to themselves. They have weaknesses, but more positive traits. They want to save the world and their friends. They don't to let each other down.
I did stop and look up some of the scenes in Paris on the internet because they were fascinating to read about. It is the only way I will see them.
Jack and his two best friends and two monster hunters are on a mission to find the five Jerusalem Stones and bring them back together so they can save the world from all the monsters reuniting to fight against and destroy mankind. The stones are with different groups of monsters.
They decide to go after the vampire one first.
Before they can even try and find the vampire leader and its lair they have to find a man that might be able to help them. They have to face lots of challenges first. Working together they solve some of the puzzles and fights.
This is a book aimed at middle school. Harry Potter, Percy Jackson or Ranger Apprentice fans would like this series. Where really all ages can enjoy it. It is exciting adventure.
I was given this ebook to read and asked to give honest review of it and join the blog tour.
I hated every time I had to put the book down. This is full of drama, action, danger and history. The worst part of reading this series is my memory of the previous books. I just could not take the time to read the other books again right now. The story went from one drama action scene to another the whole way. It did not slow down the pace.
I liked the characters. Even the monsters. When we see some of them by their selves you can see their personality in them. The human characters are growing with their experiences but also staying true to themselves. They have weaknesses, but more positive traits. They want to save the world and their friends. They don't to let each other down.
I did stop and look up some of the scenes in Paris on the internet because they were fascinating to read about. It is the only way I will see them.
Jack and his two best friends and two monster hunters are on a mission to find the five Jerusalem Stones and bring them back together so they can save the world from all the monsters reuniting to fight against and destroy mankind. The stones are with different groups of monsters.
They decide to go after the vampire one first.
Before they can even try and find the vampire leader and its lair they have to find a man that might be able to help them. They have to face lots of challenges first. Working together they solve some of the puzzles and fights.
This is a book aimed at middle school. Harry Potter, Percy Jackson or Ranger Apprentice fans would like this series. Where really all ages can enjoy it. It is exciting adventure.
I was given this ebook to read and asked to give honest review of it and join the blog tour.
January 6, 2017
This book is about 6 teenagers that are around 16. They have to save the world from zombies, vampires, were-wolves, demons and other creepy creatures. The "one" is jack. He, with some help from his friends is suppose to defeat the almighty Ren Lecure. Its very complicated but Ren Lecure is actually his grandpa. Ren Lecure is also a vampire. He pretty much rules over all of the creach. Creach is what the author calls monsters. It is short for creachers. Anyway Ren Lecures daughter who also was a vampire married jacks dad. Then somehow she died. Jack believes his dad is in Ren Lecures dungeon rotting (but still alive). Basically they are on a quest to kill Ren Lecure.
The theme is probably friendship. Their group has had many issues with two boys (one of them being jack) liking the same girl that is also in the group. She is torn apart by them. She can't chose which one to like. Also this girl got turned into a vampire. The other boy that likes the girl, his name is daniel. He just got turned into a werewolf. The other three in the group try to break them up when they get into fights.
I like this book because it is super funny. Oh yea and its gruesome. I love the mixture of genres that the author puts into this book. I also like how descriptive the author is in his book. Its like I can completely see everything the author is saying. I also like how everything is very hard to understand but once you find out what everything means its pretty cool what time the author has probably put into coming up with the amazing back round story for everyone in this book.
The theme is probably friendship. Their group has had many issues with two boys (one of them being jack) liking the same girl that is also in the group. She is torn apart by them. She can't chose which one to like. Also this girl got turned into a vampire. The other boy that likes the girl, his name is daniel. He just got turned into a werewolf. The other three in the group try to break them up when they get into fights.
I like this book because it is super funny. Oh yea and its gruesome. I love the mixture of genres that the author puts into this book. I also like how descriptive the author is in his book. Its like I can completely see everything the author is saying. I also like how everything is very hard to understand but once you find out what everything means its pretty cool what time the author has probably put into coming up with the amazing back round story for everyone in this book.
August 5, 2014
Jack Templar: The Lord of the Vampires
By: Jeff Gunhus
The third book in Jeff Gunhus’s Jack Templar: Monster Hunter series doesn’t disappoint. Picking up where the second book left off, Jack’s exciting adventures continue. He and his friends have set out to find the Jerusalem stones that will save Jack’s father and save the world. The journey starts in Marrakech with Jack looking for the location of the Lord of the Vampires.
Fighting their way through monsters they find the man who reveals a riddle that will lead them to a weapon to destroy the Lord of the Vampires and collect the first of the five Jerusalem stones given to the five Lords of the Monsters.
More challenges arise, besides monsters as they attempt to solve the riddle and complete this first leg of their mission. They will travel to Paris, climb Notre Dame Cathedral and plumb the depths of the catacombs beneath Paris to achieve their goal. Oh and of course they encounter all manner of monsters.
Mr. Gunhus has once again created a story that his young readers will have trouble putting down until the last word is read and wanting to follow Jack’s next adventure in Book Four; Lord of the Werewolves. Please Mr. Gunhus, ‘Do your duty, Come what may.’ and finish the fourth book.
By: Jeff Gunhus
The third book in Jeff Gunhus’s Jack Templar: Monster Hunter series doesn’t disappoint. Picking up where the second book left off, Jack’s exciting adventures continue. He and his friends have set out to find the Jerusalem stones that will save Jack’s father and save the world. The journey starts in Marrakech with Jack looking for the location of the Lord of the Vampires.
Fighting their way through monsters they find the man who reveals a riddle that will lead them to a weapon to destroy the Lord of the Vampires and collect the first of the five Jerusalem stones given to the five Lords of the Monsters.
More challenges arise, besides monsters as they attempt to solve the riddle and complete this first leg of their mission. They will travel to Paris, climb Notre Dame Cathedral and plumb the depths of the catacombs beneath Paris to achieve their goal. Oh and of course they encounter all manner of monsters.
Mr. Gunhus has once again created a story that his young readers will have trouble putting down until the last word is read and wanting to follow Jack’s next adventure in Book Four; Lord of the Werewolves. Please Mr. Gunhus, ‘Do your duty, Come what may.’ and finish the fourth book.
September 1, 2014
This is the third book in the series that I have read, and although it is book three, it honestly can be read as a standalone book. The author does an excellent job of introducing the characters and main premise behind the book. For all of that, the author is to be commended. I am also happy to report that there is no profanity nor intimate scenes. This makes it a perfect fit with its correct genre--young adult.
My only minor complaint with this book is that it seems that the violence level has stepped up a bit. Although it is never gory nor inappropriate for this age range, I just feel that this may be intended for high school rather than middle school. Then again, the characters are a bit older. I fully expected this to be the end of the series, but I discovered at the end that I was wrong!
For much of the book, I was not overly interested in the storyline. For some unknown reason, I struggled to connect with the book. But the last twenty or so pages drew me into the books like the previous two did. If you are a fan of young adult fantasy, this book is definitely for you!
I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I was not financially compensated, and all opinions are 100 percent mine.
My only minor complaint with this book is that it seems that the violence level has stepped up a bit. Although it is never gory nor inappropriate for this age range, I just feel that this may be intended for high school rather than middle school. Then again, the characters are a bit older. I fully expected this to be the end of the series, but I discovered at the end that I was wrong!
For much of the book, I was not overly interested in the storyline. For some unknown reason, I struggled to connect with the book. But the last twenty or so pages drew me into the books like the previous two did. If you are a fan of young adult fantasy, this book is definitely for you!
I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I was not financially compensated, and all opinions are 100 percent mine.
October 17, 2013
With every book in this series I fall more in love with Jack and his cohorts. This book is packed with some really cool scenes taking place in the beautiful city of Paris. The descriptions were vivid and I could see how gorgeous everything was through the characters' eyes. Jack, along with Eva, Daniel, Will, T-Rex & Xavier don't seem to get more than a moment's peace between each life or death situation. Every one made my heart stop. Just like Jack, there were several moments when I thought "This is it. They can't get out of this one." Yet, they would make it through much to my relief. Jack learns so much about himself, the history of the Black Watch and even some of the Creach's history in this book. With all that's learned, I know there is that much more to come in the next books. I can't wait!! If you're a fan of Rick Riordan then add this series to your list. I'm not comparing or saying this series is like any of Riordan's, I'm just saying it's just as good and you'll love it! It's unique and will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Suitable for ages 11 & up. Mild language and moderate violence.
Suitable for ages 11 & up. Mild language and moderate violence.
October 16, 2013
Okay, now I have to just add my review in here, I have been an AVID follower since the very first book. And I must say how each book keeps MY interest and keeps me involved. And this one was no exception, in fact this one had me darn near in tears. No I won't go into more detail than that. What I will say is that the author has created a wonderful and dramatic world which is well suited to all ages. This book does have violence in it, and would be more suited for those children who can deal with that sort of thing. But it is done in a manner which is well suited to even the youngest of readers. My son is 10 and he absolutely LOVES this series!
Jack Templar is amazing, and his crew of other young children are equally amazing. Some of the things they do just will literally have you gasping and screaming out be careful!
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this book! Did I just yell??? Okay well that shows you how very much I loved this book! What are you waiting for? Click the link above and go buy it!!!
Jack Templar is amazing, and his crew of other young children are equally amazing. Some of the things they do just will literally have you gasping and screaming out be careful!
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this book! Did I just yell??? Okay well that shows you how very much I loved this book! What are you waiting for? Click the link above and go buy it!!!
August 31, 2014
BOOM BOOM BOOM... after the first two books, I shouldn't be surprised that the action starts right away, but I was caught off guard at how quickly and thoroughly this new phase of the journey began and was developed. We jump right into the characters as they begin their perilous journey to find the first of the Jerusalem stones, and fight the Lord of the Vampires... immediately we are introduced to a new set of creach, and background that gives background to the antagonist. Riddles and secrets lead this team into new depths of terror and danger... That only a true Templar can get out if... Is Jack up for the job? And OMG... The twist. So great, I can only tell you that you need to read this.
The first book in the series introduces the characters and problem. The second book offers the necessary training and background, and the third book delivers on it's promise to start a incredible journey.
The first book in the series introduces the characters and problem. The second book offers the necessary training and background, and the third book delivers on it's promise to start a incredible journey.
October 26, 2013
Picking up where the second book left off, this book has answered whatever remaining questions I had.
I think this series has also been getting more mature, and geared towards a more mature audience. It's says middle grade, but by this third book in the series, I would say it should be young adult now.
So much action, adventure and violence in this story. EMPHASIS on the violence, as it seemed Jack was fighting every one in this story.
I like the ending a ton!! You know there will be more to come, but there were no loose ends. No cliffhanger. I appreciated that after all the cliffs I am dangling from in other series.
Also like the tidbit the author leaves at the end for the reader, but you have to find out what that is by reading it.
This by far is my favorite of the three.
I think this series has also been getting more mature, and geared towards a more mature audience. It's says middle grade, but by this third book in the series, I would say it should be young adult now.
So much action, adventure and violence in this story. EMPHASIS on the violence, as it seemed Jack was fighting every one in this story.
I like the ending a ton!! You know there will be more to come, but there were no loose ends. No cliffhanger. I appreciated that after all the cliffs I am dangling from in other series.
Also like the tidbit the author leaves at the end for the reader, but you have to find out what that is by reading it.
This by far is my favorite of the three.
October 17, 2013
I received a copy of this book for an honest review.
This is the first Jack Templar book I’ve read and I am going to have to read the first two before the next one comes out. This book was difficult to put down once I got into it. Not only is there a lot of action, but it keeps you interested throughout. It is suspenseful, full of surprises, and it even made me cry.
It does have quite a bit of violence. How could it not have violence when Jack and his friends are monster hunters? It is done in such a way, however, that I don’t think it would bother most children, especially if they’re already reading books in the young adult genre.
I definitely recommend Jack Templar and the Lord of the Vampires.
This is the first Jack Templar book I’ve read and I am going to have to read the first two before the next one comes out. This book was difficult to put down once I got into it. Not only is there a lot of action, but it keeps you interested throughout. It is suspenseful, full of surprises, and it even made me cry.
It does have quite a bit of violence. How could it not have violence when Jack and his friends are monster hunters? It is done in such a way, however, that I don’t think it would bother most children, especially if they’re already reading books in the young adult genre.
I definitely recommend Jack Templar and the Lord of the Vampires.
November 16, 2013
Here’s another addition to the Jack Templar saga. Jack and his pals are on a quest that will test their skills and fortitude beyond what has gone before. Once again, I buzzed through this story enjoying every page as their adventure took a few unexpected detours. I thought it was well-written but I was a little disappointed that the world-building was not expanded further. I think it may be about time to introduce some new blood into Jack’s inner circle – add some diversity. I want another cool creature to help out! I also would have liked to have been given glimpses of Jack’s father. Hopefully, the next adventure will be ready soon!
This book was given to me by the author in exchange for my honest review.
Reviewed by Laurie-J
This book was given to me by the author in exchange for my honest review.
Reviewed by Laurie-J
July 24, 2014
Can Jack and his friends defeat the Vampire Lord and unite the Jerusalem Stones to win against the Creach? Come along for a wild ride through Paris as they try to solve a riddle and find the ultimate vampire weapon. The author paints an awesome picture of the sights and mysteries that highlight a travelers adventures throughout Paris both on the city streets and below. What about the demons that you can't see, the ones in our own psyche. Does Jack have the strength to battle both seen and unseen ones? Will the right choices be made or will those choices come back to bite him? Who lives, who dies? Do they really stand a chance? I believe that kids, teens and adults alike will enjoy this third installment of the Jack Templar Chronicles.
September 1, 2014
When I hear vampires, I get excited. I wonder how an author is going to introduce their mannerism. Their way of life. Their killing instinct and the list goes on. Most importantly what's in store for Jack and The lord of Vampires. What's in store for the reader? A Lot. I must admit, I believe this has been the best one in series yet. And I'm not just saying that because of my thing about vampires. The author continues to keep the excitement and action going. Characters are well developed and the storyline continues to keep readers highly engaged. Jack almost reminds me Percy Jackson. The excitement never ends.
September 1, 2014
First, I would like to thank the author Jeff Gunhus for giving me this book for an honest review. Great story, the world builing is nicely done and the story-line is great. The characters are well developed and written. The adventures that Jack Templar goes through are awesome. This series is a great read for middle-grade children and young adults. I am going to be reading the series to my grandchildren as it is a fun read and the kids will love all the action and adventures Jack experiences in these stories. I am looking forward to reading more from this author.
July 28, 2015
Lot's of great action in this book, it stays true to the beginning of the series in tone and style. There are a few really great emotional moments in this book that make it easy to connect to as an adult but a lot of well writing action scenes that younger readers will love.
The descriptions of the scenery are also fantastic, Gunhus's writing brings the world to life in my mind reminds me of the writers of my childhood and the vivid worlds that they created.
The descriptions of the scenery are also fantastic, Gunhus's writing brings the world to life in my mind reminds me of the writers of my childhood and the vivid worlds that they created.
December 15, 2015
Characters are well developed and the storyline continues to keep readers highly engaged. Jack almost reminds me Percy Jackson. The excitement never ends.
To read the rest of the review and more about this series, simply follow the link: http://www.aleisuremoment.com/2014/09...
September 2, 2014
Such an amazing 3rd book. I feel like i am repeating myself. This 3rd book was so awesome and let me going "what?" So Jack is off to find the 1st stone from the vampire lord. So much heartache. So many surprises. Now I have to read the 3rd one and I just can not wait.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
October 11, 2015
Jack and the Lord of the Vampires
Excellent second book! cannot wait to read the rest of the books. Thanks Jeff you never disappoint me. I have read other books you have written and love all of them.
Excellent second book! cannot wait to read the rest of the books. Thanks Jeff you never disappoint me. I have read other books you have written and love all of them.
February 10, 2017
Blood bath
With vampires everywhere and an impossible quest ahead, the team moves forward courageously. A love story is the only thing that can save them. This book seemed slow in the beginning but soon consumed me. Beware.
With vampires everywhere and an impossible quest ahead, the team moves forward courageously. A love story is the only thing that can save them. This book seemed slow in the beginning but soon consumed me. Beware.
October 19, 2013
The first two books were really good and this was topped those. Great series, cant wait for the next book.
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