What do you think?
Rate this book
The Vampyricon #1
The Priest of Blood
The Barnes & Noble Review
Douglas Clegg's The Priest of Blood, the first installment in his much-anticipated Vampyricon saga, is an intense and grisly dark fantasy, set in the 12th century, that rivals Anne Rice's Vampire Chronicles and Chelsea Quinn Yarbro's Saint-Germain sequence in both sheer narrative scope and unbridled, violent eroticism.
Douglas Clegg's The Priest of Blood, the first installment in his much-anticipated Vampyricon saga, is an intense and grisly dark fantasy, set in the 12th century, that rivals Anne Rice's Vampire Chronicles and Chelsea Quinn Yarbro's Saint-Germain sequence in both sheer narrative scope and unbridled, violent eroticism.
Aleric Atheffelde is the son of an impoverished woman who was forced to prostitute herself to feed her children. His life in the woodlands of medieval Brittany is changed forever when he is hired on by a local baron to serve the hunt and train falcons. His talent with birds of prey offers Aleric a respite from the destitution and brutality around him -- that is, until his mother is arrested and executed for consorting with the Devil. Exiled to the Holy Land to fight -- and die -- in the wars, Aleric finds himself in a distant outpost face-to-face with a beautiful, demonic seductress who becomes his mother, his lover, his savior, and his murderer. When Aleric rises from his grave as one of the blood-drinking undead, he awakens into a shadowy realm of nightmarish a world where he could be the prophesied messiah destined to return dominion to those of his kind
Since the publication of Bram Stoker's Dracula in 1897, the vampire theme has been extensively explored and revised in literally thousands of short stories and novels; but in The Priest of Blood, Clegg completely reconstructs the legend of vampires from the ground up, creating a complex, ancient history with its own arcane and sadistic mythos. If The Priest of Blood is any indication, Clegg's Vampyricon saga will be a blood-sucking masterpiece of truly epic Two fangs up! Paul Goat Allen
328 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2004
518 people are currently reading
1243 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
February 14, 2018
I normally love Clegg's writing but this one did not work for me.
I found The Priest of Blood to be a muddled mess that takes too long to get anywhere, hardly does anything, and does not leave me wanting more. It really felt like parts of three or four underdeveloped novels slapped together with a prologue that somehow made things more confusing instead of tying it all together, as well as robbing the narrative of immediacy. Though fairly original, the vampyre mythology was confusing and hard to follow.
The settings were often rich but I couldn't connect any of the characters. Pacing seemed to be the second biggest problem. Sometimes the writing felt suitably atmospheric, but most of the time I was left scratching my head why so much fluff was left on the page that couldn't have been summarized in favor of some action.
I found The Priest of Blood to be a muddled mess that takes too long to get anywhere, hardly does anything, and does not leave me wanting more. It really felt like parts of three or four underdeveloped novels slapped together with a prologue that somehow made things more confusing instead of tying it all together, as well as robbing the narrative of immediacy. Though fairly original, the vampyre mythology was confusing and hard to follow.
The settings were often rich but I couldn't connect any of the characters. Pacing seemed to be the second biggest problem. Sometimes the writing felt suitably atmospheric, but most of the time I was left scratching my head why so much fluff was left on the page that couldn't have been summarized in favor of some action.
April 14, 2008
blah blah blah vampires blah blah blah eroticism blah blah blah etc.
This was not what I was expecting for something held up by a reviewer as giving "the iconic vampire a massive makeover and draws fresh possibilities..." And on the spine it says "dark fantasy." Imagine my anticipation as I began to read... finally, a fantasy of vampires, with a fresh, bold direction!
Now imagine my utter disappointment as page after page of mediocre cliches assaulted my eyes.
Set in the very real world of the Middle Ages, it toys with pagan beliefs and the intersection with Christianity... showing some promise. But the vampires just suck the life out of it. I mean, come on, how friggin' "new and exciting" is it for the victim to enjoy being fed on? Or for there to be erotic overtones to everything about being a vampire?
The big addition: a slightly new origin for the vampire race and the role of the Priest of Blood. Of course, that gets all sorts of psuedo-mythological mumbo-jumbo going, another pitfall.
Still not worth it to me, but I allow for my complete disappointment in what I had expected versus reality and I say the book was "OK."
I won't be reading the sequel.
This was not what I was expecting for something held up by a reviewer as giving "the iconic vampire a massive makeover and draws fresh possibilities..." And on the spine it says "dark fantasy." Imagine my anticipation as I began to read... finally, a fantasy of vampires, with a fresh, bold direction!
Now imagine my utter disappointment as page after page of mediocre cliches assaulted my eyes.
Set in the very real world of the Middle Ages, it toys with pagan beliefs and the intersection with Christianity... showing some promise. But the vampires just suck the life out of it. I mean, come on, how friggin' "new and exciting" is it for the victim to enjoy being fed on? Or for there to be erotic overtones to everything about being a vampire?
The big addition: a slightly new origin for the vampire race and the role of the Priest of Blood. Of course, that gets all sorts of psuedo-mythological mumbo-jumbo going, another pitfall.
Still not worth it to me, but I allow for my complete disappointment in what I had expected versus reality and I say the book was "OK."
I won't be reading the sequel.
August 8, 2018
Good story elements, a bit lengthy to read
Liked most of the content, fairly original approach on the vampires concept. I also liked the premises of the story starting in the Brittany region (since that's where I grew up :D). However, the writing style is somewhat slow and lengthy and I struggled finishing this volume. Not sure I'm interested enough to continue reading this trilogy. The hero has it a bit too easy, all things considered. And the last trap he falls into seems just, well, stupid :-/ I have a feeling he'll easily and conveniently escape that as well, so... Meh.
Liked most of the content, fairly original approach on the vampires concept. I also liked the premises of the story starting in the Brittany region (since that's where I grew up :D). However, the writing style is somewhat slow and lengthy and I struggled finishing this volume. Not sure I'm interested enough to continue reading this trilogy. The hero has it a bit too easy, all things considered. And the last trap he falls into seems just, well, stupid :-/ I have a feeling he'll easily and conveniently escape that as well, so... Meh.
January 17, 2017
This is the first book in a trilogy called “The Vampyricon”. It is the growing up of a boy, and his eventual lead into being a vampyre. Clegg changes a few things about a vampyre, and makes them his own, which adds to the story, as it's not all cliché vampyre stuff. It is set in a mythical dark ages period, an draws on a chapter from The Crusades, but even that history is warped. Clegg even explained that he didn't want the story to be verbatim, but more or less his world, than factual. And what Clegg tried to do, he succeeded at, and then some.
This is new territory for Clegg. Even though it is a horror novel, it is more a fantasy story. Clegg has jumped into the fantasy setting with ease, without losing any of his horror fans. This is a solid book by Clegg that was a very interesting read, and not your typical vampyre story..
This is new territory for Clegg. Even though it is a horror novel, it is more a fantasy story. Clegg has jumped into the fantasy setting with ease, without losing any of his horror fans. This is a solid book by Clegg that was a very interesting read, and not your typical vampyre story..
February 26, 2008
Sometimes you CAN judge a book by it's cover.
July 16, 2018
I liked the first part of this book, but after he turns into a vampire the character and plot spins out of their initial frame and I lost my interest. You just get many pages with the character trying to justify the vampires predatory behavior and a lot of exposition trying to clarify the confusing vampire world. After a hundred pages I didn't care anymore. If the story had come back in less ambitious ways to the initial plot scenario of the first part of the story, the main character could have somehow made things better and redeemed himself, but the story goes immediately to a huge war scenario where the first scenario is destroyed and nothing much matters anymore.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 13, 2018
This was such an uneven book that rating it is really difficult. The first half of the books and the last half don’t really work together; it felt like there were two halves of a story that were forced into the same plot with some duct tape and a couple of scenes at the end.
This is definitely a different take of vampires, with a mythology that I’ve never seen before, and that takes some effort. The ending was so different, and so steeped in symbolism and mythos, that I’m still not entirely sure I understand what happened.
I give it points for being such an original take on what is usually such a tired subject. But I never really seemed to “connect” with the book or the characters, so I wasn’t as immersed in the experience as I should have been. It was okay, but not something I care enough about to finish the trilogy.
This is definitely a different take of vampires, with a mythology that I’ve never seen before, and that takes some effort. The ending was so different, and so steeped in symbolism and mythos, that I’m still not entirely sure I understand what happened.
I give it points for being such an original take on what is usually such a tired subject. But I never really seemed to “connect” with the book or the characters, so I wasn’t as immersed in the experience as I should have been. It was okay, but not something I care enough about to finish the trilogy.
January 13, 2015
Pardon the pun, but I’m a sucker for vampire fiction, and especially when it has historical elements. In that regard, The Priest of Blood worked well for me as a reader. Turned by the vampyre Pythia, while involved in the Crusades, Falconer recalls his life growing up as the bastard offspring of the village whore.
Much of the book tells of his early years in Brittany, and of the boy’s need to prove his worth considering his humble beginnings. We learn that Falconer has a gift for working with birds and eventually is employed by the local baron.
But life for Falconer is a trial. He never quite fits in, and an ill-starred passion for a woman far beyond his station results in his being sent to fight in the Holy Land, where he ultimately meets his doom.
Yet among the damned, it appears that Falconer is exalted – a chosen one and their Priest of Blood, with all that the role entails. He and his companions embark on a journey to their source in order to gain a better understanding of their kind and to find a solution to eradicate a frailty in their bloodline. As for what they find once they discover their goal – their actions will have far-reaching ramifications.
And that’s pretty much what book one is about, since it functions as a prologue for what I assume to be more to follow. Essentially, if you’re waiting for things to get off the ground, you’ll be in for a disappointment.
That being said, what I did enjoy was the last part of the story, when the companions really get going in their explorations. the many wonders they discover are fascinating, if not bizarre – and certainly off quite a nice diversion from the usual vampire origin stories. I kept thinking this was Indiana Jones meets The Queen of the Damned.
Clegg weaves a tale on epic proportions, with much depth, though at times I felt I wanted a little more input with regard to the environment – to put it bluntly, a little more “show” to counterbalance his telling. I can’t fault the latter. He does it well, though at times I also feel to detriment of characterisation. I wanted a little more in that department too.
My verdict: this story is wordy and sometimes ponderous, but if you’re a huge fan of vampires, and are a patient reader who has enjoyed Anne Rice, then this may appeal to you.
Much of the book tells of his early years in Brittany, and of the boy’s need to prove his worth considering his humble beginnings. We learn that Falconer has a gift for working with birds and eventually is employed by the local baron.
But life for Falconer is a trial. He never quite fits in, and an ill-starred passion for a woman far beyond his station results in his being sent to fight in the Holy Land, where he ultimately meets his doom.
Yet among the damned, it appears that Falconer is exalted – a chosen one and their Priest of Blood, with all that the role entails. He and his companions embark on a journey to their source in order to gain a better understanding of their kind and to find a solution to eradicate a frailty in their bloodline. As for what they find once they discover their goal – their actions will have far-reaching ramifications.
And that’s pretty much what book one is about, since it functions as a prologue for what I assume to be more to follow. Essentially, if you’re waiting for things to get off the ground, you’ll be in for a disappointment.
That being said, what I did enjoy was the last part of the story, when the companions really get going in their explorations. the many wonders they discover are fascinating, if not bizarre – and certainly off quite a nice diversion from the usual vampire origin stories. I kept thinking this was Indiana Jones meets The Queen of the Damned.
Clegg weaves a tale on epic proportions, with much depth, though at times I felt I wanted a little more input with regard to the environment – to put it bluntly, a little more “show” to counterbalance his telling. I can’t fault the latter. He does it well, though at times I also feel to detriment of characterisation. I wanted a little more in that department too.
My verdict: this story is wordy and sometimes ponderous, but if you’re a huge fan of vampires, and are a patient reader who has enjoyed Anne Rice, then this may appeal to you.
June 8, 2009
I found this book at a library sale and expected the quality of a cast-off secondhand, having never heard of Clegg's work. Imagine my surprise when I started reading and found it to be a real page turner! Every page made me wonder "Just what on earth could happen next to this poor guy?" The suspense of an uncertain future with a hard luck character and his descent into vampirism are far less romantic and cliche than the back summary would have you believe.
This book is dark, gritty, and far more down to earth than I expected with fairly believable characters and some interesting plot twists. It's very different from other vampires books I've read with its touch of Celtic mysticism and period medieval atmosphere that make it a unique setting, though I believe Clegg could have pushed the atmosphere even more by researching and showing more specific battles of the time. Still, as a servant for the main character, it makes sense that they would not be too involved in the politics rather than the rough and tumble bloodshed of war.
As for the vampirism in this novel, it's not so much erotic as it is animalistic, a pleasant change from stereotypical dark vampire behavior. There is a level of eroticism to this book, but nowhere near the level of something more purposefully erotic like the Kushiel series. The vampires in this universe seem much more a part of the natural world with their pack mentality and distinct change from human to animalistic thinking. This characterization seems inconsistent at times, but I trust Clegg will explain such things in the later additions to this series.
Despite some rather awkward moments of digression in the narrative and strange metaphors alluding to barbed cat phalli, I found this book to be highly entertaining and will be looking up the rest in the series.
This book is dark, gritty, and far more down to earth than I expected with fairly believable characters and some interesting plot twists. It's very different from other vampires books I've read with its touch of Celtic mysticism and period medieval atmosphere that make it a unique setting, though I believe Clegg could have pushed the atmosphere even more by researching and showing more specific battles of the time. Still, as a servant for the main character, it makes sense that they would not be too involved in the politics rather than the rough and tumble bloodshed of war.
As for the vampirism in this novel, it's not so much erotic as it is animalistic, a pleasant change from stereotypical dark vampire behavior. There is a level of eroticism to this book, but nowhere near the level of something more purposefully erotic like the Kushiel series. The vampires in this universe seem much more a part of the natural world with their pack mentality and distinct change from human to animalistic thinking. This characterization seems inconsistent at times, but I trust Clegg will explain such things in the later additions to this series.
Despite some rather awkward moments of digression in the narrative and strange metaphors alluding to barbed cat phalli, I found this book to be highly entertaining and will be looking up the rest in the series.
December 2, 2017
A Vampire Story You Don't Want To Miss!
A refreshingly new vampire novel. Spanning from a time before the kings and queens of Egypt lived to modern day. Clegg has created a complex and fascinating timeline. His novel makes you feel as if you are living in the story.
A refreshingly new vampire novel. Spanning from a time before the kings and queens of Egypt lived to modern day. Clegg has created a complex and fascinating timeline. His novel makes you feel as if you are living in the story.
May 28, 2018
Unbelievable book.
I was enthralled with all that was set forth with this story. There are two more books to this series that I must get to see the whole outcome of it.
I was enthralled with all that was set forth with this story. There are two more books to this series that I must get to see the whole outcome of it.
December 17, 2018
Fantastic imagery
The details in this book paint vivid pictures. It reads as literary, but with the magic of fantasy. Absolutely superb.
The details in this book paint vivid pictures. It reads as literary, but with the magic of fantasy. Absolutely superb.
June 6, 2018
“Once upon a time, in the long ago. That world is gone. The wind has taken it to sea.” A jewel of a tear arose at the edge of his eye. “Gone. But you, you are from a great bloodline. Magnificent. That you must never forget. We are children of this Forest. We planted these trees, and our souls remain here.”
Through a lot of foreshadowing and great words, this story kept my interest. There were times I wanted to put it down because it just seemed to drag in places, which is my reasoning for the three stars but I made it. I don't plan on reading the rest of the series simply because he could bring me into the book, even though it was a great story.
The main character had a lot of trials in his life and the wording was just great. It made me wish I was more into the way of writing to enjoy the words that she put on each page.
There were some interesting characters and the development of each character was magnificent!
The villain was absolutely great as well, though I am not sure if they meet her or not are I couldn't stay interested enough to read the last 20% of the book.
Oddly enough I would say give the book a try, it just wasn't up my alley as far as books go. I did love and hate things about the book. It was a very interesting book.
Through a lot of foreshadowing and great words, this story kept my interest. There were times I wanted to put it down because it just seemed to drag in places, which is my reasoning for the three stars but I made it. I don't plan on reading the rest of the series simply because he could bring me into the book, even though it was a great story.
The main character had a lot of trials in his life and the wording was just great. It made me wish I was more into the way of writing to enjoy the words that she put on each page.
There were some interesting characters and the development of each character was magnificent!
The villain was absolutely great as well, though I am not sure if they meet her or not are I couldn't stay interested enough to read the last 20% of the book.
Oddly enough I would say give the book a try, it just wasn't up my alley as far as books go. I did love and hate things about the book. It was a very interesting book.
May 31, 2018
Good not great
This book was actually super interesting until the main character became a vampire! Probably a personal preference but I really enjoyed the story of the midieval village and the witches in the forest much more than the vampire mythos. If you're a big vampire fan this is a fun and somewhat original take on the vampire origin story. Bloody at times but certainly not scary. I felt like a lot of the most interesting characters and plot dynamics were lost once Aleric left his village but perhaps they'll be revisited in the sequels. Also take my review with a grain of salt as I alluded to earlier, I'm much more a fan of historical fiction than horror/vampire novels.
This book was actually super interesting until the main character became a vampire! Probably a personal preference but I really enjoyed the story of the midieval village and the witches in the forest much more than the vampire mythos. If you're a big vampire fan this is a fun and somewhat original take on the vampire origin story. Bloody at times but certainly not scary. I felt like a lot of the most interesting characters and plot dynamics were lost once Aleric left his village but perhaps they'll be revisited in the sequels. Also take my review with a grain of salt as I alluded to earlier, I'm much more a fan of historical fiction than horror/vampire novels.
December 29, 2018
Really interesting different take on vampires
I really liked this book, sad though as it was mostly. It really makes you appreciate being born in this time that's for sure. Most people had it so bad in the past centuries and this story just reinforced that for me. It's like reading a story of how a poor kid lived in ancient times and then the vampire part of course lol, but really good book! I wish there were more vampire stories written really well like this one was. Pretty easy read mostly, some things for a bit repetitious but it wasn't that bad. Worth the read for sure! and two more books to go!
I really liked this book, sad though as it was mostly. It really makes you appreciate being born in this time that's for sure. Most people had it so bad in the past centuries and this story just reinforced that for me. It's like reading a story of how a poor kid lived in ancient times and then the vampire part of course lol, but really good book! I wish there were more vampire stories written really well like this one was. Pretty easy read mostly, some things for a bit repetitious but it wasn't that bad. Worth the read for sure! and two more books to go!
January 29, 2018
A bit disappointed
I have hoped for more excitement with this book title. I had a feeling I was reading a documentation, sorry. As well the book needs an editor, to many mistakes.
Not enough conversations within the characters to make it more readable, to build up the storyline.
I was dragging myself through the book and jumped to different parts of the story.
The only thing I enjoyed is the historical part with certain God's and religion.
Sorry about the negative review.
I have hoped for more excitement with this book title. I had a feeling I was reading a documentation, sorry. As well the book needs an editor, to many mistakes.
Not enough conversations within the characters to make it more readable, to build up the storyline.
I was dragging myself through the book and jumped to different parts of the story.
The only thing I enjoyed is the historical part with certain God's and religion.
Sorry about the negative review.
June 3, 2018
Boring long and tedious . Stick to serial killers. Sorry I don't have twenty words to say about a bad book, ladeda, ladeda, ladeda
Long boring tedious. I kept reading to get to the good part but it isn't
there. Douglas needs to stick to serial killers. Appreciate that Douglas wanted to try a new approach, but I'm through wasting my time waiting for it to get interest. I rarely don't read a book to the end, but this one is too boring
Long boring tedious. I kept reading to get to the good part but it isn't
there. Douglas needs to stick to serial killers. Appreciate that Douglas wanted to try a new approach, but I'm through wasting my time waiting for it to get interest. I rarely don't read a book to the end, but this one is too boring
April 30, 2019
😮
I haven't read a Douglass Clegg book that I haven't enjoyed yet! This book though I found I enjoyed the second half much much more than the first half. It literally felt like two completely different books. That isn't a bad thing and the first half was needed to tie up nicely with the second half. To know how and where it all began was necessary. The background of childhood and the hardships endured in the end shaped the man as it should have.
I haven't read a Douglass Clegg book that I haven't enjoyed yet! This book though I found I enjoyed the second half much much more than the first half. It literally felt like two completely different books. That isn't a bad thing and the first half was needed to tie up nicely with the second half. To know how and where it all began was necessary. The background of childhood and the hardships endured in the end shaped the man as it should have.
November 20, 2017
It was boring and it just didn't do for me.
I did try to get into it but I made it to the third chapter - when he is still describing his youth and all the superstition. The writing, the plot, the historic style is obviously not for me.
I was waiting for vampires but nothing so far.
I won't finish this one.
I did try to get into it but I made it to the third chapter - when he is still describing his youth and all the superstition. The writing, the plot, the historic style is obviously not for me.
I was waiting for vampires but nothing so far.
I won't finish this one.
April 27, 2018
It started out sounding like it would be an interesting read but then it went to the character as a child and stayed there with not much growth or progress, just using the skills it already talked about. This seems like an attempt to twist history by making legends/myths real but it fell flat too soon for me to finish.
October 30, 2018
DNF.
I could barely get through the first few chapters. It felt tedious and long winded as if it was going nowhere fast. At times it seemed the narrator went off track and digressed a bit. The idea interested me and thoughts if a "different" vampire story lored me in, but I was sadly disappointed with this one.
I could barely get through the first few chapters. It felt tedious and long winded as if it was going nowhere fast. At times it seemed the narrator went off track and digressed a bit. The idea interested me and thoughts if a "different" vampire story lored me in, but I was sadly disappointed with this one.
January 22, 2024
I do not like books that has no ending. I understand the purpose of a series is to continue the story but, each book must have a reasonable ending. There were also a very detail account of his life pre-vampirism that has no real use. At least I expected a venganza towards those that harm him and his family at home, but it does not seem to be the road this story is taking. Otherwise, the story of vampirism and the princesa us very original and entertaining.
July 12, 2017
I had to put the book down towards the end of part 1. All I'm reading is "and we shit on the MC" again and again. "Oh, he wasn't miserable enough? Let's make it worse, again."
It isn't fun to read, so I'm done. There's only so much grief I should be forced to sit through
It isn't fun to read, so I'm done. There's only so much grief I should be forced to sit through
December 11, 2017
I liked the book but after he became a vampire I got lost. Never would I have liked to live during this period with so myth, superstition and the church ruling. I also think the first thing I would do after becoming a vampire is to go back home and take care of my enemies.
November 19, 2019
Very Cool...
Probably the best vampire novel I've read. The characterization was brilliant. The plot superb. Will definitely finish this series. Have read other novels by Mr. Clegg, and can recommend them all.
Probably the best vampire novel I've read. The characterization was brilliant. The plot superb. Will definitely finish this series. Have read other novels by Mr. Clegg, and can recommend them all.
Read
June 26, 2020The Priest of Blood
A different take on the vampire stories. Good world and character building, interesting storyline. This book has a cliffhanger, but I'm interested enough to continue the saga.
A different take on the vampire stories. Good world and character building, interesting storyline. This book has a cliffhanger, but I'm interested enough to continue the saga.
June 3, 2023
Confusing. A vampire tale that I surprisingly couldn't get into reading. Put it down midway, but my habit of not finishing books even if I don't like them much made me pick it up again and finish it. The last page was a bit riveting, and then found out it's a series. Bummer. Won't continue
November 9, 2017
Short and Sweet
A very nose short read . I love more of the story so I hope there is more to come
A very nose short read . I love more of the story so I hope there is more to come
August 14, 2018
Wasn't my fav. I kept hoping for it to pick up but the whole book kind of drug on for me.
April 26, 2019
This was a bit too much horror for me.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews