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Vampire Hunter D
Noble V: Greylancer
It is the year 7000 by Noble reckoning, and the vampire rulers of the world have grown complacent. When the Outer Space Beings invade, the Noble warrior Greylancer must pit his skills and magic against the technology of the OSBs, quash an anti-Noble rebellion, and, when he is critically injured, turn to mere humans for help. The Three Thousand Year War of Vampire Hunter D begins here! None
280 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 19, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
April 12, 2015
Now here's a new and interesting take on Hideyuki Kikuchi's famous world of Vampire Hunter D. Only now we have a new character just as dangerous and possibly even deadlier, the Noble Greylancer, the ferocious overseer of the Northern Frontier, in a tale that is set several thousand years before D's time, during the Nobles war against the OSB. The change of perspective is refreshing. Greylancer himself is more problematic. He maybe the protagonist, but he's no hero, at least not to humans, who he regards as little more than livestock. Kikuchi tries very hard to make the Nobles not human, and he doesn't always succeed, and some times the effort really shows. What's fun is we travel all over the place, thanks to Greylancer. We literally go from the moon to the Frontier, and a lot of places in between. We get to see the world that was,before D's time. And Greylancer has his moments. All in all, this is a fun read, with a lot of fighting, and several conspiracies.
May 8, 2026
I read the Greylancer in 24H I started in one night and finished in the other day.
Last month I read a Vampire Hunter D novel (part 1 and 2). While waiting to read part 3 and 4 I thought of reading this one.
Although it is set on the same world , it's a different timeline. So basically this is around 5 thousand years before the books of Vampire Hunter V. In this we follow the noble Greylancer from one of the most important familes within the Vampires. One thing is for sure, it provided more background that Vampire Hunter D. Interesting is that in the book I've read they hinted about an alien invasion and this book is within that timeframe. We follow Greylancer from Earth to the Far Side of the Moon fighting them and then on earth first trying to get his bearings and then going to the capital to handle some Vampires.
One thing I will say of the bat is that this translation or at least this book is way better translated that the Vampire Hunter D. IT flows so beautifully while Vampire Hunter D sometimes seem clunky (is that the word?) and boring. The main reason I don't read more Vampire Hunter D is because of just that. Although I would say comparing the first few with the last I read the translator improved a bit.
Kikuchi has a good imagination on the world building. In terms of characters apart from the main ones (because he needs to be mysterious and all-powerful) the others feel more genuine. Here is the same thing. I enjoyed Mayerling and some of the humans.
The action scenes - I believe it's the weakest point by him. It's confusing and over very fast. If you are starting Vampire Hunter D you can read this since it's a prequel but other character. If you are reading Vampire Hunter D, since Greylancer appears in one of the novels (Nightmare Village - Book 22) I would say you can read anytime before it.
I enjoyed it as it gives more background to the world and the nobles. Unfortunately Kikuchi doesn't write that well Greylancer. I mean he is supposed to be anti-heroe but it doesn't show that. 80/100
Last month I read a Vampire Hunter D novel (part 1 and 2). While waiting to read part 3 and 4 I thought of reading this one.
Although it is set on the same world , it's a different timeline. So basically this is around 5 thousand years before the books of Vampire Hunter V. In this we follow the noble Greylancer from one of the most important familes within the Vampires. One thing is for sure, it provided more background that Vampire Hunter D. Interesting is that in the book I've read they hinted about an alien invasion and this book is within that timeframe. We follow Greylancer from Earth to the Far Side of the Moon fighting them and then on earth first trying to get his bearings and then going to the capital to handle some Vampires.
One thing I will say of the bat is that this translation or at least this book is way better translated that the Vampire Hunter D. IT flows so beautifully while Vampire Hunter D sometimes seem clunky (is that the word?) and boring. The main reason I don't read more Vampire Hunter D is because of just that. Although I would say comparing the first few with the last I read the translator improved a bit.
Kikuchi has a good imagination on the world building. In terms of characters apart from the main ones (because he needs to be mysterious and all-powerful) the others feel more genuine. Here is the same thing. I enjoyed Mayerling and some of the humans.
The action scenes - I believe it's the weakest point by him. It's confusing and over very fast. If you are starting Vampire Hunter D you can read this since it's a prequel but other character. If you are reading Vampire Hunter D, since Greylancer appears in one of the novels (Nightmare Village - Book 22) I would say you can read anytime before it.
I enjoyed it as it gives more background to the world and the nobles. Unfortunately Kikuchi doesn't write that well Greylancer. I mean he is supposed to be anti-heroe but it doesn't show that. 80/100
June 25, 2013
The author creates a world in which vampires are the dominant species of a distant planet that is invaded by an alien race. The aliens are determined to take this resourceful planet and make it their own. In the mean time the vampire race is hell bent on preventing the invaders from conquering their planet, while at the same time keeping their food source in line. This book does not go into much detail about the relationships between vampires and humans. It mostly focuses on the war that is taking place on the planet. Vampires are considered an elite race that are overlords to a trembling human population. One character rises to the occasion and makes it his life purpose to destroy the alien intruders. His name is Greylancer, only son of the original vampire that has not been seen in 5,000. He is a being that is cold to touch and cold in heart.
This book focuses mostly on the war efforts of the vampires and alien race. It has very little human interaction and if it does the humans are treated poorly. It is almost impossible to like the main character due to his coldness and distant attitude. However, the author did provide some history into why the main character is the way he is. I have to say that this book was a little confusing after about the third chapter. I understand that their are other stories that exist with this character and I have not had an opportunity to read them. I think this book would be good for someone who is well versed in the history of this world and can appreciate what the author is saying. The book is well written, full of action, and is fast paced. It does not disappoint there at all, but if you are not familiar with the story there is really no point in picking it up. I understand that there are some loyal fans out there and my hat is off to you. I would love to learn more about this character and his world. My true score would be a 3.5, but I cannot do that so I have to put 3.
This book focuses mostly on the war efforts of the vampires and alien race. It has very little human interaction and if it does the humans are treated poorly. It is almost impossible to like the main character due to his coldness and distant attitude. However, the author did provide some history into why the main character is the way he is. I have to say that this book was a little confusing after about the third chapter. I understand that their are other stories that exist with this character and I have not had an opportunity to read them. I think this book would be good for someone who is well versed in the history of this world and can appreciate what the author is saying. The book is well written, full of action, and is fast paced. It does not disappoint there at all, but if you are not familiar with the story there is really no point in picking it up. I understand that there are some loyal fans out there and my hat is off to you. I would love to learn more about this character and his world. My true score would be a 3.5, but I cannot do that so I have to put 3.
May 3, 2022
So I finished reading Noble V: Greylancer by Hideyuki Kikuchi. It's a spinoff prequel to VHD. It takes place in the year 7000, 5 centuries before VHD Volume 1.
I thought the book was great. I haven't consumed a book so much in a long time. I was glued to it for days. The author obviously thought what it would be like to create a hero from the Noble's side. And there's a couple of VHD references from Volume 1 and 3 in it. The character of Greylancer is no friend to the humans or the vampires, a total cold blooded anti hero. He's not bad but I wish there was more exploration with feelings towards the human characters. I love Hideyuki Kikuchi's style of storytelling, mixing horror and sci-fi. It has an interesting take with vampire militarism and how cold blooded these vampires can be to their human subjects despite the fact they are protecting them but still drink their blood.
My biggest gripe was the book cover. It's hideous. I thank goodness the artist didn't make any pictures in the book just like the VHD books. But you know what tick me off the most. The Japanese Artist for Greylancer was Ayumi Kojima, the artist behind Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. I was like "Are you kidding me?! Her art is beyond beautiful but this artist to make this hideous US cover?! (Insert gigantic amount of swearing here)".
Anyway, I hope if there's more Greylancer books by the author, they get translated to English. And don't hire this US artist to do the cover .... EVER!!!!!!!
I thought the book was great. I haven't consumed a book so much in a long time. I was glued to it for days. The author obviously thought what it would be like to create a hero from the Noble's side. And there's a couple of VHD references from Volume 1 and 3 in it. The character of Greylancer is no friend to the humans or the vampires, a total cold blooded anti hero. He's not bad but I wish there was more exploration with feelings towards the human characters. I love Hideyuki Kikuchi's style of storytelling, mixing horror and sci-fi. It has an interesting take with vampire militarism and how cold blooded these vampires can be to their human subjects despite the fact they are protecting them but still drink their blood.
My biggest gripe was the book cover. It's hideous. I thank goodness the artist didn't make any pictures in the book just like the VHD books. But you know what tick me off the most. The Japanese Artist for Greylancer was Ayumi Kojima, the artist behind Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. I was like "Are you kidding me?! Her art is beyond beautiful but this artist to make this hideous US cover?! (Insert gigantic amount of swearing here)".
Anyway, I hope if there's more Greylancer books by the author, they get translated to English. And don't hire this US artist to do the cover .... EVER!!!!!!!
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June 10, 2024I was eager to see what the world looked like during the height of the Nobility's power. Alas, I read this book right as my love affair with Vampire Hunter D was coming to an end, got about halfway through, and never finished it.
The translation was lacking for this one, that much was clear. The writing was very disjointed and it seemed as if the characters were running around like chickens with their heads cut off. Maybe that was the point, but I found it hard to read.
You do get a fascinating glimpse of vampire society through the eyes of Greylancer, a more sympathetic Noble. I still love this universe and derived inspiration from it for my own fictional worlds.
The translation was lacking for this one, that much was clear. The writing was very disjointed and it seemed as if the characters were running around like chickens with their heads cut off. Maybe that was the point, but I found it hard to read.
You do get a fascinating glimpse of vampire society through the eyes of Greylancer, a more sympathetic Noble. I still love this universe and derived inspiration from it for my own fictional worlds.
June 6, 2026
Going to be completely honest. This is actually better than any of the vampire hunter D books I've read so far. And at the same time it really amplifies those books with its extensive world building as a prequel. Graylancer himself has a lot more writing into his character than The quiet, stoic D. But man this book kicks ass! I listened to the whole thing and about 3 days well my family did a lot of super last-minute work for an event that weekend. This book kept me sane. Definitely want to see this series move forward as well as give him more appearances in the mainline D novels.
July 3, 2015
Fantastic book from a fantastic author. Noble V: Greylancer is a refreshing look into the world of Hideyuki Kikuchi's series 'Vampire Hunter D' from the eyes of one of the nobles themselves. It's nice to read a vampire novel without these dark monsters being overly romanticised as in with other more recent books that shall not be named. It's enjoyable to read about a vampire for whom he really is.
January 9, 2016
Kikuchi is bugnutz crazy.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews