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Dead Blood #1
Dead Blood: Book One
Eternal life comes with its own set of problems. Walking corpses wasn’t one of them.
Dorian awakens and discovers the world turned a little bit more…uncivilized.
The undead roam the Earth, infecting humans and turning their bodies into useless sacks of decaying flesh.
For a vampire, hunting for sustenance wasn’t so literal of a term…until now.
Now, Dorian’s quest for survival is a three-way struggle between himself, the undead, and a band of zealous humans eager to cut him down.
Years of hunting has made Dorian into the ultimate predator; a realization humans are about to experience again.
Run from the corpses.
Run from him.
It won’t make a difference.
Everyone’s dead anyway.
Dorian awakens and discovers the world turned a little bit more…uncivilized.
The undead roam the Earth, infecting humans and turning their bodies into useless sacks of decaying flesh.
For a vampire, hunting for sustenance wasn’t so literal of a term…until now.
Now, Dorian’s quest for survival is a three-way struggle between himself, the undead, and a band of zealous humans eager to cut him down.
Years of hunting has made Dorian into the ultimate predator; a realization humans are about to experience again.
Run from the corpses.
Run from him.
It won’t make a difference.
Everyone’s dead anyway.
156 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 7, 2022
234 people are currently reading
1081 people want to read
About the author
Jay Bower
47 books286 followersJAY BOWER is a horror author living outside St. Louis, MO in the forest of Southern Illinois. He spends his time reading, writing, and convincing his wife the dark stories he writes do not involve her.
One time punk-rock skateboarder and heavy metal kid of the 80s, Jay approaches his work with the same indie attitude as those early punk bands.
He's the author of several dark novels and short stories. He can be reached at jay@jay-bower.com.
One time punk-rock skateboarder and heavy metal kid of the 80s, Jay approaches his work with the same indie attitude as those early punk bands.
He's the author of several dark novels and short stories. He can be reached at jay@jay-bower.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
December 3, 2022
The premise of this book really intrigued me - how would a vampire deal with the zombie apocalypse? Unfortunately, the execution of this book is just poor. For a start, our protagonist isn't what most people would consider a vampire - he has no ill effects from sunlight or garlic or religious symbols, he's not super fast or super strong, he can't shapechange or summon bats or rats. He's basically a slightly stronger than normal human who has to drink blood (and it doesn't even have to be human blood). The story isn't even consistent about how long Dorian (the vampire) can go without feeding
Also, despite having been a vampire since at least the time of the American Civil War, he seems to have no idea of how to cope with people hunting him. And, on top of all that, he's an idiot - as an example he is fighting a human hunter armed with a sword and Dorian has a meat tenderiser. He defeats the hunter, and feeds on him, and then leaves with his meat tenderiser - leaving the sword (which would be very useful for lopping the heads off zombies) just lying on the ground.
There are a couple of mysteries that go unresolved, obviously awaiting resolution in a later volume, but I will never find out what the answers are as I won't be reading any further in this series.
Also, despite having been a vampire since at least the time of the American Civil War, he seems to have no idea of how to cope with people hunting him. And, on top of all that, he's an idiot - as an example he is fighting a human hunter armed with a sword and Dorian has a meat tenderiser. He defeats the hunter, and feeds on him, and then leaves with his meat tenderiser - leaving the sword (which would be very useful for lopping the heads off zombies) just lying on the ground.
There are a couple of mysteries that go unresolved, obviously awaiting resolution in a later volume, but I will never find out what the answers are as I won't be reading any further in this series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 25, 2024
Great concept of a vampire waking up in a zombie apocalypse.
The layout? Rough. For a vampire as experienced as he is in general, he makes alot of mistakes and his inner monologue was so loooong and repetitive.
The layout? Rough. For a vampire as experienced as he is in general, he makes alot of mistakes and his inner monologue was so loooong and repetitive.
January 31, 2022
I don’t normally start series (unless it’s Godless exclusives) because I’m an impatient butt fart that needs EVERYTHING now. But when Jay Bower approached me about reading DEAD BLOOD BOOK 1, he had a few things going for him.
1. He’s from my hometown area in Southern Illinois. Works near where I received my Bachelors degree. Point - +1
2. The synopsis was a vampire living in a world overran by zombies and very little humans. Um… yes! Zombies are my jam! And vampires. So Points - +2
3. He asked politely. Points - +3
4. The main character is named after my favorite dead, gay boyfriend. Points - +4
Jay was off to a great start, he really was. Then add in fleshed out (ha) characters, plot twists that made me say, “son of a bitch” more than once, brutal gore scenes, and a perfect world building, this was looking good.
Then I realized there was more to come. (Obviously, my brain didn’t comprehend the BOOK 1 part because, well, I did receive a Southern Illinois education). So now, I have to freaking wait for the next ones to come out and dammit!, I want to know what happens to Dorian Wilde. (Ohhhhhhhh, literary name homages make me the happiest.)
All of this is to say, I freaking loved BOOK 1! The action was a perfect pace; just letting the reader catch a breath before we were pummeled again.
What I love most about DEAD BLOOD is it’s not immediate what has caused the zombie outbreak and why. It gives you drama. Even at the end of BOOK 1, we aren’t 100% sure and I LOVE THAT!
Anyway, if you want to be pissed off (in the best way) like me, pick this sweet bitch up on February 7th on Amazon. You won’t be disappointed!
5/5 the brain dead zombies are DEFINITELY based off some people I know in Southern Illinois
1. He’s from my hometown area in Southern Illinois. Works near where I received my Bachelors degree. Point - +1
2. The synopsis was a vampire living in a world overran by zombies and very little humans. Um… yes! Zombies are my jam! And vampires. So Points - +2
3. He asked politely. Points - +3
4. The main character is named after my favorite dead, gay boyfriend. Points - +4
Jay was off to a great start, he really was. Then add in fleshed out (ha) characters, plot twists that made me say, “son of a bitch” more than once, brutal gore scenes, and a perfect world building, this was looking good.
Then I realized there was more to come. (Obviously, my brain didn’t comprehend the BOOK 1 part because, well, I did receive a Southern Illinois education). So now, I have to freaking wait for the next ones to come out and dammit!, I want to know what happens to Dorian Wilde. (Ohhhhhhhh, literary name homages make me the happiest.)
All of this is to say, I freaking loved BOOK 1! The action was a perfect pace; just letting the reader catch a breath before we were pummeled again.
What I love most about DEAD BLOOD is it’s not immediate what has caused the zombie outbreak and why. It gives you drama. Even at the end of BOOK 1, we aren’t 100% sure and I LOVE THAT!
Anyway, if you want to be pissed off (in the best way) like me, pick this sweet bitch up on February 7th on Amazon. You won’t be disappointed!
5/5 the brain dead zombies are DEFINITELY based off some people I know in Southern Illinois
October 5, 2023
cant rate this low enough
Oh wow. A man, who kills every woman he meets. And breaks every promise to not harm them. Riveting. Consumed by (blood)lust, there was nothing he could do. He had to have them. A thinly veiled metaphor of how men actively objectify and use women. And I have to assume, reflective of the authors actual beliefs and values, conscious or not. It read like he enjoyed inflicting pain and reveled in it, not a cautionary tale or a comment on our society. I hope I’m wrong.
Oh wow. A man, who kills every woman he meets. And breaks every promise to not harm them. Riveting. Consumed by (blood)lust, there was nothing he could do. He had to have them. A thinly veiled metaphor of how men actively objectify and use women. And I have to assume, reflective of the authors actual beliefs and values, conscious or not. It read like he enjoyed inflicting pain and reveled in it, not a cautionary tale or a comment on our society. I hope I’m wrong.
December 1, 2022
The concept of this book had me so intrigued....a vampire waking up to the zombie apocalypse finding his source of food lacking. Unfortunately the execution in telling the story is terrible. The story immediately starts....in the middle. The vampire is awake and already out badly avoiding zombies. There were much better ways to introduce us to Dorian, the main character. Maybe a chapter of him before he goes to sleep so we can feel his struggle and loss better because we know him more, care about him more. Also the author stripped away everything we know about vampires...no death by sun or garlic, no super speed or power, no shape shifting. The only thing the author keeps is the need for blood but even then the author couldn't decide how long Dorian can go before he needs to feed again. It changes constantly, sometimes from one page to the next. I was also disturbed by Dorian experiencing claustrophobia....he's a vampire....coffins!?!?! Again, nothing about Dorian says vampire. He's just a weird guy who drinks blood.
I purchased the second book with this one because it was on sale but I will not be reading it.
TLDR: The book isn't good. Much better vampire books out there.
I purchased the second book with this one because it was on sale but I will not be reading it.
TLDR: The book isn't good. Much better vampire books out there.
August 11, 2022
Plenty of blood!
Jay Bower delivers a gruesome tale of a vampire trying to survive after the end with a world full of zombies between him and his food. This is a great read for zombie fans and apocalypse lovers. Enjoyed it a lot.
Jay Bower delivers a gruesome tale of a vampire trying to survive after the end with a world full of zombies between him and his food. This is a great read for zombie fans and apocalypse lovers. Enjoyed it a lot.
August 1, 2025
This was only 150 pages, but it still felt like it took me forever to read.
At first I thought this book would just be a bit boring, but as I read on it became apparent I would also have a straight up bad time. Everything was so repetitive, every chapter was the main character being hurt and needing blood, using the same words and turns or phrases to say so. There was basically no plot until the end, and even then it was so convaluted and confusing, i didn't understand any of it (neither did the main character btw). Stuff just happened without explanation or the main character questioning it.
Dorian, the main guy, was so unlikable. Sometimes I thought maybe he had some empathy or that he'd feel bad about killing survivors, but no. he promised every single one of them he wouldn't drink from them if it was not given freely, and with everyone he broke that promise. If he was bad and owned it, fine. If he was trying to be good but failed and felt bad, or even grew to accept that he was actually a villain, fine. But what we got was a lackluster mix/neither of both.
If you want a decent book about a vampire in a zombie apocalypse, read Double Dead by Chuck Wendig instead.
At first I thought this book would just be a bit boring, but as I read on it became apparent I would also have a straight up bad time. Everything was so repetitive, every chapter was the main character being hurt and needing blood, using the same words and turns or phrases to say so. There was basically no plot until the end, and even then it was so convaluted and confusing, i didn't understand any of it (neither did the main character btw). Stuff just happened without explanation or the main character questioning it.
Dorian, the main guy, was so unlikable. Sometimes I thought maybe he had some empathy or that he'd feel bad about killing survivors, but no. he promised every single one of them he wouldn't drink from them if it was not given freely, and with everyone he broke that promise. If he was bad and owned it, fine. If he was trying to be good but failed and felt bad, or even grew to accept that he was actually a villain, fine. But what we got was a lackluster mix/neither of both.
If you want a decent book about a vampire in a zombie apocalypse, read Double Dead by Chuck Wendig instead.
August 16, 2023
Zombies AND vampires? I bet you didn’t ever think that you would see them together. It’s survival of the….fittest? How do you kill two different immortal beings or rather, how do you keep them alive? In a world that belongs to the dead, an unlikely character is simply trying to survive. But between the undead, the humans hot on his trail, and the lack of fresh blood, will he make it? You’ll have to read to find out! Excited to read the rest of the series.
January 9, 2022
I was able to beta read this novella and honestly it had me hooked from page one. I was also able to read the final edit and it became an even greater story. I look forward to what happens to our little vampire and the people in the brown robes. I recommend it to anyone who wants a quick read dealing with a post apocalyptic vampire having to find food amongst the living dead.
April 28, 2022
A very interesting tale with an innovative storyline : a vampire trying to stay alive in a world dominated by zombies, whose blood is undrinkable.
What I loved most was that Bower, certainly in the beginning of the novel, makes you sympathize with a vampire. For me, that was highly uncommon.
I will certainly read more of this series !
What I loved most was that Bower, certainly in the beginning of the novel, makes you sympathize with a vampire. For me, that was highly uncommon.
I will certainly read more of this series !
October 12, 2022
When I read the title Dead Blood I thought now that is an interesting concept. Then I thought what does dead blood entail? What do those two little words mean together? I couldn’t wait to find out. But then I read the summary and I was hooked for sure.
I had to know just how a vampire would thrive in a world full of zombies. Oh man, zombies and vampires living in the same world! Questions and more questions, one after another never-ending.
My main big question would be how a vampire survives in a world full of zombies with very few humans left. Another question would be can a vampire feed from zombies? The short answer is no they can not. Just as the title says their blood is dead and no good to a vampire who needs live, fresh blood to give them the substance they need to live.
I sorely loved this new twist on vampires. I love the world that was created for zombies and vampires. I love stories about zombies more than any other. I also love reading stories with vampires in them. I also love end-of-the-world-type stories too so just imagine how ecstatic I was to find a story with vampires and zombies and it was an end-of-the-world story as well. I was over the moon. I can’t wait to see where the other two books in the series go. I can’t give this little gem enough phrases as it surely deserves way more than five stars in my book.
There is so much going on in Dead Blood will all the action page after page. I couldn’t turn those pages fast enough as I just had to know what was waiting around every corner. I loved following Dorian around as he looked for his next meal, wondering where it was coming from and how he was going to obtain it. I loved it when he had to fight off the zombies. I can’t wait to sink my teeth into Dead Blood: Book Two.
I definitely recommended Dead Blood: Book One to all vampire, zombie, and end-of-the-world fans! Grab your copy of Dead Blood: Book One today!
I had to know just how a vampire would thrive in a world full of zombies. Oh man, zombies and vampires living in the same world! Questions and more questions, one after another never-ending.
My main big question would be how a vampire survives in a world full of zombies with very few humans left. Another question would be can a vampire feed from zombies? The short answer is no they can not. Just as the title says their blood is dead and no good to a vampire who needs live, fresh blood to give them the substance they need to live.
I sorely loved this new twist on vampires. I love the world that was created for zombies and vampires. I love stories about zombies more than any other. I also love reading stories with vampires in them. I also love end-of-the-world-type stories too so just imagine how ecstatic I was to find a story with vampires and zombies and it was an end-of-the-world story as well. I was over the moon. I can’t wait to see where the other two books in the series go. I can’t give this little gem enough phrases as it surely deserves way more than five stars in my book.
There is so much going on in Dead Blood will all the action page after page. I couldn’t turn those pages fast enough as I just had to know what was waiting around every corner. I loved following Dorian around as he looked for his next meal, wondering where it was coming from and how he was going to obtain it. I loved it when he had to fight off the zombies. I can’t wait to sink my teeth into Dead Blood: Book Two.
I definitely recommended Dead Blood: Book One to all vampire, zombie, and end-of-the-world fans! Grab your copy of Dead Blood: Book One today!
June 30, 2022
So much hope. So little happiness
I am and always have been an avid reader. I used to read a Vampire book every third. Last 10 years it became Zombies. Here we had a combo! Could not wait to read it! This book was laborious to read. Nearly everything was telegraphed. There are 2 mysteries along the way. Neither was resolved by the end. I don’t care. I will never read another book in this series. And I likely will stay away from the author as well. Want Vamps vs Zombies? Go read Extinction Parade by Max Brooks. It is a graphic novel, and not great. But it is better than this.
I am and always have been an avid reader. I used to read a Vampire book every third. Last 10 years it became Zombies. Here we had a combo! Could not wait to read it! This book was laborious to read. Nearly everything was telegraphed. There are 2 mysteries along the way. Neither was resolved by the end. I don’t care. I will never read another book in this series. And I likely will stay away from the author as well. Want Vamps vs Zombies? Go read Extinction Parade by Max Brooks. It is a graphic novel, and not great. But it is better than this.
February 23, 2022
More happenstance then planned
The story is short that there ain’t mugh content compared to price for the book that it a fair trade. The story lacks depth has at times the chacther switch his thoughts on how does something that I become annoyed with Radom mood swings and the lack of internal monlag for side chacthers was zero that we never get a real look at who they are expect pieces to move the story so the story could’ve been way better.
The story is short that there ain’t mugh content compared to price for the book that it a fair trade. The story lacks depth has at times the chacther switch his thoughts on how does something that I become annoyed with Radom mood swings and the lack of internal monlag for side chacthers was zero that we never get a real look at who they are expect pieces to move the story so the story could’ve been way better.
September 19, 2022
A few weeks ago I read Jay Bower’s short story collection, Hanging Corpses. I found out soon after that one of those short stories, named New World Hunger, set the theme for a series he is writing, called Dead Blood. I ordered that one as soon as I could.
So it comes in the mail. I put my current book down and open this book up. I turn to the first chapter and read it quickly. Yeah, this is going to be good!! That hooks me pretty quick. Then chapter 2 is done and I can’t put it down. So for two days I took my time savoring this story, ignoring the other book altogether.
After a 5 year slumber, vampire Dorian Wilde wakes up to a world unlike one he fell asleep to in Brownsville, Illinois. The world is in the midst of a zombie apocalypse! And dead blood is nasty blood. He needs to find fresh blood, from the very few people he can find. He also needs to make his way to St. Louis, to get some answers as to what happened to everyone. So far everyone he meets is either consumed by his need for blood or gives vague answers to his questions. Now, he just needs to survive one day without being attacked by the undead or by humans that mean to kill him. By the end of this story, Dorian has had it with being nice and patient. I am going to need to read Book 2 and 3, which are out right now. I think Dorian is fixing to kick some ass and do a lot of killing. I’m excited to find out how his story plays out.
There is quite a bit of gore and violence in this one, which I like. A whole lot of Dorian finding himself in precarious situations. All in all, this is a solid read. I definitely recommend it for vampire, zombie, and apocalypse readers that don’t want romance and glitzy dumb ass vampires.
So it comes in the mail. I put my current book down and open this book up. I turn to the first chapter and read it quickly. Yeah, this is going to be good!! That hooks me pretty quick. Then chapter 2 is done and I can’t put it down. So for two days I took my time savoring this story, ignoring the other book altogether.
After a 5 year slumber, vampire Dorian Wilde wakes up to a world unlike one he fell asleep to in Brownsville, Illinois. The world is in the midst of a zombie apocalypse! And dead blood is nasty blood. He needs to find fresh blood, from the very few people he can find. He also needs to make his way to St. Louis, to get some answers as to what happened to everyone. So far everyone he meets is either consumed by his need for blood or gives vague answers to his questions. Now, he just needs to survive one day without being attacked by the undead or by humans that mean to kill him. By the end of this story, Dorian has had it with being nice and patient. I am going to need to read Book 2 and 3, which are out right now. I think Dorian is fixing to kick some ass and do a lot of killing. I’m excited to find out how his story plays out.
There is quite a bit of gore and violence in this one, which I like. A whole lot of Dorian finding himself in precarious situations. All in all, this is a solid read. I definitely recommend it for vampire, zombie, and apocalypse readers that don’t want romance and glitzy dumb ass vampires.
December 9, 2022
A very well written book well worth the read. Interesting , lots of action, blood and gore.
The main Character of this book is a Vampire awoken in a world gone mad, and Zombies are the new normal. We follow his day to day activities attempting to feed on fresh blood and his struggles to survive.
I am a purest and very traditional. I believe that if a mythos is well formed than it should stand ... leave well enough alone, Follow the rules. In this book Our Vampire has lungs that draw air, a heart that beats and pumps blood. Sunlight has no effect nor does a cross or holy ground have any effect upon him! He can not turn into a bat and has no super human strength.
Vampires are Evil blood sucking creatures who live off of the blood of innocents. That is about the only thing our Main Character has in common with Vampires as we know them! All of that being said ... I still enjoyed this book. It is a testament to the author that I got past the first chapter because of how i feel about sticking to well established Mythos. Although Vampires are Evil blood sucking Monsters, whom we all hate (or at least should) the reader of this book can not help but feel some sympathy as well as Empathy for this Vampire as he struggles to get from one feeding to the next. We cheer his victories and Morn his failings !!!! Only the very best of Authors can pull off What Jay Bower has pulled off in this book. He made me sympathize and fell bad for a Vampire who does not hold to the rules of the Mythos of Vampires !!!
If you read only one book this year ... make this the one that you read!
The main Character of this book is a Vampire awoken in a world gone mad, and Zombies are the new normal. We follow his day to day activities attempting to feed on fresh blood and his struggles to survive.
I am a purest and very traditional. I believe that if a mythos is well formed than it should stand ... leave well enough alone, Follow the rules. In this book Our Vampire has lungs that draw air, a heart that beats and pumps blood. Sunlight has no effect nor does a cross or holy ground have any effect upon him! He can not turn into a bat and has no super human strength.
Vampires are Evil blood sucking creatures who live off of the blood of innocents. That is about the only thing our Main Character has in common with Vampires as we know them! All of that being said ... I still enjoyed this book. It is a testament to the author that I got past the first chapter because of how i feel about sticking to well established Mythos. Although Vampires are Evil blood sucking Monsters, whom we all hate (or at least should) the reader of this book can not help but feel some sympathy as well as Empathy for this Vampire as he struggles to get from one feeding to the next. We cheer his victories and Morn his failings !!!! Only the very best of Authors can pull off What Jay Bower has pulled off in this book. He made me sympathize and fell bad for a Vampire who does not hold to the rules of the Mythos of Vampires !!!
If you read only one book this year ... make this the one that you read!
August 9, 2023
Very Different
Dorian has just woken up to a world gone mad. The undead seem to walk the earth...or at least the town he's in and humanity is pretty scarce. Another issue Dorian realizes is that he has woken up hungry and thirsty. One would think that Dorian simply needs to scavenge some houses or a convenient store...and one would be right...if Dorian was actually human.
Okay, this is not your typical zombie apocalypse scenario. And the main protagonist is not your typical protagonist.
Dorian...is kind of a bastard so it was very hard for me to really root for this guy. Also I noticed that I was actually getting pissed off at the main character because most of the time he almost died because of bad decisions...this drove me bonkers.
This has a good plot and the characters have a like/hate vibe going on where I just need to see where this goes. I gave this five stars because normally I would not have too many emotions going on when reading this type of book but the plot Intrigues me and getting irritated at a main character who seems to being doing more to end his own life then his enemies could, also intrigued me.
Recommend if you like your zombies different then the norm as well as throwing vampires in the mix then add a dash of humans and it makes for one crazy recipe of what happens next?
Dorian has just woken up to a world gone mad. The undead seem to walk the earth...or at least the town he's in and humanity is pretty scarce. Another issue Dorian realizes is that he has woken up hungry and thirsty. One would think that Dorian simply needs to scavenge some houses or a convenient store...and one would be right...if Dorian was actually human.
Okay, this is not your typical zombie apocalypse scenario. And the main protagonist is not your typical protagonist.
Dorian...is kind of a bastard so it was very hard for me to really root for this guy. Also I noticed that I was actually getting pissed off at the main character because most of the time he almost died because of bad decisions...this drove me bonkers.
This has a good plot and the characters have a like/hate vibe going on where I just need to see where this goes. I gave this five stars because normally I would not have too many emotions going on when reading this type of book but the plot Intrigues me and getting irritated at a main character who seems to being doing more to end his own life then his enemies could, also intrigued me.
Recommend if you like your zombies different then the norm as well as throwing vampires in the mix then add a dash of humans and it makes for one crazy recipe of what happens next?
January 16, 2024
I don't want to talk ill of any author, as they can do something I only hope to be sble to do one day, but this story was not for me. You hooked me with the idea of a Vampire living in a world filled with Zombies. Then I started reading the book, and was soon let down. I will say that it is a very quick read, the descriptions of the world is enough to let me know what's going on but not so heavy handed that I feel like they are just trying to meet a word count. Also, I can understand not wanting to have an over powered vampire in this world but, the only reason why "Vampire" makes sense is because he drinks blood. He can't see in the dark, doesn't know how to hunt or move silently, doesn't have any of the charm you think of when thinking of a vampire, and for being around for hundreds of years just fails at every turn. This book was very quick, I plan on reading the other two in this series because maybe some of the issues are explained in book 2 and 3, but I hope this turns around.
Edit: A side question would be why would the Zombies want to attack a vampire?
Edit: A side question would be why would the Zombies want to attack a vampire?
March 11, 2022
Dorian Wilde woke from a five year nap to find the world changed. Drastically!
When Dorian Wilde woke from his restorative sleep, the vampire (sic) needed to feed his overwhelming hunger. What he found was a countryside filled with undead. He finds that a virus was changing people into shambling undead with no thoughts in their heads but the need to consume living flesh. There were so many of these mindless creatures that they threatened to overcome his weakened body. The black, rancid blood of the undead would not restore him. He must find clean blood soon or the creeping decay would finish his long life.
A fastidious bloodsucker in a world of the undead! I almost feel sorry for him! Is he the hero of the story? More like anti-hero, but hey! You take what you can get. Intriguing storyline and good, clean editing provide a good storyline. Curious now to see where it goes on the next book in the series.
When Dorian Wilde woke from his restorative sleep, the vampire (sic) needed to feed his overwhelming hunger. What he found was a countryside filled with undead. He finds that a virus was changing people into shambling undead with no thoughts in their heads but the need to consume living flesh. There were so many of these mindless creatures that they threatened to overcome his weakened body. The black, rancid blood of the undead would not restore him. He must find clean blood soon or the creeping decay would finish his long life.
A fastidious bloodsucker in a world of the undead! I almost feel sorry for him! Is he the hero of the story? More like anti-hero, but hey! You take what you can get. Intriguing storyline and good, clean editing provide a good storyline. Curious now to see where it goes on the next book in the series.
November 18, 2023
Not worth it
The premise is interesting but the execution is lacking. I found that for a vampire who's had thousands of years of practice he's really bad at being a vampire. He makes silly mistakes like talking out loud near a hoard of zombies and his "luring of prey" is cringe-worthy. Dorian also isn't likable. You need a MC you can root for, an anti-heto, a lovable rouge and the MC is just brutal and nasty. It would have helped if the author explained why he was disemboweling people, like he knew they were rapists, etc. instead we get a half-assed attempt at explaining that he's hungry and needs blood and these guys just happen to be there. This is after sacrificing a young girl to zombies after handicapping her so she can't escape and killing a countless amount of animals along the way. The story also get progressively more confusing and less interesting. I think the author should rethink the storyline and rewrite it.
The premise is interesting but the execution is lacking. I found that for a vampire who's had thousands of years of practice he's really bad at being a vampire. He makes silly mistakes like talking out loud near a hoard of zombies and his "luring of prey" is cringe-worthy. Dorian also isn't likable. You need a MC you can root for, an anti-heto, a lovable rouge and the MC is just brutal and nasty. It would have helped if the author explained why he was disemboweling people, like he knew they were rapists, etc. instead we get a half-assed attempt at explaining that he's hungry and needs blood and these guys just happen to be there. This is after sacrificing a young girl to zombies after handicapping her so she can't escape and killing a countless amount of animals along the way. The story also get progressively more confusing and less interesting. I think the author should rethink the storyline and rewrite it.
July 26, 2022
A quick, easy, and fast-paced read. Jay Bower has done a great job with the first installment of his Dead Blood series and he left us with a big cliffhanger at the end. Will definitely be checking out Book Two.
My only major issue was Dorian's ability, and apparent preference, to be up and about during the daylight hours, walking in the sun, feeling the warmth of it on his face. For me, vampires are purely night creatures, 100% nocturnal (yes, I know - even Dracula was known to be seen walking about in the daylight - but that was a rarity). By taking away this element, Jay has created a vampire whose only apparent weakness is when he's running low on a source of blood.
I've read literally hundreds of vampire novels and though this may not be the best, it's certainly original in concept and kept my interest all the way to the cliffhanger 'ending'.
My only major issue was Dorian's ability, and apparent preference, to be up and about during the daylight hours, walking in the sun, feeling the warmth of it on his face. For me, vampires are purely night creatures, 100% nocturnal (yes, I know - even Dracula was known to be seen walking about in the daylight - but that was a rarity). By taking away this element, Jay has created a vampire whose only apparent weakness is when he's running low on a source of blood.
I've read literally hundreds of vampire novels and though this may not be the best, it's certainly original in concept and kept my interest all the way to the cliffhanger 'ending'.
October 13, 2023
A vampire in zombie apocalypse,
Great new concept but poor execution.
1. Introduction to the main character could be done better instead of throwing reader in the middle of a fight.
2. So, our main character is a vampire but remove all we know about vampire other than they drink blood and live long... Hmm, so he just a weird man that live for hundreds years and drink blood and nothing else???
3. He is a vampire but has claustrophobic?????
4. He comes across a golf club, a bat, a crowbar that can be used as weapons in zombie apocalypse but didn't take any. He defeated a person that has sword but choose to continue using meat tenderizer when sword can give better damage to zombies and people that hunt him???
5. I love story that includes vampire but this.. he's weak. I feel like there is no chapter that he didn't say 'i'm dead' 'im dying'
Overall... Hmmm, not bad but not good
Great new concept but poor execution.
1. Introduction to the main character could be done better instead of throwing reader in the middle of a fight.
2. So, our main character is a vampire but remove all we know about vampire other than they drink blood and live long... Hmm, so he just a weird man that live for hundreds years and drink blood and nothing else???
3. He is a vampire but has claustrophobic?????
4. He comes across a golf club, a bat, a crowbar that can be used as weapons in zombie apocalypse but didn't take any. He defeated a person that has sword but choose to continue using meat tenderizer when sword can give better damage to zombies and people that hunt him???
5. I love story that includes vampire but this.. he's weak. I feel like there is no chapter that he didn't say 'i'm dead' 'im dying'
Overall... Hmmm, not bad but not good
May 21, 2023
What a awesome lil zombie vamp mix fest… started off slow but ramped up towards the end esp after Dorian meets Amy & Mercedes.. Mr Bower you did Amy & Kat dirty btw 😄 I kept waiting for Dorian to meet his “side kick” his companion.. oh is it Greg I thought? Nooo oh it must be Amy? nooo .. dammit lol
My main frustration was how fast the blood wears off for Dorian and how accident prone this vamp is he can’t catch a break injury after injury 😄 he’s mentor needed to teach him some vamp fighting powers before sending him on his mary well I tell ya😏
Just as it was getting “bloody juicy” 😏 it ended … 😯 clever mr bower very clever .. makes you want to sink your teeth into book 2 asap… will Dorian get his companion in book 2? We shall see 👏⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 stars
My main frustration was how fast the blood wears off for Dorian and how accident prone this vamp is he can’t catch a break injury after injury 😄 he’s mentor needed to teach him some vamp fighting powers before sending him on his mary well I tell ya😏
Just as it was getting “bloody juicy” 😏 it ended … 😯 clever mr bower very clever .. makes you want to sink your teeth into book 2 asap… will Dorian get his companion in book 2? We shall see 👏⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 stars
October 16, 2023
I really enjoyed the premise.. I love vampires, I love zombies, so I figured I’d give Dead Blood a shot. It’s spooky month, so what the hell?
The writing is a bit redundant, which for me was a bit distracting. But how many different ways could you explain a vampire feeding, am I right? Despite the redundancy and the grammatical/proofreading errors, the prose was good! I didn’t like the fact that Dorian finds himself in shitty situations constantly, I feel like being an immortal he should be a bit smarter than how he’s portrayed in the book. All said, I give it a solid 3.5/5, I will definitely be reading the second installment.
The writing is a bit redundant, which for me was a bit distracting. But how many different ways could you explain a vampire feeding, am I right? Despite the redundancy and the grammatical/proofreading errors, the prose was good! I didn’t like the fact that Dorian finds himself in shitty situations constantly, I feel like being an immortal he should be a bit smarter than how he’s portrayed in the book. All said, I give it a solid 3.5/5, I will definitely be reading the second installment.
November 9, 2023
Overall what drew me into this book was the concept of how is a vampire going to survive a zombie apocalypse.
I had a very hard time actually getting into this book. I found Dorian frustrating and confusing, especially with certain choices he makes. Dorian was unreasonable and cocky.
For being a vampire he had no internal instincts for how to survive even though he had stated he had lived through plagues and such and due to this you would think he had a better understanding of how to survive but no he didn’t he just kept repeating the same mistake.
Never found out why he was in a restorative state and why these people wanted him dead so bad.
I had a very hard time actually getting into this book. I found Dorian frustrating and confusing, especially with certain choices he makes. Dorian was unreasonable and cocky.
For being a vampire he had no internal instincts for how to survive even though he had stated he had lived through plagues and such and due to this you would think he had a better understanding of how to survive but no he didn’t he just kept repeating the same mistake.
Never found out why he was in a restorative state and why these people wanted him dead so bad.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 19, 2024
2.5 rounded up.
A very original and intriguing concept, but the execution leaves a lot to be desired.
It's pretty repetitive throughout.. oh I won't hurt you.. I hurt you.. damn I shouldn't have hurt you
I need to get to St. Louis. I still need to get to St Louis. How do I get to St Louis.
That being said, the mysterious hooded figures that serve as the only real plot point and source of suspense are really interesting. I felt myself wanting to know more about them and why they wanted our MC so much, so in that aspect the book succeeded in being interesting. I don't think I'll go to book two though
A very original and intriguing concept, but the execution leaves a lot to be desired.
It's pretty repetitive throughout.. oh I won't hurt you.. I hurt you.. damn I shouldn't have hurt you
I need to get to St. Louis. I still need to get to St Louis. How do I get to St Louis.
That being said, the mysterious hooded figures that serve as the only real plot point and source of suspense are really interesting. I felt myself wanting to know more about them and why they wanted our MC so much, so in that aspect the book succeeded in being interesting. I don't think I'll go to book two though
September 10, 2025
Zombies and Vampires sounded like a cool idea. Dead Blood is pretty good with this trope. I will say it was a bit hard to follow at first. Also, Jay doesn't have the stereotypical vampire tropes, such as shapeshifting or supernatural powers. Admittedly, it does make the story more realistic. It was kind of a good story with Dorian having to feed while trying to survive the zompoc.
Overall, it's a fun story as long as you're willing to stick with in and don't mind the combination of zombies and vampires.
It's not the best Jay Bower book, but if you enjoy zombie stories, you'll like this one. Points for the creative storyline.
Overall, it's a fun story as long as you're willing to stick with in and don't mind the combination of zombies and vampires.
It's not the best Jay Bower book, but if you enjoy zombie stories, you'll like this one. Points for the creative storyline.
November 22, 2022
Not your typical zompoc story…
Dead Blood isn’t your standard zombie apocalypse story. Our main character, Dorian, just happens to be a vampire that awoke to a world vastly changed from the one he knew when he started his long sleep. We follow him as he tries to figure out how to keep himself alive while trying to figure out what happened to the human race. All while trying to figure out how to make it to St. Louis and his own kind. Believe me, it’s not smooth sailing for him at all.
I look forward to reading more!
Dead Blood isn’t your standard zombie apocalypse story. Our main character, Dorian, just happens to be a vampire that awoke to a world vastly changed from the one he knew when he started his long sleep. We follow him as he tries to figure out how to keep himself alive while trying to figure out what happened to the human race. All while trying to figure out how to make it to St. Louis and his own kind. Believe me, it’s not smooth sailing for him at all.
I look forward to reading more!
November 25, 2022
An amateurish and disjointed attempt at 'some kind' of horror novel. What exactly that entailed, I can't say as I could never quite follow what the author intended to achieve. The mix of vampire lore and zombies did not work at all here.
I am only thankful that it was very short as there was nothing of any merit. Though not poorly edited, the prose is at best haphazardly assembled, repetitive and not worth your time. I would consider this one of the 2 or 3 worst 'zombie-involved' books I've ever tried to read.
I am only thankful that it was very short as there was nothing of any merit. Though not poorly edited, the prose is at best haphazardly assembled, repetitive and not worth your time. I would consider this one of the 2 or 3 worst 'zombie-involved' books I've ever tried to read.
February 4, 2023
I normally hate zombie fiction, but Jay is a fresh voice in a tired subgenre. A vampire waking up amidst a zombie apocalypse was both fresh and a nice change. While Dorian is very much an antihero, I fell in love with his character and the struggles he faced. The prose was fast paced and engrossing. The moral quandaries that plagued Dorian as he tried to come to grips with his new reality were visceral and at times heart wrenching. This has renewed my faith in this subgenre. I can't wait to move on in the series to see where it goes.
August 28, 2024
This book is about a vampire struggling to find blood in a zombie apocalypse. Great idea, was super excited to read. It was TERRIBLE. The vampire wakes up from a “restorative sleep” to a zombie world. Why was he sleeping? What was restored? I don’t know. He has no vampire powers other than needing blood. No super strength, no burning or glittering in the sun, NOTHING. For someone who has been a vamp for over 100 years he sure does get beat by groups of humans regularly. I gave 2 stars because the gore, blood sucking scenes weren’t bad.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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