Kane: The First Blood Son

by Carol McKibben

Kane de Medici’s thirst for knowledge leads him into the dark world of vampirism. Working as an apprentice to the great master, Leonardo da Vinci in 1503, he encounters Brogio, one of Florence’s most wealthy bachelors. Their growing friendship, coupled with strange events lead him to uncover Brogio’s inconceivable secret. Brogio is a vampire, the very first vampire. Kane’s quest for endless learning and his desire for more time to pursue knowledge have him propose that the vampire “turn” him so that he can become Brogio’s first blood son. For millennia, the original vampire has hidden away from most of the world and refused to turn others into blood-sucking monsters. Reluctantly Brogio agrees with the condition that Kane never create another vampire. But, Kane’s uncontrollable blood lust unleashes a plague upon the world and leads Brogio to resolve a perplexing problem. Now that Kane has broken Brogio’s rule, the master vampire will need to fight fire with fire. This Snow Blood Series Prequel will delight fans of this beloved family of vampires.

Genres: Vampires

118 pages, Paperback

Published October 22, 2017

About the author

Carol McKibben was a magazine publisher for more than 20 years. She began a new career in freelance writing and editing in 2007. As well as editing other authors’ works to realize their dreams, she has completed Luke’s Tale and published a memoir, Riding Through It.

Carol currently writes from the heart of a dog's eyes. Often telling her stories to Laberdoodles, Basset Hounds and any stray that happens by, it wasn't long before people stopped to have a listen as well. Now Carol writes for people and speaks to large audiences, dogs included.

For a FREE eBook Copy of Riding Through It (Carol's Memoir), go to http://www.carolmckibben.com and register with your email! I promise not to send you tons of emails and will keep your email private!

Reviews

[Lauren Jones]

Could you decline an opportunity to become immortal, study abroad wherever you want, see the world, and discover the ages? It is tempting, but with all of that wonderful stuff, comes the hard things like loneliness and watching the ones that you love leave the world over and over again. Brogio gives Kane the ultimatum and tells him that this decision is one that will be with him for all eternity. McKibben has a compelling short story, the Prequel to the Snow Blood Series.

Upon Kane seeing Brogio for the first time, he is intrigued by this man who doesn't have the normal tendencies of a man at all, but rather something more. He is fast, much faster than anyone that he has every seen. He is reclusive, which Kane finds himself being drawn to. He seems lonely and in need of some company. After learning of what Brogio is and wanting what he has to offer, Kane thinks that he has made the best decision but realizes that what may appear to be a gift can also be just as easily a curse...Brogio describes vampirism as a curse from the Gods. Once the transformation takes place, Kane understands that his life will be forever changes and whether that is good or not...he will soon find out. One tiny mistake, one loss of self-control and the blood-lust could completely destroy him and make the earth that they walk on a VERY dangerous place. Will Kane listen to Brogio and his warning of staying close or will he take advantage of the freedom that the world offers to an immortal?

McKibben has a fantastic story-line with great character development and original content. All of her characters are memorizing and exciting with a hint of mystery. The pace of this novel is fast, making it easy to read; however, there are some spelling errors throughout the story. Since this is an advanced reader copy, these may have been cleaned up upon further proofreading, but if not, this should not hinder enjoyment of the novel at all. This review is complimenting the book. If you are a reader of paranormal fiction and dark fantasy, this may be perfect for you.

A copy of this book was provided to Turning Another Page by Book Unleashed, but this in no way affects our honest opinion of the book or the review that has been written. We provide a five-star rating for Kane: The First Blood Son by Carol McKibben.

[Dina Bushrod]

If you've read any of the author's Snow Blood Series you've met his master Kane. Have you ever wondered what kind of man Kane was before he became a vampire and who turned him, what he was like before he met and turned his companion, the dog he called Snow Blood? Well this prequel has all those answers. It's a fascinating story mixing history and the supernatural. You will meet characters straight out of history books right along side vampires they never knew existed. We learn of Kane's plans for his life before and after becoming, as they say, "a creature of the night." He finds out what the craving for human blood, and breaking his makers rules, unleashes upon humanity. I will give no more spoilers, even if they are not much to begin with, you will just have to grab this fascinating story to learn everything that happens in-between my lines. When you do, you will have a deeper understanding of the man who became Snow Bloods maker. If you are one of those individuals who has yet to read the Snow Blood Series, this will be a great start; now go and grab this book and begin reading a fascinating series. This is not your normal vampire series; I mean, starting at Book 1, how many come from an animals perspective?

[Leslie OBrien]

Brogio is a vampire of old. So old that he was cursed by the gods. More than once. When he meets Kane, we are left to wonder how a vampire, as old as he, is so easily found out by Kane in Carol McKibben’s KANE: THE FIRST BLOOD SON.

Likes: The camaraderie between Brogio and Kane was fun to read as their relationship as father and son was strengthened. I’m also a sucker for period pieces and enjoyed the setting for the story. While this is a novella, the characters are developed well and we aren’t left with questions.

Dislikes: Kane de Medici did not fit as a character name given that the story begins in the sixteenth century and, Kane is descendent from the de Medici family. And it was the same for Joseph, Clara, Dan which are not typical names for sixteenth century Italy. The names actually kept throwing me out of the story making it difficult to enjoy it.

Overall, this is an entertaining read. I caution to suspend disbelief as while this story takes place in the past, it is not true to period. But if that doesn’t bother you and you enjoy vampire stories, give this a read.

This review was originally published by me at The Reading Alley.

[Cassie May]

Reviewed on behalf of 3 Degrees of Fiction Blog
This is the sequel to the Snow Blood Series. As that it is only a short read to tease you just enough to invest in the whole series. Kane and Brogio are really interesting characters. Both have their flaws and weaknesses, but both were very strong characters.
Even though the book was so short, the author managed to portray them in a way that made me want to read more and more and more of them, but then the book was over. Even on this few pages the author managed to let the characters develop and grow with the problems that were thrown in their way.
The writing style supported the story easily and perfectly. I didn’t stumble over any plotholes or mistakes that would have thrown me out of the story. I really enjoyed reading this book and will definitely pick up the other books in this series.

[Toya Richardson]

I was gifted an ARC copy of this book in return for an honest review.

It’s the first time I have read any of Carol’s work. I loved it and read it in one sitting, unable to put it down. The detail of the words made me feel as though I was there with Brogio and Kane, and transported me to a fascinating world of Vampires. The history of the time also had me hooked. It tells of Kane’s transformation to Vampire, with Brogio as his sire. I don’t want to give too much away but if you love vampires, I urge you to order your copy of this book. You will not be disappointed.

There was also a teaser for Snow Blood: Season 1 at the end, which will definitely be heading for my TBR list.

[Patricia Myers]

This is a great prequel to the Snow Blood Series. I was curious as about how this group came to be. This story centers on Kane. It really helped me understand his character, and I understand better how he fits into the group. Kane becomes friends with Brogio who is a vampire, Kane wants to live forever to continue his learning. Brogio gives Kane simple rules he needs to follow and when Kane breaks one and a vampires army id formed, Brogio & Kane have to form their own army to kill them. It is a very interesting story and look forward to seeing how their relationship grows stronger as in Snow Blood. I received a ARC of this book.

[Patti]

A most interesting start to a unique new vampire series! This prequel introduces us to a master vampire and his very first blood son. These characters are very compelling and I loved being taken into their world The ability to be loyal yet still individual with your own free will challenges the blood son tremendously and like any child he had to learn a few crucial lessons the hard way. The creation of this storylines foundation is picture perfect and it will be amazing to read more of this series! This voluntary review is based against an advance copy

[Krystal]

I voluntarily agreed to review this book, and was given an Advanced Reader Copy to do so.

This little short about Kane's journey to become the blood son was actually pretty good. It gives a lot of history with a dose of nostalgia mixed in. Although, I think some of the numbers given were quite high to near impossible back then, everything else seems quite well written. My favorite character though has to be the the creative life given to da Vinic & how he disregards Kane's strange behavior.
Also, you get a preview of the first book that seems to be set in present day.

[Kathi]

An Intriguing “History” of the Vampire!!

Kane is an apprentice to Leonardo da Vinci, with a thirst for knowledge. When he discovers his friend Brogio is a vampire, he wants to be turned to have an eternity of learning. When a mistake leads to rampant dangerous vampires, these educated and controlled vampires create a plan to counteract this dangerous tragedy.

A great introduction to what promises to be an exciting series! Relatable characters and intriguing premise.

*** I am voluntarily leaving my honest review of this book ***

[Lori]

**I voluntarily received an Advance Reader Copy of this book.**

This is a great prequel to the Snow Blood Series. I was curious as about how this group came to be. This story centers on Kane. It really helped me understand his character, and I understand better how he fits into the group.

[lynx]

This was a good prequel to the Snow Blood series.
Pros: I liked the characters that were included in the time line.
Cons: The length. There is so much more story to tell about Kane and Brogio in my opinion.

[Joyffree]

I was given a complimentary copy of this book, it is the short prequel to the Snow Blood Series
This is my first book in this series and I am actually glad I read the prequel first -
This tells us how Kane came to be turned - who and what he was before he was sired and how exactly his innocent moment of rebellion started what would soon be the Snow Blood series
I really enjoyed the emotional interplay that McKibben gave her characters - you felt like you were there and it was easy to relate to their emotional and physical responses
Given a taste of the series has left me with a craving that I intend to sate - off to read Snow Blood

[BeckieG]

I've not read any of Carol McKibben's book before and was a little worried that as a prequel, there would be parts I didn't understand but the book was clear and detailed.

The characters and their relationship were well considered and seeing them strengthen was all part of the book enticing you. The story centres on Kane and how he came to be, his lineage and how he was sired by Brogio.

As a period piece, it was nostalgic and well detailed...the Da Vinci link was unexpected but interesting.

As a prequel, it is a good lead of things to come and I will try to read more of her books in this series.

Definitely not your normal vampire tale....totally different.

I read this novella on behalf of 3 degrees of Fiction.