Afterage

This is an end of the world, vampires take over type of story. I would equate it with The Stand, or Swan Song in scope and basic theme. Though Navarro does tell a story more briskly than King or McCammon did in those two novels. I truly enjoyed this very original novel. I am however sad that nothing I have read from Yvonne Navarro after this has even come close to what she accomplished with this tale.

How many vampire novels are out there? I can't begin to count the number of them that I've read in the past. Some are fantastic, a lot are really good, and still more are pretty darn bad. Fortunately, Navarro has given us a really, really good vampire novel set in Chicago in the aftermath of a vampiric plague that has ravaged the earth. A relatively small group of human survivors exists in downtown Chicago. They don't know about each other because they all live in fear simply trying to survive each night while the vampires stalk for food. Anyelet is the queen vampire who decided not too long ago to create more of her kind in order to not have to hide her existence. Unfortunately, this quickly grew out of hand, and now the vampires must scrounge for a food source. Navarro gives us a story telling us what happens when these few humans and these powerful vampires clash, and the struggle the humans face to free themselves from the plague. This was such an entertaining and creepy novel to read. There were a few passages that actually had me checking over my shoulder to see if anyone was there (I dare you to read the first several pages detailing the doctor's search and discovery mission without shivering). It's no wonder that this novel gained enough attention to warrant a special hardcover release. The story has adventure, vampires, guns, medical experiments, human slaves used as food, and an apocalyptic vision. Afterage is relatively original, well-written, and fun. Sometimes that's exactly what you need in a good, scary read. If you want something refreshing after reading all those other copycat vampire novels, then give this one a try.

Vampirism spreads across the world like a plague. As humanity dies out for the exception of a few bands of people that hold out in the city. Scavenging by day and hiding by night. A small group of people come together to fight the cause of the plague, and to save the few survivors that are kept and bred like cattle by the head vampire. A quasi "I Am Legend" like novel with a almost spirtual like ending. The book is a page turner, and was my first introduction to Navarro's works.

This wonderful novel by Yvonne Navarro features a plague-ridden earth ruled by vampires. The surviving humans are being used as a blood bank by the vampires, who are immune to the plague. But a small group of humans begins to fight back... Yvonne Navarro's characters are excellently drawn, and very believable. And it's a good, scary read as well. If you liked I Am Legend, you'll love this book!!! Currently available only on disc from the author - see her info on this page!