Tale of the Thunderbolt: Book Three of The Vampire Earth

I enjoyed Way of the Wolf and Choice of the Cat, but Tale of the Thunderbolt is my favorite so far. Maybe this is because I am not a sci-fi buff. Maybe it's because I dig dark and urban fantasy(where we like a fast moving story-line and sympathetic characters)or maybe it's because the plot is so much deeper and more fascinating. There were times in this story where goosebumps flashed across my skin. Other places where a lump came into my throat and still others, where I laughed out loud. What I loved most though, I think, are the supporting characters in this book. I grew very attached to some, like Ahn-Kah the 'golden one' and the half-drunk sailor who showed his true metal when the stakes were down. Tale of the Thunderbolt is chuck full of amazing characters. Some good, some bad and others who walk that gray line in between. That's the sort of thing I like to have in my stories. If you dig fast paced action, suspense and gut-wrenching emotion...you'll dig this book.

While the precepts for this book are the same as the first two books, this book is totally different in style. He expands his future earth into the Caribbean and the Gulf Coast. The story is fairly unexpected and offers some hope for their future whereas the previous books end things fairly badly.

I don't understand a few of the mixed reviews this book has garnered. I found it the most compelling read of the three so far, with excellent character development and more edge-of-your-seat action. Certainly the main character ventures to a lot of places--but he's supposed to. This time he's on special assignment, and on a ship, nonetheless. Perhaps some consider the narrative choppy because Valentine visits many different locales during the adventure I had a hard time putting the novel down. Once again Knight does an amazing job bringing the characters and setting to life. His action writing is top notch, and layered with tension. I don't know about the rest of you, but after the conclusion to 3 I cannot wait to lay hands on book 4!

The Vampire Earth series continues in riveting fashion. Knight's strengths of characterization and world-building haven't lost a beat; this is the best of the novels so far. As a reader, you will come to truly believe in Knight's depiction of what a guerilla war in America against alien invaders might be like. The action expands to a new setting, as heroic scout and resistance fighter David Valentine is on a secret mission in the Caribbean. This part of our planet is also controlled by the alien conquerors, though, so readers will be treated to more of what makes this series so entertaining. A plausible extra-terrestrial species with complex motives and fascinating infrastructure. Knight's military and logistics detail are displayed with consummate skill yet again, as Valentine recruits help from various and surprising sources, in his attempts to locate a weapon which is rumored to be deadly to the aliens. One might think that descriptions of supply and troop movement would be dry material, but Knight seamlessly weaves it all together and never lets this detract from his exciting storyline. I would start at the beginning of this series (Way of the Wolf), but if you can't find it or can't wait, there is a very handy glossary at the front of Tale of the Thunderbolt, which can be used as a nice synopsis of the previous plot. Valentine is that rare breed of protagonist in speculative fiction. A genuine hero with flaws and conflicts. Your heart would have to be made of stone if you can't root for this guy. And for humanity in general. Bring on the next installment!!

By 2070, almost five decades of the Kurian Order has occurred since the vampiric alien Kur from the Interworld Tree and their minion (Avatars and Reapers) turned the earth and its human population into a global harvest. Reapers feed on human essences that are sent back to the Kur puppet-masters. Most human resistance has failed with harsh repercussions. Some humans, assisted by the Lifeweavers, who once lost a war against the Kur, have proven to be more successful in fighting the Kur. Especially successful has been David Valentine of the Cat spy force, who some might say is more animal than human. While in watery New Orleans, David learns of a weapon with the potential to defeat the invincible Reapers. He poses as an enemy sailor on the gunboat Valentine with a longshot plan to hijack the vessel and take it to Haiti where he hopes to obtain more information on the whereabouts of this savior weapon somewhere in the Caribbean. Reapers and Avatars are ready to kill him. Earth's savior becomes a bit distracted when he meets the beautiful Mali Three years have passed since the events that make up the CHOICE OF THE CAT, but conditions of the inhabitants being used for human fodder have not gotten better. The Resistance in some ways is stronger, but psychologically the warriors have become weaker as the cause seems increasingly futile. That is the underlying key to TALE OF THE THUNDERBOLT, as the hero understands the importance of the weapon. Though reading the fine previous novels would provide increased understanding, E.E. Knight insures this tale stands alone as the sense of dreaded failure hangs over David, Malia, and their associates while the "Vampire Earth" becomes more in focus to the audience. Harriet Klausner