Empire of Fear

I was unprepared for how engrossing this book is. Stableford makes a believer out of you from the start. I will read more of his work. I am hooked!!!!!!!

.The Empire Of Fear is an alternate-history vampire novel. But it is science fiction rather than fantasy; these vampires are indeed immortal, near-invunerable, and drink blood, but they are real, not supernatural, and, rather than hiding in the shadows, they rule. In this world, like and yet unlike our own, Stableford traces the ancient struggle between doctrinal absolutism and free enquiry, superstition and science, and defeats the ancient empire of fear in the only way it can ever be defeated - through knowledge. **Health warning**. This book will disappoint fans of Anne Rice. Readers looking for suave geeks in cloaks should go elsewhere. It is a book of ideas, not a mess of gothic cliche. Buy it and read it only if you want to learn something true, real, and precious about the nature of knowledge and ignorance, of power and fear. .

I found that The Empire of Fear had a new, unique perspective on vampires. It was original, and very believable. I find the writing much more mature and interesting than that of Anne Rice. It's dark, weird, and all together fascinating.