Valentine's Exile

I read this book twice and I NEVER do that. David Valentine is possibly the most "real" character I have ever read about in fiction. He gave his word to find and save wife of a comrade and David Valentine is a man of his word. Problem is, he's been betrayed and it appears he won't live to see his child, or carry out his promise and he won't die fighting the enemy. The end of this book left me satisfied, but longing for the next all at the same time.

The year is 2072 and it has been fifty years since the Kurians came and conquered earth using humans to satiate their soul hunger. The Reapers, creations of the Kurians need blood to survive and take it with syringe like tongue. They take the aura of people and send it to their Kurian masters who live in strongly secured fortresses in territory they carved up. Freedom fighter David Valentine has fought since he was old enough to hold a weapon and was there when the Kurians suffered two major defeats, the retaking of Dallas and much of their surrounding area and the creation of the Ozark Free Territory. When his wounded commander William Post asks David to find his wife who disappeared into Kurian territory, he has no idea he will be jailed on murder charges brought by an enemy who has a grievance against him, move into various parts of the Kurian order to find clues to where William's wife Gail is and fight the Reapers and other monsters just to get information on where Gailis. She is just one of many women who passed a blood test and was taken to a special facility that horrifies David since he stared fighting in the Resistance. The vampire Earth series just keeps getting better and better. Earth is a dark and conquered place where quislings (human collaborators) do almost as much to threaten people as their masters do. The protagonist is no innocent but he is a dedicated person who knows he will face danger but he feels the goal is worth the price. Hopefully in future books in this series, readers will learn more about the Kurians because for the most part they stay in the background and let their minions do their work. VALENTINE'S EXILE is a fantastic work of science fiction in the vein of Wells' WAR OF THE WORLDS. Harriet Klausner

I wasn't sure what to expect after Valentine's Rising (my favorite thusfar), but EE Knight has exceeded my expectations with Exile. The latest book in the Vampire Earth series is an engaging combination of action/adventure, drama, and a little comedy. Despite its sci-fi/fantasy classification, it's not sci-fi in the stereotypical sense. The settings are recognisable and the characters continue to be dynamic and compelling. It's extremely hard to put down once the adventure's begun. Exile is a wonderful addition to the Vampire Earth series and to the sci-fi community as well. Even people who don't typically read sci-fi would enjoy this book.

I am getting to where I really hate this author... because I know when the next book comes out I will not be able to put it down until I finish it. GREAT SERIES AND A GREAT BOOK. This one really pulls together a lot of loose threads and answers questions. I am still wanting to see more details on each of the hunters specialties. What a twist at the end. I really hope the member lost comes back in the next book though. So Mr Knight if you are reading this, PLEASE!!!!

I thought for sure that there would be no way for Knight to write a followup to Valentine's Rising that could compare with that book. That's what I get for thinking. Not that I don't think that he's up to the task, it is just that I've found that most serial writers get locked into a predictable formula and/or get mired in minutia and backstory. And with him writing yet another original series as well (Age of Fire), I wasn't going to be disappointed if Valentine's Exile was of lesser quality than Valentine's Rising - I knew it would still be a great read. Well, consider me overjoyed! Knight has succeeded in creating another absolutely wonderful story in the Vampire Earth setting. The story is thoroughly involved, challenging, and enthralling. I found it extremely difficult to put down as Knight gives the reader a continuously moving plot that keeps the reader guessing and entertained. He has a talent matched by few wherein he delivers enough description to give the reader a detailed image of the setting without detracting from or interrupting the pace of the storyline. His setting, though fantastic, is filled with characters and events that you can visualize without suspending logic or belief. His heroes are wonderfully drawn and complex without the need or want to make them unbelievable superheroes. Valentine's Exile opens with David taking part in a major offensive against the Kur. The battle is long and costly, with his good friend Post being severely wounded. As a reward for their duty, David and company are given an undesired leave. David decides to use this time in search of Post's wife as a personal favor to him. Accompanied by Duvalier and Ahn-Kha, Valentine travels from one edge of the Midwest to the other discovering intrigue, betrayal, conspiracy, and slimy politics (is there any other kind?). I was pleasantly surprised every step of the way. The story is gritty, produces a lot of emotion, and is completely entertaining. I rate it as Valentine's Rising's equal (my personal favorite of the series and one of my favorite books of all time).