Morgan Rice Books, 2011
ISBN-13: 978-0982953723
Available: Paperback and Kindle ebook
Turned tells the story of Caitlin Paine, and is the first book in the Vampire Journals series. Caitlin, an 18 year old from a broken home, has been relocated many times over her short life, and now finds herself in the neighborhoods of Harlem and Bronx in New York City. On her first day of school, she meets the dark and attractive Jonah; he’s sensitive, brilliant and plays the viola. For a moment, you wonder if you’re reading a clone of Twilight, and then the first action scene happens and you are in an entirely different sort of story. Without giving too much away, Caitlin has vampiric powers that show up at times of great stress – for instance, when she is about to be beaten to death by a gang – but whenever her powers turn on she immediately needs to refuel, and the only food that works is human blood. We meet and hang with Caitlin on the worst and yet most incredible day of her life, as she meets all sorts of vampires, learns how to feed, and starts to understand her place in the world. The story briefly goes into The Matrix/Vampire’s Assistant territory when we learn that Caitlin may in fact be ‘The One’, the vampire destined to find a sword that can a win a war between the good and bad vampires.
To tell any more of this story would ruin a fast-paced, well-written, action-packed horror novel which really blew me away. This is very promising stuff. While at times it feels like you’re visiting other vampire films, comic books, and stories, it still manages to give itself enough unique twists that you really want to follow the adventures of Caitlin and her newfound Vampire ally Caleb. This book is highly recommended, particularly if you like fantasy-horror, Hellboy adventures, and anything with a kick-ass girl as the protagonist.
Contains: profanity, violence, gruesome imagery.
Reviewed by: Benjamin Franz