Slayer

Slayer

Karen Koehler

KHP Publisher

ISBN 0974768014 $15.00 308 pgs

Sexy and dangerous. Those words aren't only to describe the writing style of author Karen Koehler, but also to describe Slayer, a vampire novel that will leave you breathless by the end. Not only intelligent and thorough, Slayer opens you up to a world of the dhampiri's; creatures that have evolved from what we know as vampires. Trust me when I say this is completely different ... even if you are absolutely convinced you couldn't stand to read another book on vampires ... I promise you will find yourself entranced from the get go.

We are first introduced to Alex Knight, the quintessential vampire hunter and a master at his art of assassination. He slays vampires with skill, wisdom, and rogue panache. His supernatural powers enable him to be the best at what he does. For the fallen, the weak, and the brigade of vampires ... he is their enemy and demands the very poisonous essence they hold inside. It is a sleek ride into the underworld and what happens when it collides with our world.

Slayer has a rare complexity in its intense plotline. There is nothing repetitive of other vampire novels; it is in a class all its own. Vampires are my favorite and I've been reading several books about them as of late. Each one touches on a mere myth of the vampire and fully evolves into a story brimming of unique and imaginative settings. From the first paragraph I was swept away into a whole new world and damn did I enjoy the escape!

Karen Koehler brings a stylish touch to Alex Knight. Not only do you delve into his dark world, but you also get caught up in the action that plays out almost before your eyes. I was also enraptured by the ancient ways the vampire hunter honors. There is a lot of history here, which makes it even more intriguing to read. It doesn't let your mind stop working, or your blood stop pumping. Your adrenaline will get a workout. The characters are an amazing depiction of each and every one of us; lone characters that roam together or apart, each with individual traits. In any world, even the underworld, there are those fueled by thoughts, obsessions, cravings, desires, and danger. To say this is thrilling would be a severe understatement.

Everything within the realm of Slayer is detailed. From the weapon of Alex's choice; a 400-year-old Double Serpent Katana sword, to his reasons for the attack on vampires, to the very dark alleys he protects, you gain a strong sense of understanding and clarity. I found myself holding my breath more times than I care to mention. When I get locked into a character's headspace, than I know I'm reading about a character I will care about and continue to think about, even after I've finished. It also shows me that the author knows what she is doing, and I can certainly say that about Karen Koehler.

COPYRIGHT 2004 Midwest Book Review
COPYRIGHT 2005 Gale Group