The Last Vampire

Rating NR Genre fantasy Author Patricia Rosemoor and Marc Paoletti Publisher Del Rey

Two extremely talented authors put a new twist on vampire lore with this darkly provocative tale about an experimental project gone horribly wrong. When a five hundred year old corpse is unearthed in a Texas cave, the military discovers its decayed flesh is rife with DNA that can give ordinary humans supernatural powers. 

Captain Scott Boulder is the leader of Team Ultra, a Black Ops unit endowed with incredible abilities after their DNA is spliced with that of the corpse. However, the scientists and team members are unaware that the source of these powers is not a dead body, but in fact a long dormant vampire. One night it is resurrected through the aid of a voodoo priestess, unleashing a terrifying evil that slaughters Team Ultra, leaving only the captain and his brother Eric, alive. In order to destroy this monster, Scott is ordered to join forces with Dr. Leigh Maguire, an expert on magic ritual and herself a survivor of an attack by the creature. They must destroy a being that has command over the very elements and may have to sacrifice their own humanity to do so.

This is a brilliant, engaging story told in four points of view: Scott, Leigh, the vampire, Andre, and the priestess, Rebecca. One would expect to find some confusion here, but the authors skillfully weave together these four disparate voices. All the characters, even the supporting ones, are visceral and real. The action is gritty and intense; there were several instances where I found myself turning pages quickly. 

I have read many a vampire story and it has been a long time since one captured my attention so fully. I love the interesting spin on how a vampire is created and what can stop him. This book is the first in a series entitled the Annals of Alchemy and Blood and the ending provides the perfect set up for the next installment. I recommend this novel highly for fans of vampire fiction as well anyone looking for a good fantasy tale. I can’t wait for the second one.