Derek Steed

While Blooded isn’t necessarily a twist on the vampire mythos, it has a different feel thanks to Dixon’s more informal first person narrator. The main character (only once referred by name by a neighbor as “Jason”) wakes up after a wild night of partying to discover he has been turned into a vampire. What follows is his adapting to his new life and his dealing with the implications of what he has become. The female vampire who “turned” him is at first a mentor, but soon abandons him. He is forced to figure things out on his own without knowing the “rules” of being a vampire. Many of the superstitions and traditions of vampire lore are not true (such as religious relics and garlic) but things such as no reflection, being burned by sunlight, and not being able to enter a place uninvited are real. Left alone and inexperienced, he is dependent upon his own logic and reasoning to survive his new and horrifying life. Dixon takes many of the ideas about vampires and gives them an interesting spin. Vampires not needing to breathe, for example, makes crossing a river a bit easier. Wounds that don’t bleed or heal, but still can be painful, and the ability to sense extreme temperatures but not feel discomfort from them are two examples. He manages to avoid the cliches, even though some of the tropes are familiar. The main character tells the story in first person, which gives it a street level, almost journal or diary feel. His inexperience and adjustment to his new normal resonate with this style of narration. It feels more personal. The only disappointment I had was that the end felt a little too quick. The build up of a big shadowy boss bad guy didn’t quite pan out compared to the sense of menace he was given in description. The confrontation with a friend who had betrayed him seems to be over without much ado. But the actions of the main character after the seemingly climactic fight scene sets up an even bigger potential situation of danger and recklessness. Maybe the idea was to set up another series? I hope so, because it would be interesting to see the resolution of the events set in motion by a self proclaimed Vampire going viral on social media. There is a bigger and very interesting story that could follow. I hope we get to hear it someday. I like vampire stories. Dracula is one of my favorite books of all time. But I have never liked the romanticized, morally conflicted vampires meant to attract pity or sympathy like so many more modern versions. Dixon’s vampires are monstrous. And the main character realizes that he has become one as well. I’m happy that Dixon avoids the sappy “woe is me, I’m a monster” drudgery that could have been the expected route. Instead the main character begins to accept his monstrosity but enacts a chain of events that will undoubtedly lead to trouble for the vampire order and especially himself. But that seems to be his plan. I enjoyed “Blooded” even though I hoped for more. For those who like their vampires as monsters, this might be right up your alley. If you prefer the pretty, sparkly heart-throb type of nosferatu, maybe not.

After reading it again, it holds up in some ways, but not in others, but not in ways I expected. The story, about a boy who suddenly finds that he has fallen into a strange world, is nothing groundbreaking. It doesn’t take long to realize that the strange alien world the boy is on is our own. He is the alien. The book was first published in the mid 60s, so it may have been a newer idea then. I really wished there was more about the boy (Jon) and his own world, or the mechanics of the “door” that he fell through to come to Earth. But the point of the book is more about the misunderstanding and prejudice of people towards the unfamiliar. Jon has extraordinary abilities to hear the thoughts of both people and animals, and physical abilities far advanced than the people of the small mountain community he finds himself in. He is taken in by a kind family who help him through his memory loss and injuries, thinking he is just confused from being hurt and lost. Slowly they piece together the truth as Jon starts to remember more and reveals more about his abilities to them. Of course there are others who aren’t as kind, and the one who had a short encounter with Jon before he was rescued saw a glimpse of the boy’s strange abilities. This leads to rumors and gossip about a “wild boy” running loose in the mountains that can leap 100 feat and runs with the wildlife. The kind family, The Beans, come up with a cover story as to who Jon is and why he is staying with them, as it becomes harder to hide him from the neighbors. The neighbors are the no-good, nosy, theiving type and of course this leads to trouble that eventually involves a theft, the police, a judge, and even the eventual interest of the U.S. Government. The themes of unjustified prejudice against anyone “different,” the greed and self centered hearts of many people, and the misuse of good things to evil ends are just as pertinent 50 years later. The story, although obviously written with a younger reader in mind, isn’t dumbed down or patronizing to read for an adult. The story holds up, although the 21st century reader my see plot holes that are more a result of the time frame the book was written and set in rather than actual plot holes. (Set in the late 50′s or early 60′s after the Korean war and before the Vietnam war, in an unnamed small mountain community.) The time frame is what held up the least. Between the intended audience and the era in which it was written and represented, the dialogue and writing style seem a little old fashioned and even quaint. Even a little cringe inducing in a couple places. Especially given the mountain people in the story (a specific location is never mentioned but the speaking style of the characters reflects an Appalachian or southern area.) Overall it has that sort of feel of an old movie from the era - not quite as “realistic” as modern audiences might be used to. I still liked it. Maybe not as much as 4th grade me, but it still resonated with my emotions on the injustice of the local people towards Jon. I still wished there was more about his world, his abilities, the technology of it all, but maybe that is what captured me so much as a kid. I had to fill in the blanks myself with my own imagination. It was an interesting experiment to read it again as an adult, with only the vague memories of it in my mind. It was a short and quick read at about 150 pages, and was still able to get my imagination moving and my emotions stirred. I’m glad I found it at that library sale. And I’m sure if I could go back and tell my 10 year old self that I would read it again as a grown up, he would be pretty happy about that.

I was suggested this book last year by someone who knew of my love for the Netflix series “Stranger Things.” Then another friend sent me a copy of the book as a gift at Christmas. First off, the resemblance to Stranger Things is only surface. Set in the 1980′s - kids investigating paranormal things - but that is pretty much where any similarity stops. Instead this book is a bit different. It starts off feeling like a very lighthearted coming of age story about a shy and lonely outcast kid, his eccentric uncle, and the arrival of the new kid in town. By the end it becomes a much deeper, more somber, almost philosophical take on the science and mystery of memory and the mind. It has a twist, but not the shocking, M. Night Shyamalan, “he was dead all along!” type of twist. It’s not necessarily obvious, but it creeps up on you. As you begin to realize something is bubbling under the surface of the story, and you realize the potential heaviness of the truth, it becomes something you almost deny in order to avoid the imminent crash of harsh reality. The conclusion, much like actual reality, isn’t a perfect, happily ever after ending. But it gives a sense of resolution, and of moving on despite a less than ideal situation and circumstance. The book is not long (a little over 200 pages) and the pacing feels like the unfolding of an episode of a tv series or movie. There are areas I wish had a little more development, but the story is streamlined and not bogged down with overdone exposition. I read it in a single evening, in one sitting. Davidson handles the writing in a way that is poetically descriptive when needed, and simple but effective where needed elsewhere. The few pop culture references place it in the 1980s time frame, but the era is not a vital part of the story. The lighthearted and humorous moments don’t feel tacked on or forced, and the more emotional moments are impactful without being melodramatic. Overall, I would give the book a 4 out of 5. I enjoyed it. It was different than expected, especially with the gradual shift in tone that slowly changes the feel of the story. It was engaging enough that I wanted to keep reading, (and finished in one sitting) but I wouldn’t call it a fast paced, edge of your seat type of captivation. I enjoyed it enough that I will probably read more by Craig Davidson. It gave me ideas to ponder, and left me feeling curious to think more about some of the topics addressed. Any book that grips me enough to do that is a winner in my opinion.

Inktober Monster theme Day 12. Prompt Word "Shattered."

Inktober Monster theme Day 11. Prompt Word "Run."

Inktober Monster theme Day 10. Prompt Word "Gigantic"

Inktober Monster theme Day 9. Prompt Word "Screech"

Inktober Monster theme Day 8. Prompt Word: "Crooked."

Inktober Monster theme Day 7. Prompt Word: Shy

Inktober Monster theme Day 6. Prompt Word "Sword"

Inktober Monster theme Day 5. Prompt Word: Long

Inktober Monster theme Day 4. Prompt Word: Underwater

Inktober Monster theme Day 3 Prompt word: Poison

Inktober Monster theme Day 2 Prompt word: Divided