Title: My Dad’s a Vampire
Author: Barry Lowe
Length: 6,700 words (32 pdf pages)
Publisher: loveyoudivine
Genre: m/m contemporary paranormal (vampire)
Rating: C
Blurb:
Eddie was an uncontrollable child until he was adopted out to Declan Travet, a dark and brooding presence in the town who turns problem teenagers into productive members of society. Now 19-year-old Eddie wants to repay the favour by hooking his lonely dad up with a nice man – but it’s difficult when his dad’s a vampire!
Review:
While not without its good points, I found this story had too few pages to cover all of the plot points. There is in essence dual romances, the history of how Declan became a vampire, how Eddie became his son, just a lot of information which made it seem a bit choppy and with a sudden ending that left me less than satisfied.
I found Eddie an appealing narrator. He’s a typical 19 year old young man, not sure if he’s gay or bi but checking it all out, and when he meets the neighbour’s son Wolf he’s knocked for a loop. He can’t eat, he can’t sleep and Wolf is a homophobic jerk who even sacrifices his position on the university football team rather than cooperate with Eddie. As well, Eddie would like to get his dad fixed up with a nice guy, and saw his Dad eying up Wolf’s dad, so figures he’ll give it a try, mind you, all that leads to is him and Wolf finally giving in to their urges. Although something is to be going on with Declan who seems to have a lighter step.
Things became even more complicated when Declan’s past catches up with him, threatening Eddie. I think readers will either find Eddie, and his rather dry look at the world, an appealing narrator or they might find him annoying. He’s a bit of a drama queen as young adults are wont to be at times, but I found him amusing to read. He’s got a good heart, and he appreciates that his father took him in when even social services had given up on him, and he a good son who just wants his Dad to find happiness too.
So it’s light and humourous, with a bit of a twist ending which I started to see coming, but it’s a good lark with a heavy dose of the fantasy to it. Not withstanding the paranormal aspect, it’s not meant to be taken as a traditional contemporary, it’s all a bit over the top and you take it all with a bit of a wink and a nudge. This seems to be a hallmark of this author which I enjoy, but it may not be to all tastes. However when you’re in the mood, it fits the bill, although the vampire romantic relationship is not the primary romance, that of the two young men is the focus since Eddie is the narrator.
