I am super proud of one of my oldest and dearest friends, Allison Glass, for writing a fiction novel. While I write, I write about real people and events and conversations - easy stuff, no imagination required. Creating a fiction story with a strong storyline, convincing characters, interest and intrigue, and lots of conversation is a whole other skill.
I have just read Allison's book 'Sanguinous' - devouring it in a few days - and I loved it. At its root, it is a vampire story, set in Johannesburg, with a journalist as its main character. The main story is set in the present with intermittent chapters that go back in time from when a key vampire character arrived in South Africa, so there is a wonderful inclusion of South African history and accounting of significant events where he was present.
What does the enigmatic nightclub, Sanguinous, have to do with fatal house robberies in the leafy suburbs of Johannsburg and a 17th century stowaway?
Rory Tate is a young journalist on her first job with a reputable news agency. Her investigations lead her into a bloodthirsty criminal underworld she could never have imagined.
I loved True Blood (tv series) and Twilight (books & movies), Interview with a Vampire (book & movie) so I'm an easy-sell on the vampire genre. That said, there is more that I don't read or watch that is too far fetched. I like my vampires to be believable.
Allison is a doctor but she moved to specialise in HIV and virology many years ago. She now heads up the molecular lab at a big pathology company. She started writing her book some time ago - a big commitment - and she self published 'Sanguinous'.
Allison has breathed life into her characters with descriptions that gave them presence and personality, and that left a clear image of them in my mind. She cleverly wove their interactions and history into the story, maintaining a smooth flow throughout. This book is a fluid read.
The best part of the book, for me, was the way that Allison dealt with the 'being a vampire' reality. As we all know, vampires drink blood but they don't have a beating heart that pumps blood around their bodies. So how do they walk, talk, think and function? Their flesh is essentially dead but they don't decompose. Allison delighted me with her rationale for their undead-ness.
For vampires, it can be risky business to snack on just anyone without knowing whether that person has a disease. In the book, Allison brings in HIV - her area of professional expertise - and its effect on vampires. Allison's outcome is even better than what you can imagine.
The book's ending left the opening for sequel - I hope there will be one in time.
I've had a rough run of books this year with a number that I've struggled to get into or to read to completion this year - even those by well-known authors. Allison's book is just what I needed. It kept me hooked from the start, was smooth and quick reading, and kept me up (or lazing in bed) to read just a little bit more before turning out my light or getting up.
Sanguinous is a vampire novel with a solid story and characters, and a cleverness in dealing with the essence of what vampires are. It is a good adult read but I can definitely see it in the older teen space too.
Sanguinous by Allison Glass is available on Amazon as an e-book or paperback. You can also message me and I'll connect you to Allison to get a paper copy.
Well done my friend xxx
