In this book, instead of the crazy herald of Dracula being a guy named Renfield, it's a crazy serial killer with mother issues named Benefield.

The reason for this change is that the Eighties were a time of edginess. People were looking for something different and more extreme in their entertainment.

Benefield's character adds a new layer of darkness and complexity to the story. His mother issues drive his actions and make him a truly terrifying antagonist.

Readers will be on the edge of their seats as they follow Benefield's twisted path and try to figure out how he will be stopped.

This unique take on the Dracula legend is sure to吸引读者 and keep them engaged from beginning to end.

This isn't my favorite McCammon work, but there are still many aspects that I really liked.

The setup isn't as slow as it is long, presented in a very distinct 80's style format. This particular part gives off a bit of a dated feel. However, it should be remembered that this is an 80's horror book, and McCammon himself admits that he was "going for the throat".

After reaching the 300-page mark, a few additional characters are introduced, and characterization becomes the crucial element. At this point, the book really starts to gain momentum. It goes all out until the very end.

Whether you have a love or hate relationship with L.A., it serves as a perfect setting for a vampire apocalypse. It adds a unique flavor and atmosphere to the story, making it even more engaging and captivating.

Overall, despite not being my absolute favorite McCammon novel, it still has its own charm and appeal that horror fans are likely to appreciate.

Vampires are running amok in Los Angeles.

Not only that, but there is also a serial killer on the loose, gangs causing trouble, and the usual assortment of crazies. All of these elements combine to make for such a fun read.

The book is quite thick, and the story does take a bit of time to really get going because of the large number of characters. However, it is well worth persevering with as the payoff is truly awesome.

Overall, I would rate this book 4 stars. It has an exciting and engaging plot that keeps you on the edge of your seat, despite the initial slow start. The characters are well-developed and add depth to the story. If you're a fan of vampire novels or thrillers in general, this is definitely a book worth checking out.

What a remarkable novel this is! It truly represents the pinnacle of 80s horror.

A serial killer is wreaking havoc in L.A., terrifying its residents. The press has dubbed this mysterious figure "Roach," but who is he really and what drives his actions? What about his supposed mental connection to a master? Is there more to this story than just a deranged psychopath? Oh, there's so much more.

Prince Vulkan has made his way from Hungary across the ocean. He idolizes Alexander the Great and has a truly diabolical plan to establish a Kingdom of Vampires. The entire town of L.A. is to be transformed into a haven for the undead. And then there's the mysterious biker Kobra, a character I absolutely love, and the eerie mansion on the hill where a horror actor was brutally beheaded. The setting is simply incredible.

Can Andy Palatazin, a police captain and Hungarian immigrant, save the town and its people? What about Father Silvera? This is hands down one of the best vampire stories I've ever had the pleasure of reading. It's a hefty book, but once you start, you just can't put it down. With its interesting, well-developed characters, parallel plotlines, and an intriguing backstory, not to mention a great prologue, it's a real page-turner. I've often heard that McCammon borrowed from King's Salem's Lot, and while that may be true, he has crafted an entirely independent and captivating story. It's one of the absolute highlights of this year. There are now more McCammon classics on my reading list!

Student Shocker! King Vampire Drops Out of School!

"Well, it was obvious wasn't it. Like any teenager I'd already learned everything I needed too. There was nothing left to learn from some old asshat, so, 'to Hell with the Headmaster,' I said. Hey? Wait a sec! What's that rumbling sound?" - Prince Conrad Vulkan - The Vampire King Chronicles

This is an entertaining story that vividly reminds one of the numerous 1970's disaster movies. In those movies, a diverse set of characters are developed and then thrown into a colossal, titanic, and monumental disaster, with only a fortunate few managing to survive.

However, the question arises: Why not 5 stars? The author, in my opinion, painted themselves into a corner with the ending. They resorted to (1) a sudden and rather stupid attack by the bad guy, (2) a massive and hubristic speech by the bad guy gloating about their supposed superiority, and (3) the ultimate Deus Ex Machina to resolve the story. This approach wasn't very appealing and cost the story a star in my eyes.

That being said, this story has the potential to make a great tele-series. It is too long to be effectively condensed into a movie format. With a bit of judicious and carefully applied foreshadowing, the ending could be significantly improved and made more satisfying for the viewers.

Recommended, 4 'Divine Retribution Kicks Arse,' stars

I read this in October with the wonderful people over at Castle Terror.

A very creepy and entertaining horror novel. This book is truly the literary equivalent of a great summer popcorn flick.

The pace of the story is pitch-perfect, never lagging and always keeping the reader on the edge of their seat. It doesn't skimp on the action either, with plenty of thrilling moments to keep you engaged.

However, the big problem for me was the dialogue. It was a glaring issue in an otherwise excellent book. In many spots, the dialogue was really rough (especially when it came to Ratty's lines), and it made me feel obligated to drop the rating down a star. But this is an early McCammon book, and I'm happy to report that the man's dialogue skills improved by leaps and bounds in his later works.

If you're looking for a fun, creepy vampire tale, this one more than fits the bill! It has all the elements you could want in a horror story - a spooky setting, interesting characters, and plenty of scares. So if you're in the mood for a good fright, give this book a try. You won't be disappointed.

I vividly remember the first time I read this, and I was completely immersed in the story. It was a vampire tale that I could easily understand, with characters who did predictable and sometimes even stupid things, yet they were still very human. The vampires created in this story are, in many cases, the worst kind of people to begin with. I really appreciate that the author takes the time to develop each of the main characters, and even gives a nice account of the side characters. This was especially great for me as I lived/live in Los Angeles. However, during my earlier reading, I didn't know some of the areas mentioned because my knowledge of the city was limited.

Andy Palatazin was a boy in Krajeck, Hungary when the nightmare started for him and his mother. They fled into the night and snow to save their lives and ended up in California, where he grew into a man. Andy has now become a Captain with the Los Angeles police and is hunting a serial killer when things start to seem familiar. He sees the same signs that his old village experienced before it fell to the dark forces.

Prince Conrad Vulkan has come to Los Angeles to create an army of vampires in his quest to destroy the human race and become the ultimate ruler. His death in 1342 was just the beginning for this privileged child who has grandiose visions running through his head.

How do you save people who won't believe in the boogie man? While I still enjoyed the story as it still has some impact, I found myself wishing it would move a little faster. I never noticed until now that it seems to drag towards the end, as if the author didn't want to stop writing. But nevertheless, I still recommend this because it is one of the good vampire novels that doesn't have any sparkling, sexy, love-starved vampires. This is dark and evil in the old school way.

So you're in desperate need of a vampire fix?

Well, look no further than this remarkable piece of work. If you were thinking of Twilight, think again. Robert McCammon takes us on a full-on, old-school eighties horror journey with this one.

These vampires are truly bad and have a voracious appetite for sucking your blood. Honestly, I found myself completely in my element while reading this.

Now, it's important to note that it doesn't quite reach the impeccably high standards set by Salem's Lot. (If you haven't read that yet, stop wasting time by reading this review and go read that instead.)

However, it is very good, highly enjoyable, and even manages to be creepy in some parts. Since Salem's Lot gets a 5, I'm giving this one a well-deserved 4.75 stars. Fangs a lot for taking the time to read this review!

It's a great addition to the vampire literature genre and definitely worth checking out if you're a fan of horror.

The story is engaging, the characters are well-developed, and the atmosphere is palpable.

You'll be on the edge of your seat from start to finish, wondering what will happen next.

So, don't hesitate to pick up this book and let the vampires sink their teeth into you.

This book might be a little more difficult to locate as it is out of print. However, don't let that deter you from reading it, for it is truly a GREAT book!

This is most definitely one of my favorite vampire books. These are not the feeble vampires that sparkle and fall in love. Instead, they are the classic evil, bloodthirsty horror vampires.

The reason I awarded this book 4 stars rather than 5 stars is that I felt the ending was a bit absurd and disappointing. Nevertheless, the book was completely unputdownable. It's yet another outstanding book by McCammon!

I highly recommend this book to all vampire enthusiasts and lovers of horror fiction. Despite its flaws, it offers a thrilling and engaging read that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. So, don't miss out on this gem just because it's out of print. Try to find a copy and experience the excitement for yourself!

They Thirst is an incredibly super fun and highly entertaining vampire romp that takes readers on a wild ride through the vibrant city of Los Angeles!

At first, I was hesitant about delving into yet another vampire book. However, I knew that one of my all-time favorite authors, Robert McCammon, had penned this particular gem way back in 1981. I had set a goal for myself to get through all of his books within the next 2 - 3 years, and what better time to start than during the spooky Halloween season to read his unique take on vampires.

So here I go!

They Thirst features a rather large cast of characters. But fear not, as once you manage to breeze past the initial 15 - 20% of the book, you'll quickly get a handle on who the main players are. It's important to note that this book does have a bit of a dated feel to it, considering its 1981 publication date. However, that doesn't detract from the fact that it's still an absolute blast to read. The action that unfolds in the City of Angels is thrilling, the tension and dread that build at various times keep you on the edge of your seat, and the overarching theme of good versus evil adds a layer of depth and significance.

I was truly captivated by the vampires in this story. Their creepy factor and telepathy abilities made them all the more fascinating and menacing. I must admit, though, that I thought the ending was a bit too reminiscent of a blockbuster movie. With the bad guy delivering a rather long exit speech and all. But despite that, I still thoroughly enjoyed the book. In fact, I should have had a big bowl of popcorn right beside me while reading this one, it was that engaging!

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed reading They Thirst and I'm extremely glad that I finally got around to picking up this book. How could I not like it with characters named Roach and Ratty? Good ole Ratty.

I did truly enjoy this novel. However, my main concern was the pacing.

I found that the earlier chapters were rather filled with extraneous details that, in my opinion, did not contribute a great deal. As a result, it was a bit of a challenge for me to really get into it (pardon the pun).

This is truly an action and movement focused novel. Once the pace did pick up, it became significantly more exciting.

The ending was satisfying, and it was clearly extremely well planned in terms of the character journey and intersection.

I am very interested in reading more works from this author.

I look forward to seeing how they develop their writing style and storytelling in future novels.

Perhaps the next one will have a more balanced pacing from the start, making it even more engaging from the very beginning.

Overall, despite the initial pacing issue, I still had a positive experience reading this novel and am eager to explore more of the author's creations.

This was my very first book from Robert McCammon, and I can say with absolute certainty that it will most definitely not be my last.

It is a truly fantastic vampire dominion book. As I was reading it, I couldn't help but get a distinct vibe that it was like a combination of "The Lost Boys" and "The Stain".

The writing in this book is extremely atmospheric. McCammon has a remarkable talent for creating a vivid and immersive world that draws the reader in from the very first page.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of vampire stories or just enjoys well-written and engaging literature. It is a must-read for sure!