Immortal War Blog Tour: Top 10 Vampirates Characters

Wow. When I was asked to do this by the lovely people at S&S I thought, wow... what an easy subject. Cannot wait! It was only upon sitting down to write this that I realised that it was not easy. Far from it. It has to have been one of the hardest pieces I've done for the blog, be it part of a Blog Tour or not. Really hard. So thanks to S&S and Justin for giving me the challenge!

10) Stukely - Now, not initally one of my favourite characters I couldn't stand him towards the start of the series. Crewmate to Connor turned Vampirate, he always annoyed me when he popped up and being Sidorio's sidekick he just kept coming. But as the series has progressed I've come to really enjoy him as a character. He still has some good in his dried Vampirate husk of a body, and it's buried so deep that all he can seem to do is highlight his flaws. 

9) Bo Yin - The innocent, odd, daugher of a swordsmith, she's been a favourite since she first appeard in Blood Captain. Her innocence always makes me smile and is sometimes a good rememdy to the darkness going on in the rest of the books.

8) Mollucco Wraithe - Captain of The Diablo, and a mighty fine pirate. He sure does have his moments of annoyance but he just seems to be one of those characters. Wheter you agree with him, or what he does, or not, you cannot help but like him. 

7) Kally - A fishtail (mermaid) who appears in Dead Deep, the novella Justin wrote for World Book Day and then again throughout the subsequent books. She doesn't really have any series-changing moments, but she's a fun little addition and always brightens things up whenever she pops up for air.

6) Darcy Flotsam - Figurehead of the mysterious Nocturn by day, regular Vampirate by night, she's been a consistent source of wisdom for Grace. Other characters waver in their wisdom, The Captain, Lorcan, because they always seem to have other interests at heart, and as we learn throughout the series, secrets to keep, but Darcy always has this sense of honesty about her which I really like and draws me to her as a character. The only downside is that the poor girl is only looking for true love and it seems so far away for her.

5) Lady Lola - One of the most wicked characters in the series, possibly even more than the big bad himself, Sidorio. She ia a complete puppet master. Pulling the strings to get what she wants, when she wants. With a chilling tendancy to bottle the blood of her victims and savour it rather like wine, she'sa highlight on the oceans!

4) The Vampirate Captain - A complete enigma throughout the series, this guy creeped me out majorly in the first few books, and also in the latter, but more so in the early days of the series. The whole mask situation and how his voice never exceeds a whisper even when angry. Creepy creepy dude!

3) Lorcan Furey - An important character all the way throughout the series, and a constant love interest for Grace, Lorcan is the loveable Irish vamp frozen forever in his nineteen year old body. Plucking Grace from the ocean in the first book, Demons of the Ocean, it was clear from the start that he'd be one to watch!

2) Grace and Connor Tempest - Our main characters. Yes, they are technically two different characters, but as they're twins, I'm grouping them togther. They've had a tumultuous journey throughout the series, being shipwrecked and finding themselves on two completely different ships, fighting for their lives in a world of piracy and vampires, no real Top 10 could exist without them.

And so it comes down to this, the Number 1 spot. 

1) Sidorio - Yes, I know, I hear you. WHAT?! WHAT????!!! Are you mad? You name Sidorio the number 1 Vamps character of all time?! Well guess, what, yes I do? Love him or hate him he is one cracking character! With his golden insisors which puncture his victims bodies to feast on their blood, and his Roman-esque wardrobe and ways, he truly is the self-styled King of the Vampirates. You cannot fault his enthusiasm, no matter how many knockbacks he takes, he won't stop until he gets what he wants. He is definitely a favourite character of mine, no matter how much I try I like him just as much as I am repulsed by him. He, more than any other character in the series has caused greater effect on me, and so therefore he is my Number 1 Vampirates Character!

So what do you think? Who are your favourite Vampirates characters?! Leave your comments below!

Thanks to Justin and S&S for allowing me to do this. It's been a lot of fun! Be sure to check out the series if you haven't already done so, and if you have, do not miss out on Immortal War! (Review here).

Announcing 'Vampirate Week' - June 2011!

If you are a regular reader of the blog, or my tweets for that matter, or have even gone deep into the abyss of my reviews when I first started, you'll know I am a MASSIVE fan of Justin Somper and his Vampirates books. I think they are brilliant, and pretty much perfect in every way. And so therefore I am majorly, extremely, butterflies in my stomach, excited to read the sixth and final book, Immortal War which is published on 9th June (46 days according to Waterstones!!!!!!!!)!!!!!!!!!!!! And therefore, to show and really fulfill my excitement, I'd like to announce...

Yes that's right! :D VAMPIRATES WEEK is coming to EoB! There'll be lots of fun. Reviews of the past 5 books, all sorts. And of course a review of Immortal War! The fun all kicks off on 6th June so be there!

Cover VS Cover - Empire of Night

UK//US

Now, being a big fan of Justin and his Vampirates series, (and of course running the fansite, TheNocturn), I take a big interest in the international covers for the books aswell as my native UK covers.

When S&S changed the covers of the series, launching Black Heart as the first with the new style, I have to say I was mighty annoyed. Why fix something if it isn't broke? But I have since fallen in love with them, and the design of Empire of Night is just perfect. The comic book/manga style reverse on the front cover is brilliant.

On the other side of the pond in the US, I've never really been a fan of the UK covers as they've generally been a little bit of a re-hash of the UK covers, just in a different style. But now Little Brown are also re-launching the series with a stunning new look. A look for the series that makes me want to emigrate I love it that much!

The cover for Empire of Night, as you can see about is completely and utterly stunning. My favourite book cover of the year so far, I hasten to add. I am seriously going to have to import a copy of this. It's perfect. The colours. The skull. It really fits the horror side of the story.

Bravo Little Brown. So for this one, the US cover gets my vote. A very rare occurrence as normally I prefer the UK art for most books!

Empire of Night [Review]

Written by: Justin Somper

Publisher: Simon & Schuster UK

Format: Paperback.

Released: 4th March 2010.

Rating: 5/5.

Official synopsis: "Sidorio, fuelled by grief and revenge, is intent on becoming King of the Vampirates and building a new empire to bring terror to the oceans. He faces growing opposition from both the Pirate Federation, including Vampirate Assassin Cheng Li, and the Nocturnals - the more benign vampirate realm - led by Mosh Zu and Lorcan Furey. Both the pirates and the Nocturnals are forced to raise their game in response to the new and urgent threat from Sidorio and the renegade Vampirates. Twins Grace and Connor Tempest, still ricocheting from the recent discovery of their true parenthood and its explosive implications, are thrust deep into the heart of the conflict. Old foes and allies are thrown together in unexpected ways and, as the stakes rise higher than ever before, Grace and Connor find their alliances shifting in ways no-one could ever have possibly foreseen..."

Wow wow wow wow wow wow WOW!

Empire of Night is the fifth book in Justin Somper's terrific Vampirates Series. Blending piracy with vampirism is not an easy task, but Mr. Somper does a terrific, neigh... AMAZING job, as this book only proves.

This book has a slightly different style to the previous four. The openning chapter, well, prologue, actually takes place in the closing chapters of the book. Rather frustratingly, this prologue is absolutely amazing. So descriptive, so addictive. I was hooked instantly, and then to have to return to the start of the story, and have to wait to see what happens next was a major task! I had to fight tooth and nail not just to flip right to the end and see what happens next! Believe me though, it is totally worth waiting for! Do not, under any circumstances flip to the end, like I was tempted!

After the revelation at the end of the last book, Black Heart, there are some interesting developments involving the twins, Grace and Connor, and their growing appetite for blood. This for me was a massive highlight of the book.

I really don't know what else to say, what else I can say,without spoiling the book. All I can say, is that it is by far my favourite of the series. With some stunning twists and turns, major deaths that shocked me to the core, really! It's not very often a book makes me cry, but I did shed a few tears at the death near the end!

Well done Mr. Somper. One extremely happy Nocturnal here! Excited to see what you have up your sleeve for Book Six! I cannot recommend this book enough. The series too! If you haven't read them yet, what are you waiting for?

Buy from AmazonUK

In My Postbox #2

In My Mailbox idea from Kristi @ The Story Siren, and all links take you to Amazon.

Got 2 brand new books this week. One that I have been absolutely dying for and one that I got courtsey of Darren over at The Book Zone! Thanks Darren! :D

For Review:

Inside My Head by Jim Carrington

"This cleverly constructed narrative consists of three points of view: of Gary, constantly victimised by the school bully in a nasty, name-calling and vindictive way; the bully's friend, David and a new girl to the school, Zoe. All viewpoints are revealing. Gary reveals the painful and often unsuccessful attempts by a young man to control his anger under great provocation - and his inability to communicate. David is someone who is uncomfortable with the bullying but doesn't dare to do anything about it - until the end. Zoe is a young woman who can see Gary through different eyes and is independent, freethinking and brave. Also featured in this title are rampaging tractors, shotguns and cheese puffs."

Brought:

VAMPIRATES: Empire of Night by Justin Somper

"Sidorio, fuelled by grief and revenge, is intent on becoming King of the Vampirates and building a new empire to bring terror to the oceans. He faces growing opposition from both the Pirate Federation, including Vampirate Assassin Cheng Li, and the Nocturnals - the more benign vampirate realm - led by Mosh Zu and Lorcan Furey. Both the pirates and the Nocturnals are forced to raise their game in response to the new and urgent threat from Sidorio and the renegade Vampirates. Twins Grace and Connor Tempest, still ricocheting from the recent discovery of their true parenthood and its explosive implications, are thrust deep into the heart of the conflict. Old foes and allies are thrown together in unexpected ways and, as the stakes rise higher than ever before, Grace and Connor find their alliances shifting in ways no-one could ever have possibly foreseen..."

Vampirates Catch-Up

Now, I am a massive massive massive Vampirates fan. I have been ever since the first book, Demons of the Ocean was published in June 2005. The artwork was dark, brooding, and so stunning, it just caught my eye at first glance. I'd also seen Justin talking about the book on Blue Peter and it sounded brilliant, so I knew I had to have a read. And I was not disappointed on iota.

Demons of the Ocean opens with Grace and Connor becoming orphans after their beloved father, and Lighthouse Keeper, dies. They have no other family, and so have nowhere else to go. And rather than be put in the children's home, they make a dash for it and head out to sea. But things all go quite wrong, very fast. There is a storm and the twins are ship-wrecked, separated, each fearing that the other has died.

Connor is saved by Cheng-Li. A brooding Chinese pirate aboard The Diablo. There he meets Captain Muluco Wraith, and many others. While his poor sister is picked up by a altogether more mysterious ship. That of the Vampirates. Here she falls for the dashing Lorcan Furrey. An Irish vamp frozen at 17-years-old. Oh yes, before your Edward Cullens there were Lorcan Furrey's!

I don't want to give too much away, and that's about all I can say without going into major detail on the next three books, 2006's Tide of Terror, my personal favourite Blood Captain released in 2007, and last years offering, Black Heart. For me, the books just get better and better. More and more epic every time.

Black Heart introduced us to the most chilling female character I have come across. Lady Lola Lockwood. She bottles blood for crying out loud! She baths in it. The woman is pure terror. But so amazing. There's just something about her that makes you like her, for me anyway. She's the sort of person that you love to hate. But you can't help forming an attachment to her.

The series even under-went a make over in-between Blood Captain and Black Heart, to give us the glorious covers that we have now!

There are twists and turns a-plenty in these books. You definitely will not be disappointed. I cannot recommend them enough, for boys and girls. And what with the fifth book, Empire of Night, published in just over a weeks times, things look set to get even darker. Expect a review! It's one of my most anticipated books this year!