Review of "Fearless Vampire Hunter" by KM Taylor

Score: 94/100 (9.4 out of 10)

Jump into the dangerous, perilous, enthralling world of vampire hunting with Fearless Vampire Hunter by previous OCA Ultimate Champion KM Taylor!

Fearless Vampire Hunter follows Spencer Vale. Spencer's family is tragically destroyed as his beloved brother, Jaren, is turned into a vampire and both of their parents are killed. Spencer, once just a bullied boy, becomes a passionate, capable, and mighty vampire hunter (usually just called a "hunter"), becoming the bane of the creatures who took his family from him.

One of the really important aspects of this book is whom Spencer chooses to go into business/partner with. His relationships with other characters is key to the narrative, reminding Spencer of his humanity and the people he is fighting for.

Early on, he forms a powerful bond and duo with Karl. The two become like a Holmes-Watson-like duo—or, as they prefer to call it, like Batman and Robin. On one hand, it is somewhat implied that Spencer might possibly be bisexual (which would be ironic given the meaning of "vamp"); and, on the other hand, they might just be really, really close friends similar to Frodo and Sam. It's also very likely that Spencer compensates for the loss of his brother via Karl.

The two have an agreement to never hunt alone, especially Karl, who is more vulnerable as a human. What would happen if Karl were to ever break that agreement?

It's also worth noting that Karl technically gives the book it's name, giving Spencer the moniker of "Fearless Vampire Hunter" to reflect a sense of admiration, respect, and appreciation for Spencer's bravery and courage.

There's also Clannon Colfeld, who is the wise old mentor-like figure of the bunch. He is a seasoned British hunter who has assembled a small cell of hunters.It's also from Clannon that we (the audience) and Spencer get a lot of exposition and explanations about Spencer's family origins. In turns out that Hyoshian Vale, Spencer's fifth great grandfather, was a legendary hunter in Ireland.

We also get a lot of Easter eggs involving Taylor's previous award-winning book, Codex Sohrakia, or Tome of Sohrakian Source in this novel, which Clannon humorously refers to as the "oddest book" in his collection and "perhaps the oddest book in existence!" The runes that Spencer eventually has tattooed on him are actually from the Codex Sohrakia, and they actually serve a purpose as they respond to the presence of Darklings (mystical/mythical/paranormal/supernatural creatures) who were introduced in the Codex. The tattoos actually tingle, tickle, and burn in their presence.

Another very important relationship that Spencer develops is with Romayne “Rayn” Pierson, who becomes is biggest love interest in the book. Ironically, it turns out that Rayn is dating a vampire named Aurel. Already filled with a jealous rage over his long-time crush dating someone, Spencer wrestles with the prospect of a vampire feeding on, killing, or turning her.

However, like a lot of things in this book, nothing is as simple as it seems. It is very nuanced. The Darklings in the Codex weren't necessarily villainouos, they were just different. A lot of them were actually cute, kind, and lovable. The vampires just happen to be a type that is literally blood-thirsty, which has to feel like a curse.

Through Aurel (and perhaps even other vampires like Jaren), we get to see that the vampires aren't pure evil and actually have some aspects of humanity in them. Aurel genuinely seems to love and care about Rayn, for example.

This book is engaging and fun. It is similar to, but not nearly as humorous or comedic as The Unlife of Lisa Cooper by JM Celi. There is some humor though. For example, during a fight with Erskine, Spencer can't resist but fall in love with his outfit, asking himself, Who's your tailor?

Check it out on Amazon!