E. E. Knight

Vampire Earth — (2001-2010) Publisher: Welcome to David Valentine's world. It is a world where conquered humans occupy a role somewhere between livestock and slaves. A world ruled by unearthly monsters of such dark intent and limitless hunger that they can only be called Vampires. Violently orphaned at the age of eleven, Valentine's aimless life changes when he meets a group of men bearing arms against the vampiric invaders and their human allies. These men are Wolves: elite guerilla fighters engaged in an ongoing battle to win back the Earth. The Way of the Wolf is not an easy road to travel. Few men or women can master the disciplines involved, and those who do rarely survive for long. But for young David Valentine, compelled by the losses of his past and the dreams of his future, there can be no other choice. It is a choice that will lead him to adventures beyond his wildest imaginings... and to horrors worse than any he has ever faced.

Way of the Wolf

Do you want to read something fun? Way of the Wolf, the first in E.E. Knight's Vampire Earth series, is a book that you can just enjoy.

The setting is a post apocalyptic Earth which Knight describes well. Much of the history is left untold, but we do know that in this Earth man is not at the top of the food chain; and he's truly in a pitched struggle for survival. There are lots of holes in the fabric of the story, but don't let this deter you because the action makes up for the missing information.

I really, really like Way of the Wolf and the gradual transition of the main character from teenager to adult. This is a short book, so just pound through it and enjoy the ride! —John Hulet

Way of the Wolf

Post-apocalyptic science fiction is one of my favorite sub-genres. Finding a good fantasy equivalent can sometimes be difficult, as it usually gets classified as science fiction. E.E. Knight’s Way of the Wolf has vampires and magic, and clearly falls into the category of fantasy. It also is about a post-nuclear United States with aliens, and scattered communities of humanity fighting for survival. It’s a strange mix, but it all works out well.

In the 2020’s a series of natural disasters struck earth, followed by a disease that caused the infected to go insane and die. The population of the earth was decimated. Shortly after these events, the Kurians, a race of magical beings, appeared and assumed control over the planet. The Kurians feed off the life force of humans (and others), and they use a group of really tough critters (Reapers) to do their collecting. These are the vampires of the story. Our protagonist, David Valentine, is a part of an elite group of human rebels called the Wolves. With their senses magically enhanced, they are the Kurians’ and Reapers’ worst nightmare. Way of the Wolf follows David through his early and present encounters with the Kurian oppressors.

As you can see by my summary, the plot and background is fairly simple at a glance. But as you follow David in his travels, you begin to peel back the onion and understand that there are more complex issues at play. I was expecting an action-packed romp of “Mad Max the Vampire Hunter,” and in a lot of ways that is what I got. On the other hand I wasn’t expecting the characters in Way of the Wolf to be quite like they were. The hero is a rather quiet and well-read fellow, choosing to lead through example rather than aggressiveness. He is not the gung-ho type and knows exactly when he should run rather than stand and fight. The female characters are not your typical choices in post-apocalyptic fiction either. Typically you would have a Mary Sue type with milk-white skin and the undying need for a strong man… or a butchy bullet-chewing she-warrior. E.E. Knight places his female characters squarely in between the two stereotypes. They are feminine but still tough, as you would expect from anyone living in their world.

I listened to Way of the Wolf on audio book CD from Brilliance Audio. It was read to me by Christian Rummel who is a rather prolific voice talent, and for good reason: he’s awesome. Seriously, how this man goes from gritty cigar chomping old veteran to sweet sensual Wisconsin beauty is beyond me. “Wisconsin beauty? That specific?” Yes dear readers, the man has his Northern/Midwestern accents down to an art form. If I ever win the lottery I will personally hire him to come to my house and read to me. I may even have him read Louisa May Alcott simply because it would be coolest rendition of Little Women known to mankind.

Overall, I loved the book and its audio adaptation. Those of you who straddle the line between fantasy and sci-fi will find a nice home in Way of the Wolf. It’s an action-filled, somewhat male-centric perspective of life under alien vampire overlords. Christian Rummel was a perfect fit to read the audio version, and I look forward to listening to/reading the rest of them. I have yet again been hooked into another great series! —Justin Blazier

Choice of the Cat

David Valentine returns home for a break in Choice of the Cat, but his rest is short-lived, as he quickly becomes the victim of military bureaucracy and is given a special assignment: he is to partner with a special agent who goes by the code name Smoke. Smoke, a small, attractive female killer with mild psychotic tendencies, is a specialized soldier called a Cat. While we learned a little about Cats in Way of the Wolf, we get to see what it’s like to be one in Choice of the Cat. Valentine (now code-named Ghost) and Smoke are assigned to gather intel on a group of Nazi-like super soldiers who are under Kurian control. These “Twisted Cross” soldiers are capable of organized destruction and have been to known to wipe out entire fortified cities overnight. This may sound a little silly, but if you’ve read the first book, you know what you’re getting into (and if you are contemplating reading the VAMPIRE EARTH series, check out our reviews of Way of the Wolf).

The story format E.E. Knight chose is the same as the first book: Valentine is placed in one tight situation after another, and usually cracks a few heads to get his way out. It's fun, a tad bawdy, and exactly what you want from this type of book. There are books that enlighten you, make you cry, or try to change you for the better. Then there are the books that just kick ass and chew bubble gum, and are all out of bubble gum (thank you Duke Nukem). Choice of the Cat is that second type of book. There are no elves, no fairies, and no magical glades of wonder. Guns, explosions, punches to the face, and just a touch of the human spirit are what you get in the VAMPIRE EARTH series.

I listened to Choice of the Cat on Audio CD by Brilliance Audio. The novel is once again read by the talented Christian Rummel. (Go back to my Way of the Wolf review to see exactly how I feel about Rummel.) Suffice it to say that he fails to disappoint in this sequel. As the number of characters increases, so does the range of voices he has to cover, and he manages all of it without ever breaking you out of the narrative flow. This is a fun book and a very nice addition to Brilliance Audio’s library of titles. Highly recommended to those who like action-adventure type SF&F. —Justin Blazier

Tale of the Thunderbolt

Tale of the Thunderbolt is the third installment in the VAMPIRE EARTH series. Each book has so far followed the story of David Valentine, post-apocalyptic warrior extraordinaire. In this third volume, Southern Command has sent David on a mission to bring back a secret weapon that lays hidden somewhere on the Haitian side of Hispaniola. David has been undercover for over a year in preparation for this mission, and has done things for the sake of humanity that he dares not speak of.

The David Valentine in Tale of the Thunderbolt is unfortunately a bit different from the one seen in previous novels. He seems more than slightly damaged from the things he’s been through in the past. I always enjoyed the fact that Valentine always did the right thing no matter what the consequences were. There was a charming purity to his ideals that made him a beacon of hope in such a hopeless world. That’s been a little worn away now. He’s definitely a more realistic and complex character due to the changes, but I still miss the old Valentine.

Those who enjoyed the earlier books in the VAMPIRE EARTH series will enjoy this one, too. My only complaint was Valentine's slight attitude change, but ultimately it’s a very minor complaint. The story is still exciting and action-packed. There is a bit more descriptive sex in this one than there was in the previous two, but it’s not overdone. E. E. Knight’s ability to tell an action-filled story remains consistent, and he adds a few more interesting characters to his ever-growing stable.

I listened to Tale of the Thunderbolt on Audio CD published by Brilliance Audio. Once again it was read by Christian Rummel, who again gives an excellent performance and never ceases to amaze with his vocal abilities. Since the story ends on a cliff hanger, I am looking forward to the next installment in the VAMPIRE EARTH series. I want to keep listening to it on CD, but it won't be released until next month (7/15/2010). It's getting hard to resist buying the print version so I can have it sooner! —Justin Blazier

Valentine’s Rising

Valentine’s Rising takes place immediately following the disastrous end of the previous novel, Tale of the Thunderbolt. The disaster was widespread and has changed Southern Command forever, and David Valentine and his remaining men must find ways to survive the situation. Valentine’s Rising is a tale of espionage, sacrifices, and all-out war.

E.E. Knight sticks with the same format he’s always used in the Vampire Earth novels: plenty of action, hard choices, and cool characters. Over the course of the series I’ve gotten to know the cast of characters quite well. I often know what each of them would do in a given situation. Valentine, for instance, always has to make the tough choices for the greater good. He’s not afraid to get his hands dirty when it comes to neutralizing the enemy or asking his men to die for him. He will almost always find the optimum solution, usually at some great expense to himself. He carries the burdens of those decisions so others don’t have to.

There are several instances in Valentine’s Rising, though, that made me reconsider my understanding of David Valentine. Some of the decisions he makes feel out of character. I almost stopped reading at one point, thinking Knight had suffered a stroke while writing this novel. I stuck with the story and by the end I was feeling better, but I can’t help but feel a little disappointed in the way some things turned out. This is merely the nitpicking of a fan, rather than an actual literary criticism, though.

E.E. Knight’s no-nonsense writing style is solid and makes for a fun and quick read. Page-long descriptions of the color of the grass are not to be found in the Vampire Earth series. The clipped tone and fast pace fit the world very well, and are major reasons why I enjoy this series so much.

Valentine’s Rising is available in audiobook form from Brilliance Audio. Christian Rummel puts on a stellar performance. Like so many of the narrators in the Audible/Brilliance coffers, Rummel is the permanent voice of the Vampire Earth characters in my head. I would love to someday visit the studio where these books are recorded. These are not just books being read to you; they are performances, and I bet they would be fun to watch. —Justin Blazier

Valentine's Exile

E.E. Knight’s Valentine’s Exile begins shortly after the events of Valentine’s Rising. David Valentine and his platoon of Razorbacks have just finished playing the key role in saving Southern Command from complete destruction. Valentine’s troops are mobilized to Dallas, a city currently held by the Kurians. When the Razorbacks save the day again, Valentine is promoted and is given three months leave. Unfortunately, Valentine hardly sets out before he discovers himself exiled from his homeland under suspicion of murder.

Valentine’s Exile is a standard addition to the Vampire Earth series. Like the rest of the series, it is a violent romp through a post-apocalyptic war zone of gooey vampires and enemy agents. The Vampire Earth series does many things extremely well. The cast is colorful and unique, and they almost always return for another adventure. The stories are just shallow enough to leave you wanting to read the next installment. However, there are some things they do very poorly, and Valentine’s Exile just happens to be one of the clearest examples of some things I don’t like about Vampire Earth.

Characters have a tendency to act out of character in order to move the plot along in a certain directions. E.E. Knight also likes to use courtroom drama to make major plot shifts in the overall story. So far there have been at least three courtroom battles that have generated major plot twists. In Vampire Earth, it seems you cannot change direction in a story without one an act of random homicidal violence or a trumped up criminal charge.

Despite a few “what the hell?” moments, I did enjoy Vampire’s Exile. Once again I listened to Knight’s story on Brilliance Audio CD. Christian Rummel is the voice talent, and he is, as always, superb. Some day, I will do a recorded interview with Rummel and make him do the entire piece in his Alessa Duvalier voice. —Justin Blazier

Valentine's Resolve

In this latest installment of Vampire Earth, Val is conscripted back into Southern Command where the need is dire. The explanation of the situation is ok, but I didn't buy into Val being that easy to track down and capture if he has been this successful for this long at staying away.

I enjoyed the story, but Val's continual fight with authority and the consequences that follow are making me nervous. A game I used to play allowed you to choose your enemies, and it was wise enough to point out that if you pick the CIA for an enemy, you are going to have a very exciting, but very short game. Val is making too many short-game enemies and all of his friends together won't be able to keep him alive for much longer.

The story is interesting, his love interest is a strong reminder of Ali for some reason, except she likes physical intimacy as much as Ali doesn't. A fitting place holder. Val continues to make rash decisions that get the crap kicked out of him and then get him in even more hot water than before. It's got to slow down a little in this regard because, to top this latest exploit, he would have to be dead.

Vampire Earth is simply awesome entertainment, but Val needs to get a little smarter about being a Cat/Bear/Wold so that he can live long enough to keep the series going. —John Hulet

Valentine's Resolve

Some time has passed since the end of Valentine’s Exile, and in Valentine’s Resolve David Valentine is still in exile. He has spent many months wandering the Kurian zone exacting revenge on “Quisling” scum. When Styachowski and Duvalier find him in a remote outpost, he is alone, filthy, and just a little bitter. His former comrades convince him to take on a special mission for Southern Command. They need the help of the Lifeweavers and they believe Valentine may be the only one capable of finding them.

Valentine’s Resolve is a typical Vampire Earth novel, which is a good thing. At this point in a series it’s always great when the story is still fresh. E.E. Knight adds enough twists to keep the pages turning, and just enough drama to squeeze your heart a little. Great characters and good storytelling make this another solid edition to the tale of David Valentine.

I’ve read six of these books now and all have been a positive experience. The common themes are consistent from book to book. There is action, tragedy, violence, tough choices and a few moral lessons. These stories are like a favorite TV show that I anxiously await for each installment. You become so attached to the characters that you cringe with every bump they take. You definitely should pick up a Vampire Earth novel if you are looking for a fun and gritty read.

I think E.E. Knight might be afraid of his characters getting too predictable, though, so they have a tendency to do some strange and spontaneous things from time to time, and this holds true for Valentine’s Resolve. I’m very attached to these characters and always notice when they do something I wouldn’t think they would normally do. I also find there are a few plot devices often overused to move things along. I’m telling you now, if Valentine gets arrested and falsely imprisoned in the next book, I will scream.

I listened to Valentine’s Resolve on Audio CD from Brilliance Audio. It is read by Christian Rummel, who is manly man voice incarnate. Nobody in the business can go from sweet southern belle to battle-hardened drill sergeant like Mr. Rummel can. Congratulations to Rummel and the production team on another job well done. —Justin Blazier

Fall With Honor

In Fall With Honor, Val is taking part in an effort to start another area of human control in a Kurian zone. He's worn down, tired, and somewhat broken, but he's still Val.

Fall With Honor was a bit of a let down. There is an intriguing mission and there could be interesting characters, but the folks who surround Val seem to be just different iterations of many similar characters who he's fought, served with, and hated before. The best part of the book was when past characters put in cameo appearances. Val himself seems to be just going through the motions, and it feels like Mr. Knight has gotten bored with Vampire Earth and doesn't really give it the attention and talent that earlier installments got.

I was frustrated with Fall With Honor. With a little more work and creativity there could be so much more happening at this point. There's so much potential! But, Knight has left plenty of loose ends, so I'm hoping to see some great stuff come of it. I just hope that he can bring this series back to its former glory. —John Hulet

Winter Duty

E.E. Knight’s Vampire Earth is one of the most interesting military fantasy series around. Watching the maturation and evolution of the main character David Valentine has been very intriguing because Knight has done the right things. Val has been through the proverbial wringer in terms of losing friends, getting hurt, and dealing with leaders who are more concerned with their own career than doing the right things for the Soldiers they lead. In many ways, Knight’s tongue-in-cheek commentary on bureaucrats and indictment of self-serving Officers has been his most powerful theme.

Winter Duty does even more. Once again Val is taking great personal risk on a mission which he feels is important, but which is not being supported by Southern Command. He lacks resources, qualified Soldiers and still he’s willing to roll the dice to try to save an area that was devastated by a previous offensive. As a soldier, I find it to be exciting, compelling stuff.

E.E. Knight continues to develop the post-apocalyptic conditions of Earth and doesn’t stint on giving us solid examples of how society could have evolved. He really takes the reader into the world and gives you a chance to see how rough things could be. Training Soldiers while trying to fight an uphill battle with limited resources is very difficult and Knight doesn’t try to sweep that under the carpet.

Winter Duty brings back several supporting characters who have been under-used in recent books. This is just a treat. Knight’s characterization of the relationship between Val and Ali, his long-time covert operations partner, remains one of the most tender yet brittle depictions of broken people finding trust in each other. Knight’s palette of emotional connections between characters is as well-developed as you could hope for, and that makes Vampire Earth worth coming back to again and again.

Winter Duty is a violent emotional roller-coaster that resets the standard of this series back to a high level. Knight’s latest effort really gives you something to savor while taking you for a ride through the harsh landscape of a war-torn world and man’s fight for survival. —John Hulet

March in Country

March in Country had a lot to live up to after Winter Duty, the previous book in the prolific Vampire Earth series by E.E. Knight. Winter Duty was a tour de force example of grit, determination, pain and combat that really re-energized the series.

David Valentine has always been an amazing contradiction of hardened killer in combat and soft-hearted do-gooder after. Some of the lengths he has gone to in order to save friends, free prisoners and give people a second chance have gone beyond compassion and into the realms of lunacy. For a professional soldier, it’s been career suicide and led to a life full of pain. That continues to be a central theme of this series as David continues to place the needs of “victims” and the desire to reform traitors before his own mission.

March in Country covers a lot of ground both in terms of physical travel and in terms of character development. From the rough conditions of their forward operating base in Kentucky, David and his fellow soldiers are put through their paces fighting off the incursions of a Kurian contingent out of the Georgia/Carolinas area. It is interesting to read from the perspective of a guerilla force that is fighting against superior technology and numbers. The Kurian troops from Georgia have much better vehicles, weapons and other equipment compared to Valentine’s troops and their allies in Kentucky.

Valentine’s longtime friend and co-conspirator, Ali Duvalier, has played many different roles and is the poster child for messed-up female heroes. I hate some aspects of what she does to get the mission done. Call it what you will, I just hate the thought of a woman whom I respect like Smoke having to use sex as a tool to get the job done. March in Country has a little more sex than some of the previous books and it felt out of place at times.

The major event of March in Country involves Valentine and a chosen team trying to recruit a large body of Golden One Grogs to support them in Kentucky. I don’t want to spoil the story, but a lot of interesting things happen during this mission. One of them is Valentine coming to grips with some of the gifts that he has inherited from his father.

The other major theme of this installment is the ongoing feud between Valentine and the leadership of Southern Command. It’s painful and disgusting how Valentine and his fellow soldiers are being treated, and I actually found myself angry. When a book elicits such a strong emotional reaction, it’s a sign of good writing.

March in Country sustains the pace of the Vampire Earth series, and Knight continues to give us reasons to care, reasons to rejoice and even reasons to be angry as the story unfolds. The characters we have grown to know so well continue to evolve and become different permutations of themselves. It makes for a great book in a series that just keeps marching on.  —John Hulet