Victor Jane consists of three short stories about Victor, a formidable 6-foot-4 vampire seeking to kill every other “vamp” because they prey on humans.
Victor is especially intent on destroying Contessa Cortez, who murdered his family and turned him and countless others into bloodsuckers. His pure-blood Lipenstein stallion, Nightfire, accompanies Victor on his adventures as “The Cowboy Vampire,” “Vampire Trucker” and “Vampire Spaceman” respectively. Because of his rare blood, Nightfire also was attacked by the Contessa. Now man and horse – both with glowing red eyes – travel the world following wars (where the undead thrive) to kill more vamps.
Along the way, Victor falls in love twice, befriends television actor/vampire Barnaby Collingsworth (seemingly borrowed from Dark Shadows vampire Barnabas Collins) and kills numerous vampires and humans who conspire with them. Over eight centuries, Victor’s methods adapt as technology – and his skills – advance: As a cowboy vampire, he uses Colt revolvers; as a modern-day vampire-trucker, Victor employs a deadly disrupter frequency on his CB radio; as a vampire-spaceman in 2210, he travels to planet Valgor (the origin of Earth’s vampires) with a silver sword, laser pistol, light grenades, laser rifle and disrupter belt.
Though imaginative, this book contains unnatural dialogue and awkward sentences that repeat words and names. The text also includes multiple spellings for a single name (for example, Contessa Cortez is also referred to as Contesa Cortez, Contessa Vargas and Contesa Vargas), as well as punctuation errors and incorrect or imprecise word choice. Take, for example, this description of Victor: “He attending [sic] a montage of schools, universities, entering a sword apprenticeship, and gun making [sic] machinists.”
The intended audience is unclear. Supernatural subject matter, short chapters (sometimes one page), and choppy sentences seem more suitable to young adult readers. However, relentless violence and a sex scene with unnatural “orgasmic release” are more appropriate for adults. The cowboy/trucker/spaceman spin may appeal to readers of various ages looking for a twist on the overworked vampire genre.
Also available in hardcover and ebook.
