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Fantasy. Fiction. HTML: Includes an original Sookie Stackhouse story "Clever...entertaining... excellent"(Library Journal) original vampire stories by Charlaine Harris, Jim Butcher, Kelley Armstrong, and more. From cakes to stakes, a celebration of everyone's favorite bloodsucking subculture by a baker's dozen of favorite authors. Each of these thirteen original stories offers a fresh and unique take on what birthdays mean to the undead. From Charlaine Harris's Sookie Stackhouse attending a birthday party for Dracula to Jim Butcher's Harry Dresden battling bloodsucking party crashers, these suspenseful, surprising, sometimes dark, sometimes humorous stories will ensure paranormal fans will never think of vampires or birthdays quite the same again..… (more)
User reviews
Dracula Night by Charlaine Harris
The Sookie Stackhouse entry doesn't really forward anything in that world, but it presents the boyish and hopeful side of Eric as he prepares the bar for the celebration of Dracula's birthday and hopes that the real Dracula will show up at Fangtasia this year. Having Pam describe it to Sookie as Eric's Great Pumpkin moment is perfect. Although a fun entry, there are moments where Sookie's behavior is out of place for the sake of the story.
The Mournful Cry of Owls by Christopher Golden
Golden provides the one not-a-vampire tale in the bunch. Part of me wishes the story could have been pushed to the middle, because I might have given it more of a chance in that whole, "hey, a break from vampires, I'll like this more!" kind of way. I wanted to like this story more, but between being set in the 70s and the main character's old-school European immigrant mother that led her own cloistered life, I found much of the setup very forced and the gamble ultimately didn't pan out for me.
I Was a Teenage Vampire by Bill Crider
Just bad. This felt like a high-school creative writing class entry where the assignment was "write a story involving birthdays and vampires this weekend." Definitely one of the entries that felt like it had been sitting in a drawer for a long time. It's partly teen revenge fantasy against the popular kids, homage to 50s horror, 80s slasher flick and a sort of bad joke that you can see coming a million miles away all rolled into one. If that doesn't sound attractive, it isn't.
Twilight by Kelley Armstrong
It's a shame about the name (this was published in 2007, so this would have likely been written before and being put together as that series was taking off), as that + vampires has a connotation. Fortunately, this manages to rise above the connotation. In Armstrong's world, a vampire has to kill at least one human before their vampire birthday each year to continue living. As Cass is fast-approaching her day, she's finding a hard time doing what should come easily to her. We go through her hunt process (she does not kill indiscriminately), the guilt she feels at realizing she's amassed a theater-full of victims over the centuries and the realization that her natural vampire life could be at an end (in Armstrong's mythology, vampires are only good for 350-400 years).
It's My Birthday, Too by Jim Butcher
An entry from the Dresden Files. We have a new apprentice and a birthday gift that needs to go to Harry's vampire brother who has decided to hire himself out to a group of LARPers (Live Action Role Players) for the night at a deserted mall. Unfortunately, said LARPers once ignored the wrong girl and she's now become one of the undead herself and she's back for some very angry revenge. Harry and his assistant are no longer dropping off a quick package and we have an action-packed story with plenty of room for humor. A fun entry mostly due to Harry Dresden and the shoe elves.
Grave-Robbed by P.N. Elrod
A good entry. Our vampire is a private investigator hired by a woman to help discredit a phony medium that is taking advantage of her older sister's grief over her husband's sailing accident. The medium has gone to extreme lengths to prove that he's in contact with the dead husband, so Mr. Fleming is going to offer the kind of revenge that her sister needs as the medium has a special seance planned for her birthday.
The First Day of the Rest of Your Life by Rachel Caine
This story is really a beginning to a much bigger story as our protagonist is turning 18 in Morganville. In Morganville, the town is run by vampires and turning 18 means you sign as an adult with your family's vampire protector or a new vampire...or you risk it all to go without a vampire protector. It's not a good situation any way you look at it, and the story really ends with the choice, but it's a good build-up. Enough that I felt like putting one of the books from the series on reserve at the library.
The Witch and the Wicked by Joanne C. Stein
Slightly uneven, but tipping towards charming. Sophie is a catering witch in the unfortunate position of catering to vampires (they're cheap, demanding and can party well into the day in this version). This birthday party ends with one burnt vampire but no guests that care and Sophie looking for a new career mixing youth creams for the open market - so why not use vampire ash? They're immortal and young...couldn't hurt? When we get down to the action of the experiment, the story takes hold and is fun...and actually too short.
Blood-Wrapped by Tanya Huff
As I write this, I barely remember the story. I know a vampire was turning 40 as this was discussed too many times in the story to the point where one never really found out if it actually mattered to her. Things interrupted it, stuff happened, other supernatural beings were involved. Very much phoned in.
The Wish by Carolyn Haines
The shortest entry in the lot, but probably one of the stronger entries for the economy of words. A story of a mother's grief and determined revenge against death at any cost after her two children died in the same car accident she survived. Self-contained and really well done.
Fire and Ice and Linguini for Two by Tate Hallaway
Another halfway decent entry. A birthday dinner for a witch and a vampire with a vampire that's convinced his birthday is cursed. As all manner of small nuisance stops them on their way to the restaurant in the middle of the harsh Minnesota winter. Of course, this is nothing compared to the bad that really awaits them. A great deal of fun and enough shifts in the action to keep this from falling into a simple solve problem a, move to problem b, magically solve problem c-type plot.
Vampire Hours by Elaine Viets
I really would have liked to have liked this story more, but it tried to hard to be so much more than it was. Our main character was supposed to be a woman of a certain age that was special because she had forgone the plastic surgery her husband could provide for free, because she was no longer attached to the sun of Florida or the boring life of food. Of course, the vampire fantasy happens to involve getting to your ideal weight, getting back your youthful skin and getting to kill people while working out your petty revenge fantasies at the same time. But you have to prove you're above all of it to get all of it first. Ugh.
How Stella Got Her Grave Back by Toni L. P. Kelner
I went back and forth on this one. The setup to get Stella back to her hometown was thin at best and the mystery was even thinner, but parts of it really worked. I don't know why. The story even gives a direct nod to Nancy Drew and quite a few knowing winks to Scooby Doo - and maybe this is why it kind of worked out in the end.
It's not the strongest anthology every, but if you find yourself reading a favorite author's in-between story for a series you love, you should just read the other stories to see if there's something new you might like. And read the rest to thank your author for giving you something good and dependable on a regular basis when you read the clunkers.
"How Stella Got Her Grave Back"
Fun collection!
If you're fishing for new authors this is only worth a read for Jim Butcher's story. Whatever you do, don't buy this book. Borrow it from your local library.
The main reason I read books like this is to get a sampling of some authors I haven't read and get a glimpse into the series that they are writing. This book was a good read and I found a couple new (to me at least) authors to check out from it. Because of this book I will read more of PN Elrod's work, check out the Morganville vampire series, see what else Hallaway and Kelner have written, and possibly check out some of Jeanne Stein's work too. Below is a quick comment/synopsis of each story.
Dracula Night by Charlaine Harris
This story is an addition to the Sookie Stackhouse series and addresses the celebration of Dracula Night by the vampire community. It's a fun read; although there's not a ton of content here.
The Mournful Cry of Owls by Christopher Golden
The only other book I've read by Christopher Golden is "The Boys are Back in Town"; which I liked pretty well. This story follows a girl as she learns about her unique heritage. I enjoyed it and it was well written and mysterious.
I Was a Teenage Vampire by Bill Crider
This was probably my least favorite story of the anthology. The story was predictable, boring, and seemed quickly and lazily written.
Twilight by Kelley Armstrong
I liked Twilight okay. It was a little boring and moved slowly but it was well-written and dealt with the topic of vampires dying of boredom.
It's My Birthday, Too by Jim Butcher
Fun addition to the Dresden Files series. I enjoyed a story in which Thomas played a main role. I especially enjoyed the role-playing; being a DnD player I thought it was hilarious.
Grave-Robbed by P.N. Elrod
This was my first time reading anything by PN Elrod and I liked it. The main character, Jack Fleming, is a bit campy. Some of it reminded me of Harry Dresden a bit. I enjoyed it and will read more of Elrod's writing.
The First Day of the Rest of Your Life by Rachel Caine
This was a story that took place in the world of Rachel Caine's young adult vampire series "The Morganville Vampires". This was my favorite story in the book and now I am interested in reading this series. I've read some of Rachel Caine's Weather Warden series and that is also a good series.
The Witch and the Wicked by Jeanne C. Stein
This story creeped me out. I believe Stein is the writer of the Signs of the Zodiac series. The writing style wasn't my favorite since it was kind of plain and straight-forward; not as much flare to it as I had hoped. The premise is pretty darn creative and creepy though.
Blood Wrapped by Tanya Huff
This was a nice addition to Henry Fitzroy's world; it was a fun read. It really brought home the fact that I haven't read the last few books in this series yet. I was like, what do you mean Vicki is a vampire?
The Wish by Carolyn Haines
I've never read anything by Carolyn Haines but I did like this story. The story is very sad and yet it is beautifully written and really grabs a hold of you. It is a very beautiful and well-written story, if not as fun as the rest of the book.
Fire and Ice and Linguini for Two by Tate Hallaway
I've never read anything by Tate Hallaway before; this was a fun story. I was intrigued by the witch having a demon trapped in her and by the elemental evil forces at work. I could really sympathize with the characters and the cold weather, being from MN myself.
Vampire Hours by Elaine Viets
I really enjoyed this story. I liked that the main character was an older woman dealing with day-to-day issues a lot of women deal with (okay maybe not as extreme as these issues). I liked how the woman cleverly got back at everyone; it was funny and a quick read.
How Stella got her Grave Back by Toni L.P. Kelner
I've never read anything by Toni Kelner, I really liked this story. I liked the idea of vampire dams and I liked the mystery solving that went on in this story. The characters were fun and likable. I really want to know the history between them now.
I would highly recommend NOT reading this until you've read earlier Dresden books (it's set after White Night). The premise of this story is based on a detail that is not revealed until
This was a fun tale focusing on Harry and his brother Thomas. Of course an occasion for a birthday can't help but devolve into mayhem when Harry's involved. Harry was resourceful as ever, Thomas was in fine form, and their sibling relationship might be stronger for it. There's nothing like fighting side by side for a wizard and his vampire half-brother.
Charlaine
The Mournful cry of Owls by Christopher Golden is a different story, a story of a stolen skin of a strega and a mother overwhelmed by grief who makes choices that will come to roost on her daughters birthday.
I was a teenage Vampire by Bill Crider - a girl wants a vampire for her party, her brother knows someone who knows someone. This will not end well for anyone. The last few paragraphs left me wondering.
Twilight by Kelley Armstrong featured a vampire having to deal with their life bargain. It was one of the better stories.
Jim Butcher's It's my Birthday, Too was fun, Dresden realises that it's his brother's birthday, his brother is at a LARP (where I met my husband) when some vampires with a vengeance come to play. I liked this one the most.
Grave Robbed by P. N. Elrod - a vampire detective uses his powers to investigate a medium who appears to be trying to rob a widow.
The first day of the rest of your life by Rachel Caine is the story of Eve moving into the Glass House as featured in the Morganville vampires series.
The Witch and the Wicked is about a witch catering for a vampire party and vanity getting in her way, a story that makes me want to read more by Jeanne C Stein, it was a clever story.
Blood Wrapped by Tanya Huff is a story with Henry and Tom and with Vicki, or rather her birthday, featuring in the background. Justice for a missing girl is delivered.
The Wish by Carolyn Haines - A haunting story of a woman who could see death choosing not to go with death when it's her time.
Fire and Ice and Linguini for Two by Tate Hallaway features a nordic vampire and a Christmas birthday that goes badly. A different vampire features
Vampire Hours by Elaine Viets is about a woman whose ageing challenges her husband and her decision to get her revenge on him.
How Stella got her Grave back is a vampire going back to her home town and getting her grave back from a murder victim.
The Mournful Cry of Owls: Donika's 16th birthday is approaching. He mother will have to reveal the truth about Donika's birth. It has to do with a different kind of Vampire.
I was a Teenage Vampire: Kate want to have a vampire themed birthday
Twilight: A vampire struggles to make a kill in time.
It's My Birthday Too: Harry just want to give his brother a birthday present. Thomas just once to have a nice night. But of course trouble finds them.
Grave-Robbed: Jack Fleming helps a young girl who widowed sister is being taken advantage of by a fax medium. Very good and funny story.
The First Day of the Rest of Your Life: I was dissatisfied with the ending. What is Michael's story? Why is Eve safe at his house?
The Witch and the Wicked: I figured out that Mr. Deveraux's death was no accident right away. It was funny how things worked out for Sophie.
Blood Wrapped: Henry tires to find a birthday present for Vicki and becomes involved in a missing child case.
The Wish: a woman is obsessed with the death of her child.
Fire and Ice and Linguine for Two: I had never heard of the idea that being born on Christmas was bad - that your parents engaging in earthly pleasures at the same time of year the Virgin Mary had been divinely conceiving. The guy stated his birthday was Thanksgiving really spoiled the end for me. Thanksgiving does not fall of the same day every year.
Vampire Hours: Katherine gets revenge on her husband who wants to leave her.
How Stella Got Her Grave Back: Stella and Mark become involved in solving the mystery of her grave and a Jane Doe.
My favorite had to be the one where upon her 18th birthday a young woman is forced to make allegiance to a horrendous vampire in
The offerings are suspenseful, oft times creepy, and well written. They certainly held my attention.