The Blood of Others by C.L. Stegall

The Blood of Others Reviews

• 
  Becca

  
  I couldn't put this book down! The unfortunate need for sleep forced an extra day of reading but this is easily a one sitting book. The moment I saw Paris in her vigilante ways, I was hooked! It was actually quite shocking that I gasped out loud at what she'd done! She is strong and righteous...just my kind of heroine.
  
  I loved the back and forth format of this book. It was perfectly placed. When I needed to know more about the past, Stegall took me there. At times I wished he would stay longer in the past or the present but he transitioned at just the right times to create anticipation about what's to come.
  
  This is not just another vampire story...I've read them (and enjoy them). I love how we are present for the aging process. That sets this book apart. We aren't just introduced to this thousand year old vampire and expect that they come with all the fantastic vampire DNA. Stegall shows us how they are created, age, garner strength and wisdom to become what they are.
  
  While it is dark at times, it is extremely captivating. I sincerely hope C.L. is already working on book two because this left me desperately wanting more.
• 
  Doug Brookes

  While I am entirely sick of the vampire genre and the horrible sparkly turns it has taken in the past few years, I had to give this book a chance. Having read and enjoyed both “The Weight of Night” and “4pocalypse: Four Tales of a Dark Future,” I knew that Stegall would find a way to make it interesting. Needless to say, I was not disappointed.
  
  This was one of the fastest read times I have ever had for a book. The story was so gripping that I could not stop. The story never dragged and as each chapter came to a close, I found myself compelled to continue. The twin plots of modern day events and the over hundred year history of the protagonist were brilliantly executed and kept the reader engaged. Stegall’s spin on vampire lore was quite refreshing. It was well researched, well conceived, and had such a rich mythos and history it was hard to believe it was all established in just one book. The characters were extremely well written. Many of them got their emotional hooks into me early and it has been quite a while since I have become this attached to new characters. The story is never boring, contains everything you would want from action, to suspense, to romance, to humor, and was entertaining for its duration. I love this author’s writing style. It is very rich, engaging, and just has a great flow. Simply put, this was one of the best, most original stories I have read in a while.
  
  I did have a few issues with it that caused me to give four instead of five stars. However, I’m not going detract from the value of this book with my own hang-ups. This was one of the most enjoyable reads I have had in a while. I have not yet been disappointed by any of Stegall’s works, or by any of the Dark Red Press authors for that matter. I cannot wait for the next installment of this series.
  
• 
  Brian Steele

  I had the opportunity to read an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) of THE BLOOD OF OTHERS by C.L. Stegall. Simply put, I consumed the entire novel in one sitting, it was that gripping. While some might raise an eyebrow at another title in this particular sub-genre, these Vampires don't lurk or swoon... they strike.
  
  There's a rich lore woven throughout the story, chapters flipping back and forth between the present dangers and flashbacks to the past. We are treated to the tale of how young Paris (a chosen name) rose from runaway child to her position among the High Guard in the secret Vampire society. Fortunately, Stegall has created a mythos that is more inspired by films like "Underworld" and "Blade" than by any sparkling teen romance. That's not to say there isn't an element of romance contained in the story, only that it comes with equally healthy doses of action, mystery, and horror.
  
  The character development unfolds in a wonderful fashion, and it's fascinating to see how Stegall allowed the main protagonist to grow over her Vampire years. The details of the Vampire society are intricate and unique, and more than once I found myself chuckling at the ways he portrayed some of the complex relationships. The action/adventure aspect of the book is essential to the tale, and every fight scene was brilliantly scripted. Perhaps the only issue I had with the novel was the abundance of supporting characters, of which I occasionally got confused on.
  
  THE BLOOD OF OTHERS is an excellent dark fantasy, adventure-horror novel, with an exceptional female lead. It's dark, sexy, violent, and most of all, engrossing. Highly recommended.
• 
  Autumn

  I received this book via The Cheap Ebook.
  
  Wow! What can I say about this book. First I love vampire books and this one took it a bit above and beyond for me. You are following in the life of Paris who was turned at a young age. Well actually she was recruited and then turned. The way this story was told it is normally hard to do but this author hit it right on the head. C.L. was able to weave both present and past together in each chapter so you weren't left going huh, what happened again? Instead I was left going oh my what is going to happen now with Paris. It was done perfectly and it kept me engaged!!
  
  The first part that really got me going WOWZERS! Was when Paris was in the bathroom with Greg and what she did to him left me with my mouth opened and going damn way to go Paris. There are a good part of gory scenes that I LOVED! And now a days with books that deal with vampires you do not get much of that in them. With this book you get eyeballs being ruptured, people getting hurt (do not want to give much away on that part.) This book is different than your normal vampire book, you have a young girl who learns how to fight and becomes a high guard but later on at what price? This is really not your average vampire book. You get a whole different type of look at the vampires.
  
  Favorite scene was when Paris and her beau Garrett starting fighting about her books that she has collected over the years! I just about died laughing because who truly fights about a person being a book hoarder?
  
  Favorite quote by Garrett "I have led her home, my love, my only friend, there is none like her, none" How sweet is that!
  
  Favorite little part "Are your bollocks feeling a bit wonky, Salem?" Okay now I know that may not be funny to most but that part cracked me up just a tiny bit!
  
  With The Blood Of Others, you get a chick named Paris who is a kick-ass vampire, she doesn't crumple and submit to anyone. She learns pretty much how to get better at her powers that she has. She learns about love lost and love gained, she learns how to take care of herself. And she learns about betrayal. If you want a new look on the vampire world I highly suggest you get this book. With the way the ending was left I do wonder if there is a book two in the works because I want to really know what happens with Garret and will Paris ever find him again?
• 
  Jacqueline Bonner

  I appreciated the actual story and found it very entertaining, but I didn't like the voice of the novel. It's hard to put my finger on why, but I think it might have been that it read, to me, like it was from a much younger perspective than the century-old, hardened vampire who was supposed to be narrating.
  
  The rest of the book was very good. The lore and the concept behind it was fascinating and I liked the back and forth story-telling between past and present. It helped build anticipation as the author cut it off at a moment that left you wondering what would happen next.
  
  I like my vampires bad-ass and these fit the bill.
• 
  Stacy

  I received this book in exchange for an honest opinion:
  
  This is not a typical vampire story. That was the first thing I enjoyed about it. Second, it had a female protagonist that kicked ass without being mushy. Third, I enjoyed how it was strictly her point of view. There was nothing else to clutter it up.
  
  While the plot jumped from present day to moments in Paris' past, it was never confusing and gave great incite at to who she was as a person. I really enjoyed learning about her youth and could connect with her. I would recommend this.
• 
  Julie

  This book was amazing! Paris looks like a young girl who is 15yr, but in reality is a 137yr vampire like creature called a Lloranan. The story is present time, and flashbacks that tell you how Paris became to be in this situation, and her life later. It is at times scary, terrifying, and sometimes heartwarming. I highly recommend this books, I could not put it down.
• 
  Andrea Bednar

  I had thought, prior to reading this book, that the vampire genre had been pretty well used up. This book proves that's not so. I very much enjoyed a new tale, an interesting and engaging heroine, and a cliffhanger ending. Looking forward to reading the next in the series!
• 
  Joshua Thompson

  I don't normally read vampires stories, but this was a good one. Stegall is a local writer and a friend of a friend. This one went down really quick.
• 
  Marsha Hubbell

  C.L. Stegall’s new novel, “The Blood of Others,” is no “Twilight” knock-off nor should the author be compared to Anne Rice. Stegall has taken the lore of vampires and created a new take on an old story with its own unique history. I found it compelling, action-packed, romantic and yes, violent. It’s a vampire story with full-bodied characters who don’t like the term vampire, and indeed there is something different about them. They are the Llorans, taken from a Spanish legend.
  
  Fans of Urban Fantasy have found a new series to follow, and I can’t wait for Book 2!
  
• 
  Devon Winterson

  Fantastic. Well written. Loved how the two timelines/one character came together in the end. Absolutely a great book, and I highly recommend people read it!