Book Review: Way of the Wolf

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Way of the Wolf     Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
E. E. Knight
Class/Genre:   Science Fiction   Horror   Vampire
Series: The Vampire Earth # 1
Roc, Sep 2003, $6.50, 400 pp.

Almost five decades ago the vampiric Kurians successfully sent their minion the Reapers to conquer the earth. By 2065 earth calendar, the system is in place as the Reapers feed on human aura that is sent as energy back to their masters. The human populace is down to a very controlled ten percent of what it had been back in 2022 due to a Kurian transmitted virus; most of these virus survivors are food.

Though man’s reign seems through, some human freedom fighters continue the cause to liberate the survivors. In Louisiana David Valentine joins the guerrilla force the Wolves. He knows he must shed his humanity and become a berserker killer until the enemy kills him if he to help free his race against the Kurian Order. However, he also must temper his need for vengeance because he leads a commando group into enemy territory that somehow must survive the fight as his side lacks numbers.

The first novel in the "Vampire Earth" series is a powerful futuristic science fiction tale that fans of post apocalyptic earth or outer space vampires will enjoy. The story line insures that readers comprehend the scope of the conquering by making it so real due in part by David as a fully developed character struggling between killing and caring. Though the concept of soul sucking has been done before (classic Superman tale for instance) and much of the cast feels anemic, readers will enjoy this novel that goes into hyperspeed for the final two thirds of the plot. Readers will want o finish the tale in one sitting because it is so enthralling.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner