Book Review: Stigmata

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Stigmata     Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
Karen Koehler
Class/Genre:   Fiction   Horror   Vampire
Series: Slayer # 3
Black Death, Oct 2003, 588

In 1501 Zurich, Jan Keller came into the world, a blind baby born into a prominent wealthy and powerful family. Even as a young child, he was different having visions that came true. He was a loner, an empty shell and marriage did nothing to fulfill him. After he drove his wife away, he applied to become a priest in Vatican City. Once he was accepted he began to learn one of its dark secrets including the one that changed him into a dhampire

After discarding his masters he formed the coven that would make the vampires abide by its rules or face the consequences. Three hundred years after traveling to the New World, he meets Alek, the love of his life, who leaves him after he witnessed something horrific. Alek, a slayer who left his coven and gone Rogue, promises to protect the young woman Dania, also a creature of the church. When they abduct her, Alex goes to the Vatican to find her and there he will have one last meeting with Jan, now known as Amadeus.

Karen Koehler is a new breed of horror writer, a combination of Poppy Z. Brite and Stephen King with a Goth flavoring. Her characters are dramatic and unusual and her story line totally fascinating. SLAYER: STIGMATA exposes the corruption of Vatican City and those who rule it thus leading the reader to ponder who the monster truly is. Alex is a very easy character to like, a dhampire who shines with purity and goodness despite the vampire blood that flows through his veins.

Harriet Klausner

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