Vampires in "Immortality is the Suck" don't sparkle, they are not even remotely pretty after they are back in the world of the living. Death intensifies character traits: violent become more violent, angry become angrier, gluttonous become even more so. These guys are all about blood and drugs and biker gangs. They are all about murder and crime. The ugly animal behind the vamp's human facade actually makes its unpleasant appearance. Anne Rice's vamps are plain boring next to the ones in this book, Adam even says so himself and I agree with him wholeheartedly.

Closer to the end the snark and dark humor that sucks you in dwindles down some, but once sucked in (pun, no pun, look at it any way you want) it's hard to put the book down. Intensity, however, doesn't deteriorate in the slightest, it builds up until the very end.

Can't wait to sink my teeth into book two :)

PS I have to say I added a star just for the glossary of translations at the end of the book. I wish it was a requirement to provide translations for all the foreign phrases and/or slang. Yes, I can get by with my bits and pieces of spanish, french, and italian, but honestly, it's nice not to rake your brain while reading a story.

PPS Anyone knows where I can get the in-between Adam & Peter 1.5? =) ( )

This was an interesting read. I spent the first 1/2 of the book loathing one of the MC's and feeling a lot of sympathy for the other. Then it turned around and things started to go the opposite direction. I lost a lot of sympathy for Peter and started to feel for Adam...go figure. Thankfully for all concerned towards the end it all panned out for me lol.

I love books that keep me feeling, be it good or bad about the characters. They are the ones that suck you in, get under your skin and you need to know more about. Lucky for me there is more... ( )

4.5 Stars

A great book about a dirty cop who wakes up undead after a bust gone wrong. Adam is so totally, despicably lovely! He does absolutely everything wrong but is so honest about it and takes full responsibility for his misdeeds that I just couldn't help but like him!

This is a well-written, fast-paced book with lots of action! ( )

An ARe Cafe top pick!

The first-person narrative starts in Los Angeles at the waterfront as our hero, vice detective Adam, lies bleeding to death in the arms of his lover, homicide detective Peter. Neither knew that their separate cases would bring them together that night.

An ambulance transports Adam to the morgue where a supernatural creature attacks him. He fights his way free and escapes into night streets, determined to find out why he now has supernatural reflexes and a craving for blood.

Soon Adam realizes that he is a vampire. The drug lord who turned him has launched a plan to raise a vampire army from the ranks of the region’s outlaw motorcycle gangs and take over Los Angeles. Adam has to stop him with the help of several pricelessly vivid supporting characters such as Albert the pothead biker.

Meanwhile, Adam must re-evaluate his relationship with Peter whom he classifies as a casual sex-buddy though he knows Peter is in love with him. Just as he starts to realize that he loves Peter, his actions begin to sever their connection irrevocably. How can he save his future with the love of his life?

This 219-page m/m paranormal has so many strong points, including non-stop action, humor, an unforgettable narrative voice comprised of sarcasm and self-deprecation, hot sex, and a twisty and unpredictable plot. Best of all, the setting offers total immersion into the seamy and surrealistic underbelly of Los Angeles. (The author provides a glossary in the back that translates the Spanish slang flavoring much of the dialogue.)

I found the relationship between Adam and Peter to be very engaging. They’re both tough cops. However, Adam is a selfish sleaze ball (and fully aware of all his many flaws) whereas Peter is a straight arrow who would never allow himself to become involved with a homicide suspect. Adam simultaneously knows that Peter is too good for him, and hopes desperately that Peter won’t dump him.

Adam appears to have all the emotional power in the relationship because Peter is in love with him. He tells himself that Peter is just his sex buddy. At the same time, he thinks about Peter constantly in terms that reveal how deep their connection runs. Consider this passage from page 215:

“Nobody’s mouth tastes like Peter’s. I pushed him back onto the mattress. Leaned over him and studied his face. The shadow of his beard coming in, the way that corner of his lip turns up more than the other. The lashes beneath his eyes are very short and reddish. He has three and a half freckles on his face. The half looks like a tiny smile. I know Peter’s freckles so well I could name them, like stars.”

These are the thoughts of a self-deluded narrator who is deeply in love. Immortality is the Suck is an outstanding read and my Top Pick for January.

Val for AReCafe ( )

4.75 Stars A truly wonderful story. The reason why it's not a five because at times it dragged at times or maybe I wasn't smart enough to follow along. Cop/Vampire/Motorcycle gang. ( )