Thane’s arms curved around his back and he felt the younger vampire trembling as he rested his head on Taku’s shoulder. So easily broken, Taku often forgot what it had been like in the beginning. For him things had been different, he reminded himself. He had already known what it felt like to take a life.
With Nagasaki in the grip of a bitter winter, two vampires struggle to hunt in the challenging conditions. When an opportunity to feed from a dying man presents itself, Taku insists that they take advantage of it. Yet his newly turned lover is left feeling devastated by their actions. Seeing Thane so distraught is more than Taku can bear and so he makes a decision to shield Thane as much as he can from the darker side to their existence. However his desire to protect Thane might one day cost him everything.
Never Change is a short story set in the Demon’s Blood universe.
I “met” this author through hosting Bad Moon Rising a few years ago. Although I haven’t read this series, no prior knowledge is required to read this short story.
I’m always a vampire fan – have been since watching the original Fright Night. Even when they were out of fashion for a while in the book world, I had faith they’d come back. I’ve never been one to bow to fashion anyway. It’s a bitter, cold winter in Nagasaki – not that the temperature affects Taku and Thane. But plenty of snow makes it difficult to hunt and limits their food sources. Not very many warm bodies are out and about. Being a fairly new vampire, Thane still struggles with their darker side. With years (centuries?) of experience, Taku is more practical about what they should do when coming across a dying man.
Don’t think the whole story deals with heavy themes. There’s a fun, light-hearted snowball fight between the two, and even a snowman. It’s a sweet novella, and I can tell I’d enjoy this series based on meeting these wonderful characters.
I now have “Do You Want to Build a Snowman” stuck in my head on a loop. Sigh.
Great review. Best wishes to the author.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good thing I didn’t know that song or it would have played in my head. My brain loves latching on to things like that.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s the worst earworm!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Vampires will always rotate back in to fashion. They have inspired imaginations for too long not to. This looks like a good read and I love the shorter format of a novella. ❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree, Tessa. I’ll always be a fan.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for sharing, Teri!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome – thanks for visiting, Jill!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve read this one, loved it! The snowball fight was so romantic, seriously.:-)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wasn’t it? Not often you come across vamps having a snowball fight.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Short stories are a great way for authors to introduce characters and their writing style to new authors. The snowball fight sounds like fun. Glad you enjoyed this one, Teri!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s a great idea – and I didn’t need any prior knowledge of the series, but based on these characters I know I’d enjoy it.
LikeLike
I don’t think I have read enough vampire books to get tired of it. Me too would like to see them back. Great review!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Same here, Yesha. I’ll never get tired of them!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Teri, thanks for sharing the great review of the lighthearted, fun short story of the vampire book Never Change.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome, Miriam! Not often you see the words vampires and lighthearted in the same sentence, lol.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah, Teri, when my husband watches vampire movies, I try not to look at the screen. Sometimes he says this is not too scary, it’s just funny.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I do like the book cover for this Teri.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Isn’t it nice? Perfect for the story. Thanks for dropping by, Rosie!
LikeLike
A snowball fight? Well I wouldn’t have expected this!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Exactly! No snowball fights anywhere in Twilight, lol.
LikeLike
Thanks for sharing this Teri ! The snippet sounds interesting.🤝
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was a quick read that made me want to learn more about these characters. Thanks for visiting!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for sharing, Teri!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m definitely keeping this one in mind. I’m a huge vampire fan, and that cover is tempting! Sometimes a short read is just what I need. I’m glad you enjoyed it, Teri. Great review. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree about those short reads. Sometimes you’re just in the mood for something a little more lighthearted that also wraps up in a few pages. Thanks, Jenn!
LikeLiked by 1 person
This sounds like a lot of fun for a vampire story.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s not your typical vampire story, Robbie, lol. Kind of a fun interlude between these two.
LikeLike