Staked: A Vampire's Tale

Staked is about a young Frenchman named Gregorie Babin, who wakes in a world he doesn't recognize. First of all, he's adrift in the ocean with no idea how he ended up there. As he swims to shore in the dark of night, small snippets of memory come to him but only leave him frustrated. Who is he? Why is here? What has happened to him? He collapses on the shore and when he gathers enough strength to move, a strange scent leads him frantically across the beach and into the woods. What happens next baffles him even more than waking in the ocean did.

As Gregorie regains his memories, the story leads to a small village in France, where he grew up with his Maman (the town healer) and the girl next door (Michaelangela Martineau), who he'd planned to marry. In front of him lies a dramatic, speculative journey led by his desperate desire to get back home to the ones he loves.

My thoughts: In this captivating narrative, the elegance of the 18th century collides with the edgy allure of 1980's lost boys. It crafts a tapestry where the angel of death intertwines with vampiric lore, and where personal traumas and histories either find solace in forgiveness and acceptance or remain shrouded in denial. The author's command of the written word is evident — the prose masterfully depicts a journey from confusion to understanding. The seamless integration of French phrases with English not only enriches a character's depth but also ensures that the reader isn't overwhelmed by overly ornate language. While I yearned for a few unpredictable plot twists, the book remains a compelling read.

Special thanks to the author or the eARC