An Unattractive Vampire

By: Jim McDoniel

Narrated by: Drew Campbell

Jim McDoniel's debut novel, An Unattractive Vampire, is a darkly comic urban fantasy of ancient horrors in suburban cities.

After three centuries trapped underground, thousand-year-old Yulric Bile, also known as The Cursed One, The Devil's Apprentice, He Who Worships the Slumbering Horrors, awakens only to find that no one believes he is a vampire. Apparently he's just too ugly. Modern vampires, he soon discovers, are pretty, weak, and, most disturbing of all, good. Determined to reestablish his bloodstained reign, Yulric sets out to correct this disgusting turn of events or, at the very least, murder the person responsible.

With the help of part-vampire wannabe Amanda; Simon, the eight-year-old reincarnation of his greatest foe; and a cadre of ancient and ugly horrors, Yulric prepares to battle the glamorous undead. But who will win the right to determine, once and for all, what it truly means to be a vampire?

©2016 Jim McDoniel (P)2016 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Jim McDoniel's first novel is quirky, wild, and weird, and definitely for those who hate those sexy vampire stereotypes who like their monsters nice and gross." (Geeks of Doom)

good listen

The story and the narration were very well done.
It reminded me of Neil gaimans book Good Omens.

Better read than listened to.

Would you try another book from Jim McDoniel and/or Drew Campbell?

Author yes, narrator - no.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Simon. I think the character was underdeveloped though, and in general the backstories of the main characters were revealed a bit late in the book to put their actions in context.

Would you be willing to try another one of Drew Campbell’s performances?

Not inclined to. His timing was very odd, inserting pauses where they made no sense and throwing the cadence of the text off.

Could you see An Unattractive Vampire being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

Yes - and no idea!

Any additional comments?

I liked the story a lot, but it felt a bit rushed in places and the pacing was a bit uneven.

Refreshing!!!

An old fashioned vampire in an age of modern vampires. i like it a lot. I hope that this is just the beginning of a new series. It reminds me of the old Hammer vampire movies which I grew up with. Please give us more. Something more to sink our teeth into.
As far as the audiobook. it is a very easy listen. The narrator is able to give each character his or her own unique voice. One of the best narrations I have ever listened to.

I tried

I really tried to enjoy this book. I'm a truck driver, so anything to pass the time. However this just wasn't it. I did listen to the end, since I've misjudged books for the beginning half of it before, but it was just as bad.

I would give this all 5 stars...

I would give this all 5 stars... I really did love this book and can honestly say I was cracking up at the ridiculousness of this ancient vampire in a modern world. Also, I have some real appreciation for admitting that vampires and ancient beings wouldn't be forever beautiful and stunning as Hollywood or modern books would have us imagine them.

On the other hand, I needed more! I still need more! There was so much room for so much more story! I know it's one of those quick reads, quick stories, but it needed more. I'm even sure this writer probably had written the full story! But I am also pretty sure that most was edited out for whatever reason - perhaps for An Unattractive Vampire II !? Or to create some mystery? The whole theme stuck to the quick history of this ancient vampire adapting to this now changed world and view of vampires. Then why not have the actual history of the vampire than just tid-bits? It gave such a great intro into how he arrived where he was, defined him, but felt like it gave up when we wanted to hear the details of his creation.

I'll more than likely listen to this again for some laughs though. I liked the narrator even though it was a bit confusing that they are in the US (tri-state area) and he has a British accent for all of the characters. Once I got over that though and realized where they were, I really liked his story telling techniques. I know some reviews on here would disagree, but I wouldn't have it any other way now.

I liked it a lot and if you are looking for something to laugh a little, make you smile or roll your eyes, and not think too hard - then this is the read for you.