Hemovore

By: Jordan Castillo Price

Narrated by: Joel Leslie

Length: 10 hrs and 25 mins

Publisher's summary

Mark Hansen thought working as artist's assistant would be glamorous, especially if that artist was a vampire. Black tie events, witty repartee, gracing the pages of the local style section. Didn't happen. Not even once.

Jonathan Varga is an enigma. True, he's quiet, generous, and scrupulously polite. But he has zero social life, refuses to be interviewed or photographed, and insists he can only consume feline blood.

Why supermarket blood won't suffice, Mark hasn't asked. He's rarely at a loss for words - he can dish an insult and follow it with a snap as quick as you can say "Miss Thang." But one look at Jonathan's black-as-sin gypsy eyes, and Mark's objections drain away.

So he endures the perpetual grind of their routine: Jonathan hiding in his studio, swiping black paint onto black canvases. Mark hurling insults while he buffs the office to a shine with antiviral wipes. Each of them avoiding the other in a careful choreography...until a blurb in Art in America unleashes a chain of harrowing events neither of them could foresee.

As secrets from Jonathan's past are brought to light, it becomes clear that all his precautions weren't nearly enough.

©2009, 2017 Jordan Castillo Price (P)2017 Jordan Castillo Price

Perfect marriage of story and narrator

Audio: 5 stars. There are times when narration destroys a great book, times when narration elevates a good book, and then there are times when the narrator and the book are so perfect for each other that it's impossible that anyone else could have narrated the book.

Hermovore and Joel Leslie are that team.

He captured all the voices exactly as I imagined them, the accents were amazing (even a throwaway cop from Chicago was nailed), and I will forever read this book (when I'm not listening again) with his characterization in my head. If you loved this book, and you're an audiobook fan, you have to get this. If you liked this book, you will love it after listening. And, if you haven't experienced it yet, this is the perfect way to do so.



Book: 2nd edition provided by author for honest review.

I enjoyed this a lot more the second time I read it. JCP's books are always enjoyable, but some grab me more than others. The first time I read this, I liked it, this time I liked it a lot more. Partially that was probably because I caught more things on the re-read, and partially it was because of the very sweet short added to the end of the book, appropriately entitled, Sweet.

This is a new take on the vampire trope with all the usual JCP grittiness. It is a story about two very guarded men, that through a series of unusual, and extremely tense situations finally admit to their feelings for each other. JCP is amazing at writing difficult characters that aren't easy to love, but making you love them anyway, Mark is definitely one of those characters. Jonathan is an enigma until everything goes down, then we slowly get to see who he really is. It was also often pretty hilarious, I laughed out loud more than a few times. Even on the re-read I was on the edge of my seat waiting to see what was going to happen, that's pretty amazing, since I already knew what was going to happen. The addition of the short makes it sweet in a way that isn't often present in her books, which was nice as a change.

Definitely worth the read, and something that I'm sure I will be re-reading in years to come.

Snark, humor and drama

This book exceeded all my expectations. Not only was it well written, but it was so well narrated that it brought another dimension to the story. Joel Leslie voiced all the characters to perfection bringing in all their snark, drama, as well as all their different accents. I had not read this author before, so I was going on some recommendations from friends, and I must say I truly enjoyed it. It was sort of like The Usual Suspects (if you have ever seen that movie) in that I thought I had it figured out and then it turned around and smacked me upside the head with something completely different. Well worth your time and the credit.

a different sort of vampire

A different take on the whole vampire thing. Its a virus and the world knows about it. I loved the concept. And I loved the two MCs. There is a romance in the book but is held back by the fact one MC is positive. There is a big bag guy who is ruining everything for them; makes for some suspense chasing and OMG moments.
These guys were funny and I loved them together. Boss and employee with their quirks and snarks.

The narrator was amazing as always. You can always count on Joel.
I hope there is a second book.

*insert obligatory title here*

*insert obligatory 15 word long review here despite the fact that I only want to rate the book*

JCP - master of speculative fiction

I’ve been reading JCP’s books for years, and have been amazed by the storytelling in the worlds she builds. This book is no different, and it was a credit well spent. The story and characters kept me guessing and it’ll definitely be one I reread. The additional short story at the end was a perfect coda to the main story.

Side note: one thing I was glad I saw in another review so my expectations were set correctly, due to the circumstances of the fictional world, there is one kind of explicit love scene and that’s it. As it was an amazing story and that narrative choice makes total sense (even touching is taboo in their society), it was fine - I’m just glad I didn’t expect otherwise based on some of the author and narrator’s previous work. It still manages to be totally romantic and pretty hot in its own way.

Fantastic!

First, Joel Leslie does an amazing performance. You can't refer to his work as simply narration. He brings the characters alive and his various accents and genders are spot on. I would never read a book he's narrated when I could enjoy his storytelling.

This book is both funny yet thought-provoking. Mark and Jonathan dance around each other for years before danger and murder force them to run. Mark's running commentary is hilarious, yet there is a dark view Price has of the virus and its effects on society at large. I'm sure other reviewers have given hints on the plot, so I'll finish by saying that this book will stay with you long after you're through. Make sure to listen to the short story (included) and the author's note at the end. Highly recommended.

A Unique Vampire Tale // A+ Narration

It’s no secret that I have a bit of a vampire fetish. It’s safe to say I owe my sexual awakening to vampire movies I watched in my misspent youth. Vampires just resonate with me. In my pants.

Now that I am a mature, grown-up lady, I also very much appreciate vampire stories for their rich world-building, interesting and unique societal structure, and the way a skilled author can create a whole new universe from an age-old legend. These are the main selling points for me in Jordan Castillo Price’s HEMOVORE.

Price creates a unique and incredibly detailed world in which vampirism is the result of a virus that kills more people than it converts. Her writing is refreshing in that she doesn’t pander to the reader and spend endless chapters info-dumping and presenting this new vampire society. She drops the reader directly into this realm and educates them along the way, making them feel a part of this world of V positive and V negative people. Most fascinating for me is the fact that this vampire story isn’t paranormal.

Hemovore gives us characters that we can’t help but relate to, even in this extraordinary world. Again, we’re dropped right in the middle Of the relationship between Mark and Jonathan. Instead of following them from the first meeting, we get to know them after they’ve been working together for several years. While we understand that there are romantic feelings, we don’t see that play out much on the page for a good while. I was captivated with how Price developed their relationship. Mark and Jonathan felt like partners without being partners, in my opinion, the romance between the two was subtle but felt oh so natural, they seemed so “together” from the beginning. This was one of the least steamy vampire stories that I’ve read, but that just made their brief moments of physical connection that much more meaningful and powerful for me. I mean…THAT KISS. Wowza.

Then there’s the suspense of it all. The mystery and action in this story excited me and kept me on edge throughout the book. I didn’t even have time to second-guess things, to try and predict what would happen and whodunnit, all due to Price’s writing and the stellar narration that kept me wrapped up in each and every word, I was laser-focused on precisely what was going on in the moment as opposed to trying to see what was coming down the pike.

I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Joel Leslie. I’m not saying I’m on a mission to listen to everything he’s ever recorded, but I may or may not be in a bidding war for a bootleg copy of his seventh-grade student council campaign speech.

His versatility makes each character wholly unique, allowing the listener to truly immerse themselves in the world that he helps create. He’s not just telling you a story; he’s helping you experience it right alongside the character.

HEMOVORE was an exciting and well-told story that blended so many elements flawlessly and manages to do so in a brand-new world. I loved the balance of Mark’s snark and inner dialogue with Jonathan’s more reserved nature, and I giggled about as much as I gasped throughout the story. This story was interesting and intense, and I would love to experience more in this world. Add in a satisfying and heartwarming follow-up story in SWEET, and I don’t think I could have asked for much more from this book. I’ll be picking up more from Jordan Castillo Price for sure.

Funny, moving and entertaining

i really enjoyed listening to this book. it made me laugh, cry and hold my breath

Fantastic!

I first read this story two years ago. I loved it then and I love it even more in audio!!! Joel Leslie did a fantastic job with all the unique voices, although I though Mark was a little over the top, Johnathan and all the rest were perfect.

I loved the way the author took so much consideration into what the world would be like with the hemovore virus.

It’s a slow burn romance with only one furtive sex act, but it is exactly perfect.

I loved the bonus story and the authors note where she explains some of the changes she made in this edition.

I definitely recommend!!

Surprising Take on Vampires!

This take on the vampire is one I haven't read before, but thoroughly enjoyed! This author is one that haven't been disappointed once. This book is a new concept for me and I was surprised at how much I enjoyed it. I don't want to give away too much, but the vampires are a contagious virus. As always the narration was spot on and I was able to get into the characters and the story. This story was one that I totally recommend and look forward to many more from this author.