Stevie‘s review of Bite Me by Robyn Bachar
LGBT Multicultural Urban Fantasy published by Samhain Publishing, Ltd. 17 Mar 15
Normally I shy away from urban fantasies in which either vampires or werewolves are the main protagonists, but the blurb of this one with its promise of both lesbian and multi-ethnic central characters made the book sound too enticing to pass up. I was also heartened by the indications given in various places on the web that the novel is a stand-alone story rather than the first in a new series. And really, who wants to miss out on watching the zombie apocalypse? From a safe distance, obviously.
Lizzy, the vampire protagonist, has been around for longer than the US has been an independent country. After suffering many decades of abuse by the vampire who created her – and his various male followers – she escaped to Chicago and began building a life as a philanthropist and animal rescue services employee (actually it’s her own charity that she worked for but the whole not going out in daylight thing meant her keeping a low profile where fundraising and publicity was concerned). When almost all the humans in Chicago and beyond are suddenly struck down by a spell that raises the dead and turns the living to zombies after they in turn get bitten, Lizzy takes refuge in the tower block that housed her charity (amongst other organisations) and starts tracking down any remaining human survivors (both as a supply of food now the blood banks are no more, and because she does actually like people).
Angela is one of those survivors and was a cop before the collapse of civilisation. She mistrusts Lizzy at first, in spite of their mutual attraction, but realises there are no better options for her and the people she’s been trying to protect. To increase their numbers further, Lizzy and Angela have to join forces with the werewolves – traditional enemies of vampires but subject to a long-term truce with Lizzy – and with one of the two other vampires in the area.
Sean, like Lizzy, escaped from their master after years of abuse, and has also spent the time between then and the apocalypse in charitable work – this time in supporting artists and musicians. He brings his ‘flock’ of humans with him – the people who have willingly joined his household, unlike the captives held by a lot of vampires in this world, and he helps Lizzy and the others defend themselves not just against the zombies but also against the third (not so appealing) vampire in town.
I like that very little in this book is explained by ‘science’ (I find most of the pseudoscientific explanations for paranormal events highly implausible) but is mostly put down to the effects of magic, or demons, or to some other unknown force of which the characters have little understanding. Lizzy is drawn to both Angela and Sean, and a lot of the romance plot revolves around the characters working out how to deal with that attraction in light of the various changes that take place as they fight the zombies and attempt to find a better way to live in a post-apocalyptic world.
I’d like to know more about everyone in this story – background characters included, but I think it also works perfectly on its own with no definite need for sequels. I need to catch up with my backlog of other books from the author as soon as I can.
Grade: B
Summary:
Consumed by the need to feed…
After an out-of-control spell triggers the zombie apocalypse, Lizzy Addams is left in the ruins of Chicago with only the slightly unhinged commentary—and endless erotic appetites—of her inner demon for company. Her blood supply dwindling, she is forced to find survivors to feed from, or die trying.
Officer Angela Kinney was on duty when hungry corpses overwhelmed the city. The survivors look to her for leadership, but nothing prepared her for a beautiful monster who offers safety in exchange for blood.
Sean MacMillan never expected to see Lizzy again after she rejected his attempts to lure her back to the vampire fold. But with his flock threatened by the horde and his murderous vampire brother, Lizzy is the only one he can trust to keep them safe.
The veil of secrecy shrouding the supernatural world torn apart, humanity’s only hope is to forge an alliance with vampires, werewolves, and things that go bump in the night. Though accepting their aid could be a devil’s bargain that puts humans at the bottom of the food chain.
Warning: Contains vampire orgies, angsty demon sex, a frisky lesbian werewolf, light kink, and enough sex toys to start a store.
Read an excerpt.
