Dhampir by Barb and J.C. Hendee
01/04/2005 . Source: Joules Taylor 
pub: Orbit. 441 page paperback. Price: £ 6.99 (UK). ISBN: 1-84149-364-3. Buy from Amazon US - Buy from Amazon UK
nb: US titles may only be available from Amazon US, and UK titles from Amazon UK. check out website: www.orbitbooks.co.uk
A dhampir is a human/vampire hybrid, conceived a few days after the vampire parent has become undead and still has its human physical abilities. Dhampirs have both human and vampire characteristics They can bear daylight, eat, drink and sleep as normal - but drinking blood brings out a vampiric savagery and strength that finds its release in hunting and killing vampires. Magiere is a dhampir, although she doesn't know it yet. With her half-elf companion Leesil, she makes a living - ironically - from hunting and killing the vampires that infest villages throughout her native land.
At least, that's what she claims to do and the villagers are grateful to her for her services, even if they're left much poorer afterwards. But now Magiere is tired of the nomadic, rootless life and wants to settle down. She's saved enough over the years to buy a tavern in a harbour town and, with Leesil to run the gaming tables, plans a lively but settled retirement.
Then she discovers that there are REAL vampires living - or unliving - there...
The blurb describes the book as a mix of 'Lord Of The Rings' and 'Buffy The Vampire Slayer' - which rather worried me. I don't like 'Buffy' and grandiose claims of kinship with Tolkien's epic are almost always horribly exaggerated. I have to confess that for the first few pages of the - unfortunately predictable - first chapter I believed my fears well-founded.
Then the story took off and I found myself thoroughly enjoying it. It's a rollicking good tale, refreshingly original - not overly profound or complex but with beautifully delineated and very appealing, charismatic, sympathetic characters. The action sequences are well-depicted, with just enough detail to make them exciting but not dragging on too long. The descriptions of places vivid and realistic and there are enough surprises to maintain interest all the way through. Magiere's horror when she discovers what she is is very effectively portrayed, as is Leesil's history (revealed in some very well-placed flashbacks). Overall, it's an excellent read, ideal to brighten up a long, boring journey. I found it difficult to put down.
And there's a sequel. I can't wait!
Joules Taylor
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