Walk Among Us

April 1, 2021

Set within the popular "Vampire: The Masquerade" role-playing game world and originally published as audio only, this collection brings three exciting new horror authors together in one volume. While these novellas are not connected to each other in any way other than their vampire frame, they all draw readers into unsettling worlds with close narration and an oppressive atmosphere. Genevieve Gornichec's "A Sheep Among Wolves" uses a horror lens to look at depression and grooming; it will appeal to readers of Caitlin R. Kiernan's The Drowning Girl. "Fine Print," by Khaw, takes a detailed look at the consequences of making a dark deal, much like the classic Stephen King novella "Fair Extensions." And the final story, Caitlin Starling's "The Land of Milk and Honey," contemplates vampire sustainable farming, reminiscent of Tender Is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica. Each author has their own style; all are immersive and terrifying. VERDICT There is no need to know anything about the RPG in order to enjoy these modern, original, women-focused novellas of vampire menace that take the old trope in exciting new directions. Just make sure you have other recent works by these authors in your collections, as readers will be clamoring for more upon completion.

Copyright 2021 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

May 14, 2021
Vampire: The Masquerade endures as one of the most popular tabletop role-playing games alongside Dungeons &Dragons; both have several novel tie-ins. Walk among Us features three novellas by Gornichec, Khaw, and Starling, but should not be confused with those tie-ins. The stories in these novellas incorporate parts of the lore, but may disappoint fans who expect more direct tie-in novelizations. Nonetheless, horror readers with voracious appetites for vampire fiction will love the gritty settings and nefarious characters. The strongest of the three novellas is Gornichec's, which depicts the transformation of a sad, self-hating undergrad. She raises the question: Who is the real monster all along? Khaw's entry sees a Silicon Valley tycoon get more than he bargained for in doing business with vampires. Closing things off, Starling's tale reveals a vampire organic-farming-with-humans operation similar to that in the film Blade: Trinity (2004) but with a Portland-hipster undercurrent. Overall, this anthology is a must-read for vampire lovers and has a broader appeal to horror readers who may not be as familiar with the Masquerade mythos but who can enjoy this title without needing to know the intricate history of that universe.

COPYRIGHT(2021) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.