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“Like the blood of God…”

In New Orleans, a passage from a Renaissance-era book is Ethan’s only hope to save the woman he loves. He’s a vampire, so he can live forever. Ellie, however, is mortal, ill, and running out of time.

“If Sanguan vampires drank synthetic blood, like Spectavi vampires, the world would be so much safer for humans.”

In the Spectavi laboratory where synthetic blood was created, Vera is making no progress with her current projects. But for her devotion to the Spectavi cause—and their leader—she will go to any lengths.

“She would hold me when she bites, and at least while she sips my blood, I wouldn’t be alone.”

In a nightclub in France, John has an unusual encounter with a gorgeous vampire, but his love for a mortal woman forces him into a devastating choice.

Reason or passion, good or evil, duty, love, or pure pleasure—in a world with two vampire factions at war, choosing the right master is everything.

Paperback

Published January 16, 2018

140 people are currently reading
572 people want to read

About the author

S.M. Perlow

9 books48 followers
S.M. Perlow writes dark and historical fantasy novels. He strives to tell powerful stories that are deeply human. Learn more about his series, Vampires and the Life of Erin Rose, and other works, at smperlow.com.

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5 stars
26 (33%)
4 stars
25 (32%)
3 stars
16 (20%)
2 stars
7 (9%)
1 star
3 (3%)
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
Profile Image for C.C. Campaign.
216 reviews5 followers
February 20, 2018
*Disclaimer – I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This does not effect my review whatsoever*

Three stories, same universe, with an ending that will send you ready for the next installment….I think I’m ready to “Choose a Master” myself. I’m getting ahead of myself here. Much like Anne Rice, we are taken to the beloved city of New Orleans to get acquainted with the vampires of this series and the sequence of events that lead them to meld together.

Vampires in this series are split up into two factions. We have the Sanguans are the rogue vampires that live in their own ways. The Spectavi are peaceful vampires that partake in synthetic blood and live in harmony amongst humans.

We first meet Ethan, a vampire, who is searching for a cure for his love Ellie. He is willing to go to the ends of the earth in order to find the vital piece to turn her sickness around. Will he find it in time to awake her from her coma?

Next, is Vera. She is also looking to discover a cure of sorts within the confines of the Spectavi synthetic blood laboratory. Her patients aren’t in comas, however, are suffering from deep mental problems that have been inflicted upon them for eternity.

John, a divorcee lost within his depressed soul, gets entangled with a mysterious woman named Madison. As he goes deeper into his new affair, he finds the darker side of vampirism. And his blood? Well, it holds the key to a new ecstasy amongst vampires.

There is an additional side story that I think may expand to the other books. It wasn’t gone into in great detail so I’m going to assume it’ll be touched on in the future books. S.M. Perlow has brought a great addition to the vampire lore and fiction. Out of all three stories, I’d have to say I enjoyed Ethan’s quest the most out of the rest.
Profile Image for Coco.V.
50k reviews113 followers
Want to read
April 28, 2019
🎁 FREE on Amazon today (4/28/2019)! 🎁
Profile Image for Taylor.
143 reviews7 followers
December 1, 2017
I received this arc from netgalley in exchange for an honest review!

I actually loved this book! It is like a twist between daybreaker, interview with a vampire, and something else I can't think of atm!
I am a sucker for any book that takes place in New Orleans, it is like a drama, romance, mix. I'm not exactly sure how to explain it but I LOVED how the vampires were classic with a mix of modern adaptions. I love how human and vampire work together in a way! Ugh I don't want to say too much but you guys have to read it!
Profile Image for Aljan.
356 reviews4 followers
August 3, 2023
DNF
Got about halfway through and realized that I was not invested in this book at all. Total slog to get even to that point.
Profile Image for S.B. (Beauty in Ruins).
2,661 reviews239 followers
September 3, 2022
An intriguing take on vampires, with an interesting look at the power of blood, Choosing a Master makes for an exciting read, even if it does succumb to some unfortunate clichés in the final chapters.

S.M. Perlow suggests a world where vampires live openly among us, feared, tolerated, and admired, depending on the circles in which they operate. The Spectavi thrive in circles of business, politics, science, and more, earning the world's acceptance by adopting a diet of synthetic blood. The Sanguan, meanwhile, linger in back alleys, bars, and clubs, with feeding a sexual experience for those who accept it . . . and a deadly one for those who don't.

Connecting them all is the legend of a rare human blood type, one with a taste like no other, and the power to cure any mortal wound. It is the search for a carrier of the blood around which the story revolves, and the implications of finding him that drives it to a climax. Choosing a Master is about far more than just deciding who to follow or who to feed, it is about a decision that could change the world.

There is a lot to like about this. The characters are well-rounded, with genuine relationships that make it worth reading. Their worlds are distinct, and I really liked the interplay between powers. It's a largely mortal world, one where faith and superstition really don't play a part - except for the one area where they might, and that's where the story shies away from something truly deep and original, and falls into that cliché I mentioned at the opening.

I loved the idea of a vampire priest, and was fascinated by the potential he represented, especially with the story of his homeland. It's a window into a deeper war between Spectavi and Sanguan that lies at the heart of the wider story, but unless there's a twist in the next book that reverses the twist here, then it makes for an uncomfortable climax. What could have been really exciting is, instead, ugly and disappointing.


Originally reviewed at Beauty in Ruins

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary ARC of this title from the publisher in exchange for review consideration. This does not in any way affect the honesty or sincerity of my review.
Profile Image for Julia O'Connell.
417 reviews18 followers
December 31, 2017
A copy of this books was sent to me for an honest review.


I was on the fence about this book until about 90% of the way through. The writing was a little unpolished, but the story was compelling and I loved the world that Perlow created. But the ending left a bad taste in my mouth and pushed me over the fence into disliking the book.

In Choosing a Master, there are two types of vampires that live among humans: the spectavi--who only drink synthetic blood and work together with human governments and police to keep order, and the sanguans--rogue vampires who drink human blood and do not play by spectavi rules.

The story is told from three overlapping perspectives:

Ethan is a young vampire whose high school sweetheart has been in a coma for over a decade. He's searching for a human whose blood might be the cure.

Vera is a human employed by the spectavi vampires at their research center. Along with making improvements to the synthetic blood they drink, she searches for a cure for two vampires in eternal mental anguish.

John is a human who find himself a bit lost in life after getting divorced young. While wandering Europe, he meets a beautiful woman named Madison who may be able to give his life meaning again. But he also discovers that his blood is unusually appealing to vampires.

About 80% of the way through the book, new chapters are introduced that are not from any of these three perspectives and instead follow Dosu, a vampire who is part of a cult in the African jungle. The introduction of these chapters is when the story both begins to derail narratively and get into uncomfortable racial territory.

The part I disliked was the ending, so spoilers:
Profile Image for Robert.
139 reviews10 followers
March 19, 2018
I generally try to avoid vampire stories, but thought I'd give this tome a go. 'Choosing a Master' by S.M. Perlow is unlike any regular vampire stories I have read before.

Vampires are a common thing in this world. But they are split into two distinct factions: the Sanguans, who feed on fresh human blood; and the Spectavi, who have set themselves up as the protectors of humankind, and only feed on mass-produced synthetic blood.

The book features a different character in each chapter, from a human named John, who's blood has the power to heal all human ailments, including death, and particularly tasty to vampires, through to a various other vampires and humans. Each character is fairly well developed, and quite likeable. However, there weren't many actual antagonists in the story. The book seems to have been intended to act as a kind if 'origins' story, covering a little bit of conflict, but nothing that really grabbed me. The 2nd half of the book includes a section where John and his lover are tricked by a Sanguan with evil intentions, but didn't seem to really get the tension up as expected.

Overall, this was a fun, quick read. I would recommend it to anyone who likes supernatural subjects, but I would advise not to expect too much. A good 3.5 stars from me.

(Thanks to Netgalley for a review copy of this book.)
Profile Image for Susan.
1,455 reviews
December 14, 2017
Choosing A Master is the first book in the new series Vampires And The Life Of Erin Rose. It is also the first book by SM Perlow that I have read so I wasn't sure what to expect. What I found was a well written story about two types of vampires and some humans. This book can be read as a standalone but it ends in a soft cliffhanger for another book. There is violence and some adult content.

The book blurb adequately describes the storyline so I'm not going to repeat that all of that info here. The characters are well written and multidimensional. The author does a good job of keeping a steady pace throughout the book to keep this reader interested. Though since each chapter is told from the viewpoint of a character, you need to pay attention to who it is. The story keeps you guessing what twists and turns will be revealed in the pages ahead. I do want to find out more about these characters and will continue to read future books when written.
Profile Image for Nico Tzeentch.
25 reviews7 followers
March 1, 2021
Got this at a "blind date with a book" program at my library.

It was alright. I was most invested in Ethan's story and his investigation. John's was interesting but it was mostly just him getting pulled around by other characters while he passively went along with it.

I liked Vera as a character, but I had a hard time understanding the goals of her projects, so it was hard to get invested in her story.
Profile Image for Erin.
714 reviews2 followers
January 19, 2018
This book was absolutely incredible! An epic novel of vampires, love, and hate.

I was extremely pleasantly surprised at just how good this book was. I have never read this series or author before, but I am now a huge fan and cannot wait to get my hands on the next one. The author is a master of his craft and should become a household name. The story is wonderful and incredibly detailed. The characters are written so detailed, you will feel like you know them personally. I cannot believe I have not heard of this author before and cannot to spread the word about him and this series!

If you like epic vampire/fantasy stories, this book is for you!
1,207 reviews
August 27, 2018
S.M. Perlow skillfully entwined the lives of three individuals into one elaborate and exciting tale about two powerful vampire races and the weaker mortal humans that interacted with them. As the story progresses, it becomes more difficult to say every action is either black or white, good or evil.
Many individuals and situations appear to be a little of both good and evil. This story is non-stop action and intrigue. The plot is not easily determined and there are many unexpected surprises along the way. I enjoyed the story.
Profile Image for Karen.
2,675 reviews
December 6, 2017
I really loved this story. Well written with well developed characters. I have always enjoyed paranormal stories and this one is up there at the top of my favorites. I am looking forward to what comes next. I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review and I can honestly say I was wowed by this author.
Profile Image for Sydney.
74 reviews9 followers
January 16, 2018
If you like vampire books with gothic underpinnings and fascinating characters, this is a must-read! The world created in this book combines the best of traditional vampire feel with a modern urban fantasy vibe that is stunning!
Profile Image for Marissa DeCuir.
238 reviews14 followers
January 16, 2018
"Choosing a Master" is an incredible new first tile in the Vampires and the Life of Erin Rose series. Perfect for vampire fans and urban fantasy lovers alike, this book has it all—characters you care about, complicated mythology, and page-turning narrative that won't let you put it down!
236 reviews1 follower
April 18, 2018
Loved the book, can't wait to read more. Two types of vampires, one drinks human blood the other synthetic and a human's blood that can heal like a vampires-even better.
Profile Image for Justine.
83 reviews3 followers
September 6, 2018
Not as good as Anne Rice, but interesting. I'll read the next one
Profile Image for MsRoman.
1,053 reviews4 followers
October 4, 2018
Choosing a Master

What a great book... I just Love the Characters. They were brave, strong, determine to fight for what they believed in. ..I would recommend it .....
787 reviews2 followers
April 30, 2019
This was a good story. I’m not sure I’ll read the rest of the series but this one was a good read.
Profile Image for Misty Daily.
60 reviews
February 20, 2021
Good read

This book was hard to get into but once I did it was a good read. It kept me wanting to learn more about John and his choices.
Profile Image for Kelly.
142 reviews
October 15, 2021
Review

Two stories in one with well thought transitions without the detailed R rating some authors use to create a story
Profile Image for Joy Corkery.
580 reviews16 followers
March 21, 2018
Originally published here: https://joyfulantidotes.com/2018/03/2...

Choosing a Master by S M Perlow tells the story of three main characters. First is Ethan, a young vampire in New Orleans whose only quest is to save his terminally ill, mortal girlfriend. Vera is a scientist at a Spectavi laboratory where synthetic blood was created. She is devoted to the Spectavi leader and will do anything to complete the projects he has set her. Finally, John has an unusual encounter in a nightclub with a female vampire, which results in his life changing forever.

The first question I asked myself before picking up this book was “Will it be a cool original vampire story or will it ruin the old school stuff I love?” Choosing a Master certainly has some elements of the older vampire stories. There the brooding Ethan and the pain he feels for dying girlfriend Ellie. The charm and persuasion we have come to associate vampires with over the years. The coffins and the need to chop a vampire’s head off in order to kill it. The book had all the older elements but also brought in modern aspects of the vampire story, as well as some original points from the author, and it worked very well.

Some of the vampires in this book have the evil ways of their ancestors and kill humans for the sport of it. On the other end of the spectrum are the Spectavi who not only drink synthetic blood, but work to defeat the Sanguan vampires who kill humans. There was also a really interesting middle ground where humans actually let vampires drink from them – and enjoyed it too. I found this an area I would like to see further explored in future books.

Let’s talk more about the writing style of Perlow. This book was so easy to read as the flow of the story was kept at a steady pace throughout. The chapters go between the three main characters. Sometimes this bothers me but in this case it took nothing away from the story. The character development was great too and each character, even the more minor ones, had a distinct personality. However, what I appreciated the most in Perlow’s writing style was how well he captured the sensuality of the vampires. This is something that is often lacking in present day vampire stories.

When I got to the last page and saw “End of Book 1” written, I was happy to know that there is more to come from this new vampire world. If you are also a vampire lover, I would totally recommend picking up a copy of Choosing a Master.

I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Profile Image for Robert.
139 reviews10 followers
March 19, 2018
I generally try to avoid vampire stories, but thought I'd give this tome a go. 'Choosing a Master' by S.M. Perlow is unlike any regular vampire stories I have read before.

Vampires are a common thing in this world. But they are split into two distinct factions: the Sanguans, who feed on fresh human blood; and the Spectavi, who have set themselves up as the protectors of humankind, and only feed on mass-produced synthetic blood.

The book features a different character in each chapter, from a human named John, who's blood has the power to heal all human ailments, including death, and particularly tasty to vampires, through to a various other vampires and humans.

Each character is fairly well developed, and quite likeable. However, there weren't many actual antagonists in the story. The book seems have been intended to act as a kind if 'origins' story, covering a little bit of conflict, but nothing that really grabbed me. The 2nd half of the book includes a section whete John and his lover are tricked by a Sanguan with evil intentions, but didn't seem to really get the tension up as expected.

Overall, this was a fun, quick read. I would recommend it to anyone who likes supernatural subjects, but I would advise not to expect too much. A good 3.5 stars from me.
Profile Image for Theresa.
4,003 reviews14 followers
February 16, 2020
This is a crazily boring story.

Nine chapters in and I still had no idea what was going on and haven’t read anything about an Erin Rose. I really tried but just couldn’t get into the story. I think it was that the beginning interest in what Vera was doing and her maybe relationship with Edmond didn’t make up for the slow, overdone angst between Madison and John. And the little vamp scene was just weird.

And what the heck was Ethan doing?

Fave scenes: Victoria’s house.
Profile Image for Kevin Cannon (Monty's Book Reviews).
1,270 reviews24 followers
January 30, 2018
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Set in a world where earth is shared by humans and vampires, Choosing a Master follows three seperate but linked stories that eventually culminate in a thrilling finale.

John is a human travelling across Europe unaware that his blood has a unique propety.

Ethan is a Sanguan vampire searching for a cure for his comatose human fiance

Vera is a human scientist working for the Spectavi vampire authorities in their battle against the rebel Sanguan.

The story is well written and each of the main characters stories are well paced and keep your attention.

It is clear early on that each of the seperate narratives will eventually collide but the fun is how they get there.

The author has written a fully conceived world and developed an interesting framework on which to hang the eternal conflict between the two sets of bloodsucking antagonists and their interaction with the predominently human population.

I really enjoyed the book and liked the fact that while it leaves the ending open for future adventures it is self contained enough to be enjoyed as a stand alone novel.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews

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