Paranormal Romance & Urban Fantasy discussion

Okay, so I've read several books lately with vampires in them and of course, they are all different. Maybe it's because I've read the books in rapid sucession but it's becoming a little confusing. In most books there is no heart beat, no blood flow and breathing is a reflex. But then you've got the "living" vampires and the undead vampires in Kim Harrison's books. The vampires in Hamilton's books seem to have a heart beat and blood flow. Myer's vamps can go out in the sunlight but none of the other vamps can.

Does anyone else find it confusing? What characteristics do you think vampires should have?

One of the things that bugs me is how vampires become vampires. There are different series out there that have their origin completely different from others and the actual transformation is different. It's a bit tough to keep it all straight within a series without bringing other characteristics from other series. My must is the speed, strength and stealth. I think that's the cool part!

I actually like the concept that Charlaine Harris has. Her vamp basically sleep during the day, up at night, they have fangs, they drink synthetic blood since they are "out" to the world now and they typically behave like vampires are expected to.

Meyers' vamps are definitely the strangest and lamest to me. I didn't like that skin dazzling in the sunlight take and the no fangs kinda sucked too but Edward was so dreamy it didn't even matter. I don't like the idea of vamps that Harrison has in her books. I was really confused and this probably is partly why I couldn't get into them at first.

I'm reading The Becoming by Jeanne C. Stein and her vamps have basically adapted to sunlight over the many years and I don't think they have fangs because there has been blood sucking but she never mentions fangs. Since they do suck blood to live, I'm okay with everything else, even the sunlight. Her vampires are not 'out' so there are only a small few that know about their existence.

I don't think a vamp should have a heartbeat but I can deal with that as well.

Hm, you know, as long as the author's consistent, I don't have any requirements. Vampires are entirely imaginary to begin with, so... it's kind of futile to my mind to have a rigid concept of them. There are no agreed-upon guidelines. Besides, I generally don't compare, I take each book/vampire/what have you on its own merits. If the author's talented, she can make anything work, lol.

New_User- I agree. After reading Twilight I had read Vampire Kisses and was so mad that the vamp turned into a bat, but then I started reading alot of other vamp books where they could go out in the sunlight, have kids, etc. and I said well as long as it works I'm all for it. To me there is no set preference on what a vamp should do, which is why I love reading a series with different takes on vampirism. The Garnet Lacey series went as far as to explain that vamps weren't being made after a certain period because of the whole introductions of embalming of a corspe. I say if it's plausible and works well with the story,I'm all for it. I think as long as they drink blood everything else is trivial.

Yep, it's the blood-drinking that really makes a vampire. Personally, I prefer it when authors are creative and thoughful with the origins for the vampires in their books.

Amy, you don't like Eric? I thought he was awesome. I loved his background and the way he came to be the person he is. I loved that book period and am anxiously awaiting the next installment.

Has any body read the Christine Feehan, the Dark series?
I have read all the way to the 8th book, but there are so many...

I have read Christine Feehan and to be honest I think her books are a little repeative but I had read them before I found better in the genre to read.I think after the first couple of books I felt like I had read them all and the whole soul mate thing really kills me.

Eric's forgetfulness? He had anemnesia once in the book other than that I don't think he's forgetful Maybe a little non-chalant about things but he's a great business man. I would love to see Sookie with Eric. Sam is okay but he's a little blah next to Eric.

Yes, i agree.
Has anybody read the latest book of the Twilight series, I can't wait til i get it.

hi, dancing diamond. I read it - it gets mixed reviews (can't please them all!) but you have to read it to find out how it all ends! :o) It took me longer to read this than the others - yeah, its like 800 pages...but it wasn't as full of excitement as the other books.......but still a must read for all twilight fans.

I have read the Twilight series it's enjoyable but not the greatest.

Oh, you mean Eric from "Staked" not Eric from The Southern Vampire Series, right? I'm like I don't remember Eric (from TSVS) forgetting about sunrise but I do remember another vampire that had that problem.

I liked Eric. I just didn't like the little sister, Rachel. What a slut. LOL