Bunny's Reviews: Cardinals Review Spotlight

Welcome to the book tour for Cardinals by Ian Conner! The author promises “a completely new twist on Stoker’s tale.” Read on for more info and enter to win a signed copy of the book!

Cardinals is a vampire novel by Ian Conner that gives readers a unique twist on the original vampire novel - Bram Stoker's Dracula. If you enjoy paranormal stories with vampires and a new twist on an old classic, then this is a book you will want to check out.

Asherah was the wife of God, but she was cast out of Heaven. She wasn't thrown out alone though. For centuries she has walked the earth seeking her revenge and she gets a step closer with each day. But over the years, she has committed many crimes, and it seems they are beginning to catch up with her. Not all of her victims succumbed to death, and now they are looking for her to end her "reign of terror."

Being an avid reader of just about anything paranormal, I was excited to read this book. Believe it or not I've actually never read the original Dracula by Bram Stoker, so me reading this book gave it a clean slate to start from.

The book starts off promising enough, but the one thing that really kept throwing me off for a bit was the dialogue. The conversations between the characters felt stilted and unnatural. It didn't flow like I was expecting it to, so it took me a minute or two to get into the storyline and adjust to the way that the conversations are written. Don't let that dissuade you from reading this book though! Once you get used to how the conversations are, the book really flows and pulls you in.

One of the really good details about this book is that each chapter indicates the progression in time. You start out in the very beginning of it all, and move forward. Each chapter takes you a little further into a new time era and keeps moving you forward. Certain characters you meet along the way become the ones that you follow as they plot against Asherah for what she did to them.

This book has quite a bit going on and it's really enjoyable. If you struggle to get past the first few chapters, just hang in there. The book gets better as you go along. If you have no trouble getting into the book then you're just going to devour it from beginning to end.

There is a nice variety of characters, and I appreciate how some of them come together. You get some interesting twists and turns throughout the book. I'd have liked a bit more heat with some of the fade-to-black scenes, but those scenes are okay.

If you are looking for engaging new paranormal vampire novel then this is one that I very much recommend you check out. You're going to appreciate the author's imagination in recreating a classic and giving it new life. I'm choosing to rate this book 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Thank you to the author, Ian Connor, and R&R Book Tours for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Cardinals

Publication Date: May 2nd, 2022

Genre: Horror/ Vampires/ Sci-Fi Horror/ Fantasy

Publisher: Black Raptor Books

Nine Hundred years before Christ, God has cast his wife, Asherah, out of heaven and condemned her to roam the earth as the first vampire. Over the centuries, she created other vampires. There are also those that she left for dead but survived her attack without being completely turned into vampires. These survivors are called Cardinals. Scottish Countess Kellena Donnachaidh and Lady Suzette Allard, our protagonists, are among these cardinals. They are searching out Asherah for a final conflict.

Asherah has discovered a way back to heaven so she can exact her vengeance. Using the Amulet of Cassiel she can call the Flaming chariot of Israel to return to heaven and exact her revenge on God.

Now, 3000 years later, the Vatican and other groups are working to destroy Asherah and the vampires., fearing their own destruction if she ascends, simply want to stop Asherah using the Amulet of Cassiel to re-enter heaven. The race and intrigue to recover the Amulet is full of intrigue, betrayal.

A completely new twist on Stoker’s tale.

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Excerpt

“How can I be of service, your Holiness?” she asked, kissing his ring.

“Take a seat, Clarissia. This is an informal interview. You will find me more action than pomp and circumstance.”

“I have taken notice of that, your Eminence.”

The two sat together at the same table. He poured her a glass of water and sat it just out of her reach.

“What do you see?” he asked, taking his seat.

“Possibilities, a glass half full,” She replied.

“Excellent,” He countered.

“You have followed small details of papal history.”

“Yes, your Holiness.”

“In the sixth century, my namesake also shook the church to its foundations with truth, right, and a willingness to change. Including embracing, in secret, several less than popular themes.”

“Uxor Deai, Etectus est, satietas sanguinis.”

“Exactly! Today’s church must deal with the reality of science and the things science refuses to accept.”

“The idea of God having a wife that he cast out as the first vampire is likely to get us both taken off in white jackets with funny sleeves.”

The Pontiff laughed.

“So, we do understand each other.”

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About the Author

Ian Conner is retired and spent most of his adult life as a Marine and Army Infantry Sergeant. Now living near San Diego California with his wife Bonnie, a cellist, and their two dogs, Cookie and Isabella. Conner spends his days fostering kittens, gardening, crafting beautiful stained glass and creating worlds on the page.

Conner has authored several other novels:

Cooper’s Ridge – Science Fiction

The Long Game – Political Thriller

The Price of Partisanship – Political Thriller

Solaris – Political Thriller

Griffins Perch – Epic Fantasy

Ghost Witch – Horror

After a lifetime of destruction the thought of creating something tangible and lasting holds great appeal. He finds writing a cathartic way to redefine himself both in his eyes and the eyes of others.

Black Raptor Books