📖 Overview
Laura Caxton, a Pennsylvania State Police trooper, is drawn into a new vampire investigation when Civil War-era coffins are discovered beneath the Gettysburg Battlefield. Her former mentor, Special Agent Arkeley, recruits her to track down a missing vampire body before it can threaten the population.
The novel connects modern-day vampire hunting with Civil War history through the discovery of a secret Union Army vampire corps. These military vampires, promised a cure and then abandoned, become central to a present-day threat that forces Caxton and Arkeley to confront difficult choices.
The relationship between Caxton and her mentor Arkeley evolves as they face increasingly dangerous situations in their pursuit of the missing vampire. Their investigation takes them through historical sites and underground passages while racing against time to prevent a vampire uprising.
The book explores themes of loyalty, sacrifice, and the cost of fighting evil while questioning whether the ends can justify extreme means. Through its blend of historical elements and vampire mythology, it examines how past actions continue to impact the present.
👀 Reviews
Readers note this sequel maintains the action and vampire mythology established in 13 Bullets while adding Civil War historical elements. Many appreciate the fast pace and continued development of protagonist Laura Caxton.
Liked:
- Unique take on vampires as violent predators rather than romantic figures
- Integration of Civil War history and battlefield settings
- Quick-moving plot with constant tension
- Character growth of Laura Caxton
Disliked:
- Some found the historical backstory sections slowed the pacing
- Several readers felt it wasn't as strong as the first book
- A few noted the writing style was sometimes choppy
- Multiple reviews mentioned predictable plot points
Ratings:
Goodreads: 3.8/5 (1,900+ ratings)
Amazon: 4.1/5 (80+ reviews)
LibraryThing: 3.7/5 (90+ ratings)
"The Civil War angle adds an interesting historical twist" - Goodreads reviewer
"Not as tight as 13 Bullets but still a solid vampire story" - Amazon review
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Blood Oath by Christopher Farnsworth A vampire bound by oath to serve the president must stop supernatural threats to the United States.
Let the Right One In by John Ajvide Lindqvist A boy forms a connection with a child vampire while bodies pile up in their Swedish apartment complex.
The Strain by Guillermo del Toro A CDC doctor fights a vampire epidemic that spreads through New York City like a virus.
The Quick by Lauren Owen A secret vampire society in Victorian London faces opposition from a group of hunters who protect the city.
Blood Oath by Christopher Farnsworth A vampire bound by oath to serve the president must stop supernatural threats to the United States.
🤔 Interesting facts
🏛️ The Battle of Gettysburg, where the novel is set, resulted in approximately 50,000 casualties and is considered the Civil War's turning point.
📚 Author David Wellington originally published his first vampire novel "13 Bullets" as a free online serial before it was picked up by Three Rivers Press.
⚔️ The concept of military vampires has historical roots - during the Victorian era, some soldiers were accused of vampirism due to battlefield behaviors and survival practices.
🦇 The book's title "99 Coffins" references a real Civil War practice where mass graves and multiple burials were common due to the overwhelming number of casualties.
🎬 Wellington's unique vampire mythology differs from traditional lore by portraying vampires as purely predatory creatures without romantic characteristics, contrasting with popular vampire fiction of the time.