I have been wondering what makes vampire fiction so attractive. This is a question for which there are many possible answers. One answer often given is that vampires are sexually attractive, but I believe there's much more to it.

Vampires are beautiful, sensual creatures, a fact that cannot be denied, but they are also romantic heroes. Though they may be the ultimate bad guys who break all the rules and get away with it, they also have supernatural powers that make them similar to the greatest superheroes. They have many characteristics that make them envied, but also features that make them more human and easier to identify with. We can envy them because they are immortal, forever beautiful creatures with strengths and abilities that no James Bond can ever have.

Even though they have all of these characteristics authors create them with imperfections in order to make them more human. Their existence is, therefore, made sorrowful by their loneliness and isolation, their desire for a normal life, and punishment for their horrible sins, often in the form of the guilty conscience.

They are passionate creatures, lovers and warriors, but they also have fears and make mistakes just like humans. And, therefore, we like them.

This is true of the colorful and impressive characters created by Karen Koehler, those you can read about in her excellent Slayer series.

Stigmata is the third book in the series. The main character is Alek, who belongs to a race called the Dhampiri. They are half-human, half-vampire creatures that make up the slayers, the police force of the vampire community. However, Alek does not belong to them anymore. He became a renegade after learning about a conspiracy and the crimes of his master, Amadeus. He had to fight his fellow slayers and Amadeus, and, in the end, he had to kill his master, who was like a father to him. He is now hunted by slayers and finds purpose in his life by helping those who need him.

The one who needs help is a young girl called Damia, who has strange powers. She has to be protected from humans, slayers, vampires, and other unholy creatures that are even more dangerous than vampires. Some think she is the Antichrist; others hope she is just the opposite. Alek promises to protect her whatever happens.

Details of the vampires' world are worked out brilliantly. I was amazed by its details and fascinated by the many twists in the plot.

Stigmata is a powerful page-turner with a story that will keep you amazed throughout the entire book. Plenty of excitement guaranteed.

Just as the first two parts of the series, Stigmata is also highly recommended.

Reviewed By Ilona Hegedus
© July 2005