There are vampires among us in a shadow world that has its subtle hooks into organized crime itself, as well as practically every major business, governmental, cultural, and religious institution in existence. Subtle, influencing rather than controlling, and ancient, it predates most if not all of the present-day institutions it influences. And evil. No shades of gray here. No redeeming social merit. Most of these vampires are educated, refined and charming, but as pure in their evil as the foulest of their bloodsucking kindred whose transformed faces match their twisted souls. A world of shadows; shadows of evil. When a maverick who prefers the twisted, bloodsucking condition of the classical vampire becomes too powerful to be controlled, a wave of evil is unleashed.
In The Soul of Popular Culture, leading writers and critics, many of them influenced by the thought of C. G. Jung, draw upon the insights of depth psychology to delve into the meanings of TV programs like Star Trek and Fawlty Towers, movies such as The Piano and The Silence of the Lambs, and other contemporary media, as well as the public preoccupation with such issues as abortion, AIDS, the O.J. Simpson trial, and our enduring fascination with Elvis.
Drakul. Nosferatu. Upyr. Vampyre. There have been many names for what we know today as the vampire. For over a century, literature, television, cinema and many other areas in our daily lives cannot be imagined without the appearance of this fictional character. Almost everyone is familiar with the image of the walking undead that creeps out of its coffin at night and sucks the blood out of humans. The undead has always been appealing to its audience. It is the ‘otherness’ of such monsters, their frightful darkness and exoticism that makes them so interesting. This book deals with the figure of the vampire regarded as the ‘unknown other’ and how it is fictionally represented in the American TV series True Blood (2008 - ). Considering both psychoanalytical concepts as well identity theory, the author depicts the literary and cinematographic development of the fictional figure of the vampire since the late nineteenth century, and analyzes different representations of the vampire and its “otherness” as well as their appeal to the audience in the True Blood.
Family is everything. So when my sister ran away to be with her new boyfriend, I chased after her. A strange, crimson eyed man attacked me within minutes of my arrival, only to bring me my destiny. Alex, an arrogant, handsome flirt, saved me. No matter how hard we try to fight our connection, we're drawn to each other. While he reluctantly agrees to help me, I discover a terrifying new world filled with creatures that shouldn't be real; shifters; vampires; angels; witches; and so much more. I'm surrounded by supernaturals with even a silver wolf and her mate sheltering me. Every minute I'm in Shadow Terrace becomes increasingly more dangerous, but I'll risk everything to save my sister. Even if it means turning my back on the man who could possibly complete my soul. Scroll up and one click Cursed Mate today.
Not only do vampires exist, but they walk among us! Paranormal researcher extraordinaire and author of hundreds of books on the mysterious and unknown, Brad Steiger, reveals that real vampires are not immortal, do not have fangs or sleep in coffins, and have no fear of sunlight or crucifixes. A chilling chronicle of the often-ignored history of vampirism, Real Vampires, Night Stalkers, and Creatures from the Darkside is a shocking account of occultist rituals and the inhuman forces that influence these immortal beasts. From spine-tingling classic tales—Vlad the Impaler, the Countess of Blood—to stories of famous mass-murderers and their shocking, cannibalistic, and vampire-like behavior—Jack the Ripper, the Zodiac Killer, Jeffrey Dahmer—to hair-raising testimony from ordinary people who’ve encountered vampires, and finally to interviews with modern vampires themselves, this frightening collection covers them all. Not for the faint of heart, you’ll encounter 163 terrifying tales of the hideous wraiths and creatures that lurk in shadow, including . . . the Mexican prostitute who mesmerized an entire village, convincing them she was an Incan goddess who required human sacrifice for her magic. the three teenagers who left a trail across the South as they conducted blood-drinking rituals with animals. the mysterious Lady in Black, who draws psychic energy from men who dare approach her as she wanders through city streets and parks. the young bride-to-be possessed by an evil spirit pretending to be her recently deceased uncle. the college student who thought that he had gotten lucky when he was invited to a party by a gorgeous woman—until he found out that the other partygoers seemed to want blood in return for their beer. Shining a light on the horrifying truth, Real Vampires, Night Stalkers, and Creatures from the Darkside dispels many myths but also confirms the truth behind several traits of real vampires. You’ll encounter loathsome slashers, rippers, and murderers who do not promise immortality with their “bite,” only a painful death. The numerous photos and illustrations bring the text to life!
From the Master of Horror comes the first gripping book in the twelve book New York Times bestselling Saga of Darren Shan. Start the tale from the beginning in the book that inspired the feature film The Vampire's Assistant and petrified devoted fans worldwide. A young boy named Darren Shan and his best friend, Steve, get tickets to the Cirque Du Freak, a wonderfully gothic freak show featuring weird, frightening half human/half animals who interact terrifyingly with the audience. In the midst of the excitement, true terror raises its head when Steve recognizes that one of the performers-- Mr. Crepsley-- is a vampire! Stever remains after the show finishes to confront the vampire-- but his motives are surprising! In the shadows of a crumbling theater, a horrified Darren eavesdrops on his friend and the vampire, and is witness to a monstrous, disturbing plea. As if by destiny, Darren is pulled to Mr. Crepsley and what follows is his horrifying descent into the dark and bloody world of vampires. This is the beginning of Darren's story.
Monsters and shape-shifters have always held a special fascination in mythologies, legends, and folklore the world over. From ancient customs to famous cases of beasts and vampires and their reflections in popular culture, 600 entries provide definitions, explanations, and lists of suggested further reading.
In TOUCHED (BOOK #2 OF THE SHADOW VAMPIRES), Keira Blaine is on the run with her new love, Cooper. Having just finished vanquishing the first wave of Shadow Vampires, the small town of Everstock is no longer a safe place for them. They have to flee, and search for a safe haven together. Keira can't return home anyway, especially after running away from her parents to be with Cooper. As they embark on their journey together, Cooper tells Keira about his long-lost mother and her tribe, The Torches, a race of positive vampires, rival enemies to the Shadow Vampires. Separated from her at birth, Cooper is determined to find his mother, and to follow the clues and his magical ring that will lead him to her. Keira is determined to find out more about who she is becoming, too, and where her new powers are coming from mysterious powers that are growing by the day. Is she a vampire, too? Where is her strength coming from? What is her destiny? Keira and Cooper continue on their fantastical journey to mysterious islands in Lake Michigan. They manage to find Cooper's mother and her tribe but once there, Keira has to confront a beautiful young Torch woman, Tua, who falls in love with Cooper and is determined to make him her own. Keira is forced to face danger alone at a club in Chicago, and to go back home and face her family and her old high school where she realizes that she is no longer welcome. Worse, the Shadow Vampires won't let them rest. They hunt them down, and enlist their most gorgeous soldier the teenage Percy to seduce Keira's sister, Amanda, and have her lead them to her. Amanda, despite herself, falls deeply in love, and Percy finds himself feeling unexpected feelings of his own. Will he have to betray his tribe? Keira and Cooper, too, are falling more deeply in love with each other but life circumstances seem determined to pry them apart. Will their love withstand the test? Will Keira find out who she really is? And will the Shadows hunt them down before they can each fulfill their mission? TOUCHED is Book #2 of the Shadow Vampires (following SAVED), and yet it also stands alone as a self-contained novel.
I was born to the name of Rachel Weatere in the year 1684, more than three hundred years ago. The one who changed me named me Risika, and Risika I became, though I never asked what it meant. I continue to call myself Risika, even though I was transformed into what I am against my will. By day, Risika sleeps in a shaded room in Concord, Massachusetts. By night, she hunts the streets of New York City. She is used to being alone. But now someone is following Risika. Someone has left her a black rose, the same sort of rose that sealed her fate three hundred years ago. Three hundred years ago Risika had a family -- a brother and a sister who loved her. Three hundred years ago she was human. Now she is a vampire, a powerful one. And her past has come back to torment her. This atmospheric, haunting tale marks the stunning debut of a promising fourteen-year-old novelist.
