Allure of the Vampire (Dark Moon Press)
Review by Mari Lynne Rupp
Author: Corvis Nocturnum
Earlier in 2011, I reviewed "Lure of the Vampire" a guide to all things vampire, filled with classical references and pop culture references, discussing briefly why the vampire is so popular, and the current resurgence of vampires in pop culture thanks to the Twilight phenomenon.
This book discusses in more length, and more specifically the more sensual and erotic lure of the vampire, involving essays and surveys by regular readers and those in the vampire onine community, nicely tied together by Corvis Nocturnum, an artist and writer who had previously published "Satan's Minions" and " A Mirror Darkly". The author competently puts together theories and examples of the sexual draw of vampires, and vampire stories, characters and movies in both pop culture and classic novels and movies.
Citing everything from Bram Stoker's "Dracula", to Anne Rice's vampire chronicles and Stephenie Meyer's "Twilight" series, the author leaves no stone unturned.
Essays include quotes from Don Henrie of "Mad Mad House" fame, who was one of the earliest to go on record in media as a "real" vampire. Don and others of the vampire community discuss their lifestyle, their physiological need for blood (or life energy, for psi vampires) and what possibly draws others to them, sexually.
The author also goes psychologically into the desire for the vampires, or dark archetypes, citing works from Carl Jung, discussing briefly why darkness is a draw for most "regular" people.
This has been a most enjoyable book to get through and both this volume and "Lure of the Vampire" are wonderful books for vampire fans, new and old. I honestly haven't enjoyed vampire non-fiction like this since I was much younger, and I'm really grateful to have found these authors.
8/10