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BLOOD PROMISE

JESSA SOBCZUK - RUE MORGUE MAGAZINE ISSUE #131, March 2013

Welcome to the seedy underbelly of Toronto circa 1990, where Randy Daudlin's action-packed vampire novel, Blood Promise, takes place among the Yonge Street sex shops, junkies, prostitutes, rapists and crime rings.

Homicide detective Reg Martin has been wasting away in a haze of nightmares and whiskey ever since he witnessed his partner's mysterious on-duty murder. When the RCMP requests his aid on what looks to be a related killing spree (all the victims have been drained of their blood), Reg picks up the pieces that are left of his broken career and attempts to work through the post-traumatic stress he's experiencing in order to make headway on the case. The evidence all seems to be leading to a club called The Afterlife where, unbeknownst to Reg, the vampire Queen Lleha has made her headquarters. Reg soon realizes he is being followed by a mysterious figure, but in order to befriend this potential informant, he must confront his greatest fears and accept the new supernatural reality that is facing him: in order to fight Lleha and her gang of blood-crazy fiends, he must join forces with a vampire.

This violent and gruesome story is Daudlin's first foray into fiction after years in the special effects industry. It favours graphic action over introspective explanations, so while this is undeniably a fast-paced read, the team working on the case form a stale cast of characters that can easily be confused for one another. Daudlin also introduces an equally stereotypical supporting cast (sex-crazed junkie, mobster-type criminals, the strong-but-silent bodygard, etc.). Despite this, Blood Promise still shows a great deal of potential for a debut novel, and as it appears to be Volume 1 in a continuing story, perhaps there will be more character development and further fleshing out of the supernatural back story in the sequels.

While Blood Promise may satiate vampire enthusiasts' desperate thirst for blood, it's not quite a well-rounded meal.

 

 4 out of 5 stars

 Must Have!!!  Blood Promise, March 7, 2013

 By Evelyn Castro
 Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
 
First off I Really enjoyed this novel quite a lot!! The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is because I  believe Everyone and Everything has room for improvements.
I am not a Big reader, usually I don't have too much time and what I do read MUST draw me in Immediately, and Not after a few chapters or halfway through the book. "Blood Promise" drew me in from the beginning. Vampires, mystery, action!! it's at the top of my list of books/novels I have read. The characters and situations are very believable and vivid. I wouldn't say it's for the faint of heart as some of the details are quite descriptive, but being a very visual person that was perfect, and I very much appreciated it, plus I really don't mind goriness at all. It's so refreshing to see vampires portrayed in a way that they should be and Not the way I feel recent movies and books have portrayed them, which takes away from the fact that yes they are very seductive, however, they are also ruthless killers and Not some "sparkly teenage "vampires"lusting after one another. Blood Promise" is very much worth the read and I am Very much looking forward to reading more from Mr. Daudlin! Great job!! Highly recommend "Blood Promise"
 
4.0 out of 5 stars Blood Promise, Feb 2 2013
By
 
This review is from: Blood Promise (Paperback)
Blood Promise lives up to its jacket cover description. The author uses an interesting mix of "gritty" dialogue and highly descriptive passages to recount a story that gradually reels you in and doesn't disappoint. The ending proves intriguing. Quite an accomplishment for a first novel. Looking forward to reading future works by Daudlin.
 
5.0 out of 5 stars Blood Promise by Randy Daudlin, Feb 25 2013
By
jojo (canada) -
 
This review is from: Blood Promise (Kindle Edition)
I love the grittiness of the book. The story is mesmerizing. It builds from chapter to chapter the true nature of the beast - the vampire queen and her bloodthirsty sadistic followers, a tough yet vulnerable detective, a mysterious figure and a street gang in an unimaginable story line. Too many books flip flop from chapter to chapter bringing you back and forth with characters until you sometimes lose sight. This book does not disappoint … it continues the story line without interruption building to a crescendo. I haven’t been able to put this book down and am looking forward to reading more in the next volume. Most refreshing look on vampires. This book takes you into the dark recesses of vampire life and makes it terrifyingly beautiful.
 
 

LISA BINION - Bellaonline.com

Blood Promise - a Review http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art179783.asp

 

HURT 'EM REEL GOOD

5.0 ot of 5 stars ,  A pictorial step-by-step guide, April 16, 2013
By Mauricius A. Gibin (San Paulo, Brazil) -
 
Amazon Verified Purchase
This book works very well as a pictorial guide when you're out there shooting and need a desperate fix. You just flip the pages, find what you need, and follow the instructions.
 
 
5.0 out of 5 stars Great out of the kit FX book, August 29, 2011
 
Amazon Verified Purchase
This book is fantastic for out of the kit makeup effects. It shows you, with complete instructions and plenty of photos, how to make all types of common injuries, from a bone sticking out of the leg, to steam burns to the face. One of the coolest step by step guides featured is the movie quality zombie. It doesn't require any pre-made prosthetics and the look is based on reality (as is all the makeups in the book), a very important aspect for serious artists. It seems that other books feature injuries and zombies that are a little unrealistic, comical and not suitable for filmmaking. With Daudlin's book, this is not the case. It even introduced me to some techniques and formulas that I wasn't aware of. As a student trying to start a career in the field, this give me an obvious advantage. I really hope Mr. Daudlin makes a third book and I'd strongly recommend this to anyone of any level who works in makeup or is interested in makeup.
 

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Buy Amazing Price, March 17, 2011

By
J.D. (Orlando, FL) -
 
Amazon Verified Purchase
Being an aspiring artist who was had the pleasure of working on movie sets, haunted houses, and even facepainting, I'm always up for new resource materials to help spark new techniques. My mentor suggested this book, and Amazon has the best prices on it! This book is descriptive, easy to follow, and will introduce you some really cool gags. Most of the materials are either in your kit already or can be easily obtained.
WARNING: You will never look at oatmeal the same way again.
Enjoy!
 

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Resource, March 26, 2010

 
Amazon Verified Purchase
Excellent Special Effects Wounds and Instructions Guide with pictures on how to create very realistic wounds.

 

REEL CHARACTERS

ANDRE' DIMINO - "I learned something new today. We just got our copy and this is a fantastic reference book."