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elizabiddy's review against another edition
3.0
My Unbeating Heart is a vampire story similar to Anne Rice's Interview with a Vampire. A vampire named Rufus enlists the help of a human to tell his story as a confession to his God. The overall premise of the story is enlightening and fast-paced with familiar vamp themes of gore, bloodlust and human misunderstandings about the immortal species.
The initial story of the chronicler, Frank, is strained and contrived but when he begins his mission of writing the memoir of Rufus, that's when the story really picks up. Rufus isn't the first vampire to crave his humanity just as he craved blood - the Cullens, Castlevania's Dracula, Angel, among many others - but his longing is palpable and despairing the more Frank writes his story.
Overall I enjoyed the story, my one big gripe and where the stars have fallen fast for this title is the unfortunate writing style. My Unbeating Heart is told in the first person and unfortunately falls into some style failings with an overuse of the word 'I' and very superficial attempts at description and an over reliance on dialogue to move the plot along. I kept thinking, "was this originally a play?" - In fact, I think it would be great as an on-stage production.
The initial story of the chronicler, Frank, is strained and contrived but when he begins his mission of writing the memoir of Rufus, that's when the story really picks up. Rufus isn't the first vampire to crave his humanity just as he craved blood - the Cullens, Castlevania's Dracula, Angel, among many others - but his longing is palpable and despairing the more Frank writes his story.
Overall I enjoyed the story, my one big gripe and where the stars have fallen fast for this title is the unfortunate writing style. My Unbeating Heart is told in the first person and unfortunately falls into some style failings with an overuse of the word 'I' and very superficial attempts at description and an over reliance on dialogue to move the plot along. I kept thinking, "was this originally a play?" - In fact, I think it would be great as an on-stage production.
zacharri's review
5.0
I have always been interested in fantasy, especially created around vampire stories. They represent a true blend of unimaginable powers and human emotions. This makes me more connected to them, and I feel like I am more into the character and its depth. And obviously this would draw you to a different world, far from your own.
The main character Rufus Hobster is a vampire or we can say half-mam, who dwells in the present but has no memory of the past. He has this urge to know how this all started and how he ended up like this. The story will be more or less about his quest to learn about his past. During this quest he meets Frank Lambert and somehow gives him a pivotal role in this.
Once he starts unveiling his past, we dive deep into the era of 1800 situated in London, and mysterious events unfold to keep the readers hooked.
Detailed characterization and transparency in emotions serve as the captive feature of storytelling in an imaginary world. The author offers a lot of scope for imagination while moving on with each plot. He has successfully created a balanced world of normal and paranormal for readers.
I enjoyed this read and look forward to reading more fantasy like this. This brings a good storytelling.
The main character Rufus Hobster is a vampire or we can say half-mam, who dwells in the present but has no memory of the past. He has this urge to know how this all started and how he ended up like this. The story will be more or less about his quest to learn about his past. During this quest he meets Frank Lambert and somehow gives him a pivotal role in this.
Once he starts unveiling his past, we dive deep into the era of 1800 situated in London, and mysterious events unfold to keep the readers hooked.
Detailed characterization and transparency in emotions serve as the captive feature of storytelling in an imaginary world. The author offers a lot of scope for imagination while moving on with each plot. He has successfully created a balanced world of normal and paranormal for readers.
I enjoyed this read and look forward to reading more fantasy like this. This brings a good storytelling.
joanmal's review
mysterious
fast-paced
5.0
I am incredibly picky with vampire stories. The wave that Anne Rice inspired in the modern vampire is really hit or miss, and some authors just can’t hack it without the same old boring tropes and vampire cliches. Some of them are fun, but most are not. Wilde manages to hit the sweet spot between boring cliché and new twist. The “vampire trying to be human” isn’t a new concept, but how it’s done feels more like a mystery unfolding rather than an edgy “not like the other vampires” type story.
Rufus, our beloved vampire friend, recounts his adventures to find what makes him human, and in his efforts, he stumbles upon what makes humans human, too. This isn’t my first Wilde story, and this one shares the same fantastic attention to character detail. It's a great book, well-written, and worth your weekend to read!
Rufus, our beloved vampire friend, recounts his adventures to find what makes him human, and in his efforts, he stumbles upon what makes humans human, too. This isn’t my first Wilde story, and this one shares the same fantastic attention to character detail. It's a great book, well-written, and worth your weekend to read!
drakaina16's review
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Thank you to NetGalley for providing a review copy.
Lovely vampire commissions slightly unwilling author to pen his life story - you've read this book, right? No, you haven't. This was my first Eli Wilde book, and I must say, I'm very impressed. I'd been seeing his books talked about all over the Books of Horror Facebook group. So when the chance came about to read him for myself, I jumped at it. The hype surrounding this book is very real. Although Rufus has done terrible things (as vampires tend to do), he remains a very sympathetic character. I'm looking forward to reading the second volume of Rufus' life story.
Lovely vampire commissions slightly unwilling author to pen his life story - you've read this book, right? No, you haven't. This was my first Eli Wilde book, and I must say, I'm very impressed. I'd been seeing his books talked about all over the Books of Horror Facebook group. So when the chance came about to read him for myself, I jumped at it. The hype surrounding this book is very real. Although Rufus has done terrible things (as vampires tend to do), he remains a very sympathetic character. I'm looking forward to reading the second volume of Rufus' life story.
grantedbooks's review
medium-paced
4.0
This is not the first time I read a story about Vampires. It's certainly not the first time I have been fascinated with the idea. And this book, if anything, had me completely engrossed once again.
The main protagonist named Rufus Hobster, who is at present a vampire, is somehow unable to recollect anything from his past. But then these flashbacks play a vital role to motivate him to find out more about him. This part at times reminded me of Elijah Michealson from The Originals, when he once wiped his memory, but then that was by choice. Anyhow, there's this other guy called Frank known for his writing skills who writes Rufus' past story. This Frank guy has his share of daily life struggles. As Rufus' story starts to unfold we are travelling back in time to the 1800s in London. The setting is absolutely beautiful. To know further you will have to read this fascinating story.
I did have a good time reading this one so much so that am waiting to read the next part.
The main protagonist named Rufus Hobster, who is at present a vampire, is somehow unable to recollect anything from his past. But then these flashbacks play a vital role to motivate him to find out more about him. This part at times reminded me of Elijah Michealson from The Originals, when he once wiped his memory, but then that was by choice. Anyhow, there's this other guy called Frank known for his writing skills who writes Rufus' past story. This Frank guy has his share of daily life struggles. As Rufus' story starts to unfold we are travelling back in time to the 1800s in London. The setting is absolutely beautiful. To know further you will have to read this fascinating story.
I did have a good time reading this one so much so that am waiting to read the next part.
leventak's review
5.0
fus Hobster, a vampire with an enigmatic desire for a biographer to transcribe his confessions to the Almighty, is discovered by Frank Lambert. He unwillingly decides to write his memoirs despite having no experience with literature and being in a miserable marriage. Readers are taken on a spine-tingling voyage into Rufus's universe in the first-person narrative, where conflicts arise as a result of flashbacks to his human background. My Unbeating Heart, by Eli Wilde, examines the thin line separating the real world from the supernatural and marks his comeback to the literary scene.
orione's review
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
5.0
Eli Wilde's novel, My Unbeating Heart, is a fascinating journey into a supernatural version of the 1800s. The central character, Rufus Hobster, is a compelling figure, and his evolution from an anonymous entity to a named individual is intriguing.
The story is a rich tapestry of historical elements, romantic threads, and profound explorations of human nature. Wilde's depiction of London in the 1800s is so immersive, it's as if you can hear the horses' hooves and feel the cold fog on your skin.
The narrative allows you to walk in Rufus's shoes, experiencing his transformation from human to vampire, his internal conflict with his new identity, and his longing for his former humanity. It's a poignant reflection on the human condition, seen through the eyes of a character who is no longer human.
If you're looking for a fresh perspective on vampire stories, My Unbeating Heart could be an interesting choice. It has a captivating quality that might just draw you in.
The story is a rich tapestry of historical elements, romantic threads, and profound explorations of human nature. Wilde's depiction of London in the 1800s is so immersive, it's as if you can hear the horses' hooves and feel the cold fog on your skin.
The narrative allows you to walk in Rufus's shoes, experiencing his transformation from human to vampire, his internal conflict with his new identity, and his longing for his former humanity. It's a poignant reflection on the human condition, seen through the eyes of a character who is no longer human.
If you're looking for a fresh perspective on vampire stories, My Unbeating Heart could be an interesting choice. It has a captivating quality that might just draw you in.
cywizard's review
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A chance encounter in a Darlington pub in the North East of England puts Frank Lambert on a path to discovery. Rufus Hobster, part man, part vampire and using a name inscribed on a tombstone, as his own, has a strange request: an insightful biographer to write his confessions to God. With minimal literary exposure, an unhappy marriage and an unfulfilling day job, Frank reluctantly agrees to write the memoirs of Rufus.
Written in the first-person narrative, we are taken on a spine-chilling journey into a vampire's world where flashbacks from a time when he was human, cause Rufus deep conflict. This captivating and cleverly written novel, partly told in old English prose, set in 1800s London, will leave you equally stunned and intrigued at the horror within its pages. The glimpses into the extensive lifespan of Rufus, encompass love and tragedy in equal measure.
The author, Eli Wilde, in his book, My Unbeating Heart, cleverly draws the reader into a world that portrays the fine line between what is normal and what is paranormal and explains why his return to the literary world has been met with much gratitude. A highly gifted writer with a penchant for skillfully written horror, I simply cannot recommend this book highly enough.
Written in the first-person narrative, we are taken on a spine-chilling journey into a vampire's world where flashbacks from a time when he was human, cause Rufus deep conflict. This captivating and cleverly written novel, partly told in old English prose, set in 1800s London, will leave you equally stunned and intrigued at the horror within its pages. The glimpses into the extensive lifespan of Rufus, encompass love and tragedy in equal measure.
The author, Eli Wilde, in his book, My Unbeating Heart, cleverly draws the reader into a world that portrays the fine line between what is normal and what is paranormal and explains why his return to the literary world has been met with much gratitude. A highly gifted writer with a penchant for skillfully written horror, I simply cannot recommend this book highly enough.
ironl4dy's review
5.0
Reading My Unbeating Heart by Eli Wilde felt like I was stepping back into the 1800s, but a supernatural 1800s which made it even more interesting. The protagonist, Rufus Hobster, is pretty enigmatic and plays a good lead. The moment I read about his journey from being a nameless entity to adopting a name from a gravestone I definitely thought I’d be hooked.
The narrative is steeped in history, love, and the eternal struggle of what it means to be human. Wilde's portrayal of 1800s London was so vivid, I could almost hear the clatter of horse-drawn carriages and feel the chill of the foggy nights.
Reading this made me feel like I was walking alongside Rufus, experiencing his journey from man to vampire, his struggle with his new identity, and his yearning for humanity. The story is a poignant reminder of the human condition, even when the protagonist is anything but human.
If you're in the mood for a unique take on the vampire genre, I’d say give My Unbeating Heart a shot. You might just find yourself as captivated as I was.
The narrative is steeped in history, love, and the eternal struggle of what it means to be human. Wilde's portrayal of 1800s London was so vivid, I could almost hear the clatter of horse-drawn carriages and feel the chill of the foggy nights.
Reading this made me feel like I was walking alongside Rufus, experiencing his journey from man to vampire, his struggle with his new identity, and his yearning for humanity. The story is a poignant reminder of the human condition, even when the protagonist is anything but human.
If you're in the mood for a unique take on the vampire genre, I’d say give My Unbeating Heart a shot. You might just find yourself as captivated as I was.