Title: Risen II: The Progeny
Author: Krystal Lawrence
Publisher: Telemachus Press
ISBN: 978-1-941536-51-3
Pages: 281
Genre: Horror/Suspense
Reviewed by: Carol Davala, Pacific Book Review
Book Review
The mythology and lore of vampires has long been at the forefront of the horror genre. From early film classics like F.W. Murnau’s Nosferatu, to fictional tomes, aka Elizabeth Kostava’s The Historian, or the modern day True Blood series, the provocative, blood lusting creatures never cease to captivate an audience. Here, back by popular demand, author Krystal Lawrence once again opens a literary blood vein in “Risen II”, a second installment featuring the notorious vampire, Francis Barclay. Resurrected from the dead after two hundred years, the original story ultimately left this character dead, cremated, and interred one hundred miles from the town of Alder Lake. This time around he returns in a dusty particle, semi-formed state. Minus the bloodlust and animosity towards past enemies, Barclay’s latest intentions are to guide and secure proper guardians for his accidental, seven-year-old progeny, Lorna Dale. Through Lawrence’s keen sense of dramatic irony, readers will soon come to realize the uncommon nature of this young girl.
Lawrence’s well thought out, suspenseful plot moves freely between a town and its inhabitants, and the underlying secrets that surface in light of a gruesome murder. Here the literary landscape is replete with a womanizing husband, a renewed post-partum psychotic wife, a handsome detective, and an attractive new business owner. There are children in this community, and homeless on the streets. And yes, there are vampires. As themes of love and family, loyalty, infidelity, guilt and innocence are tested in both the human and supernatural realms, inevitably it speaks to the probability of any moral compass going askew.
In contrast to the serious tone that emanates throughout the storyline, Lawrence knows how to lighten the intensity with bits of humor. To this end we note Barclay’s addiction to junk food and sweets, and as his appendages start to disintegrate before our eyes, he acknowledges that he’s not looking too good. From an upwardly mobile otherworldly couple, we learn that vampires have a practical side, i. e. often choosing careers in medicine for easy access to the blood fluids they crave. Here the wife’s preference is for AB-negative. Such vampire chuckles bring to mind Johnny Depp’s recent comic resurrection of Barnabas Collins, the vampire of Dark Shadows fame.
For those attracted to the macabre elements of any good vampire story, Lawrence does not disappoint. Though here the gruesome happenings are linked to the actions of a mere child, the author renders in fine detail that thirst-quenching resolve, likened to finding water in an oasis. From adrenaline rushes, to acrimonious smells, razor-sharp teeth, and a heinous flesh-tearing reign, audiences will witness the brightness of evil that radiates from within.
In this self-contained work, Lawrence offers a balance of background and history to previous events, so readers can quickly become invested in the characters and story. With an unusual twist in the book’s final chapters, audiences may feel left to ponder the blurred existential line between vampires and humankind. Beyond shock value, or an opportunity for a Hollywood mega-watt smile vampire casting, Lawrence’s presentation is a high- grade alternative. In this engaging narrative, offering emotionally charged characters and the ever-enticing vampire factor, “Risen II” gives readers a chance encounter with the deep-rooted darkness that seeps through the surface of humanity. This is smart, thought-provoking and chilling literary entertainment. Hopefully for fans, Lawrence will consider a future visit to Alder Lake.
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