Throughout all of human history, there has always been a certain allure or calling for people to explore outlets related to what some may consider to be “the dark side” of life.Things and interests related to the macabre, the darkness and death itself has permeated its way into several cultures and stories throughout the world, and literature has brought these interests to life greatly over the centuries. One legend in particular that has always soared and got more and more popular with gothic horror as a genre
was vampirism. As Sheryl Lee once said, “It’s almost as if we each have a vampire inside us. Controlling that beast, that dark side, is what fascinates me.” In authors Don W. Hill, M.D. and Tom Cavaretta’s Vampiro: Volume III: Brotherhood of the Bat, the authors return to the blood-soaked world of human vampires and the rise of a deadly infection that turns people into bloodthirsty monsters. After the shocking conclusion of book two, the authors find several groups of people coming together in a shocking clash. While former doctor turned self-proclaimed queen of the remaining Maya people and a powerful bruja seeks justice against a powerful paramilitary war lord to get justice for the Maya people, Blake Barker continues to search for his missing son while dealing with his own transformation, and a Navajo scientist must flee a government operation and struggle with his newfound transformation. The way the authors craft and bring together the multiple POVs and each character’s story together in the overall narrative was so brilliantly done. The gritty and chilling nature of the virus and the attention to detail the authors give to make each character experience not only the physical changes of the virus but the psychological ones as well was expertly done. The psychology that goes into the transformation of other characters such as Lorena as well was amazing to read about. The Hispanic history and culture that went into this narrative really elevated the story to me, and the ways in which the authors incorporated medical terminology and knowledge into the more vampiric mythos was great to read and see unfold on the page. This is a brilliantly written and atmospheric vampire horror novel. The gripping thriller nature of the characters development and the imagery that was used to bring these settings made the novel flow smoothly, and the evolution of these characters will have readers invested in the overall story as it progresses. Thrilling, engaging, and chilling storytelling at its best, authors Don W. Hill, M.D. and Tom Cavaretta’s Vampiro: Volume III: Brotherhood of the Bat is a must-read vampire horror novel of 2022. The evolution of scientific origins of the vampire virus and Hispanic culture was an incredible thing to read, and the haunting evolution these characters go through and the shocking twists and turns that leave several character’s fate pivoting in the balance will keep readers hanging off of the authors and their writing indefinitely.